(I do not own Naruto.)

Chapter 20: A Taste

Tsunade perused through the latest structural reports of Konoha from within the Hokage's office.

Shizune leafed through her own share besides her as they tried to sort through the mess. A brown-haired ninja in chunin uniform also lent a hand to the crusade against the paperwork. The man had come to the office to drop the latest Academy progress reports.

Adding more paperwork to an already impressive mountain. The man had intuited Tsunade's struggles in surprising fashion and offered to help perhaps feeling guilty for piling further to the paperwork, claiming experience with helping Sarutobi-sensei with such tasks before.

Iruka, the young man was called. He and Shizune read and organised the letters, reports, and scrolls by order of importance and gave them to Tsunade to read.

Let it be known that Tsunade Senju was anything but thorough and not given to laziness. But the amount of paperwork was really testing her patience and awakening some slumbering urges she had put off for nigh a week.

Her throat felt dry. She gazed towards Shiune, who was going through a scroll. Surely they were due a break now.

"Take a break you two." She declared. Iruka nodded respectfully and exited the room.

Shizune turned to her. "I'll bring you something to eat." She declared.

"Can you bring me a drink too?" The black-haired woman just gave her a kindly stare that said everything. Tsunade rolled her eyes.

Shizune left with a smile on her face. So much for her helpfulness. She couldn't even give her the one thing she needed.

She craved a distraction. With Jiraiya out of the village on his reconnaissance missions, she had no one to talk to except Shizune and Shizune was too work-orientated, and respectful towards her. She was not an equal, like Jiraiya. Thinking of Jiraiya summoned to mind the last conversation they had shared and the subject of that conversation.

She stood up and went to stand near the window, peering at the village absently, a hand to her chin. From what Jiraiya told her, she possibly would need to make changes around her house soon.

The thought caused a tightening in her belly.

Like her, Naruto had tried to sever his ties to Konoha, but only succeeded in finding further pain outside of Konoha. Not only that, according to Jiraiya, they shared something that ran far deeper.

(Flashback – Two Days Ago)

Tsunade stared at her old family compound with trepidation gripping her heart.

Even though it hadn't been lived in for years, the grounds were well-kept and the grand house in the distance seemed as it was years ago. She knew her Sensei was responsible for that. She smiled sadly at the memories that haunted this place. The old Senju compound was located in one of the oldest parts of the village, having been one of the first places to be built during the founding of Konohagakure. It was nearer to the Sarutobi and the Nara clans' holdings. She never imagined she would ever be here again. Well not alive, that is.

"You're not planning on standing there all night, are you?"

She turned to the source of the voice to find a shadow leaning against the bark of a tree to her left, face shrouded in spots of foliage-filtered moonlight. Even if she could not see the face, she recognised the voice well enough.

"Jiraiya? What are you doing here?" She asked, kicking herself for not noticing the man's presence until he spoke. She had to take more care of her surroundings, but still, only Jiraiya could sneak up on her. She smiled inwardly at the reason for how he had become good at it.

The man stepped out from under the tree and stood on the path leading into the Senju compound, a mix of moonlight and streetlights washing against him, casting his shadow everywhere. "I came to see how you're doing."

Trust Jiraiya to know when she's not fine. She could not let him see it though. "I'll be fine. You need not worry yourself about me, Jiraiya. Go rest."

"That doesn't sound like a bad idea but let me help you get settled first." She would've told him he had done enough for her already, but merely sighed and nodded her head. Jiraiya came over to her side. "After you." He inclined with a small bow.

Tsunade glared at him but couldn't help that grin that split her face.

She unlocked the gate to the compound and pushed them open. Then, hesitantly, she took her first step past the threshold, sealing her fate. Jiraiya followed close behind her, his eyes studying her carefully. "You know. I still don't know how you convinced me to return." She said as they walked towards the grand house in the centre of the estate.

He smirked. "Call it part of my legendary charm." Of course, they both knew that wasn't the real reason. They would rather leave it unspoken, for it was what had brought them together again.

She punched him in the arm as she gave a sad smile. "Don't get a big head, moron."

"Too late for that." He said with a smirk, rubbing the back of his head.

She offered him a softer stare, her eyes revealing her own understanding of the pain he must be going through. "Will you tell the boy?" she asked him, knowing he would know to what she was referring.

"No." Jiraiya stated after a brief silence. "It's sensei's secret to reveal."

Tsunade only shook her head sadly. "Knowing him, Naruto will never know." Jiraiya could sense the slight disapproval in her words.

"He won't want to worry the kid seeing he has just returned." He sighed, working his white mane of hair back with his hand. "He'll just blame himself if he knew."

"He appears to have a strong rein on his emotions. I doubt he will do that" She countered.

He merely shook his head. "He may appear so, bur he should not know as of yet."

"What is it with you men thinking you know best?" Her eyebrow had creased delicately as she offered him a disproving stare.

"It's what makes us men." He stated with a shrug. She could see a distant glint creep into his eyes, no doubt a sign that he was reminiscing of the past.

"Maybe the kid deserves to know the truth. Perhaps he can handle it."

"Not right now." Jiraiya stated. Tsunade raised an expectant eyebrow at him and seeing this he sighed. "He just saw and fought his dead grandfather. We also heard that he had been involved with a nuke-nin girl."

Tsunade's eyebrow rose even further, her interest piqued. There was more to this boy than the lot he had shown. "What happened to her?" asked the blonde-haired woman.

"Take a guess." Tsunade's eyes widened before she sighed, her eyes gaining a sad glint to them. "Yeah, and by Kakashi's hand no less. Emotionally, Naruto's not in a good place right now." Jiraiya concluded.

"Poor kid, at least he's back now. That is something to be positive about. You must be glad." She smiled at him.

"Glad and terrified." He stated honestly. "The kid hates the village, but for once he'll be safe and maybe even find family." He looked at her strangely as he said that.

Tsunade, for all her years and wisdom felt self-conscious with Jiraiya looking at her in this manner. "Why are you looking at me like that?" As much as she was used to seeing the serious side of Jiraiya, it always scared her how unnerving she found that aspect of him.

"Nothing. Just, it's always good to see your beautiful face." He frowned slightly. "There was a time I thought I would never find you, or ever get to see you again, or your smile."

"Flatterer."

"It's the truth." He declared with an easy smirk.

"You still haven't given up, have you?" She knew that he had become a hermit because she refused to return his love. It wasn't surprising that he was still waiting for her. He had a way with commitment.

"Never with you, hime." Her heart rushed with blood, and she could feel it beating faster.

She smiled sadly at him as they finally reached her old house, which was the biggest within the compound. She reached for his hand and held it. Maybe she was selfish for saying this, but she couldn't think of anything else to tell this man. She couldn't crush his hopes yet again. "Keep trying. Don't stop." She whispered to him.

One day she may stop being a fool and just give this wonderful man her heart. Perhaps it would allow both of them to heal from the scars and failures of their pasts. It had been too long since she had been with a man and she could feel it. She had promised herself that she could never love anyone else after Dan, but would it be wrong to try one more time?

If there was anyone else that deserved it, and anyone she could see herself with. It would be Jiraiya. He had been waiting for so long, too long that it was painful for her to think about.

He grinned at her, the light of the moon glowing against his spiky white hair. "Till I die, hime. Anything for those beautiful jugs."

She punched him in the ribs and shook her head. "Perv." She almost whispered. He couldn't help himself, could he? Anyway, she couldn't have him any other way.

He shot her a pained smirk. "Can I ask you a favour, hime?"

"Nothing stupid I hope?" She narrowed her eyes threateningly.

"No. It's about Naruto. Could he stay here with you while sensei makes preparation for his new future?" Jiraiya asked.

"Jiraiya…" Tsunade groaned as she nursed her forehead, feeling a headache coming. "I've been back for barely two days and you're already dumping that brat on me?"

"Look, the kid needs to be around family. There's no one else besides you."

Tsunade frowned at his words, her brow furrowing in confusion. "You keep saying family? What are you trying to say?"

"Naruto is your first cousin once removed. The last family you have."

Tsunade's eyes widened. She opened the door and bade him entrance. "Get inside!" She hissed.

On the inside it was clean and smelling pleasantly. She knew Shizune had to have been here to prepare the house. They found the lounge and she pulled out some sake from her bag and brought out two saucers. She popped open the bottle, poured herself some, sat down and glared at Jiraiya who had taken a seat on the couch opposite her own. "Explain, and this better be good!" She glared even harder his way.

Jiraiya sighed as he filled his white ceramic saucer with sake and brought it to his lips. "When I learned of this from Sensei, I was shocked myself. Apparently, Higure and your grandmother Mito Uzumaki were siblings…"

"And Kushina was Higure's…" She stopped and looked at Jiraiya, her eyes widening with realisation.

"Yeah, and Naruto is the third one from his maternal family line to house the Kyūbi."

"So, it's not because he was Minato's son that he was chosen for the sealing?" She asked.

"Yes and no. Minato didn't know this. Neither did Kushina, but it seems Naruto was fated for that burden." He said as his eyes held hers.

"Did Kushina know Mito-baasan's relationship to her?" Tsunade asked as she used the back of her hand to wipe away some sake from the corner of her lips. She hadn't known Kushina all that well herself, except the few times that she would stumble upon her alongside Jiraiya. The thought made her slightly sad.

"No. She knew Mito was an Uzumaki like her, just not how closely related they were." Jiraiya stated. "Mito died soon after Kushina came to Konoha, and for some reason nobody bothered to tell her anything."

"Sound familiar?" She asked, her face adorned with a bitter smile.

He frowned and simply sipped more of his sake. "So, Naruto is some sort of prince?"

Jiraiya clicked his tongue. "Feh. Most princes are pompous little shits." He smiled. "Naruto is the son of Konoha and Uzushio. He's the best of both."

"I doubt he shares your sentiment." She downed another saucer of sake and looked at her teammate with a grimace. "He's still a troublesome little brat, but I can accommodate him."

"Thank you, hime." He gave her a grateful look.

"I trust he won't be hostile?" Tsunade asked, remembering Naruto's attitude and actions towards them back in Yu no Kuni. Thinking of that, she couldn't help but remember the destruction the boy had wrought and now she had to live with him? The things she did for Jiraiya. At least, all her debts would be taken care of.

He nodded. "Sensei will see to it."

She grabbed the sake bottle, the second one they had opened and closed the lid, drawing an incredulous stare from Jiraiya. "Now, finish that saucer and get out before you finish my sake!" She growled at him.

He chuckled and gave her a mischievous stare. "I was hoping to finish more than your sake." He wiggled his eyebrows at her, emphasising his innuendo.

She set down her empty saucer on the table, and moved over to his side, a seductive smirk on her lips and one hand holding her hip. She removed her coat and threw it at his face, barring her strong arms and big bust to him.

His cheeks grew red, and his lips stretched with one of his trademark lecherous grins.

"This is more like it, hime! Come on!-" The words died in his mouth when he felt the crackling of bones and looked to see her cracking her knuckles, a vicious smirk promising pain now adorning her face.

He felt the hairs on his back rise and promptly shot to his feet. "O-of course we can always do this another time. See you later, hime." He said before he poofed away before she could get her hands on him.

She shook her head as she allowed herself a smile at his antics. He always left her smiling, even when she punched him to oblivion.

(End Flashback)

...

She shook her head at the memories. She returned to the desk, sunk into her seat and reached into a draw and pulled out a photo she had found in her home. Tsunade was young then and chubby, probably five at the time, and the picture was the oldest one she had. She had stubby hands wrapped around the neck on an aged woman in a blue kimono, whose greyed red hair was groomed into a meticulous bun.

Her stomach twisted again.

Her memories of the woman in those photographs was of a quiet, polite and kind lady with the bearing of a princess. She had never known she was a princess. An heiress to a fallen house.

The last remaining sentinel of clan Uzumaki. How had her grandmother lived all those years, with the pain and loneliness? Unable to tell Kushina anything? Maintaining the lie that would only serve to shame Konoha?

She pulled up Naruto's photo. The picture was old, taken before Naruto had absconded from Konoha. This picture she had found in Sensei's drawer, kept meticulously. She figured the old man had looked at it hundreds of times over the years Naruto was gone, imagining where he was or how much he d changed. The photo showed the boy smiling tentatively while sitting on a swing. The loneliness in his eyes jumped out at Tsunade.

Mito-obaasan. Higure-sama. Kushina. Were all Uzumaki destined to die alone? Leaving behind orphaned children with no ties to anyone else?

Not. Not anymore.

"The Uzumaki still live on." She would ensure Naruto knew who they were. That he had family.

"Excuse me."

The level yet respectful tone of the figure behind him brought one old man twirling around to meet the face, a face he was seeing for the first time. "Yes, how may I help you, young one?" The young man stood tall for his age which the man guessed was around fourteen. The boy had brown hair just kissing his shoulders, blue eyes with a shade of navy. He wore a white kimono-like jacket, with a light purple collar over which was a green vest and grey armour on top. Below that he wore a purple hakama, sandals and a black lacquer hat. The young man carried a quiver on his back.

The boy inclined a bow first, drawing a proud smile from the blue-haired man. "If I may, I have a question to ask of you, sir?"

"Ask away, young man." The proclaimed wildly, flailing his hands awkwardly. "I have all the time in the world." His smile dried up as he uttered that last bit, not that the boy noticed.

"Have you seen a boy with strange eyes around here recently?" The man, blue-haired and portly, with black eyes, looked at him oddly, "Um, blond hair, and three marks on each of his cheeks...?"

The old man's eyes widened, and he paled slightly. "Seen him, yes." He rubbed his temples soothingly and sneered. "Not sure I wish to be reminded of that brat though." The man fell to his knees and began weeping profusely, tracing his hand over some of the rubble that piled up on the ground. "My poor restaurant is gone because of him." The boy sweat-dropped.

Taruho looked around and nodded his head at the carnage surrounding them. People were going around, cursing and scavenging for whatever valuables they could find from the rubble and dust. This part of Yu no Kuni was mostly restaurants, and stalls selling food. He felt pity for them, to have lost so much but they could always rebuild. "Uh…I sympathise with you, but you must tell me where he went, please." He pleaded, handing the man a cloth for his tears.

"I wouldn't know." The man intoned, sneezing into the cloth, making Taruho let loose another sweatdrop. That was his special cloth for cleaning his arrows. "But I heard he was here with Jiraiya of the Sannin. They fought another Sannin, the crazy one with the snakes." Taruho's eyes widened, and the man noted his concern. "No need to worry. I heard that your brat was taken unconscious by Jiraiya and Tsunade. I'd say try Konoha." He perked up at that.

"Konoha, you say? I see." The young man bowed his head to the man in gratitude, despite the disappointment he felt at missing his target. "Thank you for your help…" He inhaled deeply, thinking about how long they had been on this person's trail, the seas and villages they had travelled to get this far. Still, he was ahead of them, almost always eluding them. Perhaps, it wasn't meant to be. He knew how much it hurt his master every time they ended up on a cold trail, looking like fools. He could not bear to see his master in pain. This person, whoever he was, unwittingly or not, brought his master great pain. She would spend days, bedridden with dreams and premonitions about this strange person.

However, he existed to serve at Shion's side and Miroku-sama had told him to stay by her side and protect her. Taruho had sworn to this duty and he would fulfil it to his last breath.

"Kajima's the name." The man stated, "If you find that devil brat, tell him…tell him he'll burn in the coldest pits of hell for what he did here!"

The young man sweat-dropped and simply nodded his head. With his part said, the old former restaurant owner Kajima turned around and went on his way into the village complex. Hell, huh? Isn't that where they were trying to get him away from. Besides, wouldn't those words hurt the person whom they were meant for? A curse, as they called them. In the end, Taruho just nodded as the man left his side to go inspect the rubble that was his former restaurant.

The young man sighed, looking around the destroyed village complex to his right and a slumped restaurant stand slouched under the crushing weight of fallen pillars and the walls of bigger houses. This was the first time he was seeing the results of a shinobi battle on the land around it. He had to wonder what kind of destructive power had to have been used to take out an entire complex of the village, and if the one they sought was responsible for it. He had worried at first when he heard that it was Him that had conjured the monstrous earth pillars that now rose into the sky like brown skyscrapers. His first thought was whether they were pursuing a mad person, twisted and dangerous. However, he soon found out that only the buildings had been destroyed and no human casualties had been incurred.

That reassured him that they were seeking the right person.

He looked at the sun and sighed. He had to get back now, it was getting rather late and his liege would not be happy with him if he took his time.

The path to the carriage where he had left Shion-sama was short and he soon found them, on the main road that took one in and out of Yu no Kuni. Of course, from here, they would have to board another ship, something Taruho was not looking forward to. There was just something about being at sea for a long time that just made him feel nauseous. When the guards saw him approaching the carriage they raised their spears, mistaking him for an enemy, before they soon recognised him and nodded his way. The carriage was tied to two white horses, the best of Oni no Kuni that they had taken with them by sea all the way back from home.

He entered the carriage and went on one knee, his face bowed to a figure seated cross-legged on the floor of the exotic carriage, head facing down obscured by a waterfall of long light blonde hair reaching to their waist. Her hands were resting in her lap. He set his bow down beside him on the wooden surface.

"Shion-sama." Taruho greeted.

Pale lavender eyes came into light as the blonde raised her head up to look at him. "You have returned." Taruho nodded as she reached for some material, pulling her hair back and tying it to it behind her. No motion was wasted or hurried. "Did you find him?" She asked him, elegantly organising herself.

The bespectacled boy shook his head, bowing his head in shame. "No, he was already gone." He stated.

Her eyes narrowed, neither in anger or disappointment, just annoyance. "Where?" She asked, a long, defeated sigh leaving her lips without her volition. It surprised Taruho because as far as he knew Shion-sama, she was never one to express defeat. However, there was a heavy sadness veiled behind her dull looking eyes at yet another failure.

"It seems to be Konoha. He was with Jiraiya and Tsunade of the Sannin. They were seen leaving the village with him, unconscious."

Her eyes widened momentarily before she caught herself and gave him a dull look, one that behind the mask that she wore to try to hide how she was feeling, he understood very well. "He is not dead."

"I see…" She said softly, almost to herself but Taruho could sense the hidden relief behind her tone.

She let her thoughts wander freely, contemplating whether it was worth it at this stage to keep pursuing a ghost, the source of her nightmares and sleepless nights. She remembered her mother's words, the prophecy she bequeathed to her, of horrors unimagined raining upon the world. Death, pain, more death. She had to find him, or else he would die. It was foretold, even before their coming into this world. Their fates and lives were interwoven. Without her, he dies. The world ends. She clenched her delicate jaw and felt her hands tightening in her laps.

She had to find Uzumaki Naruto.

She beheld Taruho with her pale blue eyes, hardened with resolve. "Tell everyone to get ready. We're going to Konoha."

"Hai!" Taruho saluted and left the carriage, slinging his bow to his back. He would need to get them food and let the guards know to prepare for the journey ahead.

The door slid open, disturbing Naruto from a light sleep.

He wondered whethe Anko had already returned from her errants and was in the mood to pester him again. His days were filled with visits from Anko, and meditating to ensure he retained his sanity while in this cell.

Most of his and Anko's conversations were but a blur at times, but the woman's chatter was a welcome break from the silence and blank grey walls that he couldn't penetrate and ignite with his glares. Naruto could hardly remember the things they spoke about, but it was nice to have someone care about giving him company.

He was surprised when only the Hokage walked in, carrying a bowl with him. Naruto's nose easily identified the smell wafting from the ceramic bowl. Ramen, one of his old favourites.

"Good morning, Naruto-kun." Greeted Sarutobi with a warm smile, "How are you feeling?" Naruto kept quiet, refusing to answer. Truth be told, his body felt a little numbed. His skin felt irritated as it would after going unmoved for so long. He wanted out of these strappings, badly. He wanted out of this cell. He wanted to feel the smell of fresh air on his face. To run, to jump, to bathe. Want, want, want. He wasn't going to say these things though.

He rolled in the bed into a sitting position, the movement causing the chains holding him to the frame of the bed to clink. The Hokage remained standing, waiting for a word from the blond, but Naruto caught him eyeing the chains strangely. Naruto chewed on his lip, hoping the old man would go away.

His stomach betrayed him, choosing that very moment to audibly communicate its hunger with the sound of a deep rumble.

The blonde hung his head in embarassment and defeat before this most primal instinct.

The Hokage chuckled. "Let's take care of that little bugger, first. I have Miso Ramen, your favourite." Said Sarutobi. Naruto gave him an incredulous stare, and jerked his bound hands. In response Sarutobi smiled. "I've taken the liberty of removing you out of those bonds."

Naruto perked up and his lips flew open before he could even think. "Will you give me back my chakra?"

It was out. He couldn't unsay it or hope the Hokage didn't note the desperation in his word. Naruto felt powerless, and at the mercy of someone else for the first time in a long time and he didn't like the feeling one bit.

He looked at the Hokage. The aged man before him had all the power and could do just about anything with Naruto. Yet, why did he remain cordial, depite knowing Naruto's stance?

"One thing at a time, my boy." The Hokage answered after a lengthy pause.

Naruto sighed. Small victories. The Sandaime conjured a trident of one-handed seals and muttered: "Kai!"

The steel contraptions fell off Naruto's wrists and flew towards the Hokage who caught and stowed them away... somewhere inside his cloak.

The chains that had been connected to the manacles dissolved into nothingness, revealing that they had been made out of chakra. He could finally move.

Naruto stretched his stiff arms, and popped his wrists, feeling relief swell through them. Or maybe it was just blood.

His chakra was still inaccessible. He knew immediately when he couldn't see the Hokage's chakra. A seal must have been placed on him that prevented access. The chains and chakra cuffs had just been a secondary precaution.

The Ramen steamed delectably when it was passed to him in a bowl by the Sandaime. Fire chakra, Naruto concluded. The Sandaime was well-known for his mastery of the katon. He was well-known for his mastery over all five elements in fact.

Naruto tested the bamboo chopsticks with stiff hands.

The food was great. The Ichiraku taste and familiar warmth and smell was like an embrace that left butterflies in his stomach. The Hokage stood in silence while the blonde ate.

After finishing his meal, Naruto laid the chopsticks in the bowl to a soft click.

"Compliments for the chef?" The Hokage turned to him.

Naruto considered the question. He felt better after the meal, lighter. "Amazing, as always." He said the praise and didn't feel bad for it. He knew the Ichiraku deserved far more.

"Would you like to see them? It has been a while." The question made Naruto stiffen. He didn't want to think of those past relationships, and the memories associated with them. Cold days, only made better by the warmth of hot miso broth.

"I don't think that's a good idea. It might be awkward." Naruto lied. That wasn't why he would not see them. The truth was a bit more shameful.

"Most reunions are, Naruto-kun. But you can't avoid people who miss you simply because of that." The Hokage advised.

"I'm not worthy. They are better off without seeing me. Safer." There it was. It came out. He was afraid. Afraid of what seeing them would do to him. If he saw them, he could no longer pretend they didn't exist. Seeing them would weaken his resolve.

Seeing them would only remind him of Higure and Hotaru.

"I see." The Sandaime said. His face was schooled, but Naruto thought he had caught the veiled meaning behind his words.

Naruto swallowed. "How long before you let me out of here?"

The old man hummed in thought. "I don't plan on keeping you here longer."

The statement shocked Naruto. He almost leapt to his feet in excitement, instead he turned in the bed and dangled his feet over the edge and regarded the Hokage carefully.

"You'll free me?" He cursed the hope he felt emanating from his voice.

The Sandaime acquised with a nod. "Yes. We are going to receive a visit from an old friend of ours, I believe your presence would be a great welcoming gift to them."

Naruto frowned at that. What friend? As far as he was concerned he didn't have none. None that were alive that is, or grateful to him. "Who?"

The sly smile on the Hokage's face told Naruto he wouldn't find out. "That's a surprise." The old man declared.

Naruto's fist clenched. His jaw locked in anxious anticipation. He needed to know, now. But he wasn't impetuous, and he and Higure had worked hard to reign in his impatience. This wan't a ploy, he knew, to get him to stay in the village.

So, someone indeed was coming. Only who was the question...

"How long till this friend arrives?"

"A week at most."

"That long? I can't stay here till then!" The Hokage only gave him a pointed glare. The old man's killer intent spiked, causing Naruto to tremble in awe at the sheer oppressive will of the man's concentrated killer intent.

It dawned on the blonde then the situation he was in. "I don't have a choice do I?" Naruto's cerulean eyes chilled over and he felt the impending rage.

"You do have a choice, Naruto-kun." The Hokage's voice was strong and firm when when he spoke, drawing the blonde's eyes. "Do not be difficult." Naruto thought the Hokage sounded pleading, but his ears could be deceiving him.

"That's not much of a choice. You have no right to keep me here!" Naruto declared, pounding his fist on the bed. The Hokage caught the movement.

"You were not raised a shinobi Naruto-kun." The Sandaime stated.

Naruto couldn't help his brows rising in confusion. "What is that supposed to mean?"

The Sandaie sauntered towards the blond, his cloak swaying and pinned a pointed stare on the blonde once near.

"It means you don't know. All Shinobi are viewed as nothing but tools, weapons to be used in the village's protection. Jinchuriki more so. This view is held by all the Great Shinobi villages, by all minor nations and their hidden villages. We're a little soft on that view here in Konoha because of how inhumanely they describe us. There were some who held to them closely…"

Naruto didn't need to ask who that might be. His jaw merely clenched as he thought of that bandaged and blank face.

"Do you know who popularised this view?"

White hair, slanted orange eyes on a stoic pale face flittered before Naruto's eyes from a memory in his mind of uncertain origin. A man who once stood before four disciples to sacrifice himself so they could escape.

"The Nidaime Hokage." Naruto said, still pondering the man's sacrifice. It made sense to him now, the man's decision, his sacrifice. A tool. Just a tool. The thought filled him with anger.

Such ideals had taken Haku from him. Regardless of who made them and whether they had died true to them.

The Sandaime had a proud gleam in his eye, probably that Naruto knew that despite not being schooled in Konoha's academy. He probably would not approve of how Naruto came to know.

His grandfather had also told him a few things about the Nidaime and Shodaime Hokage, so he could always comfortably name Higure if queried on how he knew so much.

"Yes. The Nidaime was my predecessor and my mentor, along with the Shodaime. I consider myself fortunate in that fashion. They both taught me the true meaning of being a shinobi and Hokage; sacrifice." The Sandaime appeared morose as he finished saying this.

"I cultivated the will of fire bequeathed to me by my predecessors in my ninja, students, and my successor, to protect Konoha and lessen some of my predecessors' outdated beliefs, such as the idealisation of shinobi as disposable weapons. Others kept still to those beliefs, to those views."

He turned to Naruto. "Just because Danzo hunted you down for your Bijū, doesn't mean that his view was Konoha's."

Naruto thought about it. "You mean your view?"

The Sandaime paused briefly then nodded. "My view matters most. I care about you, as I care about every ninja in this village and I wish for you to care about the village."

"I don't know if I can do that, Ojii-san."

"I'm asking you to compromise, Naruto-kun. I'm breaking all the rules that a kage should exercise in dealing with a rogue jinchuriki."

"I wish you wouldn't." Naruto said, his face falling. Things would be so much easier without sentiment, without guilt about how his decisions would hurt some people, including the Hokage.

"You and I both." The Hokage admitted with a sigh. "But you are my greatest regret, Naruto-kun and I have quite a few. My weakness encouraged Danzo, prevented me from decisiveness when you suffered at the hands of the villagers. But I still live, and with today comes the ability to atone for mistakes. I need you, Naruto-kun, my legacy depends on it."

Naruto stood up, and walked around the man and stood behind him. The blonde wrung his hands as he weighed his next words. "Just me? Or kyubi?" He asked finally, his voice growing soft.

The Hokage turned to regard the blonde. "Of course, this village needs a tailed beast, but I've seen Minato's seal and I would not dare tamper with it or jeopardise his son's life."

That wasn't the answer Naruto wanted to hear. "So you would take me back, without Kyubi?"

"I would, but personal feelings shouldn't factor to the Hokage over the greater good of the village. That is our curse. Personal feelings have led us here." Out of the corner of his eye, he noted the Hokage's creased face fall and the aged man sighed. "You must understand something. Jinchuriki act as a deterrent for war. A must to ensure the safety and security of millions in each nation. If any of the other villages sniff out that we've lost ours, then…war."

Naruto remembered the Sandaime's kindness led him to spare Orochimaru after his cruel experiments were uncovered and Danzo after the Uchiha massacre.

"But keeping Biju and turning kids into jinchuriki is wrong and cruel!" Naruto's voice rose with the outburst.

The Sandaime remained perfectly calm. In fact, he fished out his wooden pipe and ignited it. The smoke from his first puff created a cloud around his face. Naruto waited impatiently, hating how the man could make him wait.

"I never said it wasn't but the rest of the world won't agree, even if i did say. They would even call me mad. But were Konoha to continue without a Biju, the power vacuum that would create would destroy the whole world." The Sandaime said. "It is easier to use a weapon against an enemy without a similar weapon. The threat of mutual destruction is eliminated."

The Hokage closed the distance between them, putting a hand to the Naruto's shoulder. "One day. Someone will end such injustice and cruelty. Force all the Great Villages to cede their Biju and end the practice of creating Jinchuriki out of innocents. That man, must undo Hashirama Senju's error and surpass him in power and strength of will."

"The Shodai Hokage was a god among Shinobi. It can't be done." Naruto stated matter-of-factly.

"Titles, titles." The old man gave a dismissive wave. "They call me a god too."

Naruto looked at the old man's crevasse-lined, weary face and just couldn't see it. The old man had always been the picture of calm to the blond, radiating an oddly soothing kindness and a veiled strength of will.

But Naruto had never thought of him as the strongest Ninja in the village, but simply as his Jiji. The Hokage stood up.

"I have called a meeting with the Shinobi council. We best make our way there now."

"Wait? I'm going too? I'm free?" The nod from the Hokage made Naruto tighten up. The tension wasn't missed by the Hokage. "Is that a good idea? Me at the meeting?"

"I must make my case to the council. And would you rather your fate is decided for you in your absence?"

"I guess not."

"I don't want bitterness or anger between us, Naruto." The Hokage said suddenly as he fixed his hat on his head.

"I don't want that as well."

The Hokage smiled genially. They left the cell and moved down dim stone corridors, their steps echoing through the walls. They found a staircase that wound up two floors up, taking them to the ground floor if the bright light was anything to go by. They found themselves in a large room, with a receiving desk, chairs and three chairs each filled by three people lounging casually.

As soon as they were spotted, Naruto saw Anko straighten up. The others were two men, in black uniforms and the Konoha leaf plate fixed to their sleeves.

The two men stood up and greeted: "Hokage-sama!" They greeted in unison, offering slight bows.

The blonde man stared at Naruto, his eyes lingering on the blonde perhaps a second before he took them to the Hokage. "Hokage-sama, the...guests have arrived."

Naruto felt a brief spike of killer intent from the Hokage, quickly controlled. The man's face remained schooled in a neutral expression.

"Have they now? I see." He with just his teeth, his eyes not in it. He clasped his hands behind his back. He didn't turn when he next spoke.

"Anko-chan. Will you see that Naruto-kun gets fitted with proper clothes and brought to the tower in an thirty-five minutes, please?" His voice was strong, brooking no argument.

"Hai!" She turned to Naruto and smiled. "Come on. This'll be fun. I've never dressed a boy before."

Naruto glared at her and couldn't help his teeth clenching. "Lucky me."

"Please behave appropriately while at it, Anko-chan. We will meet you at the Hokage Tower."

Anko nodded and they were off.

Sarutobi's face tightened as he watched them open the doors and disappear outside, Anko in front of Naruto.

He turned to the other two. "Are all the measures I ordered in place?"

"Hai!"

"Good." He felt relief knowing everything was prepared to protect the lives of their civilians and children.

"Maintain the pretence of ignorance. The exams must go as planned but be on guard lest we draw suspicion for our behaviour."

"And what about Naruto-kun?" Inoichi asked.

"Maybe there is hope."

...

"Where are we going?" Naruto asked for the third time since they had left the building where he had been kept.

Anko had kept a worrying silence during the time, and a practiced smile on her lips. The smile contrasted the creasing above her brows.

They ran into a few people the further they got from where they had come. Quite a few people seemed to pay them no heed. Some even waved.

Then someone noticed. Noticed Naruto. Blonde hair, and blue eyes were enough of a distinction. The three whisker-like marks on either cheek were a dead giveaway.

Whispers of 'it's him', 'he's back' 'i thought he was dead' rang rampant and seemed to follow Naruto from thereon. Anko barely seemed to notice them.

Anko turned them to an older street, sparsely populated.

Someone came around the corner sprinting in the same time Naruto turned. The person's speed would mean a certain collision. He planted himself in anticipation.

The blur of grey and brown battered against Naruto's shoulder and there was a clatter a couple of plastic containers fell to the ground, spilling some gooey substance.

Naruto caught a glimpse of brown hair and a dirty face as he shifted his eyes to a figure sprawled over on the ground. The person turned. A girl. Her green eyes took Naruto by surprise.

They were sharp and deadly, despite how the girl made herself seem normal. They were nothing like civilian eyes. He had seen eyes like those before.

"Are you okay." Naruto asked her with concern.

She glared at him, with eyes so intense Naruto did a double take. He picked up the bowl of whatever she had dropped in one arm and stretched out another hand to her and helped her up. She appeared surprised at the gesture, blinking up at him in confusion. She was a bit on the short side as well, but appeared tough.

He felt her stiffen, though she hid it well. His fingers tightened painfully, from being squashed together. Realising she had yet to let go of his hand, Naruto frowned.

"Um... you're gripping my hand too hard." She blushed yet held on to his hand still. Her hand felt sweaty all of a sudden, and a tingling sensation tickled his palm where their hands were locked together.

A shock passed through Naruto.

"Can I have my hand back?" She didn't respond. "Plea -

"Hey! Stop that girl!" A booming voice exploded down the street bend. A man came jogging towards them.

Naruto only felt her hand dislodging from his and turned to find her sprinting away. Her brown rags fluttered in the breeze, exposing scarred ribs and a tattoo on her lower back.

He rubbed his palm where she had held him. It tingled.

A sharp, brief pain exploded from his shoulder where she had collided with him. He rolled his shoulder around.

"What is she made made of?" He mumbled under his breath. He hoped he didn't bruise. He didn't have Kyubi's chakra.

A layer of paste clung to his shoulder. He grabbed a fistful of his sleeve and brought it to his nose. It smelled sweet. He swiped it with a finger and tasted it. He doubted it could be poison.

It was tangy, sweet and it reminded him of dango paste. The kind you could kill for. He shook his head as another figure ran past him.

The portly man who had yelled ran after her and Naruto took the opportunity to catch up with Anko. The woman had put some distance between them, but Naruto found her easily enough.

"Anko." Naruto called her. The woman kept walking. She was still lost in thought.

"Anko!" The woman turned to him.

"Sorry, Naruto-kun. Did you say something?" Something was wrong. She had hardly said a word to him in their time together since leaving the Hokage.

"No. I said nothing, you did." He would test her.

"I did?" She swallowed, appearing nervous. Her expression disconcerted Naruto. "What did I say?"

"You look pale. I think we should sit down."

"No. Tell me, what did I say?" She asked adamantly.

He took a leap. If he was wrong, she would just deny it. "'Orochimaru's here'." Her eyes widened and she put a hand to her lips. That told him he had struck gold indeed. So that was the friend the Hokage was referring to.

Her eyes hardened. "You weren't supposed to hear that."

Naruto hated himself for deceiving her. Truth is, she hadn't said anything. Hadn't spoken her thoughts out loud. "Forgive me for having ears. So it's true then. Orochimaru is in Konoha."

"This stays between us!" Anko said through narrowed eyes.

"Tell me everything."

"If you tell anyone, I will be charged with treason and thrown in jail."

"I won't. Trust me. I wouldn't do that to you." He assured her and hoped she ceded to it.

She hesitated, worrying her lower lip, then sighed in defeat. "We received word that during the Chunin Exams..." Her jaw clenched and she lay a hand on her shoulder. "...Orochimaru will attack the village."

Naruto felt a brief anxiety take him as he remembered the Hebi ninja's white, smirking face. The man who had desecrated Higure and Hotaru's graves and reincarnated their souls to use against him.

Naruto felt himself growing warmer. His closed palm stung lowly. He unclenched his fist to the sight of blood.

"By himself?" Naruto finally asked.

"Doubtful. He's never been one to get his hands dirty. He'll have minions disguised as ninja from other villages." She pursed her lips. "Whenever that monster is involved, bad things happen, Naruto and I can't help but feel something bad will happen." She confessed softly.

He felt an urge to re-assure her. To hug her. But she probably wouldn't take that well and Naruto would hate himself for giving in to such urges, such weakness.

For a Konoha ninja.

"You shouldn't fear him." Naruto offered in a comforting voice. That was the best he could do. Nothing more.

Anko cracked a self-depreciating grin and looked at Naruto. "I fear that I'll fall weak to his charm again. I fear I'll..." She pursed her lips, lamenting herself for almost leaving herself vulnerable and open. She wished she could tell Naruto all her fears and all her sins as a result of them. How she feared abandoning her duty, and joining Orochimaru. The man who had once been her world, been like a father to her.

'That man used me, and abandoned me, I knew that for years, yet I kept wishing he would return for me all those years.' She thought with shame gripping her.

"You won't." Naruto stated, making his tone firm so it got through to her.

She turned to him and she appeared like a frightened child before him now. She was exposed at the moment. Her defences down. "How do you know it would never happen? You don't even know me. You shouldn't trust me, I'm bad."

Naruto shook his head. She needed reassurance. It showed her how truly alone she was. Something twisted in his chest. "I know enough. You're a bit messed up as are most of us, but you're a good person. You can't hide that from me."

'You'll be fine. Orochimaru will not trouble you any more.' He made the mental vow.

She straightened and her walls came up again. "Come on. Let's get to my place quickly before we are late for the meeting."

"You have men's clothing at your place?"

Anko grinned at the innuendo in those words, all lively again. "I wish! I liked boys clothes when I was younger." She said, hoping to whatever damn god was out there that Naruto didn't notice the embarrassment in her tone.

...

Anko's place was sparse to say the least, and everything was clean and kept in order of appearance.

She had a couple of couches set opposite the other. An arch led down a dim passage to the bedroom. There was a door that led to a closed room. What would be the kitchen was an exhibit displaying a collection of various weapons.

Not much of a cooker then.

"Just give me a minute." She took about eight. When she emerged she held up a long-sleeved baggy shirt, one side purple and the other brown.

Considering Anko's height, it was probably too big for her when she was younger. Naruto guessed that was the point of it, if she wanted to hide her...above average womanly assets.

Black shinobi pants were hung over her shoulder.

"Try these on. Everything else would draw too much attention." She admitted with a bashful grin, rubbing the back of her head.

"Thank you."

Naruto turned to find Anko standing there looking at him impatiently. "Well? Dress up already."

"Right here? In front of you?" She wanted him naked in front of her? Unbelievable. His cheeks became warm.

"Is anything wrong with that? With me?"

"Er! Um, yes...no. I mean..."

"Are you shy?" She huffed irritably. "Well, I changed you when you were passed out. You have nothing to be ashamed of, trust me."

"Shit!"

Naruto's mind shut down completely. His cheeks burned like an oven now. To think that he had been that exposed before this woman now.

"Yeah, so dress up already. Think of me as your big sister if it helps."

"But you're not and sisters don't do that. You're an attractive female stranger asking a boy to strip and dress before her eyes." Anko grinned and nodded thrice quickly. "You know what, just turn around if you won't give me some space."

"Okay, big man." She turned around with a smirk.

Naruto lost his old pants and fumbled to put on the ones Anko had given him.

"You done yet?" Anko asked. "I would've already been dressed."

"Well, you don't have a lot to put on." Naruto admitted dryly as he slipped his arms into Anko's shirt.

A perfect fit.

He realised too late the words could be taken as insult.

Fortunately, Anko merely shrugged. It was the truth. She had no reason getting mad over the truth. Being mad would mean she was ashamed of her own choices. "You got that right. But I sure leave an impression, don't I?"

"I'm ready." Naruto announced. She swivelled and grinned further upon seeing him.

"You look good in my clothes." She added with a proud smirk.

Naruto grimaced at the innuendo behind those words. A sharp tingle danced in his palm. Not unlike the feeling of Chakra. He scratched his palm. Hoping it would go away.

"Do tell the whole village on our way, please." He offered dryily.

She put a hand to her heart. "I'll quietly cherish this. Come on." Naruto stepped close to the woman as she drew the sign to perform shunshin. "Would you put your arm around me?"

"No."

"Your loss." Naruto grabbed a firm hold of the woman's arm just above the elbow. She grinned at him one last time.

Anko's shunshin dropped them right outside the council room door inside the Hokage Tower. A trio of ANBU dropped next to them no sooner had their feet stopped.

"Anko-san," A female ANBU acknowledged. "You are not allowed in. Only Naruto-san."

"Really? Such a shame. It must be boring in there without me."

"Cerrainly, but we have orders." The ANBU nodded at Naruto. "Naruto-san, they are awaiting you."

Anko pouted as Naruto left her. The doors opened with a soft click and Naruto closed it behind him.

What awaited him was a room full of the most powerful ninja in Konoha, all blatantly staring at him with careful, narrowed eyes. Konoha's elite were set around the room in two groups, all lounging on the carpet in stiff lotus postures. The crowd was separated by a space left in the middle serving as a straight aisle leading to a podium at the end of the chamber.

He felt his heart thump wildly in his ears.

Don't show fear.

He told himself. He took a step forward and the action seemed to reverberate through the morgue-like quietness of the room. His feet echoed for the fifteen further steps he took into the room, walking through the aisle between the sitting ninja towards the great booth at the end occupied by the Hokage, Tsunade, Jiraiya and two other people of the same age as the Sandaime.

The Elders. Their eyes were different, well-schooled and hard to read. But Naruto knew them well from Danzo's memories and the extent they could go to protect Konoha.

Naruto stopped and stood under the booth, offering both sides a profile view of his body. His features were schooled.

He hated how they still stared. As if what they saw was not him, but someone else.

'Probably him.' He hoped the bitterness he felt didn't show on his face.

"Now that Naruto-kun's here, we may begin."

The Hokage cleared his throat. "I have called this meeting today, to share with you all my decision regarding the fate of Konoha's jinchuriki, Uzumaki Naruto."

He paused and the silence was accompanied by a fresh wave of stares towards Naruto. The tension was stifling, palpable, and Naruto could sweat it had hands with which it was attempting to strangle him with.

The Hokage's voice was firm when he spoke again. Strong without being desperately forceful. A kage's voice.

"As I'm certain you will agree with me, Uzumaki-kun remaining in Konoha is what's good for us all and necessary for maintaining the balance of power between us and other nations such as Kaminari no Kuni and Tsuchi no Kuni. Uzumaki-kun's safety is critical all the more, as we face the rise of rogue factions such as Akatsuki who pursue the Biju he carries. We all agree on these points that for the security of millions in Hi no Kuni and the Elemental Nations at large, Uzumaki Naruto must realise his role as Konoha's jinchuriki, hero and the chosen protector the Yondaime intended for him to be. Yet...

"Uzumaki-kun doesn't agree." Naruto's eyes moved to the Hokage. The aged leader's eyes were firm and fixed on the room. "Uzumaki-kun would hold us accountable for our past errors, for which he has every right. But what I wish to clear up, is that the one responsible for those injustices done to the young Uzumaki-kun is only myself."

The Hokage paused. No one spoke regardless. Naruto had never seen a room more behaved or quieter. This was the power of the old man.

"I made the laws which banned talk of Uzumaki-kun's heritage, or revealing his status as a jinchuriki. I declared Uzumaki-kun as this village's saviour when I could've kept it secret and spared him the village's hatred. I put Uzumaki-kun in the orphanage when I could've given a family in my home or any of yours. And when Danzo came for him by manipulating civilians none-the-wiser, it was because I had failed to punish Danzo multiple times before for similar deeds. Thus, I ask of you this, Uzumaki-kun," The Hokage finally turned to Naruto who was stiff from the man's words.

"Should my village suffer for mine errors? For my predecessors, my teacher, who made the mistake of trusting the Great Villages with the power of the Biju hoping their presence would deter war?"

Should they? Naruto cursed. Those words should be vice versa. "No." The simple word shocked Naruto.

"I can strong-arm Uzumaki-kun to stay. In the state that he is in now. Stripped of his chakra. Eventually, once he had children, he would turn to Konoha. Danzo would applaud that. But you all know me. We are here also because of such outdated ways."

There were nods from many heads. Naruto spotted the blonde man he had met at T & I when the Hokage freed him.

"Thus, I have made a decision." The Hokage stated. "Uzumaki-kun will not be forced to stay, yet he will not be allowed to roam freely by himself. Uzumaki-kun will continue his travels for the purpose of honing his strengths and training for the threats ahead." The Hokage turned towards the blond, eyes firm. "I will be taking over his training henceforth!"

The entire room cringed and Naruto thought he saw their stares turning sympathetic.

"Uzumaki-kun will have a team assigned to him for his immediate safety. Selected for this team are Jonin Shiranui Genma, Tokubetsu jonin Mitarashi Anko, ANBU Commander Yamato, and a fourth member to assume the role of a medic. This is my final act as Hokage! Our enemies will learn that Konoha's jinchuriki is outside the village. They will attack at their peril."

"Hokage-sama?" A brown-haired man with a bored gaze requested the opportunity to speak. The Hokage nodded. From the podium next to the high table, Naruto could easily see every face of the seated Konoha shinobi. There were mostly clan leaders in this gathering.

"I would like to hear clarification on Uzumaki-san's role in the Chunin Exams?" The man began, with a lazy drawl that belied danger. "Frankly speaking, it would cause serious suspicion if he didn't compete amongst the other Genin. He is a relative unknown in the Shinobi world."

A man bearing the white eyes of the Hyuga spoke after him. "I agree. While it is rare for jinchuriki to be sent to other villages' exams, our allies and neighbours like Suna and Takigakure will wonder why they've never seen or heard of him."

His voice was cool and of this lot, he appeared the wealthiest and also most traditional in his black haori and traditional kimono. It didn't help that he kept his eyes on Naruto the whole time. His gaze measuring.

"Uzumaki-kun would fight against some of your children in the tournament." The Hokage warned.

"So be it." Said a woman with the wild bearing of an Inuzuka and face with red lines carved into it. "My son could personally do with a good hiding." The room filled with the sound of chuckling.

"This could be the kick they all need to take their training seriously." Stated the blonde from T & I. He particulalry stressed this point. Naruto remembered he had a daughter that he had seen sometimes at the Konoha Academy years ago.

"Naruto-kun?" The Hokage turned to him.

"How much of my chakra will I get?" And that's if he doesn't cut his losses and run the sooner he had it. This was all about his chakra. It was the reason the Hokage simply let him go with Anko without fear. Because Naruto had no choice but to stay if he ever had any wish to cast even a miserly jutsu.

The Hokage held the keys. The most powerful man in Konoha. Naruto couldn't just beat him up or force him to give back his chakra. He didn't even want to. It was a matter of principle.

He couldn't even do it if he wanted to.

The Hokage had declared himself Naruto's sensei. At some point, he planned to release all of Naruto's chakra to him. He wanted to help Naruto grow stronger and that was all that mattered. Regardless of his reasons for doing so.

"Five percent. Nothing to you, but in normal cases, just slightly under Chunin level."

Naruto clicked his tongue in annoyance. "That's not enough. What happens if I run into some unsavoury characters?"

The Hokage exchanged a mirthful look with Tsunade. "In that case, you run." The blonde woman said.

"I've never run away from a fight before."

The woman graced him with a deadpan stare. "Everybody here has in their lifetimes. It's nothing to be ashamed of." She stated and no one disagreed with her.

"You can call it a tactical retreat. Your life is of outmost importance." Advised the old woman to the Hokage left, with eyes squinted so hard they appeared shut. Naruto knew otherwise. Those eyes were anthing but closed. Were very much open and seeing.

She had been scrutinising him since the meeting began. He ondered if she still considered a weapon in the manner Danzo had viewed him.

"Why is it important to keep these pretences? I'm happy fighting strong opponents but not Genin."

"If you are seen at the Chunin exams, you won't have to deal with the other villages pursuing you once you...leave. At least for a few months. Konoha won't face the threat of war. Mutual benefit." Explained the other elderly advisor, the old man who Naruto knew as the Sandaime's old teammate.

"I will also give you access to fifty percent of your chakra if you get through the first stage with the handicap and advance to the tournament." The Hokage declared, his words surprising Naruto.

Naruto thought about it. While he hadn't gotten exactly what he wanted, which was complete freedom from Konoha, he had still ended up with a better alternative. He would not stay in the village and interact with people and objects, sights, smells that brought back memories of loneliness and helplessness. He couldn't keep on hating Konoha.

Hating Konoha meant hating the Sandaime.

Naruto found he couldn't hate the man. The wistfulness and regrets just reminded him too much of Higure-ojii. Higure-ojii too had regrets.

Not seeking out Naruto's mother was among the biggest of them.

On that note, Naruto's eyes drifted to the four portraits on the wall where the faces of the Hokagespast and present hung. His eyes glanced briefly upon spiky blonde hair and blue eyes.

Maybe one day.

He could also do with allies. Sarutobi Hiruzen was a strong start. He was a friend too. His oldest friend and suporter. Despite their differences. He found himself anticipating when his training under the old man would begin.

"Fine." Naruto acquiesced, turning to the room full of Konoha's elite, and clan heads and then to the Hokage. "I'll whoop your Genins' asses."

"Most excellent!" The Hokage declared with a triumphant smirk.

Ōshio hated her disguise.

The floppy hat she wore squatted over dull brown hair. The fake hair itched too and she was already hating how much she had been scratching herself.

She also hated every minute spent in Konoha. She had yet to catch wind of her target's scent. She hated every minute pretending to be a street lurch. She had a lot of further "hates" to spare.

She scratched herself through the thin fabric of the faded brown shirt she wore. She had worn this disguised to blend into Konoha society and seek information. So far, what she knew about Naruto was outdated.

Responses like "we don't know", "who?", "we're not allowed to speak about him", or the most popular response 'utter silence' were thrown around a lot. She had ceased asking as she had been drawing suspicion to herself. It seemed the Hokage had nipped the truth of Naruto's running away from Konoha in the bud.

Understandable. Their enemies would be up in arms and on their gates faster than she could say "dango" if they had caught wind of Konoha's vulnerability in the absence of their jinchuriki.

So, if Naruto was here as Michiko had guessed, he had to be in confinement. That made her job a lot easier. She had expected that when coming here. Had made plans with that possibility in mind. The hard part was divining exactly in which bowels of Konoha he was being held.

She woould need to be swift, and get away while the last of the crowds for the chunin exams rolled in. Or else, she could be discovered, captured and killed.

She bit her lip. Crouched around a building's corner she spied the civilian owner of a dango shop offer a customer the skewered goodies with a beaming smile.

The smile nauseated her. For how easy it was to give. Since arriving in Konoha, she had noticed that the people here were easy with smiles and unnecessarily friendly. It annoyed her. Their smiles, their peace was paid for with the blood of innocents. The blood of Uzushio and all its peoples. Even now, Uzushio still paid for that peace with the blood of their own.

Uzumaki Naruto. She would end that injustice soon.

Ōshio returned her eyes to the stall.

She had watched the owner for a while now, getting a sense for his rhythm. For when his eyes would stray from the food to the cooking he also did behind the booth. She could've cleaned him twice over if she was a thief, but she wasn't.

She just wanted the sweet paste that he used on his dango...

...Without paying for it. Consider it espionage if you will. Konoha simply couldn't enjoy the man's pasty genius by itself. She would steal it for herself too. Even Michiko would be pleased.

It had been easy swiping the bottles chestnut paste from the man's shop. But someone had seen her and yelled 'thief' and she found herself running away with a few bows of jammy dango paste.

She could've paid. But why pay for what you can steal. Besides, Konoha owed them all anyway. This paste would revolutionise her life. When this was all over, she would proudly boast to having stolen both the chestnut paste and Uzumaki Naruto from right under Konoha's nose.

She rounded a corner, just as a tall boy dressed in white clothes emerged after a sharp turn.

She realised too late that she would barrel into him. She shifted her weight slightly and only clattered against his shoulder. He seemed to notice what was going to hapen and planted his feet in the ground.

It hurt. The guy must've been made of steel or something. He staggered back just a mere step but kept his balance with ease.

He turned to her. She met a face she had come to know as well as her own. In dreams and a beaten-up photo. Blonde hair, confused cerulean blue eyes on a face lined with three markings on either cheek. The boy was staring at her in concern.

Him.

She couldn't believe her luck.

"Are you okay." He spoke, his voice concerned. She had fallen pretty hard. Her bowl of delicious chestnut paste had fallen too. A bit had spilled but otherwise, all was right with the world.

He stretched out his hand to her and helped her up. She blinked her eyes four times, disbelieving.

His hand felt warm in hers and alive, so he had to be real.

"Um... you're gripping my hand too hard." She realised with sudden embarrassment that she was indeed.

She had held his hand a moment longer, just to make sure she would be able to find him later.

"Can I have my hand back?" She didn't respond. Could not. She was incapable of forming a sensible sentence. "Plea -

The shop owner had cut him off.

"Hey! Stop that girl!" The portly man came jogging towards them.

She let him go. She would find him later. Approach him when he was alone.

Thus, she ran for now. To maintain the pretence.

But inside she beamed. She had found Uzumaki Naruto. She lingered on the hand that that had held hers, the memory still tingling her flesh.

Dun Dun Dun.

I promised Zabuza, but he'll fit into the next chapter.

- TDI out.