Shiroi Kyuubi

~ 忍者運命 ~

Hey everybody! I'm back with a new and long awaited chapter. I know…I've been very silent for almost a year now. But with good reason which I hope you'd forgive me for. When I was writing this story, school was less busy and I had lesser things on my mind. But then I got struck with a WRITERSBLOCK. It took me months to write this chapter and it'll probably take another few for the next. School has become very busy (typical for art schools mind you) and I really needed to concentrate on my exams and daily works. But to those who have been so patient and faithful in me and this story, I really hope this chapter will be good like all the others before. So please enjoy and forgive me about the long wait. I'm trying to find a cure as we speak *wink*

Opening Theme: SPYAIR - Last Moment

Ending Theme: Gackt - Sakurasou

Chapter Eighteen: Darkening Thunder

It was dark in their usual meeting spot. For this occasion, they decided to meet face to face about this matter. Pain and Konan were the first to be there, closely followed by Itachi and Kisame. They shared a silent nod and took a their appointed spot at the table that has been there ever since they found this hideout. Hidan and Kakazu were the next to arrive, with Deidara and the recently new member Tobi on their heels. Zetsu just popped out from somewhere and moved over to his seat. Once they were all seated, Pain took his own seat and stared at his group. Shifting his ringlet eyes to Deidara, he gave the youngest Akatsuki member a hint to spill out whatever he had found out.

"I have discovered who the White Kyuubi is."

"It can't be…"

"Sooner or later, someone would have found out." Kisame grinned.

"And lucky for us, I took a picture right on time so our search would be easier."

Deidara removed his scope and preformed some sort of jutsu to make it project its contents on the wall. A picture of a young girl with white hair suddenly filled up the wall and got everyone wondering. Itachi leaned forward and placed his chin on his hands. The girl, who was just turning around, had an expression that was hardly pleasant. Her eyes were teary yet hopeful and her mouth was slightly agape. All in all, they had a clear idea at who she was. But those eyes struck him, a painful reminder of someone in his dark past. Itachi shook the thoughts away, hoping it wouldn't be like that.

"Are you certain that it is her?"

"Let me show you my prove."

The projection changed and showed a small taping from a moment Deidara luckily had the time to take before he would be sucked into Kakashi's jutsu. As the tape played, they saw the girl close her eyes, extend her hand in defence and a light-blue light escaped, blinding the camera and cutting of whatever image Deidara had seen.

"Itachi, what do you think?" Pain asked him.

"It's definitely a Hyoton jutsu, but she doesn't weave any seals."

"Then it must be her." Konan replied.

"Now that we know, we can go ahead of our plan."

Itachi sighed at this. He sort of hoped that this would take a while to discover, but yet again his hopes were down. If Pain said to move ahead of plan, he could be sure that that girl will not have a pleasant future ahead of her. Pain would use her own weaknesses against her, if he were to find them out, and will make her make decisions that are better not decided. And if they had her in their possession, not only will Konoha and perhaps other shinobi villages come after, but someone he rather hoped of not seeing again might chase after his heels as well.

And with Pain moving ahead with his plan…it won't be long until he will meet his little brother again.

A woman at the age of twenty opened her blue eyes and started at the large gates in front of her. Of all the places her teacher could chose, she chose to come her and live right next to the enemy. Nao sighed. She had been luckily that night. She had been dead, for at least an hour, and then woke up in the care of an elderly woman who told her that a man and a woman left her in her keeping. Glancing to her right, she saw her partner Taiga walked over to them with a few dango's. The elder womanhad saved her life and gave her a new place to call home. So, for the past ten years she had lived together with her and her granddaughter, Taiga, who was as old as Yue when she first came there . For all those years, she trained hard and planned everything out so that one day she could take revenge on the ones who had killed her. Which she had done with the unpleasant help of someone she'd rather not speak of. But she was ashamed over herself that she hadn't noticed it before.

"You really think she'd be here?"

"Knowing sensei, she would have chosen a place were they would be safe. Our family had always been friends with the late Hokage. He would have given them protection."

"But..." Taiga took a dango in her mouth. "Didn't the ones who attacked you live here?"

"Exactly. They wouldn't be hunted because of the Hokage's protection and if they were to attack them, they'd only reveal themselves." Nao said emotionless.

Taiga huffed. "Clever…So, lets go find her."

"Ah."

They left the stand and walked straight into Konoha. Many people whispered as they came and walked passed them. Just like the good old days. Nao thought. It had been the same way then, so why would it have changed after so long? After all, they were wearing their bounty hunter garb and those people weren't usually liked.

I finally found you…Yue-sama…

Yue was at her parents grave with a fresh flowers she had recently bought in a flower shop Sakura had recommended her. She had bought pink carnations for her mother and primroses for her father. Since they had come back, Yue wanted to meet up with her parents again. She had so many questions that needed to be answered and really hoped she could find them. Talking to the others about it would only seem strange. They would understand or they might make up assumptions about her. And she didn't really know about herself either.

Almost all her life, her parents had cherished her and raised her in a way that was most natural. But never did they talk about their passed family, who they were and how life had been there. Yue only remembers bits and pieces, not to forget she had been so young when their family was killed. She suspected that her parents would know the reason but they never told her. No matter how she begged and nagged, they sealed their lips.

And then there were the nightmare she occasionally was getting these days. They were dark, sometimes filled with horror images of some kind of day she can't seem to remember. She sometimes woke up at night, covered in sweat and breathing shallow. One time it got so hard, Naruto had rushed in with a kunai in his hand, expecting an intruder. She wanted answers, especially about the name Shizuka.

"Okasan…I hope you and otousan are doing fine wherever you are. Naruto sends his regards as well, not that he knew you, but I guess…he sort of cared. He wanted to come to, but this time it was personal." She smiled at that.

When she had said she was going to see her parents, Naruto had offered her to come along. It wasn't like she didn't want him to come, but right now, she wanted to talk to her parents about personal stuff and she didn't want to worry Naruto about it. He has been doing enough for her already.

"Lately, I've been having dreams…horrible dreams that I can't seem to understand. And when I tried to remember, I get this pain in my head and the rest is just a black hole. As if nothing's there. And a name always pops in my head. Okasan…who is Shizuka?"

"You're asking the wrong question."

Yue stiffened as a new voice was heard behind her. Being careful enough, she let her hand slip in her bag, searching for a shuriken. The voice was female and sounded older then hers. Suddenly, she turned around to strike whoever stood there only to hit the wall of her house.

"I'm over here."

Yue turned her head around and stared into a smiling face that was standing right in front of her but behind her parents graves. This woman was tall, had long black hair and blue eyes. Her clothes where nothing like shinobi outfits or she was from another village. But then again, she wasn't wearing her village insigne anywhere.

"Who are you and what are you doing here?"

The woman smiled. "You must have gotten the temper of your mother after all. Honestly, I liked your father's temper better."

"You knew my parents?" Yue stared.

"You could say that. I was kind of surprised to find out they passed away. I always knew them as persistent people."

"You still haven't answered my question."

"Ask me nicely." She replied, smirking.

Yue couldn't believe this. Not only was this woman walking in her house like it is the most normal thing to do. And she was being extremely rude. So what if she knew her parents, she was currently insulting their daughter by her behaviour.

"Never mind. If you are your mother's daughter, you wouldn't ask me either way."

"What did you mean with I'm asking the wrong question?"

The woman smiled at her. Yue had to admit, she was really pretty. Besides having a very female and appealing face, she was tall and had nicely formed legs and arms that were rather exposing because of her outfit.

"You asked your mother who Shizuka is. B-"

"Do you know it?"

"I wasn't finished. You should ask yourself first: who am I ?"

Yue stared at her with questioning eyes. How much she would give for that answer. Sure, she knew who she was and where she came from, but what of before her family was killed. Who was she then? Whenever she asked, her parents averted their eyes or looked at each other and avoided the question. Maybe she wasn't even worth knowing who she is, because it might cause trouble or was just to pathetic. But still, she wanted to know.

"I don't know…" Yue whispered.

"What was that?"

"I said I don't know."

"Now that's an answer. If you want to know, try it through this."

That woman threw something small at her right after she finished her sentence. Yue luckily caught the object and looked at it closely. It was a necklace with a silver hanger that was really long. The pendant itself was a crystal in a colour Yue vaguely remembered as lapis lazuli and attached with sliver at the top.

"When you know…come and find me…Yue-sama."

And then, the woman was gone…leaving Yue behind with that necklace that shone brightly as the sun touched it.

"I still don't understand what you're actually asking of me."

"I'm only asking you for permission to stay in this village as long as I see fit, Hokage-sama."

Tsunade leaned back in her chair and looked at the two bounty hunters in front of her. They had kindly asked to speak with her, unlike other hunters, and they were now asking permission to stay. But she was still on high alert. No bounty hunter asks permission to stay in a village for a period of time unless there are planning something. Tsunade feared this. Bounty hunters could be hired by anyone as long as their prize fits the bill. Most of them are egoistic and only hunt for their own pleasure. But some are refined and wait for the opportune moment and the right prize that is worth the risk. Knowing that, Tsunade didn't count out the fact that Orochimaru or Akatsuki might use this as well.

"Fine. But on one condition. If I noticed anything fishy about the both of you in my village or with my shinobi, I will put you in a dark cell so you can rethink your options because there won't be many. Is that clear?"

"Crystal, Hokage-sama."

"Good…Now, you two wouldn't mind giving me your names?"

The smaller girl from the group smiled brightly at the elder woman. She was a weird tool in the shed to Tsunade's eyes. She had wavy golden hair and honey eyes, hiding behind black lashes. Her outfit would be easily mistaken to a normal shinobi outfit that had been customized but it still was a bit of. Her top was a tight vest that hugged her curves and offered protection to her vital organs. Her stomach showed a bit until her long pants came. On them, some knee-length booths were present and on her arms were ribbons tied around her arm, wrist and middle finger. On each her legs was weapon present which Tsunade noticed as sais. So she was a close-combat expert? Tsunade thought.

The other was a total opposite of the smaller girl. Shoulder-length black hair and blue eyes that seemed to illuminate on her skin tone. She outfit was all in leather and was made to adjust to any kind of movement. She wears a white shirt under a black zip-up vest with black shorts that fold at the waist, forming an additional utility pocket at the front and a short duster at the back extending to her heels. Her shoes were standard shinobi sandals but only with the heels closed up. Tsunade felt more of a taijutsu expert in her.

"Namba Taiga."

"Nao."

"No last name?"

"I lost that one a long time ago." She grinned. "Thank you for your time, Hokage-sama."

The necklace laid unharmed and untouched on the living room table. Yue had found herself a comfortable spot right in front of it on the couch, a cup of tea in her hands. Questions kept on popping in her head. Who was that woman and what did she know? She was so deep in thought that she even didn't hear the front door open and a rather frustrated Naruto come in. Naruto walked from the hallway towards his room first to change his clothes. He had been out, trying to find new members for team 7, but had found himself meeting up with friends and getting into a fight so guy who made a very sexual comment on him only to disappear into thin air. He sighed, got into new and fresh clothes and walked to the living room, not expecting that Yue was sitting there with a very black expression.

"Yue?"

"Eh?"

She turned her head to look at Naruto who looked rather worried for a minute there. She must have been so lost for a moment for even to notice Naruto's voice. He walked over to her and sat down at the couch, sighing while he leaned back. Yue took this as a moment at where he would be telling her something and she would be listening.

"Well, with Kakashi-sensei in the hospital, we're two members short to be even considered a team. I've been asking around but everyone seems so busy. And then this sexual harassing prick shows up and started to fight us for no reason!"

"You alright?"

"Yeah…"

Yue looked at him. "Why don't you ask me to join? I'm not busy."

"Well…um…Tsunade-obachan kind of ordered us not to ask you."

Yue blinked, set down her cup and stood up. Her face was angered and her fist were balled. Why wouldn't she let her go? Didn't she prove to be good enough?

"Uh, Yue…you're sort of making me scared right now." Naruto whispered.

"Oh, gomen Naruto. It's just that, why do I have to be left behind while I'm good enough?"

"Maybe she wants you to be safe. She did say Orochimaru's minions were still looking for you."

"Maybe you're right, but I'm still going to ask her."

Yue moved towards the hallway, leaving a baffled Naruto on the couch. It didn't take her long to put her shoes on, and before she knew it, she was running over the roofttops towards the Hokage Tower. Others may always assure her, but Tsunade had to. After all, it had been her sensei's last wish of his former student to protect her. The least she could do is give her answers. She didn't wait for Shizune to open the door or any person allowing her so. Tsunade looked up from her paperwork rather startled but noticed Yue's look and could only guess what was going through her mind. Letting go of the papers, she leaned her head on her hands, a pose she usually took to listen at others without breaking objects in irritation.

"Why can't I join Naruto's Team? You said I was as good as them."

"So it was him who spilled the beans…I just want you to be safe, Yue. Sandaime wouldn't ask me if it wasn't important."

"But, you allowed me to go with them to save Gaara-kun. Why won't you let me now?"

"Because the members have already been picked. And there mission is not one to take lightly. And we need to keep an eye on you after the amazing stunt you pulled with Gaara's rescue. Perhaps this is what Sandaime wanted to protect in you. I will not disobey his request!"

Yue looked down and swallowed. "I-I understand."

"Good. Now, I have important work to do and I not have much time to do it."

"Hai. Thank you for your time."

Yue left the room silently. Tsunade watched her form disappear behind the door and sigh. She wanted nothing more then to let her join a team, but she feared the elders and especially Danzo, would take notice of her and would start their own investigations. Not to forget with the recent arrival of bounty hunters and the mild border attacks of Orochimaru's shinobis. Not to forget that this upcoming mission for team 7 wouldn't be good to her healed sanity and body.

"I hope you understand my concern one day…Yue."

"So how did it go?" Naruto asked.

Yue snorted and slammed the front door shut. She lazily dropped herself to the ground, no longer finding the energy to do or say anything anymore. After she kicked her shoes away from her, she made her way to the living room and flung herself at the couch.

"That good, datebayo?"

"I understand that she's concerned for me, but that's no reason to lock me up in this village."

"Ah…well, hope you're hungry."

Yue turned around to see Naruto stand there with a frying pan in his hands. "You cooked?"

"Of course I did! How do you think I survive, datebayo?"

"Instand ramen and take-out?" Yue replied, moving towards the kitchen table.

"Mostly, but you looked down and all so I decided to cook this time." He blushed.

Yue looked at him and smiled. "That's nice, Naruto."

He placed down the frying pan, revealing a delicious dish of cooked fish and vegetables. The smell was enough to make her moan slightly and to make her mouth water. Soon after, he placed a bowl of rice in front of her and took his seat. When she started eating, she hadn't realized she had been so hungry.

"Naruto, this is delicious! Where did you learn this?"

"Ero-sennin. Besides women and money, cooking his one of his favourite hobbies."

"Really? Who would have thought…"

They ate, talking about all kinds of things and times. Naruto told her about some trip he and Jiraya had been on. It had turned into a hell when Jiraya was found together with a woman who was actually married. He hadn't run that fast in his live before. Yue told him about the trip she had made to her parents' graves this morning. Although, she let the part of the mysterious woman out of it. Wouldn't want to make him more worried. But now that she thought of it, Yue let her hand linger to her pocket, feeling the necklace beneath the fabric. She had to find an answer. Eventually, after both of them were pretty full, Yue proposed on doing the dishes as Naruto was the first to go into the shower. Humming to herself, Yue made herself busy at the sink. From the hallway she heard Naruto turn on the water and yelp at surprise when it happened to be very hot already. It made her laugh. But that slowly ended when she heard that deep rumbling coming from the sky.

Yue walked over to the balconey and saw the sky darkening, big clouds heavy with rain and thunder, hovering above Konoha. Yue's hands started to shake at the thought of it. Bitting her lip, she quickly walked back to the dishes and continued. She was nearly finished when the first drops fell, followed by a large rumble.

"It's not going to hurt you…it's not going to hurt you…it's not going to hurt you." She kept repeating.

With shaking hands, she tried her best to dry off the dishes and was concentrating so much on the task that she didn't even hear Naruto walk in again.

"Yue, the bath is-"

"Ah!"

Yue dropped the cup she was drying and watched it scatter into pieces on the floor. Naruto looked up and quickly rushed to her. Yue was already bending over to pick it all up when Naruto saw her shake from head to toe. He wondered what could have caused it. It couldn't be the food because then he would be like that too. Maybe she was concentrating to much and with his forwardness and no respect for silent entries, Naruto caused her to be surpised and shaken up.

However that all changed when he heard that thunder outside. Yue jumped up again because of the sound, causing her to drop the piece of china which resulted in cutting her finger.

"Auw!"

"Did you cut yourself?"

She barely nodded when the thunder returned and made her jump up, accidently bumping into Naruto who sat cruched next to her. He knew she feared this and he really wished he could help her get rid of that fear. He hated seeing her like this, so scared and shaking. Nodding to himself, he helped her up and took her to the bathroom. Yue clung to him like dear life, her bloody finger staing her entire hand.

"Why am I always this scared, Naruto?"

He looked at her. "It's who you are, Yue-chan. One day you'll get used to it and that fear will go away like the clouds will as soon as the rain is over."

She looked at him surprised while Naruto asked himself where those words had come from anyway. He quickly pulled the cabin open and took the first-aid kit. He couldn't look in her eyes without blushing and he knew it. Ever since that whole conversation with Gaara, he'd been questioning himself it was really like that. If he really liked Yue.

You already know the answer kid, so quit being a pain to me. Your thoughts make me nauseous.

Naruto ignored the fox and cleaned out Yue's hand. It was still shaking and had turned a little cold. The cut was rather small but looked deep. Yue hissed slightly when he disinfected it and placed the bandage around her finger softly. She watched him the whole time, watched him as he carefully took care of her finger. What was this feeling she was getting? Why was it when he touched her or took care of her when she was scared or hurt, that she felt this warm feeling in her stomach?

"It should be alright now." Naruto smiled at her.

"A-Arigatou, Naruto."

He cleaned up and placed the kit away before extending his hand to her. Yue still sat there dazed and wondering about these feelings. What did they mean to her? She never felt this way for anything or anyone before. Yue wouldn't even find a word to discribe them to her. Taking Naruto's hand, a small tingling shot up her arm and as she looked up to him, his smile made her warm inside and made her forget all her fears for the thunder outside. What was going on with her?

Even though you waited very long, I'd love it if you'd press that favorite button on this site. Knowing what you guys thinks is always important for my progress and writing inspiration xp

~BlackAngel-Cindy~.