"So, you're getting married?" Sarutobi commented to Naruto the next day when the two met.

"Huh?" The older man just pointed upward.

"Wait, it's still daylight, how can you even see the moon. And was it always that big?"

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"Alright, who the hell's been writing on the moon?"

"We don't know, Raikage-sama."

"And who the hell's this Naruto guy?"

"We don't know, Raikage-sama."

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"Well, that's nice."

"Are you sure, Tsuchikage-sama? Maybe that man had a spawn, and that spawn is now marrying the most powerful woman in the world, or something."

"You have an overactive imagination, do you know that?"

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"Aw, that's sweet. I love weddings."

"I don't understand all this writing on the moon nonsense. In my day when two young ones got together they just went to the temple and got it over with, none of this announcing it to the world…"

Temple… marriage… too old…

"Ao… shut up or I'll kill you."

"Um… yes, Mizukage-sama." What did I say?

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"…"

"What's that Kazekage-sama?"

"…"

"Married? Must be pretty powerful to write it on the moon. Or pretty important."

"…"

"Nice talk, Kazekage-sama."

"…"

"Ow! Kazekage-sama, please, your golden sand is making it hard to breathe. Urk!"

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"Jashin-sama, I'm sorry…"

The dark, void-like chamber was silent as the god in question steamed silently, looking at a silhouette of his only surviving priest in front of a full moon filled with writing.

"Jashin-sama, please forgive me…"

"You FAILED!" The god suddenly roared, making the figure stumble back in fear. "You were supposed to kill the child. And yet he still walks around, pretending to marry the woman I've chosen."

"Jashin-sama, please give me another chance. I won't fail you again."

"No, you won't." The god's glowing eyes bored into his priest's skull. "Because if you do, the punishment you will face will make you beg me, on your hands and knees, to take away your immortality and let you die."

"Of course, Jashin-sama. Thank you Jashin-sama. I will leave at once to kill the little fucker."

"No." The god grinned suddenly, as a diabolical idea flashed in his mind. "No, not yet. In a couple of years the situation will turn in my favor. The climate will be right for a rebirth." His grin widened. "Go, train, convert. When the time comes you will know."

"Yes, Jashin-sama." The figure disappeared, leaving the god to laugh to himself in the empty void.

"Enjoy your time while you still can, child. Soon enough she will be mine!" The god continued to cackle.

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"Thank you for coming, Naruto-san." Susano'o was an intimidating god at the best of times. He was dressed in a white kimono with a blue wave print on it, with a katana strapped to his left hip. His long, black hair was tied in a high ponytail, and moustache and goatee were neatly trimmed. At that moment he was standing on top of the Hokage Monument, glancing to the south-east, to the vast ocean that laid in that direction, with his hands clasped behind his back.

"Of course, Susano'o-sama."

"Please, there's no need for that. You have impressed me, Naruto-san. Not many could find combat use in something like nature, and you've managed fairly well. Although, I do recall seeing a few mistakes in your fight with the fool's priests, if you do not mind me saying." His voice was rough and low, far more used to barking orders than pleasant conversations.

"Of course not." Naruto shrugged, blowing his long hair out of his face and leaning on his staff. "One always learns, as long as one is alive. To ignore the advice of a warrior-god such as yourself would be foolish. But I doubt you've come to see me just to critique my techniques."

"Very true. Tell me, Naruto-san, what do you know of my tale?"

"What do you mean, Susano'o-sama?"

"Indulge me."

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"Are you alright, Naruto-kun?" Tōzi was waiting for him at his house, already prepared for bed. Naruto looked at the beautiful woman for a few moments and sighed, before giving her a smile.

"Yes, of course I am. How could I not be, when this is what's waiting for me at home." He stepped up to her and kissed her gently on the lips. "I love you, Tōzi-chan. Have I told you that yet today?"

"No, not today." She raised an eyebrow.

"Well, I'm sorry then. I love you. I love you. I love you." Each declaration of love was followed with another kiss.

"Alright, what's wrong?" He looked at her, faking hurt.

"What, something has to be wrong for me to shower my fiancée with love?"

"Don't give me that look." She crossed her arms in front of her green bust. "It didn't work when you were a child, and you certainly haven't gotten any cuter. Handsome, yes, but not cute."

"Fine." Naruto sighed with a smile. "But nothing's wrong. At least, not for certain. Your brother and I were just talking today."

"My brother? Which one?"

"Susano'o." Naruto undressed and laid on the bed, pulling the goddess with him. "It's nothing for certain, but we're afraid Jashin might pull something soon."

"Knowing him, he will. He's been obsessed with me for the past few centuries." She snuggled into his bare chest. "Your little friends will be graduating in a few years."

"Yeah, they will." Naruto smiled. "I can't wait to see the looks on their faces when they find out who their Sensei will be."

"You'll do great."

"Thanks." He kissed her good night. "Just, in the future, be on the look-out for white snakes."

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I've just written updates for a couple of my older stories. They're coming along easier than I thought they would. And, of course, the nostalgia is overwhelming. But I have noticed a (not so) subtle shift in my writing style. I wonder, have you noticed it?

I'm starting to sound like the sarcastic jackass I am in real life.