A.N: I'm officially the happiest person ever. Kiki2222 and Guest were to first reviews of this story, and are both my new favourite people ever. My second favourites are all the wonderful people that that have favourited and/or followed this story. I'm sorry this is late, but assessment has started at school, so I've got less time to write fanfiction than I'd like…further updates may also be delayed over the next three weeks; after that I'm on holiday. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I just checked eBay, and Kishi hasn't put the rights to Naruto on there. Bummer.
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Two days after the monthly meeting, Tsunade and Jiraiya summoned all thirty gods to the Meeting Hall. This was met with much wariness and apprehension, as it was sure to be important but they'd be in the same room as the other court for the second time in a week. It was guaranteed to end in some form of chaos.
The Night Court was all present and accounted for, but there were still a few Day Court stragglers. Tsunade surveyed the Day Court and frowned.
"Karin, where are Obito, Naruto and Deidara?" She questioned through clenched teeth.
"Obito and Naruto have been in the mortal realm since dawn. I sent Deidara to get them." The red-head responded calmly.
"How long will it take them to get back?" Tsunade growled.
"If I know them well enough, they'll be here in three…two…one…" as Karin finished her countdown the three boys in question burst into the room.
"Sorry we're late!" Obito yelled. "The kids attacked Deidara and when we finally decided to stop laughing and rescue him we had to take some of the younger ones home and then on the way they wanted ice-cream, so Naruto-"
"I don't care," Tsunade growled. "Just take your seats." The three male sat down hurriedly, not wishing to anger her further. Tsunade's gaze panned across the room again. She knew this was the right choice, for all of them, but she could already feel the headache forming from their protests and nothing had even been said yet.
Jiraiya decided to save her and cleared his throat. "You're all probably wondering why we summoned you here." There were nods, eye rolls and several 'no duhs' in response to that statement. "Well," he continued, "Tsunade and I both know that not everyone gets along all the time, but lately the…tension between Night and Day has been getting ridiculous. So, Tsunade has found a common denominator between the most rowdy members and devised a solution based on that. And that is…" Jiraiya paused, "…you tell them Tsunade." Said woman glared at him; of course he'd explain almost everything, then say it was her idea and make her explain it. She was definitely not leaving without a headache.
"The ones causing the most trouble are the ones without mates," Tsunade said bluntly. She'd never really been one for tact. "Therefore everyone without a mate has to attend compulsory meetings three times a week until conflict is either resolved or everyone has a mate." Ten seconds. Ten blissful seconds of stunned silence, before all hell broke loose.
"WHAT?!" Props to Obito, Naruto, Deidara, Karin, Suigetsu and Hidan for the perfectly synchronized scream of indignation. Really, how did they do it?
"We refuse." And there was the Night Court, Sasuke speaking for all of them.
"Day Court, shut up. Night Court, I refuse your refusal. These are compulsory. You will attend, or I will fight you." Tsunade stated calmly.
"But Lady Tsunade-" Sakura was cut off by Karin.
"Lord Jiraiya, surely you don't agree with this?!" The Goddess of Healing appealed to the old man. "This is far more likely to result in increased tension, not to mention more injuries that I'll have patience or time to heal." Jiraiya held up his hands in surrender.
"You're right Karin, I don't agree with Tsunade, but I'm not about to argue with her once she's made up her mind; it'll get you nowhere. I'm staying out of this. Sorry." Jiraiya settled down in his chair and pulled out a book, signalling to all that they would get no help from him.
"Look," Tsunade said firmly. "I know you don't like this idea. I don't care that you don't like it. If you just shut up, attend, and try to be civilized, this could work and fix things. I'm not budging on this."
The Night Court glared at her and the Day Court slumped in their seats. All of them knew that Tsunade would keep her word and fight anyone who disagreed.
"Any other objections?" Tsunade looked around the room. "No? Well then you're all dismissed. In four days everyone without a mate will report to the Meeting Hall and then either stay or join someone and go somewhere. These last for twenty four hours-a whole day. Deal with it." Juugo raised a hand slowly. "WHAT?"
"Am I excused from these while it's day?" The Sun God asked. Tsunade thought about it and sighed.
"I suppose so; the same applies for Itachi during the night." The Moon God nodded. "Now get out of here, all of you." One by one the gods filed out of the room, many grumbling to themselves over the unfairness of it all and some laughing at friends for having to suffer one of Tsunade's insane plans. Eventually Tsunade and Jiraiya were alone.
Or so they thought.
"Something wrong brat?" Tsunade raised an eyebrow.
"Kind of," Naruto said. "…Baa-chan, could I be exempt from these meetings?"
"Naruto, is this about him?" Jiraiya asked. "You can't let one man have such a hold on you-"
"He doesn't have a hold on me!" Naruto exclaimed. "I just…I don't think I really need a mate…"
"Brat," Tsunade sighed. "Just because he was an absolute bastard that deserves death doesn't mean that everyone in the courts is like that. You will attend the meetings. I'm not asking for immediate results, just…try."
"Okay Baa-chan." Naruto turned to leave, but something near the Scales of Balance caught his eye. He turned to look at it, blinking.
"Brat, leave already." Tsunade said.
"Sorry, just thought I saw something. Bye!" Naruto raced out of the Meeting Hall, shaking his head slightly. He could have sworn that he saw something flicker near the Scales of Balance, but nothing was there.
"Naruto!" He heard Obito yelling at him from across the corridor. "Hurry up! We promised Inari we'd help him get back at Kaji for stealing Ageha's lunch yesterday!"
"Well what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Naruto raced over and the two headed for the outskirts of the Immortal Realm; where the portal to the Mortal Realm was. He never gave another thought to the mysterious flickering in the Meeting Hall.
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A.N: Ageha is the little girl that asked Sakura for food in Wave, and Kaji is the kid who stole Inari's dog then threw him in the sea. I needed someone from Wave that Inari was likely to know and either like and dislike. I did my research. Also, anyone who can identify Tsunade's reference gets a basket of digital cookies. Constructive criticism is welcome.
Ja ne, minna-san!