Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ A Life for a Life ❯ A study on seals and a meeting... ( Chapter 43 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

I do not own Naruto

Rasengan86… That's the problem. Arashi didn't think… And with the childhood Naruto had, he should have realized that when Naruto does finally accept him. He runs an even bigger chance of losing him should he do something wrong… As to Umiko…well she is tied in to some degree with everybody…

Chapter 43

Having discussed the idea that he had with Tsunade about the exams, those involved were admittedly a little wary of such an action. But as the blonde male had calmly explained the aspects of it, eyes widen as other thoughts begin to take root. They had discussed well and thoroughly into the night and by the time Arashi had returned home…

He was ready to collapse with exhaustion…

Walking into his house with an expression of tiredness on his features, He turns on the light to find, Umiko waiting for him. Her green eyes flashing with thought, he is about to approach her with a smile, that is stopped as she holds out her hand.

“You might want to go talk to him in the morning…”

Confused, Arashi is puzzled as the woman stares at him with something akin to pity. It…it was not a comfortable feeling. Shaking her head as she gets up, the woman leaves the room, but not before she said something to make him think….

“If you can't even figure it out, don't be surprised if he doesn't want to be near you tomorrow.”

Puzzling him to no end, Arashi knew she was referring to his son. Wondering if Naruto was still awake despite the late hour, he heads up the stairs to search for the youth and talk to him. Finding his light on underneath a closed door, Arashi opens it and sighs a little bit.

The seventeen year old was currently passed out at his new desk with his light on. A slight sound of slumber erupting from his lips, Arashi can't help but study the youth with a fatherly grin of pride. But as a shiver takes control of the youth's body, Arashi notices the cool breeze coming from a nearby open window.

Not wanting to move the youth who looks to comfortable, he reaches for a bright orange blanket at the end of the bed. Unfolding it, he tosses it around the widening shoulders of a growing young man.

“Hinata-chan…” The younger blonde murmurs in his sleep. A slow smile creeping onto his lips, allows Arashi to grin in approval of the young woman who has caught Naruto's heart. Hiashi and himself had been talking about it earlier today during a break they had with Tsunade… The Hyuuga didn't mind at all. Despite Arashi being his father, Hiashi was starting to respect Naruto to some degree. The youth definitely worked hard and stood strong despite many attempts to destroy him.

Both Tsunade and the Hyuuga had told him about the promise he made to his teammate Sakura as well as the rest of their friends when they were all 13-14 years old. That somehow he was going to bring back the Uchiha youth, even as Naruto had put it.

If I have to break both his arms and legs I am going to bring Sasuke home! That's a promise!

Sakura had frowned at that as did Tsunade. But both smiled warmly, as the enthusiastic grin of the Naruto they know and love appeared once more on the young boy's features.

A promise…

Crouching a little bit so that he was level with the slumbering youth, Arashi couldn't help but reach out and touch the blonde spiky hair and tanned skin.

“My son…” Arashi murmured regretfully. “I wish…I wish I could have been there for you growing up... I'm sorry…”

Placing a fatherly kiss on those same blonde strands of hair, Arashi quietly turns out the light and leaves the room. Unaware as bright blue eyes look up at his back with tears in their eyes….

“I'm sorry to…Father…” Naruto whispered. His jealousy abated as he heard the mournful regret of the older man. Still, though his heart rings with the painful feeling as he remembers the acknowledgement Moegi had received.

Turning around to climb into bed, Naruto looks once more towards the other man's room. But continues to stay in his own…

From her own room down the hall, Umiko smiles as her senses tell her everything will be all right…

-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-

Following day…

Arashi looked over scrolls that he had assigned Naruto to study and to figure out the kind of seal he was hinting at. The youth had been confused at first, but had nodded his head in acceptance of the study.

When he had returned, Naruto had wondered why he was showing him various kinds of demon seals.

“From what you have told me Naruto, the seal acts in a similar way to the one you have on you. It lends Sasuke the power he needs to fight correct?”

Making a simple nod, to tell Arashi, that he is correct, Arashi looks at him expectantly. Confused and thoughtful, a dawning realization hits him as what the Fourth has been hinting at.

“So to free Sasuke we need a demonic seal? Like the one I have?”

“Not quite.”

“When I realized our furry friend here, was on the way to attacking I studied up on all sorts of demonic seals. None by the looks of them could handle the Nine-tails…”

None could…you had to go and bloody invent one that would damn mortal… Kyuubi muttered under his breath. The fox remembering that feeling of being sealed, growls in irritation.

Amused at the Kyuubi's comment, Naruto says nothing as he continues to listen eagerly. Learning about these seals could mean so much to bringing Sasuke home…

“But here's the thing Naruto. To do a seal on something that already exists; we have to know exactly what we are going against at its fullest potential.”

“What do you mean?”

“Think about it son. If I had put a seal upon you that wasn't as strong as the one now, what would have happened?”

“Kyuubi, would have been set free. But what does that have to do with anything?”

Groaning in irritation a little bit, Arashi can't help but smile at his son's innocence in matters such as this. “Kakashi told me about the seal he had placed on the Uchiha at the Chuunin exams.”

“He put one on Sasuke?” Naruto asks surprisingly. Nodding his head, Arashi continues to speak. “He did, after all I taught him how to do a lot of seals Naruto.”

“But if that is the case…why didn't it ….” A dawning realization hits the youth and a look of sorrow emerges. “The seal wasn't strong enough was it?”

“No…I am afraid not. Do not blame your teacher though Naruto.”

“I don't…but how…how could it break?”

“It broke because it was dependent on will power, and Sasuke had to desire something immensely Naruto. It could be to protect something or to destroy something…it was his only recourse if he truly believed he was not strong enough.” Arashi whispers quietly. “And since you have not seen him save that one time, we do not know if it has grown stronger. The only way we can do something about it is if we see the Seal at full power…”

“Which will not be easy, because I would have to find Sasuke first…?” The younger blonde murmurs questioningly.

“Unfortunately yes, if we want to ensure your friend's safety we would have to know the exact potential of the seal.”

Sighing, Naruto fiddles with the scrolls for a few moments. Looking sad and dejected Arashi reaches and squeezes the youth's shoulder with a gentle reassurance. But in the end, Naruto's left eye flashes red…

I might be able to help there….

-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-

Outside the door, listening in to the training, Umiko catches her breath. She as well as the supposed other spy in the area, had to find someway, to lure the youth out into the open.

Ever since, that wide spread scan Umiko has been keeping a mental block up, to reduce the repeat of what had happened before. Although she has grown to care for the two blondes and sincerely wished she didn't have to feel like she was betraying them.

Still the thought of canceling out that seal was what gave her hope…

If they could do it…she could be free…

But as her eagerness and anticipation for that thought makes her feel all giddy, she becomes downcast only seconds later as the price for that freedom could be extremely high.

Her daughter would be killed…

Naruto could be killed in a fight against a level three curse seal. Arashi, despite being who he is could be as well.

In rare occasions the older woman had been to the Sound village to report in person. Some of those rare times she had seen Kimimaro fight and he had access to all three levels of the seal…

Needless to say not a single person, who went in to battle against him, came out alive.

To imagine the Uchiha, with a level three seal was frightening…

She found herself in a quiet debate, but it is the returning of the bird with a message from Kabuto that distracted her as it pecked against a window. Looking warily towards the room down the hall, she hears nothing but voices that are low and speculative.

Happy that they had settled things last night, she returns to the bird as she opens her window. Watching as it hops in, she slides the message off within moments of its arrival. Reading it, she pales at what it says again. This time more forceful and repeating…

Find some way within the next two months, to lure the youth out. The other spy is moving to set up the others on the council to send him on a mission against the Akatsuki. You must lure the Fox out of its hole before then or your daughter dies…

And he must be alone without his Father!