Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Inner Secrets ❯ Chapter 15

Disclaimer: For the billionth time! No, I do not own Naruto nor anything else pertaining to this and every series in existence!

 

Pairings: : Ita/Naru, Shika/Neji, Kaka/Iru. But I'll let you all know if there are any fluff bits or love scenes in the warnings for the chapter. That way, my non-gay liking fan people can still enjoy the story. ^^

 

Warnings: Same old

 

A/N: Woo! Thanks for all the reviews! Nothing beats the feeling of an ego boost. ^^; I find that they make me feel better about myself, which in turn spurs me to write… Especially when I have nothing to do to procrastinate all my writing. ^^; Well, here's the next chapter, hope you all enjoy!

 

Chapter 15

 

“Goukakyuu no Jutsu!” Dokaku cried before exhaling a mass breath of smoldering flames, making Naruto leap up and out of the way lest he be burned.

 

“Just my luck…” Naruto sighed with a pout as he stood to the side of his current position. “I get to fight the one that is all play no talk.” He said dramatically. “Those two had best hope you are the strongest otherwise I'm so restarting that prank war.” He vowed darkly as he looked at the man standing before him, blue eyes taking special note of the large, shiny and sharp looking halberd. “That's really shiny.” He commented with a smirk, amused at the twitch his words had brought about above the man's right eye.

 

“You needn't worry about resurrecting that prank war; I assure you that I am the most powerful of the trio.” The man said with a growl as he grabbed the halberd with his gloved hand. The thing looked to weigh a ton and a half, and yet Dokaku managed to lift it as though it were a feather.

 

`Kit! I have a bad feeling about that weapon. Call it instinct if you will, but I can feel a blackened aura around it. I don't think it is just an average halberd, meaning you need to watch your tail, and perhaps you might want to utilize that one technique Neji developed…' Kyuubi commented eagerly from his host's mind. He sounded much like a child in a chocolate shop.

 

`If you say so.' Naruto thought in agreement before he tuned out of Kyuubi's words, knowing that the fox was likely to begin commentary as though this were a sporting event. “Well if you are going to use a weapon, maybe I should too.” Naruto said before he nicked his thumb on a kunai, cutting it open.

 

Crimson blood beaded on the edge of his thumb before he rubbed it across one of the many vines growing up the dark, moldy stone wall of the castle. “Kajou Metamorufo-zu: Itonami Ken!” Naruto called, causing the vine his blood touched to glow a dark purple before turning into sparkles of chakra and matter that moved and fused themselves into a new form. They became a Japanese Katana. “Sword versus axe, sword always wins.” Naruto said softly before smirking below his mask.

 

Dokaku chuckled lightly, causing Naruto to blink, but that chuckle slowly turned into a crazed laugh, one that sent chills down Naruto's spine. “You think you can beat my Halberd with a mere sword.” The man cackled as he brought his large weapon forward. “But I rather not just break that sword; I rather annihilate it and you at the same time! Ninpou- Shinku Naginata: Kuroi Shoukyaku Kuchiake!”

 

The halberd suddenly began to glow a swirl of black and crimson energies, and a twisted, malicious aura poured readily from the razor-sharp edge. Naruto inwardly cursed as he eyed the weapon's transformation, mentally noting that he would have to ask Neji if they could tweak the technique to spruce up its power.

 

Dokaku launched himself forward, his halberd moving in a downwards arch. `Shit!' Naruto silently cursed as he leapt out of the way just in time as the axe-like weapon smashed down on the stone floor, blowing a hole clean through it. “Well that's one way to make a skylight.” Naruto commented as Dokaku brought his weapon up once again, their eyes clashing.

 

“Omukashi no Jutsu: Chakra Tsutsumu!” Naruto cried as he extended his free hand causing several dozen glowing blue bandages shoot from his palm, moving forward with lightning speed, before they wrapped themselves around Dokaku and his massive blade. They wrapped him like a mummy, and once he was thoroughly bound, Naruto grabbed a hold of the ends as he dispelled the chakra from his palm, and held it tight and firm.

 

The bandages over the halberd grew purple, then black before they shattered into fragments that vanished into the air. Naruto raised his sword with his other hand just as the halberd pulsed, destroying the rest of the bandages and sending Naruto skidding backwards. “What the hell is that thing?” Naruto muttered darkly as he glared at the man who stood before him unfazed.

 

“A halberd I stole from a great Demon Lord after I slew him.” The man said with a chuckle. “It has no name, but it is far more powerful then mortal weaponry.” The man concluded with a twisted smirk. “Katon Sutairu: Nenshou Bunshin!” Dokaku called, causing flaming clones to appear behind him. He then motioned for them to charge and charge they did.

 

The fiery clones surged forwards, all using a different Taijutsu stance to come at him. The first tried to sweep Naruto's feet out from below him, leaving Naruto to leap up and out of the first attack, but into the arms of the second who had just moved above the airborne Uzumaki, and it quickly wrapped its arms around Naruto before exploding in a blazing wave of fire.

 

The darkness inside of the shadow fell to the ground, burning ominously before it became the shape of a stone. “So you survived an encounter with my Hono'o Bakudan: Taimuzu Sakuyaku.” Dokaku chuckled as he turned around to look at the slightly scorched cloaked figure that stood behind him.

 

“So it would seem.” Naruto muttered as his hands flew through a series of seals. “Suiton Mihon: Shabondama Bakudan!” Naruto exhaled a barrage of bubbles that soared outwards, causing Dokaku to leap up and out of the way.

 

“What were you aiming for?” The man asked mockingly, before a hissing sound reached his ears, causing him to look over at his clones which were extinguished upon the bubble barrage.

 

Blue light suddenly sprang up from where he left his opponent, and he turned just in time to see the blond charge forward, a swirling ball of blue light in his hand. “Rasengan!” He called as he thrust his glowing hand forward, while he held his blade wielding hand back slightly, the blade's tip extending further then his chakra sphere.

 

Dokaku raised his halberd, the sound of metal striking metal rose as the sword met the halberd, followed shortly by the Rasengan hitting the weapon. With a grunt of effort, Dokaku swung his mighty halberd, pushing back both attacks, cutting Naruto clean in two.

 

Eyes widened in shock as the bloody and gory falling figure before him turned into a wisp of smoke. “Kage Bunshin.” The man muttered in annoyance, having had hoped that, that had been the end of this manhunt.

 

“I give you credit.” Naruto spoke up from behind him, causing the man to swirl on the spot so that his back wasn't open to the enemy. “The credit of being the first to cut clean through my Rasengan.” He admitted as he brought his hands up and slowly clapped his approval, though the clapping was slightly off due to the sword he still held in his hand. “But then again, I don't think that credit ought go to you alone. No, it should go to Takuya Renkin, the wolf demon you fought and slaughtered.” Naruto concluded sharply. “The very one you claim to be a great Lord, but I'll have you know, that bastard wolf was of no rank of such dignity. He was a filthy, vile outcast, even amongst his kind. Perhaps you did us a favor by slaying him, but you do everyone else a disservice by continuing his legacy by wielding his unsanctified and tainted weapon.” The blond said with sharp annoyance in his tone as he summed up what he had allowed himself to hear from the ranting fox demon within his mind.

 

Dokaku glared darkly. “And what would a midget know about demons?” He sneered.

 

“Firstly, I'm no midget; I'm of a respectable height, and glad that I'm not some steroid addict-sized person like yourself. Secondly, I am no mere normal person. I myself have… I suppose you could call it a link, to the demons. I know much about them, and if I were to be ranked by the demon scale, I'd be far beyond that wolf you killed.” Naruto concluded with a vulpine smirk. “So it's time to up the anti.”

 

His hands flew through a series of seals as he leapt backwards while great dark and ominous clouds materialized in the room. “Rasengan Arashi!!!” Naruto called, his voice echoing as swirling blue spheres came twisting and spinning down from the clouds above, lying annihilation upon the room, causing the very floor to collapse beneath Naruto who stood observing, and Dokaku who span around slicing and dodging as fast as he could.

 

“Renovations: a success.” Naruto commented dryly as he looked away from the still weaving through attacks Dokaku, and up to the room the two of them had just vacated and desecrated. Blue eyes warily regarded the straining walls, and ceilings, noting that the whole castle could come crashing down if they weren't careful. “Fun.” He commented as his storm slowed and stopped leaving a panting Dokaku standing in the middle of a ravished area, glaring a glare that promised a painful death.

 

“If that is all… you have, you are no match.” The man panted heavily.

 

“All I have? Are you mental? I have way more then that that was merely meant to tire you out, and judging by your breathing I accomplished just that without even having to break a sweat.” Naruto explained with a hidden Cheshire cat grin, causing the man before him to boil with rage.

 

“Allow me to show you the power of a level one demon!” Naruto shouted as his blue chakra expanded in the blazing inferno around him, before it slowly changed to a purple color as he called forth a small fraction of the Kyuubi's powers. Heat rose off of Naruto and his chakra, causing the very stone floor below his feet to melt. Pulse waves pushed off of him, shooting outwards, causing the castle's very foundations to quiver mightily, making many sections cave in..

 

Dokaku brought his halberd up and diced right through the chakra waves, which expanded from his foe, slicing them like a hot knife through butter. “You're candle may be flaring brightly now, but it will dim and I will smolder the flame, and with it your life!” Dokaku called as he vanished from sight, prior to appearing behind Naruto, where he took a swing of his halberd.

 

Blue eyes wide, Naruto dodged to the side, wincing as his enemies weapon grazed a shallow cut across his left side, the blackened aura burning the skin to a black charcoal just around the wound, which was quite visible through the section of his outfit that was burned off in the stroke.

 

“Ho'fuck!” Naruto exclaimed in shock, having completely not expected the attack, nor the effect that just being grazed by that weapon would have upon him. His side ached something terrible. He had experienced many injuries in his life, but never before had he had a part of him carbonized. Sure, he had listened half-heartedly to what Kyuubi told him about the weapon and its previous owner, but he didn't seriously think that the weapon had quite that power.

 

“Is that all you can say now that you've tasted what my halberd can do?” Dokaku asked mockingly as he raised his massive weapon once more, a twisted and malicious grin filled with crazed insanity smeared across his face.

 

“At the moment?” Naruto asked, but he did not wait for a response. “I'd say yup, that's all I can say to that.” Naruto admitted honestly as his chakra went from purple to orange while it moved into the form of three tails. “But I suppose simple parlor tricks won't work against you.” He said with a deep breath, as he moved his hands into seals, ignoring the pain in his side that flared violently as parts of the carbonized area crumbled while he moved, causing crimson blood to soak through and slowly spill from his body. “Goukakyuu Yuunou: Botsuraku no Kyohaku!”

 

Burning white spheres slowly formed all around the room that the two of them now stood in, the spheres' light seemingly destroying all shadows in sight. They were beautiful, but beautiful is often deadly. They shimmered alluringly before they all raced with the haste of all light, moving so fast that they seemed like lasers as they barraged the man who opposed their summoner.

 

Explosions ravaged the castle, far walls crumbled and the whole thing gave one mighty groan before time's wrath upon the place hit, and down the castle fell, burying both Naruto and Dokaku in much debris. Dust and smoke billowed around them, dancing in rash swirls as wind tugged all air borne particles each way.

 

As the dust settled there stood standing off Naruto and Dokaku, their eyes glued together in a battle of wills. “So this is the fabled prowess of the Shadow Assailant.” The man chuckled before he looked down upon his bleeding left stump of an arm. “You've only managed to remove my dependent arm.” He concluded as he raised his dark-glowing halberd.

 

Forward the two charged, Dokaku glowing black, Naruto glowing crimson, and they met in a ravishing tornado of swirling energies that licked at each other like flames over a dry branch. Welts swelled up wherever the enemy's energy managed to strike and clawed hand met blacked blade.

 

Blue eyes were crimson, and a fanged smirk was all that Dokaku could see before sharp pain struck his abdomen and the crimson energy before him flared to twice the prowess incinerate everything around the two of them, and even he could feel his empowered body beginning to burn. “Die.” Naruto hissed as he brought his fanged mouth up to Dokaku's neck, and he bite in, hard. With a mighty tug, Naruto pulled back, ripping the man's throat from him in a spray of acidic blood and quivering gore.

 

Death claimed the man instantly, and Naruto allowed the corpse to crumble lifeless to the ground before he relinquished all his chakra, regaining his normal appearance, albeit a bloodied one.

 

- - -

 

“Hatake-san!” Imino Iruka called as spotted Kakashi lounging outside of the Ninja Academy that he himself had just stepped out of. It was rather late in the day, most people were already home eating supper and relaxing with their families, well those who weren't ninja were anyways. “What brings you to these parts?” The Chuunin inquired out of curiosity as he walked up to the man who was seated on the familiar swing on the school grounds, reading his notorious orange book.

 

“I was just in the neighborhood.” Kakashi answered without once looking up, his eye trained upon the book in his hand. “And I suppose that I am here to also inform you that Jiraiya-sama has returned and has requested your presence.” He finished as he snapped his book closed and slipped it into his weapons pouch while he slid like water, to his feet.

 

“Jiraiya-sama?” Iruka asked in shock before blinking several times. “Wait! Does that mean Naruto's back?!” He asked with brown eyes filled with hope.

 

“Nope.” Kakashi answered. “Jiraiya left the three of them to their own devices while he came back here to inquire over something that had suddenly caught his attention.” Kakashi finished as he motioned for the academy instructor to follow him.

 

Within seconds the two arrived at Hokage tower, and they were immediately given access to Tsunade's office, where they saw all three of the room's occupants looking serious. “What is it?” Iruka asked instantly, he felt concern shiver ominously up his spine.

 

“Uzumaki Naruto is dead.” Jiraiya commenced in all seriousness, his face stony and unreadable. Iruka paled, his mouth dropped open and he fell over in a dead faint, and he would have hit the floor had Kakashi not caught him and set him in one of the room's chairs. “Guess he can't take a joke…” The Sannin commented thoughtfully as he stroked his chin in thought, ignoring the murderous looks directed at him from both Tsunade and Shizune.

 

Minutes passed before Iruka regained consciousness, and it took several seconds for his brain to gain its bearings. “Naruto!” He cried sharply, his face pale as he shot up.

 

“Calm down Umino-san, Jiraiya was just fooling around. Naruto is alive and well, otherwise I would have castrated that lecherous old coot where he stood.” Tsunade said as she leaned back in her chair. “Now…” She began only to be cut off as a great shockwave of power raced by them all, lifting small particles of dust from the ground, causing all the people in the room to freeze eyes wide.

 

“That chakra…” Kakashi breathed, “That was the same chakra I felt in the land of the Waves when Naruto fought Haku, and the same that I felt when the Kyuubi attacked the village.” The copy-cat ninja whispered quietly, though his words reached all those present.

 

“Has the fox awakened?” Tsunade whispered before she turned to glare at her white haired comrade. “You left Naruto alone; if anything has happened to him it'll be on your hide.” She said threateningly, her gold eyes promising much pain.

 

Before another word or threat could be uttered, the energy died down, vanishing from their senses, yet it still left the hairs on the back of their necks standing. “Kakashi, I want you to mobilize a team. Take Sasuke, Shino, Kiba and Chouji with you. And Iruka. I want you six to follow that chakra trail and make sure that Naruto-kun, Neji-kun, and Shikamaru-kun are all alright, while assessing any and all damage that such an enormous chakra surge might have caused.

 

- - - - - -

 

“That was overkill Naruto-kun.” A familiar voice said from behind Naruto, causing the blond to turn and look upon the familiar face of Uchiha Itachi.

 

“And here I thought you had left.” Naruto muttered in response while he wiped the blood from his face, smearing more then cleaning it. “Where are my comrades?” He asked, blue eyes not seeing the familiar cloaks or visages of his precious friends.

 

“Hospital.” The man answered coldly back.

 

“And why are they there?” the blond inquired his breath sharp.

 

“Seems the Hyuuga made an error and took a bad blow for it, but you too made an error, judging by your side.” Itachi concluded before he turned to the side. “But it would seem that comrade of yours is returning, only several leagues ahead of Stone ninja.” He stated icily before vanishing, leaving Naruto to dispel his Kage Gesshoku uniform, making himself look like just a normal teen in the wrong place at the wrong time.

 

“You and Neji are both troublesome.” Shikamaru commented lightly as he landed next to the blond, he too out of costume. “I don't suppose you can move either.” He stated rather than inquired as he eyed the demon-vessel's horrendously carbonized side. “Not even your healing abilities have started on that wound.” The genius muttered as he studied the blackened and bleeding area with much interest before he placed a genjutsu over the halberd just as the Stone ninja arrived on the scene.

 

“Hey kids! What are you doing here?” A man who stood twice as tall, and thrice as wide as a normal man, asked, his yellow eyes looking them over suspiciously.

 

“Well… This castle was a hang out of ours, and some guy showed up here followed by that legendary trio that is all over the news, and the next thing we knew we were hit by these massive waves of energy and boom, the castle just came crashing down on us and it really hurt.” Naruto concluded as he held a hand over his bloody side, drawing the man's eyes to it.

 

“Men, spread out! I want the Ryoku no Kami captured alive! Kid, you should probably take your friend to the hospital.” The man finished gently, his eyes meeting Shikamaru's before he, like his men, vanished in search of the trio.

 

“You do realize that had Neji been here, we would have looked suspicious with that cover story. Our number would match that of the trio.” Shikamaru muttered with a sigh as he looked over his blond friend and comrade, annoyed yet glad that he himself had experienced a decent growth spurt, thus making him stand taller than both of his other friends. It was useful when he had to tend to their injuries, but annoying that he actually had to carry them. “Troublesome…” He sighed as he grabbed hold of the blond, carrying him much as he had done for Neji.

 

“You don't need to ferry me.” Naruto commented dryly, his blue eyes serious.

 

“Wrong. If you walk it'll make that injury worse. The worse it is, the more work for me later in having to visit you at the hospital for a longer time period.” Shikamaru summed up with a sigh, causing the blond to blink several times before he sulked and grew silent.

 

- - - - - - - -

 

“Reservations for two.” Naruto commented as the medical ninja of Hidden Stone moved him into Neji's room after having done all they could for Naruto's side before they bandaged that area with enough bandages to make it look as though he had an oddly disproportioned stomach. “I do hope that the room service and view here is nice.” The blond finished dramatically as he was lifted from the wheelchair and placed like a fragile china-doll onto the white linen covered bed.

 

“Better than that shack you called an apartment.” Neji commented quietly from his bed, white eyes holding mirth.

 

“Hey, don't mock my joint.” Naruto called back in defense, his blue eyes narrowed lackadaisically at his white eyed friend.

 

“If I was mocking it you'd know it. I was simply making my observations of your living standards.” Neji said in defense as Shikamaru plopped down on a random chair conveniently set betwixt the two hospital beds.

 

“Beggars can't be choosers.” Naruto concluded with a shrug that was immediately followed a sharp wince.

 

“Take it easy Naruto-kun, you are likely very tender. You've been in emergency for the last nine hours and judging by the amount of babying everyone has been giving you, you won't likely be leaving until they are satisfied that you are well.” Neji said softly. “But on the plus side, I'll be keeping you company for the majority of your stay, and Shika-kun will come and visit us every day for the entire day.” Neji concluded with a smirk that he directed at the Nara.

 

“Tch… Troublesome…” The genius commented in lazy annoyance as he slouched boneless in his chair.

 

“We need to leave.” Naruto said suddenly, his blue eyes focused out the window. “I sense familiar chakra.” He said by way of explanation, causing the other too to pause and concentrate.

 

“Konoha…” Neji breathed before wincing at the pain in his chest.

 

“Kakashi-sensei, Iruka-sensei, Sasuke-san, Shino-san, Kiba-san, and Chouji-san are all on their way.” Naruto said with a frown as he looked over Neji and Shikamaru. “We can't let them find us. We can not meet up with them until the third year mark.” He said sharply before he stood shakily to his feet, Neji and Shikamaru following haste, the former with much pain, and the latter with sluggish movement.

 

They moved together in a triangle formation and held hands before they closed their eyes and channeled their chakra on a small level that was too low to be picked up by any senses. In the middle formed a mini black sphere that slowly grew larger and larger until it stood as an oval shaped portal, a portal in which they stepped into, and just as the blackened area vanished from the hospital, the Konoha group arrived inside the room via the window.

 

The six man cell from Konoha stood wearily inside the hospital that resided well within enemy territory. “Their chakra just vanished.” Shino commented softly, his insects swirling and buzzing around him like an ominous black cloud.

 

“They were here.” Kiba added in as he sniffed the last area the trio last stood. “Their scent is still hot, but it vanishes here.” The dog user commented thoughtfully as he listened to his familiar bark and growl out what his canine scenes had picked up. “Akamaru says that Neji's scent is strongest on that bed, Naruto's on the other bed, and Shikamaru's on the chair.” He concluded.

 

“Naruto-dobe and Hyuuga-san are injured then.” Sasuke commented with a dark frown just as the door to the room slid open revealing a young woman in a white nurse gown.

 

“Oh my!” She exclaimed with wide eyes. “I'm so sorry! I should have knocked!” She exclaimed with a deep bow, her honey-brown eyes focused on the floor, having obviously thought she had just walked in on ninja of her own village doing a questioning of her patients. “I didn't mean to intrude but Shintaru-kun needs to go in for another healing session and Kintaro is due for another surgery.” The woman said softly, still bowing in the doorway.

 

“Ahh… Those two have just checked out, I apologize for the trouble.” Kakashi apologized, easily catching on to the view that the woman had of them being ninja from Stone. “Hokage-sama needed them for questioning right away, but since you are here could you tell us their conditions so that we might know to be extra cautious with them.” The silver haired Jounin suggested.

 

“Of course Shinobi-sama!” The woman exclaimed before she pulled herself out of her bow and looked at the clipboard in her hands. “Ah… Shintaru-kun has five broken ribs, and part of the left rib broke funny, causing much internal damage, but we've stopped all the bleeding, and we just need to make sure all the bones are set properly so he can heal. And Kintaro had the middle of his torso, on the left side, carbonized, loosing skin, muscle and a small layer of his stomach. He still needs to have those carefully monitored and stitched up, so make sure you inform the head healer there.” The woman concluded before leaving the room, humming softly.

 

“Carbonization?” Kiba asked once the woman was gone.

 

“Doesn't sound tasty.” Chouji commented lightly as he nibbled on a bar of chocolate.

 

A pale Iruka was the one to answer. “Think of a long burnt out fire pit. Think of how the forms of logs are still there, but they are black and full of air holes, and with a simple wind it would crumble and fall to pieces.” The Chuunin whispered quietly, his head spinning over all horrendous scenarios.

 

“Now what have you gotten yourself into Dobe?” Sasuke whispered to himself, onyx eyes looking out the window.

 

- - - - - - - -

 

Amadare Heero blinked once, twice, then thrice before he lowered the tea cup he had half raised towards his lips. There, before him, stood his grandson and his grandson's two closest friends. “I hadn't expected you back so soon.” The man admitted, speaking over his shock of having seen them appear out of a black doorway that had momentarily materialized itself before him, before vanishing after having spit out the teens.

 

“We had unexpected company that we had no desire to have a reunion with for the time being.” Neji answered before he slumped sideways, arms gripping his stomach and chest area as a pained expression took over his generally emotionless face.

 

Shikamaru caught his teammate with ease, a sigh escaping him. “Amadare-sama, do you by chance have some beds we could rest these two on. Our battles had much damage to the two of them, and it isn't advisable that we move them more then we did in coming here.” The Nara asked politely, dark brown eyes watching as the old man before him leapt to his feet and rushed over to his wavering grandson's side.

 

“I have plenty of room for all of you, and it just so happens; a good friend of mine is skilled in the healing arts. She is my maid, my cook, and my advisor.” The man said softly as he wrapped an arm around his blond grandson, so as to steady the blue eyed boy, before he lead them at a slow pace, until they arrived at a beautifully furnished room, one that's style reminded Naruto of a certain teahouse that he promised he would show his dear friends.

 

- - - - - - - -

 

Many days and weeks speed by, and slowly the two injured began to heal. Well, Naruto's side failed to improve any despite all the medical care and attention lavished upon it, leaving them all with but one choice. “Then it's decided.” Neji spoke up as he was as fit as daisies. “The vote stands four to one, meaning majority rules.” The Hyuuga concluded.

 

“But I don't want to go back yet! It's too early!” The blond whined pitifully as he sulked from the comfy bed he was nestled in.

 

“You don't have a choice. We're heading back to Konoha. Only Tsunade-sama has the medical talent to stand a chance at healing that side of yours.” Neji argued back, earning nods from Naruto's grandfather and the man's good friend, the one who had helped them all.

 

- - - - - - - -

 

“Tsunade-sama!!!” The captain of the Anbu shouted as he raced into the blond woman's office, startling her awake. “I have just received a letter directed to you from former Feudal Lord Amadare Heero, and he requests a team of your best medics including yourself to meet his caravan as soon as possible.” The man announced, his words putting the formerly snoozing woman to awaken and accept the letter before she read it over.

 

“Shizune!” She announced. “He's calling in that favor Konoha's owes him. And he wants the best attention for his grandson.” The woman finished sharply before looking back at the masked man that stood before her, the man who would have looked like any other Anbu had it not been for his white cloak that discerned him as the captain. “I want you and a squad of your best to head there now, surround that caravan and protect it with your life. That man is a much honored man here.” She concluded and the ninja vanished to obey.

 

“I didn't know he had any living relatives save for his son-in-law.” Shizune admitted as she picked Tonton up and headed towards the door, following behind her sensei.

 

“Neither did I. But I have a feeling that there is a good reason for no knowledge of his heir.” Tsunade said simply as she ordered one of the Anbu at the door to summon several healers from the Hospital.

 

Within ten minutes, Tsunade and her escort were ready to depart, and depart they did. The group was large, but it moved swiftly, moving with all haste out the gate and along the tree lined and concealed road.

 

- - - - - - - -

 

“Fuck!” Naruto yelled as sweat beaded down his face, his hands clasping tightly at the hands of Neji and Shikamaru as each bump on the road wracked his frame causing the bandages on his side to be stained further with each move. A slight fever had overcome the blond, his regularly tanned skin seemed pale, his eyes had lost there glint and he looked so frail and thin.

 

“Slow down!” Heero ordered sharply.

 

“I can't go slower then this or we'll be at a stop.” The caravan driver called back, a frustrated look on his features while the former Feudal Lord's right hand man tended to the ill blond with expert attention. “Bloody roads…” The man muttered as he eyed the uneven dirt road before him. “Bloody suspensions… Bloody ninja villages and their stupid lack of roads.” He cursed darkly before he had to pull to a sudden halt just as three men in cloaks and masks appeared.

 

“Why have you stopped?” Heero demanded sharply, his eyes focused on his grandson who was breathing heavily.

 

“Konoha Anbu are here Amadare-sama.” The driver called, causing the elderly man to forcefully pull himself away from his only living descendant's side, and he slipped out of the curtained caravan wagon just as Tsunade arrived with all the medical ninja.

 

“Amadare-sama, it is a pleasure to see you once more.” Tsunade said with a nod.

 

“Now is not the time for pleasantries.” The blue eyed man said sharply, causing everyone who had met the man before to feel shock, for he was such a kind man. He was obviously suffering great turmoil. “Please Tsunade, please help him.” The man begged; another thing that shocked them all.

 

“Of course.” The blond said with a nod. “I take it the patient is in there.” The woman stated, she did not ask, as she motioned towards the lavish wagon that lead the group of other wagons. The one that the man himself had exited.

 

“Yes.” Amadare nodded. “But there is no room inside; I'll have him brought out. I'm sure that that move should be less painful…” He said quietly. “Deamu-san, please bring him out.” The man called to his old friend and advisor.

 

Shock gripped the Konoha Anbu and medical squads as out climbed two teens, two very familiar teens. Hyuuga Neji and Shikamaru were the ones to step out, their expressions were cold, but grimness was visible in their eyes. Shortly behind them came the darkly tanned man Deamu, and in his arms was the tiny, pale and frail form of Uzumaki Naruto. Konoha's Number-one-Loud-Mouth-Knuckle-Headed-Ninja. He looked defeated…

 

 

- - - - - - - -

 

End of Chapter

 

Still short, but hey, at least it is something. ^^ Please Review and thanks for taking time to read this.

 

Kajou Metamorufo-zu: Itonami Ken - Item Transmute: Life to Blade

 

Ninpou- Shinku Naginata: Kuroi Shoukyaku Kuchiake -Special- Crimson Halberd: Black Incineration Activate

 

Omukashi no Jutsu: Chakra Tsutsumu - Ancient Technique: Chakra Wraps

 

Katon Sutairu: Nenshou Bunshin - Fire Style: Burning Clones

 

Hono'o Bakudan: Taimuzu Sakuyaku - Flame Bomb: Times Explosives

 

Suiton Mihon: Shabondama Bakudan - Water Type: Bubble Bombs

 

Rasengan Arashi - Storm of the Rasengan

 

Goukakyuu Yuunou: Botsuraku no Kyohaku - Empowered Skill: Fall of the Stars