Naruto ch 09

Chapter 09

 

 

Sakura was lost in thought, walking towards training ground seven without really thinking about it much. Everything had changed and it was all that idiot Naruto’s fault she grumbled. Staring up at the sky, her inner voice screaming hurtful profanities towards Naruto, she finally examined that part of herself and winced, she was not a very nice person. The inner voice which she had done too much time listening to while growing up needed to be silenced, spotting Sasuke-kun sitting against a tree writing in that damned notebook of his while waiting for their sensei and new team member. Sitting down near Sasuke-kun she sighed as she drifted in and out of her fantasy world of being the wife of the great Sasuke-kun.

Hearing the perverted sigh once more Sasuke looked up over his notebook at his teammate and glared at her, “Enough…why you continue to stay as you are, not getting stronger and daydreaming all day is beyond me, don’t you care about being a Kunoichi at all?”

With a small shake of her head Sakura blinked out of the fantasy world of baking for her Sasuke-kun where he had come home from a long hard mission, “HUH…”

Pinching the bridge of his nose and counting backwards from ten Sasuke closed his notebook and put it inside his kunai pouch, activating the hidden seal, so his notebook was hidden inside the seal from anyone but him. He would have to write and thank Naruto again for that nifty pouch, the things he had come up with to make seals so useful was incredible. “Listen to me Sakura,” eye twitching in annoyance as the pink haired girls fan-girlish qualities broke out in full force at hearing him address her by name. “You do not have any chance of being with me. None of the so called girls of my fan club will ever have a chance with me, not that way.”

“What…What do you mean Sasuke-kun,” Sakura asked, but what she really wanted to say was why the hell not, because of course she would win his heart.

“Because of the simple fact that I am the last of my clan I now have a duty to follow the old laws,” Sasuke watched her carefully, “By those old laws I may not marry, and must choose at least four strong Kunoichi to be the mothers of my children.”

Sakura smiled, in her mind she heard strong Kunoichi and mother of his children and started to plan the wedding, and then what he said sunk in, sitting up straight she glared at him, “What do you mean you are not going to marry me and take three others to have your children.” Slapping her hand over her mouth in horror she blushed as she realized she said that out loud.

Glaring at her Sasuke growled before calming down, “There will be no marriage…and you are not even on the list of people I would consider taking into my house and bedroom. I will say it again; you will not be part of my life past being a teammate. You will not bare my children…you will not marry me…AND YOU WILL NOT EVER BE TOUCHED BY ME IN THAT WAY!!”

Holding back the tears Sakura’s voice was near breaking, “But I’m strong.” That’s right she told herself, she beat Ino-pig to the spot in her Sasuke-kun’s team.

“No, you are not,” Sasuke shook his head, if this kept up he would have to ask for reassignment.

“But…But I can be…I can get stronger, you’ll see,” Sakura stumbled about as she searched for a lifeline.

“Maybe you can, but by then it will be too late,” Sasuke was tired of the conversation already. “By this time next year I plan to welcome into the world my first child, and his mother will be a strong and skilled Kunoichi, as will the other mothers of my children. They have to be to be able to protect my children…my clan.”

Sakura turned away so she could wipe the tears out of her eyes, didn’t he realize she loved him. Shoulders slumped in defeat she heard footsteps approaching; wiping her eyes she narrowed them as she promised herself she would get stronger so he would have to pick her to be one of the mothers of his children.

Not liking the gleam in his teammates eyes Sasuke knew he was going to go on his apprenticeship soon, he would see the Hokage and lay everything out before requesting team seven be dissolved.

“YO…” Kakashi strolled up to the pair; he had been hiding in the trees trying to get a glimpse of Sasuke’s notebook and heard the whole conversation. He felt this was not going to end well, even though Sasuke was open and honest about not feeling anything towards the pink haired Genin…well after looking at her expression he did not think she was truly listening. Making a snap decision he decided to help Sasuke out with his problem, after all now that he was no longer on the path of the avenger he would do what he could to help out, “It has been decided to put team seven on inactive status for the moment. Since there are only two members of team seven left and four months until the next Genin exam and a possible replacement it has been decided that it is not worth the probable problems that would come with graduating someone early just to fill the hole on this one team.”

Seeing the shocked look on Sakura’s face he smiled under his mask, “Of course you will have the option of working with one of the other teams as a fourth member on missions. Or…or you can take the time to work and train hard and hope to attract someone who will offer you an apprenticeship.” Kakashi saw the small smile from on Sasuke’s face. “If things change or you want my help in talking to one of the other Sensei’s to allow you on their team let me know.”

Seeing the crushed look on Sakura’s face he hoped she took this time to grow up and decide if she truly wanted to be a Shinobi, and hopefully for the right reasons, Kakashi glanced over at Sasuke as he pulled his secret pleasure out of his pouch, orange book in hand he grinned, “Sasuke the Hokage asked me to escort you to his office.”

Nodding once firmly Sasuke glanced over at the slumped and defeated looking Kunoichi in training, ‘I’ll see you around sometime Sakura,” before falling in step with Kakashi. And for the most part he was more than happy to walk along quietly lost in his thoughts.

Watching Sasuke out of the corner of his eye Kakashi broke the silence, “You seemed to get closer to Naruto than anyone here in Konoha, the true Naruto that is.”

Nodding but not commenting Sasuke stepped onto the stairs leading up to the Hokage’s office before he said anything, “Naruto for all his power and scary emotionless persona he dons, is a very complex person, in some way he is so much older than even you, and in others he is as young as his age.”

“That is,” Kakashi pocketed his book before glancing down at Sasuke, “An insightful and downright scary assessment.”

Snorting in amusement Sasuke looked up at Kakashi with a thin smile on his face, “This is Naruto we are talking about, any assessment we come up with will be wrong just because Naruto is Naruto.”

Kakashi stared at Sasuke for a brief moment as the young Shinobi walked through the door to the Hokage’s office, thinking about what he had been told he chuckled in agreement before joining Sasuke in the office.

Sasuke did not frown, even when he felt like more than justified, instead upon seeing most of the clan representatives standing on one side of the room he mimicked Naruto’s emotionless face which was unsettling too several people in the room. Secretly he was pleased at being able to unsettle people without saying a word, finally he broke the silence, “Hokage-sama you asked to see me?”

Taking a puff on his pipe the Third used the stem as a pointer towards the empty chair in front of his desk, “Sit Sasuke, it seems a grave miscarriage has happened in the village and we hope to gain some insight into Naruto from you.”

So that was why he had been called here, Sasuke’s mind went over what he could tell them while at the same time looking the Hokage in the eye, “Maybe…though,” he tilted his head up somewhat, “you have to understand that Naruto spent the past six years of school and the academy hiding his true self from everyone. And I can’t claim to be an expert on Naruto or how he thinks.”

“Yes,” the Third looked at the picture on the wall of the fourth Hokage, Minato, Naruto’s father, “Naruto seemed to grasp the lecture on hiding ones abilities to make the enemy underestimate you a little too well.” Looking sad he chewed on the end of his pipe for a moment, “I just wish he did not feel like this village was the enemy.”

Nodding in understanding Sasuke noticed for the first time Iruka-sensei sitting off to the side, glancing around the room at the other clan heads, “I can honestly say he does not hate the village, and the reason he left was so his anger did not in fact turn into hate. You have to understand that his treatment from most of the villagers and several of the Shinobi…to put it bluntly if it had happened to me I would do everything in my power to destroy every single one of those people. Instead Naruto chose to leave, to leave the hate behind and move on, he is far stronger than I am.” Mumbling softly as he frowned as he realized the truth, “or could ever be right now.”

Kakashi frowned behind his mask as he heard that last little whisper; with how intent the last Uchiha had been not long ago with being an avenger he made note to talk to him alter about it.

Sitting back in his chair as he glanced around the room to see the slight and not so slight winces on several of the clan heads faces the Third nodded slowly, “Naruto has always proven to be most unexpected and surprising. I should expect that part of his personality will not change much,” leaning forward he stared intently at Sasuke, “tell me Sasuke, what is Konoha’s chances of Naruto accepting a marriage offer from one of our clans to cement a lasting alliance with our village?”

“Not a chance in hell,” Sasuke shook his head fiercely, “Naruto will be working under the old laws of his clan. We discussed this in detail while in Wave after the mission was for the most part over and I have changed my own clan’s laws to follow his example. The four Kunoichi he chooses to be the mother of his children have to meet very strict guidelines to even be considered.”

The only sound was the Hokage’s pipe hitting the tile floor, in his shock it had slipped right out of his mouth, “Uh…Did…” gathering his thoughts so he was coherent the Third stared at Sasuke.

“Are you telling me that boy has a shopping list of what he wants in a wife?” Hiashi moved away from the wall so he could see the Uchiha’s face clearly.

“Not exactly,” inwardly Sasuke was laughing his head off, “under the old clan laws he had to resurrect because he is the last Uzumaki, he is not allowed to marry. Instead he is to choose at least four Kunoichi that are at Chunin level or above to be the mothers of his children, also the Kunoichi that meet the criteria must be willing to keep up with their training, they must never give up on being a Shinobi so they can help protect the children and clan if needed.” Seeing the serious frown he realized Hiashi was hoping to offer Hinata as the bargaining chip of Konoha, that way he could replace her as heir to the clan head without losing face.

“And if your words are any indication you have done the same then?” Kakashi’s eyes widened as he thought back to Ichi Ichi Paradise volume eight the harem edition, Sasuke was one lucky son of a gun.

Nodding as he noticed the far off look in his sensei’s eyes Sasuke watched the other clan heads for their reactions, “Naruto made me realize that duty to the clan must come before personal feelings. This morning I finished the list of things I would want in the persons who will become the mother of my children and future guardians of my clans future.”

Putting pressure on the side of his nose to avoid any embarrassing displays, the Third nodded solemnly as he felt his blood pressure return to normal, “I see, it sounds like you have taken this monumental task to heart then and I wish you luck.” Sitting back in his chair he glanced around before coming back to Sasuke, “Do you happen to know what guidelines he will be using?”

“Only generally as I don’t have the skills or resources available that Naruto does,” Sasuke mulled over the option of writing Naruto for help, after all he wanted to strengthen his clan. Hearing a polite cough he blinked, “sorry about that, did I miss a question?”

Shibi was highly amused, though you couldn’t tell it to look at him, after all with the high collar and glasses it was hard to see most of his face, “It was asked, when do you think it would be the best time to send someone to visit Naruto and…test the waters so to speak on several offers by the council. And I think I would like to know if there should be anything we should include in the biography of any Kunoichi the village would offer…if we decide to go that route that is?”

“Well,” Sasuke tried to remember some of the points Naruto used as examples that night, “I know I need to go meet with Naruto in two months time…clan business, he even said if it came down to it he would offer it as a mission so I would be able to meet with him…”

Sitting up suddenly the Third smiled, “That will not be necessary, we can and will work around that time frame so you can combine you clan business with the village’s business…yes that will work out nicely.”

“Thank you Hokage-sama,” Sasuke smiled before thinking about it, “If and I do mean if Naruto would seriously consider an arrangement like you are talking about…well you would not only have to send what personal information you had on the Kunoichi in question, including skills, but you would also need to send their elemental alignment and a pedigree going back six generations.” Tapping his finger on the side of his face he looked thoughtful, “I think it has something to do with making sure that any hint of a Kekkei Genkai would be compatible with his blood limits.” Waving his hand he shook his head at the scoffing sound coming from a few of the clan leaders, “Naruto has spent the past six years working towards mastering both his parent’s special techniques. I know his mother’s clan has spent lifetimes amassing information on the different bloodlines and their abilities.”

Wincing as he remembered all to clearly the scathing description of his bloodline and the two examples of how to easily defeat it, Sasuke offered up, “The information his mothers clan complied is both accurate and thorough…I can assure you of that from firsthand experience.”

“WHAT…that type of information could be devastating if it got out,” Hiashi roared out, eyes wide in anger.

“As long as none of the Clans in Konoha attack him then he assured me the information will remain confidential,” Sasuke shrugged, though he made a note to bring up the Hyuuga leaders behavior next time he talked to Naruto and ask for any tips on protecting his clan from them if necessary.

Glancing up at the fuming Hyuuga clan head the Third hid his smile, “I think we are getting off track,” staring at the man until he nodded and moved back towards the wall Sarutobi nodded, “You mentioned that you have been offered an apprenticeship with Naruto, how is that possible?”

Smiling Sasuke knew what really was being asked and decided to give the Hokage the information he was looking for, “I’m not sure if Kakashi will back me up on this or not. He might not have looked at Naruto as closely as Zabuza did, he also might have missed the spar between the two where Naruto quickly took him out without breaking a sweat. I asked Zabuza later as he recovered how he would categorize Naruto, power level wise. He was more powerful than the Kage’s he knew of, he told me he would rather fight the Mizukage blindfolded than to take on Naruto in anything but a spar because afterwards there would be nothing left of him, to attack Naruto was a death wish.”

“The funny thing was I never saw Naruto use anything but C-Class techniques…well there was the one thing he did that freaked everyone else out though,” Sasuke ran his hand through his hair as he remembered, even his Sharingan could not pick up on Naruto moving. “He can move in a flash, one blink he’s next to you the next he’s on the other side of the clearing holding a Kunai against your throat and the thing is no one, including my Sharingan could see him move.”

“He’s mastered the Hiraishin no Jutsu, the flying thunder god technique of his fathers,” Kakashi stumbled into the wall in shock, “That…That…That’s incredible.”

“But that technique takes incredible chakra control,” Shibi’s glasses started to slip down in his shock and he didn’t even try to push them back up.

Sasuke snorted, “And Naruto has control over his chakra that is unheard of, he gave me exorcises to increase both my control and reserves that I’ve never heard of before, and they are the type you can’t just master and move on, the next level builds on the basic ones he started me off on.”

Frowning Sarutobi tested the last Uchiha’s resolve, “So with these new exercises you will end up accomplishing your goal in regards to Itachi sooner.”

Hearing the disappointment in the Thirds words Sasuke shook his head, “That is still three or four years down the road before I even start planning for that day.”

Sarutobi was intrigued, it was not often that he was surprised like this, “What brought on the change of mind…that is if you are willing to tell us about it.”

Glancing up at the clock Sasuke fidgeted, he needed to get out and do some training, and to talk to several people to start his search of possible prospects, “Naruto, he told me why Itachi left me alive when he killed everyone else off, he even told me why Itachi pushed me into the path of an avenger. And I find that do not like doing what the killer of my family wants just so when I achieve a certain thing he can come in and kill me to achieve greater power.” Seeing all the looks of confusion in the room Sasuke was not about to enlighten them, if pressed he would claim clan secrets so they would have to drop it.

Nodding slowly in thought the Third tried to put the puzzle together, he had a feeling Sasuke had said all he was going to say on that subject, “Thank you for taking the time to talk to us Sasuke, it has been much appreciated. I will not take up any more of your valuable training time, though if you could stop in Friday after lunch so we can schedule the mission to Whirlpool…”

“Hai Hokage-sama,” Sasuke bolted from the room as fast as decorum would allow, thankful to be out from under the gaze of all the clan heads searching eyes.

Staring at the picture of Minato, the Third sighed, “More pieces of the puzzle, the question is how do they fit into the main puzzle,” feeling around for his pipe Sarutobi glanced around his desk top before spotting it out of the corner of his eye, bending over to pick it up he had to admit, even if it was only to himself that Naruto did his parents proud. Now if only he could get the civilians from the council to see that.

 

Sakura did not know what to do with herself, she had planned to spend most of the day training and doing some dumb mission like always, sighing dramatically she had hoped to get closer to her Sasuke-kun. They were so right together, but how to make him realize it. “Stupid Naruto…” not watching where she was going she bumped into Team ten coming back from capturing that damnable cat again.

“Hey watch where you’re walking Forehead-girl,” Ino narrowed her eyes in anger at her rival as she almost caused her to let go of the cat that belonged to the wife of the fire lord. Looking at Sakura Ino bit the bottom of her lip as she frowned, handing over the cat to Chouji she waved them on, “I’ll catch up with you goes in a minute, I need to find out what is going on, for Sakura to look this way…” she whispered to her teammates who nodded in understanding before walking off.

“Okay Sakura, what happened,” Ino stomped her foot as she stared at Sakura with her arms crossed.

Groaning in frustration Sakura unloaded on Ino, letting all the stress that had built up over het past few weeks out, “It’s all Naruto’s fault, if he did not quit we would still be a team and Sasuke-kun would forgot all about those stupid clan laws and marry me.”

Ino looked at Sakura incredulously, “You’re seriously living in a dream world aren’t you.” Seeing the pink haired girl start to bluster she held up a hand, “You really have no idea do you, since your parents are not Shinobi you have no real basis to guide you when it comes to the clans of Konoha do you.” Stepping closer so she was practically in Sakura’s face she sneered, “Even I know that Sasuke-kun is now out of reach, the moment he invoked the old clan laws he has a duty to follow them. He will not be allowed to get married to one person now, get that through your big forehead.”

Stomping her foot as she backed up Ino examined the shocked look on Sakura’s face, “Let’s face facts, neither one of us have any particular ability that would cause Sasuke to consider us, even if by some strange miracle we could become Chunin in the next couple of weeks we would still be weak in his eyes. Not to mention I am not ready to be a mother right now.”

“HUH…” Sakura tilted her head, “But Sasuke-kun is not…”

“You really are that stupid aren’t you,” Ino massaged the bridge of her nose to alleviate the headache that was forming, “You don’t understand that from the moment Sasuke chooses a Kunoichi to join his clan to be one of the mother’s of the clans children he will do everything possible to get them pregnant as quickly as possible. Is that something you want, to have a baby nine months from now…I know it’s not something I’m ready for, not yet.”

“But…But,” Sakura stuttered trying to deny Ino’s words.

“Face the facts, you have no bloodline limit, and without a Kekkei Genkai you would not even be considered as a down the road choice,” Ino shook her head as she started to walk away, “Since you said your team has been shelved until the next Genin exam if I were you I would talk to some of the other teams to see if you could join them for a while for training, otherwise you will be weak and good for nothing.”

Sakura stood there mouth hanging open as Ino walked away, hands clenching into fists she glared at the back of her one time friend, ‘I’ll show you, I’ll get stronger’. Strong enough to catch Sasuke-kun’s eye? Self doubt crept in on that last thought as she walked away.