Chapter 12
Things seemed to only get worse from there. Despite having taken a nap, Obito's fever remained and the others simply got worse. Kakashi hid his feelings well, yet Naruto could feel them. He was nervous and very irritated.
He had assured himself he was able to do anything he put his mind to as long as he followed the rules. However there were no set rules for this. It was never an option for a team to leave for a mission without proper supplies, and for them to fall ill.
Naruto was unsure what to say as well. She could still sense danger lurking by but she had been feeling that ever since she met Orochimaru. Feeling for people's chakra would be of no use, she didn't know these people and there could be good behind the bad they showed.
It was Shisui who broke the silence, "Um could I make a suggestion?" his speaking up had been a wake-up call for them.
Where Kakashi most likely thought he had a lot of baggage a.k.a. the ill people Naruto had been thinking she could use the kage-bunshin but that was impossible till she had better chakra control.
However Shisui was here and that gave them another set of hands, feet and brains. Kakashi gave the boy a nod and he gulped at the sudden attention, "We could each carry one of them and return to the meet up location-"
Before he could finish Kakashi spoke up, "The purpose is to find the items on our list. We would have to find items on their list also or they don't pass."
It shocked her that he had even thought of their assignment, or that he even contemplated that they would have to do work for the other team. Whilst Naruto was all for teamwork and camaraderie in a unit, she drew a line where it came to doing each-others work. A person would only learn through experience, well that was always how she learned.
"No we won't. They fell ill and are now disqualified due to their incapability to complete the task. I agree with Shisui's plan, we can carry them whilst we go looking for the rest of the things we need."
Kakashi scrutinized the two of them before looking back at the three on the ground before nodding his head, the three of them carrying their task with extra struggles.
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OCTOBER- 18 MONTHS
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Naruto wasn't sure if she should be irritated or happy about the situation. Okay, she knew she should be irritated because there was no way she could be happy about it.
The announcement of curriculum change had happened two weeks ago and it mostly detailed that students in the academy had to complete a certain number of D rank missions in order to graduate. Naruto had plenty of free time and had decided to do them all in one go, one mission a day, however Jiraiya liked to add a small twist to these missions stating that she had to do each one in record time and she had managed to do so.
Out of twelve missions she had done eleven as she had had days of extensive training and couldn't go about taking a mission.
As to why she was irritated, well, let's go back a bit. Iruka hadn't taken his first mission so he had requested that Naruto and Shisui, who had already completed two missions, to join him in selecting a mission. Both of the found they were unable to say no to him so they had agreed. This all led up to Iruka getting a mission and now he was requesting help with it.
With any other mission she would have given a smile and helped no matter what however this was different. This was a dangerous D rank mission that ought to be labelled as a C rank given how dangerous it was. One never finished this mission without some form of an injury, usually a bleeding one.
Capturing and returning Tora the cat.
Naruto was certain that… thing… wasn't a cat. Whilst she didn't get along with cats very much, that was Sasuke's territory, she didn't think it was possible for any cat could be crueller than Matatabi who was a demon, yet Tora ranked above the two tailed cat.
She looked towards Shisui with uncertain eyes, with the three of them together it would make things a lot easier and she had managed to successfully complete the kage bunshin during the last few months. She couldn't make as many as she could initially but at least she could make some, it made her training faster as well.
She sighed in resignation, it would help get them another mission in their total, and looked to the Uchiha who shrugged as if saying 'what ya' gonna do?'
With the help of four kage bunshin they managed to find Tora and capture him with claw scratches brandishing the boys' arms when they arrived 87 minutes after having been given the mission. Naruto had also been scratched however they had been long since healed. It was a miracle the boys hadn't seen her injury or she would have a hard time explaining it to Iruka. Shisui had been a witness to her abilities previously so there would have been no explaining to do with him.
"Never again! If you get a capture Tora the cat mission again, even if we agree to help, we're not gonna, 'tebayo! I swear, Tora is a demon! Demon I tell you!" yelled Naruto as the three of them made their way through Konoha.
Her sudden yell caused several people to jump slightly and shinobi's to subconsciously reach for their weapons. She rolled her eyes at their paranoia, there was no way anyone would sneak into Konoha's defence system with the martial law in place.
Anyone who entered or exited was checked thoroughly, one of the gate guards was also either a Hyuuga or Uchiha as their doujutsu kekkei-genkai allowed them to notice henge's a lot easier than the naked eye.
Of course, both families has initially protested, stating that they would have a better use on the battlefield, however both had stopped when a spy infiltrated and one of their clansmen had noticed. They knew the importance and had made sure that there was always a member of either or both clans on guard.
She had once imagined what Izumo and Kotetsu would look like with the doujutsu's and laughed. It would have made their relationship a lot more scandalous than it had been originally. A Hyuuga and Uchiha together, she had to be forced by Jiraiya to stop laughing at the mere thought of it.
As they walked Iruka home they went passed the barbeque place and noticed two distinct people and two not quite distinct people. Minato, Kakashi, Rin and Obito. She was going to avoid them as she was still shaky around Minato however Iruka was exactly like her as a child, a loudmouth who couldn't read the room even if his life depended on it.
He insisted that the three of them join Team Minato, not listening even when they had stated that they would be intruding. His reply had been that Naruto was Minato's sister and Kakashi was practically besotted with her as well Obito. Of course that had simply caused her to hit the boy over the head explaining how they were being very protective over her as to not upset Minato, and not because they fancied her. Which in turn went to her explain the love triangle in Team Minato; Obito was in love with Rin who was in love with Kakashi who was in love with the rules.
This, of course, did not stop him from dragging them to the table across causing Naruto and Shisui to sigh before they ordered something to eat. Obito and Iruka were also very similar, both unable to read the room and insisted that the three of them join since he had yet to be introduced to Iruka.
They all moved to a larger table, Minato at the head, Naruto between Kakashi and Shisui where Rin was between Obito and Iruka.
"Are you scared of Rin? Is that why you're sitting next to me?" she whispered in his ear and thanks to many years of knowing Kakashi she was able to see the smallest twitch of his brow indicating he didn't like her question.
Leaning low enough, he replied into her ear, "You and I both know that's not the reason."
Quirking a brow she placed her chin on her hand, "Oh, pray tell what is?"
She didn't receive a verbal reply and instead he looked to Rin and Obito a few times till she got it. In order to get Rin out of her fancy for Kakashi the two of them had taken to setting the two genin's up whenever they could and this was just one of those instances.
Chuckling to herself she gave him a quick peck on the cheek, "You know, I'd be a bit cautious of this. I know it was my idea but people seem to be getting the idea you fancy me and that won't do with your… reputation. I'm also certain my brother would try to make your life as miserable as humanly possible."
This caused his eyes to grow a fraction as he felt a sudden spike of killing intent coming off the elder blonde who was smiling. It was a very distinct smile as well that reminded him of Kushina whenever Minato upset her.
Yandere smile.
A shiver went down both of their spines as they straightened, Naruto nervously rubbing the back of her head whereas Kakashi remained stoic on the outside.
"So uh… How's it going Rin? I haven't seen you that much…" spoke the younger blonde hoping her father/brother would cut out his KI or she was certain Iruka would flee on sight.
The brunette looked to her with a bright smile however it didn't fully reach her eyes, "Well… I've been mostly cooped up with my medic work. Whenever Team Minato is given time off I'm at the hospital training myself to become a better medic."
Naruto have her a wide grin, "Well I have no doubt that you'll be an amazing medic. After-all, you have so much time to practice at the hospital and- on Obito of course."
"You wanna repeat that blondie?!" yelled an indignant Obito Uchiha.
She liked Obito a lot, he was like that annoying older brother she never wanted however she often had this small problem whenever he was muttering about his sharingan. All she could see was Tobi, half his face in swirls with one sharingan eye as he tried to kill the five nations.
Shaking her head slightly she smirked to the Uchiha opposite her however before she could say something Shisui spoke up, "Cousin please. There's no need to be rude to Naruto. And what does her hair colour have to do with anything? It's the exact same shade as your sensei."
Naruto and Obito blinked owlishly at him before Minato sighed, "Well, in any event Naruto have you decided who you're staying with tonight? Jiraiya sensei is out of the village and I'm getting dispatched tonight. You already know Kushina is out of town."
She slowly nodded and spoke, "I'll head off to the Uchiha compound and stay with Mikoto-san. I even volunteered to look after little Itachi as well."
She had bumped into Mikoto by accident the other day when she had gone shopping with Kushina. The Uchiha matriarch had been holding a very small, very chubby and very adorable Itachi Uchiha who was most likely only a few months old.
It had been a huge shock to her system to see the man turned baby like that. She knew how babies came along and knew his mother would have gone through natural procedures to have him however she had never thought he would look so adorable.
Adorable wasn't something she ever had in mind when she saw or thought of the most loyal shinobi. Alluring was more of a befitting word for the late tall, dark haired Uchiha.
"You know Aunt Mikoto?" asked Obito, mouth full of food.
"Uh… kinda? I met her the other day when I was out with Kushina doing some shopping and we ended up staying with her for a few hours. That was when I said whenever I was at her home I'd help with little Itachi. But I technically met her when I returned Shisui after kidnapping him." she gave a shrug as if a six year old volunteering to help babysit a new born was something they should be used to- well it was easier to believe than her kidnapping someone.
Not long later they all parted ways however Naruto left with the two Uchiha's over to the Uchiha district, Obito giving commentary about this building, that shop and such whereas Shisui simply walked beside her in silence.
She took in the sight of the district and tried her hardest to memorise all the details. It looked so different now that it had living people within it. Sasuke hardly allowed anyone within the district walls besides herself and the jinchuriki when they wanted a physical meeting in Konoha.
It was odd, nothing about the district was different yet the people seemed to make all the difference.
She had a small and tentative smile on her face as she looked at everyone they went by, all of them wearing the Uchiha crest on their backs and she tried not to think how these smiling, lively people had planned a coup that was have caused a civil war.
Part of her was slightly guilty about not paying rigorous attention to what Obito was saying however there was a chakra signature that was nearby that was catching her attention.
ROOT.
She had fully formulated her plans for Danzo however would like it if he could live. Sure, he was a bastard that deserved a few hours with Kurama in T&I however he was a vital part of this war. She could deal with him at a later time if he causes any trouble she can't prevent.
Jiraiya had managed to get word to his three Ame students via his gama messengers however there was only so much talking would do. Hanzo was a large and definite problem that needed to be dealt with sooner or later- preferably sooner. The problem with that though was Hanzo was way too powerful for her to deal with unless she got all her powers back. He had after all won against the three sennin whilst on his own. And the poison he could emit could also be another problem.
She shook her head, missing the concerned look she was receiving and followed the boys to the Uchiha head's house. Once they were outside Obito began to fidget and made an excuse about why he was leaving them and left to be anywhere but near Fugaku.
She didn't blame him. She had only ever met the man once which had been an accident and whilst he said nothing to her, he had a very imposing figure and the infamous Uchiha resting-bitch-face on him causing him to look even scarier. Of course, those silly tactics won't work on her anymore since she was nearly nineteen (technically) and had to face up against Madara Uchiha who and Kaguya.
And the five kage.
And paperwork.
She shuddered at the thought. Despite the fact she had to use of kagebunshin to get her paperwork done quicker she had never really liked for them to deal with it so she did some whilst a clone did some. The rest of her duties would be overseen by her clones instead.
Mikoto had opened the door so after a formal greeting, the two classmates entered the home which was when she tried to note all the differences in the home. The colours were the same, some of the furniture was the same others different, and there was lots of pictures up as well.
Those were something Sasuke had promptly taken down after the massacre and especially since he had moved back into the district upon his return.
Giggling bought her out of her musings as she noticed they were in the living room where there was a dark blue Moses basket and inside was baby Itachi. They both made their way over to him, Naruto skipping however Shisui being the proper and dignified Uchiha he was simply walked over. Naruto, after asking, was allowed to pick up the younger Uchiha who was trying to tug at her hair.
'I won't allow you any pain this time. I won't allow the coup and I won't allow you to be pained by your clan like you were last time. I'm the jinchuriki and I already know all we need to know about Akatsuki. I will let everyone love you though, the love the people never gave whilst you were alive.' She thought to herself.
Itachi had once been the village's messiah, their most loyal shinobi and she refused to allow him to feel such pain he had felt during his life again. She had even gotten A Raikage to agree on the man, and had been further gratified when Onoki had also reluctantly agreed, giving his own praise to the prodigy. Even in death he had been loyal as shown during the fourth war.
A giggle bought her out of her thoughts as Itachi had managed to tug on a lock of her hair and instead of scowling like some of the Konoha 11 would have she simply smiled and laughed it off.
Thoughts of what the future would be like had no part in her daily life, expect when she was with Jiraiya and she should remember that. Trapping oneself in a future that she was determined to not allow to happen would do no good to anyone.
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"I decline." Spoke Jiraiya. He had just returned to Konoha and had gone straight to the hokages office in order to report his mission and proceed to pick up Naruto from the academy.
However, the sandaime was having other thoughts, "I want her in this office and I want a full sweep of her mind. It is for Konoha's safety that I say this." He replied as he took a puff of his pipe.
Jiraiya gave his hokage a glare, "She is a little girl. Having someone else in her mind could damage it beyond repair! She already has a bijuu in her head, do you want to add to that?" he gave no time for his kage to reply as he carried on, "And to top it off you have nothing to gain for going through her mind. She was raised by me in Ame so there is nothing for you to see but me training the three brats whilst she was around."
The sandaime raised a hand to stop Jiraiya from rambling further, "If you will not allow me to have a sweep of her mind then she will need a sanity check another way."
Jiaraiya waved both his hands in the air, annoyance over the situation winning over his patience, "Sanity check! And how insane can a little ball of sunshine be exactly? I know you spy on her from time to time with that glass ball of yours sensei so you must see how she is."
"Indeed I do Jiraiya. It was through seeing her that I came up with the idea of checking her mind. She often mutters to herself even when people are around." He began signing some of the documents on the desk and Jiraiya was sorely tempted to get some kids to throw such a ruckus it would give the old man a lot more paperwork however decided against it.
"She either mutters to herself over ideas or when she talks to the bijuu. That's it." He decided to ignore the fact Naruto also had another personality lurking her mind, it was her professional persona she had stated was for when she had gone on S rank missions before her time as kage.
The sandaime gave no immediate reply and instead finished reading and signing the document before crossing his fingers under his chin. Sighing he closed his eyes before speaking, "Since you seem to have an answer for everything I will let it all slide. However, I will keep asking questions and if I do not receive an answer I am 100% happy with, she will undergo the Yamanaka clan technique. Dismissed."
He waved Jiraiya out the room who ground his teeth together before making his way over to the academy to go pick up Naruto early. It would be fun to see how she would try to make it seem like she didn't already know he was in the village.