Chapter 29

Hiashi was dreading the conversation he was about to have with his nephew. It was something that had been put off of far too long. He was just glad that the sandaime and godaime would both be there for it.

"I was summoned, Hokage-sama," said Neji.

"Please come in and sit down," said Tsunade, motioning to the open chair next to Hiashi.

Neji sat as ordered. "How may I serve?"

Tsunade looked to Hiashi.

"I asked Hokage-sama and Sarutobi-sama to assist me with the following conversation," said Hiashi. "I need to talk to you about the night your father died."

"You mean the night you had him murdered to save your own skin," retorted Neji venomously.

"I am responsible for his death but I did not murder him to save myself," said Hiashi. He removed a scroll from inside his yukata and held it out to Neji.

"What's this?" asked Neji.

"A letter from your father," said Hiashi calmly. "He wrote it for you before his death."

"And you kept this from me?" demanded Neji bitterly. "All this time you had this and did not give it to me. This is the arrogance of the main family. And still in clan council meetings you insist we of the branch house should coexist with you? Tell me why I should not lead the branch family out of the clan? Tell me why-"

"Neji!" shouted Hiashi, silencing the boy. "Read the letter."

Neji snarled angrily at Hiashi. He opened the scroll and began to read.

Silence permeated the room for several long minutes.

"More lies of the main family," spat Neji.

"Enough!" said Sarutobi. "I've had enough, Neji-kun. You are so consumed by your anger and hatred you cannot see the forest for the trees. That letter is from your father. I was there. Do you think I would lie to you?"

"If it would serve the village," said Neji.

Killing intent filled the room from the many hidden ANBU.

"Watch yourself boy," said Sarutobi coldly. "You're very close to treason and then the letter of your father would be meaningless."

Neji swallowed thickly as he realized he'd crossed a major line and he needed to carefully step back. "My apologizes Sarutobi-sama. My anger for the main family has clouded my judgment."

"Spirited is fine. Anger is acceptable. Accusation of deceit is near unforgivable. Now, can you read the letter for what it is? A letter from your father that he wanted you to have when your uncle felt you were ready for it?"

Neji remained silent for a few minutes before nodding. The boy closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths to calm down and clear his head. He then read the letter again.

"Is this true?" asked Neji, looking to Sarutobi.

"Completely, I was there. Your uncle was completely ready to be handed over to Kumo. Your father did one of the bravest things I've ever seen in stepping forward like that," said Sarutobi.

"Why did it have to come to that?" asked Neji. "Why did you give in to Kumo like that?"

"You haven't experience war yet," said Sarutobi. "You haven't ever had to order shinobi out on missions you knew it was likely would end in the death of one or all of them. I had to make a choice, another year or more of war where hundreds of my shinobi would die or asking for one man to sacrifice himself to save those hundreds. I take no pleasure in asking such a thing but my duty to this village demanded it."

Neji took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I think I understand."

"Neji, I need you to know. I did not do this to make you work with me in our clan council. You have a right to your beliefs and opinions. I am sorry I did not give this to you sooner but your fixation on fate would have dishonored your father's memory. Only recently, with the use of the new seal did your fixation seem to fade such that I felt you would be ready to hear this," explained Hiashi.

Neji nodded. "I understand my father's motivation. I do not understand why he would do so for such a cruel and uncaring man but it was his choice to make. I also understand why he saw you as needed to protect our clan. You are a leader and a politician, something I have refused to acknowledge before now. So, I will talk to the branch family and we will see about keeping you as clan head for the time being."

Hiashi sighed. "I don't care about that. I'm trying to mend bridges with my nephew in a clan where the walls between the main family and branch family have been torn asunder and should no longer matter. What you saw as cruel is what kept you from dieing immediately following the chuunin exams. Did you really think the other elders tolerated you stealing techniques of the main family? Did you really think the other elders were pleased when they heard how easily you defeated the heiress? I kept you as safe as I was able but even I have limits, Neji."

Neji felt like he'd just been slapped in the face repeatedly. He'd never once considered the consequences to his actions. He had never thought that the clan would punish him when they really should have. He'd seen other branch members punished severely for something as small as pouring too much tea. Yet, he'd never been punished for such things. In fact, he could not remember the last time anyone had punished him beyond taking away a meal or confining him to quarters for a day or two. Could he have really been so blind?

"Think on it, nephew," said Hiashi tiredly. "We have other business to discuss."

"The chuunin exams are coming up again," said Tsunade, drawing Neji's attention from his reverie.

"Am I to participate, Hokage-sama?" asked Neji.

"Yes," said Tsunade. "But it's a bit more complicated than that. Would you be able to keep your cool if we sent you to the exams in Kumogakure?"

"I do not know," said Neji. "I believe it would be very difficult. Why?"

"We have managed to acquire an invitation for a single team of Konoha shinobi to attend," answered Tsunade.

"I thought the exams were in Kiri this time?" asked Neji.

"They are," said Tsunade. "And we'll be sending several teams there. But we'll also be sending one team to Kumo's exam."

"You would expect me and my team to attend," said Neji. "You know of my history with Kumo and yet you would still ask me to go?"

Tsunade nodded once.

"There is more to this than just the exam," said Neji. "Konoha is moving against Kumo?"

"Your team is to act as a cover," said Tsunade. "We'll be sending a small diplomatic contingent along lead by Jiraiya."

"Information gathering," said Neji. "A reconnaissance mission then. Do we suspect something?"

"That is classified at this time," said Tsunade. "I need to know if you can fulfill this mission. Part of which requires that you and your team make it to the finals of the exam."

"Knowing this, I believe you can rely on me... no, I know you can rely on me and my team," said Neji. "They are not being told about this though, are they?"

"No, they aren't," said Tsunade. "They don't have a personal vendetta against Kumo. All they know is that they will be attending the chuunin exams as part of a diplomatic mission. We had to be sure you could keep yourself in check and not get disqualified. However, once the exam actually starts if you happen to face a Kumo shinobi then by all means, show no mercy."

Neji smiled vindictively at that news.

"Any questions?" asked Tsunade.

"No, Hokage-sama," said Neji. "Thank you for this opportunity."

"Make us proud," said Tsunade.

BREAK

Naruto had several quiet days of mourning following the passing of Yasha and to a bigger extent his father. He'd never really mourned either of his parents in his youth, probably because he never really knew them. In the past Naruto probably would have buried the pain of their loss down deep, forced that burden on his darker half but now he felt it fully. He was glad for that because it was also bittersweet. He got to know his father just a little bit. He got a little fatherly advice that he desperately needed. But several days of mourning had passed and now it was time to get back to work.

"Good morning, Naruto-sama," said Fuu, hiding a yawn as she began waking up sensing Naruto moving.

"Morning, Naruto-kun," said Karin, stretching to wake herself up.

"Morning, Fuu-chan, Karin-chan," said Naruto, yawning and stretching in response to the both of them.

"What's the plan to day?" asked Karin.

"Breakfast and then I think it's time I got back to training," said Naruto.

"May Fuu also train with you, Naruto-sama?" asked Fuu.

"Sure," said Naruto.

"I would train with you too but I have still have training with Shizune and baa-chan," said Karin.

"No problem," said Naruto, yawning again. He was so comfortable with the two girls snuggled comfortably into his sides. "Hey, can I talk to you both about something?"

"Sure," said Karin.

"Naruto-sama can talk to Fuu about anything you want," said Fuu.

"So, I've noticed you both have been very forward about being around me," started Naruto, causing himself and Karin to blush a little.

"Fuu belongs to Naruto-sama now. Fuu will not leave Naruto-sama's side."

"I just... I like being close to you," said Karin, trying to pull the covers over her head and hide.

"It's okay, I like being close to both of you also," said Naruto. "The thing is, are you both okay with each other?"

"Fuu likes Karin-sama and thinks she is fun. Fuu has fun playing pranks on Naruto-sama with her."

"I like Fuu too, she's funny in her own way," said Karin. "And she's always so happy, her chakra feels nice, like yours."

"Would you both be okay with dating me... together... you know..."

"What do you mean dating?" asked Fuu.

Karin laid silent for a few. "You would want to date the both of us at the same time?"

"Well... yeah," said Naruto. "I like you both and you both like me. I don't think I could choose one of you over the other."

"What do you mean by dating?" asked Fuu.

"Dating, as in spending time with someone to get closer romantically," explained Karin. "That also means we would kind of be dating too, Fuu-chan."

"Romantically? Like love?" asked Fuu.

"It might be love someday," said Naruto. "For now it would just be trying to find out."

"But Fuu already knows she loves Naruto-sama. Why do I need to find out what I already know?"

"You barely know me," said Naruto. "And I barely know you. Part of love means knowing everything about the other person and still wanting to be with them."

"Then Fuu will learn everything about Naruto-sama and Naruto-sama will learn everything about Fuu."

"Fuu, you will also have to love me," said Karin. "And I you. It might not work."

"Fuu will try anyway because both of you make me happy and accepted."

"It's okay if you don't want to, Karin-chan. I just have to be honest with both of you," said Naruto. "It wouldn't be right or fair if I dated each of you behind the other's back."

"You're right, it wouldn't be fair," said Karin. "But I'm glad you were honest. Can I think about it?"

"Of course, take all the time you need," said Naruto. "Now how about we go make breakfast?"

Karin nodded and hugged Naruto tightly before rolling out of bed. She picked up Naruto's discarded shirt from the back of the chair in the room and pulled it on.

Fuu also hugged Naruto tightly and rolled out of bed. She skipped finding a shirt and just walked out of the room in her underwear.

Karin laughed lightly and followed Fuu out.

When both girls were out of the room Naruto let out a big sigh of relief. He'd survived that conversation and better yet he didn't panic while doing so. Stretching one more time Naruto got out of bed and put on a pair of pants. He'd have to reclaim his shirt from Karin later. Naruto smiled as he walked out to the kitchen and saw the girls perfectly coordinated movements in making breakfast together. He decided that today was going to be a good day.

BREAK

Shizune frowned in annoyance. "Karin, what is with you today? This is the third time I've had to stop you from doing something that could have hurt a patient."

Karin blinked in surprise and then looked at what she was about to do. "Oh kami, I'm so sorry Shizune-sensei. I'm really distracted today."

Shizune sighed. "Let's go get tea."

"But we still have patients to see," protested Karin.

"Patients you may end up killing yourself if we don't get you sorted out," said Shizune sternly.

Karin ducked her head slightly in shame. "Tea sounds good."

Up on the roof of the hospital Shizune and Karin sat sipping their tea silently.

Finally Shizune broke the silence, "So wanna tell me what's on your mind?"

Karin sighed. "Naruto asked if I wanted to date him."

"That's great news, isn't it? You've been hoping he'd ask for weeks now," said Shizune, confused by the lack of an overjoyed expression on the girl's face.

"It's just that he asked if me and Fuu both would like to date him," said Karin. "I like Fuu but I'm not sure if I can like her in that way if I was to get into such a relationship."

"Ah, I see," said Shizune. "So Naruto is looking for that kind of relationship. I'm not overly surprised but it does seem a bit fast given how recently Fuu has come into his life."

"No, Fuu is good for him and he's good for her too. You look at them together and you can just see the bond that already has formed between them. It's a strong one."

"And I've seen the two of you together enough to know that your bond to each other is also very strong," said Shizune. "So the question is about whether or not you can find room in your heart to love Fuu also?"

"I could see loving her like a sister," said Karin. "I already think of her as a sister. I just don't know if I could see her as more than a sister."

"Ah, so now we get to the bottom of the issue," said Shizune. "You're afraid that you won't love her enough. Tell me this, is it worth trying to find out? Could you really live with yourself if you never tried to be with Naruto and Fuu because of fear? Or would you really try to force Naruto to choose between you?"

"I would never ask him to choose between us and I want to be with Naruto so much. What if he ends up disappointed with me though because I don't love Fuu enough?" asked Karin.

"Love is a risk Karin," said Shizune calmly. "Nothing ventured, nothing gained. So is love worth the risk?"

"Yes, it is," said Karin, in a matter of seconds it looked as if the weight of the world had been lifted from her shoulders.

"Now, do you think you're ready to get back to work or do you need to hunt down Naruto and Fuu and tell them you want to date them both before you can properly focus?"

"I'm good to work now," said Karin. "I'll talk to them both at dinner tonight, I'm sure."

BREAK

"Hello Naruto-kun!" shouted a friendly greeting.

Naruto looked up from the scroll he was studying to see his old teammate Sakura.

"Sakura-chan!" cheered Naruto waving to her.

"How have you been?" asked Sakura as she finally got within a few feet.

"Busy," said Naruto. "So busy. How about you? I hear you're officially baa-chan's apprentice now."

"You should show her more respect than that you know," said Sakura sternly.

Naruto shrugged. "Anyway, this is Fuu-chan."

"Pleased to meet you Fuu-san," said Sakura with a smile and a small wave.

"Fuu is pleased to meet you as well, Sakura-san."

Sakura gave Naruto a questioning look to which he just shrugged as if that was enough explanation.

"You came back with Naruto from his mission, right? His team saved you or something?"

"Naruto-sama did save Fuu and now I will protect him in return," said Fuu.

Another questioning look at Naruto and another shrug.

"Well, I'm glad he was able to help you," said Sakura.

"So what are you doing here?" asked Naruto.

"Kakashi-sensei asked me to meet him here about two hours ago. I figured he'd be showing up any time now," said Sakura.

Naruto laughed.

"That was my plan as well," said a woman with purple hair stepping out of the shadows of a nearby tree.

"Who are you?" asked Naruto calmly after noting the woman's Konohagakure hitai-ate.

"Uzuki Yugao," she answered. "Kakashi asked me for a favor so here I am."

"Nice to meet you, I'm Haruno Sakura."

"Uzumaki Naruto, how you doing?"

"Fuu is Fuu," she giggled after her normal introduction.

"Nice to meet you as well," said Yugao.

"Ah, good, you've all met," said Kakashi, appearing in a swirl of leaves. "Sorry I was late, there was a book sale I just couldn't miss."

Sakura and Naruto's cries of 'liar' died in their throats.

"That actually sounds plausible," said Sakura.

"It's kind of scary," said Naruto.

"Fuu thinks Kakashi-sensei is rude."

"Not so much rude as perverted," said Yugao. "So why am I here?"

"Well, over the last several months, Naruto and I have been sparring a lot. I mean a whole lot. I thought it would be good for him to spar with a different jounin for a change," explained Kakashi.

"I see," said Yugao. "Should I hold back at all?"

"Probably not," said Kakashi. "He's beaten me a few times."

Yugao quirked an eyebrow at that news. "Really?"

"Yes, but it could be because of how often we spar," said Kakashi. "I wanted to find out if it was just him getting used to sparring with me or if he really had improved that much."

"I see," said Yugao.

"He will also be fighting an exhibition match in Kumo against Darui," added Kakashi.

"Isn't he a jounin?" asked Yugao.

"Apparently not," said Kakashi, frowning beneath his mask.

"I suppose I am one of the best to prepare Uzumaki-san then as I also use kenjutsu frequently," said Yugao.

"Fuu, would you mind sparring with Sakura?" asked Kakashi. "She needs some combat experience. She'll be competing in the upcoming chuunin exams in Kumo."

"I am?" asked Sakura, it was the first she'd heard of it.

"You are," said Kakashi. "You'll be teamed with Neji and Lee."

Sakura nodded. "That's good, I've gotten used to working with both of them."

"Anyway, if Fuu doesn't mind, she'll be sparring with you every day until we leave for Kumo. I don't want you to feel like you have to quit again because you lack the combat skills," said Kakashi.

"Tsunade-sensei has helped me a lot with that already," said Sakura. "But it will be good to have a sparring partner."

"Well then, Uzumaki-san, please follow me," said Yugao, vanishing a second later.

Naruto waved at the girls and saluted Kakashi before he too vanished.

"Now Fuu, please don't use Chomei-san's chakra for sparring," requested Kakashi.

"Fuu would not use Chomei's chakra on Sakura-san. It would not be good to kill Sakura-san in a friendly spar."

"All the same, be careful of lethal attacks and killing blows. This is a friendly spar," said Kakashi calmly.

"Fuu understands completely and will take care not to cause injury."

"I'm not fragile," said Sakura irritably.

"I never said you were," said Kakashi.

"Fuu is ready when you are," she said, slipping into a defensive stance.

"I guess I'm ready too," said Sakura.

"Begin," said Kakashi, jumping away from the two girls. He leaned against a tree to watch the girls.

Sakura jumped forward with her fist cocked way back.

Fuu frowned and took a few quick steps back.

Sakura landed fist first causing the earth where her fist impacted to spiderweb about a foot in diameter and maybe half that deep.

Sakura looked up and smirked.

Fuu opened her mouth slightly releasing a few sparks. Suddenly the sparks flashed brightly.

Sakura recoiled from the light as if struck physically. She blinked several times waving an arm out in front of her.

Kakashi watched as Sakura was suddenly blinded and shook his head. "That's too bad."

Fuu slipped inside Sakura's guard and punched her hard in the stomach doubling her over and knocking the wind out of her lungs.

"I yield," heaved Sakura, trying to catch her breath but still feeling the metal of a kunai at her neck.

"Sakura-san will be able to see again soon. The blindness is only temporary." Fuu carefully helped Sakura to sit and catch her breath.

"I was over confident," said Sakura. "I didn't expect to lose so quickly."

"Fuu caught Sakura-san by surprise. You will be better prepared for it next time."

"You bet I will," said Sakura, rubbing her eyes trying to see again.

"As soon as Sakura can see again you can start round two," said Kakashi, flipping open his new book purchase.

On an adjacent training field Naruto was being put through his paces by Yugao.

Naruto was still getting a feel for her style as he dodged and blocked her attacks. She was very fast and had frequently used quick stabbing attacks. Naruto was amazed when she was able to stab three different times in less than a second. It definitely kept him on his toes. Unfortunately she'd yet to use any elemental techniques which made him hesitant to use his own.

Naruto spawned two thin chains that automatically wrapped around his arms and hands forming spiked knuckles.

Yugao only quirked an eyebrow but attacked all the same.

Naruto quickly blocked an overhead strike from the sword with his chain coated arm. He smirked at just how effective it was. A few months ago, a strike like that would have severed the chain and cut his arm pretty decently.

Naruto began an assault of his own. He started throwing a variety of punches to no avail as she'd either block with the flat of her blade or dodge the attack. Naruto frowned slightly as he formed four more chains. One wrapped around each leg and the last two wrapped around his chest and abdomen.

With the increased protection, Naruto renewed his assault adding in an assortment of sweeping kicks and knee thrusts forcing her even more onto the defensive. He stayed purposefully inside her guard to prevent her being able to use her sword effectively.

Yugao frowned at his change in tactics as it didn't give her the clearance she needed for either stabbing or slashing. Quickly dropping a smoke bomb, she managed to create a distraction enough for her to get clear of Naruto.

Naruto was actually grateful for the smoke bomb as it gave him cover to spawn a handful of clones and then sink underground with five of the clones while three others ran out of the smoke cloud in various directions.

Yugao cursed silently as she realized her smoke bomb had backfired. She was able to quickly dispatch two of the clones. She went after the third Naruto when she saw a few sparks in the air causing her to halt her progress and throw a few shuriken which impacted an invisible barrier and set off small electrical show.

Naruto frowned when she saw his barrier. His clones dropped the barrier and tried to attack her in unison only to be taken out one after another. The last clone charged in and took a fist to the face except instead of dispersing like the others sucked her arm in up to her elbow and turned rock hard.

"Nendo bunshin (clay clone), where the hell did he find this technique?" asked Yugao in annoyance. "Suiton: teppodama no jutsu." She spat a ball of water at the clay softening it just enough for her to pull her arm free and jump away from the heavy wind gust that scattered everything in the area she was just standing in, including sending the clay clone remains tumbling.

"Fuuton: daitoppa no jutsu," Naruto fired multiple gusts of wind at the retreating Yugao.

"Katon: gokakyu no jutsu," said Yugao, smirking slightly. The fireball hit the wind gusts and multiplied several times over until Naruto was staring down a wall of flames.

"Shit," mumbled Naruto sinking quickly underground.

"Raiton: jibashi (Lightning: electromagnetic murder)," Yugao said softly, as she sent a ton of voltage into the ground shattering it and shocking Naruto.

Naruto slowly climbed out of the torn up ground around him. He was smoking from various electrical burns. "You win," he gasped out as he fell onto his back.

Yugao walked over to her opponent and sat down, breathing heavily herself. "It was a good spar. You almost had me a few times."

"It was a good spar. You're a tough opponent," said Naruto. "I appreciate you taking the time to work with me."

"Where did you learn that nendo bunshin?" asked Yugao.

"One of my clansmen knew it and taught it to me," answered Naruto. "It's kind of badass isn't it?"

"Yes," said Yugao. "It's a kind of earth clone right?"

"Yeah, I like it," said Naruto. "I was surprised when you used three different elements like that."

"I only know a few water techniques. I know mostly lightning and fire."

"Cool," said Naruto, slowly sitting up again.

"Anyway, I may look you up again for another spar. You're an interesting opponent," said Yugao as she stood up. "See you around, gaki," she said, turning and leaving the training grounds behind.

"I guess, I'd better go check on Fuu-chan and Sakura-chan," said Naruto to himself. Naruto stood and began limping his way back to where he'd started his day.

As he re-entered the training field he saw Fuu and Sakura both sparring, Sakura looking worse for the wear. When he saw Kakashi sitting and reading he decided to limp over to him and sit down.

"Yugao won?" asked Kakashi as Naruto sat.

"Yeah," said Naruto.

"I'll talk to her about it later to see how she thought you did," said Kakashi, flipping the page of his book. "How much did you hold back?"

"I didn't use Kurama's chakra, it was just a spar," answered Naruto.

"What else?"

Naruto sighed. "I didn't use the illusionary chains or the big chains. I held my self to just ten clones but I did get to try that nendo bunshin which was badass."

"Next time, don't hold back so much," chided Kakashi.

"It was only a spar. I'm sure she held back a lot," said Naruto.

"Unlikely," said Kakashi. "Jounin aren't known for holding back in spars and I told her not to hold back."

"Talk to her and then tell me," said Naruto with a frown.

"I will. For now, why don't you let the ladies know that's enough for today and head home," said Kakashi.

"Will do, later Kakashi-sensei," said Naruto.