Chapter 370:
The knowing look in her father's eyes made Temari clench her fists in
anger, pondering if the Omiai was the point of questioning her
character in the first place; as if he didn't want her to know this is what
he cared about the most. She wouldn't put such manipulation past him,
but at this point, she's growing so infuriated, breathing calmly is a
challenge.
Then her father asks of her, "do you think you'll be able to convince
Uzumaki to cancel it?"
Openly glaring at him, she asks through clenched teeth, "why?"
"You can serve the village in better ways than being a broodmare," he
dispassionately admits.
Without anyone to attack, Temari takes as many moments as she
wants to calm her raging emotions, consciously unclenching her fists
so blood can return to her fingertips. She may have every right to
wronged and insulted, but, righteous anger won't serve her here; not
with these men. Currently, her only goal is to teach her father how
wrong he is and has been, to rebel against him, to throw his stupidity
and heartlessness in his face, all while watching him suffer for it. With a
much clearer conscious, calmer demeanor, and hard teal eyes, she
eerily conveys to the stuffy room, "maybe I don't want to serve the
village in better ways, otou-sama. Maybe I like serving the village this
way."
Frustrated as only a father can, Rasa sags in his chair—praying for
patience—before replying, "this is no time to act a spoiled child,
Temari."
"First a broodmare and now a spoiled child," Temari practically spits
back. "As if a spoiled child would so easily prostitute herself for her
father in the first place!"
"It was-"
"A means to an end," she cuts him off without fear of penalty. "Yes, I
know. I understand how to callously move people on a board; you
taught me quite well in that regard. Since family seems to mean so little
to you, who's to say I wouldn't be better joining another one?"
"Enough," Rasa loudly declares, freezing the old men in the room. "I
will name you as our official ambassador in Konoha. You will meet with
Uzumaki and you will convince him to reject the Omiai-"
"And if I don't," Temari challenges just as loudly. "You've always taught
me to think clearly and weigh the options. Look me in the eyes and tell
me, father… how well do you think you can move me now?"
Rasa was angry; angry as only a father of a rebelling teenage daughter
can be, but a stubborn and irate Temari won't budge; not for him.
Casting aside her reputation as, The Good Daughter, she refuses to do
anything for him anymore. Not until he gives her a reason to.
With hesitant calm, the Kazekage implores of her, "Temari, think
carefully, as I've taught you, and try to see I'm doing this for your own
good. We lost three days ago and a critical portion of our military force
are prisoners being fed once a day to keep them weak. With the small
remaining forces defending our borders, Iwagakure could invade our
home at any time and there would be little we could do to stop them.
We need Suna and Konoha to return to the status quo, immediately,
and they know that, which means we cannot refuse them. If Konoha
demands it so, our Daimyō will have no other recourse but to sanction
this Omiai, and per your request, it's been amended to include
multiple spouses. Ask yourself if you would truly live a life like that to
spite me?"
Everyone in that room felt in their heart and mind how scorned and
furious the statuesque Temari feels. Her sharp eyes, her tense
shoulders, her rigid stance, clearly communicate she isn't backing
down. She didn't even have to speak to convey how publicly she would
graciously accept sister-wives to embarrass and shame her father—to
be a proud beacon for all the ways he went wrong—and delightfully
retorts, "don't expect our first child to be named after you, Otou-sama."
As Temari marches out of the room, Rasa holds in his ire, his disgrace,
his frustration, and worst of all, his failure as a father and leader. He
turns to Kankurō and tells him, "talk with your sister. You don't want her
to regret this in the future."
"The only regret I have is going along with the Omiai in the first place,"
the second born responds.
"All the more reason to speak to her now," Rasa points out.
While Kankurō thinks about that, Gaara—arms crossed and just as
cold—informs his father, "it's her choice. And I think it's the right one."
Gaara follows Temari's path out followed by Kankurō. Temari and her
brothers are escorted back to their comfortable cell, all while fuming
every time she pictures her father's face telling her not to marry Naruto.
TENTEN
From atop a roof two blocks away, Tenten asks her beautiful handler as
her focus remains on their target, "uh, why are we spying on Naruto?"
The pair leap to the next building as Naruto slowly walks the streets of
Konoha toward the residential district, and Haku answers, "I want you
to watch him; to learn his movements." Though Haku needs less effort
to keep track of Naruto in his dashing red and black cloak, Tenten is
still new to tracking and requires most of her focus.
So she doesn't look away from Naruto as she answers, "even if I learn
his movements, I don't think I'll ever be able to beat him. I thought it
was amazing that he beat Zabuza, but he stopped an invasion near
enough by himself!"
"Shh," Haku sounds. Tenten slows down as Naruto walks in the
direction of the residences, to either Kurenai's house or Iruka's a little
farther. When he stops walking and looks around, Haku tells Tenten,
"we have to go."
Eying the heavily bandaged blond looking around, Tenten asks, "wha-
why-"
"He's on the verge of sensing us," Haku responds as he slowly backs
away from the edge of the stone roof.
Turning away to question Haku with her eyes, Tenten points out, "but
we're so far away-"
Commanding Tenten to move with his eyes alone, he assures her, "his
senses have improved after his most recent training."
They remain on the roof for several minutes all the while Tenten
watches Haku for the all clear. When Haku finally nods the all-clear,
Tenten asks, "I don't get why you want me to learn this."
"As my weapon-"
"I'm not your-" The bun-haired brunette stops herself with Haku's raised
eyebrows.
"As my weapon," Haku restarts. "You are also his weapon. In the event
I cannot be by his side, you must take my place."
Concerned by the open-ended negativity, Tenten questions, "what does
that mean?"
"I'm simply being cautious," Haku responds, but the suspicious
brunette isn't sure she believes him.
"…Are you hurt," she asks.
Daring with raised eyebrows, Haku asks, "would you care?"
"I…"
Flashes of her exploits during the invasion race through her mind. In
defense of her fellow shinobi and civilians, she wounded eight enemy
combatants and several of them didn't even know she was there until it
was too late. She also killed one man using Haku's silent killing
technique. He would've killed a genin if she hadn't killed him. She was
trained in life and death from the academy and knows some shinobi
can feel guilt over sacrificing their morality or principles for senseless
violence, but to actually take life truly made her wonder if this was the
cost to be strong.
Chapter 371:
Haku had always tried to explain why her perspective was naive,
innocent, delusional, and though her sexual interactions with Naruto
helped her understand something about life, it wasn't until she killed a
man that she learned the other side of that coin; the end comes for
everyone. When she killed that sound nin, for a split second, she saw
her dead face in his and it was such a shock to see, she froze. If it
wasn't for Lee and Naruto's clones watching her back, she might've
been the next dead face on the dirt. It wasn't until later that night
Tenten realized death wasn't far from anyone; her father, her
teammates, Haku, Naruto, or herself. A lonely death comes for
everyone and that realization cut out a lot of her naive and pointless
thoughts and left her with the only things that matter.
'Do all you can for the people you love,' she thought. 'Because
someday you're going to die and they'll be all that's left of you.'
Her Will of Fire never felt more prevalent. Additionally, her new outlook
doesn't carry as much reservation over the things she can't control,
which is why she has no trouble informing Haku, "well, you teach me a
lot of stuff my sensei tends to avoid… and I don't think you're a bad
person, even if you're a little off."
Nodding, Haku asks, "why the change of heart?"
"Less noise," Tenten quickly answers before elaborating, "if I were a
weapon, I guess you could say I went from a single-edge to a double-
edged sword."
"That's a weapon you have to handle with more care," Haku kindly
notes.
"Yeah," Tenten realizes, giving the beautiful boy a half-smile. Shaking
her thoughts of unnecessary thoughts, she asks, "so really, why do you
want me to watch Naruto?"
"A weapon must always be ready for any situation," Haku voices as he
looks over to the large hole in the village's wall. "I can't say what the
future will bring, but if I'm not around, I want you to protect Naruto-
sama on my behalf."
"He took on an entire army," Tenten reminds him. "I don't think he
needs my protection."
Turning to her, he asks, "how strong is he when he's fast asleep?"
Tenten nods in understanding as Haku adds, "he's been in the hospital
for days. Who protects him then?"
"But you were watching him while he was in the hospital," she replies.
"Of course," Haku states before he walks to the edge of the roof once
again. "No matter how strong someone may be, there is always a way
to defeat them. Remember, no one escapes death's blade."
Tenten didn't have to think long to understand, and answers, "alright,
but I still have a lot to learn if you want me to be his bodyguard."
"Quite a lot, yes," Haku returns with almost a tired slant of his head.
"Fortunately, Naruto-sama and I are always happy to train with you."
Smirking, Tenten asks, "happy, really?"
"You are Zabuza-sama's gift to me," Haku reminds Tenten as a matter
of fact. Sagging her shoulders and rolling her eyes, Tenten is reminded
why their dynamic can seem too frustrating at times as Haku remarks,
"any gift he gives me brings me perpetual happiness."
KURENAI
After a full day of using her genjutsu to assist in interrogating the Suna
shinobi, Anko distracts Asuma so Kurenai can sneak away early from
the Torture and Interrogation department. They're nearly finished
interrogating all of Suna's forces. Nearly all of them said nothing and
those that did only repeated their name, rank, and registration number.
It's as expected and with Kurenai's genjutsu, they manage more
information in the short amount of time they have with each shinobi.
On her way home, Kurenai wonders if Naruto's woken up yet and
debates sneaking into his room to see him. Since the invasion, no one
in Konoha's forces has had much free time, but the Jōnin, especially,
have been giving the bulk of incoming missions in addition to the task
of back-tracing the movements of key security risks; Kabuto in
particularly. Additionally, Kurenai is on alert for anything that might
involve Shimura Danzō and Root. She alerted the Sandaime on the
same day Karin's near kidnapping happened, however, as of yet, she
hasn't heard anything about it from him.
As Kurenai enters her home, she wonders if she should speak with the
Hokage in the morning about it when her sensitive ears pick up light
snoring. Familiar light snoring. Snickering in delight, Kurenai walks into
her living room and smiles happily to find Naruto sleeping on her
couch. Underneath his new orange and black tactical uniform, he's still
wrapped in medical bandages to his neck, but over everything is a new
red and black cloak she's never seen before.
Regardless of their status, Kurenai sits on the edge of the couch by his
waist and leans down to kiss his inert lips. Sending her love through,
she's elated when she feels affection kiss back. She moves back when
he wakes and greets him with a casual, "hey."
"Oh man," he groans, sleepy eyes adjusting to the sight before him.
Feeling the love in his smile, Kurenai feels lighter, prettier, and merry
while he asks, "how long was I out?"
Comforted by his warmth in her home once again, she answers, "a few
hours from what I can tell." He sits up and props himself against the
armrest of the couch as she asks with clear concern, "what are you
doing here? You should be in the hospital."
Noting her own injury—a square adhesive bandage on her left thigh
where she was tagged with a shuriken—Naruto rests his hot palm on
her thigh as he assures her, "nah, I'm fine. How are you?"
Happy crackling energy twitches through her at his gentle touch, but
Kurenai does her best to remain composed as she answers, "I'm fine.
It's just a scratch."
Feeling his hot hand directly on her tingling skin expanded the urge
within her. Her thigh muscle flexed to hold back the pleasure flourishing
within her with his one touch. She's missed him. Kurenai's mind clears
of everything except for how much she missed his magnetic touch.
Feeling the stirring pleasantness within her ripen into storming desire,
Kurenai bemoans, "Naruto," but she isn't sure what she wants him to
do, whether remove his hand or take her upstairs.
His hands remained on her strong thigh as he asks, "are we alone
tonight?"
Feeling her blood rush to her crotch, her thighs tense together and
Kurenai shakes her head of dirty thoughts, replying, "no, sir." She
stands from the couch and takes a deep breath before assuring him,
"we are not doing… any of that while you're still recuperating. I insist."
"So after I heal," he softly voices with his knowing smile and intense
eyes.
Kurenai had to swallow an excess of saliva at the thought of him
satiating her gnawing hunger with thick meat and seed. She's gone so
long without him, his penetrating gaze on her figure is already
unraveling her determination and doesn't feel the resolve to wait until
he's fully healed.
Standing off the couch, he walks up to her but claims, "I'm only
teasing." Disappointed, an aroused Kurenai doesn't know what to say
until he adds, "actually, I need to tell you something."
"…Oh," she despondently replies before taking a deep calming breath.
Her logic wrests control from her arousal and to distract herself, she
asks, "we could- uh… dinner?"
Snickering, he jokingly asks, "when don't I want your food?"
Chapter 372:
Throughout the preparation of their meal, the conversation between
them centered around the village after the invasion, her assignment in
the T&I department, his cousin Karin, his clan, the construction of his
apartment complex, and his Godfather. After dinner, Kurenai insists he
not use shadow clones to clean and instructs him to wash up instead.
Nearly done with the dishes, she hears the faintest tap against her
kitchen door. Through the window panes of the door, she identifies
Asuma, and it surprises her she hadn't sensed him on her property.
Avoiding looking up to the faint sound of a running shower, Kurenai
dries her hand and walks to the door all the while dreading what this
conversation with Naruto in her shower. Asuma seems to suspect her
relationship with Naruto is crossing boundaries that shouldn't be
crossed and has been attempting to talk with her for the past three
days. Fortunately, they've been too busy securing the village's security
and avoids him whenever possible.
Opening the door, she doesn't let the gruff man in as she explains, "I
was actually on my way to bed, Asuma. Can we talk tomorrow?"
She notes his eyes flicker behind her, then up as his nose takes a
quick whiff before he asks, "are you alone?"
"First, that's not any of your business," Kurenai responds. "And second,
I'm exhausted and want to go to sleep. So if you would…"
Without moving, he insists, "we need to talk, Kurenai. You can't keep
avoiding this."
"I'm not avoiding anything," she casually asserts. "And we can talk
tomorrow, promise. Good night."
"…Tomorrow," he eventually finishes before turning to leave.
After closing the door and securing the property with her Fūinjutsu
system, she shuts the curtains of all the windows in her house. She's
closing the curtains of her bedroom's window when Naruto walks out of
the shower. Absent bandages and with a head of wet falling locks, he
smiles at the sight of her. Her mind still can't believe her heart is so in
love with him and she can't help a small smile of her own. Breaking
their intense eye contact, she looks down at the red and black cloak on
the bed. Kurenai picks it up by the shoulders and gives him a curious
eye.
He smiles as he answers, "Ma- uh, one of the Toad Sages, made that
for me."
Nodding, she flips it around as she asks, "and the uh, the white one?"
"She made me that one too," he answers. "But I like this one better. It's
more me."
Opening that box of curiosity, the raven-haired beauty asks, "and less
your father?" When Naruto casually nods, Kurenai clarifies, "less
Namikaze Minato, the Fourth Hokage."
"Yeaup," Naruto casually returns, oblivious to her stunned amazement.
Lowering the cloak, the astonished Jōnin gasps, "how do you keep
surprising- So, you're truly the son of the Fourth Hokage?"
Eying her with a hint of confusion, he slowly answers, "uh, yeah.
Doesn't everyone pretty much know that now?"
"Everyone suspects, sure, but nothing's been confirmed," she informs
him.
"Oh," he hums before acknowledging, "well, yeah. I'm his son."
Plopping on the edge of the bed, she's eager to know, "how long have
you known?"
"I suspected for a while," he answers with his head tilted. "I mean we
practically look alike. But I didn't know for sure until the second task of
the Chūnin exam."
Looking at the floor as she recalls all the details of his life, Kurenai
heaves, "wow… you're the son of the Yondaime Hokage…" Smirking,
Naruto shrugs, but Kurenai hadn't really thought about what that meant
until this moment, asserting with disbelief, "the village should love you."
He only snorts as she adamantly adds, "I'm serious, Naruto. No one
should be treating you… like they've been treating you most of your
life!" Clapping her hand over her mouth, she speaks through, "even
me… Kami, now I feel even more shame for attacking you. I attacked
the son of the Yondaime!"
"Hey, come here," Naruto blurts as he takes her hands and pulls her
into a comforting embrace. Kurenai is now face-to-face with Naruto,
enveloped in his warmth and kindness. "That's enough of that, Nai-
chan. Normally I'd say you can't change the past, but it's probably
better to say I rather focus on building a better future… with you."
Pressed against him with his strong arms around her back, her anxious
mind and body soften around his strong body. So close to him, nothing
of the outside world could penetrate the simplicity of his love for her
and her love for him. Leaning in, Kurenai kisses him, taking his lips
with a hungry, yet gentle sweetness. Yearning for more of him, she
wraps her arms around his neck pulling him in deeper as their hot wet
tongues taste each other. The lovers make-out pressed flat against
each other growing stimulation until the need for oxygen became
necessary.
Kurenai grants him access to her neck as she slowly asks through a
fog of rising bliss, "so what did you want to talk to me about?"
As if the room was suddenly filled with ice-cold water, Naruto stops
necking her nape and tilts back. After calming down, he lets her go and
takes a step back, all of which worried her tremendously. She feared
he was about to reject her after she finally became comfortable with
her love for him.
"Uh, this might upset you," he starts, alarming her further until he adds,
"but let me finish before you say anything. It might make more sense
that way."
Willing her body to stop feeling arouse, Kurenai takes a measured
breath before replying, "of course."
She did not expect nor could she properly prepare for his very blunt, "I
think I'm a polyamorist."
After many seconds of silence, a thoroughly perplexed Kurenai
assuages, "just to be absolutely clear, you know what that means,
right?"
"Yeah," he replies with a nod. "It's a loving relationship between
multiple people."
"… … well, then I don't understand," Kurenai slowly admits. "How…
just, how?"
"Until recently," he begins. "I thought being in love could only happen
between two people, and if you loved someone else, then it was
cheating. It's why I never cared for other girls even if they were
obviously pretty. Even though I loved Sakura, not being in love with
you in the beginning didn't make our training feel like cheating… not
that Sakura liked me or anything," he adds with a whimsical chuckle.
"Since then, I've grown to love you, Nai-chan; as a sensei, a friend, and
a woman. I love you so much, even if I feel like a polyamorist, I know I
wouldn't want that if it meant I couldn't be with you."
If any man she were seeing would propose a polyamorous relationship,
Kurenai wouldn't even dignify them with a response and just walk
away. A significant other wanting multiple partners, whether sex is a
part of the equation, is wrong. As she deserves to be loved as fully as
she would love a man, she cannot, in good conscience, support such
an open union, however, her mind instantly thinks of one person.
Chapter 373:
'Hinata… the girl who's like a daughter to me may never be with the
man she's loved since she was a little girl because Naruto is in love
with me.'
"The way I see it," Naruto continues. "Polyamory is about love; more
love sharing love. I get that's hard to believe, but I promise you, it's not
like I only care to have sex with multiple women. If you, me, and
another girl were in a relationship, I wouldn't even care about more or
less sex as long as we all love and support each other. This might
sound pretty lame, but I just picture a big kitchen table with you, me,
and everyone we love eating and laughing together."
While she's physically swooning under his loving gaze, she's also
processing what his words and what this means for herself and the
people she loves the most. For a mind as sharp as Kurenai's, it's
effortless to connect the dots—crazy though the dots are. He doesn't
want to involve anyone else if he can't be with her, which will cause her
sweet Hinata tremendous pain, and she ultimately reasons either no
one gets to be with the person they love, or everyone does. A longing
in her for everything to work out can't help but play out the possibilities
of such a relationship; the disasters it can cause, the problems it could
resolve, and finally, the freedom she craves to be with the man she
loves.
'Love,' Kurenai's befuddled mind sadly repeats. 'If only it were that
simple.'
Normally she would say no, but Uzumaki Naruto wasn't just anyone.
Everyone saw as much, and Kurenai counts herself thankful to the high
heavens to be loved by him. If anything, Kurenai can't think. It's simply
too much too fast, and in his presence, so, rather than try and force an
answer, Kurenai kisses him again, deeply. Melting against his loving
lips, she compartmentalizes the poly matter for another day. Tonight,
she just wants to be with him.
When he moves them to the bed, she painstakingly resists, adding,
"we can't." At his pleading puppy-dog eyes, her resolve weakens but
she remains firm. "Don't give me that look. You're still recovering so
until you're a hundred percent, the only activity we'll be doing in bed is
sleeping."
Thankfully he agrees, because even if they hold each other in bed,
Kurenai didn't sleep. She spent the entire night trying to think of a
possible way everyone can be happy, but after every waking hour that
passed, she slowly realized more and more that she may have to say
goodbye to her love. Praying for Naruto's and Hinata's future
happiness, Kurenai curled into her blond love as much as she could,
holding his heat to her cold body all night long. Sadly, just after dawn,
her finite time with him came to an end with a knock at her door.
—
Standing in a line in the Hokage's round office as the sun slowly begins
to rise outside, Naruto, Kurenai, Kakashi, and Jiraiya are at attention in
front of the Sandaime's desk. He still looks weak to Kurenai and
wonders what his prognosis is. To either side of Hiruzen stand his old
teammates and councilors, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane.
Though Kurenai wonders about Danzō's absence, she's glad he isn't in
attendance.
Jiraiya is the first to casually speak, asking his sensei, "how goes
rebuilding relations?"
"We have a long road to unity ahead of us," Homura takes the liberty to
answer. "We are currently debating if occupation zones are required."
"Yeesh, I'm so glad I'm not in politics," Jiraiya bemuses.
"Occupation," Naruto questions out loud, also unafraid of speaking up
in front of the leaders of the village. "What for? We're not conquering
them. Now's the time to bury the hatchet and be allies again."
"It's not quite so simple, Naruto," Hiruzen tells him. "While peace would
be preferable to more war and bloodshed, they're the ones who
pushed us to this."
"I get that they messed up," Naruto returns. "But what do you do when
a friend makes a mistake? Give up on them? I don't like ending
friendships so easily."
"You're too naive," Koharu remarks, annoying Kurenai. The woman's
hard views on the world always makes Kurenai doubt her service to the
village.
"Better than being a quitter," Naruto rebukes, nearly breaking Kurenai's
decorum with a chuckle.
"That is good to know," councilor Homura replies. "We may need you to
uphold those beliefs when the time comes."
As the early sunlight fills the wood room, Hiruzen observes his four
shinobi from his chair and recounts, "the reason I've called you all in so
early is to discuss a matter that's arisen from the peace-talks. The
Kazekage and his council have endorsed the Omiai between Naruto
and Temari-chan."
Wide-eyed with surprise, Kurenai repeats, "an Omiai?" Kurenai knew
that Naruto was escorting Temari-chan around the village but she
never heard anything about a marriage arrangement. Noting Jiraiya
and Kakashi's lack of reaction makes her wonder if they knew or just
don't care.
"Allow me to explain for those who do not know," Hiruzen confirms, and
Kurenai tries her best not to look at Naruto for an explanation. "In an
attempt to neutralize Naruto for the invasion, their cover entailed using
the marriage contract of an Omiai to spend time with him. Seduction,
poison, ambush, clearly they were unsuccessful. Regardless of their
plans, everyone—myself and the Kazekage included—signed the
contract, making it legally binding. At the time, it seemed unnecessary
to announce it because no one, including Naruto, thought anything
would actually come of it."
"Well," Naruto hums, tapping his chin. "I did think I might have more
chances to talk to Gaara. I already knew he was like me and I wanted
to get to know him and Shukaku."
Rationally, Kurenai can understand Suna's scheme, but she doesn't
like it as she slowly voices, "I see." She feels sick to her stomach when
she realizes if this political marriage goes through, neither herself nor
Hinata will be with the man they love.
"My advisers believe Suna's endorsement of the Omiai is nothing more
than a ploy," Hiruzen continues. "Reverse psychology, to have us
cancel the contract so they might avoid the international humiliation of
being forced to marry off Temari-chan. My advisers also believe having
the Kazekage's daughter remain in our village would deter any future
attacks."
"Oh come on," Naruto rebukes to the elders in disbelief. "If Temari-chan
wants to marry me because she loves me, I could understand that, but
there's no way I'm accepting this as some sort of political move."
Though it's a break in decorum, Kurenai couldn't help but nod, fully
believing marriage should be between people who love each other.
"Besides," Naruto adds. "I already have someone I love and I don't
want to leave her."
Chapter 374:
Kurenai's stomach unexpectedly flutters with hundreds of butterflies
and her toes curl at the affection crackling up and down her tingling
body, and her scalp tingles happily. It's nearly impossible for her to hold
back her swooning desire for him, but she manages to keep it together
in the presence of her Hokage.
"That may or may not be to her benefit," Hiruzen replies, confusing
Kurenai. "Due to the unique nature of the Omiai within this political
situation, my advisers also suggest… Naruto marries a woman from
Konoha, preferably before Temari-chan so she may be the lead wife."
Most of the room is stunned into silence. It's as if many thoughts and
ideas start and stop before they formulate, making them all blank out.
Kurenai is the first to snap out of her stupor by asking, "how's that
possible?"
"At some point," Koharu begins. "Temari-chan amended the Omiai to
include multiple spouses. We wouldn't have signed if the Kazekage
and his advisers hadn't done so first."
"To the victor goes the spoils," Homura tells the room. "The only power
in all the land that can approve the scope of this marriage is the
Daimyō of both Wind and Fire countries, and as it stands, Wind has
lost to Fire. The Daimyō of Wind has no other recourse but to sign off
in order to release their men, resume trade, and quell the mistrust
between our nations. Our Daimyō would of course consent to the
Omiai to expedite peace between countries."
"Naturally, the Kazekage's daughter would have to live here," Koharu
adds. "Which would discourage any future attacks if they wish for her
and any of her children to remain healthy."
Instantly cross, Naruto begins to yell, "wait a minute-" when Hiruzen
interrupts and tells her, "that's unnecessary, Koharu." Though the short
and pale senior doesn't appear ashamed at all.
For clarity, Kurenai asks, "you mean to say the Omiai allows Naruto to
marry more than one woman?" When Hiruzen nods, Kurenai's entire
body feels a great flush of relief she wasn't expecting; like she can
breathe again.
"Just out of curiosity," Jiraiya starts. "How many wives will he legally be
allowed to have?"
Wrinkled eyes closed and cheeks blushing pink as Hiruzen clears his
old throat before answering, "nine."
"HUGHH," Jiraiya chokes with bulging eyes before he smacks Naruto
hard in the back, sending the blond to the wood floor and laughing
uproariously. He's clutching his belly with both hands as he barely
speaks out, "you! …You! …YOU! HAHAHAHAHAHA!"
"That's some Kami level luck," Kakashi comments as Jiraiya begs
Naruto, "let me pick four of them!"
After closing her stunned jaw, Kurenai's staggered mind is whirling as
she slowly asks, "and they would approve this?"
"I cannot see Rasa wanting this," Hiruzen answers. "He's a hard man,
certainly, but deep down, he loves his family as much as he loves his
village. Perhaps if he had Temari-chan orate her feelings on the matter
during the meeting, I'd feel more secure in my pending decision. I
asked you all here—Naruto, his senseis—to hear your thoughts on the
matter."
"What's there to say," Jiraiya cheers, still laughing and grabs his
godson around the shoulders before lifting him off his sandaled feet.
"Obviously, this lucky devil's going to say yes!"
Annoyed by that common shallow fantasy, Kurenai reminds the old
sage, "a wife is not a working girl, Jiraiya-sama. A marriage is an
intimate relationship between husband and wife that requires constant
communication, honesty, respect, and intelligence. It can be
overwhelming sharing all that you are with just one person. Imagine
trying to connect and please nine wives. Every problem that arises has
the potential to annoy two to nine different women, or Naruto can have
two to nine unique problems from each wife that must be addressed;
for as long as they live."
"Imagine two or more wives pregnant at the same time," Kakashi
gasps, making Jiraiya, Hiruzen, Naruto, and Homura shudder. Jiraiya
deflates, horrified at the image of that kind of demanding household
day in and day out for the rest of his days. "That could be a big family
to support. Not that nine wives is mandatory but the potential is there,"
Kakashi adds, making Jiraiya squeeze Naruto with even more fear.
"Perhaps this may be more than any one man can reasonably
manage," Hiruzen suggests, pondering if this could double as
punishment.
"Will- you- let- go," Naruto calls out, flexing his way out of his
Godfather's fearful embrace. Padding down his red and black cloak,
Naruto tells the room, "I don't mind all that, but I can't agree to anything
until I talk with Temari-chan first." Turning to Hiruzen, he asks, "when
can I see her and Gaara?"
"But you would," Kakashi asks, to which Jiraiya adds for clarity, "if
Temari-chan wanted to go through with it?" And Kurenai finishes, "you
would?"
"Of course I would," Naruto effortlessly tells the entire room. "As long
as we all love and respect each other, why wouldn't I want a big
family?"
Imagining a full dining table with loved ones, Kurenai surprises
everyone by laughing deeply from the core of her being. She was
unable to sleep all night, worried, horrified, hopeless, and now she's
hopeful and just relieved. She truly doesn't know why she worries when
it comes to Naruto. He doesn't have a selfish bone in his body, and
while his inordinate caring seems to invite the strongest challenges,
they bring the greatest rewards as well. Kurenai feels pride being in
love with such a person, which makes her laugh harder than she
intended before ultimately saying, "if it's Naruto, I think he can do it."
Thinking of Hinata, Kurenai adds, "he may be the only man who can."
"I will arrange a time for you to speak with Temari-chan," Hiruzen
mentions. "If she is… inclined, I will pass the contract on to the Daimyō
for their approval under the condition she is your second wife."
"Or third," Jiraiya croaks with laughter. "Or fourth or ninth- Kami! Nine! I
need to write this down! I'll call it, Icha Icha Palace! This is going to net
me billions!"
"Whaaa!" Naruto yells as Kakashi's cheeks blush and his eye sparkles
with hope. "I don't want to be in one of your ero-books! I don't consent,"
Naruto asserts.
"Come now, don't be so cold," Jiraiya smoothly enunciates, leaning
down as he puts his large arm around the blond's shoulders. "How
about we spend some long-overdue quality time together… maybe at
the hot springs… looking for your number one. How about it, Kakashi-
kun? Care to help our young virgin student find his…" Jiraiya has a
hard time restraining his laughter as he adds, "find his… find his first
wife! HAHHHAAHAHA!"
While Naruto argues how he needs to speak with Temari first, Hiruzen
turns to a zoned-out Kurenai and informs her, "Kurenai-kun, if you
would stay."
Chapter 375:
With little else to contribute, Hiruzen dismisses the men. After Jiraiya
and Kakashi drag away Naruto with them, Homura and Koharu are
also excused and Kurenai and her leader are in his office alone. What
the sage elder could want to talk to her about made her nervous, as
she didn't know what it could be, but was certain it had to do with
Naruto.
"I didn't think Naruto would be so agreeable," Hiruzen begins. "Up until
this point, I was fairly certain he understood the moral path of
monogamy." Kurenai would agree if it meant she could be with Naruto
without destroying Hinata's feelings. "I'll get straight to the point,"
Hiruzen gruffly continues. "Should Temari decide to go through with the
Omiai, you already know we'd prefer she not be his first wife.
Depending on how the house is run, the first wife would likely have first
say in many matters that arise, which can cause problems if one
considers how important Naruto may become in the future."
Pushing aside the image of herself in a wedding dress, Kurenai
objectively summarizes, "a first wife more loyal to the village who could
stand up to Temari-chan if need be." Delicately withholding her hopes,
Kurenai is already planning on setting aside the entire day to relax with
Anko and a glass of wine and talk.
"It's not that I don't trust Temari-chan," Hiruzen mentions. "I've had a
few precious opportunities to meet her as a little girl and she was
always dutiful and charming. Additionally, I can't deny Naruto-kun has a
surprising effect on people, so I cannot say I am overly worried. Even
still, in the long run, it may be best if Temari-chan were second chair to
a wife from Konoha."
Amazed she has to deal with this, Kurenai asks, "what are your orders,
Hokage-sama?"
"I can't be certain of any orders at the moment," he initially answers.
"However, you are the closest person to Naruto-kun who is not a man
and has my trust. I would like your perspective on Naruto's romantic
options, if any. To date, the only girl I've ever heard him profess any
love for is Haruno Sakura, but from what Kakashi has mentioned, his
feelings do not appear to be reciprocated." Kurenai nods in agreement
before he asks the pivotal question. "Are you aware of any other
kunoichi who may be favorable to the idea of a relationship with him?"
Kurenai's heart was beating fast, causing her to perspire a bit at the
thought of confessing her love for Naruto, however, she remains silent.
She knows this is more than just admitting her love for him, as she
simply remarks to her Kage, "dating and marriage are two very
different things."
"I can't disagree with you there, I'm afraid." Hiruzen doesn't speak for
several moments, and Kurenai can only assume he's pondering how
it's come to this because she can't help but wonder the same. Breaking
the silence, Hiruzen admits, "I would rather not assign a kunoichi to
such a life-long mission, for marriage should not be a job." Hiruzen
chuckles to himself before adding, "even if it may feel like it at times. If
you cannot find a girl who might love Naruto enough to marry him, I
may have to consider mandating such a duty. I will schedule a meeting
between Naruto and Temari-chan for tonight, so we'll know more or
less what course to take by tomorrow. If you can assist me with this,
Kurenai-kun, I would be grateful."
Kurenai swallowed what felt like a rock down her dry throat as the
moment. Life was telling her this was her moment. She loves Naruto
more than any man she's ever been with. He's her guy but she hadn't
thought of marriage so soon, especially after his lifestyle admission last
night. They haven't even properly spoken about their relationship, let
alone marriage, let alone marriage with sister-wives.
'Kami, he doesn't do things normally,' she mentally snorts. The leap is
too big for Kurenai to wrap her mind around at the moment.
Additionally, going public meant she'd was going to have a very
uncomfortable conversation with her dear student a lot sooner than she
planned. Revealing to Hinata that her sensei is dating Naruto would
certainly damage the sweet girl; explaining their nuptials to Hinata
would likely decimate her.
In a surprising burst of concept, Kurenai, felt at nervous voicing, "th-
there is… there may be one or two options, Hokage-sama."
"Do tell," Hiruzen urges with a weak nod.
SASUKE
He finally found him. On his fourth pass around the construction site,
Sasuke observes a fleet of blond clones working like a swarm of
builder ants on remodeling the old apartment building. He's been
searching the village since the day before, and at the sight of the blond
happily laboring away, Sasuke felt a familiar urge of punching him in
the face on the off chance he wasted his time. Sasuke already
promised himself he'd leave Konoha and track down Orochimaru if
hearing Naruto out turned to be a mistake.
Walking around the apartment courtyard and asking for the original,
Sasuke's eventually directed to the top floor where he finds Jiraiya of
the Sannin, Naruto's cousin Karin, Haku, and Naruto debating about
love and monogamy or some such nonsense. Sasuke does find it odd
that Jiraiya only seems to be scribbling fast notes as they talk.
"But you have to," Karin declares. "You realize what a boon this can be
for the Uzumaki clan?"
"It's got nothing to do with politics," Naruto tells her. "Marriage should
be for love, not because of some stupid negotiations between nations."
"I wouldn't be surprised if she agrees," Haku asserts, but when Naruto
asks why, Sasuke interrupts them.
"Naruto," Sasuke calls, ignoring the others. "You promised to tell me
everything you know. I've been patient long enough."
Haku stands between Naruto and Sasuke as Jiraiya remarks, "brats
these days are so rude. Can't you see we're in the middle of an
important conversation."
Stepping around Haku, Naruto asserts, "it's okay guys." At the sight of
the surname, UZUMAKI on the back of his new cloak, Sasuke can feel
his irritation grow. "I did promise we'd talk. I'll see y'all later." Turning to
Sasuke, he asks, "so, where to?" Sasuke leads him to the Uchiha
compound, to his family's home; a true symbol of a clan, if it weren't so
barren. Naruto seemed impressed with the outside, but was amazed
by the elegance of the inside of such a finely built traditional mansion.
As they take a seat in the sitting area his father used to use for guests,
Naruto voices in amazement, "uwah, you have a nice place, man."
As Sasuke's mind replies, 'it was once,' his voice demands the blond
to, "talk."
"I guess I should start by saying I don't know everything," Naruto
voices as he casually props his arms behind him to stay upright. "Part
of the reason why I want to talk with your brother is because something
isn't adding up."
Sasuke finds he's too informal in such a prestigious house as he asks,
"who's your source?"
"Can't tell you," the blond quickly asserts, annoying Sasuke even more.
"Yeah, yeah, I know you want to know," Naruto continues. "But it's a
clan secret and I can't tell you."
"Then why would I even believe a word you say," Sasuke retorts.
"Use your head," Naruto hells him. "Do you really think I'd lie about
something this major? I know what your brother and your clan mean to
you, so even if I think you can be a total dick, I'd punch you in the face
before I'd ever use family against you."
Though his blond teammate can be annoying, Sasuke knows he's not
a liar. "Fine. How reliable is the source?"
"First-rate," Naruto asserts. Though doubtful, Sasuke requests Naruto
tell him what he knows. "Your brother did kill a lot of his clan that night,"
the blond starts, and Sasuke tries to keep his hate in check to listen.
"But it's not like he did it on a whim; he's not crazy. From what I've
been told, Itachi was stopping a coup d'état. The Uchiha were,
apparently, planning to take over the village-"
Sasuke's rage gets the best of him and he yells, "you're lying!"
"I'm not!"
"You have to be," Sasuke hotly returns. "I can't believe my clan would
forcibly try to overthrow command."
"There aren't a lot of people who know the truth," Naruto argues. "And
anyone who does won't tell us, which is why I want to talk to your
brother. There's a lot about this that's just fishy and I get you want to kill
him for what he did but don't you want to know why he did it? And who
helped him?"
Short shakes of his head, a surprised Sasuke asks, "w-what do you
mean who helped him?"
Chapter 376:
Naruto casually explains, "your brother was good, like, take-out-nearly-
everyone-good, but from what I've been told, your tou-san was really
strong, like Hokage level. I can't see how Itachi killed every single one
of your clan without help."
Though that makes sense, Sasuke has a hard time accepting it from
Naruto, but asks anyway, "h-how do you know this?"
"Sorry, my source is a clan secret," the blond annoyance replies.
"You don't have a clan," Sasuke shoots back. "Nothing you do will ever
elevate you to the prominence of the great Uchiha clan."
"How can someone as smart as you be so delusional," Naruto hurls
back. "Rookie of the Year must not be worth shit if someone with your
eyes can't see what's right in front of you-"
"Oh, and what's that, Dobe?"
"I told you, you're not the only one who's suffered," Naruto blurts. "If
you spared a thought to someone else, you might know the Uzumaki
clan was just as prominent as the Uchiha clan. You probably don't even
know that whole villages banded together to destroy my clan and
villagers. Me and Karin are the last two Uzumaki that we know of.
Sound familiar?" Though Sasuke didn't know that, it didn't change
anything, even when Naruto adds, "I get what you're going through,
really I do, but you have to stop with all this hate. It's not doing anything
to help you."
"And what's helping you, I wonder," Sasuke rebukes, curious about the
blond's, seemingly, never-ending strength. "Why are you so strong?"
"Obviously because I have people to protect," he casually responds,
grating on the avenger's nerves. "Comparing myself to you helped me
train hard, sure, but nothing pushes me harder than becoming strong
enough to protect the people I love. That's the serious juice."
"You really are an idiot," Sasuke dejectedly states. Despite the validity
of his claims about his clan and his brother, Naruto will always be a few
shuriken shy of a full set. "Do you actually believe I would buy that?"
"I'm not lying."
"But you're not telling me the truth either," Sasuke argues. "I want to
know what your power is! I don't care about the nonsense you do with
it."
"First, it's not nonsense," he asserts with a pointed finger. "Second, if
you're talking about the red chakra, it's illegal to talk about it, but since
we're teammates, I'll tell you the truth. It's a genetic mutation that amps
up my power the closer I am to death. I may even become Kami-level
strong the moment before I die."
Looking at him seriously, Sasuke asks, "really?" Naruto couldn't hold it
a second before he's laughing, spurring an urge to kill the blond. "You
fucking…"
"My bad, my bad," Naruto conveys. Raising his palms in the air to sue
for peace, he explains, "you were just setting me up so nicely, I couldn't
resist. Love is my power and if you don't like it, tough, cuz that's the
truth. You might be able to see that if you weren't all about your hate."
"As long as he's dead, I'll live with it just fine," Sasuke flatly promises.
"And what if it turns out there's a lot more to what happened than you
know?"
"Then I'll kill everyone who contributed to the demise of my clan; my
family," the raven-haired avenger promises just as easily.
"You can always rebuild your clan and make a new family," the blond
foolishly suggests. "Not that you have to forget what happened, but if
you're ever going to fly, you're going to have to let go of all that heavy
shit."
Shaking his head at Naruto's stupidity, Sasuke asks, "what else do you
know?"
Shrugging, he answers by counting down, "mnn… let's see. Your
brother wasn't trying to end your clan… he had help-"
"Do you know who aided Itachi?"
"Yup," he answers. "A guy in a mask with one eyehole. I was told he
attacked the village the night of my birth so, he's been behind the
scenes for a while now."
Suspicious of the intelligence, Sasuke warns Naruto, "if you're lying
about any o-"
"I'm not lying," he interjects. "If anything I'm not telling you the whole
truth- Clan secret!" Naruto immediately yells before Sasuke demands
to know everything. "If you want to know why it all went down, you're
going to have to ask your brother."
"Why do you care- No, why does any of this matter to you?"
"Well, I'm curious about the village," the blond responds ponderously. "I
understand being hated by the village, but I had Ji-chan and Iruka to
help me through it. I want to ask Itachi about the village's treatment of
the Uchiha because it just seems so weird to me that it went that far,
you know? If I could, I know I would've helped."
As Sasuke considers the validity of Naruto's information, he
offhandedly assures his teammate, "you won't talk to him. You're too
weak. The moment you see him, you're dead and that'll be the end of
your clan."
Naruto and Sasuke sense someone entering the grand home and
though initially curious, when they realize it's Kakashi, they settle back
down. Naruto then comments, "well, even if he's that fast, all I have to
do is be faster."
"Without a Sharingan, you have no hope," Sasuke bluntly states.
Though, thinking of his current power level, he can't help but voice his
own shortcomings. "But even with one, it's still not… I need more
power."
Turning to the door as Kakashi enters the room with his little orange
book in hand, Naruto finishes, "you and me both."
"Isn't this nice to see," Kakashi remarks with a humored tone.
"Teammates bonding."
"You know I don't like unannounced visits," Sasuke reminds his
whimsical sensei yet again.
"Just came to pass along a note," the sensei voices before shooting
Naruto a folded slip of paper.
His interest peaked, Naruto reads curiously before he excitedly
whoops. Hopping to his feet, Naruto yells, "hell yeah! I gotta go!"
"We're not done," Sasuke calls out as the blond hops to the sliding
door.
Naruto calls over his shoulder as he leaves, "I pretty much told you
everything, but we can talk more tomorrow!"
Kakashi turns to Sasuke and asks, "care to tell me what you talked
about?"
"No," he replies. Sasuke needs time with the information. He needs to
research, however, he also needs more power and asks, "I'd rather
train."
Chapter 377:
TEMARI
The sand siblings hear a group of guards approaching before they
eventually open the cell door to allow a beaming Naruto in. He's
dressed in his orange and black uniform, however, with a red cloak
with black flames at the hem. It's similar to the Hokage's cloaks, only
without a collar. Temari got over her shock of seeing him in an instant
for the merriment of his presence.
"Temari-chan," Naruto calls as he rushes to hug her. Despite her
brothers around her, Temari hugs him back in part because it's the
fourth day of isolation and she really missed him. He lost
consciousness after Gaara's fight and she hadn't heard anything about
him since. Additionally, it's far too easy to enjoy his warmth against her.
He then turns to Gaara and he extends a fist with a smile. To Temari's
surprise, her brother actually smiles. It was a small thing but she hasn't
seen anything so innocent on his face for years. Temari couldn't know
that the moment the Jinchūriki bump fists, Kurama telepathically
connects with Shukaku and it isn't long before the chakra brothers
begin bickering. Temari isn't sure why Naruto rolls his eyes until he
comments to Gaara, "children, am I right?"
"I can hear them," Gaara gasps in surprise, mildly helping Temari
deduce what's happening. "I've never… experienced this side of that
voice."
"You know, I think you should talk to Shukaku more," Naruto suggests
to her brother, scaring her to high heaven. "You might discover a good
friendship. I know I have."
Gaara asks him, "is that why you're so strong?"
"Mnn… it's hard to say," Naruto slowly replies with a wondering face.
"Haku always says you can't become truly strong unless you're
protecting those you love and I believe him. So, I guess it doesn't
matter if I was a Jinchūriki, or not." When he says, "I'd still do
everything in my power to protect my special people," Temari wonders
if she's one of those people.
"Uh, are you saying you're actually friends with the giant chakra
monster inside you," Kankurō asks.
"He's not a monster," Naruto replies, before telling them, "none of them
are. They're just misunderstood." Turning to Gaara, he assures him, "I
can help you with Shukaku if you want."
"I would be… grateful," Gaara affirms, making Temari appreciate
Naruto even more. Not a single person has ever reached her little
brother so profoundly, and she's all too thrilled it was someone as kind
as Naruto.
"No problem," he says with a smile. He turns to the three and asks, "so
how are they treating you? I'm not going to lie, I was scared they were
torturing you guys for information."
"As children of the Kazekage, that would be unlikely," Temari explains,
humored.
With a long exhale, he expresses, "good. Listen, they didn't give me a
lot of time and I have no idea how long this might take-"
"If it's about the Omiai, I consent to the marriage," Temari proclaims.
The moment he arrived, she thought that's was the reason for his visit.
Though she can't claim to know him, she simply didn't see him
agreeing to the marriage without talking to her first.
Shocked and wide-eyed, Naruto blurts out, "really?" Staring between
siblings a brief moment, Naruto tells Temari, "I don't understand. Does
that mean… you love me?"
"No," Temari delicately confesses, before elaborating, "at least, not
completely. I respect you; which I value just as much. I think you're
strong, caring, funny, and intriguing. When we were together, it
would've been all too easy for you to take advantage of me, but you
never did-"
Raising his eyebrows in surprise, Kankurō spouts, "wait, seriously?"
Gaara curiously asks, "were you aware of what we were planning?"
Turning to her brothers, she demands more than asks, "can you give
us some space, please?" Aside from the small bathroom, there isn't
another room in the empty rectangle, meaning Gaara and Kankurō
simply walked to the opposite wall. Leaning against the stone wall,
Temari quietly speaks to her blond betrothed, "I can't predict the future,
Naruto, but I have a strong suspicion it'll be better with you in my life
than without, and that's enough for me."
As she anticipated, he asks, "but what if you regret marrying me
months or years from now?"
"I understand we're practically strangers," she starts. "But I think I don't
need to know all the details to glimpse the person you truly are. I can
infer your character simply by the way you treated me, my brother, and
enemies who attack your village. I'm sure we'll have our disagreements
but that's normal in any relationships and I'm certain we can work it
out." Taking a moment to collect her courage, she can feel a little blush
on her cheeks when she declares, "you're the kind of guy who wears
his heart on his sleeve, Naruto, and I don't think I'll regret being your
wife."
"…Wow," he eventually sounds. "First, I definitely wouldn't mistreat
you, but before you decide-"
"I've already decided," she flatly insists.
"I can't let you," he returns, surprising her some. "Not until you know
everything."
An image of a girl with a blank face pops into her mind, causing Temari
to ask, "you mean the woman you love?" At his nod, she voices,
"knowing politics like I do, I'd imagine they want your first wife to be
from Konoha." Naruto's raised eyebrows is confirmation enough, when
she adds, "don't look so shocked. It's not a hard assumption to make.
It's the smart play."
He seems resistant to the political landscape to her, and isn't surprised
when he asks, "is it weird that this seems so wrong? I think you're
amazing and I should be happy to be with you, but, I don't know.
Maybe I just don't like how forced it all is."
Chapter 378:
Temari smiles and resists a surprising urge to kiss him for his
sweetness. "You're an honorable person with integrity and values;
practically the opposite of a politician. It makes me happy to see how
worried you are for us; the potential wives," she adds with a joking
mirth to her voice. Naruto smiles as she informs him, "not so long ago,
marriages were often arranged to facilitate political or economical
needs more than anything else. Political marriages go against our
more modern beliefs of marrying for love but I know many examples of
arranged marriages leading to great happiness. My parents, actually."
"Really?"
Nodding, Temari quickly explains, "before my mother died, my parents
were very happy together. So much so I was shocked later when I
learned that they had an arranged marriage. So, even though this is
atypical, I know arranged marriages isn't a restriction on love or
happiness. If anything, it's just a path less traveled."
"Like a choice," Naruto asks, and Temari was getting the impression he
has experience choosing love rather than submitting to feeling all-
consuming love. "My sensei… thinks it's a choice," he remarks. "She
says if it were just a feeling, it would give us no accountability for our
actions."
Nodding in agreement, it suddenly dawns on Temari that she's looking
at her future husband—the man she will be sharing her bed, her home,
and her family for the rest of her life. She recalls a private conversation
with her mother. A young girl in two pigtails at the time, she remembers
she couldn't understand why her father was so cold. As she recalls her
precious mother's words, Temari recites for Naruto, "'love is patient and
kind. It doesn't envy, boast, or pride. It doesn't dishonor others, it's not
self-seeking, it's not easily angered, and it keeps no records of wrongs.
Love doesn't delight in evil, but rejoices in truth. It protects, trusts,
hopes, and always perseveres.' If that's not you, Uzumaki Naruto, I
don't know what love is."
The way his clear blue eyes soften for her, as if he sees to the heart of
her, Temari's heart beats a lot faster under his admiring gaze. Happily,
he communicates, "if that's how you really feel… okay." Then, as if
suddenly remembering, he adds, "I say okay, but I have to talk with my
lady first. We actually haven't spoken about all this yet."
"That's going to be a fun conversation," Temari teases, enjoying
Naruto's growing apprehension.
KURENAI
It's late in the evening and Kurenai's kitchen is silent and tense. After a
full day of interrogations, following every lead that might uncover
Orochimaru and Kabuto's network, Kurenai had very little time to think
about this morning or her crazy ideas. She told the Sandaime about
Hinata and Ino, but she failed to submit her own name. She thinks
herself weak for not being brave in the face of such scrutiny, however,
she hadn't planned to reveal her relationship with Naruto anytime soon,
let alone to the leader of her village.
Kurenai doesn't know what Temari will decide and Kurenai's mind goes
back and forth between opposing the Omiai or supporting it. At its core,
supporting it means they can all be together, while opposing it means
Naruto will choose her, which she would have to reject to avoid hurting
Hinata irrevocably. Her day was all questions and no answers, only to
come home to a man demanding answers from her.
Setting a cup of tea in front of him, Kurenai begins, "so, what did you
want to talk about?"
"The truth," Asuma replies, taking the cup and setting it to the side.
Standing rather than sitting, the casual gesture of placing the beverage
to side underlines to Kurenai how seriously he's taking this. Not that it
was the only indication that he was upset and barely holding it in. From
the moment Kurenai opened the front door for him, his shoulders were
squared, his jaw tense, and his brown eyes seemed hardened and
tired. Gone was the ease and affection of someone in love. Standing
before her now is someone on a mission.
"And what truth is that," Kurenai asks.
"Stop," Asuma slowly but forcefully says. "No games, no lies, no hiding.
I deserve the truth, and believe me, I get how hypocritical that sounds
after keeping you in the dark about the princess, but it's been months
already. If I mean anything to you, you'll be honest with me now."
"About my private life," Kurenai points out.
"Yes," he readily admits. "Because I still love you. And I want to be with
you. I thought you felt the same until… I saw the way he smiled at
you… the way you looked at him. It was like an epiphany went off in my
head, then pieces started coming together. I thought back to all the
times he's been around, the times you've been together, and how long
you've been so distant-"
"I haven't been distant-"
"I'm not an idiot, Kurenai," he cuts in. Trying to maintain eye contact,
Kurenai employs her mask of indifference as he continues. "Spending
all this time with him, the flower he gave you, Anko's shift in attitude;
from being worried about you, to suddenly being fine again, as if… as if
you've moved on. The way he protected you. It all paints a picture and
I'd appreciate it if you stop lying and tell me the truth." Though his face
is hard with his own mask, his voice is laced with his pain, and it nearly
breaks Kurenai's mask. "Have you… Why don't-" he hesitates to ask
but his eyes never waver as he continues. "Are you in love with
someone else?"
Asuma has always been direct in his suave and easy-going demeanor.
Though this is hurting them both, he's not running away. Not like she
did earlier in the Hokage's office. So Kurenai takes her stand now, and
answers simply, "yes."
"Is it Naruto?" When Kurenai doesn't respond, Asuma tightens his fist
as he asks louder, "are you in love with a sixteen-year-old boy?"
The judgment she's always feared stabs her right in the chest, but she
doesn't let it show as she tells him, "I've moved on, Asuma."
A crack in his mask, his eyebrows draw closer as he asks, "have you?
Or do you only think you have?"
With a huff, she retorts, "oh, don't. I'm not deluding myself-"
"This is our chance," Asuma calls out. Square-shouldered, standing up
straight, he emphasizes, "our chance… for the home, the marriage,
the children we've always wanted. I'm finally free to be with you, fully,
committed. I know you don't want me in the field anymore but we can
talk about that, together. The life we dreamed of… we can have that
now."
"I haven't just been waiting this entire time," Kurenai slowly responds.
Her own mask cracking, Kurenai nibbles on her lower lip before
asserting, "certainly, you made me feel safe when we were together
and we have a lot in common. You're strong and protective, handsome,
kind, and thoughtful. If nothing changed, I feel like we would've
married, had a child, and if you quit fieldwork, grow old together raising
our son or daughter. I'm sure I would've been happy."
"Nothing's changed," he implores. "We can still have that."
Thinking of her old self, Kurenai had no other response but, "no,
Asuma. Everything's changed."
Slowly placing his palms on the kitchen island between them, he leans
forward as he argues, "no, you still love me. I know you do."
"You're my first love," she readily admits. "And will always have a place
in my heart, but I've made the choice to move on to a larger picture and
I don't see myself going back anymore. The world is bigger now, my
will is stronger, and I can't see myself as the same girl you knew."
His eyes sharpen and his lips flatten in a terse line before he demands
to know, "is it Naruto?"
"Asuma-"
"Stop toying with me and answer the question!"
Chapter 379:
Asuma realized his own elevated emotions and takes a step back with
a deep calming breath. As he calms down, Kurenai may or may not
have answered the question but they both sense someone walking
onto her property. Kurenai's gut immediately shrivels to the size of a
bean when the individual's chakra has the clearance to enter her
home. Her blond love, looking dashing in his new look, enters the living
space before spotting her and Asuma in the kitchen.
"Hey guys," Naruto cheerfully calls out with a wave.
Asuma seems to have lost his composure as he turns to Naruto like a
predator does on prey and Kurenai rushes to move ahead of him,
moving between them as she calls out, "Asuma."
He stops a couple of feet in front of Naruto with Kurenai slightly to the
side between them and asks the blond, "do you know what you've
done?"
Like a fish out of water, Naruto is looking curiously lost between them
as he slowly answers the stern man, "uh, what's going on?"
"Asuma, don't," Kurenai warns. "This has nothing to do with him."
He doesn't even look at her as he quickly responds, "doesn't it? Pretty
sure it has everything to do with him."
With squinted eyes, Naruto voices, "uh, did I miss something?"
"No," Kurenai answers, her red eyes planted on the gruff Jōnin in
warning as she adds, "Asuma was just leaving."
Staying put and still ignoring her, Asuma returns, "you had your chance
to tell me the truth. So let's ask Naruto."
"Ask me what?"
"Asuma!"
"Are you and Kurenai in love with each other?"
The immediate silence is deafening. With raised eyebrows, Naruto's
face is stunned into a panicked and guilty countenance, and it's all the
confirmation Asuma needs. His response is even less convincing. "Uh,
what? N-no," Naruto tries miserably. "W-what would ever-"
His large chest intakes air sharply and his brows crease angrily as he
glares down at the blond. Losing all patience, Kurenai's had enough,
interjecting, "it's okay, Naruto."
In an attempt to cope with the betrayal, he takes out his pack of
cigarettes as he asks her, "oh, is it-"
"Stop," she interrupts. "You and I have haven't been official in over a
year and have been completely through seven months ago. Whatever
the reason, no matter the circumstances, I've moved on. It's time you
do the same."
Glaring at her, he vindictively retorts, "sorry, not into children."
"Woah," an offended Naruto hollers. "Don't think for one second this
'child' can't kick your ass."
Returning angry eyes of her own, Kurenai demands he, "please leave."
Asuma returns his ire on the blond as he asks, "we were going to get
married, Naruto. Did you know that? Did you know we talked about
having children and sharing our lives together in this very house? The
house her parents left for her." Before an alert Naruto can even
answer, Asuma demands to know, "do you really think someone like
you—you… a genin, a child—can give her a better life than I can?"
"Hey," Kurenai calls, stepping in front of him. "I asked you to leave."
"Sure, Kurenai," he gruffly answers, chuckling in humorless
amusement before lighting a cigarette. He takes a drag before
declaring, "let me just hear it from Naruto."
Standing beside Kurenai, Naruto repeats, "she asked you to leave-"
"No, no, no," the Jōnin interjects. "Let me hear how you're going to love
and care for her for the rest of her life. Tell me this isn't some sort of
sad fling between miserable people. I'm ready to love her, marry her,
take care of her and our family for the rest of my life. Can you tell me
the same thing?"
"Yeah, I can," he declares. Turning to her, he adds, "I don't think I've
ever loved a woman more."
When a softness graces her eyes, Asuma tells her, "you're a
disappointment," before turning to Naruto and adding, "both of you."
Before Kurenai can say more he walks around them and leaves the
house, slamming the door behind him. After the walls stop shaking,
Kurenai exhales before plopping her weary form on the couch.
Taking it all in for several seconds, Naruto sits on the coffee table in
front of her and simply waits. She's leaning back with her hands
covering her eyes and nose as she processes the madness capping
her incredibly long day. Aware that Naruto is here for her but not
pushing, Kurenai voices through her fingers, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you I
was with Asuma before you."
"It's cool," she hears and senses that he means it. "I mean it's
shocking, but, it doesn't change how I feel about you."
Removing her hands and leaning forward, leaving only a few inches
between their faces. It's amazing how happy she instantly begins
feeling just at the sight of his strong, expressive, and support eyes.
Kurenai feels comfortable around him, asking with a hopeful
innocence, "do you really love me?"
She loves his cocky smile as he responds, "without a doubt."
Looking away a moment to wipe a bit of moisture from her eye, she
drags Naruto to sit beside her on the couch. Once she's comfortably
snug against him, she slowly asks, "and the Omiai?"
She feels him shrug as he asks, "what about it? If you're not down,
then it's not even an option."
Feeling at peace with his response, and after this confrontation, she's
sensed her evolution more acutely than ever before. Kurenai truly does
feel apart of something bigger than herself with Naruto and it excites
her to know the future will be brighter in Naruto's life, than not. Now
that Asuma knows, she has to assume others will find eventually out;
Hinata and her teammates specifically. Kurenai feels like she's on the
clock, and quickly makes plans for tomorrow. She isn't sure who
Asuma will talk to, she simply hopes she has enough time to alert
those closest to her first.
In the spirit of tomorrow, Kurnai asks a distracted Naruto, "Temari-chan
agreed to the Omiai, hasn't she?"
Continuing to rub her round rump in a circular motion, Naruto replies,
"huh? Oh, yeah. How'd you know?"
"Because it's you," she lightly answers, turning to press her chest more
into him. Kurenai's sure they haven't had dinner yet, but nourishment is
forgotten in favor of her favorite meat-stuffing as she adds, "and I'd say
yes too."
Tilting his dazed eyes to look at her directly, he asks for clarity, "really?"
With her smiling nod, Naruto's foggy brain then asks, "uuuh, does that
mean what I think it means?"
Placing her hand on his rapidly arising members, she assures him, "it
means I'm all in Uzumaki Naruto. You, me, and anything life has to
offer."