And The Pain Ends

First I say I'm sorry to all those out there who have been waiting for my next update work has kept me very busy and i work in an apartment building for disabled people so when i get hom i'm too tired to do too much.

Also, a big shout out for Wolfboy1988 thanks so much for your reveiw and not even i'm sure how this will end but i promise in the end you will have a warm fuzzy feeling even if you haven't gotten there yet.

On with the chapter....
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Taku was back in the darkness but this time she was holding hands with Naruto. "Taku why am I here I remember laying down in my bed and then I'm here holding your hand. What's going on?" At this point two more glowing forms come out of the darkness. Yondaime and Hitomi stood there in front of them.

"I think at this point I can explain that better than my daughter can Naruto. Hello my darling daughter and my dear little brother." They all hugged each other and sat down cross legged. Naruto had a tell tale glitter in his eyes that were a sure sign of building tears. "I'm going to have to speak for your mother tonight Takumari because she is using all her strength to keep us with you guys as long as possible. Now it seems Takumari wanted you to see us so much Naruto that she used her mother's blood limit.

You see their family is famous for the ability to invade the dreams of others and to bring others into their own dreams. Normally it isn't a very effective trait but I think in this case it came in very useful." He hugged Naruto again. "I can't believe my baby brother has grown up so much." Yondaime and Hitomi smiled and looked both teens over. The rest of the dream was spent with them telling Yondaime about the lives they had lived so far. Too soon though the dream faded into the nothingness that came just before dawn.


Taku slowly woke once again to the birds chirping outside her window. She yawned and then noticed that her shirt had ridden up in her sleep as well as a certain persons hand. Taku looked down and blushed seeing Chouji’s hand laying across her chest. Taku slipped out of his arms as quietly as she could before getting up and changing into herr training outfit. She walked downstairs and pulled some random food out of the cabinets and refrigerator. She started by frying some bacon and making some biscuits from scratch.

After the bacon was fried she used the grease and some flour to make a nice white gravy. She put the biscuits in the oven and grabbed some eggs and cracked them into a bowl where she used a whisk to scramble them. She pulled out another pan and melted some butter on it so the eggs wouldn't stick then poured the bowlful in. Chouji came in on his cue right when breakfast was done. Taku decided not to mention the position she woke up in this morning as a silent breakfast commenced. They were both still tired from staying up too late last night. Bandit crawled down the stairs and lazily ate the breakfast she sat out for him before crawling on her shoulder and falling back asleep. Taku got up and said her goodbyes to Chouji.

"Alright love, I'm heading out to pick up Naruto and I think I will go by and see if Hinata can train with us today. Hey Chouji let's invite everyone back here for lunch today." He agreed and she ran out the door while he worked on cleaning the dishes. Taku started out her day by running to the Hyuuga compound. The guard at the gate stopped her asking her business. "I came to see if Hinata was available to train with Naruto and me today. Can you please ask for me?" The guard walked off and you leaned against the gate to wait. Bandit lifted his head up and looked at Taku with a bored expression on his face.

Soon Hinata came out to join you and they both headed over to Naruto's house to wake him up. To their surprise by the time you got there he was locking his door and heading out to find Taku. It seemed Taku took longer at Hinata's house than she thought. They all headed out to the training grounds and she decided the first thing she would do there was have her first sparring match with Naruto to see how much her training had helped. Hinata would stand by and stop the match if either one of the two got a little too excited about it.

Taku and Naruto stood facing each other in a fighting stance. The battle began. Naruto made the first move running at her head on like he normally did. Taku did a back flip over him and turned just in time to avoid a roundhouse kick aimed at her head. When she ducked down she lifted up her leg to kick him in the back and it connected. Naruto skidded on the ground and stopped just before hitting a tree. The battle went on like this for a while. Naruto the used his clone Justus and this woke bandit up who had been sleeping on Taku’s backpack during this time. He jumped in and she used a Justus to turn him to about ten times his size. Bandit helped her get rid of the clones as she tried to target Naruto. Taku noticed him in a tree about ten feet away and then she pulled out four Kunai and threw them just in time to pin her uncle to the tree.

At this point Hinata called the match off. She knew they both could have continued but they had been at it for a while now and if they continued they might not have the energy she needed to train. Naruto went to his side of the field as Taku pulled Hinata over to hers. Hinata helped Taku train her body to be more flexible until it was getting close to lunch time. Taku then extended the invitation for lunch and they all ran to Chouji’s house to get things ready.

Naruto worked on setting the table while Taku and Hinata made special rice balls that looked like all their friends. Soon everyone came to the house and complimented her and Hinata on their accomplishment. The lunch conversation was filled with good humor and laughter. After the meal was over and Chouji and Naruto were cleaning the dishes there was a knock at the door. Taku opened the door to see the Hokage's messenger. He told them all that they were all needed in the Hokage's office where a four day mission awaited them. He told them to pack what they needed before coming because they would need to leave immediately.

When they got to the Hokage's office they all bowed to her setting their packs on the floor. "Hello my chunin." Tsundae began to speak with a smile. "Today you will be taking a c level mission to escort someone back the her home village in the land of lightning. You are to escort her home and make sure she gets there safely in time for her seventeenth birthday in two days. Now without further ado I shall present to you the princess Naomi." (Her name means above all, beauty.) A young girl walked into the room wearing a silver kimono with a rose design and a veil. She nodded her head to the group and they all bowed.

"I would like to thank you all for agreeing to take me home safely. It is an honor for me to be accompanied by such skilled shinobi." Naomi smiled at them all. Her voice was so polite and sweet it sounded like the song of the freest bird to her ears. Taku was the first to regain your senses and tell her the true honor was to be allowed to escort her. She sent Shikamaru as the leader of the group. Chouji, Ino, Naruto and Taku were sent as the basic body guards, and Hinata was sent because she was now an accomplished healer and it never hurt to have one along on any mission. Soon you had all began their journey to the land of lightning. When your group hit the borders of Konaha they all noticed someone was following them. Shikamaru looked back through all the shinobi and they all gave him a slight nod letting him know they knew. Even Naruto had picked up that they were being followed.

They walked along the road ever vigilant. Soon enough they were attacked by a group of about twenty robbers. They were not ninja, just common people who decided to loot, pillage, and murder for a living. After Shikamaru’s nod it only took the four of them twenty seconds to slit the throats of every single bandit. Taku then used an earth moving Justus you had learned to make a grave for the robbers. They put up twenty markers to show that the men were buried here and then started back on their way. At this point Taku was glad that she had left bandit with Tsundae while she was on this mission, because Shikamaru yet again turned around and they all gave him a nod signaling that they knew the follower was still there. Taku knew this person was strong and would not be as easily dispatched as the bandits.

When it was time for dinner Hinata, Ino, Naomi, and you put together a wonderful stew for them all. As it sat there cooking, while the men (and I use that word lightly) of the group sat around the fire, Naomi told them about herself. "You see it is a custom in my country for the female royalty to marry a shinobi from a different village, on our eighteenth birthday. This way our parents can be sure we are always cared for. I was in Konaha to meet my betrothed for the first time, we have our marriages decided from birth and each generation marries a Shinobi from a different village. My generation was lucky enough to get the Konaha shinobi."

Unable to stand the suspense Ino spoke up, "So, from the day you were born your parents made a deal with the parents of a young boy who is now a Konaha shinobi that you would get married with him on your eighteenth birthday and your seventeenth birthday is just days from now, and you only met him for the first time three days ago! Okay, I can't stand it any longer. Who is the guy!?" All the girls giggled at Ino's antics. Taku knew it wasn't her fault she was impatient her parents should have taught her to be a little more calm. Then again Taku knew the insane impatience and animal instincts was the reason Kiba was attracted to Ino.

"Well, I was getting to that Ino. You see the man I was betrothed to is none other than your friend Shino. I must say I was very pleased with him. He is strong, silent, yet still a very caring and wise person." Everyone sat there thinking a while before Naruto asked why she wore the veil. "It's another custom in my country to never allow an unmarried woman's face to be seen by anyone but her fiancée. But after the marriage the veil will come off." Finally the food was done and Taku got up to pass bowls around to everyone. All the guys instantly complimented them (as in all the girls) on their cooking skills. After dinner Shikamaru spoke up.

"The sun has just set. There are no clouds in the sky and we are all pretty much bored. How about a little entertainment before bed. Taku we haven't heard you sing since the festival. Would you do us the honor?" Taku caught on to his plan immediately, it was time to catch the stalker who had been following them since they left Konaha's boundaries. Taku decided it would be a good idea to get the rest of the girls in on the plan.

"I would Shikamaru but a simple song doesn't seem enough especially without music. If only we had some instruments." The princess then pulled a flute and lute looking thing (like a mini guitar) out of her pack. She explained because of her veil she couldn't play the flute and Ino jumped at the chance because she loved to play. Taku then took all the girls to the other side of the clearing to plan it out. "Okay girls we will now be catching our stalker." The princess looked up in surprise. You were whispering so no one but the other girls could hear you.

"Naomi we didn't wish to alarm you but we have been followed since leaving the Konaha boundaries. Anyway we will perform Butterfly and while you and Ino play Hinata and I will dance and sing the part. Okay now we will use these folded sheets to dance with and to hide the Kunai. At the last string of the song Hinata and I will release ten chakra butterflies and four Kunai. This will distract the person and pin them down making a capture for us. Are we all set?" Taku then explained the dance steps to Hinata who blushes furiously knowing this would mean getting very close to Naruto.

Hinata takes off her jacket leaving only her black undershirt and fishnet on. You of course are wearing your training outfit. You all walked over and got into position so the performance could begin. (Just so I don't interrupt the song for you every line every time you say Ay, iyaiyai Hinata and Taku dance in circles around each other then when it get to where's my samurai they are each other back to back or cheek to cheek with your hand above your eyes as if blocking out the sun to look. During the part that says I'm your little butterfly they are dancing and twirling around all the boys who are still sitting in the circle around the fire.

Finally when the verses happen is when the embarrass Hinata plan comes in and they get close to the guys. First verse they do the looking thing switching back and forth for the first line then on the second line they prance around the circle stopping behind each girl’s chosen man. Taku-Chouji Hinata-Naruto. Third line girls put hands on boys shoulders. Fourth line runs hands down arms feeling the muscles. Fifth line pokes both cheeks with index fingers. Sixth line they hug the males neck..

Dance moves for verse 2: line one run to closest tree doing looking motions. Line two appear on lowest branch still doing looking motions. Line three Run back to chosen guy. Line four hand on shoulder and circle to front of guy. Line five down to knees head in males lap. Line six hands circle neck from front in a hug. Then they get up to dance around the circle again. There dance moves explained and yes I made this up and it took a while. Needless to say though that both of the guys blush really bad during the verse parts. Man am I cruel to them or what?)
Ay, iyaiyai,
Ay, iyaiyai
A-a-a iyaiyai,
Where's my samurai


I've been searching for a man
All across Japan
Just to find, to find my samurai
Someone who is strong
But still a little shy
Yes I need, I need my samurai

Ay, ay, ay, I'm your little butterfly
Green, black and blue,
Make the colors in the sky
Ay, ay, ay, I'm your little butterfly
Green, black and blue, Make the colors in the sky

I've been searching in the woods
And high upon the hills
Just to find, to find my samurai
Someone who won't regret
To keep me in his net
Yes I need, I need my samurai

Ay, ay, ay,
I'm your little butterfly
Green, black and blue,
Make the colors in the sky
Ay, ay, ay, I'm your little butterfly
Green, black and blue,
Make the colors in the sky

Ay, iyaiyai,
Ay, iyaiyai
A-a-a iyaiyai,
Where's my samurai

Ay, iyaiyai,
Ay, iyaiyai
A-a-a iyaiyai.

Ay, ay, ay, I'm your little butterfly
Green, black and blue,
Make the colors in the sky
Ay, ay, ay, I'm your little butterfly
Green, black and blue,
Make the colors in the sky
Ay, ay, ay, I'm your little butterfly
Green, black and blue,
Make the colors in the sky Ay, ay, ay, I'm your little butterfly
Green, black and blue,
Make the colors in the sky

Ay, iyaiyai,
Ay, iyaiyai
A-a-a iyaiyai,
Where's my samurai

Ay, iyaiyai,
Ay, iyaiyai
A-a-a iyaiyai, Where's my samurai

Ay, ay, ay, I'm your little butterfly
Green, black and blue,
Make the colors in the sky


As the last chord was played everything went as planned. The stalker had come closer thinking they were all off guard and got himself pinned to a tree by eight kunai which were masked by the release of twenty chakra butterflies. Instantly, everyone was looking straight at him and Shikamaru got up from his seat to jump up to where our formerly unknown stalker was pinned. "Alright what is a anubu member of Konaha doing following us around." The nameless anubu then explained that he was there to test your skills. He had been sent by Tsundae to watch and attack when you were off guard to see if their skills were past chunin level yet. It was then agreed that the stalker would spend the night as their prisoner. Taku tied him to a pole and she volunteered to sit there and feed him. She lifted up his mask just enough to uncover his mouth.

"Why are you all being so nice to me?" He asked this between spoonfuls of the stew. "I mean I am your prisoner and you did catch me stalking you. Why would you treat me so well? I don't understand it." Taku smiled at him.

"You may be our prisoner but that is only so you don't decide to attack us tonight when we really need our rest to finish this mission. We can tell that you aren't lying because a few of us here have become really good lie detectors over the years, myself included. You may be our prisoner for the night but tomorrow you will be released to make your way back to Konaha to give your report to Tsundae. It's not as if you were a foe because if you were you would be lying on the ground dead like those bandits back there. You are our ally so you deserve to be treated with more respect than the average prisoner."

After the bowl was empty he thanked you and her and she pulled down his mask. Then she and the others met at the fire ten feet from the prisoner to make out the schedules for the watch and sleeping arrangements. Naomi had already went to her tent to sleep. Shikamaru began to speak, "Well we need to stand watch in pairs tonight since Chouji and Taku are the only full couple we know about here they will sleep in the same tent and take the first watch. Second watch, and second tent will go to Naruto and Hinata who seemed very close during the dance." Taku giggled happy that she got Shikamaru to get in on her plan. "Ino and I will get the last watch before dawn and will have our own tents. Alright, let's get some sleep everyone."

Taku and Chouji sat in front of the fire on the same side the prisoner was on. "Chouji, today was a very eventful day wasn't it? I'm almost sorry it's soon to be over." She leaned over and kissed him. Soon they were both enveloped in a passionate kiss. The anubu saw this as his chance to try and escape slowly his hand started to inch toward his weapons pouch. Taku and Chouji caught the movement out of the corner of their eyes and threw two kunai knifes each. They landed on each side of his hand edges toward his skin. That and the ropes effectively pinned his hands so they couldn't move even a centimeter. "Tsk, tsk, tsk, very naughty mister anubu. We never let our guard down you should have learned this by now. Sometimes I wonder what they teach kids in school these days." They both laughed at the fact that they were the kids she was talking about. The rest of their watch went by uneventful and Taku went to wake up the next watch team. Chouji stayed guarding the prisoner.

"You know Chouji you are a very lucky man. She is a wonderful woman. Take very good care of her Chouji." He nodded as Taku came back with Hinata and Naruto. They both lay down in the tent and cuddled up waiting for the morning to come so they could finish their mission.