True Self, New Self

I'm baaaaaack!

No I didn't drown in the onsen, I came back a week ago actually, but it seems that I can't leave the office for two weeks without it turning into a complete and total chaos. Besides that, the story decided to take a vacation too and refused to cooperate. Since it is writting itself, I couldn't do anything about it. But here you go!

Review Answers:

Savin-me: Yep, I'm really greatful for the idea! And he was really lucky indeed, ne?

HellzAngel: Yup I imagine that very often too, maybe I watched to much Ranma 1/2 and Love Hina...

Hello: It was really funny indeed!

Fourthiv: Usually, I can't put together enough ideas to write more than 15 chapters, but somehow I managed to come up with this, and I'm sure it will have more than 20 chapters. But I love your oneshots so much! They are all so great! *munchs on cookie*

sam: Foursome? Mmmm... I don't think I'll do that, but let me think about it.

trulywicked: Glad you liked it!! I like the ideas for your pairings, thank you trulywicked-chan!

feisu: Yes it was way too cute! *hugs feisu* mmm... comfy!

Andrea: Here are more chapters for you!

tata: Ohhh... the mystery!

pwnd: Glad to help! I have three more chapters for inner pwnd! Hope you forgive me for being away so long.

Izzy: Thank you!!

Shika172: Thanks for the ideas!!

not telling: Thank you *cries* it is so nice of you to say so!

PinkLady: Wow, one sitting? That's amazing!

feisu: Hey my cookies!! Ohh don't worry about it, I'll make more.

HellzAngel: Thanks!

MissMayumi: Miss ya too!

Hello: Thanks!

pwnd: The three chapters are your birthday present. And there is a special something for you at the end of the third chapter, so look forward to it!

KyuubiGurl: Thanks!

jirda: Thanks! I work hard to keep people interested in it!

Rho: Wow... your pic is amazing!! Can I pleeeease post the link to it in a chapter? Don't worry about the background, it is all great!


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True Self, New Self.


Chapter 15: Welcome Back.



[Otogakure. Orochimaru's Office. Sasuke's POV]

"Why did you call me?"

"Oh Sasuke-kun, do you have everything ready for your mission?"

"Yes, me and my...team," I say the last word with clear distaste,"are ready to leave for Konoha's Chuunin exam, disguising ourselves as Grass Nins."

"And what's your objective?"

'Like you don't know.'

"To gather information about Konoha's current situation to facilitate the invasion at the end of this year."

"Good. Now come here."

"For what?"

"To play of course."

I can't help but smirk, his tone of voice gives up what he truly means with that. He's a fool if he thinks that I will follow every order he gives me.

"Why? Got bored of fucking Kabuto? Well I can't blame you, he always looked to me like a frigid bitch. Unfortunately for you, I'm not your lapdog, and I don't want to be your fuck toy either. Now if you excuse me, I'm leaving." I say turning around and leaving the office and an angry snake behind. By the time he gets over the initial shock, I will be long gone.

'He can go and fuck himself for all that I care, literally if he wants.'


[Meanwhile in Konoha, Naruto is meeting his friends outside the Hokage Tower.]

"Sorry for the wait."

"What took you so long, fox-boy?"

"Yes, of what were you and Tsunade-sama talking about?" Asked Sakura.

"Not much, really. Small things like where I was going to stay."

"That's something important fox-boy! Your apartment was sold, right?"

"If Naruto-kun doesn't have somewhere to stay, you can live in the Hyuuga compound if you want. I don't think that otousan will refuse, right Neji-niisan?"

"True."

"That's very nice of you Hinata-chan, but I already have somewhere to stay, arigato gozaimasu."

"Oh, ok then."

"So where are we going?"

"We're going to a new sushi place, my father told me that it is very good." Answered Choji.

"Sushi? That sounds great!"

"Naruto-niichan?"

"Yes Yuki-chan?"

"What is sushi?" (Insert general anime fall here!)

"That's right, you never ate sushi before, ne? Well you will see when we get there, I assure you that you will like it."

"Ok!" He said grinning.

'Kuso, that face is going to get him in troubles...'

"Kyaaaa! Kawaii!" Ino and Sakura squealed while glomping the life out of his body.

'Knew it... I'm sorry Yuki, but you will have to get out of that problem by yourself, with those looks, you will have to learn how to deal with fan girls as soon as possible.' I say mentally sweat dropping.

"Poor boy, he has a troublesome live ahead."

And all the boys present just nods their heads.

"Speaking of troublesome things... The Neji fan club and the Yaoi fan club are following us." Said Kiba nervously watching and sniffing around.

"But we have new additions," Said Neji, with his Byakugan activated,"There are some girls and boys that I never saw following us before."

"I guess that the fox-boy is getting himself his own fan club."

"Kuso... not that annoying things again..."

"So, you had encounters with that devil spawns before?"

"Too many times for my liking actually."

"Girls, we have a RFG case going on, care to cover us while we escape?"

"No prob, we will take care of them. Ok, anti-RFG formation."

'Wow, they have a plan for this cases? I wonder just how many times they were stalked before they came up with it...'

The girls and the boys that weren't being stalked formed a circle around Neji, Kiba, Shino and me. They made three Kage Bunshins, that henged into us. After that, we used the teletransportation jutsu to go to the roof tops.

We followed our friends from there, and watched how the poor clones were trapped and dragged away by their fans, before they disappeared in a poof of smoke. Thankfully, the rest of the trip to the sushi store went without incidents.

Like so many times since I returned to Konoha, I'm standing before a restaurant I never saw before. It is small, to tell the truth, we will fill it on our own. Thankfully, it is empty, so we will all fit in.

"Oh my! What wonderful customers just entered my humble restaurant. The heir of the Hyuuga clan, the ANBU captain Hyuuga-sama, the heir of the Akimichi clan, the heir of the Nara clan, our dear boy from the Inuzuka clan, Hokage-sama's apprentice Haruno-san, the heir of the Yamanaka clan, the heir of the Aburame clan, Konoha's taijutsu master and Konoha's own weapon master Tenten-san. And their wonderful friends! To what do I owe the honor to have such distinguished people in my restaurant?"

"We came here to celebrate to return of our dear friend Naruto!" Lee announced happily. But happily wasn't the way the restaurant owner received the news of who was one of the wonderful friends with his distinguished customers, if the hateful glare I received from him was any indication. I just hope that nothing bad happens.

"So, what will you order?"

"Mmmmmm... lets order everything from the menu, what do you think guys?" Choji said.

"That's great, but I have a better idea, could you please prepare a plate with all the different kinds of sushi you have for each person?"

"Sure, no problem."

After gathering all the tables into one big one to fit all of us, we started chatting about random things.

"So, I see that you and Sakura finally got together. I'm happy for you Lee!"

"Yeah, thanks to you! When you told me to keep trying and don't give up, I got the courage to continue."

"Don't thank me, it was all your doing. I'm just glad that Sakura saw what a good guy you are at the end."

"Yes, Lee is a very sweet and caring boyfriend and he respects me as a person and a kunoichi. I still wonder why I didn't notice him before."

"Well I do, for the same reason I didn't notice Shikamaru before. After Sasuke left I really saw him for the first time and decided for getting him!"

'So, Sasuke's leaving has a bright side after all.'

"So it was Ino the one to ask you out Shikamaru?"

"It got too troublesome to keep turning her down after some time..."

"Yeah, yeah love you too lazy ass."

"And Kiba and Shino together. Well, there is something I never saw coming. You two are like fire and water if you ask me."

"We all were surprised with that as well. The loudmouth with the quiet guy! It seems that opposites do attract sometimes."

"Well, he's not always that quiet, you should hear him when we AUCH!" Kiba screamed, while a single bug crawled down his hand and back to Shino.

"I think Kiba, that you were speaking more than the necessary. Right Shino?," I say grinning, and Shino nods his answer, like usual,"Well, changing the subject, I must admit as well that I'm very impressed with the ranks you have. You surely are very good!"

"Well, you are very good as well Naruto."

"I must remind you that I'm still a genin Sakura."

"You may be a genin, but only because you missed the chuunin exams the past five years!"

"Come on, don't be like that, give yourself some credit fox-boy!"

"Yeah, everyone here saw your fight against me. You won without using any jutsu, any weapon and without hitting me even once! That are not the skills of a genin, they are the skills of an ANBU captain like Neji."

"I think that even Neji-niisan will have some problems fighting Naruto-kun. After all, when he fight you he couldn't move freely, because he was wearing a kimono. Right Neji-niisan?"

"Even if I don't want to admit it, it is true. Now that you mention the Chuunin exams, are you going to participate this year?"

"Yes, Tsunade-neechan sign me up for them."

"In that case I will suggest your name to become an ANBU to my superiors. I'm sure they will let you in."

"And it also means that all of us are going to see you in one moment or another, because we're part of the examiners for this year tests!

"But don't think we will go easy one you because you're our friend!"

"I will never dream of that."

After that, I mainly talked with Kiba, who was sitting by my side and bombarding me with questions about my trips. When the food arrived and everyone started eating, I just kept talking with Kiba, without eating anything from my plate. I just hope no one notice it.

"Hey Naruto, why aren't you eating? If you don't want it, I will eat it!" Kiba say while stealing a roll from my plate.

"Wait Kiba! You really don't want to eat that."

"Why?"

"Come on, you're a member of the Inuzuka clan, smell it and tell me if you notice something."

I was receiving curious looks from everyone in table.

"Are you serious?"

"Just do it."

Kiba put the roll under his nose and quickly sniffed it, right before throw it as far away as he could.

"What's the matter Kiba-kun?"

Kiba took my plate and smell it too, before it went through the same fate the first roll had.

"All of the sushi in Naruto's plate is rotten!"

"WHAT?" Came the collective exclamation of my friends.

"Don't worry about it guys, it happened all the time. Why do you think I only ate at Ichikaru's?"

"Sir, please come here." Said Neji with a rather calm voice, even if I can see in his eyes a great deal of repressed anger.

"Hyuuga-sama, is something wrong?"

"Would you care to explain us why Naruto's sushi is rotten?" Asked Hinata, her white eyes glinting with something I never thought I would live to see in my whole life, cold and unadulterated fury.

The man fidgeted under the angry looks of all my friends, he must feel like he's trapped, and trapped people are dangerous and do rush things, but in this case, that could work against him. He finally snapped and threw the knife he was holding at me. I don't even flinch and before the knife even got close to me, Kiba caught it.

"Why are you protecting that monster?! He's not human, he doesn't have feelings! He's just a ruthless assassin, he killed my daughter! He's a demon that should be exterminated!"

'Baaaaaad move...'

The repressed anger and the killing aura flared around my friends in an almost visible way. This is so bad...

"How can you blame Naruto of that?! He was a newborn when Kyuubi attacked! It was not his fault what happened that day, he didn't do anything. The only thing he did was sacrifice himself so the rest of us could live, he's an hero!" Ino said, trembling with anger.

"Don't you dare to say that Naruto-kun is not human. He's more human that you or any of the villagers. You beated up a child, a small child that couldn't defend himself. And you call yourselves human?, don't make me laugh!"

"How can you say that he doesn't have feelings. He's more filled of youthful spirit and emotions that any of us!"

"Even if I was his teammate for a short period of time, I can assure you that Naruto has feelings. He's a good boy, sweet, caring and sincere. He's a great man and a respectable ninja. The only monsters here are the villagers that treated Naruto the way they did."

"Even if Naruto was a demon, he never did something that make him deserving of extermination. If there is someone that deserves that, is you people. Naruto has all the right to claim revenge for the way he was treated, but he won't do it. He loves this village and the people in it. And even if he did wanted to take revenge, I think that non of us will move a finger to even try to stop him, personally I think I will help him." Kiba growled.

"Minna...(Everyone...)"

"This is too troublesome, lets go. And you," Shikamaru said pointing to the scared man, "word about Naruto being back must never leave your mouth, or you will hear from us again."

When we stood up, I tried to pay the man for the sushi, after all I don't want to give him more reasons to hate me, but Shino stopped me. We all left the restaurant quietly, but my friends are still altered about it.

"Naruto, I'm sorry you had to go through this. It was supposed to be a happy celebration."

"Don't worry about it Neji. When people lose something important to them, they feel weak. They couldn't protect that something dear to them, and they blame themselves. But after a short time, they realize they couldn't do anything about it, and search for the responsible of their loses. If they can't find him in person, they turn their anger to the nearest thing to that person, like a familiar or a friend. In Kyuubi's case, the only thing that is close enough to him is me. I'm not Kyuubi, true, but I was his vessel. If they curse me, hurt me, Kyuubi will know. They throw their anger and sorrow at me, and that's how they find peace. I don't blame them."

With that, the atmosphere around us finally became less tense. They know that I'm telling the truth, and they can't deny it.

"I think... that we should keep Naruto-kun's arrival a secret for the time being. No one has to know yet. Naruto deserves to live peacefully inside his home village at least for a little bit longer."

"This is going to be too troublesome, but I agree. Sakura, go inform Tsunade-sama about this. Make a ninja file for Fumetsu Kaji and add it to the village's records."

"Roger!" She said before leaving.

"For the rest of us, just keep in mind how we should call Naruto, we must use that name always, unless we're a 100% sure that no one is hearing us. And Shino, keep an eye on your boyfriend. Remember Kiba, do not call him fox-boy."

"Hey I don't need to be watched over! I can remember something important like that."

"There's a difference between remembering something and actually doing it."

Kiba pouted and everyone laughed, everything is all right again.

"So Naruto, where are you staying?"

"At my parent's house."

"Your parent's house? If I remember well you were an orphan and nobody knew your parents..." Ino pointed up.

"True, true. Both my parents died the same day I was born. But everyone knows my father."

"Everyone knows your father Naruto-kun? Who was him?"

"It was Yondaime-sama, am I right Naruto?"

"As sharp as ever, right Shikamaru?"

"Naruto's father... was Yondaime? But how nobody knew about it? It is almost impossible that the villagers didn't know that their Hokage was married and that his wife was with child! Things would have been so different if the villagers knew who was your father!"

"There are many chances of that Ino, but my father didn't wanted that future for me. If the villagers knew about my heritage, I would have been pampered and spoiled. At the end, I will be unable to take care of myself, I would be a useless spoiled brat. Also, my father wanted me to be seen as an hero for what I did, even if that back shoot. If the truth was known, I will carry a life similar to Konohamaru's, I would never been seen as myself, but as Yondaime's son, and everything I ever achieve won't be because of my own hard work, but because I'm his son. Do you see my point?"

"Wow, I feel like I don't know you at all. You act so different from the Naruto I knew. It will be easier to call you Kaji, because you truly are a different person."

"Naruto-kun is very intelligent."

"Thank you Hinata. And don't worry Kiba, I'm still the same, the only thing is that I dropped the stupid blond act, no offense there Ino."

"Don't worry. But that doesn't answer how no one knew that the Hokage was married"

"There is a very simple reason for that. My mother was a ninja from Amegakure, and when she left with my father she was cataloged as a missing-nin. If someone knew that my mother was in Konoha, it will risk a war because we were hiding a missing-nin. My father knew that, and so did my mother, so they kept their marriage and their child a secret from everyone except some close friends, namely Jiraiya and Tsunade."

"So, Kaji! Need any help moving your things from the inn?" Kiba said, clearly trying to change the topic.

"I don't think so, but if you want to come along, then you can."

"I'll go! It isn't everyday you can go to Yondaime's house."

"We will go to, right Shino?" Kiba asked his boyfriend, who just nodded.

"I have to go prepare everything to go to Suna, so I'm afraid I won't be able to go."

"Do you remember everything I told you?"

"Yes, do not worry. I will make it work, trust me."

"I trust you. Now go." He nodded and left in a swirl of leaves.

"Why is he going to Suna again anyway? It is the... what? The fifty time in less that three months? And all the times he has to go see the Kazekage one way or another."

"He has his reasons Kiba-kun." Hinata say with a knowing smile, she knows something I don't. I will ask her later.

"Hinata-san, are you coming too?"

"Sure Naruto-kun."

"I have to go now, I got something to do, ja ne!"

"Ok Shikamaru, ja ne!"

"I have to go too, I promised my father I will train with him today." Choji said before leaving.

"I have a mission, so I must leave too."

"Take care Tenten."

"Don't worry, I will."

With that, the group that left the Hokage tower saw itself be reduced by the half.

"Ok then, Ino, Kiba, Shino, Hinata and Lee, follow me!"

The first stop was at the inn, so I could pick up my bags. Then, we followed the map Tsunade-neechan gave me to find the house.

"So, I think this is it!" I say standing in front of a two stories white house. It has a very traditional design, I notice, with sliding doors and windows. It has a nice garden outside it, but it is in need of caring.

"Well, it looks good enough on the outside, lets see on the inside!"

I nod and open the door, to find... a mess. There are boxes on the entrance hall, almost blocking the way. Further inside, the house is covered with dust, the furniture covered with dusted sheets. I can just imagine how is the rest of the house...

"Well guys, I'm sorry. But it looks like I won't be able to be a good host today, the house needs some serious cleaning before I can let people in!"

"It looks like people around here only took care of the outside appearance of the house."

"How about you come back when I get this place livable?"

"If you don't object Naruto-kun, I will like to stay and help you..."

"Really Hinata? You don't have to!"

"No, I will like to help you."

"Ok then! It is decided! Hinata, Yuki and Naruto will take care of cleaning the house. Kiba and Shino will go buy groceries and anything else needed in the kitchen."

"Hey, why us? And what are you going to do anyway."

"You because I say so! And I will take care of fixing the garden of course!"

"Really, if you don't want to go, I can manage."

"It isn't a big deal, we'll do it, right Shino?" Shino nodded.

"Well, now that everyone have their tasks assigned, lets move!"

' ' You surely have a lot of good friends Naruto. ' '

' I know, they are the best. '

After an hour or so of cleaning, I decide to ask Hinata about Neji, because that has been bugging me ever since Kiba mentioned his repeated visits to Gaara.

"Hinata-san, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure Naruto-kun! What will you want to know?"

"Kiba mentioned that Neji has been taking too many missions to Suna, and they always have something to do with Gaara. Do you know why?"

"As a matter of fact I think I do!" Hinata say while entering a giggling fit.

"And you can tell me that reason?"

"Some months ago, Neji-niisan had to go to a diplomatic mission to Suna and stayed with the Kazekage-sama for some days. In that time, I don't know what he saw, but when he came back, he was completely fascinated by him. Every time we talked, he mentioned something about the Kazekage at some time. After that, he has been taking every mission available that has the Kazekage in it, no matter if it is a C ranked mission or an A one. Tsunade-sama let him, because after Neji-niisan's first visit she received a letter from the Kazekage that said how much he liked the way Neji acted while in Suna, and Tsunade-sama thought that letting Neji take those missions was a good way to make bonds between Konoha and Suna even stronger."

"So, you are suggesting that those two have a crush with each other at least."

"You said it!"

"In that case I think it was a good idea to send Neji to finish my job. I'm sure that somehow that will get those two together!"

"I hope so, I think they will make a cute couple."

"Cute isn't the word I will use to describe them..."

' ' Hot as hell perhaps? ' '

'You nailed it Kyu.'

I smile and keep cleaning, I think that I do some good matches, even without knowing.


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The rooten sushi idea is not mine, actually I read something similar in one of trulywicked's stories on FF.net, you should really check them up, they are great!

Wow, Sasuke was a complete bastard in this chapter, wasn't him?