Demons, Snow And Kunai

Marlene's history-gleaned from various stories and things I've heard.

Denzel's history-anyone with Advent Children Complete knows this, It's a little mini anime on the disc where Denzel actually tells his story, I can't remember if it was to Reeve or Tseng.

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Naruto, flanked protectively by both Sai and Kakashi, led by a careful Sasuke (who in the last few hours had discovered just what everyone was talking about when they mentioned pregnant women and mood swings now that Naruto didn’t have to hide or control them) as they followed their new ‘friends’ and ‘family’ through the small town towards the inn the man they were about to meet was waiting for them at.



There was a new sense of urgency now than before, because of the message the blonde had received from his ‘summons’, a summons he apparently shared with the pervert.



A few hours after what happened on the roof of the Highwind, the group-minus the blonde who Sasuke had persuaded to go back to bed to sleep-were sitting around discussing the dream and it’s possible meanings.



Even though Tifa and Vincent had swore to keep it a secret Sasuke and Kakashi hadn’t. Having heard the important parts the two were as concerned as them.



Hence the meeting.



They were just discussing really-about the name of the daughter and it’s meaning when they heard shouts outside the room and the door was flung open, revealing a panicked and puffed Naruto, clutching something in his arms, looking like he’d been tearing around the ship looking for them.



“Dobe...” Sasuke started, raising to his feet to give him a speech on running around in ‘his condition’. “No time!” the other puffed, wide eyed, looking at what was in his arms “tell them what you told me!”



A male voice croaked out “they’re gone.”



“Who’s gone?” Sasuke frowned at his pregnant mate “who are you talking to?”



Out of the blonde’s arms hopped the same multicoloured frogtoad from before “All the kids friends are missing.”



The Uchiha frowned at it “from the village? The ones during the fight?” The frogtoad nodded “but not just them.”



“What do you mean?”



“Apparently according to dad ALL the kids friends and those he sees as family in the village-at the fight or not-disappeared in a flash of light the same instant you guys did.”



“Even Iruka sensai” the blonde looked at his mate, eyes almost full of helpless tears, “he’s a teacher, Sasuke, not a fighter.”



The group remembered what the wolf demon said about the ‘academy’ teacher who had been the boy’s father figure and had cared for him when everyone else had hated him, and were worried as well. A man that kind and....



“He’s a ninja, Naruto” the Uchiha said, interrupting their thoughts “he survived the Kyuubi’s attack on the village when it killed his parents, he saved YOU from Mizuki when he tried to kill you...”



“...Yeah, and almost got killed because of it!” the boy interrupted HIM, panic increasing.



“Dobe” his firm voice stopped him. Then just three words “TRUST IN HIM.” Then he looked down at the toad “I have a feeling there is more to it. Tell us.”



“The kage and his siblings are gone as well. Not just that, the villages are in an uproar. The tailed demons who survived the Aksutki are gone too. Villages are blaming each other and are threatening war.”



“What about Leaf?”



“Destroyed. They broke into half-those who blamed that guy’s genjitsu for the loss of Tsunade and everyone who could have safely protected them from danger and those blaming Naruto” he looked at the pregnant blonde before goin on “most the smart ones fled to the places protected by The Fire Lord, but not enough. A few entire clans left, I think only Nara and Inuzuka didn’t though. The Hyuuga and the Aburame left first I think.”



“Shino once told me that their bugs are naturally wonderers” the blonde said “that they are only able to stay in the village ‘cause of them joining with their clan. ‘Humans are nesters’ he told me ‘we’re ninja’s to satisfy our brethren's need to move, to travel. By keeping our others happy they will happily protect and serve us.”



The Uchiha nodded “it wouldn’t have bothered them, up and moving. The Hyuuga would have done it to save their own skin-those bastards were like that” he suddenly looked at Naruto’s frown “sorry.”



“No need” the blonde agreed with his mate “I know the Hyuuga’s and Uchiha’s have hated each  other for a long time-and aren’t afraid to show it-and the clan are all egotistic bastards who care nothing for their kids and think because they’re a founding clan they’re better than everyone else.” He shook his head “all that talk about ‘fate has determined I am the victor’. Sometimes I just wanted to beat Neji up...”



“You did, at the Chunnin exams.”



“I know and he’s kinda passable as a person now, but he still pisses me off sometimes, even IF he’s my friend.”



“You don’t have that problem with the heir though.”



“Yeah, Hinata” the boy sighed fondly “I’ve known her since we were kids. Kinda shy, stutters and faints around me a lot” he looked at the group “she used to have such a crush on me, swooning whenever I spoke to her.”



The wolf demon growled and the blonde laughed, swatting playfully at the others arm “jealous teme! You know I’ve been yours since the day we met. Besides, she and dogboy are a couple.”



“The Inuzuka heir?”



“Yeah, Kiba.” They got back to subject.



“The Naras’ are...WERE...established, they had the deer santuary. I think they couldn’t just up and leave. As for the Inuzukas’, being as close as they were to their ninkin’s-their integrated loyalty means they couldn’t abandon the village, even if it IS falling down around them.”



“Ninkin?” the group asked curiously.



“Yeah. It’s hard to explain. Apparently their clan adopted dogs as companions and weapons and grew so close to them that somewhere along the line they started taking on aspects of a dog. Claws, eyes, enhanced senses and even behaving dog-like in some ways-the fierce loyalty for one. Now they get a dog companion when they’re young and grow up with them. They are rarely apart, they eat together, fight together and even bathe together, train together even. Can you imagine what it’s like to know someone so well you can move the same without even thinking of it? Especially in battle?”



They saw the advantage in this.



They continued to discuss the situation, all of them aware of how now the fox demons dream had predicted this, it was a red flag the dream was starting to come true. Was Sephiroth going to come back and destroy them and everything or was Vincent going to get the son back that was taken from him before he had a chance?



Now that Naruto was here he could recount the FULL version of the dream, bad and good, without the two black-haired members breaking their word.



By the time they had heard it all again, the airship was landing and they were ready to leave.



While everyone was gathering their things to leave, Cloud getting Fenrir from the cargo bay-Zack his ‘bike’ Odin-Tifa called Reeve to let him know of the new developments, including the fact they had to now find who knows how many people, all trained ninja’s, INCLUDING ones like Naruto and Vincent, demon vessels, extremely dangerous, one of them a known demonhuman who’s temper wasn’t exactly controlled.



They just hoped his siblings were with him and could control him in the meantime.



Of course Reeve was understandably worried, both by Naruto’s pregnancy and the dream, and the fact of highly dangerous ninja’s and demon vessels were loose on their world, until Tifa pointed out as Chaos’ children, Vincent would be able to control them and that an WRO filled with ninja’s would be more effective and able to protect the planet and it’s people than even SOLDIER could.



“Besides” she added “they could even train your troops. Can you imagine WRO members with training in materia AND ninjitsu and even Genjitsu?”



Tifa knew this was a sort of a low blow, she knew playing on the leaders protective desires regarding his troops was beneath her, but this HAD TOO work, they had no choice. The engineer had always felt protective of his troops, considering most were boys barely into their adulthood, and was often friends with either them and of their family and how much it grieved him when one died or was killed, often taking it on himself to inform the families in person.



Consequently he had endeared himself to the people, they seeing him as a caring and dedicated leader, someone who cared about the world and those apon it, not just his forces. After the cold rule of Shinra and SOLDIER, the cold treatment and recruitment of their children, this caring and dedicated treatment made the people more willing to join or let their ‘kids’ and loved ones join the military, knowing someone was there who cared about them and their lives.



When Reeve made some comment about Yuffie and ninja’s, Tifa snorted “Yuffie isn’t really a ninja, I thought you’d realized that by now. She’s a spoilt clan leaders only heir who took up a hobby either because she was bored and wanted to fight, or her father was getting annoyed with her, so sent her off for training to get her out of his hair, let her be someone else’s problem.”



On the others end of the line, she heard him quickly try to repress a laugh.



She grew serious “these guys are serious ninja’s, Reeve. They are trained from childhood to be assassins and bodyguards. We fought one, he could have killed us in seconds if what we saw later was anything to go by, but he chose not too, he was testing us. I think if it wasn’t for Chaos we WOULD be dead. They are Chaos’ children Reeve, how strong would that make them?”



The thoughtful hum the WRO leader made her realize he was considering it. “But what would they want in return?”



“Food, lodgings, medical care-especially for Naruto in this vulnerable time-just the necessary things. It’s not like they want anything else, Reeve. They don’t need expensive things when they could die on a ‘mission’ at any minute.” There was a thoughtful pause on the other end before he sighed “I’ll meet with them, we’ll go from there.”



“That’s all they ask, Reeve and don’t worry, we’ll be there as well” she left the ‘we’ll protect you’ unsaid. Then, as if suddenly realizing something “can we meet somewhere where there is food? I don’t know how long it’s been since they ate, but Naruto was unconscious a long time and he’s eating for two now...”



“Okay, there is a small inn where they also serve breakfast and lunch.” He gave her directions.





Now they were making their way inside the inn, the four ninja’s and eight Avalanche members looking for the blue and black of the WRO leader. The first sign was a black and white shape popping up in a dark corner, waving to them with large hands at them to approach.



Recognizing the cat-like features they headed towards it and the figure there at the large table to seat twelve, counting the figure already there. When they heard the cry of joy and ‘RAMEN!” and a blonde flash past them, followed by four laughs-one Vincent’s-they realized Reeve had already ordered.



The blonde was already seated, eating like he hadn’t in years. Tifa laughed and looked at the well dressed man, hugging a robotic cat to him like a stuffed toy “looks like you’ll need to order more food, Reeve” as the rest of them seated themselves around the table, the three ninja’s again flanking the pregnant male.



Once settled and everyone was eating the conversation started up with introductions “Reeve, these are the ninja’s of Konaha. Sasuke Uchiha, last heir of the Uchiha Clan, now wolf demon. His pregnant mate and last of the Uzumaki and Namikaze clans, fox demon and son of Chaos as well as Sasuke’s teammate, Naruto. Ex assassin and spy but now companion, Sai. Then lastly their team leader and sensai, Kakashi Hayake. Guys, this is Reeve Tuesti, Commissioner and leader of the WRO, plus Cait Sith his...creation.”



The group gave piolet hello’s, echoed by Cait Sith. Of course the blonde gave an enthusiastic “HI!” followed by a wide winning smile before shoving more food in his mouth, only to almost choke on it as his mate slapped him over the back of the head “hey!”



“Dobe you’re being impolite.”



“I said hi!” he protested.



“Forgive my students” Kakashi eye-smiled at the man “Naruto never had any manners.”



“Well yeah of course I didn’t” the blonde said seriously “I had no parents to teach me that stuff.”



“That’s no excuse Dobe,” Sasuke said “I KNOW for a fact that Iruka-sensai taught you that sort of thing.”



“Well yeah, but it’s ramen, Sas, RAMEN!!”



The group laughed and the silver haired ninja looked at the man in blue across from him “I apologize for my students rudeness, but he is obsessed with ramen. Always has been.”



“Quiet alright. Feel free to eat, ALL of you. I take it as a compliment. Besides, as Tifa pointed out to me earlier, he’s eating for two now.”



“Of course, you’re right” obviously Kakashi was playing peace keeper and spokesperson for the group here.



It didn’t take long after eating for a bit for conversation to begin around the table about abilities, chakra vs mana and genjitsu’s, the origins of bloodline abilities and then Ancients vs Sages.



“The pervert was gonna teach me how to become a Sage. He said now I’ve merged with Kyuubi, I’m more open to the flow of the planet, but he hasn’t done it yet.”



“What do you mean?” they asked.



He explained and they were shocked to find out Sages could manipulate the chakra of the planet into their own body and use in battle temporarily. It reminded them oddly of how Sephiroth had been trying to gain the power of the lifestream.



Since it was only a temporary thing to be used for a short time in battle, least it burn out a person’s body, too much power so suddenly could overload a person’s ‘chakra lines’ and kill them in the most agonizing way, even as enhanced and tough as them.



This lead everyone to believe that if Sephiroth had of succeeded he would have died anyway, there was oddly something comforting about that thought. However it was possible that was the entire point. What if, possessed by Jenovah, Sephiroth’s death in the center of the lifestream energy, Jenovah could then possess the actual lifeforce of the planet, tainting EVERYTHING, turning it to what SHE wished. Some of them shuddered at the thought.





Something happened to increase the group by three during this time.



Someone had made a comment about their skills and the blonde took offense “We’ll show you!” he seized his mates arm and shot to his feet “C’mon Sasuke, let’s go spar!”



“No” the wolf demon said bluntly.



“No?” the blonde looked down at him, shocked.



“No” the other echoed “sit down, dobe. We are not going anywhere and doing anything like that in your condition, let alone anything THAT strenuous. Don’t you remember that pregnant kunoichi DO NOT work during that time? Because any change in chakra could endanger the baby, This is also MY CHILD, Dobe, you will NOT endanger her.”



“But Sas...” the blonde’s bottom lip trembled and his eyes teared. The others were thinking ‘oh shit, mood swing!’ but the wolf just repeated “no.”



“Pooh, you’re no fun!” the blonde flopped back into the chair, arms crossed over his chest and a pout on his face. Suddenly his head snapped to the window, face and body tense, expression intense. The others all came to attention at this “Naruto? What is it?”



“Chakra” he said levelly “familar.”

“One of the others are here?”



Before he could answer there came a furious call of “PERVERT!!” and something red and white went flying past the window, followed by two others, a blonde furious woman wearing green, white and brown and a young man, tall and lanky with brown hair in a ponytail spiked at the back.



The blonde jumped back up, screeching “GRANDMA ‘NADE!!” in joy and excitement at the sight.



The woman froze, head turning and mouthing a name, the boy’s name. With an articulate cry the boy was gone. The next thing they saw of him he was flinging himself into the other blonde’s arms tearfully. The two hugged each other, crying like they wouldn’t stop, the boy behind them just rolling his eyes.



The group looked at the Uchiha “grandma ‘Nade?”



“Lady Tsunade, the fifth Hokage, granddaughter of the first, one of the last two Sanins in existence. She kind of adopted Naruto, she’s like a big sister-or mother.”



“A friendly hint, DON’T make her mad at you” the ex-assassin and spy said.

“Jiriaya-san does it all the time. You saw what her reaction was.”



“That red and white flash was him?” they asked.

“Yes” the cyclops nodded “don’t worry, he’s more resilient than he seems.”



“She looks too young to be her. She looks in her early thirties the most. The woman we were told about should be at least double that.”



“She IS. She uses an genjitsu of her own making, running on her own chakra to not only APPEAR younger, but enhance her strength, hence Jiriaya-san getting thrown so far.”



“What a drag” said a voice behind them.

They looked up to find the young man who had been with them standing at their table.



“Everything’s a drag to you, Nara.” The figure moved to a nearby couch, lay down and seemed to fall asleep.



The Uchiha rolled his eyes this time. “This lazy ass is Shikamaru Nara, heir to the Nara clan, our resident genius...” he snorted “his bloodline ability involves controlling an enemy through the shadow, THEIR shadow.” Whether in reaction to his comment , as a greeting or trying to show he was asleep the figure snorted loudly.



“I think I’ll leave the rest of the introductions to you guys whenever.”



As he finished, the blonde returned, dragging the woman with him “they’re here, granny! And father! I’ll show you!”



The woman was tall and well-built, obviously used to fighting, with a bust almost equal to Tifa’s amppal bosom. She wore sandals, tight tan pants, an white blouse with green vest. A tilak adorned her forehead, just like a certain Turk leader they knew. Her eyes were the most beautiful amber they had ever seen.



The blonde dragged the other to Vincent side “see! My father! And he’s like me!”



The woman frowned “you’re an Jinchuuriki?”



“Not in your way, but yes. I contain Chaos, Squire Of Omega, source of what you all call the Tailed Beasts. To them that means...”



“You or rather the demon inside you is their father.” The demon vessel nodded.



“Here Lady Tsunade” Kakashi rose, offering her his seat, “there are some serious things we need to discuss. Naruto’s pregnancy for one.”



“Besides Tsunade-san is...WAS Hokage, she can answer more of your questions than we can.”



“What do you mean, was?” the woman asked as the cyclops grabbed another chair “Naruto, go get Jiriaya-san while we break the news.” The blonde nodded and headed out to the direction they had seen the red and white blur go.



By the time he returned, Sanin in tow and conscious, the woman was frowning, disturbed, while the Nara heir looked shell-shocked. “The village is gone” she murmured as Naruto retook his seat, then “stop perving you idiot! This is serious!” when she noticed the red coated man learing at Tifa.



The group sized up the man, the other Sanin and Sage.



Even seated on the arm of the sofa the Nara heir sat on, they could tell he was very tall and very muscular with wide shoulders. However even though he wasn’t like Barrett he looked more than capable of feats of great strength.



He reminded them a little of Rude, imposing, but the muscular mass you KNEW was there seemed lost in their clothes. He wore similar to the other Sanin, tan pants, a white shirt, but instead of a short green vest he wore a long red one. Instead of sandals he wore wooden ‘thongs’.



He definitely looked his age, but he wasn’t an old man, no, he was still a formable looking man, especially when they looked into those grey eyes and saw though the facade of the idiot to the powerful warrior he was.



Two red marks almost like slashes, long thick red lines ran down his cheeks from just under his eyes to the mouth, for some reason making them think of tribal marks, a small barely noticeable gold stud in the left side of his nose. But what really got their attention was the mass of hair. Thick and long it tumbled down his back to almost his tailbone, but the style...



“Hey Zack, he has hair like you and spike!”



Sure enough it stuck out wildly, spiked up here and there, similar to Zack’s, but where the black haired exSOLDIER had let his grow out slightly (mainly because Cloud reluctantly admitted he more than just liked it that way, hint, hint) the man’s was what could be described as ‘wild’.



Somehow it made them think of his connection to the planet and seem appropriate.



And it was white, so white, like freshly fallen snow. Despite the ‘harmless’ air the man tried to put on around them, the ‘helpless old man’ and ‘idiot’ they could feel his power and strength and it reminded them oddly of Aeris, but way more powerful and more masculine, aggressive.



Reeve apparently felt it to, for he frowned at the man, and having heard from them earlier the story Naruto had told Tifa and Vincent about the Sanin’s and the man’s connection to the planet, he seemed now more than ready to believe.



“Please, sir, feel free to grab a seat and eat.” The man gave Reeve and Cat Sith a leveling sizing up before shrugging “I’m not hungry.”



Naruto spoke to him “have you summoned or spoke to Gamabunta or any of the toads since you came here?”



“You mean about The Hidden Leaf village?” when they nodded he just shrugged again “I know.”



Tsunade looked furious “you didn’t TELL US!!”



The man looked at her “would it have done anything to change our current situation? No, it would just have caused you to worry more about something you have no control over, ‘Nade.”



The woman’s anger deflated “I suppose you’re right.”



“You care about those under your...leadership, THAT I can relate to” Reeve said.



“Who are you?” Tsunade sized him up.



So began introductions all around, followed by a recap of the events leading up until then. The only thing of it all that worried the Sage was “your seal is damaged?!” he seemed alarmed “I have to look at it!” then, interpreting their looks sighed “later.”



“You just found out Naruto was capable of conceiving, let alone IS pregnant, and you’re worried about THE SEAL?!” The man shrugged “I already knew.”



“You KNEW!” they exclaimed.



The man looked at the other ninja’s “You forget, I’ve been looking after the kid’s seal since he was a teen. That requires me to examine the chakra paths and their flow and connections. Just after he merged with the fox, I examined him and it. I sensed the developing...equipment, warned him to get ‘Nade to keep and eye on it and told him not to have unprotected sex.” He glared down at the blonde “obviously he didn’t listen.”



The young man scratched his cheek and grinned cheekily “you try saying ‘NO’ to the teme when he’s horny” and ducked an swipe for the back of his head. “Besides, when the pervert starts talking about girls and sex, I tend to just tune him out.”



“BRAT!” the man spluttered “how are you gonna learn if you don’t listen!”



“Come on, when you start talking about all those soft and firm bits...” his face twisted in disgust before looking at Tifa “no insult intended” which she accepted with a smile and nod “on the other hand, there’s ONE firm body part that only interests me...” ducking another swipe by his mate.



Zack wrapped his arms around Cloud and leered comically “I know what you mean,” only to yelp as Cloud mimicked the Uchiha, looking at the blonde beside him, mock hurt.



Tifa laughed “I’m partial to that myself.”



Naruto cracked up, followed by two black haired others.



Frankly it wasn’t THAT funny, but there was something infectious in the boys laugh, it made the three feel like they were sharing a secret.



Before anyone else could speak, a new one had “What’s so funny, yo?”



Behind Reeve’s chair stood a figure, long red spiked hair tied behind him, rumpled black and white suit.



Naruto, who had stopped, laughed at the sight of him, suddenly choked on another laugh. “Penguin” he managed to say-before he bent over with another fit of giggles.



“WHAT DID YOU CALL ME?!!” the red head yelled.



“Reno” Reeve said firmly “meet Naruto Uzumaki, Chaos’ son.”



The red head-Reno-stopped dead “CHAOS’ son? I never knew the demon had kids, could even HAVE kids. Don’t you mean Valentine? His TURK profile never mentioned kids.”



“They’re Chaos’, and therefore also Vincents. Chaos created them long before our time. This one, Kyuubi, completely merged with his host, so making NARUTO Chaos’ son. Kyuubi was Chaos’ most powerful child.” The last six words sounded like a warning.



The red head frowned and was about to speak when there was a metallic beeping. Fishing through a pocket he brought out his mobile, opened it with a practiced flick of the wrist. “Yo” he spoke, a long pause then “I haven’t completed the assignment yet. No something came up, boss. Did you know Chaos had kids? Yeah, he’s having dinner with Reeve. He is! No fooling!”



Zack looked up “is that Tseng?” When Reno nodded he held his hand out “give it.”



Reluctantly the red head handed it over.



“Tseng it’s Zack. Yeah, I know, but we need to meet, it’s important. Well for a start certain Neblheim employees are hiding things from you guys. Then there’s a group of people around the planet we need help finding. Also a possibility of ‘The Nightmare’ returning. Yes we’ll explain Naruto.” He listened “yeah call Reeves’ secretary then he handed it back.



“Hey bossman? Yeah, okay, but what about Rude? You’re the boss, bossman.” He hung up then grabbed a chair moving to Zack’s other side “scoot over closer to spike would ya, SOLDIER boy.”



“Why are YOU joining us, Shinra dog!?” Barrett snarled.



“The bossman says to stay and keep an eye on you guys, may as well do it among you, yo.”



“And fish for information, right dog?”



The red head just shrugged and snagged a breadroll off a plate nearby.



“Well we don’t feel like explaining everything again and then telling it to Tseng again, so just butt out!!”



The red head just shrugged again, tearing the roll apart and slowly eating it as he watched them, slouching back in the chair. “So, what were we talking about before the TURK interrupted?”



Naruto’s head snapped to Vincent’s “TURK?” You mean like what you were, father?”



“When I was about your age, yes. But todays generation is a lot different then in my day.”



“Your day?” the male Sanin’s eyes snapped to the demon vessel “how different could it be? You are still young yet.”



“Actually according to the TURK personal files, Vincent Valentine is this year-soon in fact-in his very early seventies.” This was Reno’s helpful comment, ignoring the glare he got.



The man frowned “you no longer age? How?”



“I died at my physical age. Chaos’s demon energy and the protomateria brought me back and sustain me. My body is a mere vessel for the demons inside me.”



The man blinked at him and the blonde woman asked “did you say DEMONS? As in more than one?”



Vincent nodded. Tifa answered “Chaos, Galian, Hellmasker and Death Gigas. Chaos is the most powerful, Galian is Kyuubi’s brother-another of Chaos’ children and the other two, well, we’re not too sure what they are.”



“Can I see your seal?” The SaninSage asked “it must be powerful to allow you control over FOUR demons.”



“I don’t have one.”



The man snorted “EVERY demon vessel has one, even if well hidden.”



“But you forget, I was never a child-merged to it. I was a dead body preserved by a madman’s experiments and the very lifestream itself, it’s not a matter of me controlling them, they need me to stay in this world and the protomateria allows them to to not only control themselves, but each other. They allow me to control them to an extent because THEY WANT IT.”



“Protomateria?” the woman frowned, followed by Avalanche and Reeve explaining the workings of the Lifestream, materia, mako and Shinra and SOLDIER.





An hour and a half later and Tifa wasn’t the least but surprised. She had watched as steadily the blonde pregnant demon had won the respect and affection of EVERYONE in the inn, guests, staff, everyone from the manager down to the janitor.



He had this innate beauty in him, a shinning light that drew people to him like a moth to the flame-or plants to the sunlight.



He ESPECIALLY loved and was loved by children, not that it surprised her though, what with him being pregnant. And the fact the Third Hokage, who had practically raised him was an elderly man.



Tifa remembered the Uhicha saying how his mate had inherited the personality of his father and realized it explained how the Forth became Hokage in the first place. The man had been adored, which came from winning over the people as his son was now.



Then the people had voted him their leader when the Third had retired.



Tifa was saddened, if the village had of not been so cruel to him, if they had of got to know him, they would have found another great and noble leader. As it was, his mere presence and actions right now was obviously bumping up Reeve’s popularity.



It began when, while they were telling the ninja’s about materia and mako an incident had happened.



An elderly couple who had been seated nearby finished their meal and started to leave. The man passed them with no problem, but his wife-who hobbled along on a  cane-started past she didn’t make it.



Obviously weakened by pain and age one of her knees gave out, sending her crashing to the floor with a cry.



Only she never reached it, the next thing they knew there was a blonde blur and the pregnant fox demon was there, the woman cradled in his strong arms.



“I got you, grandma” Naruto said.



“Oh dear” the elderly woman said in surprise, looking at the floor she had almost landed on then the young man, “such a sweet boy.”



As he helped her to an nearby empty chair, Naruto was firing off questions “are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere? If you are, we have a healer who can help. If she can’t heal you completely, she can take away your pain. Do you want that or are you in pain? Or I can...”



He stopped talking when the elderly lady reached up and lay a worn hand against his cheek, giving him a smile that showed very few teeth “such a sweet boy, worried about an old bird like me. I’m fine child. It’s just these old bones aren’t as strong as they used to be, it comes with age. You are so kind to be so worried and break my fall. You remind me so much of my grandson.”



“Here, I can help” the blonde woman moved to their side, her hands glowing green as she examined the limbs “at least ease your pain.”



“Oh” the old woman’s eyes widened in wonder and surprise “that DOES feel better, young lady, thank you very much” as the blonde male gently helped the elderly woman to her feet.



After a series of thank you’s and good byes the two left.



Tifa looked around to find people watching, guests, staff and even management, some murmuring about ‘the kindness of Director Tuesti’s guests.’



Later Tifa became aware of two young sets of giggles.



Looking for the sounds she saw two twin children-a boy and girl-seated in high chairs at the table opposite them looking at them. Following their line of sight, she was just in time to see the blonde playing peak-a-boo with them, but with a difference. Whenever the blonde moved his hands away, he pulled a funny face.



This would make the twins peel with laughter. Looking at the parents, Tifa saw them smiling at the blonde like a favorite nephew. Not just that, she suddenly noticed how the guests around them eating were all seated closer.



It didn’t take long for other children to wonder or even sneak over to them, each enamored by the boy and wanting a chance to play. What surprised Tifa was how the boy handled those sneaking away. He didn’t yell or ‘go off’ on them, no, it actually took her careful attention to discover his secret.



Disappointment.



The children clambered for the blonde’s attention and approval but the idea that they upset and and caused the blonde to be VERY disappointed in them scared them way more then a speech or yelling would have. They got that from their parents.



So the blonde seriously informed them how he had never had a mum and dad, he had grown up alone and hungry and how if he had a or two loving parents he would NEVER wonder away from them, he would only leave for play, school, toilet and bed.



How it upset him to see other lucky kids yell and upset their parents because they were not thinking about how much they hurt them.



Children are naturally empathic until they are taught to hide their feelings and ignore others, so being told that the man they were drawn to had no parents like them, upset them and the ones who had sneaked off wondered back to their families, apologizing and promising to never do it again, seriously.



They even stayed if told, although they didn’t want to obviously, but they kept their word.



However most parents allowed them, having watched the blonde and instinctively trusting the pregnant male. It helped that they had moved closer, they could eat in peace and still keep an eye on their children and the group.



Naruto kept all the children entertained, all of them laughing.



When a couple of the parents approached the group for Naruto’s PHS number and were told he had none, they were confused. So, with money from Reeve, Tifa volunteered to go get some, Reno volunteering to help.



Wanting to pump Tifa privately for information, they guessed.



An hour later she was back with seven activated PHS, one each, and the group proceeded to teach the ninja’s how to use them and the features. Naruto sat on the floor, the children gathered around him to show him how to use it, giggling as he took photo’s of them with it.



Now armed with one most parents came forward for the number, stating Naruto would make the perfect babysitter. He replied back he’d be happy to, as long as it didn’t interfere with his work with Reeve.



After getting it most parents finished their meal and left to put their kids to bed, leaving the blonde ninja on the floor, leaning against his mates chair leg, exhausted.



The wolf reached down to stroke the blonde, eyes soft and concerned “tired Naruto?”



“Yeah” the boy mumbled sleepily, hand going to the lump, “she’s a little restless right now and tiring me out. I think it was the kids. They excited her.”



Avalanche and Reeve exchanged looks, knowing how THEIR Aeris had loved kids.



Reeve spoke up “I have booked some rooms at the inn just outside Midgar for you all.  Three rooms. All they had was one couples room and two doubles. Sorry.”



“That’s fine. Sasuke and Naruto can take the couples. Jirayia-san and Tsunade-san can take one room, the three of us...”



Tsunade went to protest when Tifa spoke “two of you can take the last room, the third can use the spare room over ‘Seventh Heaven’. That way they’ll have a bed and can come with me to Reeve’s office, that way you can easily contact them through me.”



“Or use the PHS” Cloud said.

“Or use the PHS” Tifa agreed.



“I think I’ll go with you” Kakashi said “that way it evens out, the mates, the Sanins and the other boys.”



To which the Nara heir mumbled “troublesome” from his seat.



“That depends” Tifa looked at the man “how good are you with children? I mean YOUNGER than twelve or thirteen? Normal children?”



“Why?” the man frowned behind his mask.



“I’m currently caring for two children. Marlene, Barrett’s daughter....” she motioned at the big black man. “And an orphan Cloud picked up, Denzel. Both aren’t always there-Marlene spends time with her father and Denzel spends time with Cloud and Zack on their farm just outside Midgar-but they’re around enough to be noticed or sometimes underfoot.”



“In that case” the male Sanin spoke up “I suggest I stay with the lady and kids while you guys stay there.” The female Sanin glared suspiciously at him to which he held up his hands in a helpless gesture “you KNOW I get along with kids like Naru’ does, ‘Nade.”



“He has a point” Naruto pointed out “You may not be able to trust him not to perve on a beautiful woman, but that’s ALL he does.” His comment was answered by a mock hurt look and “I don’t perve, I research!”



“Yeah, yeah” Tsunade looked at Tifa “if you cop him perving on you, feel free to knock him through a couple of walls, not you’re own of course. I can tell just by looking at you that you’re strong, stronger than most.”



Tifa grinned and cracked her knuckles without a word, making the Sanin pale a bit and the rest of the ninja’s grin maliciously.



Their course decided the group of three ‘demons’, two young males, one adult and two ‘eldery’ ninja’s one businessman and his ‘toy’ cat, one fire lion, two ex-SOLDIER, a teen female ninja, coal miner turned rebel fighter, rebel fighter turned bar owner and piolet Captain left the inn together for the refueled and loaded airship for the short trip back to the city of Midgar.



The blonde slept briefly in the chair next to his mate, only rousing to following behind him sleepily, just following directions and not even looking where they were or where he was going.



Outside the ship they separated, Reeve taking the group to the inn, Cloud and Zack returning home and the rest of Avalanche also. Tifa lead the Sanin towards Seventh Heaven, the two chatting as they did.



She found the man under the mask was more than he first seemed.



He was definitely more like Naruto than anyone realised, but also a lot like the one eyed sensai.



He had grown up in the shadow of his great father, had been judged by those around him, only instead of everyone treating him like a freak or something to be feared, they had extremely high expectations, so high he couldn’t possibly meet them, then when he failed the entire town treated him like not only an disobedient child but a disappointment.



So of course as a child he had decided if they SAW him as a rebellious child, that’s what he’d be, a disappointment  and rebel. Until his team that was, and Tifa knew how that turned out.



What SHE saw was different. He was a gentle and kind soul, like Naruto, dedicated to those he cared for so much when he was treated badly he somehow blamed himself. Cloud had been like that growing up. It wasn’t until his relationship with Zack that he started to change, to have is confidence in himself and his abilities boosted.



 Zack was a good-and sometimes BAD-influence on her childhood friend.



Further proff to her of this man’s truely good soul was it took, once they reached the bar, mere minutes for the two children once they got home from school to trust him.



Soon both kids were play-wrestling the man on the floor, even Marlene who was giggling as she sat on his chest.



And later on when she opened the bar for the night he became her bodyguard. He told her after she closed that the kids had persuaded him to, they were worried about her whenever she opened the bar.



But the biggest shock she received was on the way to Reeve’s office the next day.



“Tell me about the kids” he said seriously “the girl obviously isn’t your friends true daughter. How did you end up with them? Where are their clans?”



“As far as Barrett is concerned, Marlene IS his daughter, in every way.”



“But she isn’t.”



“No,” Tifa looked thoughtful “all I know of it is her mother died long ago and her father was an incredibly close friend of Barrett’s. When he started Avalanche it was because his friend was killed somehow and Shinra had something to do with it. So Barrett blamed Shinra, started Avalanche to get revenge and took in Marlene as his own daughter to honour his friend. Somehow along the way Marlene became his REAL daughter at least in HIS eyes. I have a feeling Marlene knows the truth though and let’s him be her father. Whether that means she was told the truth at some stage or she remembers her real parents, I don’t know.”



“Humm” the ninja looked thoughtful “what about the boy?”



“Cloud found him just before the incident with the three clones. Or rather HE found CLOUD.”



“Tell me.”



“According to Denzel himself, his father worked for Shinra and his mother had a shop in Sector Seven. Just before they dropped the plate on it...” she motioned at the missing section of above city. “His dad found out and broke the rules to come down and save his family. He got them to safety, but when his mother found out she went back to try and save the people she knew and cared about...”



“...And the husband went back to get her” the man finished, nodding.



“Yes. They both died. Denzel made friends with an elderly lady who took care of him. They both survived when  meteor fall, but both were infected by geostigmata. The lady died so, in his delirium, Denzel went looking for his parents. He found Cloud instead.”



“Humm” the man hummed, thoughtfully again “probably drawn to someone of power similar to him.” Tifa looked fully at the man “what do you mean?”



“He looked at the woman seriously “BOTH children have extremely high chakra levels, levels like I have not sensed in children so young in a long time. The girls is equal to and surprisingly similar to ‘Nades true level. The boy’s, well, he reminds me of a young Minato, but infinitely more. But somehow it has been locked away, sealed. Not just that, they both have a bloodline ability.”



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