Growing Pains
folder
Naruto AU/AR › General
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
17
Views:
1,166
Reviews:
19
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Naruto AU/AR › General
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
17
Views:
1,166
Reviews:
19
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Naruto, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
IX
IX
Tsunade rubbed her face and read the report again. Each ANBU she’d sent to kill the boy had been thwarted, either because the boy was with his sensei or one of his friends. And she’d begun to get increasingly worried about those friends, for the girl had been able to approach the ANBU undetected. It wasn’t something a genin was supposed to be able to do. She was growing increasingly concerned with the abilities of Sasuke as well. He hadn’t put one hair out of line, always visible, always reachable. He wasn’t arousing suspicion at all, which increasingly frustrated her jounin.
How could they kill the traitor if he’s done –nothing– to warrant death?
There was a soft knock at her door and Shizune poked her head in. “Tsunade-sama, the ‘Kages have arrived.”
“Show them in, Shizune.”
Tsunade did her best to look good as the ‘Kages of the other participating villages filed in and found seats before her desk. Her eyes met Temari’s and they shared a little smile. Two X chromosomes in a room full of Y’s. There would be a logical conversation after all.
“As you all know,” Tsunade began, “there is a new village participating this year. Kinugakure is represented by Uchiha Sasuke, Tsukiyoshi Umi, Hanayo Sei, and Kyo.”
“Uchiha Sasuke, formerly of Konohagakure, correct?”
Tsunade nodded. “He defected to Orochimaru nine years ago.”
“So where is Orochimaru?”
“We believe he is inhabiting the body of the boy, Kyo.” Temari stated. “Based on evidence of the boy’s eyes.”
“They’re identical to the man’s then,” the Mizukage asked softly.
“Quite identical, but I can assure you, Kyo isn’t me.”
All eyes looked up then, growing wide at the sight of Orochimaru standing dressed as a ‘Kage, flanked by two ANBU with black masks, a man and a woman. Tsunade rose – as did every other ‘Kage in the room, but Orochimaru and his bodyguards didn’t budge at the obvious threat.
“What’s the phrase?” Orochimaru asked. “Oh, yes, we come in peace.”
“Don’t get snide,” The Hokage snapped. “What do you want?”
“Only for you to call off your hounds. Kyo’s innocent – his only crime is that he was born to the wrong family.” Orochimaru said. “We’ve come only for the chuunin exams. Why bother with Konoha when I’ve got Kinu?”
There was a cough from behind him, and Orochimaru rolled his eyes. “Yes, I realize that was a stupid thing to say.”
Despite herself, Tsunade felt her lip twitch, fighting down a smile. “Your keepers are certainly wise.”
“They’re under strict orders to keep me from doing anything stupid.” Orochimaru replied dryly.
“Doing a bang up job, then,” Temari said. The female ANBU shifted her weight and cocked her head. The male just made a placating gesture and heaved a silent sigh.
“Why should we even let you participate?” Another ‘Kage asked, earning a sharp look from Orochimaru.
“Because I’m under the impression the chuunin exams are open to all villages. As Kinugakure is a village – however young – and I her Yunkage – which makes her a village whether you like it or not – the village and her shinobi deserve a fair chance to show off their skills as the other shinobi villages.”
“And you swear you mean no harm?” Tsunade asked, steepling her fingers before her mouth. Orochimaru’s eyes met hers and for a while there was silence before the man spoke.
“I swear on the grave of Sarutobi.”
The silence after that was profound, but Tsunade relaxed and sat back in her seat. “I’ll call off my ANBU then, but be aware, they will still watch you.”
Orochimaru nodded. “Wouldn’t expect anything less.”
As he turned to leave, Tsunade stopped him. “Aren’t you going to join us?”
“I would ask for a private meeting with you at a later date.” Orochimaru replied without turning around. “There are things I wish to discuss with you.”
The Yunkage and his bodyguard ANBU left the Hokage’s office then, leaving the other ‘Kages in quite the tiff. Tsunade had a hell of a time calming them down, even with Temari’s help. After her office was empty and Tsunade was alone, she couldn’t help but wonder what Orochimaru wanted. Those black-masked ANBU disturbed her though she was loathe to admit it. If she were to have an audience with Orochimaru, Tsunade decided she’d bring two of her own bodyguards. It was only fair after all. He got his and she got hers – nobody had to die.
The Godaime gave a sigh and rose to lock up her office for the night. Tomorrow began the chuunin exams – the written exam that seemed to eliminate more potential shinobi than the Forest did. She’d have a time trying to keep Naruto from hunting down Sasuke now. She had a feeling she was going to need quite a but of alcohol before she dealt with her blonde jounin, if only so she could claim inebriation at the time of their argument. It was going to be a long couple of weeks.
Tsunade rubbed her face and read the report again. Each ANBU she’d sent to kill the boy had been thwarted, either because the boy was with his sensei or one of his friends. And she’d begun to get increasingly worried about those friends, for the girl had been able to approach the ANBU undetected. It wasn’t something a genin was supposed to be able to do. She was growing increasingly concerned with the abilities of Sasuke as well. He hadn’t put one hair out of line, always visible, always reachable. He wasn’t arousing suspicion at all, which increasingly frustrated her jounin.
How could they kill the traitor if he’s done –nothing– to warrant death?
There was a soft knock at her door and Shizune poked her head in. “Tsunade-sama, the ‘Kages have arrived.”
“Show them in, Shizune.”
Tsunade did her best to look good as the ‘Kages of the other participating villages filed in and found seats before her desk. Her eyes met Temari’s and they shared a little smile. Two X chromosomes in a room full of Y’s. There would be a logical conversation after all.
“As you all know,” Tsunade began, “there is a new village participating this year. Kinugakure is represented by Uchiha Sasuke, Tsukiyoshi Umi, Hanayo Sei, and Kyo.”
“Uchiha Sasuke, formerly of Konohagakure, correct?”
Tsunade nodded. “He defected to Orochimaru nine years ago.”
“So where is Orochimaru?”
“We believe he is inhabiting the body of the boy, Kyo.” Temari stated. “Based on evidence of the boy’s eyes.”
“They’re identical to the man’s then,” the Mizukage asked softly.
“Quite identical, but I can assure you, Kyo isn’t me.”
All eyes looked up then, growing wide at the sight of Orochimaru standing dressed as a ‘Kage, flanked by two ANBU with black masks, a man and a woman. Tsunade rose – as did every other ‘Kage in the room, but Orochimaru and his bodyguards didn’t budge at the obvious threat.
“What’s the phrase?” Orochimaru asked. “Oh, yes, we come in peace.”
“Don’t get snide,” The Hokage snapped. “What do you want?”
“Only for you to call off your hounds. Kyo’s innocent – his only crime is that he was born to the wrong family.” Orochimaru said. “We’ve come only for the chuunin exams. Why bother with Konoha when I’ve got Kinu?”
There was a cough from behind him, and Orochimaru rolled his eyes. “Yes, I realize that was a stupid thing to say.”
Despite herself, Tsunade felt her lip twitch, fighting down a smile. “Your keepers are certainly wise.”
“They’re under strict orders to keep me from doing anything stupid.” Orochimaru replied dryly.
“Doing a bang up job, then,” Temari said. The female ANBU shifted her weight and cocked her head. The male just made a placating gesture and heaved a silent sigh.
“Why should we even let you participate?” Another ‘Kage asked, earning a sharp look from Orochimaru.
“Because I’m under the impression the chuunin exams are open to all villages. As Kinugakure is a village – however young – and I her Yunkage – which makes her a village whether you like it or not – the village and her shinobi deserve a fair chance to show off their skills as the other shinobi villages.”
“And you swear you mean no harm?” Tsunade asked, steepling her fingers before her mouth. Orochimaru’s eyes met hers and for a while there was silence before the man spoke.
“I swear on the grave of Sarutobi.”
The silence after that was profound, but Tsunade relaxed and sat back in her seat. “I’ll call off my ANBU then, but be aware, they will still watch you.”
Orochimaru nodded. “Wouldn’t expect anything less.”
As he turned to leave, Tsunade stopped him. “Aren’t you going to join us?”
“I would ask for a private meeting with you at a later date.” Orochimaru replied without turning around. “There are things I wish to discuss with you.”
The Yunkage and his bodyguard ANBU left the Hokage’s office then, leaving the other ‘Kages in quite the tiff. Tsunade had a hell of a time calming them down, even with Temari’s help. After her office was empty and Tsunade was alone, she couldn’t help but wonder what Orochimaru wanted. Those black-masked ANBU disturbed her though she was loathe to admit it. If she were to have an audience with Orochimaru, Tsunade decided she’d bring two of her own bodyguards. It was only fair after all. He got his and she got hers – nobody had to die.
The Godaime gave a sigh and rose to lock up her office for the night. Tomorrow began the chuunin exams – the written exam that seemed to eliminate more potential shinobi than the Forest did. She’d have a time trying to keep Naruto from hunting down Sasuke now. She had a feeling she was going to need quite a but of alcohol before she dealt with her blonde jounin, if only so she could claim inebriation at the time of their argument. It was going to be a long couple of weeks.