Chapter 48: Trouble in Sand and The Pack: Part II

Tifa walked through the village after leaving Yuffie still struggling to break whatever hold Kiyomi had over them which prevented the Taki trio from not only escaping the village, but also prevented them from even speaking about it. She still blushed in embarrassment as she recalled how she and Yuffie had begun acting like drunkards when they had tried shouting out about their being prisoners. Needless to say they had not gotten the message across and had ended up in the local drunk tank of the Anbu that had handled the matter.

Truth be told though, it was only her loyalty to Yuffie that had kept her from enjoying their relatively new found freedom. Tifa heard the sound of laughter coming from one of the drinking establishments that she passed and stopped to look at it. Noticing the name of the bar was Seventh Heaven, she smiled as she watched the people enjoying themselves through the window and was tempted to join them. But, knowing that being surrounded by strangers would cause her to revert to the personality Kiyomi had forced on them, decided to return to the home she had at Kiba’s. She sighed at not being able to properly enjoy herself since one of her dreams had been to open a similar establishment in a big village.

She noticed the gazes that she received from several men as she walked through the village’s streets. She smirked as one of them was hit in the shoulder by his girlfriend as he was caught staring. Tifa felt good about the attention especially as a part of the reason she had been selected to be a part of Yuffie’s squad was because of her rather plain looks. That plus she, Yuffie, Aeris and the fourth member of their squad had all resembled each other and so it had allowed the women to infiltrate villages by pretending to be a family. But feeling like she had gone from a five, on most men’s scales for not being too pretty nor too ugly, to a full on ten, Tifa couldn’t help but want to make the most of it.

Something she had done with her wardrobe as she had used some of the money Kiba had given her, which had been given to him by Kiyomi, to purchase the current outfit that she wore, which consisted of a white halter top and short black skirt that was being held up by suspenders. On her feet she had forgone the typical open toed style sandals for a pair of red outdoor boots, and although she had left them at home a pair of gloves with metal knuckles completed the outfit.

All in all her new outside appearance matched the perfect version she had always pictured she could become if only her genetics had been a little kinder. She didn’t know why Kiyomi, had decided to modify her as such, but she was grateful for it. Truthfully, Tifa had always wished she had possessed Yuffie’s abundance of confidence since it had appeared that the only thing Kiyomi had needed to do to give Yuffie her preferred form was to make the grey-haired older woman young again. Something, Tifa was attributing to her former team leader’s current strange behavior. For example, the fact that she and Yuffie had just spent several hours straining to see how far they could move from the village, while on the surface was a rather smart means of testing the controls Kiyomi had placed on them. The fact that Yuffie was still straining against them and hoping to will herself away seemed much more like a teenager thing to do, rather than the cool-headed leader she had been. Tifa giggled as she guessed that Yuffie was likely finding it difficult to maintain that coolness as a result of some of the hormones that had begun to course through her as a result of her becoming a teenager again.

Tifa though really wasn’t sure that she wanted to escape her new predicament. Granted, she wished she was in full control of her own faculties all the time, but she had always felt restrained by living in Taki. Primarily since as a minor shinobi village, she had always pictured it as a backwater kind of town. A fact highlighted by its small stature and that it refused to expand so it could remain hidden behind the waterfall that gave it its name. In fact it was in order to escape being stuck in her village that caused Tifa to join Yuffie’s squad in the first place.

Now with her in fact being officially listed as dead, and with a new face and body she could perhaps fully leave the village of Taki behind. Tifa came to a stop as the thought occurred to her. Of course it was followed by her wondering what exactly she would do with her life then. A few ideas sprang to mind, but her thoughts about the future soon gave way to thoughts about her past. Particularly, the point in time which had landed her in prison as well as her current situation.

Tifa would be lying if she said she had directed a great deal of time lamenting her actions and near killing of the blond boy that had stumbled upon their teammate’s kunai, which had contained the information that they sought. Truthfully, she had spent more time wondering why such a young kid would cling to it so desperately and put himself in grave danger. She would only get an answer while acting as a maid in Kiyomi’s home due to the false persona she had been affixed with. She had been present for a fight between Naruto and Kiyomi in which the red-head would remind her lover that he had nearly been killed just for trying to bring back a memento of the battle between Tifa’s teammate and the shinobi that had killed her, all in in order to impress some kids who had made it a challenge so that he could be friends with them.

While locked in her prison of flesh where she had been aware, but unable to control herself, the revelation had made Tifa wonder just how sad and lonely Naruto’s life must have been in order for him to go to such lengths to make a friend. Thinking about that had made Tifa actually come to regret her actions more than her time in prison had. A feeling which had only been compounded as Naruto continued to push for Kiyomi to release her and her teammates from the controls placed on them.

Tifa stopped in her return to Kiba’s as she recalled the various times she had witnessed Naruto try to reason with the Bijuu he had once contained as he tried to convince the red-head to return them to normal. Tifa knew that Naruto was aware of who they had been, and remembered how they had tried to kill him. She suspected though that was a part of the reason that he had let their situation languish for so long, in that he wasn’t exactly sure how to handle them if Kiyomi had complied. From the bits and pieces she had heard while in Kiyomi’s mansion she knew that one thing that many of his lovers found so amazing about him was his ability to turn enemies into allies. But she wasn’t sure about how many of them had tried to personally kill him, especially when he had been at an age where he couldn’t truly defend himself.

The brunette began walking again, but found that she was no longer heading in the same direction. Eventually, the entertainment district she had been perusing gave way to an area that was still in the midst of being rebuilt. She stopped in front of a building that had been finished recently and from the conversations she had overheard knew was the current residence of the blond man she had just been thinking of. She felt conflicted, since she believed that Naruto wouldn’t wish anything to do with her and had only argued for their release since he felt that what had been done to them was no different than what had been done to a kunoichi he had taken as a lover.

She wasn’t even exactly sure why she had come, but was about to leave when a voice informed her, “He isn’t here.”

Tifa turned in surprise at being snuck up on and recognized Miya although the woman had held a different name and face when they had been in prison together. Noticing the woman holding a bag of groceries in front of her, Tifa smile politely as she said, “I guess you’re taking to your landlady role.”

The Taki-nin wasn’t sure what caused the now purpled haired woman to blush, but got a hint of it as she replied while hiding the grocery bag behind her, “Perhaps not as well as I would have liked.” Miya not wishing to linger on the subject said, “If you are looking for Naruto, you might wish to try the hotsprings. He helped a few more residents move in today and is likely relaxing there.”

W-what makes you think I’m looking for him?”

Miya shrugged as she began to head inside while answering, “I suppose I thought you were following in your teammate’s footsteps. Aeris stopped by the day after Kiyomi removed most of the controls on you. I wasn’t there when they talked, but I believe she asked for him to forgive her.”

Tifa wasn’t surprised by the revelation as she knew that Aeris had come to regret a great many of the things they had done over their shinobi career during their time in prison. In fact, Tifa had believed it was only her loyalty to her friends that had allowed Aeris to take part in Akame’s plot if only so her teammates could earn their freedom. “Do you know what he said to her?”

Miya shook her head before replying, “No, their conversation was carried out in his apartment. But whatever he did say I believe helped Aeris find some closure about the incident between you three and him.”

Tifa nodded as Miya entered the apartment building. The Taki-nin let herself move without a destination in mind, but wasn’t too surprised when she was standing out front of the gate that led to Kiyomi’s property.

*****

“I just don’t understand it. I’ve done everything short of tie him down and have my way with him, but no matter what I try he always pulls away whenever things begin to heat up.”

Matsuri took a sip of her iced green tea as she sent a look over to Yukata who seemed disinterested in the conversation as well as a little fidgety. She had noted that ever since leaving the Training Force, Yukata had been rather withdrawn. In point of fact, her joining the current gathering was one of only a handful of times where she hadn’t come up with an excuse not to attend.

Tuning back to Sari, who had joined the gathering of Suna Kunoichi still fuming from her failed attempt at seducing Gaara, Matsuri said, “You just need to be patient, Sari. He’ll come around.”

“I have been patient,” the kunoichi replied quickly in a huff. “But there comes a point where you have to admit that things just aren’t working out.”

Matsuri frowned as she asked, “Are you saying that you’ve reached that point?”

Sari sighed as she held her cup of ice water in both hands which rested in her lap. Looking up, she answered, “I-I don’t know. I told him that I thought we should see other people as I was leaving his office and he didn’t even come after me. How should I take that? It’s bad enough he doesn’t want to have a physical relationship, but now it appears he’s fine with not having one period.”

“I think you’re overacting,” Matsuri said. “Gaara probably wanted to give you time to cool off.”

“That’s the problem,” Sari said quickly, “He’s always so dispassionate. It’d be nice if he would get a little hot-headed from time to time.” The kunoichi sighed, but then acting cheerful as she tried to put her relationship woes behind her asked, “So what about you two? Are there any prospects on the horizon?”

Matsuri felt a little guilty as she responded, “No, can’t say there are,” due in part to the fact that her sex life was so fantastic, but also because Sari was her best friend. However, she did take a little pleasure in her keeping her relationship with Naruto a secret since Sari had not told her about the one she had with Gaara until after the blond had seduced her.

Sari didn’t press making Matsuri feel as if her friend was still nervous about discussing boys in general due to how she had become Gaara’s girlfriend behind her back. Both women turned their attention to Yukata, who appeared a little listless as she stared off into space. After it became apparent that she wasn’t going to rejoin the conversation, Sari asked, “How about you Yukata?”

“What? I’m sorry could you repeat what you just asked?”

“Are there any men you’re interested in?” Sari repeated.

“Um…no, no not really?” Yukata answered although both women at the table didn’t believe her. Before either of them could press, Yukata stood abruptly saying, “I...I need to get going. It was nice seeing you both.”

Yukata took off before either woman could bid her farewell in turn causing them to share a look until Sari asked, “Do you have any idea what’s been going on with Yukata?”

Matsuri shook her head in the negative since she wasn’t sure what was wrong with her friend. Although she did know about how Yukata had visited the summoning circle that had been part of Naruto’s plan to draw Pakura to him, but since he had told her he never used the Temptation’s Touch on any of his visitors, she didn’t believe that was behind Yukata’s change in behavior since returning to Suna. Yet, no one that knew Yukata before the training force had failed to notice how withdrawn she had become. Proposing her own theory she said, “Perhaps, it’s due to her training to make it into the puppeteer forces.”

Sari gave the matter some thought before commenting, “I guess that would make sense. Yukata was disappointed when she failed the entrance exams after becoming a genin.”

Matsuri nodded and felt a sense of contentment from being a part of the group that made it possible for her friend to have a second chance at her dream. Letting a little of that emotion bleed into her voice she said, “Well, with all the chakra infused wood being shipped to the village due to our new trade agreements with Konoha, they were able to expand them. They’ve even reopened the Puppet Armory. They’re letting the hopefuls build the puppets they wish to take the exam with. They say their puppets are going to be some of the first to be built since Sasori of the Red Sand defected.”

“That’s not hard to believe,” Sari replied. “Most of our sources for the wood needed in puppet creation dried up during the Third Shinobi War. The few that remained barely provided us with enough to maintain those already in the field.” Sari leaned forward conspiratorially before asking, “Still, do you really think that’s the reason?”

“Sure I do,” Matsuri answered. Guessing that perhaps her friend had another idea behind Yukata’s strange behavior she asked, “What do you think it is?”

Sari looked around to make sure no one was listening but then said, “Do you think it might have something to do with the Ghost?”

“The ghost,” Matsuri said both a little confused and nervous.

Sari frowned as she said, “Come on Matsuri, don’t play stupid. Quite a few of the kunoichi from the Training Force have come back with tales of the Perverted Ghost who would fondle them until they came.”

“H-how did you hear about that?” Matsuri asked since her friend had not been a part of the Training Force.

A little color entered her cheeks as Sari explained, “I went out with Kashike and a few others shortly after they came back.”

Sari trailed off as her cheeks colored prompting Matsuri to say, “So?”

“So,” Sari said starting up again, “she hooked up with Tsuchino shortly after she got back. You remember how enamored with him she was, right?” When Matsuri nodded she continued, “Well even though she landed her dream guy, she just ended it.”

Matsuri shrugged as she cut in, “So, maybe he didn’t live up to her fantasy.”

“You’re more right then you know.” Sari said with a smirk. “It took some prompting, but she finally admitted it was because he was lacking in the bedroom. She said that he just couldn’t make her cum.”

“Are you saying she can’t reach orgasm?”

“Oh she says she can reach it… on her own,” Sari replied. “But she also added they fail to match what she felt at the Ghost’s hands.” Sari looked slightly guilty as she admitted, “Hearing some of what she experienced made me jealous that I wasn’t a part of the Training Force.”

Matsuri frowned at what her friend said. Admonishing her slightly she said, “You don’t mean that.”

Sari took a sip of her water before admitting, “No, a little part of me does. I care for Gaara. I do. But, I want to experience some physical intimacy too and hearing Kashike made me wish I could have felt what she did. I mean you should hear how she sounded. He may just have been some pervert, but she was talking about him like she used to talk about Tsuchino. Once she admitted to visiting the ghost, she even talked about making a trip out to Konoha just to see if the Circle that seemed to call him was still there. The thing of it is. I can tell she wasn’t the only one.”

Matsuri was surprised by the revelation and it forced her to consider that perhaps Yukata was still hooked on the feelings she felt at Naruto’s hands. Having felt them herself she supposed she could understand how it could haunt a person especially if they didn’t know who it was behind them. Knowing that Yukata had visited Naruto the most, Matsuri began to see that perhaps the kunoichi’s behavior was due to her being distracted by a desire to experience such pleasure again and perhaps even more.

Before Matsuri could ponder on it more though the restaurant went silent as several Oni mask wearing Anbu entered. They looked around the room, before zeroing in on Matsuri and Sari’s table. Quickly approaching the leader of the group said, “Sari, please come with us.”

Hearing the urgency in the man’s voice, the kunoichi asked, “Is something wrong?”

“Lord Gaara has been placed under house arrest by the Council. He is the prime suspect in the murder of Elder Joseki as well as several guests at his house. Including the Magistrate.”

Sari gasped as she sprung to her feet asking the Anbu, “Please take me to him.”

“In due time,” the Anbu answered, “First you must go before the Council. They wish to speak with you as you were the last person to see him before the murders.”

Matsuri watched as Sari stood to follow the Anbu out of the restaurant without saying goodbye. She wasn’t surprised by her friend’s rudeness as she was sure Sari was berating herself for storming out on Gaara and thus being unable to provide him an alibi. She wondered what she should do, and considered alerting Naruto to the trouble, but held back as she felt it would be best to find out all the details she could before coming to a decision on the matter. With that thought in mind she paid and went out looking for the answers.

*****

Naruto was relaxing in the hot springs located on Kiyomi’s property. A feat made easier as he was nestled between two of his home’s newest residents. Yakumo sighed contently as she laid her head against his right shoulder. When Naruto looked down at her as he pulled his attention from Shiho, who was giving him a history lesson, she smiled as she said, “Thank you again for helping me move in and placing the rest of my family’s belongings in storage.”

Naruto quickly pecked her lips before responding, “You’re quite welcome. It was very generous of you to turn your family’s home into a training center for your clan.” Ino and Sakura who were sitting opposite of them giggled as Ino whispered something into the pink haired girl’s ear. Believing it to be related to what he just said he asked, “What’s so funny?”

Ino gave Yakumo a knowing smirk as she replied, “I was merely telling Sakura that as generous as her actions were. I think she gained more than she lost.”

“Like what?”

“Like nightly access to a certain blond stud,” Sakura answered. “I imagine it’ll be much easier for you two now that she doesn’t have to worry about an overprotective uncle hanging around.”

Yakumo smiled as she said, “True, and Uncle Unkai was rather against me moving out. However, he’ll be rather busy training those who have petitioned to rejoin the clan as shinobi.”

Naruto pulled Yakumo a little closer as a wave of pride in his lover swept over him. While it was true that Yakumo’s turning over her mansion to the clan to be used as a barracks had allowed her to move into the Hidden Eddy Inn, Naruto knew that her primary motivation was to give members of her clan the same second chance at their dreams that she had received. Due to the lie that had been spread about the Kekkei Genkai the First Kurama had possessed and many believed Yakumo had inherited, the Clan had for generations maintained strict guidelines about who could and couldn’t become a shinobi. The most important one being a superior talent for genjutsu. However, while this method of picking who could and couldn’t become a shinobi in the Kurama Clan had preserved the secret that the First Kurama hadn’t possessed a Kekkei Genkai, but a keen mind for traps to go along with his talent for genjutsu, it was also leading to the slow extinct of the clan as a force within the village since so few had the required talent for illusion techniques. As such, it was believed that within a few more generations the Kurama Clan would be unable to produce the required amount of active Shinobi to be considered a true Shinobi Clan. If that ever happened they would likely lose their seat on the Council.

It wouldn’t be the first time such a fate had befallen a clan of the village. A similar set of circumstances had led to the Hatake losing their clan status, although it hadn’t been until Sakumo Hatake had abandoned his mission to save his teammates that the Hatake Clan had officially been stripped of their Clan Status. The only two exceptions to the requirement that a Clan provide a number of shinobi to the village were the Uchiha and the Senju. As the two founding Clans it was felt that regardless of their contributions to the village’s forces they should always have a spot on the Council. Although in truth, it had been the Uchiha that had pushed for the exception to be given. Yet, as it became apparent that the Senju had truly tired of being at war and more and more of their children chose to pursue other avenues the other Clans had agreed hoping to keep a Senju presence for as long as possible.

Naturally this rule didn’t apply to those Shinobi that were rewarded clan status for exceptional service. Thus far a feat only achieved by Sasuke Sarutobi, The Third Hokage’s father. He was gifted with Clan status by the council at the behest of the Nara, Yakumo, and Akimichi, when he had held off a whole battalion of Sand shinobi during the First Shinobi World war. An action which had allowed the Heirs of those three clans to escape from being cornered and destroyed, and as such, was why those men in turn had demanded a Sarutobi be assigned as a sensei to their children which had given birth to the First Ino-Shika-Cho trio.

Instead a shinobi who was given a clan was given a number of generations to produce genin of quality. Of course to aid in this a shinobi could take multiple spouses, but it was more common for him to simply have family members swear allegiance to his clan so that their offspring could be counted. This was the path that Sasuke Sarutobi had taken since he had joined Konoha as a single shinobi and after achieving an official clan status had convinced the rest of his unaligned brethren to join him.

It was also the path that Yakumo was hoping to take with her clan as well. Yet, the problem the Kurama faced wouldn’t be solved by just adding shinobi to the roster if they couldn’t cut it. Not to mention Naruto felt Yakumo would begin to regret her decision should her people pay the steep price that was often the cost of failure, death. Another thing Yakumo had desired was for there to be something about her shinobi’s skill set that stood out like the other great clans of Konoha. She had drawn a blank until she had mentioned it to Naruto, who had commented that he wished he could help, but considering his own lack of skill in genjutsu wasn’t sure what he could offer. He had then made an off-handed comment about how nice it was to be a part of a team, as he was with his mother, since she could dispel any genjutsu placed on him. It was the spark of inspiration Yakumo needed as she figured out how she would train the new shinobi. Giving her lover a kiss, she had rushed back to her Uncle and had informed him that the future Kurama that failed to measure up to the clan’s strict mastery of genjutsu would then be trained in how to counter it.

Yakumo believed that given time the new Kurama Clan shinobi would prove to be quite effective in the field as Counter Genjutsu operatives. Her belief stemmed from the fact that currently in order to dispel a genjutsu a person needed to do so themselves or have someone do so for them. Something which could prove difficult in the heat of battle since to break a genjutsu on a person it required for the two shinobi to be in direct contact. Yakumo planned not only to find a way around this since it would make it possible for a single person to break genjutsu on multiple people at once. But as they developed more advanced techniques she believed it would be possible to even reflect the genjutsu back on the casters. It could also not develop into anything, but Yakumo felt it was a worthy avenue to explore.

Naruto was pulled from his thoughts on the matters of clans and the Kurama’s future by Shiho closing the book she had been giving the history lesson from. Turning towards Naruto she said, “I guess we aren’t going to get any studying done with all these distractions.”

“Sorry,” Naruto replied rather unconvincingly.

“It’s okay,” Shiho said a little amused at the obvious relief that appeared on Naruto’s face. Teasing him, she said, “You’re hardly what I would consider a model student under the best circumstances. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised you’re having trouble concentrating. Plus you must be tired from helping us move today.”

“That was just a light work out when compared to the big move,” Naruto said sliding down a little further in the water as Shiho placed her book on the ground before pressing herself against the jinchuriki.

“Which part,” Ino said with a sultry smile, “The moving, or what came after.”

“Both,” Naruto replied, “You and Sakura wore out my clones after they helped you get settled into your apartment.”

The two roommates shared a look before Sakura responded, “Well we just wanted to let them know we appreciated their hard work. I didn’t hear them complain.”

“Maybe because you drained them until they dispelled,” Naruto replied with an amused smile which grew into a lustful smirk as he recalled how enthusiastically his lovers had thanked his clones.

Ino’s smile mirrored her blond lover’s as she said, “That’s why Sakura and I decided to join you tonight. We figured we’d get a chance to pick-up where we left off. If I would have known I would be sitting through a history lesson I might have stayed home.”

Shiho huffed in annoyance but let it pass as Naruto replied, “Not all of us were stellar students in the academy Ino. Shiho’s being kind enough to help me catch up on the stuff that I should probably already know. I’m sure she might find it just as boring when I help you with the gardening in your shop’s greenhouse.”

“You’re right,” Ino said and turning her gaze to Shiho added, “I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine,” Shiho replied, “I know a night spent with a good book is probably not how most shinobi spend their nights.”

Naruto smirked as Sakura giggled before she added, “Well, Naruto and I can think of one who spends his nights like that.” Turning towards Ino, she then said, “Well maybe what is needed for things to heat up is for somebody to take the first step.”

Ino smiled as she saddled closer to her pink-haired friend as she said, “I think that can be arranged.” Ino then pressed her lips to Sakura’s. The two kunoichi pressed their bodies against each other as they made out sloppily making sure that those watching them could see their tongue play.

Shiho gasped at the sight as while she had seen and done quite a lot since joining Naruto’s harem. She was still a little shy, when it came to the public displays of affection, even when she wasn’t the one doing it. Yet, she found herself unable to look away as the two kunoichi continued to kiss heatedly. She got the feeling that they had forgotten the others present as they simply enjoyed the taste of each other’s mouths. The bespectacled kunoichi felt a jolt that started in her pussy as Sakura moaned out loud as Ino lowered her mouth to the pink-haired woman’s breast.

“Mmmm, Ino please the other one too,” Sakura moaned out causing the Yamanaka to do as she suggested. Ino squeezed Sakura’s breast before she then latched her mouth to the woman’s tit to begin sucking on her hardened nipple. The green-eyed woman’s head fell back as she moaned loudly and wrapped her arms around Ino’s neck. Sakura began to lean back pulling Ino forward as the pink haired girl’s knees appeared from the water on either side of the blonde. Sakura’s moans became deeper and from the way Ino’s shoulder moved it made those watching believe the Yamanaka was taking advantage of her friend’s position to stimulate her pussy under the water.

Shiho looked at Naruto out of the corner of her eye to see him watching the two with rapt attention. Quite aware of the effect the sight and moans of the two kunoichi was having on her, Shiho decided to take advantage as she reached for what she believed would be a very stiff dick. Her gaze drifted to Yakumo though as her hand bumped into someone else’s. She smiled at her and it was quickly returned before both of them reached down to take possession of the appendage that had introduced both of them to worlds of pleasure beyond their imagination.

Naruto groaned as he felt the pair of hands wrap around his cock and began to slowly slide up and down it. Tearing his gaze from the sight before him, he looked down to see both Yakumo and Shiho looking up at him as they slowly jerked him off. Leaning down he first kissed Shiho before giving Yakumo one as well.

The sound of a person leaving the water drew his attention back to Sakura and Ino. He watched hungrily as Ino having lifted Sakura out of the water placed her on the edge of the hot springs and after spending a few moments kissing her fellow harem member, slowly worked her way down the pink-haired kunoichi’s body to begin eating her friend’s dripping snatch. Naruto’s dick lurched in Yakumo and Shiho’s hands as he devoured the sight of Ino pushing her ass back towards them as she traveled down Sakura’s body giving him a better and better view of her incredibly wet cunt.

Yakumo growing aroused by the sight as well and wishing to experience some of what the pink-haired medic was stood in the water to pushing her hips towards Naruto as she asked, “Will you kiss me down there too, Naruto?”

Naruto didn’t respond with words as he simply leaned towards her and clamped his mouth onto Yakumo’s mound. She began to moan softly as she felt his tongue first lick against her outer lips before zeroing in on her increasingly sensitive clit. Naruto moaned into her little pleasure buzzer as his dick was engulfed in a different type of wet heat as Shiho took the opportunity to straddle him and guide his cock into her pleasure passage.

Shiho moaned as she slowly rose up and down Naruto stiff rod as she placed her hands on his stomach. She looked over her shoulder as she heard Sakura pant out, “I-ino y-your tongue feels so good. L-let me taste you too.”

Ino pulled her mouth away from Sakura’s cunt so that she could climb out of the water. Placing her knees on either side of her friend’s head, she lowered her pussy down to Sakura’s face and moaned as the medic’s eager mouth began drinking in her essence. Shiho’s view of Sakura’s wet pussy was obstructed as Ino leaned down her friend’s body to return her head to between Sakura’s thighs.

The sound of a body leaving the water by them pulled Shiho’s attention back to her side of the hot spring as she saw that Yakumo had extracted herself from the water in order to sit on the edge with her legs spread. Her attention was pulled to Naruto as he pressed his lips to hers allowing her to taste Yakumo’s pussy which coated his lips and tongue. She moaned at the added flavor and after the kiss ended allowed Naruto to spin her around on his dick so that for a moment she was facing the still sixty-nining Sakura and Ino. He then lifted them both bodily and turned them so that they were facing Yakumo. Shiho placed her hands on the edge of the hot-springs as Naruto began to pump into her from behind even as Yakumo began to rub and tease her pussy to the sight.

Shiho found she couldn’t pull her gaze from where Yakumo’s delicate fingers were rubbing her mound. Watching as they grew increasingly slick with the brown-haired juices, she didn’t offer any resistance when Naruto with a gentle nudge to her upper back slowly guided her face to between Yakumo’s legs. Yakumo’s fingers were replaced with Shiho’s tongue as the blonde woman gave into the pleasure coursing through her and forgot her inhibitions.

Yakumo offered her fingers to Naruto who hungrily sucked them clean as the Kurama clan head began to moan as a result of Shiho’s inexperienced but enthusiastic tonguing of her snatch. Naruto once he had cleaned Yakumo’s digits of her essence reached down to lift Shiho’s right leg out of the water. Her cries picked up in volume as she rested her foot on the edge of the hot-springs as her being spread out allowed Naruto’s cock to probe her deeper.

The hot-spring filled with the sounds of the four women and one guy basking in pleasure until Yakumo panted, “N-naruto…I…I want to feel…I want you inside me too.”

Naruto smiled at the Clan head as he thought of how best to comply with her request, and although creating a shadow clone came to mind. He still preferred to handle the pleasuring of his women himself unless the circumstances called for it, such as when they were spread out as had been the case for his lovers who he had helped move into the Hidden Eddy Inn. Therefore, he began to push Shiho forward forcing her out of the water and up Yakumo’s body as he followed her out. Once his two lovers’ mounds were positioned near one another he slid out of Shiho and in a smooth motion slipped into Yakumo. Shiho moaned out in loss even as Yakumo’s cries picked up in volume. After several strokes he switched once more causing the two women to once more switch volumes, before he did so again.

On the opposite side of the water, Ino paused in her licking to say, “Wow, Sakura your cunt won’t stop flowing.”

Sakura pulled her mouth free of Ino’s honeypot to reply with her chin coated in the blonde’s essence, “Y-you’re one to talk. But, I can’t get enough of your sweet taste. I feel like a bee drawn to a flower.”

Ino blushed at Sakura’s compliment as she rubbed her chin through the thin strip of pink fur above the medic’s pussy as she replied, “I know what you mean.” She then busied her tongue with once more drinking in Sakura’s juices an action the pink-haired kunoichi followed.

Naruto had both Yakumo and Shiho moaning loudly as he rubbed his dick between where the two women were pressed together so that he could stimulate them both. His dick dragged over each woman’s clit causing their cries to grow in volume together as they neared their respective climaxes. Yakumo, pressed her lips to Shiho’s who responded eagerly as their tongues danced around each other. The two women heard a pair of muffled screams as their compatriots on the opposite side of the spring came together.

Both women tensed as they broke their kiss so that they could give voice to the pleasure that turned their worlds white for a moment which seemed to last forever and was also entirely too short. Naruto pulled back as his own climax approached as he got to his feet and began to fist his cock. The four kunoichi quickly moved so that they could kneel before him, with Sakura and Ino running over the water so that they didn’t miss a drop. All four women stuck out their tongues as Naruto groaned and began shooting strands of thick white cum which as he moved his dick to give each of his lovers a taste ended up coating their faces and chests as well.

Each of his lovers began to wipe the excess cum from their bodies which they then made sure found its way to their mouths. Shiho had removed her glasses to lick some of the cum from it and although they could be considered anything but clean she put them back on and stiffened as she noticed someone at the entrance to the grotto which led to the jungle themed spring they had been using. Ino noticed what caused Shiho to go stiff first and leveling a gaze to the woman licked the last of Naruto’s cum from her fingers before asking, “Did you enjoy the show?”

Naruto spun to the intruder and was surprised to see a red-faced Tifa standing on the opposite side of the springs. The woman’s gaze drifted down, but Naruto figuring she’d probably been there for a while made no move to cover himself. Tifa tore her gaze away and tried to sound calm and collected as she asked, “C-can…Can I speak with you?”

“Sure, what’s on your mind?”

“C-can we maybe…go someplace else…”

“I guess so,” Naruto said guessing that wherever Tifa wanted to go she wanted it to be a place that required clothing. Rubbing the back of his head, which caused his softened cock to swing, he said, “Let me go get dressed.” But before rushing off he turned presenting his ass to Tifa as he bent over to give each of his lovers a kiss before calmly strolling off to the bathhouse where his clothes were. Tifa remained rooted to the spot as Naruto walked pass her and watched as the four women seemed to bask in the pleasure they had just experienced. As Tifa finally turned to leave it was with a slightly awkward gait as she resisted the urge to fix her dampened panties which clung to her oh so tightly.

*****

Temari stood in Joseki’s house which still looked as it had after a passing Anbu that had noticed the guards that had been placed around the home had been rendered unconscious and had then discovered the grisly murders. While the bodies had been removed, although that would be a generous description in Joseki’s case, dolls had been brought in to simulate them as the desert heat made it necessary to refrigerate the corpses as quickly as possible.

Temari had come directly to the crime scene after the emergency council session had ended when it had become apparent that Gaara was the prime suspect. She frowned as she recalled Sari explaining that she had left her brother alone after they had had a fight. While Gaara had made no bones about being in his office alone, Temari had hoped that perhaps her brother had been wrong about the timing and Sari would be able to vouch for his whereabouts. With that not being the case, the council had been forced to temporarily strip Gaara of his powers as Kazekage until a full investigation could be performed.

Temari turned her gaze from the table where the bodies of Joseki’s guest had been found strangled while still sitting, to the outline of the supposed attacker painted in the blood of Joseki as he experienced a Desert Funeral. The figure appeared to be cloaked giving no indication of whether the person had been male or female, but what Temari did notice was there was no presence of the gourd that Gaara typically carried. While that didn’t necessarily mean anything, since the attacker had tried to hide their identity, she did believe it was evidence that her brother was being framed. Granted, she knew she was not the most impartial person, since she wouldn’t believe the charges against her brother even if someone had managed to catch the attack on video. She just didn’t believe that Gaara would act in such a manner due to his belief in Naruto and the change that had come from his finding a friend in the blond man.

She heard the Anbu behind her shuffle just before they were joined by a third who said, “Can you leave us alone for a moment?”

The Anbu answered, “I’m sorry Lord Kankuro, but my orders were quite specific and I cannot leave either you or Lady Temari alone while inspecting the crime scene.”

Kankuro sighed although he had already known that would be the response since some on the council feared the two Sand Siblings might be tempted to tamper with the evidence found there. “What are you thinking Sis?”

“I’m thinking that Gaara had nothing to do with this,” Temari replied turning towards her sibling.

“I know that, but you have to admit that as frame jobs go it’s a rather good one.”

“Really,” Temari replied, “I was thinking just the opposite. To me it’s the type of frame-up that a person would do if they expected those looking into would just leap to the first conclusion that popped into their head.” Pointing to the wall, Temari said, “I mean look. The murder makes an effort to conceal their identity but then kills everyone using jutsu used exclusively by only one person in the village. The killer might as well have painted, ‘Gaara was here’ on the walls.”

Kankuro looked at the outline of the killer that was painted on the wall and couldn’t help saying, “He kind of did.” Temari scowled at her brother causing him to hold up his hands defensively as he said, “Look Sis, I’m on your side. But you point out the major problem. Gaara is the only active shinobi in the village that can use sand like that and that was the weapon used here. It wasn’t the Iron Sand of the Third Kazekage, nor was it the gold dust that father used to use.”

“What about missing-nin?” Temari asked.

“None that had the talent required to carry this out. Some of the victims might have been pass their prime, but they were still Ex-Councilors. And while none of the current council was in attendance here, a few of them were still allies of Joseki. They just can’t let it show in the current political climate.”

“There letting it show alright,” Temari growled angrily, “By stripping Gaara of his powers and locking him up like a criminal, they’re playing into whoever really did this hands.”

Kankuro nodded but nonetheless said, “True, but what choice did the council have. We can’t have it appear that Gaara was going to punish Joseki for going outside the law and then do the same thing himself without consequence. Not to mention that for the moment this is a crime with only one strong suspect.”

“What happened to being innocent until proven guilty?” Temari snapped. “If a person was planning to set Gaara up then they could have found a way to use his jutsu. Naruto told me that his team once encountered a group of shinobi that had a man who used jutsu similar to Gaara.”

“You’re talking about the Watari ninja right,” Kankuro said surprising his sister. Noticing the surprise written on her face he said, “Hey, you aren’t the only one looking for an explanation that doesn’t point to Gaara. The problem is that the Watari shinobi you are speaking of is dead, he was killed by Kakashi.”

“I know that,” Temari replied, “My point is if it could be done once, it could be done again.”

“Agreed,” Kankuro said, “But until such a person makes themselves known, we having nothing to offer as proof of Gaara’s innocence. It gets worse though.”

“W-what do you mean?”

Kankuro concern was written on his face as he explained, “After you left The Council decided to send a message to the Capital. The Daimyo is soon going to learn that his Magistrate is dead and the prime suspect is Gaara.”

“Those idiots,” Temari said closing with her brother. “Do they have any idea what they have done?”

“Some of them I’m sure do,” Kankuro said calmly. “But even those that aren’t out to get Gaara felt it was something that needed to be done. Better the Daimyo find out from us then some other means. I hate to say it like this, but when measured against the village’s survival Gaara’s life doesn’t carry much weight.”

“It does to me,” Temari said softly.

“And to me too,” Kankuro replied, “Which is why we need to get to the bottom of this and fast. If the Daimyo sent that magistrate here to derail some of Gaara’s plans then he may see this as an opportunity to remove him all together.”

Temari nodded as her brother’s words pointed out what she truly feared. That the scene behind her was created to give the Daimyo a chance to quickly eliminate Gaara. Hoping to derail such a plan, she prepared to leave the house but stopped as Kankuro said, “Oh and I’m not sure why Gaara wanted me to tell you this. But he made it a point for me to tell you that you aren’t to get Naruto involved.”

Temari frowned as she wondered what her brother was playing at. It occurred to her that Gaara was perhaps as aware as her that what had befallen him could be a plot by the Daimyo. But why he wouldn’t want her to inform his friend she wasn’t sure. Still while she loved Naruto, she was still beholden to the wishes of the Kazekage so replied, “If that is what Gaara wants, then we have no choice but to respect them. But we’re going to have to inform the Hokage.”

“You know she’ll probably tell Naruto.”

Temari turned away as she let a smile cross her face as she replied, “Well what she does with the information is out of our hands. However, if something bad had befallen the Hokage then I’m sure we’d expect the Leaf to tell us, so it is only fair.”

“I guess so,” Kankuro said. “But I’ll leave it to you to explain to Gaara.”

“I’d love too,” Temari replied, “Just as soon as he explains to me why he’s making it a point to try and cut out one of his closest friends.”

*****

Tifa took a sip of the sake that was placed in front of her as she listened with half an ear to the music that was playing in the background. She looked over to the man sitting next to her and although he was henged to look like the false persona he used to date his equally henged lovers without attracting attention to him and his harem, she still felt her cheeks heat up as she recalled the scene she had just witnessed. Recalling the finale as he coated his lovers in his seed, she downed the rest of her sake so he wouldn’t realize the coloring was due to him.

“Would you like a refill?” asked the woman that had introduced herself as Ibara and who ran the bar called Seventh Heaven.

“Yes, please” Tifa said breathlessly due to the alcohol still burning her throat.

The server smiled as she collected the bottle and then turning her attention to her companion asked, “What about you Mr. Takayama”

“No thank you Ibara,” he replied swirling his own bottle, “I’ll be fine for a little while longer. And how many times have I asked you to call me Kakami?”

“A few I’d imagine,” the bartender answered. Ibara then asked, “Where’s your normal companion?”

“Which one?” the henged Naruto asked amused referencing the fact his false persona’s girlfriend was afflicted with multiple personalities, which in fact were his different lovers playing the part.

“I suppose that is the question,” Ibara replied with an amused smile, before adding, “Although I think they might all be jealous to find you out with such a beautiful woman.”

Naruto grinned at the bar owner before replying, “I don’t know about that. I’m very fortunate in that they aren’t the jealous types.”

“It must be hard balancing all those different personalities though,” the woman said with a shake of the head.

“Sometimes,” Naruto admitted, “But it’s worth it.”

The woman smirked, but another customer waved her down so she moved to the end of the bar to attend to him leaving Naruto and Tifa alone. Tifa had noticed that Naruto had seemed to be enjoying his conversation with the woman, although she believed it was due to more than the topic. Her curiosity getting the better of her, she asked, “Was it just me, or did you seem to bask a little in fooling her into believing you’re this other person? I’m sure that if you had simply come as yourself, she’d be buying your drinks for you.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure of that,” Naruto replied as a slight frown marred his features. Recalling how she and another mother had been glad that he failed his genin exam he explained, “She wasn’t exactly my biggest fan.” Looking around the bar he added sadly, “Actually, I’ve only ever come here in character as the actors like to say.”

“Why?” Tifa noticed Naruto seemed uncomfortable for a moment and guessing it related to how he was likely treated in the past and how he might not be over it asked, “Is it because you can’t forgive her?”

Naruto picked up a hint of concern in Tifa’s voice and attributed it to her wondering if he would perhaps be unable to forgive her since that appeared to be the reason she had went looking for him. The jinchuriki smiled politely before answering, “That isn’t the reason. I guess now that my star has risen so to speak, I just don’t feel a need to make an issue of the past.”

“Perhaps she would like a chance to speak about it now though,” Tifa suggested.

“Is that why you sought me out tonight?” Naruto asked getting to what he believed to be the heart of the matter

“Well it certainly wasn’t for the show that I received,” Tifa said as she took a sip of her drink to help mask the sudden heat she felt resettle in her cheeks as her memory replayed the scene of Naruto’s four lovers kneeling before him to catch his seed.

Naruto chuckled in amusement as he scanned the room, as he did so he took in some of the beautiful women present. Having come to the bar several times in recent weeks with his lovers, as well as by himself, he was beginning to learn some of the habits of the regulars. His gaze landed on Kukaku as she spoke with an attractive man, who appeared to be a businessman from the way he dressed. He watched her smile as the man whispered something into her ear. Kukaku grinned seductively as she licked her lips and gave the man a nod. The man flagged down Ibara so that he could pay his bill and then stood following after Kukaku.

Naruto watched them leave, having witnessed a similar scene several times in the past. He wasn’t bothered by it although he did know Kukaku’s finding other lovers was a point of contention between her and Yoruichi. But in truth Naruto felt it was all a part of Kukaku’s adapting to her human form. He knew a prideful woman like Kukaku would have trouble finding herself being somewhat subservient to any man she took to bed. Considering Naruto’s place at the head of his harem he understood why the Five-Tails balked at the idea of becoming his lover. Having seen her pick-up several men he had noticed that she seemed to prefer men that wouldn’t back down from her, and at the same time likely wouldn’t form an attachment to her. However, having noticed her leave with the same man several times recently, he began to wonder if she was perhaps the one finding herself forming an attachment. He spared a moment to wonder what would happen if she realized that perhaps she was the one that couldn’t let go, before returning his attention to the other women.

Tifa noting Naruto’s roving eye as she struggled to answer his question instead said, “I’m not sure if I should be jealous or not. I’d like to think I’m beautiful enough to keep your attention for more than a half hour.”

Naruto chuckled as he focused back on Tifa as he replied, “If it was simply a matter of looks you’d have my undivided attention. As a matter of fact several gentlemen here seem to have a hard time keeping their eyes off of you. But since you seemed uncomfortably by my questions I thought that I would give you a moment to get yourself together so busied myself with searching for someone I hoped could help me with a certain problem.”

Glad for a chance to change the subject, Tifa asked, “What kind of problem?”

Naruto indulged her as he said, “Well I’m sure you may have heard from one of the women at the mansion about how I was having trouble with a certain woman of mine.”

Guessing he had likely already patched things up with Kiyomi now that she was somewhat free of the red-head’s control, she figured it might be due to the other woman he had heard some rumors about. Commenting on what she had overheard as a maid she asked, “You’re talking about the one that’s recently pulled away because of your refusal to submit to her desires to explore BDSM.”

Naruto nodded in the affirmative before explaining, “It isn’t just a matter of my refusing to. But an inability to actually do so, at least in the capacity that she is asking me too.”

“I’m not sure I understand,” Tifa said.

Taking a sip of his drink, Naruto said, “Anko when she became one of my lovers submitted to me. Not the other way around. This is true of all my lovers and while I do not begrudge them for disagreeing with me, at the end of the day it is my will that needs to prevail. It is the only way my Harem can actually function, much like a Hokage can have advisors and listen to the council but in the end when a decision is made they need to obey it. A part of the reason things degraded to such a point with Anko is because I wasn’t as firm as I perhaps should have been.”

“Okay, I can understand that I guess. But, what does that have to do with your refusal to take a few spankings from her from time to time?”

“Well put yourself in the position of one of my other lovers.” Tifa’s felt her cheeks heat up as a tingle started in her pussy from the blond man’s words as she had been finding doing so easier and easier since witnessing him pleasing his lovers. “Can you tell me you’d have the same level of respect for me needed to obey me without question at times if you knew I was submitting to someone else?”

Tifa flashed to an image of a nude Naruto wearing a gimp mask and bent over a wooden horse as Anko slapped his ass with a riding crop. While she would admit that on the surface it was a rather hot image, she could understand his point. It then dawned on her that what Naruto was looking for then was someone that Anko could explore her new interests with, but would leave Naruto in the dominant position within the Harem. It also made her realize what kind of man, she was sitting next to as she gave voice to something else that she realized, “You could have used us.”

“Pardon me,” Naruto said confused.

“You could have handed us over to Anko. My team and I,” Tifa said.

“No I couldn’t,” Naruto replied with a shake of his head. “It would have been no different than how Kiyomi tried to hand you three over to Kiba.”

Tifa wanted to talk about it further, but was stopped as Ibara came back around. She filled Naruto and her glasses as she made small talk again, but was soon waved down by another customer. When they were alone again, she asked, “Is that why you didn’t sleep with us when Kiyomi offered? Or was it resentment? I heard during some of your arguments that you used similar means to seduce some of your other lovers.”

Naruto sensed a certain amount of desire in Tifa’s voice so turned on his stool and placed his hand on her knee. Tifa stiffened at the touch, but relaxed a little as Naruto asked, “Do you ask out of curiosity? Or desire?”

“Maybe a little of both,” Tifa answered and stiffened again as Naruto’s hand traveled a little further up her leg.

Naruto smiled at the answer and her reaction to his response to it as he said, “Truthfully, I feel that I had crossed the line with one of my lovers due to the anger I was feeling at the time. Luckily she hasn’t held it against me. But while I might have stacked the deck in my favor, all of the women bound to me succumbed to their own desires to be with me. They made the choice even if they didn’t know all that it entailed in the end. I also have tried to give them a chance to back out before we consummated our relationship. With that said, taking you while under Kiyomi’s false personas would have been wrong as it wouldn’t have been you making the decision.”

“Even if we would have come to be glad that you had?” Tifa asked and found she was rather happy her question caused Naruto’s hand to slip further up her thigh.

Naruto nodded as he answered, “There would have been just as much of a chance that you would resent me for it later. Plus what motivation would there have been for me to have Kiyomi remove the controls placed on you?”

“I guess you’re right.” Tifa said. “I would have probably resented you for using my body as my mind was trapped inside of it.” Despite her words thought Tifa frowned as they had the added effect of causing Naruto’s hand to travel down and away from her panty clad pussy which was growing increasingly warmer. Finding that warmth spreading through her body she asked, “But with that said, what if one of us found ourselves wanting to be with you now?”

Naruto’s hand reversed course as it traveled up to the edge of her skirt as he rested it on the inside of her thigh. Naruto smirked as a small gasp, which trailed off into disappointment, escaped from her lips as his hand stopped just short of dipping into her skirt “What do you mean?”

Tifa licked her suddenly dry lips before she asked, “I mean could you be with one of us? We nearly killed you and would have if not for that teacher and Kakashi. Could you be with one of us without resenting us…me?”

Naruto slid his hand forward and cupped Tifa mound as he began to run a finger up and down her slit. He felt the material of her panties grow increasingly damper as he answered, “One of my best friends tried to kill me first in order to prove his own existence.” Increasing the speed at which he rubbed her, he added, “I prefer to look forward not backwards because who knows what sort of bonds can be forged once people get passed their initial misunderstandings.”

Tifa placed a hand on the bar to prevent from bending over completely as the pleasure of Naruto’s actions coursed through her. She lowered her face so that her hair obscured her face as she bit her lip to prevent from moaning as Naruto slid her panties to the side so the he could push his finger inside her. His voice gave no hint of the excitement he was feeling at fingering the beautiful women in the middle of the bar as he continued, “Besides there was some good that came from that encounter. I learned that I mattered to my teacher, Iruka. And while you likely can’t have the same warm fuzzy feelings I did from learning that due to your time in prison. It did lead the two of us here so that we could both experience this moment.”

Naruto was about to push Tifa over the edge but was forced to stop as Ibara asked, “Is everything alright?”

Turning towards the bar’s proprietor Naruto calmly said, “I think she had a bit too much to drink. I think it would be best if we get going before she makes a mess. Can you please put it on my tab?”

“Of course,” Ibara replied as Naruto helped Tifa stand. “I hope you feel better.”

Tifa nodded wishing she could tell the woman just how good she was about to feel. Naruto guided her outside and once they were alone said, “I’ll give you some time to decide if you wish to continue this. You know where to find me if you do.”

“W-wait,” Tifa said grabbing the henged jinchuriki’s arm, “Y-you can’t leave me like this.”

Naruto paused, and then quickly guided Tifa inside an alley. Pressing her up against a wall his hand cupped her mound and he pressed on her clit. Tifa, still worked up from the bar climaxed hard, but her screams were muffled as Naruto pressed his lips to hers. The evidence of Tifa’s orgasm flowed down the side of her legs after drenching her panties and Naruto’s hand.

Naruto stepped back to admire his handiwork and dropping his henge as he did so while Tifa panted as she used the wall of the building to remain upright. Bring his hand up to his nose, he smelled the scent of Tifa’s arousal before licking his fingers clean of her release as he said, “I hope you decide to move forward with me.”

Then with a happy tune whistling passed his lips Naruto began walking down the alley leaving Tifa to contemplate whether or not to give the matter some thought, or to chase after the blond now. Deciding that she doubted she’s catch him even if she followed due to how weak her legs still felt she pushed off from the wall to head to her current residence, but which some part of her was already calling her temporary one.

*****

Kiba struggled to say something as he watched Aeris cleaning up the kitchen for the night. However, as opposed to a few hours before there was a noticeable tension in the air. Kiba sighed wishing he could go back in the past and stop himself from kissing the woman. Hoping to recover some of the previous closeness that he had felt to her he asked, “Is there anything I can help you with?”

He frowned as Aeris stiffened at his voice making him believe she had tried and succeeded to ignore his presence until he had just startled her. She quickly replied, “No, thank you. I’m just about finished.”

Kiba knew a polite way of being asked to leave when he heard one so got up from the kitchen table. He paused at the doorway, and felt Aeris stiffen again behind him so left without saying anything. His mother was coming down the stairs that lead to his home’s second level where the bath and bedroom resided and upon seeing her son’s downcast mood asked, “What’s wrong pup?”

Kiba spared a moment to look up at his concerned mother, but still a little uncomfortable about his recent discovery of his mother and sister’s active sex life didn’t wish to have an embarrassing conversation with her. Before, he could say as much the front door opened and Tifa announced, “I’m back.”

“Any luck finding a way to escape the village,” Tsume asked rather disinterestedly figuring Kiyomi had covered all the ways the women would come up with. Her noise picked up a familiar scent on the woman along with the tang of an aroused female. Knowing the male scent she was picking up was the one that she had created for Naruto to use when he was henged as Kakami Takayama, the employee of the Great Tree Shipping Company and man with a Snow Country kunoichi girlfriend that suffered from multiple-personalities, she grew more interested as she asked, “Or did you find something to keep you from trying.”

Tifa blushed as she quickly said, “I…I need to take a bath. I worked up a sweat trying to escape with Yuffie.”

“I bet you did,” Tsume said as she made room on the stairs so Tifa could quickly pass.

As the woman passed Kiba, he picked up the scent of Tifa’s arousal which made his dick lurch. He also picked up an unfamiliar male one, but he guessed from his mother’s reaction that it was somehow related to Naruto. Believing she had created a formula that gave scents as well as erasing them he asked as soon as the other woman was gone, “I-is she with him now?”

Tsume looked up the stairs before answering, “Not yet, but it’s only a matter of time. He’s quite the skilled hunter. He knows when to let his prey have some space, and when to pursue. In this case I believe he’s going to let her come to him.”

Hearing his mother speaking almost reverently of Naruto caused some bitterness to spill into his words as he asked, “Is that why you’re with him? Because of his skill.”

Tsume watched her son for a moment before finishing her trek down the stairs. She stared at him until he broke eye contact causing her to sigh at his timidness, especially around women. Forcing him to meet her eyes she finally said, “Yes, that is indeed part of it. But also his skill at making me feel like a woman.” Tsume knew her next words might sound like she was rubbing salt in the wound, but she also hoped her son would take the hint as she added, “You could stand to learn a thing or two from him, you know.” She ruffled rustled his hair playful hoping that if Kiba did take her words wrong it would lessen the blow of them before heading to the kitchen to get a late night glass of water.

Kiba watched his mother go and at first felt like she had punched him in the stomach. But still feeling the aftereffects of the gentle gesture that had followed admitted that whatever else Naruto had done, he had softened his mother’s disposition. Guessing that he did have quite a bit to learn as his mother suggested, he headed upstairs to his room to think of some way to make up for his misstep with Aeris lest Naruto swoop in and put her under his spell as well.

*****

Naruto slept contently but alone in his apartment’s bed as a figure entered his bedroom stealthily. Mikoto watched him sleep for a moment wondering how a shinobi could sleep so deeply in a world where death came from the shadows. She reached out for him, but paused as the guilt of what she had tried to do the last time she had approached him in such a way passed through her. She nearly lost her nerve as she turned to slip back out of the room, but knew she needed to go through with her self-appointed task.

Slipping into his bed without so much as causing it to rustle, she placed a hand over his seal, taking a moment to enjoy the taunt muscles she could feel just beneath his skin and then pulsed her chakra so that she appear inside of it. To her surprise, Kushina was still awake as she appeared to look rather restless to her friend although Mikoto doubted that the red-head would still think of her that way soon. Kushina’s violet eyes lit up as she spotted Mikoto causing her to say, “Miko, Naruto didn’t say you would be dropping in.”

“T-that’s because I didn’t tell him,” Mikoto said unsure if she could actually tell her friend what brought her there that night.

Mikoto’s distress was easy to see prompting Kushina to stand and close with her, “Miko, what is it? You should know that you can tell me anything.” Mikoto stepped back before Kushina could wrap her in a comforting hug, causing the Uzumaki to stop short as a look of unease to appeared on her face. “Miko…”

“Kushina, there’s nothing I can say to express how sorry I am at my actions…”

“Miko its okay…I’m sure you’re overreacting,” Kushina said again trying to approach her friend.

“No!” Mikoto practically shouted causing the former jinchuriki and current Bijuu to stop. Calming Mikoto said, “T-the night I learned that Naruto had taken Koharu as a lover…I…I wanted to hurt her.”

Kushina looked unsure of what to say, but settled on, “I…I suppose I can understand that. She did have a part in what happened to your family.”

Hearing Kushina try to symphonize with her felt like a knife to the gut. Mikoto closed her eyes unable to witness the moment when she would become something worse than scum to the Uzumaki as she pressed on, “I just wanted her to feel the same pain that I did so planned to kill someone she loved.”

It took Kushina a moment to understand what Mikoto was saying but once she did she said shocked, “Y-you mean…”

“Yes, I planned to kill Naruto. I even went so far as to invade his room and would have done it if Mito hadn’t stopped me.”

Kushina’s chakra flared as she feared for her son’s current safety and prepared to defend him even as he slept by using her chakra to end the threat. Mikoto remained stock still as Kushina closed and raised her hand to slap the woman, an action that would be mirrored by the chakra now coating Naruto to a far more devastating effect. Mikoto tensed waiting for the blow that may well end her life, but opened her eyes as Kushina said, “Let me go.” She was surprised to find Naruto standing behind his mother easily holding her arm even as she struggled to break loose. She watched as Kushina continued to struggle and finally pleaded, “Naruto, honey let me go. Even as we speak she’s in your room and can finish what she…”

“Mom, she isn’t hear to finish anything,” Naruto said calmly. “She came her to apologize.”

“You were awake when I entered your room,” Mikoto stated surprised.

“Um, no,” Naruto said, “But I’m aware enough to know when a woman’s running her hands over my stomach.”

Mikoto blushed at the realization that her touch and enjoyment of his body had woken him. But it was short lived as Kushina directed a glare towards Mikoto, in which the Uchiha thought she saw a small hint of jealousy. Her gaze shifted to her friend’s son as he said, “Mikoto your apology is accepted.”

“What!?” Kushina said as Naruto let her go so that she could face him. “Didn’t you hear the part where she admitted to trying to kill you?”

Naruto smirked as he said amused, “She’s hardly the only woman currently in my life that I could leverage that particular charge against.” He wondered why his mother’s cheeks turned red at the statement and hoped it wasn’t because of her temper.

Kushina calmed the lust that her son’s comments sparked within her as she had been caught unaware by his fingering the former Taki-nin Tifa since she had been away from the light due to her assuming she wouldn’t need to be near it as Naruto was in a public place. Naruto walked towards his mother and placed his arms on her shoulders causing her to suddenly go stiff as a part of her wanted him to press his lips to hers in a very unson like way. The moment was broken as he said, “Mom, are you really willing to throw away your friendship with Mikoto over…”

“Don’t say nothing,” Kushina snapped pulling herself free of Naruto’s grip. Wrapping her arms around herself, she said, “She admitted to trying to kill you.”

Naruto hugged his mom from behind causing her to relax into his grip as he said, “I know, and I’m upset at her because of what it would have done to you. You would have survived, but possibly lost all memories of me and dad.”

Kushina hadn’t considered that causing her to turn and level another harsh glare at the person she was beginning to consider a former friend. But Naruto didn’t let her as he let go and stepped between the two women. Favoring Mikoto with a smile, he said, “I’m thinking that might have actually made it easier for you though. Knowing that mom wouldn’t be aware of your betrayal.”

Finding Naruto’s calm acceptance almost harder to bare then Kushina’s anger Mikoto said, “Naruto, I’m so sorry.”

Naruto kept his smile in place as he said, “Mikoto, what are you saying sorry for? I already said I accepted your apology.”

Tears began to leak from her eyes as she wrapped her arms around herself as she began to sob. To her surprise, she was wrapped in hug causing her to look up and see Naruto had wrapped his arms around her. “H-how can you just forgive me?” Mikoto asked as she pleaded to understand the man holding her. It was a question that Kushina also wanted the answer to.

Naruto looked at his mom for a moment before looking back into the dark eyes of Sasuke’s mom as he explained, “Because I understand what it is to want to hurt people in order to make your own pain seem less. The truth is, it’s only a thin line that kept me from seeking vengeance against the world for shunning me. It’s a line I’ve approached lots of times, so how can I hate someone for approaching it as well. In the end you didn’t cross it.”

Mikoto wished she could take comfort in Naruto’s words but said, “That’s only because Mito stopped me.”

Naruto shook his head as he said, “No, she only gave you time to come to your senses. She didn’t tell me what you tried to do. That tells me that was because you had a change of heart. Something which your coming here to tell my mom only further proves. Wouldn’t you agree, mom?”

Mikoto’s gaze shifted from Naruto to Kushina and she was surprised to find the red-head fighting back tears. Before she could say anything, Kushina blurted, “I’m so lucky to have such a kind and wise son. Mikoto, I’m sorry for being a bad friend.” She then quickly ran to the two as Naruto held out an arm so she could make herself a part of the hug.”

Naruto held the two close to him as he smiled while Mikoto corrected Kushina to claim that she was the horrible friend only for the red-head to claim ownership of the title. It was a smile that appeared on his face outside the seal as well even as Mikoto snuggled deeper into the warmth she felt coming off of him.

*****

Kurenai yawned as she stepped out of the apartment she shared with Yuugao, and Anko. Despite the early morning hour, she was already dressed and showered since she figured she’d eat her breakfast in her new home with everyone else. Reaching the stairs, she began to head down them but stopped as Sakura and Ino stepped in front of her when she reached their floor.

“Good morning Kurenai-sensei,” the two said in unison before heading down to the ground level.

Kurenai found herself at a loss for words, primarily due to how the two kunoichi were dressed, or more accurately put barely dressed as both women looked like they had just spilled out of bed. Ino was wearing just a white a shirt that revealed she wasn’t wearing a bra and pair of panties. Sakura’s dress wasn’t quite as revealing as she was wearing a man’s shirt that was too big for her and which came down to the upper part of her thigh.

While she knew that a majority of the tenants were currently female, she felt it prudent to remind them that there was a male member that might decide to join them for breakfast. Resuming her journey she had hoped to reach them before they reached the main dining room but guessed she had remained rooted in place longer than she thought. She was about to call them out, but paused as she entered the room to find that it turned out she was in the minority as far as the state of dress at breakfast was concerned.

Miya Asama the landlady was impeccably dressed in her standard clothes, but the rest of the kunoichi in the room had decided to come to breakfast in the clothes they had slept in. Kneeling down at an open spot at the table she tried to keep her peace on the subject, but finally said, “Ladies…don’t you think you’re a tad underdressed.”

Miya looked up from her tea as she quickly agreed, “I said the same thing, but they all seem quite determined to make breakfast an improper affair.”

Sakura was the one that defend hers and the others state of dress as she said, “Relax Kurenai. We’re hardly naked after all. Do you normally shower and dress before breakfast if you aren’t in a rush?”

Kurenai was about to respond but she noticed a vein appear on Miya’s forehead as a newcomer called out, “Morning everyone.”

Recognizing Tsunade’s voice and guessing the blond had stayed in Shizune’s apartment, she turned to gain some more support for her argument but felt her jaw drop in surprise as the other kunoichi simply wished the Hokage a good morning. The reason for her astonishment was that Tsunade had decide to join the meal wearing her normal blouse, but instead of it being tied it hung open while still covering her breasts. To further add to the tantalizing image, the Hokage had decided to follow the other kunoichi’s example and appear at breakfast in her panties.

“L-lady Tsunade,” Kurenai said trailing off as she wasn’t sure how to reproach her village’s leader about her state of dress. Finally she said, “Um…don’t you think you’re a little underdressed.”

Tsunade looked down and shrugged as she said with a smirk, “Can you say I’m popping out of my blouse any more than usual?”

“Well perhaps not…but still what if Naruto…”

“Did someone call me,” Naruto said entering from the kitchen area wearing an apron that said, ‘Kiss the cook.’ From the amount of skin that peeked out from behind it she guessed he was only wearing some boxer shorts underneath it. She imagined the only reason for the apron was so as not to be splashed by any grease as a result of his cooking breakfast. Placing the dishes he had prepared down, he said, “Eat up everyone.”

Kurenai paused as the others did as he instructed half expecting the kunoichi to raise some objection at his state of dress despite their own. However, to her surprise nothing was said on the matter as they went about eating the meal prepared by the blond man. Wondering if she was perhaps just old fashioned Kurenai followed suit as she began to fill her plate, although as she ate she had a hard time not admiring the muscular form of the young man sitting opposite of her.

*****

Breakfast was just wrapping up as a voice called out, “Hello is anyone here.”

The woman the voice belonged to quickly approached the dining room as Kurenai was the one to call out, “In here.”

To her surprise a dark-brown haired woman entered and caused the first vestiges of modesty to appear on many of the women’s faces. Kurenai believed the current state of dress was the reason behind the woman’s nervousness as she said, “Um…Naruto…I’m here...”

“About the open apartment I told you about yesterday,” Naruto said springing to his feet. “Right this way Tifa.” Tifa appeared a little confused by his response but nodded as he quickly moved to guide her out of the room.

Before the door closed Tifa heard the red-eyed woman lean towards Miya to asked, “Shouldn’t you be the one to show her around.”

“No,” Miya replied sternly before returning her attention to her tea leaving a very confused Kurenai

Naruto led her upstairs towards one of the unoccupied but furnished apartments and once inside said, “Sorry about that. Your appearance caught me by surprise. Not all the women that were at breakfast are a part of my Harem.”

“I see,” Tifa replied and felt her heart speed up as Naruto approached her.

“Have you come by to pick up where we left off yesterday? Or, to tell me to get lost?”

“T-the first one,” Tifa said quickly causing Naruto to seal his lips to hers. Tifa met Naruto’s tongue with hers as she wrapped her arms around his neck. After several moments she felt something poking her in the abdomen and having a good idea of what it was broke the kiss and stepped back. Seeing the tent that was sticking out from the apron she said while commenting about what was written on the front of it, “I can think of a few things to do besides kiss.”

Naruto smirked as Tifa dropped to her knees before him and after untying the apron from around his waist, watched as he pulled it from his body. Her eyes grew wide at the size of Naruto’s cock as it appeared from behind the cloth curtain. Her pussy quivered at the sight of the intimidating package before her, but having her own large assets as a result of Kiyomi’s modifications decided to put them to use.

Cupping her large tits she raised up on her knees so that Naruto’s dick slid under her shirt and between the valley of her breasts. She then pressed them around his cock and was surprised at how warm it felt nestled between her flesh pillows. Naruto groaned as Tifa wrapped her arms around her tits giving herself a hug in order to squeeze them around his cock and then began rocking back and forth to work them over his shaft.

“Mmmm yeah,” Naruto groaned, “Use those magnificent tits to fuck my cock.”

“Do you really like it,” Tifa said, “I could never give anyone a tittyfuck before, but always wanted to.”

Naruto reached down to pinch one of her hardened nipples poking through her shirt causing her to moan as he said, “Oh yeah, I’m loving it. I could stand here and have you titfuck me all day.”

Hearing Naruto’s words really spurned her on as she began to work her tits over his rod. “I’m glad,” Tifa said staring up to meet his eyes, “I love having your hot hard cock pressed between my tits.”

Naruto groaned as she went into overdrive warning her of what was to come he said, “Tifa, I’m going to…”

“Go on,” Tifa said cutting him off, “Cum…cum…I want to feel it.”

Naruto erupted causing a wet spot to appear on Tifa shirt where his erupting cock was. Tifa cooed pleasantly as her bosoms were coated by the trapped semen. Naruto sagged slightly as he finished erupting, and noticing the mess he had made of Tifa’s shirt said, “Sorry about your clothes.”

Tifa smiled up at him as she said, “The apartment is fully furnished right.”

“Um yeah,” Naruto said a little confused with what Tifa’s point was.

“It comes with a washer and dryer, right?”

Naruto smirked as he replied, “Yeah, as a matter of fact it does.”

“Good,” Tifa said standing. Pulling the suspenders from her shoulders before she pulled her shirt over her head and tossed it away as she said, “I feel that I’m going to need to try them out before I can commit to living here.”

“Well if that is the case,” Naruto said as he pulled Tifa close to him, “I think it would best if we made sure to give the place a real workout.”

“My thoughts exactly,” Tifa replied before opening her mouth and sticking out her tongue for Naruto.

The blond quickly accepted her invitation as he swallowed her tongue before using his own to stimulate it. Tifa moaned into his mouth as he also roughly squeezed one of her tits and rolled it about. Tifa soon found herself pressed against a wall as Naruto placed his knee between her thighs. She began to rub her dripping snatch against it revealing to Naruto that she wasn’t wearing any underwear. Naruto broke the kiss to comment, “No panties what a naughty girl you are.”

Tifa moaned as Naruto ground his knee into her mound as she replied, “Not naughty, practical. Especially when considering the state you left them in last time.”

Naruto chuckled into Tifa’s neck as he placed several kisses along it before saying, “So what are you going to do now? Walk around topless.”

“Are you saying you’d want me too?”

“Now that’s a silly question,” Naruto said reaching down to pull her skirt up over her hips. Gripping Tifa’s ass firmly he pulled her towards him and groaned as dick sank into her warm, wet, and tight passage.

Tifa moaned loudly as she was speared upon her first cock in over a decade causing her to wrap her feet around Naruto’s back and lock her ankles. Naruto began to fuck Tifa roughly as he pounded her up against the wall, something the Taki-nin realized she so desperately needed.

Naruto was glad that Tsunami had made sure to include both conventional soundproofing as well as those used by shinobi in her design of the Hidden Eddy Inn as Tifa proved to be increasingly vocal in how much she was enjoying his actions. Her arms were wrapped around his neck as she held her body pressed against his as she whispered, “Yes…keep fucking me…gods it’s been too long since I’ve known a man’s touch.”

Naruto grinned as he began to nibble on her earlobe as he whispered, “Are you saying last night didn’t count?”

“N-no…fuck…no…but there’s no way fingers…can compare to your great dick,” Tifa moaned tightening her legs grip around him just in case he tried to separate it from her.

Something that Naruto had no intention of doing as he began to pump into her with even fiercer thrusts causing Tifa’s moans to become incoherent gibberish, although he did pick up her saying, “dick ,” several times. He also began to hear her say, “cumming,” over and over so assumed she was approaching the end. Which he encouraged as he pulled her from the wall long enough to put his hand behind her and began to tease her asshole, “N-no,” Tifa gasped before going tense and despite how vocal she had been before, tightened her hold around him as she fought back from screaming in ecstasy. Naruto feeling her cunt begin to milk him for his seed gave it what it desired as he flooded her passage and womb with his white cream.

As the warmth spread through her the white world that had been Tifa’s climax faded to dark as the experience proved too much. Naruto easily held her despite her going slack in his arms. He then carried her to the bed and after cleaning her up and stripping her tucked her in. Looking at the time, he wished he could stay with his newest lover but had other duties to attend to so wrote her a note. A quick Hiraishin later he placed the note in an envelope in which he also sealed the keys to her new apartment. Giving her a quick peck on the cheek, he then Hiraishined again to clean up himself so he could attend to his official shinobi duties.

Several hours later a refreshed Tifa appeared from the apartment and bumped into one of her new neighbors. Kurenai was surprised to find the woman hadn’t left with Naruto so asked, “Are you just leaving now?”

“Y-yeah,” Tifa said, “I just had to try the amenities before I could commit to living here.”

“So what did you think?”

“Oh I fucking loved it,” Tifa blurted out dreamily before blushing as she realized what she said. Quickly excusing herself she waved good-bye as she left and added, “Anyway it was nice meeting you. I recommend you give it a try also.”

Kurenai watched the woman leave feeling confused by her words before calling out, “But I already live here.”

*****

Naruto was quite pleased with how his morning was going. He hadn’t been surprised when he had awoken to find Mikoto had left his room, but had genuinely been when Tifa had appeared. Recalling the encounter with his new lover caused a stirring in his loins that he considered putting to use on the women waiting for him in the Hokage’s office. He doubted that was the reason Tsunade had sent an Anbu to find him as he had practiced further honing his senses while in Sage mode at the training field, but wouldn’t rule it out as a possibility. While excited at the possibility of a new mission, a part of him would have liked some time to make sure Tifa was properly welcomed into the Harem. Yet, having every confidence his other lovers would, he entered the office secure in the knowledge that whatever happened next she would be looked after.

Naruto didn’t enter loudly as he instead opened the door slowly to say, “Tsunade, may I enter?”

Kakashi chuckled at the respect Naruto used now due to his relationship with the Hokage which was further shown as Tsunade said, “Of course, My Love.”

The tender greeting let Naruto know everyone present was aware of his many relationships although only Kakashi’s presence had come as a surprise. The jinchuriki stepped before his blond lover as he favored the other women present, Shizune, Komachi, Yuugao, and Hinata with a smile before asking, “Why have you summoned me? Is there a mission?”

“I’m afraid not,” Tsunade said her voice letting Naruto how serious the situation was.

Naruto directed his gaze towards Komachi, who had been returning to the village, and had felt Kiyomi teleport away to collect her guessed, “Is that why Kiyomi Hiraishined Komachi back so quickly?”

“Yes,” Tsunade said, “I received an urgent message via messenger bird from Suna this morning and after reading it had her bring Komachi here so I could get a firsthand account. You were otherwise busy and the message asked that I not inform you about what it contained. But since I need to address the Council with it soon, one way or another word would have reached you.”

“What’s going on,” Naruto asked with increased nervousness.

Receiving a nod from Tsunade, Komachi removed her mask and reported, “Joseki’s trial did not go well. It seems that the Daimyo made an error in selecting the magistrate he sent or did so purposefully. In either case, Joseki was acquitted of the charges.”

“What!” Naruto said angrily on Rin’s behalf, “How could they just let that fucking bastard go free?”

“I’m not sure,” Komachi said, “But that was the end result. However, his freedom was short lived as he and the magistrate, along with several of Joseki’s supporters were later murdered.” Komachi paused sending a nervous look towards Tsunade, who nodded for her to continue. Komachi faced her lover in order to inform him, “Based on the evidence it would appear that the culprit was Gaara.”

“Gaara didn’t do it,” Naruto stated.

“I know you believe that…” Komachi began but fell silent as Naruto repeated his statement.

“He didn’t do it.”

Tsunade stepped in as she said, “Regardless of what any of us believe based on the evidence, the Council had no choice but to ask Gaara to step down. He has agreed and for the time being Councilor Sajo is acting as Kazekage.”

“We have to help him then;” Naruto said quickly, “Maybe this Sajo character is behind it to become Kazekage.”

“Let’s not just throw around baseless accusations,” Tsunade said quickly. “Councilor Sajo is not one of Joseki’s hardliners and it was his vote that let Karin pitch the Great Tree Shipping Company desire to help strengthen the trade between our villages. I have offered whatever assistance that Suna requires to get to the bottom of this. While I did want you to hear this from us first, there is another reason I summoned you here.”

“What reason is that?”

“Gaara has asked directly that you stay away from Suna. He feels that if this is some plot by the Daimyo a Leaf presence will only make the Daimyo’s case stronger and could lead to a damaging of relations between our villages. He asked that for the sake of your ambition that you remain in the Leaf.”

Tsunade watched as her lover’s hands balled up into fists as he mumbled, “That stubborn bastard. He doesn’t need to go at it alone.” Tsunade watched him relax before saying, “Is that it?”

Tsunade nodded so Naruto excused himself leaving Kakashi and his lovers alone. Tsunade stood to look out the window and caught sight of her lover as he headed back to the Training Grounds. Behind her Kakashi said, “You know if this is a plot by the Daimyo then he is probably not going to waste time with a trial. If Naruto figures that out, the chances of him staying in the village are nil. It might have been better not to tell him anything”

Tsunade smiled as she replied, “I wouldn’t force any of his lovers to keep a secret I was unwilling to myself by using my position as Hokage.”

“And if he decides to head to Suna?”

Despite the concern she felt at the fallout of such a possibility the smile that she wore actually grew as she answered, “He wouldn’t be the man I love if he didn’t go.”

****

Temari stood at the Main Entrance to Suna along with the rest of her fellow councilors as they awaited the representative from the Capital. Gaara stood by himself flanked by two Anbu and despite appearances, she knew the masked Shinobi were actually the guards for her brother. Despite the pomp and pageantry, Temari felt a measure of dread settling in her stomach. The reason behind it was due to the rumor that the representative of the capital was being accompanied by a member of the Land of Wind’s Royal Guard.

Temari had heard tales of the Royal Guard which performed much the same function as the Twelve Shinobi Guardians had in the Land of Fire before the group had splintered as a result of the One King Movement. The Guard was said to be made up of Five members, what was most worrisome though was that those members did not necessarily come from Suna having been culled from many different Clans throughout the Shinobi world having been lured to the Capital by the promise of wealth and power. Or, even the freedom which came from only needing to obey the Country’s Daimyo.

To Temari though the presence of a member of the guard all but guaranteed the Daimyo had some hand in the situation that had befallen her brother. It was something that caused her to clench her jaw angrily. Maki getting a sense of what was bothering her fellow Harem member pointed out another possibility as she said, “Relax Temari. A member of the Royal Guards presence could just be a sign of the Daimyo wishing to protect his representative.”

Temari nodded as she was forced to concede the point, but it did nothing to calm her. Her attention was pulled down the path as two figures appeared from the desert haze. The person in the lead was a robed man whose every movement seemed to scream career politicians. Temari would have dismissed him if his presence didn’t affect her brother so. But still his presence was overshadowed by the woman walking serenely behind him. Despite the desert sun, she appeared as pale as a ghost, which was highlighted by her long black hair. Behind her head was a golden ornament of some type that looked like a crescent moon surrounded by a starburst. The woman wore a black robe that was covered by a white one over which a shawl like cape was wrapped. Temari didn’t see any movement of the woman’s shoulders and arms as she moved almost giving the appearance that she was gliding.

The Daimyo’s representative reached the entrance first and announcing himself to his own fanfare shouted, “I am Representative Ishiha. My traveling companion is Lady Senjumaru Shutara of the Royal Guard. Who will be the first to greet us?”

Temari was shocked as she recognized the name of the woman as perhaps the greatest female puppeteer that Suna had ever produced. Her gaze shifted to Gaara as he stepped forward towards the two. That Senjumaru didn’t react made Temari believe she could sense that Gaara’s chakra had been sealed.

“Lord Ishiha,” Gaara said politely, “Allow me to welcome…”

“What is this thing doing out of its cage?” Ishida said interrupting Gaara causing the Shinobi of Suna to bristle.

Councilor Sajo stepped forward to say, “Lord Ishida. While the evidence against Gaara does cast some doubt, he has only proved to be a fine Kazekage and is deserving of the respect his title is due. He has even agreed to have his chakra sealed until such a time that he can prove he is innocence…”

“Be silent,” the man said unimpressed, “The Daimyo has heard the evidence and has decreed that Gaara is guilty. He’ll be given one week to attend any matters he must before he is to be executed in front of the village.”

“No you can’t” Sari said charging forward. However she only managed to take a single step before six puppet arms unfolded from behind Senjumaru. One of them pointed at the kunoichi and she stopped in mid-step. Temari watched her struggle as she spotted the chakra threads that were extending from the fingers of the puppet arm and holding the kunoichi in place.

Gaara moved to aid his girlfriend but another of the arms extended towards him and just before it reached him, the fingers likewise expanded surrounding the Kazekage in a cage. A barrier of chakra began to extend from the digits trapping Gaara inside. Senjumaru turned her attention to the still struggling Sari and calmly said, “Cease your struggles. It would be unfortunate if permanent harm came about to you as a result.” To emphasize her point the woman tightened the stings around the girl causing them to bite deeper into her flesh and some blood to leak from the minor wounds.

“Sari,” Gaara said calmly, “Please stop.”

“But I know you are innocent Gaara,” Sari struggled to say due to the string around her throat. “The Daimyo has no…”

“The Daimyo has every right,” Ishida shouted. “He is the one that gives you money to function and provided the land you built your homes on. Even if he didn’t kill the magistrate himself the Daimyo is well within his rights to demand his life for his failure to protect his vassal.”

“Sari please stop,” Gaara said letting some real emotion enter his voice to stop Sari from further injuring herself. “I will accept the Daimyo’s decision.”

Hearing that, the fight left Sari causing her to sag to the ground as Senjumaru retracted her strings. Matsuri raced forward to comfort her friend and sent a glare towards Ishida as he said, “Senjumaru please get that man out of my sight.” The woman bowed as he then turned towards Sajo to say, “I’m famished I trust you prepared a banquet for me.”

Temari noticed that Sanjo needed to fight back his emotions as well before smiling politely as he said, “Of course. Please follow after me.”

Temari stayed behind as she watched on helpless wishing Naruto was there to comfort her in a similar fashion as Matsuri was Sari.

****

High above the village watching the scene play out from the rock wall that surrounded it was a demon masked Anbu. The Anbu removed the mask to reveal the kind face of the woman that for most of his young life Gaara had believed was the spirit motivating the sand that protected him. Her violet eyes though were black which revealed the jutsu that was behind her return to the world of the living. Despite the suffering her family was enduring a pleased smile appeared on her face as the man controlling her said, “It truly is ironic that the sand that protected you so well over the years has proven to be the catalyst to your current dilemma Gaara.”

She turned to face in the direction of the Leaf and the man pulling the strings queried, “Now what are you going to do, Naruto?”

The Anbu armor the woman wore grew hazy as it turned to sand before reforming into the cloak that had covered her as she killed Joseki and his guests. Without looking back, she leapt off into the desert to await the outcome from the possible tragedy she had set in motion.

Next Chapter: Trouble in Sand and The Pack: Part III

Author’s note: First let me thank all those that take the time to read and review. As well as those that welcomed me back to Fanfiction.net. As you can probably tell I’ve split the chapter again. Primarily since I felt it would be best if the last part takes place in its own chapter due to there still being a great deal for me to get to.

Also, to those that remembered the poll regarding the second Harem. I decided shortly after I closed it to pair Naruto with Tifa primarily since I felt by giving Kiba two more women later on, it would help balance things out. Also, I figured this way it would better highlight a scene I have in mind for the next chapter. I hope it did come as a welcome surprise though since I did know quite a few people really were pulling for at least Tifa to join Naruto.

One last thing before I go. It seems that FicWad sends out an Update announcement even when all I’ve done is fix the chapter. I’ll try to remember to post it on my deviant art account when that is the case. But expect to see quite a few in the coming weeks and months even if a new chapter isn’t posted. One reason is that as I repost on Fanfiction.net I plan to also make corrections to the story here as well. That way those people on both sites will be reading the same version.

In any case, thank you for reading and until next time take care. Sincerely, The Lemon Sage.