FicWad

Disclaimer: The Naruto series and all Naruto characters are the copyright of Masashi Kishimoto. I’m just borrowing them to write up a story with no intention of making any money. This is for fun. That’s all. :) No copying of my story is allowed. That's stealing if anyone copies my story into his/her own story. Write your own story without taking others' works! (angry glare)

This is the unbeta version of Chapter 17, so one should not be surprise to see any spelling and grammar errors. :)

Story rating: M (R)(for adult and sexual themes)
Written: February 2009-Present

Summary: Love can pop up unexpectedly with someone you least imagine to fall for. NaruTen.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Unexpected Love
Chapter 17 – Acceptance of Reality, Part 2
By JuPMod (aka JPMod)

Slowly fluttering open, brown feminine eyes were unfocused at first, but after blinking a few times to adjust, the twin orbs scanned the surroundings. It was a small camp with various crude makeshift tents and several campfires seen spread around the site. The night sky was mostly hinder by trees, showing very little stars and moonlight.

Realizing that she was in the camp of Mizuyama’s bandits, Tenten checked herself and found she was sitting at the base of a tree with her hands and arms tied securely around the trunk, preventing her hands to touch in order to form hand seals. Her torso was also tied around the trunk, while her legs were tied together. Upon trying to mold chakra and finding it felt like something was draining her, the kunoichi double-checked and saw several paper tags on the ropes, showing they were chakra-draining seals, which were pretty common in the shinobi world to prevent captured ninjas from molding chakra to escape.

Gazing around the camp, Tenten saw her large weapons storage-scroll and katana were leaning against a tree on the opposite side. She couldn’t feel any of the hidden kunai and shuriken under her clothes, so it was easy to deduce that they must have thoroughly searched her body for the concealed weapons.

“Just great,” the female jounin mentally moaned. “Captured by the enemy and tied to a tree with no chakra to use to escape.” No matter how much she had remembered those Academy courses and Gai-sensei’s advice on how to react as a prisoner, experiencing the real thing was a whole different kettle of fish.

Yet despite her predicament, the brunette woman was grateful for one thing. She has not been violated when she was unconscious. She had heard of tales of kunoichi being raped while they were out cold, and it was not a pleasant experience, even if they had no memory of the violation. Rape was rape regardless whether the victim was awake or not.

“Hey!” a male voice sounded, and quickly looking at the source, Tenten saw a bandit was standing up from his campfire and was pointing at her. “Our beauty of a prisoner is awake!” Soon after, least a dozen men came forward to form a half circle around her but didn’t come too close.

One of the dozen stabbed his rusted katana into the ground before kneeling down to look at her eye-leveled. He gave a smirk before speaking. “Well, you’re awake. How it feels to be a prisoner, almighty one?”

Tenten knew better than to rise to the bait, yet she couldn’t help glowering at the smug bastard. Instead, she asked her own question. “Where’s your boss? I’m sure he would have wanted to be here when I awake.”

The man shrugged his shoulders and grinned. “Said something about using you as a bargaining chip. The three of them left two hours ago.”

“’Three of them’?” Tenten mentally asked, and after looking briefly at all those presented, she realized something. “Mizuyama and those two other shinobi are not here. It’s possible that only regular bandits remain in this camp now.”

This was the first good news to her. It was a tactical mistake for them to leave her alone without one of the shinobi staying just in case she escaped. Either they were overconfident on these chakra-suppression seals or think she posed little or no threat.

The second thing the bun-wearing woman knew was that neither Konoha nor the Fire Capital would bargain with rogue ninjas for the safe release of a single soldier. It was one thing to exchange prisoners between nations; it was another to deal with criminals. There was no way Tsunade-sama or the Fire Daimyo would ever agree to trade the jewel for the life of one Konoha kunoichi.

The voice of one of the other men broke Tenten out of her musings. “I say we should have some fun with her.” Her brown eyes swiftly darted to the left to gaze up at a slightly ugly guy who was leering at her with a smirk. It was a look that she knew well from years of being examined by lustful eyes of perverted men.

The first bandit stood up and picked up his katana to point it at the second man. His words made Tenten realized he was the temporarily leader, while Mizuyama and the other two shinobi were away. “Keep your dick in your pants, you baka. This is a kunoichi here, not some helpless civilian girl.”

“Aw, come on,” the ugly man mock whined with a wicked grin. “Those seals will keep her drain of chakra, and being all tied up, she’s good for a few rounds.”

“I said,” the leader growled, “keep your dick in your pants!” His angry shout caused many in the group to flinch and the ugly guy to frown in disapproval. “Just because she looks helpless does not mean she is.” With that said, he sheathed his sword and walked back toward the center of camp.

As the men dispersed to return to whatever they had been doing before, Tenten have to admit that the bandit leader was not an idiot. Least he was not underestimating her despite she was tied up with no means to access her chakra.

However, the ugly one only had walked a few meters before he turned his head to smirk leeringly at her, eying her like she was a toy. She glared back, but the guy was unperturbed. “I like them feisty.” He walked away with a chuckle.

Alone once more, Tenten couldn’t help but feel sick. She hated men like that guy, who thought women were nothing but playthings for their amusement. For years, she prided on being a strong, independent woman, working hard to show she could fight just as good as the men. She was no sex toy, and she would be damned to let such a brute take advantage of her.

Resting her head against the tree, the 19-year-old confessed to herself that it was possible that the guy might still get what he wanted, and the thought terrified her. Despite the special training given to her and all kunoichi regarding such scenarios, she just couldn’t imagine being in such a situation where she would be rape. She knew that not all shinobi villages were like Konoha, which prided in not sinking so low to use rape as an interrogating technique on female prisoners. It was why she and other Leaf kunoichi had their special training to deal with sexual assault as well as the special birth control to prevent pregnancy.

To get her mind off such negative thoughts, the lovely female ninja thought of all the men in her life – comrades, friends, teachers, and lovers. They all had accepted her for who she was and had not ever degraded her fighting skills just because of her gender. In matter of fact, they’d embraced her fully, even encouraging her to become the best kunoichi she could be.

Yet the warmth, from being recognized by her male friends and superiors, was nothing compared to how she felt from the two men close to her heart. Neji, her first true love, had been supportive and appreciative not only of her abilities as a ninja but also her as a person. Even today, being just friends, he continued to admire her. Then there was her present love, Naruto. Loving, sweet, goofy, Naruto. He gave confidence in her that she could master element-chakra manipulation, and like Neji, the blond lovingly supported her and came to value her as kunoichi highly. Being around the whisker-faced young man made Tenten feel welcomed and loved totally.

Sighing at the happy memories of the blue-eyed shinobi, Tenten knew she has much to live for. She has a great career and social life back home. Who knew? Maybe that big-smiling son of the Yondaime Hokage was the man she would one day call her husband and become father of her children.

Feeling calmer than she was before, the Weapons Mistress of Konoha returned to analyzing her current dilemma and how she could get out of it. The truth was that she could only think of one way to get free, since the ropes were tied well to hold a ninja and the chakra-suppression tags were doing their job. It would be risky, for the plan might lead to the very scenario the brunette wanted to avoid.

As a sigh escaped her lips again, Tenten gazed up at the sky through the trees, guessing it was perhaps late evening. If all had gone well, her three subordinates and their client would have reached the capital by now. It was only a matter of time before word reaches Konoha, and knowing Tsunade-sama, she would send help as soon as possible.

Closing her eyes, the young kunoichi knew the Godaime would not hold back such information from a certain future-Rokudaime. Knowing her boyfriend, Tenten had no doubt what his reaction would be.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

“SAY WHAT?!”

Wincing a bit from her future successor’s shout, Tsunade, sitting behind the Hokage desk, briefly saw the others in the room also cringed. Her honey eyes focused back on her worry, fellow blond. “Calm down, Naruto. From what Konohamaru, Moegi, and Udon mentioned in the message, it is possible Tenten is still alive. This is why I called each of you here,” she finished by pointing momentarily to Naruto, Neji, Sakura, and finally Kiba and Akamaru.

With Shizune standing by her left side, the Godaime continued. “Since we have no idea what has happened to her, I’m send you four to find her at the last known location according to Konohamaru’s message. Kiba, Akamaru, and Neji will together enable to track Tenten down, and I’m sending you, Sakura, in case she needs medical attention. Since we’re dealing with an S-class nuke-nin and two shinobi cohorts, Naruto will provide combat power on top of the others to defeat these criminals if you run into them.”

As Tsunade’s eyes narrowed, they hardened, showing the female leader’s ire. “If you do run into them, do not hold back. Kill them!” All four young shinobi stiffened a bit upon hearing the order. “Ever since leaving Kiri, Mizuyama and his two followers have dodged hunter-nin and caused problems once in awhile. After three years on the run, this might be our chance to corner them. The Godaime Mizukage definitely would appreciate having the heads of these three Mist traitors handed to her on a gold platter.”

Picking up a scroll, she handed it to the Hyuuga genius. “Neji, you’re in command.” He nodded as he stepped forward and took the rolled document. “That scroll is Konohamaru’s message containing the information you need to find Tenten.” Konoha’s leader eyed the entire team. “You will leave immediately! GO!”

“HAI!” the four ninjas complied, while the only canine in the group gave a huge bark. They all disappeared in smoke as they used the Shunshin to get to their homes to quickly pick up what they needed for the mission.

Letting out a sigh, the Slug Sannin stood from her chair to gaze out the windows as the morning Sun rose ever higher into the sky. She knew precisely what her pseudo-son was going through, regarding worrying about a love one. Knowing Tenten was Naruto’s first real relationship, Tsunade hoped Naruto would know how to handle his feelings if the worst-case scenario should happen. Having had lost two special men close to her heart, the blond village leader knew how painful it was to have your heart broken over a lover’s death, thus she prayed her favorite young brat would not experience the same thing. Not when he finally felt true love for the first time in his life.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Fully prepared with backpacks ready, Neji, Sakura, and Kiba waited for their fourth teammate at the Main Gates. They knew the blond well enough that he would definitely be quick. The three humans and one dog were no surprise though to see Naruto roof-hopped toward them until he landed in front of them.

Yet there was an addition item to Naruto’s belongings other than his backpack and sheathed twin kodachi. It caused Sakura to blink as she pointed it out. “Are you going to expect trouble with Mizuyama, Naruto? You normally do not take that scroll, unless you’re planning to use your Sage Mode.”

Placing a hand on the large scroll riding on his lower back, the young Toad Sennin eyed his long time teammate. “Given how powerful Mizuyama is, it is better safe than sorry.”

Neji nodded in understanding. “Since it is possible we might run into Mizuyama, you’re not taking any chances, right, Naruto?”

“Yeah,” replied Naruto with a head nod. “I only have one Kage Bunshin drawing in Natural Energy at my apartment now. I do not think I need no more than one to deal with Mizuyama.”

Sakura frowned. “But from what you told me, it had taken two clones in order for you to defeat Pain during your battle with him two years ago. Not to mention you had arrived in Konoha in Sage Mode to start with. Will one be enough to defeat another S-class shinobi?”

Kiba snorted with a smirk. “Give it rest, Sakura. Naruto just need to just use one Fuuton Rasen Shuriken to cut this guy to pieces. We’re talking about just a regular S-class nuke-nin, who is nowhere near the power level as that Pain character.”

A lop-sided grinning Naruto sighed with a shake of his head. “Using Senjutsu is not easy as you think, Kiba.”

Ever since his victory over Pain, aka Nagato, Naruto, whenever he could, practiced to draw in Natural Energy without the use of the special Toad oil. It had been quite hard to achieve Sage Mode outside of Myobokuzan, the Toads’ homeland. Yet, once he had done it, the blond knew he could leave behind a Kage Bunshin or two in Konoha and use the Kage Bunshin Summoning Scroll to summon the Sage Mode clones when he needed them.

Yet, despite the great advantages Sage Mode had brought, Fukasaku, the elderly toad who taught him Senjutsu, had warned Naruto to not become heavily reliant on the power to win battles. Much like using the Kyuubi’s chakra, Senjutsu should be use only as a last resort or against very powerful foes. Jiraiya had shown how strong a shinobi he was without Senjutsu. The Jinchuuriki had taken his master’s words to heart, thus why he had trained hard to increase his own powers in order to not rely on either Senjutsu or the Kyuubi.

Seeing that his team was ready, Neji turned around and led them out through the Main Gates. “Let’s get going. It will take us a day to get to the area of Fire Country where Tenten was last reported seen fighting Mizuyama and his small army. The sooner we get there, the sooner we can find her.”

“Hai!” Kiba and Sakura replied, while Akamaru barked in consent. Naruto simply nodded.

Once the five of them were on their way as they used the Shinobi Road of traveling through the trees to speed their jouney, the whisker-faced blond mentally spoke in hope that Tenten was okay. If something were to ever happen to her, he definitely would hunt down those who had harmed her and make them pay.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Feminine eyelids slowly fluttered opened, revealing tired brown eyes underneath. Their owner moaned from discomfort due to her body being tied as they were after nearly 24 hours. Furthermore, having not eaten in more than a day, her stomach gave low rumbles indicating its need for food.

Tenten knew her chakra reserves were growing back after 24 hours, but it was hard to rest properly being tied up in the position she was currently in. The bandits left her alone, and with no means to escape, she had wandered in-and-out of sleep during the entire day. Not to mention the cuts and bruises from yesterday’s battle had not healed yet, making it more difficult for her to recover her energy fully even if she were be freed right now.

Sighing, the brunette not only felt fatigue but dirty as well. Her hair was messy despite still in their buns. Dirty smears were on her skin and torn clothes. Also, with no bathroom means, she had no choice but to relieve her bladder in her pants. It was quite humiliating. She had a hunch prisoners in Iwa were treated much better than this.

Yet despite her current physical shortfalls, Konoha’s Weapons Mistress was spiritually still determine to escape. She was a kunoichi for Kami’s sake! If she would let a bunch of non-ninja goons hold her indefinitely, she knew she was no longer fit to be a member of the Konoha Shinobi Forces.

One thing that she had observed since last night was that this group was mostly not so bright. Their leader was obvious smart enough to warn the men to stay away from her, but her keen eyes couldn’t help but noticed several men glanced at her with hungry eyes, including the ugly guy. It was clear these were men who were thinking of satisfying their sexual needs at her expense, and it was possible they would not heed their leader’s warning.

Despite that it was dark with only the campfires providing illumination, Tenten noticed four men talking together while eying her, and one of the two happened to be that smug ugly guy. He had slipped some money to one of the others, who walked over to leader’s tent to stand nearby it. In the meantime, the ugly goon and the two remaining men were walking over to her with expressions that sent warning alarms blaring in her mind.

Yet, the proud kunoichi knew this might be the chance she was waiting for to escape. It was risky, as she had thought 24 hours before hand. Just she hoped she would not end up paying the highest price for this opportunity.

“Looks like you not getting any rest, pretty girl,” the ugly bandit smugly pointed out as he arrived with his two cohorts He knelt down besides Tenten and placed his face so close to hers. “How about I show you a way for you to get some rest, eh?”

Tenten growled. “Stuff it, Ugly. I have my own way to rest.”

Ugly chuckled. “Well, you’re in no position to refuse, for I insist.” After grabbing her chin, he smashed his mouth over hers, surprising her in the process.

Eyes open as she tried to move her head away, Tenten angrily screamed into the man’s mouth, feeling repulsed by the touch. His hand made sure her mouth was forced open as he snaked his tongue inside, prompting the brown-haired woman to thrash even more violently to get him off of her. She tried moving her bind legs, but Ugly held them down by kneeling a leg over them.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity in Hell, Ugly started to pull his mouth away, allowing Tenten to aggressively bite down hard on the man’s lower lips. In pain, he quickly scooted backwards.

She had not ever felt so defiled in her life. As she spit out the taste, Tenten growled in anger. As far as she was concerned, only one man has the rights to touch her like that, and that man was Naruto.

Ugly sneered as he wiped away the small amount of blood from his lower lip. “Don’t think you’re off the hook.” He reached over to grab the top of her white Chinese dress and tare the fabric apart, revealing Tenten’s pink, kunoichi undergarment under black mesh. Liking what he saw, he greedily pulled up the bra to immediately grab one of her breasts under the mesh. “I’m definitely going to enjoy you.”

Once more, Konoha’s Weapons Mistress tried to no avail to get the man off of her, but he was persistence with his grubby hand all over her breasts. With gritted teeth, she felt her eyes became moist, but she held her tears at bay, for she was not going to allow this creep to get the upper hand over her.

When the female ninja felt Ugly’s mouth over one of her nipples, she snarled and rammed her head downward to head butted him hard. Ugly yelped as he again quickly scooted backwards. “Why you, little bitch,” he growled.

“Come on,” Tenten mentally goaded, seeing the man was really angry now. “Do it.”

“Hey,” one of the other two bandits spoke out to Ugly, “we better go.” He pointed to the waving lookout nearby the leader’s tent. “We don’t want our leader mad at us.”

Seeing her opportunity was slipping from her grasp, Tenten made one final push. “Do you think you’re a man?” she addressed Ugly. She spitted at him. “You’re nothing compared to my boyfriend back home. He’s more than a man you will ever be. You can’t even handle a roped-up girl. Sissy.”

Snarling, Ugly couldn’t take the insults. He reached into a pocket to pull out a kunai, hoping he could scare her. However, instead of being frightened, Tenten was cheering inside. “Yes!”

Just then, the bandit’s leader came out of the tent and quickly saw what was going on with the female prisoner. “What are you doing?!” he shouted to Ugly. “Get away from her!”

However, it was too late.

When she had first woken 24 hours ago, Tenten had examined how well she was tied with the ropes. These criminals had made certain to secure the bindings well enough to prevent her from using her hands, arms, and torso. However, they had made one crucial mistake. Although, her legs were tied together, she was still able to move them.

Before anyone could do or say anything more, the lithe kunoichi speedily snapped her legs to kick the kunai out of Ugly’s hands vertically straight into the air prior to kicking the man into the stomach to send him flying. As the sharp weapon came back down, Tenten caught it between her feet by the handle with the blade pointing up, and with her flexible legs, she slammed the kunai into the ropes just to the right of her head and quickly cut it. Once those bindings were gone, her right hand swiftly took the weapon and in a few seconds, slashed the ropes to free her left arm, torso, and legs. She even made sure the charka-suppression tags were destroyed.

The whole process had taken less than a minute.

“Stop her!” the bandit’s leader cried out to his men to subdue the woman, but Tenten was already on the move before he even voiced the command. She made short work of Ugly’s two companions before sprinting away through the camp as she kicked, sliced, and punched every goon along the way. None of them stood a chance against the highly trained, female ninja, who made way to her possessions on the camp’s other side.

Finally reaching her goal, the feminine weapons expert threw down the kunai,, turned around to face the incoming hoard of bandits, and began forming hand signs. The bandit’s leader went wide eyed, for he knew what their captive was going to do, but before he could voice for his men to retreat, Tenten slapped her hands together and finished the jutsu.

“Katon: Ryuuka no Jutsu (Fire Element: Dragon Fire Skill)!” she shouted before funneling a stream of fire through her right hand toward the bandits and nearby tents. Several men screamed in agony from the blaze, while some tents went up in flames. For her final act with the jutsu, Tenten made certain to create a wall of fire between her and her captors, so she could able to escape with no one pursuing.

Just before she was about to turn around to pick up her weapons scroll and katana, Tenten spotted Ugly on the camp’s other side. Her brown eyes hardened as they narrowed at the sexist pig of a man. It was obvious he saw women as nothing more than sex toys and objects to dominate. His attitude and the way he had treated her boiled her blood. She wanted… She wanted…

With a growl, Tenten picked up the kunai she had dropped and threw it at her target. She felt some satisfaction in seeing the blade hit Ugly on the upper right torso as the force of the impact sent him flying backward onto the ground. Maybe this would teach the creep a lesson to not mistreat women ever again.

After quickly picking up her scroll and sword, the bun-haired woman ran off into the forest, heading in the general direction of the capital, which she presumed was closer to reach than Konoha.

As she sprinted through the trees while adjusting her bra to cover her modesty, Tenten thought about Ugly and why she did not kill him. She very much wanted to kill him, thinking his death would spare women of being rape by him in the future. However, the goon did indirectly provide her the means to escape, for she played him in order to get him mad enough to pull out that kunai. So for that, the weapons-loving kunoichi spared his life and gave him a good size wound instead.

Was her actions right? She was doubtful the man would mend his ways, given his manners. Yet, to kill him out of revenge was wrong, no matter how justify her feelings were. Like the rest of the Konoha 12, she saw how revenge had warped Uchiha Sasuke to become cold, distance, and to a point, almost evil. Revenge would not gain her anything but despair and suffering in the long run. As a proud Kunoichi of Konoha, she had vowed to not ever sink so low, for she had followed the example of one man, long before he became her lover.

With a fond smile, Tenten once more admired how much a man Naruto had become, when he dealt with the hatred and bigotry from the villagers throughout his childhood. He could have turned into a dark person filled with hate and loathing for the villagers, and the blond would have had the right given his circumstances as a Jinchuuriki. Instead, he kept going the best he could despite the harsh social climate, and he had not ever raised a finger against the villagers in revenge. Not once. Even before they had started dating, the bun-haired woman had deeply admired Naruto for his bravery to not give in to the darkness.

Racing through the forest, the 19-year-old female ninja was looking forward to be back in her beloved’s arms after this whole ordeal was over. Tenten only hoped Naruto would not overreact to the news of her capture, now that Konoha, no doubt, heard from her team. Knowing him, it might not be likely, but there was no doubt he would be deeply worried.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Sitting on a thick branch, Naruto gazed up at the stars. He was aware Kiba, Akamaru, and Sakura were next to the campfire on the ground below him, while Neji was in the bushes out of sight for a bathroom relief. The team had stopped to rest and eat for a couple of hours before making the last leg of the journey. It was better to delay and reach the area fully rested and prepared for battle than to make the entire trek non-stop and end up somewhat drained. The blond remembered that they had done this on the 3-day trip to Suna during the mission to rescue Gaara from the Akatsuki.

Emerging from the shadows into the campfire’s light, Neji nodded to his two human comrades before gazing upward to his third teammate in the tree. The blond had not even moved when he had left a few minutes ago.

Kiba and Sakura followed their leader’s line of sight before looking back the Hyuuga genius. “No one needs to make any bet on what Naruto is thinking,” the Inuzuka softly said, causing Sakura to sigh in worry and Neji to frown a bit. The dog handler and medic watched as the pearl-eyed jounin leaped up into the tree.

Landing on the branch next to the trunk, Neji looked at Naruto, who had briefly looked back before resuming his star watching. “Hey there, Neji.”

“Naruto,” the Hyuuga prodigy greeted in return prior to having silence once more reign for another minute or two. Afterward, the genius boy of Team Gai started the topic that he needed to speak to Naruto about. “You are concern for Tenten’s welfare.”

Naruto snorted a laugh. “Yeah, I am. I don’t think it takes a genius to figure that out, Neji.”

Neji smirked a bit and shook his head before resuming his regular expression. “True, but I can tell you’re deeply worried that you might not see her again.” Seeing he now has Naruto’s attention with those blue eyes staring at him, the Hyuuga elaborated. “I was once in the same position as you are now, Naruto. Remember, Tenten was intimate with me before you took my place.”

Giving a nod, the blond man understood now what his friend was referring. Neji had gone through the same type of fears regarding loosing Tenten as he was now.

The ex-boyfriend of Konoha’s Weapons Mistress continued, knowing his ex-girlfriend’s current boyfriend was going to listen fully now. “Tenten and I had discussed the dangers of our professions and what they might do to our relationship. We both know the chances one of us might end up dead, leaving the other with a broken heart and all alone. Surely, Naruto, you know this, right?”

“Yeah, I know,” Naruto solemnly replied. “Just I always thought now that we’re all stronger, the chances of any of us getting killed are slim.”

Neji shook his head. “Surely even you know that one should not ever underestimate an opponent. We’re not omnipotent, Naruto.”

“I know that!” the blond said with a bit of heat, causing Kiba, Akamaru, and Sakura to wince a bit as they listened to the conversation. “I trust Ten-chan. I trust her skills as a kunoichi that she would able to take care of herself and make it through every mission. She does the same for me. We trust each other that we will make it through our missions to see each other again. It’s just…”

“You had not yet experience a situation where she might not come back,” Neji finished, knowing precisely what Naruto was thinking and feeling. “Until now, that is.”

Sighing, Naruto nodded. “Yeah. I just can’t help but feel that I might loose her.” Blue eyes gazed up to hold steady on pearl ones. “Did you ever experience such a situation with Tenten, Neji? I don’t recall ever hearing Team Gai came close to loosing a member to Death.”

The Hyuuga jounin took a deep breath before answering. “To be honest, while we were a couple, there has not ever been a mission where she was captured or near fatally wounded. Most of the missions we had taken were together as usual with Lee and Gai-sensei.” Naruto frowned a bit, disappointed that Neji had not truly experienced the same thing he was going through now. “However, there was one time that Tenten came close to death that had me worried.” The blond blinked, while Kiba and Sakura perked up in curiosity.

“It was during the mission to rescue Sabuka no Gaara from the Akatsuki, when our team met the fake Kisame,” Neji stated. Naruto and Sakura wondered what he was talking about. They knew that Team Gai had been sent to back-up Team Kakashi and have met that duplicate Kisame, but they had not ever heard of the details of that encounter.

Taking another breath, Neji continued. “The fake Kisame had managed to trap Tenten, Lee, and I in spherical water prisons using water clones and the Suirou no Jutsu (Water Prison Technique). As shinobi, we all were trained to manage to hold our breaths under water for large periods of time. However, as Gai-sensei was fighting the fake Kisame, Tenten’s endurance was waning. Lee and I knew that if she was not release soon, she would drown. We couldn’t wait for Gai-sensei to defeat the fake Kisame, so I managed to free myself by releasing chakra through my pressure points. I then immediately freed Lee by destroying the clone holding his prison, and in turn, Lee quickly dispatched the clone holding Tenten’s prison. I’d caught her in my arms as she sagged in relief.”

Neji took another breath as he finished his story. “That was the only time I ever recall seeing Tenten close to being killed. We were starting to become close at the time, and it had nearly pained me to see her on the brink of loosing her life.”

Naruto gulped a bit. “I didn’t now. Tenten and I had not ever discussed such things. As I said, we trust each other to do our jobs and make it back home. I know she is a proud kunoichi. She would not want anyone to be too worry and concern over her.”

“Hai. That is exactly how she is,” Neji concurred. “She cares deeply for those close to her, but she does not want everyone to be worried sick.” The proud Hyuuga paused before commencing. “Naruto… I’ll tell you what Tenten and I had discussed. If we had ever found ourselves in such a situation that is now occurring where one of us was captured by the enemy or likely be killed, we can only do our best and move on with our lives. If we have the power to help one another, we will do it. If not, we can only hope and pray.”

Frowning, Naruto returned to gazing at the stars above. “Some advice, Neji. It’s not easy for me to simply ‘move on’. I love her. How can anyone say to ‘move on’ when your heart is beating in fear that the one you love might be dead?”

“Because, as I said, there is nothing you can do, if you can’t do anything about the situation.” He raised an eyebrow at the stargazing blond. “You should know her well by now. Knowing Tenten, do you think she wanted you to stop living?”

A soft chuckle escaped the Kyuubi Jinchuuriki’s lips. “No, she wouldn’t, and the same goes for me toward her.”

A small grin formed on Neji’s face. “Precisely. We will always be worry and concern for those we love. Yet it will be disservice to them if we stop living because we are worry sick for their well being.” Naruto certainly couldn’t dispute such wisdom, and neither could Kiba and Sakura, whose spirits also lifted a bit upon hearing their whiskered friend’s chuckle.

After a few minutes of comfortable silence, the future Hokage broke it. “You still love her, don’t you, Neji?” The statement/question was quite a surprise for Neji, Kiba, and Sakura, and upon seeing the expression on Tenten’s ex-boyfriend, Naruto chuckled and held up a reassuring hand. “Easy there, I was not saying you still love her so much to get in between Ten-chan and I. I’m just saying that you still care for her very much that in way, you still love her.”

Neji folded his arms and looked up at the stars, making Naruto followed suit. “Hai. I still somewhat love her,” he admitted with a small grin.

“We’re going to get her back,” Naruto proclaimed with conviction in voice and eyes. “We’re all family, and we do not ever abandon our friends and family. Those who mess with one of us, they mess with all of us.”

Kiba smirked with fire in his eyes. “You said it, Naruto!” Akamaru barked in complete agreement, while Sakura smiled warmly at her best male friend, feeling the strength radiating off him into her.

Allowing his grin to broaden, the Hyuuga genius once more experienced the magic of one Uzumaki Naruto. Despite the somewhat somber conversation just moments ago, the blond had lifted the spirits of his comrades and made them all determine to rescue their lost friend. Even he believed strongly that they would find Tenten, who still held a small place in his heart.

“Now more than ever, I believe you will make a great Hokage… Naruto,” Neji mentally proclaimed.

After another 15 minutes, the group put out the fire, picked up their gear, and continued the journey toward their destination. They have a friend to save, and they were not going to rest until they find her.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

There was no rest of the weary. Tenten felt like this as she raced through the trees, jumping from branch to branch on her way to the capital. Despite her injuries has yet to heal, she knew better than to let her guard down until she has reached her goal. Being captured once was bad enough, so she would be damned if she would be capture a second time.

Yet her mind couldn’t help but think her enemies were upon her, when a voice out of nowhere spook her, given she was so focus on her task that she was not even aware of the presence of other people.

“Tenten-neechan!” The voice sounded familiar as she stopped on a tree branch.

The air in the trees in front of her shimmered, until the sight of five shinobi and a single kunoichi were seen on the branches. Tenten let out a breath of relief upon seeing the Konohamaru Corps and three recognizable members of The Twelve Guardians. It was not hard for the brown-haired kunoichi to figure out that they had been hidden behind a genjutsu cast by one of the Guardians, whose illusionary skills were top notch on par with Kurenai. It was why she was not able to detect them.

Moegi jumped to land besides her temporary leader. “Tenten-neechan! Thank, Kami, you’re okay!” she spoke in relief with watery eyes. The orange-haired teen’s two teammates landed on Tenten’s other side, while the three Guardians landed on an adjacent branch above the four Konoha ninja.

“I’m fine,” the Weapons Mistress reassured the young kunoichi with a tired grin “Slightly injured from the battle two days ago, but I’m okay.”

The leader of the Guardians could sense that the 19-year-old was not entirely truthful. “Tenten-san…” He continued upon seeing her eyes focus on him. “Did you sustained your dress’s condition from the battle or after you were captured?”

Tenten sighed. She was hoping not to worry her younger teammates, but the Guardian was quite observant of her dress’s state as well as her body’s condition. For someone who was the elite leader of a special force formed to the guard the Fire Daimyo, it was easy for him to see evidence that she had been captured.

“It was afterward,” answered the female weapons expert, knowing she should be truthful now. “I was nearly rape, thus why my dress is in this state.”

Moegi and Udon gasped, while Konohamaru narrowed his eyes in anger. “Say what?! They’d raped you, Tenten-neechan!”

“I said, ‘I was nearly rape,’” Tenten corrected. “While I was tied up, the bastard forced a kiss on me and touched my chest. Yet I managed to escape before he could do anything else. The same guy pulled a kunai on me. It was a mistake; given you know how well I can use weapons.”

Konohamaru smirked in understanding, while his companions let out a breath of relief in knowing their superior was not raped. “I bet you taught the creep a lesson afterward,” Sarutobi stated. “Eh, Tenten-neechan?”

Tenten gave a small smirk in return. “Let’s just say he will be licking his wound for quite some time.” The Third Hokage’s grandson’s smirk widened upon the mental picture of the creep getting his just desserts.

Brown feminine eyes turned to face the Guardians. “Why are you all here? I presume you were sent to rescue me?”

The Guardian’s leader nodded. “Once we’ve received word that Konoha was sending a team, the Fire Daimyo ordered the three of us to join your subordinates,” he gestured to the Konohamaru Corps, “to meet up with the other team. The overall mission has two objectives. The first was to determine your status and rescue you if you were captured. The second is the complete elimination of Mizuyama and his group.”

“Do you know who Tsunade-sama sent?”

Konohamaru replied with a grin. “Sakura-neechan, Neji, Kiba, and the Boss!”

Tenten blinked at the last one, for she knew who Konohamaru was referring. “Naruto?”

The young Sarutobi nodded in confirmative. “Yeah. He’ll be happy to hear you’re safe, Tenten-neechan.”

“Truly,” Moegi bobbed her head.

Letting a small smile graced her face, the daughter of one of Konoha’s best weapons maker sighed, knowing well that they were right. Her beloved man would have been very worry for her.

Focusing her sight on the three Guardians again, Tenten gestured with her head toward the direction in which she came from. “Come on. Let’s go.”

“Whoa!” one of the other Guardians nearly yelled in surprise. Tenten knew the man had medical training. “From just looking at you, I say you’re in no shape to be in any battle. Not only are your injuries not healed, you’re fatigue, judging from the slight rings under your eyes.”

Moegi spoke up in agreement. “He’s right, Tenten-neechan! You’re in no condition to fight now! We’ll head back to the capital, while the Guardians continue the mission.”

Chocolate-colored eyes narrowed in distaste. “I’m okay. Yes, I’m tired and injured, but my chakra reserves are good enough to help in a coordinate effort against Mizuyama.” Her eyes turned to hold steady on the Guardian’s leader. “Before, once my subordinates had the client and the chakra jewel safely away, I had gone all out against Mizuyama. However, he was able to defeat me.

“This time, there will be eleven us total, including me. With no client to protect, we can fully release our powers against the missing nin. I doubtful he will able to withstand the joint efforts of eight jounin and three chuunin.”

The Guardian’s leader frowned. The young kunoichi made valid points, but he just did not like to allow injured and fatigued personnel to enter a fight. Yet, he had no choice but to let her join them. Her narrow-eyed expression clearly said, ‘I’m going whether you agree or not!’

Letting out a sigh, the leader nodded his head. “Fine, you can come.” He saw her face soften in relief. “However,” he stressed with a finger pointing at the bun-haired woman, “if you can’t keep up with us, I’ll order your team to escort you back to the capital. Are we clear?” He saw her frowned a bit but nodded in understanding nevertheless. “Good. Let’s go.”

Tenten quickly followed the Guardians, who took the lead, while her team followed just behind her. She was in no position to argue given her physical condition, but she definitely have to be part of this mission, now that she knew Naruto was a member of the team Tsunade-sama had sent.

Making sure her boyfriend saw that she was okay was the final reason she wanted to go. Yet she knew better than to say that to leader of the Twelve Guardians. She was not that stupid.

However, unseen by the concern kunoichi, the Guardian’s leader allowed his lips to form a tiny smirk. He was not a fool to not interpret the real reason behind the young woman’s eagerness to come on this mission. After all, ever since the Fire Daimyo’s ‘test’ of Uzumaki two months ago, who, in all of Fire Country if not the world, wouldn’t know of the woman who had captured the future Hokage’s heart, especially with a name as Tenten?

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

As his heart rate started to pick up a bit after many minutes of battle, Naruto once more glared daggers at the grinning nukenin at the other side of the small clearing. Even with their combined teamwork, they had managed to score some hits but nowhere near in taking down Mizuyama. The Toad Sennin noticed that Sakura, Kiba, Akamaru, and Neji were breathing harder than him, indicating they were running out of steam. However, so was Mizuyama.

“I have to hand to you, Uzumaki-kun,” Mizuyama smirked. “You and your peers are strong. I have not given a workout like this in years.”

“Why you…” Naruto grated. “We’re going to finish this battle and rescue Ten-chan! If she is harm—”

“She might already be dead,” interrupted the former Mist shinobi in a casual manner. “Then again, she might still be alive. Yet once my two subordinates reach our camp, they’ll carry out the order to have her be killed. That is, if she had not already been killed by my private army.”

Naruto growled. He was about to charge, to begin the battle anew, when the blonde felt a hand on his left shoulder. Facing the hand’s owner, he peered into the pearl eyes of Neji. “You know he’s goading you, Naruto. I know how you feel, but you shouldn’t let him take control.”

“I know, Neji, I know,” the whiskered jounin reassured his friend. “Just the more we delay here, the more we will loose our chance to rescue Ten-chan.”

The Hyuuga frowned and nodded in understanding.

Upon arriving in the area, the Konoha team had by chance ran into Mizuyama and his two shinobi henchmen. With their orders to kill the missing nin, the four of them had engaged in battle with the nukenin. They had about to deliver a fatal blow to the criminal’s followers when the ex-Kiri nin saved them and then gave the order for the pair to retreat back to their camp and kill the Konoha kunoichi. Only then did Naruto and his friends realize that Tenten had been captured and was still alive, but only if they could quickly come to her aid before the two bad ninjas arrive first. Yet Mizuyama had prevented them from following, forcing them to fight him and causing devastation across the land.

“It’s a pity,” Mizuyama said with a mock frown, causing Neji and Naruto to focus back on him. “Your Tenten have so much potential for a kunoichi. She had fought me with all her strength, yet still she lost at the end. To bad such a beautiful, strong woman will be dead soon.”

With his face in a deep scowl, Naruto unhooked his large summoning scroll from the shoulder strap, and upon seeing his actions, Sakura and Kiba blinked in surprise. “Whoa!” the dog handler said in awe. “Are you going to use it, man?!”

“He’s already weakened, so if I use it, I should be able to finish him. Besides, all of you are weakened as well, while I still have some strength left.” Naruto tossed the scroll to his longtime pink-haired teammate. “Sakura-chan, summon my Kage Bunshin.”

Sakura was not sure at first whether this was wise, but the next moment, she placed the scroll on the ground and unfurled it, revealing the large summoning seal. The medic-nin knew Naruto was right. They needed to finish this now, especially with Tenten’s life on the line.

However, before the pinkette could slam a chakra-filled palm on the seal, Akamaru suddenly gave a large bark, making everyone paid attention to him. When the big dog spoke to his master, the Inuzuka gave a sniffed in the air before smiling widely. “Hold your horses, Naruto. Akamaru just smelled several people quickly approaching us from the south, and they have someone Mr. Water Man here,” he gestured to Mizuyama, “thought he had.”

Neji immediately grasped what Kiba was saying. “Byakugan!” he shouted, his eyes showing his bloodline, and a few seconds later, he too grinned widely. “Confirm. Mizuyama no longer have his hostage, as he thought he had.” This made the nukenin blinked in revelation.

Before Naruto could speak, several people burst from the tree lines behind them and landed before them. One was a dirty kunoichi with brown hair in familiar twin buns. Her radiant chocolate eyes focused on the blond shinobi, and when they did, her face displayed a huge smile. “Naruto-kun!”

“Ten-chan!” shouted Konoha’s Jinchuuriki in relief and joy before accepting her girlfriend in his arms as she ran into them to hug him. It was a brief hug, but it was enough to convey their feelings of relief, joy, and love.

Sakura was immediately by her fellow kunoichi’s side, seeing Tenten’s injuries. It was the start for Kiba and Akamaru to join in ranks as well, where the weapons-wielding woman gave a warm grin of thanks to him, especially a slight warmer one for her ex-boyfriend, who still kept an eye on the enemy.

The command voice of the Twelve Guardian’s leader snapped the Konoha ninjas back to reality. “You guys can reconnect later, or have you forgotten about your opponent?”

“Indeed,” agreed Neji. “Now that we know Tenten is safe, we just have to eliminate Mizuyama.”

Naruto, Tenten, Kiba, and Sakura focused forward to see the three Guardians in position in front of them as they faced Mizuyama. Neji was right that all they have to do now was kill the missing nin.

The ex-Mist shinobi however was looking steadily at Tenten with a satisfied grin. “So… You finally escaped.”

His words shocked everyone, knowing precisely what he was applying. “What do you mean?” Sakura asked for the entire group. “Are you saying that you wanted Tenten to escape?”

“Ten-chan?” asked Naruto, his eyes turned to look into hers.

Hearing the unspoken question, Tenten took a deep breath and told the entire story of her captivity. It was upsetting to hear how she was tied up and given no food or water for an entire day. When she told how she was molested, the weapons expert had to hold her boyfriend by the arms from preventing him from charging Mizuyama, especially after he noticed, for the first time, her ripped dress. Only when Naruto calmed down did she finished the story by telling how she escaped.

“I don’t get it,” said Sakura, being the first to speak after Tenten finished. “How come they left your legs freed despite they were tied together? Surely, even they suppose to know you can use them to hurt them.”

A smug Mizuyama was the one to answer. “It is because I instructed them to do so. Since I am a shinobi, the men, who did the job of securing the prisoner, thought I was giving them the right instructions. Also I presume they thought the girl would not be able to escape with the chakra-suppression tags in place.”

Neji narrowed his Byakugan eyes. “Then the next question should be why did you want Tenten to escape?”

“That is also my question as well,” spoke up the Guardian’s leader, “especially in light of Mizuyama’s demands to exchange the chakra jewel for his hostage’s life.” His eyes narrowed on the criminal ninja. “For your information, Mizuyama, the Fire Daimyo’s answer is ‘no’, not that it does you any good anymore, now that your hostage is freed.”

The tall ex-Kiri warrior shrugged, not at all worried. “I knew she would decline, but I had to place up a story to why I wanted our captive alive.” His face curled into another mild smug expression. “To put it simply, I wanted her,” he gestured to Tenten, “to escape and hopefully kill my men in the process.”

This revelation was quite a shocker to the Fire Country’s ninjas.

Mizuyama chuckled upon seeing the flabbergasted faces. “Oh, come on. Are you all a bunch of softies to not able to stomach mass killings?”

“That’s not the point!” Tenten cried out in anguish. “To think you would do that to your men is sickening! Besides, my priority was to escape and return to my team, thus I left most of your men alive.”

“As you mentioned in your story,” the nuke-nin added before giving another shrug. “It does not matter. My two loyal subjects will finish the job upon returning to camp. Those bandits have live out their usefulness.”

Naruto felt his ire was rising, and he could easily see his friends and comrades felt the same. This man definitely was inhuman.

Holding his gaze with the blues of the Kyuubi Jinchuuriki, Mizuyama smirked once more. “Yet, getting my men kill was not the main goal at all. I was after the chakra jewel, but after that opportunity was lost, I’d decided to least see what Konoha’s most famous warrior was all about. After all, it was by chance, upon ambushing the shinobi team guarding the jewel, that I came across his significant other…” His eyes swiveled just a bit to hold onto feminine brown ones. “Takahashi Tenten.”

Tenten couldn’t believe it. “That’s the main reason why you kept me alive? To use me as bait to lure Naruto?!”

“Correct, Takahashi-chan,” teased the ex-Water Country warrior, taking pleasure in hearing her growl from using the suffix. “By now, who in all the Elemental Countries, if not the world, have not heard of you, especially after the Fire Daimyo’s test of your boyfriend? It was fun to test your strength.” He faced the blond man next to the woman he had been talking with. “Now, I have the pleasure in seeing your legendary strength, Uzumaki-kun. Given what I’ve seen before your lover showed up, I doubtful that was everything you are capable of.”

Having enough, the Toad Sage strode forward past the Guardians before halting. “With Ten-chan safe now, there is only one thing left to do and that is to kill you as ordered by Tsunade-baachan,” he said with a bit of heat to the nuke-nin. “Sakura! Summon my Kage Bunshin!”

Sakura had left the summoning scroll where it was when she had come forward to check Tenten’s injuries. However, being closer to the unrolled parchment, Konohamaru saw it and suddenly grinned in excitement. “I’ll do it, Naruto-niichan!” he called out before quickly kneeling in front of the scroll’s seal.

Udon and Moegi stood on either side of their friend, looking at the huge seal. “Is this what I think it is?” the glasses-wearing chuunin asked in awe.

“Yeah,” Konohamaru confirmed with glee. “Now we’re going to see for ourselves Naruto-niichan’s abilities when he uses Senjutsu!” With that said, he slammed a chakra-filled hand on the scroll. “Kuchiyose no Jutsu! (Summoning Technqiue)!”

Those, who knew of Naruto’s Kage Bunshin Summoning Scroll, was aware it was not an actual summoning, as it would be with any of the summoning animals. Modified from the original seal the Toads had created to reverse summoned Naruto’s Bunshin from Mt. Myobokuzan during the famous battle against Pain, this new seal allowed to summoned Naruto’s clones from anywhere as long as the clones had a special tracker seal linked to the main seal, which was designed only to recognize the unique chakra signature of Naruto and his copies. Thus Naruto or anyone else could summon his Kage Bunshin, but it would not able to summon objects or other people. It was why the scientists of Konoha’s Research and Development Department were disappointment, given such an instantaneous mode of transportation would revolutionize battle tactics forever. Yet, the R&D Dept. has to this day yet give up the ghost of finding such a way.

As the smoke cleared, a Kage Bunshin Naruto was seen sitting cross-legged on top of the scroll, and once it opened his eyes, he dispelled. Immediately, everyone saw the original Naruto’s eye rims and eyelids turned orange, like someone had used eye shadow on him, and his pupils turned yellow with a horizontal slit. It was quite an amazing sight.

Even Mizuyama was fascinated. “So… This is the famous Sennin Mode of the Toads. Remarkable.”

“It’ll the last thing you will ever see,” growled Naruto.

Seeing her boyfriend’s Sage Mode for the first time ever, Tenten couldn’t help but think the changes in his eyes made him look exotic. As with the rest of their peer group, she had thought Naruto would become more toad-like when she had first heard of his Toad Sage Mode two years ago. Yet instead of web hands or gross looking warts, he has yellow eyes and orange eye rings. Least he still was handsome. Like the Konohamaru Corps, this would be the first time she would be able to witness Naruto using Senjutsu. It would be interesting to see what he was capable of.

Running at his opponent, Naruto started the fight with taijutsu. At first, it appeared the blond’s fighting skills has not changed as the two duke it out for a minute or so, but suddenly, Mizuyama was flown backward like he was punched. However, no one saw Naruto’s fist even connected.

Yet Neji, who has not deactivated his Byakugan, swore his friend’s chakra had increased somewhat in the hand but the chakra had not expanded out. Other Hyuuga members, who had witnessed Naruto’s fight with Pain, had told him that they saw the jinchuuriki’s chakra flared at times but couldn’t see anything out of the ordinary. Naruto had said that Nature Energy was not chakra, thus why they couldn’t see it.

Deciding that hand-to-hand combat would be futile against such invisible attacks, Mizuyama jumped backward and swiftly began forming hand signs. “Suiton: Sendo no Ame (Water Element: Rain of Death)!” Suddenly, the air above the missing nin began to condense water, which in turn formed into thousands of spikes. With a wave of his hand, the rain of water ‘kunai’ came down at the Konoha Sennin.

Naruto snapped out his twin kodachi. “Fuuton: Chacha Nami (Wind Element: Disruption Wave)!” From a couple of quick unorganized swings, strong wind gusts blew everywhere, causing the water ‘weapons’ to be flung away like they were twigs. Tenten knew this was what her boyfriend had used many times against her Soushouryuu (Twin Rising Dragons). Unless Mizuyama had a way for long-range weapons to break through such a wind defense, such attacks were absolutely useless.

With his swords still in hands, the Toad Sennin placed his fingers in a cross-seal. “Kage Bunshin no jutsu!” Two Naruto clones appeared next to him, and with wave of his hand, the three began to attack.

Having had seen this battle was growing more intense than it was before Tenten’s arrival, the Konoha ninjas and the Guardians hopped backward out of the clearing to take refuge in the branches of the surrounding trees. From up here, the group could see the entire fight clearly.

“Alright, Niichan is going to cream this guy!” Konohamaru exclaimed in excitement, as Naruto and his Bunshins began coordinated attacks on Mizuyama, who was doing his best avoiding not getting hit by those invisible ‘fists’. Not easy.

Sakura frowned. “Unless Naruto does something other than taijutsu attacks, he still will not get anywhere, despite his clones are using Senjutsu as well.”

Tenten, who stood by the pinkette’s side, quickly pointed to a new development. “Look!” Naruto and his clones jumped back. As each Bunshin began molding chakra in the original’s hands, they started forming a familiar jutsu created by the Fourth Hokage, but what made everyone’s eyes went wide was the jutsu growing larger in size. So large that they knew it would be impossible for anyone to survive such a massive attack.

Mizuyama fascinatedly watched the formation of two large spheres of swirling chakra, large as the creators themselves, before the two Naruto clones, using their freed hands, exploded smoke bombs. Sensing an attack, the nuke nin jumped back, and surely enough, he was not surprise when a fuma shuriken suddenly appeared out of the smokescreen heading right at him.

Yet what did surprise the former Mist ninja was that the spinning weapon transformed into his blond opponent the moment he sidestepped to avoid getting hit. The moment he saw this, Mizuyama knew this was the real Naruto, who quickly started to engage in taijutsu.

“If this is the original, where are his clones?” mentally asked the rogue shinobi. Then it immediately came to him. “Of course!” His eyes quickly looked up, and surely enough, there were the two Kage Bunshin coming down right at him with those two large spheres of chakra.

“Senpou: Oodama Rasengan (Sage Art: Giant Spiraling Sphere)!” shouted out the two Kage Bunshin blondes prior to the two, gigantic chakra balls met their mark. A large explosion was the result as it rocked the land with a bit of a shockwave. Yet when the blast settled down a minute later, leaving a small crater in its wake, instead of seeing a human body, everyone saw just pieces of wood scattered about.

“Kuso!” swore Konohamaru upon seeing the results. “He used a Kawarimi!”

“I have to hand to you, Uzumaki-kun,” spoke out Mizuyma, causing everyone to home in on the voice and see the smirking man was near the clearing’s edge on the opposite side from them. “You are a formidable opponent. No wonder you have defeated Pain.”

Naruto nearly snarled. “This is not over yet!” He swiftly produced another two Kage Bunshin, and while one Bunshin immediately engaged Mizuyama in a fight, the other stayed behind to help his boss begin began forming chakra in his right hand. Just this time, the forming sphere was slowing looking like a shuriken.

“Oh, Kami! Is that what I think it is?” Moegi gasped at the jutsu forming in Naruto’s hand. She had heard of niichan’s most powerful technique but has not ever seen it.

“It is,” Sakura confirmed. “Fuuton: Rasen Shuriken.”

Tenten looked on with awe as the spiraling chakra ball grew in size until it was a spinning whirlwind of power. Winds from the jutsu brushed around the clearing and into the trees, causing hair to fly about.

For the past two years, ever since Naruto defeated Pain, everyone in Konoha had heard of the young Gama Sennin’s ultimate jutsu. Tenten was no exception in thinking that the technique had to be very powerful in order to defeat a S-rank shinobi. Being one of his friends, she had heard over time that he was successful in finally forming a regular Rasengan without the use of a Kage Bunshin. It was quite a feat, according to Kakashi-sensei. Given she was told it had originally required two Kage Bunshin to help Naruto form a Fuuton: Rasen Shuriken, it was not hard to figured out that Naruto now only needed one clone to create the S-rank jutsu… as he was doing now.

With his completed jutsu held over his head, Naruto narrowed his eyes at the still-fighting Mizuyama. Once the clone beside him dispelled, the blonde held back his right arm to prepare to strike.

“Senpou - Fuuton: Rasen Shuriken (Sage Art - Wind Element: Spiraling Shuriken)!” he shouted before flinging the jutsu at his enemy. The large chakra object spiraled down the field and slammed the Kage Bunshin Naruto and Mizuyama. Once it connected with the target, the jutsu expanded rapidly, cutting through any bodies in its path. It then exploded into a huge whirling sphere, cutting through the ground and subjecting anything inside to barrage of microscopic wind blades. Overall, the entire attack was breathtaking to all now witnessing it.

As the large rotating sphere of energy and wind died off, everyone saw the huge upside-down dome crater the jutsu left behind. Yet once more, they spotted no body. Even Sakura, who’d had seen the results of the Rasen Shuriken a few years back, knew there had to be body in the center of the crater after the technique was through attacking the victim.

“I don’t get it!” shouted out a frustrated Konahamaru. “There’s no way anyone can escape that attack!”

Masculine laughter made everyone to look up into the trees on the other side of the clearing. They spotted Mizuyama standing on a branch looking quite amused. “That’s because I was not really there. After I did the Kawarimi, I replaced myself with a Mizu Bunshin. I knew better than to face Uzumaki-kun again after that Oodama Rasengan attack, especially when I’m low in chakra.”

Giving a sly smirk, the former Mist shinobi bowed slightly to his young opponent. “I’ll be going now, Uzumaki-kun. You are indeed a strong foe. We’ll likely meet again someday.” With that said, he immediately disappeared in a blur.

“Flash Step!” Kiba shouted as Neji quickly scanned the area with his Byakugan. The Inuzuka’s words snapped everyone into action as they ran forward with Naruto being the first to enter the forest after the nuke-nin.

So for nearly an hour, the Konoha and Guardian groups combed the area for Mizuyama. Since he was low in chakra, he should not have gone far. Yet, even with an Inuzuka and Hyuuga in their ranks, they found no signs of him.

Naruto snarled a bit upon hearing everyone, including himself, unable to find the criminal as they rested next to a small pond and presented their reports. Given Mizuyama’s attitude toward life in general, the man did not deserve to live. The blond clenched his fists in frustration that they had failed their mission to eliminate this threat.

Yet, upon feeling a feminine hand entwined through his right hand, the whiskered Toad Sennin was broken out of his irritation and was reminded of the other half of the mission. Cerulean eyes gazed to the right and slightly down into chocolate orbs filled with reassurance, warmth, and comfort. He let out a sigh and nodded slightly to his significant other, telling her without words that he was okay now, especially with her there to remind him that she was safe.

Lightly squeezing Tenten’s hand, Naruto knew that she was also seeking warmth and comfort from the contact as well. After what she went through in order to escape, he could see she needed this as much as he did. The handholding would have to do, until they sort out everything regarding the mission and were finally on their way back home.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

With a press of a button on the remote, the picture on the TV set blinked off. The golden-haired owner tossed the TV controller on the coffee table in front of him before leaning back onto the couch. He sighed upon noticing the time was only a few minutes passed 8 PM. It was hard for him to keep himself occupied and not race out of his apartment to see her.

Just this morning, both his and Tenten’s teams had arrived back in Konoha and immediately reported to the Hokage. They told Tsunade the entire story, including finding all of Mizuyama’s non-shinobi men dead, which indicated the rogue ninja had kept his promise that his subordinates were ordered to kill off everyone. It had been a bit humiliating to not able to fulfill half of their mission, but the Godaime was relieved in seeing Tenten alive and well. For the Fifth, it was better to have the young kunoichi be okay than dead, so the exchange was worth it, despite Mizuyama was still at large.

After hearing everything, the teams were dismissed. Sakura, with Tsuande and Shizune’s backing, had insisted Tenten to go through a medical examination to make certain she was all right. Naruto had wanted to come along, but the pinkette was not so great on the idea. Only after Tenten had promised, to come see him when she was freed and ready for him, did the concerned Toad Sage relented. It was after all just to heal her wounds and make certain there was no other physical damage done to her body. There had been no need for him to be there waiting for her, despite how touching his concern was to the weapons mistress

Naruto sighed again, but this time out of comprehension. He was not so dense to not see the main reason why Sakura did not want him waiting at the hospital. Regardless that she was not raped, Tenten was molested in other ways. In spite of how many times he had heard that his girlfriend was willing to take such a risk in order to escape, her entire ordeal still made his heart ache in anger. If he had gone to the hospital and heard what had been done to the bun-haired woman, the blue-eyed man had no doubt he would have found a way to bring the man responsible back from the dead so he could kill the inhuman creature a thousand times more. Heck, he felt this way even now just thinking of his mate had been nearly raped.

Calming down in order to prevent from blowing a fuse, the young jounin wondered when he would see her again. He had kept his promise to let her come to him when she was ready, and he would keep his word. Naruto figured that not only it took some time for Sakura to heal and examine Tenten, but also his steady girlfriend had perhaps wanted to return home to change and spend some time with her mother. It made sense, even though it did not lower his apprehension.

Just then the doorbell rang, and quickly getting up to see whom it was, Naruto hoped it was who he thought it was. A quick look in the peephole made him grin before he opened the door to reveal the slight-grinning form of Tenten.

“Hi there, Ten-chan,” warmly greeted the big blond. His blue eyes took in her pink, long-sleeved Chinese blouse, black pants, flat slipper shoes, and her hair in her usual twin buns. He had no doubt that her arms and legs may have some bandages hidden by the clothing.

“Good evening, Naruto-kun,” returned Tenten with just as a warm voice as he had given. She mentally appraised him in the black slacks and orange t-shirt with the Uzumaki swirl on the front.

Naruto stepped aside to allow her inside. After quickly making her favorite herbal tea in the kitchen using hot water already ready on the stove, for he was hoping she stopped by, the son of the Yondaime Hokage joined his girlfriend on the couch. He watched her took a sip of the drink and sighed contently at the flavor.

“So, are you okay?” he started the conversation.

“I fine,” Tenten replied with a reassuring expression. “Sakura did a good job patching me up. I have a few places that she bandaged, but I might have them off within a week, due they weren’t deep cuts.”

“That’s good to hear,” replied Naruto with a grin. “I know you enjoy relaxing like everyone else, but you would go insane without moving about. I know you. You would love to get back to training and doing missions instead of hanging around with nothing to do.”

The weapons-loving kunoichi chuckled softly at his teasing. “Well, Mom does allow me to test out the weapons she created. Either that or spend the days minding the store. It does get dull once in awhile.” Her eyebrow rose as she gave her boyfriend a witty look. “Unless there happens to be a blond shinobi to keep me company.”

Naruto pretended to not know what she was referring. “A blond shinobi, eh? What does he look like?”

Tenten smirked. “He’s tall with golden hair, whisker marks on his cheeks, and amazing blue eyes I have ever seen.” Her eyes sparkled with mischief. “His favorite food is ramen, especially Ichiraku ramen.”

“Oh, really?” Naruto mock perked up with interest. “He definitely is my type of guy!”

Unable to help it, the brunette laughed and softly hit her boyfriend on the shoulder as he joined her in laughter. It always made him smile to hear her joyous mirth.

Calming down, the 18-year-old man diminished his expression to a soft concern one with a small grin. “Are you really okay, Ten-chan?”

Hearing what he was asking in the question, Tenten gazed down away from his eyes. She took another sip of her tea, before her lips gave a small uneasy grin. “I’m not entirely sure to be honest. I was not rape, thank, Kami, for that. Yet I knew I would not had been able to escape if that creep hadn’t tried to take advantage of me. No matter the kunoichi training I had undergone to prepare mentally for such an eventuality, it does not entirely help in diminishing the horror of the moment.”

Looking away, Naruto couldn’t help but to clench his right fist as he narrowed his eyes. If that guy, who did this to her, had been alive…

Seeing his fisted hand out of the corner of her eyes, Tenten looked up to see his expression. Immediately, she placed her left hand over his fist, causing him to look at her. “Naruto, it’s okay,” she said in a soothing and reassuring tone. “He’s not alive anymore. As I told you and everyone, he had only gotten as far as to kiss me and touch my breasts. It’s not really that bad.”

“Nevertheless, he did harm you, Ten-chan,” Naruto pointed out as he opened his right hand to allow hers to clasp him. Both took comfort in the touch, banishing any feeling of loneliness as the warmth soothed their beings.

Taking strength from the physical contact, the weapons mistress pressed forward. “Yes, he did. Yet as I said, he will not be harming anyone else ever again, even though I was not the one to take his life.

“As for any lingering feelings I have from the event, I’ll be talking with my psychological counselor about it.” Tenten produced a thankful grin. “She had been a great help to me in the past two months, as you know.”

Naruto grinned at words. All shinobi underwent a psychological evaluation once in awhile to judge whether they are mentally fit to continue service. The counselors also provided emotional help when dealing with traumatic incidents the village’s ninjas experience occasionally. Tenten’s therapist had been a generous sounding board shortly after her break-up with Neji, and the older woman was instrumental in helping Tenten dealt with the hidden feelings and fear that resurfaced upon hearing of Naruto’s supposed ‘engagement’. As much as the kunoichi knew she had been wrong to break-up with Naruto and had repaired their relationship after the whole ‘arranged marriage’ affair was settled, the brunette knew she had to seek her psychologist to settle her fears once in for all.

After taking a deep breath, Kyohaku’s daughter placed her teacup on the coffee table prior to placing the same hand over her boyfriend’s right as the other one squeezed his hand a bit more. “I spoke to Mom,” she began while keeping eye contact with her beau. “She told me of the conversation she had with you just before Tsunade-sama received word from the capitol regarding the situation with Mizuyama.”

She saw the light in those sapphire orbs faded as well as his grin. However, despite that this was not a happy topic, Tenten knew they had to get this over with. “Naruto-kun… You and I both know how dangerous our careers might be. Now that we’re jounin, the chances have increased that we might get seriously injured or worst. I know we’re both strong, and we trust each other that we will make it back home to each other. However, if one of us were gravely injured or died, the other has to accept it.”

Letting out a long breath, Naruto clasped her hand a bit more than usual. “It will not be easy.”

“No, it will not,” Tenten replied with a sad grin. “Mom told me that she told you how her life had nearly came apart when Dad died. Even today, she still misses him at times, but she had moved on the best she could in order to raise me.” An appreciative chuckle escaped her lips, as her eyes grew moist. “I’ll always love her for being there for me despite her lost. My mom is very brave.”

Naruto gave a tiny grin as he nodded in agreement. It took a lot of courage to move on with a heavy heart as Kyohaku did. However… “Not everyone will find courage to move on as your mom had, Ten-chan. Not everyone is the same.”

This time was Tenten’s turn to nod in concurrence. “You’re right. It’s just that in our profession, we have to accept that death is part of life, whether we like it or not.”

“Yeah,” the blond replied. “I know you definitely want me to continue on with my life if something had happened to you, and I feel the same thing regarding you. Neji reminded me that you would definitely not want me to stop living.”

Seeing her raised eyebrows and curious expression, Naruto chuckled and told his girlfriend the entire conversation he had with her ex-boyfriend during a rest stop on their way to rescue her. By the time he finished a few minutes later, Tenten felt a lump in her throat in deep appreciation for what Neji did for Naruto. Despite that she loved Naruto deeply, there still would be one tiny part of her heart that would always belong to the Hyuuga genius. Kami, she wished she had been there to see these two, who were two of the most important men in her life, bonded in mutual respect and love for her.

Following her feelings, the weapons-loving woman fiercely hugged her boyfriend with her face in the crook of his neck. She felt him hesitated for a moment, before he soon returned her gesture, causing her to smile at the feel of his strong arms wrapped around her frame. Deep down, she knew she needed this, and it felt good to feel safe, secure, and comfort from the one man she trusted explicitly.

A few moments later, after Naruto settled back to lean on the couch’s backrest to provide them with a more comfy position, the serene silence was broken by the blonde’s soft chuckle. “I don’t mind the hug, Ten-chan, and I can tell you need this. Just I thought that after such ordeals, women would not be comfortable around men for a while.”

“As I said, Naruto-kun,” replied Tenten, as she enjoyed relaxing her body half over his, “I was not raped, and despite what had happened to me, I’m not repulsed by the presence of the men I trust, namely my friends and especially you.” She raised her head to gaze into those expressive eyes of his. “I know you will not ever force me to do something against my will,” she grinned

“Everyone should be free to pursue their own happiness,” Naruto said with a surely grin.

“Which I’m grateful you believe in it so strongly,” the brunette responded warmly.

Her smile diminished as she continued the topic. “Not all women are strong enough to not let such an ordeal affect them. Some would be extremely mentally scarred just from minor molestation. Others would carry on with strong determination to not let such an event rule their lives. In other words, women are diverse in personality types as men are, thus each individual would response differently to such a sexual assault.”

Naruto nodded in understanding. He certainly knew not all women were alike, for after all, all the females he knew in his life were vastly different in personalities. Tsunade-baachan was hot-tempered and fearless, yet she was kind and considerate. Sakura-chan was much like her master, but she was more emotional compared to Baa-chan at times. Ino was witty and sly but could become a raging firestorm when anger. Despite her strength as a kunoichi, the blonde knew Hinata was kind, sweet, and had not ever raised her voice in anger at anyone. No two women he knew were alike; not even the girl in his arms when compared her to others.

Looking deep in those twin chocolate orbs looking back at him, the future Rokudaime Hokage caressed the back of his left fingers against her right cheek “I’m always here for you, Ten-chan. If you ever need me, I’m here.”

Smiling, Tenten once more felt that lump in her throat as her heart clenched strongly. “You’re doing so right now, Naruto-kun. I need you right now.” She returned her head to rest back in the crook of his neck. “Just hold me,” the young kunoichi whispered, her breath touching his skin. “Just hold me.”

Tightening his arms around her, Konoha’s greatest hero did what his significant other wanted. “I’ll hold you as long as you want, my Heaven,” he intimately softly spoke.

Hearing the new nickname, which was tied to her name, Tenten felt her heart burst with love. The name and the tone of his voice told her how much she meant to him, and it provided her with deep satisfaction that not only were their love strong and sure but solid as well.

Many minutes passed as the couple just laid on the couch in each other’s arms. Nothing but the warmth of each other and the good feelings they were having within their beings.

“Mmmm,” a close-eyed Tenten nearly purred as her nose breath in hard and caught the wonderful scent of her man. “This feels so right,” she mentioned with her right hand brushing across his shirt-covered chest. “So peaceful, so warm, so—”

“Normal,” softly added Naruto.

Konoha’s Weapons Mistress heard the contentment in his voice and quickly nodded in agreement with him. It did feel normal…. so wonderfully, blissfully normal. They had reached a stage where not only they trusted each other without doubt with all their love and souls, but to a point that they really did not need to second guess each other anymore. They were finally feeling like a normal couple.

“Not that being shinobi is what one would consider ‘normal’ per se,” Tenten mentally giggled. “Besides, I know life with Naruto will not ever stay dull for long. I wouldn’t mind living like this with him for the rest of my life.”

Suddenly a yawn erupted out of her mouth, and when she opened her eyes, the brown-haired female ninja saw her lover was looking at her with a fond grin. “You look like you’re about to go to sleep,” the blonde pointed out. “You better get home before you fall asleep right here.”

Matching his expression, Tenten shook her head. “I want to sleep here tonight with you.”

This prompted two golden-haired eyebrows to shoot up in surprise. “Are you physically able—”

A feminine finger swiftly and gently touched over his mouth, silencing him. “I’m not talking about making love, Naruto-kun. I want to sleep with you besides me. Just sleep.”

Now Naruto really was flabbergasted, for this was a first. Since Tenten still have a home with her mother, the kunoichi had not ever once slept at his apartment without involving sex in the four months since they became intimated. Kyohaku-kaachan had teased her daughter that she was almost practically living with Naruto, given some of her clothes and hygiene products were at his place. Yet Tenten had not once ever behaved like she truly lived here. That was, until now.

Feeling his soul warmed up, Naruto’s expression changed from shock to a warm, welcoming one. “I don’t mind at all.” His lips became lopsided on one side. “Are planning to move in with me, Weapons Girl?”

Knowing he was teasing, Tenten chuckled. “No, I’m not planning to move in with you, Whisker Boy.” Her face softened a bit. “I do see this place as an official secondary home though.”

Naruto sighed, happy to hear those words. “As you know, you’re welcome here any time, Ten-chan.” Yet his happiness was short lived as his next thought made him frown in curiosity. “Yet, I don’t recall you ever brought over any pajamas. What are you going to sleep in?”

However, instead of seeing her frown, the blond jounin watched her give a knowing grin prior to getting up and heading toward his bedroom. “I know just the thing,” she called over her shoulder.

Baffled, Naruto stood up as his bedroom lights came on. He was halfway toward the room’s entrance, when his girlfriend emerged with something in her arms as she quickly went next door into the bathroom. “Go change in your sleepwear,” she told her beau at the bathroom’s threshold. “I’ll be out once I change.” With that said, the brunette entered the bathroom and closed the door.

With an expression that was half frown and half amused grin, the future leader of Konoha decided to complied and see what she meant. He quickly closed the living room lights, went into his bedroom, and changed into his orange pajamas with swirl designs. The young man then sat at the foot of his bed and waited.

Naruto already had a good guess to what Tenten had taken, judging from the brief glimpse, and surely enough, a couple of minutes later, the so-called woman walked right in, making him smiled at what she was wearing. It was his other favorite black t-shirt, which has on the front the red swirl fire icon that represents the Will of Fire. With her hair down her back and arms and legs exposed underneath the shirt that look big over her frame, the Kyuubi Jinchuuriki thought she looked beautiful.

With her left arm holding her clothes, Tenten giggled at his expression. “Like what you see?” she asked just as she placed her right hand on her right hip and cocked her body to give a sexy pose.

“You bet I like what I see,” he parried back, earning him another giggle.

Watching her placed away her clothes in the closet besides her other clothes stored there, Naruto took noticed of the few wrapped bandages on her legs and arms. He knew medical jutsu could heal cuts and bruises but only up to a certain point. To make certain the body was mended properly; bandages were applied for a few days to prevent affection and any reopening wounds.

Yet to the 18 year old shinobi, the white wraps didn’t diminish her girlfriend’s appeal at all. A matter of fact, he found them to be quite alluring, for they emphasized the creamy skin of her toned legs and arms quite nicely. Kami, he so much loved this woman - body, heart, and soul.

Tenten turned from the closet and headed toward the bed, signaling Naruto to follow her lead as she gracefully slipped under the covers and situated herself on her side. With a hand gesture, she instructed her boyfriend to spoon against her, and when he did, the brown-haired woman sighed in contentment of the feel of his torso against her back and his arms wrapped around her waist.

Turning her head enough to see his face, the weapons mistress softly smiled, feeling sleepy. “This is what I want,” she said. “Good night, Koibito. I love you.”

Following his heart, Naruto rose up just enough to lean over to cover her mouth with his in a soft kiss filled with warmth and promise. The pair quietly moaned through the exquisite touch and taste of one another, and when the blue-eyed blond pulled away with a smooch, he smiled just as tenderly. “I love you too, Kanojo. Good night.”

The brunette kunonichi sighed with love as she and her man settled back to their original positions. Once they turned off the night tables’ lamps, it was not long before the Sand Man claimed them.

Together, the young couple slept peacefully in each other’s arms, knowing their love and trust had went through another Trial of Fire and came out stronger than ever before.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

To Be Concluded in Epilogue (End of Chapter 17)

A/Ns:

1) The idea that Naruto has mastered the use of Senjutsu came from Chapter 468 of the manga where he was seen trying to gather Natural Energy on his own. I figured that if he ever does able to gather Natural Energy easily, then all he have to do to enter Sage Mode was to duplicate the system he had used during his battle with Pain – leave a few Kage Bunshin at a safe location to gather Natural Energy, summon a Bunshin using a scroll, cancel the Bunshin, and bingo, instant Sage Mode!

Yet, I also figured that Naruto will not use Sage Mode often, regardless how easy he can use it. As with the Kyuubi, Naruto will not want to become overly dependent on such powers to win all his battles. So he will use Sage Mode only when necessary against really powerful foes. Since Mizuyama is ranked as an S-class shinobi, Naruto is not taking any chances, thus why he used Sage Mode.

2) To be honest, I really felt uncomfortable writing up the sexual molest scene. I detest rape, and given what I read online, the emotional scars from rape would be deep. I know Tenten and the other kunoichi are strong women, but if I had written Tenten actually raped, I really couldn’t see her cuddling up to Naruto for quite some time. It was why I had written the bandit starting the act but not able to go so far before Tenten kicked that kunai out of his hand and use it to escape. Tenten was not raped per se, thus why she does not have the emotional deep scars to prevent her from being physically close to her boyfriend.

3) For anyone’s information, the kunoichi undergarment mentioned is simply a clothed breast support connected by a single shoulder strap with a metal ring. There are plenty of fan art over at DeviantArt showing this undergarment, which pretty much is viewed as regular clothing. It’s why kunoichi can walk around wearing it in public and not be viewed as sexual compared to a bra. The garment can also be use as swimwear.

Here are two examples. Just copy-and-paste the following URLs and remove the spaces…

Maysan . deviantart . com art NaruSaku-Summer-92014983

eru-kaine . deviantart . com art NaruSaku-Training-103405320

Sorry that I couldn’t find any Tenten art of her wearing the undergarment, but the two NaruSaku art pretty much show the kunoichi undergarment Tenten was wearing in this chapter.

4) Yes, I finally gave Kyohaku and Tenten a family name. I know it’s odd to do this in the next-to-last chapter of the fic, but I just can’t help but to get it over and done with. Given Mizuyama have the tendency to call Naruto ‘Uzumaki-kun’, I think it will be appropriate for him to called Tenten by her family name as well. So I gave Tenten a family name, thus I can finally able to use another name for her. :)

For everyone’s information, ‘takehashi’ means ‘high bridge’ in Japanese. I had thought of using ‘takahoshi’ (‘high star’) or ‘kitahoshi’ (‘north star’), but given Tenten’s mother’s name is Kyohaku, another word for ‘star’, I figured it would be too weird for their family name to have the word ‘star’ in it.

5) I want to be on record that ‘oodama’ means ‘giant’ in Japanese. Some online sources, like Naruto Wikia, got the translations wrong regarding the Oodama Rasengan.

And speaking of the Rasengan, there is a difference between the regular Fuuton: Rasen Shirken and the Senpou-Fuuton: Rasen Shuriken. I know in the mange and anime, they’re both name the same, but given one version requires Natural Energy as well as chakra and wind chakra, it’s clear to anyone that there are differences between the two Rasen Shurikens. So, I took the liberty to name the newer version ‘Senpou-Fuuton: Rasen Shuriken’ given it does required Sage Mode in order to create it.

Oh, yeah… I also written the Senpou, Fuuton: Rasen Shuriken has attack abilities of the regular Rasen Shuriken as well as its unique abilities. During Naruto’s fight with Pain in the manga and anime, I was expecting to see the huge sphere of energy and wind that Kakuzu ended up in, but instead we only saw the Rasen Shuriken expanded and produced a smaller explosion. Given the Senpou version is suppose to be the same as the regular version, should it make sense that the Senpou-Fuuton: Rasen Shuriken can also produce that huge sphere of energy and wind? Makes sense to me given it suppose to be more powerful than the regular Rasen Shuriken.

6) If anyone came to enjoy the “Unexpected Love” art I have shown, I’m sure you might come to enjoy the many NaruTen commissioned art of mine. They’re not related to the story, but many of these arts are awesome, and if you’re a NaruTen fan, you should check them out! You can find the links to these arts in my Author Profile under the title of “JPMod’s Commissioned Art” or check out the couple of NaruTen art below. Just copy-and-paste the each URL and remove the spaces. :)

jupmod . deviantart . com art NaruTen-Tropical-Fun-165813494

jupmod . deviantart . com art NaruTen-Summer-Fun-163996101

7) Finally, yes, the next chapter will be the final one for this story. The fic has run its course and it’s time for me to end it. It is not though the end of story ideas for this particular fanfic universe. At the very end of the final chapter’s Author Notes, I’ll be placing up a scene of a possible story I might consider writing for the UL Universe. It’s an idea that has been on my mind for a while. :)

8) Editted in 6/24/07: Minstrel Savant had written in his review regarding that in Sage Mode, Naruto couldn't use the Tajuu Kage Bunshin. I had thought he was referring to the recent Shippuuden anime episode where it was mentioned, but after checking the manga, it was clear it was mentioned in there as well.

So I went back and rewritten the entire Sage Mode scene to better fit this major canon information regarding the limits of how many Kage Bunshin Naruto can made while in Sage Mode. My hats off to Minstrel Savant for the heads up. :)
8.2) Editted in 8/19/10: GrayShadow65 had left a review contradicting Minstrel Savant's review regarding whether Naruto can use the Tajuu Kage Bunshin while in Sage Mode. He stated that since Naruto in my story only used one Kage Bunshin to gather Natural Energy, Naruto can use the Tajuu Kage Bunshin.
To be honest, after two months since I done the rewriting of this chapter, I'm not in the mood to go back to rewrite it back to way it was before. I'm focus on writing up the next chapter of "Matriarch" while waiting for a special 'gift' to be finish before posting the final chapter of UL. I'm leaving Chapter 17 the way it is. Please, people, do not bother reviewing me regarding this particular jutsu again. It's done and over.