55: Blast in the Past: Sara 2

Naruto couldn't help playing with the Chakra blade that Sakura had given him upon their receiving word from Gaara about the Missing-nin Mukade's possible interest in the ruins of Roran. They had linked up and been traveling with Sara's Caravan as Matsuri had apparently known both Sara and her daughter. She had volunteered to escort the supplies to the caravan since Seramu was celebrating her seventeenth birthday in a few days. Naruto hadn't been surprised by that figuring Matsuri's parents had interacted and become friendly with a lot of the local people as water prospectors.

Seramu's party was going to be a rather large affair as the people of Sara's Caravan viewed a person surviving seventeen years as a milestone worth celebrating in much the same way some other cultures viewed celebrating a girl's sixteenth year, although the reasons differed drastically. It was something the Caravan did for all those that reached such a milestone. Seramu had promptly invited Naruto to attend although she had displayed less enthusiasm towards extending the invitation to the other women he was with.

They had just reached the old fort, which had been converted into an inn where the celebration was going to be held, when a messenger hawk had arrived for Temari with details on Mukade and what he could be up to. Naruto smiled as Seramu had made him promise to come back for her birthday, which he had agreed to do provided the current crisis was resolved. Matsuri had stayed behind to protect Sara and her daughter since Naruto was aware they were of the royal bloodline the message had mentioned and would be required if Mukade wanted to restart the Ryumyaku.

His thoughts were interrupted as Sakura placed a hand on his shoulder to say, "Hey, I know the chakra blade is cool to play with. But shouldn't you be keeping your eyes open for trouble?"

Naruto chuckled as he replied, "That's what shadow clones are for. I was just wondering why you had this."

Sakura smiled at her lover as she explained, "That's made from some of the metal we have procured from Kumo. Many of our metal smiths have said that the iron that comes from the ground there is more chakra infused then any that they have worked with before. Apart from speaking at the medical conference Tsunade asked me to test it out in Suna since those blades were originally designed to cut chakra threads."

Naruto nodded as he said, "It does seem to accept chakra a lot easier than other such weapons that I have used. But why give it to me."

Sakura kissed him softly before answering, "Because you're the one that's been training with a Mist swordswoman and Anbu Captain of the Leaf." Naruto inclined his head as he thought of his training with Miya and Yuugao. He figured Haku could also be included in the category of a Mist Swordswoman as she used Zabuza's blade to make a name for herself, with the intention of one day returning it to her master's grave.

Naruto stiffened as he quickly stood upon feeling one of his clones dispel. Sakura went on alert as well, asking, "Trouble?"

Naruto nodded, "A puppet attacked one of my clones." He then charged in the direction that the threat was coming from with Sakura behind him as he contacted Temari and Samui via their foxmarks. Quickly reaching the area his clone had met its end, he scanned the area for some sort of clue, but had to leap away as something began to approach him from just beneath the earth's surface. A puppet appeared from the ground, which tried to skewer him on its claws, but it was sent flying by a kick from Sakura.

She leapt back in surprise as a compartment opened in its chest and a bunch of blades shut forth in an attempt to impale her. Guessing the reason that it hadn't been shattered by her kick, she informed her teammate and lover, "He's reinforcing its clay body using chakra. Go for the strings."

"Right," Naruto said activating the chakra blade he held as he strained to spot the nearly invisible threads. Catching a glint of them, he leapt forward slicing through the air with the only evidence that he hit something being the puppet falling to the ground.

"Get away from it. Mukade likes to booby-trap his creations," Temari shouted as she appeared pulling her fan from her back and firing a powerful burst of wind at the immobile puppet which was blown away as a result. Naruto and Sakura followed her directions as the puppet exploded a few moments later.

"Thanks Temari," Naruto said as he and Sakura approached the two blond kunoichi.

The Suna kunoichi nodded as she asked, "Did you spot Mukade?"

"No," Naruto said, "But it looks like his threads were heading in that direction. He has to be relatively close."

Temari inclined her head as she replied, "But he's likely heading to the Source chamber which we still haven't found. Perhaps we should have brought Sara after all."

"It would have been unwise to bring her," Samui pointed out. "Mukade still doesn't have a means to reactivate the Ryumyuka."

Temari agreed, but still was concerned as she explained, "I know, but he has to be here for something. For him to show himself means that he doesn't necessarily need the chakra located in this place to achieve his objective. It could be anything including architectural designs for the city. I just wish Sara and her people could have provided some insight into it. The only thing she can recall is that one of her ministers tried to kill her after building the tubes which channeled the Ryumyuka through the city."

"Well we aren't any closer to stopping him standing around discussing it," Naruto stated. "My clones found an entrance that led underground over in the direction Mukade's strings were leading towards. Let's go put an end to this."

They reached the entrance Naruto's clones had uncovered and raced down the stairs leading into the bowels of the earth. About a third of the way down, Naruto cursed as he said, "My clones are running into some resistance. It looks like Mukade held onto a few of those puppet walkers to discourage pursuit."

"Leave that to me," Temari said moving towards the front of the group as soon as the battle between clones and puppets came into view she pulled her fan and sent a large gust of wind traversing down the stairs. It hit the clone and puppet alike blowing many of them over the edge of the stairs. The group raced through the scattered remainder which Naruto tied up by creating more clones behind them.

Reaching the bottom of the stairs, they continued on until reaching a large room. Most of the room was devoid of any flooring except for a small stone bridge which led to a square platform at the center. Temari spotted their quarry standing at the center of the platform which caused her to shout, "It's over Mukade."

The missing-nin smirked as he replied, "A Suna-nin, a Kumo-nin and a Leaf-nin all in one place. It sounds almost like the build up to some joke."

"Just as long as you understand that you are the punchline," Naruto retorted beginning to race towards the man.

"I'm afraid that you're simply out of time," Mukade said as he bent over using a jutsu that Chiyo's notes had described to absorb the seal that had been placed over the altar to the Ryumyuka and began to pull free the kunai buried in it. Naruto's eyes went wide as he recognized it as a tri-prong kunai used for the Hiraishin, but taking advantage of its presence he teleported to it just as a pillar of white erupted around the missing-nin.

*****************************

A melodic voice awoke Naruto as it sung a song he found strangely familiar but couldn't place it. His first thoughts turned to his lovers as he shot awake instantly only able to feel that Samui, Temari, and Sakura were nearby. Not sure why he couldn't feel the rest, he turned towards the voice to find a young woman that once more looked familiar. It took him a second but picturing her older suddenly realized he was looking at a younger version of Seramu's mother. Also recognizing the song as the one that Seramu had said her mother taught her he said confused. "Sara!?"

The woman gasped sending him a surprised and startled look which contained no hint of recognition before darting off of the rock she had been sitting on. She ran towards the only entrance to the room quickly disappearing through it.

"Hey wait up," Naruto shouted giving chase but came to a stop at the entrance. At the foot of the stairs, which led down from the entrance, were two bulky creatures barring his path. They held up their hands which had hollow looking tubes for fingers that suddenly sprang large knife like nails that fired at him. Trailing from the projectiles was purple like threads which he guessed were used to guide them. Naruto leapt back, but it wasn't necessary as the projectile hit some sort of barrier that seemed to drain them of energy as they passed through to land harmlessly in the garden like room.

The entrance began to close, as Naruto moved to escape but he was forced back as the creatures attempted to follow their projectiles. They ended up coming apart as they smashed through the barrier but it allowed the doors to close without his being able to pass through. Naruto cursed considering blowing through the stone entrance, but looking up spotted some windows which allowed light into the room so began leaping up the walls.

Finding himself in the center of a city, he looked around in confusion for a moment before moving to link up with his lovers. "What the hell is going on?" he asked upon being reunited with them to find out that they had followed him into the pillar of light. Being informed of what they have discovered including that the city seemed to be protected by puppets, he quickly filled them in on his own brief encounter with who appeared to be a deaged Sara

"I think it's obvious that we went back in time," Samui supplied, which Naruto's other two lovers accepted as the only logical explanation.

He had a harder time believing it as he asked, "Hold on a minute, isn't that a rather extreme conclusion to reach?"

Samui arched an eyebrow as she responded, "You have taken a lover from the past, have you not?"

"Well yeah," Naruto said scratching his cheek, "But..."

"Naruto, that kunai Mukade pulled free was a tri-prong one used for the Hiraishin," Sakura stated. "It's also likely it was used to tie the seal together, which when he absorbed it meant..."

"For a period of time he was in a state of flux due to Hiraishin being a space time jutsu," Naruto said applying the lesson in seals Mito had been giving him. "You're suggesting that he used the seal he absorbed to go back in time to take over Roran when it was still active."

"Actually, I think he used it to build Roran into the city it became," Temari stated watching several puppets float near their position. "We were only caught up in his temporal wake. He likely controlled when he arrived, so it's possible he was behind the expansion of Roran in the first place by arriving years earlier. We just arrived here at a random point."

"The puppets flying about would lend credence to that theory," Samui suggested. "Still, it's possible that Mukade hasn't thought his plan through. That Roran was a ruin in our time makes it seem likely that this is a plan destined to fail."

"Because we're here to put a stop to it," Naruto said slamming his fist into his hand. "Sara is still in danger though. She said her mother was murdered by one of her advisors, and that he tries to eventually kill her as well. I'm willing to bet that is the bastard that we are looking for."

Sakura nodded, but said, "That is likely. But Sara had no recollection from meeting us although she did keep sending furtive glances our way."

Temari smiled as she added, "Most of them seemed centered on Naruto."

"Do you think that she becomes a member of the Family but couldn't say anything?" Sakura asked. "Maybe Seramu is his daughter."

"Not unless the change Kiyomi made that prevents him from getting us pregnant has suddenly reversed itself," Temari said. "I think the most obvious answer is some sort of memory erasure jutsu was used on her and her people in regards to us traveling to the past. I think it would be best for us to keep a low profile and try to take care of this advisor without interacting with Sara, or doing so as little as possible. Don't you agree Naruto?"

The three kunoichi looked towards where Naruto had been standing but having been engrossed in their discussion of their situation had not seen him slip away. "Dammit, where did he go?" Temari said already using her foxmark to locate him.

She didn't need to for long as suddenly he ran by holding a well-dressed woman over his shoulder shouting, "Come on, we have to go now!"

His three lovers looked towards where he had run from to see an army of puppets giving chase. "Naruto!" Sakura shouted being the first to give chase after him quickly followed by Temari and Samui, "of all the bone headed things to do."

"It's not my fault," Naruto replied leaping to avoid a blast of energy one of the puppets following them fired from its cannon like arm. "I just wanted to put eyes on her and create a clone to keep tabs. I found her addressing her people from a balcony when she was pushed off."

"I was not pushed," Sara said beating against his back, "The balcony beneath me crumbled."

"Because you were pushed onto a weakened section," Naruto shouted back avoiding another blast. "I had no choice but to save her."

"You fool, you're kidnapping me," Sara replied angrily. "Those are my guards that are chasing you."

"Yeah, well how come you're guards didn't move to save you when you were falling," Naruto asked silencing the Queen. "They sure got interested after I leapt to your rescue."

Sara not sure why her guards hadn't responded but stated, "T-they were merely caught by surprise. It's what you would expect from an accident. That you reacted so quickly means that perhaps you were the one behind it."

"Can you give it a rest?" Naruto responded, "In case it's escaped your notice those puppets are targeting you right along with me. They do not appear too keen on rescuing you, but rather eliminating you."

"Why, Minister Anrokuzan controls them and he's only ever served to protect me after my mother's death."

Temari turned towards the puppets firing a Wind Scythe Jutsu which sliced through several puppets. It was followed by a Lightning Scythe from Samui's tanto which hit several more causing them to crack and shatter due to Earth Chakra's weakness to Lightning. The two kunoichi then quickly leapt after Naruto and Sakura as he took the moment to create hundreds of Shadow Clones to distract the rest. The clones bought some breathing room, but it didn't last long as more puppets swarmed in from other directions.

The puppets in one of the directions began to fly erratically before becoming covered in insects which appeared from inside them. Three masked men appeared on one of the bridges that spanned between towers as the puppets began falling around them. The blond haired man in the middle shouted, "This way! Hurry!"

Not seeing a lot of options Naruto directed his lovers to follow them. The men darted into one of the towers entrances which the dark-haired masked man with a gorde strapped to his back sealed with a wall of insects. The first few puppets hit it and were quickly destroyed as their chakra wires were cut by the ravenous bugs. The next few fired energy blasts into the tower causing the bugs to scatter, but by the time they entered they found no sign of the shinobi.

*****************************

The two groups having given the puppets the slip stared tensely at each other before the masked man with red-hair elbowed the one Naruto guessed as the leader. He pointed towards Temari's headband prompting the Blond man in a mask to ask, "A pair of Leaf-nin with a kunoichi of Suna." He directed his attention to Samui, who didn't wear a headband causing him to ask, "And where are you from."

"Considering that you're trespassing here, perhaps you should answer that first," Naruto stated deflecting the question since he wasn't sure who the men were aligned with and even if it was the Leaf that didn't mean they'd react as calmly to a Kunoichi from Kumo.

"That's a rather bold statement considering you're also trespassing in the Land of Wind," the man said removing his mask to show the Hidden Leaf Symbol hidden on the guard that covered his forehead and sides of his face. That wasn't what attracted his attention though as the face was one he knew quite well, and belonged to his father. "D-d..." He quickly got ahold of himself as he said, "Minato Namikaze, the Third Hokage didn't tell me you were operating in this area when he assigned my squad to protect Queen Sara."

"That's funny, that's the exact same mission he gave me," Minato replied. Directing his gaze again to Temari he added, "I've never heard of a squad made up of shinobi from two villages. I know the treaty that the Third Kazekage and Third Hokage signed has a stipulation for a joint chunin exam, but this level of cooperation seems rather suspect."

"Can you discuss such nonsense later," Sara said harshly interrupting them. "You are both trespassers in my kingdom as far as I'm concerned. You claim that the Hokage has assigned you to protect me. Yet you fail to mention from whom? "

Minato was about to respond that they weren't sure, but he was beaten to the punch by the blond man situated across from him, "That would be your minister Anrokuzan. We have it on good authority that he infiltrated your court so that he could use the Ryumyuka as a power source to power his puppet jutsu."

Temari stepped in as she said, "My Colleague is correct. After the Hokage alerted the Kazekage to his suspicions our own sources verified that the man may in fact be a missing-nin from Suna. That is when this joint task force was assembled, although it would appear that perhaps the Hokage didn't trust us enough if he saw fit to send a second team."

Minato wasn't sure what to make of the story. There were several rumors that swirled around the Hokage which stated he wasn't entirely happy with the treaty that had been signed by Suna and Konoha. Yet while those rumors did suggest he had hoped for more cooperation between the villages, he still found it hard to believe he would go so far as to assemble a squad of shinobi made up from both villages. Still the intelligence that they offered up made sense, and aware that the task before them was a tall order he said, "I suspect he was merely hedging his bets. A squad such as yours would be a rather dangerous experiment to entrust with ending this threat. I can see why he didn't tell us you were operating in the area either. He likely hoped we wouldn't run into each other."

Naruto watched the two shinobi behind his father share a look that told him that they likely weren't as convinced as their leader sounded. But they didn't question it so, Naruto asked, "Then what's the plan to stop the bastard."

"Hold on," Sara said heatedly, "You expect me to just believe you. Anrokuzan has been a blessing to my home. Under his guidance Roran has blossomed and grown. I can't picture him as the villain you are describing."

"Which makes him an effective one," Naruto stated bluntly, "Your mother likely saw through him which is why he killed her."

"Y-you lie," Sara shouted turning to flee.

Naruto grabbed her arm as he said, "Queen Sara, calm down and let me ask you something." The woman refused to do as instructed so he asked regardless, "I can understand why you have a hard time believing me. You've only just met me, but have known him for years. But if I'm right, that means going to him is a death sentence for you."

"Why?" Sara asked calming slightly, "If he wanted me dead then he could have done it countless times."

"That he would only just start means you've recently outlived your usefulness," the man with the gourde said.

"Shibi is correct," Minato stated with a nod, "It likely has to do with the rumor that you've recently opened the flow of the Ryumyuka to its maximum. If that's the case, then by killing you he eliminates the only known way to once again shut it down."

Sara had recently done as the shinobi said, having been convinced by her minister. He had explained that a war was coming and in order to protect Roran. They needed all the power that the Ryumyuka could supply. Still, she had a difficult time believing such about her loyal minister so pulled free of Naruto as she said, "I... I need to speak to Anrokuzan."

Naruto was about to give chase, but Minato clamped a hand to his shoulder as he said softly, "I know your story isn't how you described it. But it does appear that you want to help. Therefore, keep her safe and my squad will destroy the weapon factory rumored to be located in the city."

"Okay," Naruto nodded having a difficult time being near his father, yet unable to tell him anything. Taking off after the Queen, he hoped for and dreaded the idea that it would be the last time he saw his father.

****************************

Naruto lay in a soft bed which surprised him considering that after catching up with Sara and convincing her to let them protect her until they could prove that her minister was the person trying to kill her. He and his lovers had retreated to the garden where Naruto had witnessed the puppets break making him believe the power that was being used to manipulate them could not reach them there. Sara had confirmed his theory which was one of the reasons she went there when she wanted to be alone.

He heard his mother's voice call him which explained the bed as he realized he was in his seal. Sitting up, he asked, "Mom, what's going on."

"I called you here," Kushina said with a sense of urgency and hope. "Naruto, we've been given such a great opportunity. Tell your father what's going to happen to us in the future. He'll find a way to make it right."

Naruto grimaced as he had considered doing as his mother wanted. But he had already talked himself out of it, and had dreaded this moment, especially as he had felt his mom's joy at his meeting his father. "I...I can't."

He felt horrible as his mother looked as if he had struck her. She opened her mouth several times searching for the words, but finally settled on asking a simple, "Why?"

"You know why," Naruto said quickly. "We can't change the future."

"Can't," Kushina said some anger bleeding into her voice, "Or won't."

Naruto sighed but refused to look away. Finally he said, "I do not know if we can change the future. But I won't make that attempt. If all of this has happened already then we need to let it play out naturally without trying to change our fates. It's likely that we are successful and..."

"That's not it," his mother said angrily, "Do not try and make this about the mission. You're only trying to protect your happy harem lifestyle by sacrificing your father and me."

Naruto felt his mother's words hit him with an almost physical force. His mom's angry gaze softened as she realized what she said. She looked like she was about to apologize, but Naruto said, "You're right. Even though I can list numerous reasons as to why we shouldn't, at the heart of all of them is the fact that I will not sacrifice my family." Kushina was about to respond that was exactly what he was doing but he continued, "But make no mistake mother, I didn't sacrifice you. You two sacrificed yourselves to protect me, while at the same time saddling me with your burden and the curse of being alone." Naruto's voice grew angrier as he continued, "You don't think I wouldn't love to have a future where my parents were around. Do you honestly think so little of me? There were days when I prayed for hours on end before going to bed only to wake to the sad disappointment of being an orphan that nobody loved or wanted."

"Honey, I..."

Naruto spoke over his mother as he continued heatedly, "You might see my Harem as a selfish indulgence, but those women have put their faith in me and together we have moved our dream closer and closer to reality. A dream you and father also entrusted to me. I will not turn my back on them in order to indulge in a happy childhood when doing so would make me unworthy of their love and affection."

The young jinchuriki turned away about to leave the seal but stopped as his mother said, "C-can't you see...I just want us to be a happy family."

Naruto sighed feeling most of the anger that had sprung forth from his mom's words disappear. He sighed as he looked over his shoulder to respond, "I do, and we are a family. I was able to get through my early years because you two loved me enough to entrust all your hopes and dreams to me. I will not invalidate that sacrifice either. You might see it as selfish and it is, I suppose. But, my duty is to the women I love and the future we want to build, just as Dad's duty was to you and the one you two wanted. I can't have both which would truly be selfish of me to strive for, and would perhaps put everything my lovers and I have achieved at risk. I'm sorry, but I will not chance that."

*****************************

Naruto sat up from the rock he had been leaning against as he exited the seal. He looked at his sleeping lovers and felt the rest of the anger he had after his brief argument fade away if not the anxiety. He could understand his mother's anger at his decision, and how she could view his decision as selfish. He couldn't deny that at the heart of whatever noble reasons for keeping silent about the future to his father he had. They were nonetheless grounded in his selfish desire not to lose the Family he had built. After all, his women's happiness was his responsibility just as his mother's had been his father's.

Still, the idea that he had damaged his relationship with his mom was difficult to live with. He looked up at the moon through the window that they had used to descend into the garden as he began to wonder if there was a way to have make his mom happy, and keep his family. He couldn't think of one, since so much of whom he was came from those lonely formative years. For instance, without the pain of knowing he was ostracized from the village for containing Kiyomi. He didn't think he would have been able to reach out to Gaara to help him deal with his own. In fact, unless he knew what his mother had contained her, he might have also considered Gaara a monster. Not to mention, his meeting Kanji and receiving the scroll was only due to the training trip with Jiraiya, which had only been made possible by his not having any ties keeping him in the village. He doubted he would have needed to be kept close to Jiraiya if his mother and father had been alive. In the end, there were far too many variables to consider trying to change the future. Furthermore, the idea that a woman whom he currently loved and was bound to might become his enemy if he changed the past kept him firm in that belief, despite what it might mean for his mother and him.

"Is everything okay?" a voice asked as he continued staring up at the moon.

He looked back to see Sara staring at him with some concern causing him to reply, "I... I hope so. I had an argument with someone close to me, and I'm worried it may have changed things between us."

"What about," Sara asked hoping to take her mind off of her own troubles.

Naruto looked at her not sure what to say, or if his mother wanted their grievance aired. But wanting someone to talk to he said, "I guess you can say I've been presented with a unique opportunity. One that has the potential to change my life."

"For the better?" Sara asked with some curiosity.

Naruto frowned as he thought about the question for a moment before answering, "There was a time when I would have said yes without hesitation. But now... I can't really say. I'm incredibly happy with how my life is now, but some part of me can't help but wonder..."

Naruto lay back staring up at the sky with his hands folded behind his head as he trailed off. He thought about all the childhood memories he missed out on because he didn't have a family. Such things as birthdays with his parents, coming home after flunking some test and being scolded for it because he didn't study, and wanting to eat ramen every day, but being told he couldn't because he had a mom that wouldn't let him. Yet, he found his thoughts gravitating to his lovers and the precious memories he had built with them. Suddenly the seduction of experiencing the unknown thrills of a life not lived didn't have the same hold on him. He knew in time they would likely return, but for now they had faded. Hoping to distract himself he asked, "How are you holding up?"

"I'd say remarkably well considering you've told me that my most trusted official wants me dead," Sara said flippantly.

Naruto chuckled as he replied, "I agree."

"I still don't believe you, but I suppose tomorrow we'll learn the truth."

Naruto's eye grew wide as he asked, "What do you mean?"

"I mean tomorrow you are going to prove to me what you said is true. Otherwise I shall return to the palace."

Naruto frowned as he had planned to remain in the garden until his father's squad could deal with Mukade. But, recognizing that Sara needed to confirm the truth with her own eyes nodded as he said, "Very well. You should get some sleep. Tomorrow's probably going to be a busy day."

****************************

Sara had no idea how right Naruto's predication of the future would be. In the morning despite objections from the three women accompanying him, Naruto had informed them that they were going to head to the palace since there may be clues located there. They had easily snuck in, but had quickly learned that they hadn't been the only ones. That was when Sara had learned that despite what Anrokuzan had told her, not everything was well within her kingdom as her people were under the impression she had ordered all of the able bodied men to be locked up in an undisclosed location. The women and children that had snuck into the palace had done so in a desperate attempt to appeal to her directly.

Having no idea that such an order was given, she had tried to claim that they were trying to trick her. But, it was a difficult belief to maintain given the worried faces that confronted her. A short time later she learned what her people's thoughts of her were, as one of them told her the nickname that they had for her, The Puppet Princess.

Almost desperate to prove that she wasn't the figurehead her people thought she was, and to prove Anrokuzan innocence she used her ability to feel the Ryumyuka to a factory, where she learned everything her people and Naruto told her was true, including that the minister had killed her mother. She had nearly succumbed to despair, but as Anrokuzan gloated about his role in manipulating her Naruto said, "Don't listen to the bastard Sara. You're a strong leader, whose people will come to look to you as a source of strength when things become bleakest for them. You know what you need to do."

Hearing the confidence in Naruto's voice in regards to her strength gave Sara the courage that she needed to continue. Standing, as Naruto and his team began to trash the puppets around them. She moved to free her enslaved citizens.

*****************************

Naruto watched Sara run so focused on Mukade stating, "You're the one out of time now you bastard."

"We'll see about that you fool." the now thicker missing-nin said amused. "This entire city has been modified to support my puppet jutsu. You're just a handful of shinobi, how do you truly expect to stop me?"

Naruto pulled his normal chakra blades as he channeled his wind chakra into them. Smirking he said, "I figured, I'd start with these."

"Fool," Mukade shouted as he began manipulating the army of Clay Puppets the factory had been building until Sara had closed the flow of Ryumyuka chakra flowing to it.

Naruto charged the man, his chakra blades making short work of the puppets blocking his path while his lovers intercepted the others. Mukade smirked just as the jinchuriki reached him as he manipulated the shattered puppets' remains to swarm Naruto and build a cage-like puppet around him. Naruto was unable to move as the cage was built tightly around him. Mukade smirked as he said, "I told you boy. It's futile to struggle against me he...what!"

The reason for Mukade's shock was due to Naruto's eyes turning yellow, followed by his quickly breaking free of the puppet holding him. He landed in front of the shocked villain and smashed his fist into the man's face sending him flying. The portion of his chakra blade that his fingers fit into easily sliced into Mukade's face before Naruto's fist connected leaving a confused jinchuriki as there was no blood coating his hand. Having an idea of what he was facing as his lovers surrounded him to watch his back and sides he asked, "You're not human anymore, are you?"

"You're just figuring that out," Mukade said getting back to his feet. His face wound cracking instead of bleeding he smiled widely before saying, "As far as you should be concerned you are addressing a god. I am invincible here."

Mukade's body began to expand before his skin began to crack away to reveal a spider like body and atop of which sat a human like puppet head. Naruto and his lovers leapt away as the puppet skittered towards him, but it was sent flying as a tri-prong kunai flew in front of him. His father teleported in front of him and slammed a Rasengan into the human puppet's face which sent it flying away to smash into a wall.

Minato looked over his shoulder as he stared at Naruto to say, "I thought we agreed my team would destroy the factory and yours was to protect Queen Sara. Taking her to the seat of Mukade's operation is not what I call protecting her."

Naruto shrugged as he replied, "You were taking too long."

Choza Akimichi laughed as he said, "That's the first person I've ever heard say you were too slow Minato. He probably hasn't heard what people have been calling you recently."

"Its fine," Minato said, "Besides everything is proceeding as planned."

An explosion sounded off in the distance as Temari quipped, "Really, you planned for him to turn into a monstrous human puppet."

Minato eyed the Suna-nin as he admitted, "No, that's something of a surprise. By the way, what exactly is a human puppet?"

Temari winced figuring that Sasori's technique might not have even been created yet. She struggled to think up some response, but Naruto beat her to the punch as he said, "That's what we're figuring this asshole did to himself, unless you know where his real body is?"

Minato looked up and seeing that the majority of the chakra threads he could make out were connected to the thing stirring in front of them said, "If I had to guess that is his real body. I've heard of puppet masters replacing lost limbs, but this is the first time I've heard of one turning himself into a puppet."

"Let's save talking about it for later," Sakura said. "Some part of him still has to be human for him to manipulate chakra. Destroy that and we take him out."

Mukade focused on Sakura as he said, "Ah yes, I had forgotten a Leaf Kunoichi faced Sasori. But your knowledge of the perfected Human Puppet Jutsu is going to do you no good." The broken puppets around them began flying towards Mukade's body and merging with it. The Spider like body became bulkier as the top two legs became thick arms that ended in claw like hands. The lower portion of the body grew a little larger but grew longer instead as centipede like legs grew from the elongated body. Mukake's head grew more heavily armored as a pair of bull like horns grew from the sides of it.

Naruto's attention was pulled away as he heard Sara call for him. "Naruto help." The jinchuriki looked towards where it had come from and cursed to see her and the enslaved men fleeing from the slow moving puppets that the factory had been building.

Minato noticed as well as he said, "Go on. We'll handle this guy."

Naruto nodded as he responded, "Okay, be careful."

Mukade also noticed calling, "Sara!"

He began moving to attack her, but his larger form was slammed into by Choza. "Where do you think you're going big guy? It's rude to ignore opponents that are right in front of you."

Naruto didn't look back trusting in his and his friends' fathers. Reaching Sara, he slammed his fist into the closest ones skull before pulling his chakra blade to slice it in half. Creating a pair of clones, they ran point in front of the group as they tried to move to the only exit. They exploded as several puppets tried to stop them, which Temari followed up with a miniature cyclone that scooped up and tossed the rest. Sara led her people through the opening that Naruto and Temari created. Reaching the exit, she stopped as she told her people to run for the center of the city figuring the densely built towers there would stop the bulky frame of Mukade from following. Her attention drifted to the smaller puppets now trying to follow them, but she gazed at Naruto as he said, "Get going Sara. I won't let them follow you."

Worried for Naruto, she said, "What about you?"

"I'll be fine," he replied, "Temari, Sakura, and Samui will keep you safe so keep moving. Protect your people."

"Naruto," Samui said with a concerned expression which Sara noticed the other two women wore as well.

"I've got this," Naruto said as he looked at Temari. His eyes then traveled towards a pipe overhead.

His Suna lover smiled as she understood what he had planned so said, "Let's go!" She ran towards the exit, but stopped to fire a Wind Scythe into the pipe Naruto had motioned too. The pipe sliced cleanly with one half pointing downwards filling the area with a thick steam. A steam Naruto used to his advantage as he used the Silent Killing Technique that he had learned from Haku.

Naruto easily destroyed the puppets by moving among them and slicing their threads using the Chakra Blade that Sakura had given him. He planted exploding tags on them as they collapsed. Reaching the edge of the steam, he detonated the tags hopefully making them useless to Mukade. He looked towards where his father was fighting against the Human Puppet, but then felt a powerful surge of chakra that for a moment he had trouble placing.

He realized it was him, causing him to fall to his knees as he tried to fight against it while saying, "Mom, stop it now. Y-you can't do this."

"I'm sorry, Honey," Kushina said as she began to take over her son's body. "But if it's your duty to ensure those other women's happiness then it is mine to ensure our family's."

"D-don't do this," Naruto said as he became coated in red-chakra. "Y-you might not like w-what..."

***************************

Kushina disregarded what her son said as his consciousness faded and she took control of his body. Unlike before she found it resembled a four-tailed fox, which she assumed was a result of the seal trying to prevent her take over. She knew that Naruto may never forgive her, but if things worked out as she hoped then he would never need to. They'd be the family that she had so gleefully hoped for when she had found out that she was pregnant, and she would not be some struggling sinful woman trying to fight against her baser needs.

In the end the temptation proved to grate and while she couldn't communicate with Minato. She knew that he was wise enough to realize that for the Kyuubi to be present in Naruto, then that meant something had happened to her. Since she also believed Minato had already guessed that Naruto was from the future and had likely recognized him as his son, since he so resembled his parents. She hoped he would be on his guard for any potential threats to the family Naruto represented.

She saw Minato send a shocked look towards her as he felt and recognized her Bijuu chakra. Kushina then traversed the distance between them in a handful of seconds and leapt over him to smash her clawed fist into Mukade's chest as he tried to take advantage of Minato's lack of attention. The human-puppet flew through a wall to smash into the ground several stories down as a result of the powerful blow.

"Minato, stay back! That kid is some kind of jinchuriki, but the Leaf doesn't have one. Who knows who he really answers to," Choza shouted in warning as Shibi helped him back to his feet after having been tossed by Mukade.

"I-it's okay," Minato said calmly, recognizing that if it wanted to attack them it already would have, "Queen Sara called you Naruto. Are you in control?"

Kushina shook her head causing Minato to stiffen somewhat in concern, but he said, "I see. Look my friends are rather worried and we have a mission to accomplish."

"A mission that is in danger of us failing. Mukade is gone" Shibi said moving towards the hole that Mukade's body had made.

"Right," Minato said turning his gaze back to the Bijuu, "I'm not sure why you helped us, but can you let Naruto have his body back. We need to get after Mukade, and I'm afraid most people would react poorly to your presence."

Kushina relented her control, as she was confident Minato knew what her presence signified. With the wheels already in motion, she closed her eyes and dreamed of the happy future that she expected lay in store for her family.

*****************************

Naruto felt like crap as he came to only to find himself being held by his father as his team moved after Mukade. Minato noticed Naruto was awake as the young man began walking under his own power so said, "Hey, that was quite the shock that you gave us. I guess whoever you really work for is the person who found the Kyuubi after it was used against the First Hokage."

Naruto looked surprised for a moment, but figured his father was using his existence as a way to cover up that his wife was the actual Jinchuriki of the nine-tails, at least in his time. "Yeah," Naruto said deciding to play along and hoped by displaying ignorance of who actually was the current host would cause his dad to disregard what he saw.

Minato smiled as he said, "I figured as much. I never asked your name, but Sara called you Naruto. Do you have a last name?"

"No," Naruto said ignoring his mother's disapproval at his response.

Minato smiled again tapping the Uzumaki symbol on his back as he replied, "I think otherwise. But I'm sure you don't come from my village per se, so what's your interest in protecting Queen Sara?"

"She's a good person in need of help," Naruto replied definitely, "That's all the reason I need."

Again Minato smiled as he said, "That sounds like something my Sensei would write."

Naruto frowned, but felt his lovers concern so figuring he couldn't make matters worse Hirashined away leaving Minato's teammates rather shocked, although the man who people were calling the Yellow Flash recently didn't appear so.

*****************************

Naruto appeared near Samui as he pulled the Chakra Blade Konoha had built using metal from Kumo. He darted from his lover to slice the threads that Mukade was using to force Sara to choke herself. He caught the Queen as she fell while she gasped for breath. Her minister taunted her as Naruto held her tenderly, "Face facts Sara, you've always been my puppet. I no longer need you, so why not just die like your mother did after she out lived her usefulness."

"He's right," Sara said weakly, "I can't stop him. He's too powerful, and I'm just some fool that he used."

Naruto stroked her cheek as he said, "If that's the case then why is he chasing after you. You're stronger than you know. You're people are looking to you Sara, what are you going to do?"

Sara could see the freed prisoners and their reunited kin were staring at her. Naruto pressed the chakra blade into her hands as he repeated, "Lead them. They'll follow. I'll find a way to stop that bastard."

"O-okay," Sara said finding it hard to look away from the blue eyes whose confidence in her never seemed to waiver. But knowing her people needed her; she stood and pulled herself from the top portion of the heavy dress that she wore to reveal the black halter top she wore beneath. She then used the chakra blade that Naruto had given her to cut the lower portion into a short skirt that made it easier to run. Addressing her people she said, "T-there's a garden near here where the power of the Ryumyuka cannot reach. We'll be safe there."

"Let's go," one of the citizens shouted as more and more of the civilians showed their trust in their queen by taking up the call. Sara smiled happily before looking back at Naruto, who gave her a thumbs up while looking towards Mukade before leaping to oppose him.

Sara took off in the opposite direction being followed by the three kunoichi and her people. Looking towards Temari, she asked, "D-don't you want to help him?"

"More than anything," Temari admitted, "But he asked that we protect you so we will."

"Besides," Sakura added confidently, "This isn't the first time he's tangled with someone who thought he was a god. He'll beat him."

Sara nodded as she said, "I know a way to tilt the odds in his favor. But first help me see to my people." The kunoichi nodded as they followed the woman whose cheek still burned brightly near where Naruto had affectionately stroked it as she clutched the chakra blade that he had given her to her chest.

*****************************

Naruto landed on Mukade's shoulder in Sage mode, and grabbing the horn coming out of his head broke it off before driving it downwards into the Human-puppet's chest. He leapt away with a curse as the makeshift weapon began to merge with the puppet's torso before being swallowed up completely as the damaged repaired itself. He leapt away as the horn sprang from the side of Mukade's head again nearly impaling him.

Landing on the ground, he ran to the side as his opponent opened his mouth and fired large chakra blasts from the cannon located there. Mukade, then raised his hand firing the claw like fingers at him which tracked his movements due to the chakra threads connected to them. Naruto stopped causing his wind chakra to spin around him just before the finger missiles connected and exploded. His Wind Barrier absorbed the damage, as he raced through the cloud of smoke towards the centipede like lower body of his opponent.

Pulling his chakra blades, he sliced through one of the legs and grew annoyed as the damage healed itself almost before he was all the way through. He dodged backwards as the recently repaired leg raised up and tried to impale him. He managed to avoid the blow, but was hit by a backhanded one from Mukade which sent him skittering over the stone.

Rolling to his feet before he came to a stop, he reached his hand back and created a Rasenshuriken which he threw at the puppet creature. His jutsu struck Mukade in the left side of his chest causing him to roar pain as a large hole exploded where it hit. The damage began to heal causing Naruto to believe he hadn't hit anything organic, but he watched as Mukade angled his right side away as the damaged healed.

Naruto watched as the Puppet creature was struck by purple lightning causing the damage he had done to heal even faster. Cursing Mukade's ability to absorb energy from the Ryumyuka, he figured that if it came down to a battle of endurance his flesh and blood body would give out before the puppet's. Having a good idea of where to strike, but doubting Mukade would be caught off guard for a second Rasenshuriken, Naruto tried to formulate a plan. He was forced to leap up though as Mukade's spun away and his tail lashed out at him, as he was airborne the Puppet's head rotated one-hundred and eighty degrees before opening its mouth and firing a chakra blast at him.

Naruto prepared to teleport to his lovers, but was saved the trouble as his father appeared in front of him. Holding his famous tri-kunai in front of him, he teleported the jutsu behind them to a kunai he had set up in advance. Naruto and his father landed with the jinchuriki sinking to his knees causing Minato to ask, "Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine, just taking a moment to catch my second wind. You took your sweet time getting here."

"Ha, that's the second time he's called you slow, Minato" Choza said landing to the side of his teammate as Shibi did likewise.

"Well this time it's because I had to slow down so you could keep up," Minato replied amused. "We are not going to get anywhere just pounding on this thing." Looking at Naruto he asked, "Your teammate said some part of it was still human. Any idea on where we should attack?"

"I think it's in the right side of his chest somewhere. I hit him pretty hard, and he's keeping that portion of his chest away from me now."

"Okay," Minato said spotting what Naruto meant as the Human-puppet prepared to attack again. "Choza, Shibi see what you can do to get him to angle his chest towards us. If they succeed can you hit him again Naruto."

Naruto frowned as he said, "I...I wouldn't want to use it with allies nearby. My jutsu can destroy cells on a microscopic level and it has a large blast range. I wouldn't want anyone to be caught up in it. If my aim had been a little better I'd have wiped out Mukade's entire torso."

"Alright, Choza, Shibi go on. We'll hit it with something when the time comes."

Minato's teammates began to attack the puppet leaving the two alone. The future Fourth Hokage looked back as he asked, "Naruto, you know the Hiraishin. Do you know the Rasengan as well?"

"Yeah," Naruto admitted causing Minato to smile, "Good."

*****************************

Sara race down the bridge towards the Source of the Ryumyuka after locking her people in the Garden. The room shook causing her to stumble but she was righted by Samui. The Queen of Roran looked up to ask, "A-are you sure Naruto is going to be okay?"

"He'll be fine," Sakura reassured the woman, "He's too stubborn to allow himself be beaten. Once we deprive Mukade of his power source, he'll be easy pickings for him."

Sara nodded before running towards the small platform surrounded by the powerful chakra energizing her city. Kneeling over the dome which she used to control the flow, she made a hand sign before pushing it closed. The purple chakra began to disappear as what remained was quickly used up by Mukade.

*****************************

"Hey Minato," Choza called back after punching the puppet in the arm. He noticed his fist's impression didn't quickly disappear causing him to add, "This guy isn't regenerating as fast as he was."

"He also isn't pulling chakra from the city any further," Shibi said his insects easily destroying the lines connecting the puppet to the pipes flowing through the city now that they weren't being sustained by the powerful chakra.

"Choza hold him still," Minato shouted. Turning to Naruto he said, "Now's our chance."

"My jutsu will hit..."

"Create a Rasengan," Minato said doing so as well. When ball of chakra appeared in the younger man's hand Minato pushed his jutsu towards it. As he expected his Rasengan was absorbed into Naruto's creating an even stronger one.

"What?"

Minato smiled at Naruto's surprised face finding it reminded him of Kushina. Explaining he said, "When two similar chakra types interact, they can meld and make a more powerful version of a jutsu."

"I-it's awesome," Naruto stated finding it strange that despite how strong the jutsu felt, he didn't find controlling it any harder. "But how am I supposed to reach Mukade."

Minato chuckled as he pulled a tri-prong kunai as he stated, "Well you do know my Flying Thunder God Technique." Spinning, he threw the kunai past Choza and just before it hit Mukade's chest Naruto teleported to it slamming the Rasengan into the right side of the puppet's chest. Naruto tore through the puppet like it was made of paper. Landing in a couch on the other side, he looked back to watch as the massive puppet began to fall back.

A few moments after it collapsed a visibly damaged Spider body appeared from the hole to shout, "Damn you Sara. You'll pay for this I swea..."

A massive Choza smashed his foot down on the spider puppet before shrinking down to normal size as he said, "And that's how you deal with insects."

"Excuse me," Shibi said agitated.

"Um, present company excluded" the Akimichi said sheepishly.

Naruto laughed before saying, "Thanks guys you were awesome, but I need to catch up with the others."

Minato smiled as he watched the young man run, but frowned as his student Kakashi appeared behind him to say, "I set up the seals in the pattern you asked me to."

"Thanks Kakashi, you and the others remain here. I need to say good-bye to our friends."

"Are you sure?" Shibi said, "They could be dangerous. That boy isn't from the Leaf despite what he claims, and he's stolen your jutsu somehow."

"Not to mention he's holding the Kyuubi. Kami only knows how he got his hands on that," Choza said concerned.

"I have a good idea," Minato replied, "let me take care of it though."

"Alright, is that what you tasked Kakashi with, creating some kind of barrier?"

"Don't worry guys. I'll deal with it."

*****************************

"Naruto," Sara shouted relieved as Naruto ran towards her and the others. She was beaten to the hug that she wanted to deliver by the other three women whom he held just as tightly. Sara wanted to join but they began to glow causing her to ask, "W-what's happening to you?"

"They're returning to their own time," Minato said as he approached the group. Naruto frowned at him as the older man said, "It was pretty apparent when you let the Kyuubi out since I know by whom it is currently is being contained." Naruto's frown deepened but he remained silent as Minato began to approach the dome that controlled the flow of the Ryumyuka. Pulling a kunai he prepared to jam it into the dome as he added, "You didn't intend to do that, did you?"

Naruto shook his head, but before either man could say more Samui pointed out, "You've figured out a great deal. I'm also betting you know that the jutsu you're about to use is how Mukade traveled back in time in the first place. As there is no other reason to further seal the Ryumyuka."

Minato sighed as he said, "No, there is one. Naruto, do you believe things happen for a reason? That there is a destiny to which we are all born to fulfill."

"No," Naruto stated.

Minato sighed as he said, "I wish I shared that belief." He created a hand sign that activated the seals that Kakashi had placed around the city.

The shinobi all felt the activation of the jutsu causing Naruto to ask, "What have you done?"

"The jutsu will erase all the memories of what happened here since your arrival." Minato explained. "It'll happen soon and it might be a little drastic, but it's the best way to ensure that we don't mettle with the future. I'm afraid you'll also be affected."

"W-why?" Naruto said shocked as Minato also placed the seal over the Ryumyuka source which Mukade would use to travel back in time.

Minato gave a sad smile as he knew what the personal cost to him would be, but said, "Because I'm putting my faith in the future I see standing before me."

Sara was shocked by the revelations that she was learning but would soon forget. Seeing her only chance, she wrapped her arms around Naruto's neck kissing him passionately before whispering, "Please find me again."

"I will," Naruto said, "I promise."

Naruto disappeared from her grasp as did the other kunoichi just before the rest of the Leaf Shinobi began to enter the room. Minato replaced his mask as the largest man asked, "What's going on Minato?"

"I'd tell you," Minato replied, "but you'll only forget." A white light encapsulated the City of Roran as it put everyone to sleep and wiped their memories of all that had happened since Sara first encountered Naruto. Still, the young Queen found she dreamed of a brave hero who had come to her in her time of need, and when she awoke found that she still possessed the blade that he had given her.

*****************************

"Naruto," a worried voice said as it shook him.

It repeated itself growing more insistent prompting the blond to push back as he sleepily said, "Five more minutes."

The voice took on a slightly dangerous tone as it said, "I said get up."

Knowing Sakura's angry voice, the jinchuriki sat up obediently but rather than the smack he expected he was greeted by a warm hug. He smiled as he returned the hug, to say, "I'm okay Sakura." His eyes grew wide as he said worriedly, "Wait a second. Where's Mukade?"

"That's the million Ryo question," Temari said from where she sat. "The Source room was trashed, but we couldn't find any sign of him. None of us recall what happened after we confronted him."

"D-do you think he used some jutsu on us to escape?" Naruto asked.

"Maybe," Temari replied.

Samui pointed out the gaping hole in that theory though as she said, "It's hard to believe he would leave us alive as we slept if he was not similarly affected."

Naruto nodded from his sitting position, but as he tried to worry about it. He found that he couldn't help but feel his concern was for nothing. Not sure why he felt that way, he nonetheless decided to trust it as he said, "Well, we must have scared him off or he blew himself up. We'll send word back to Gaara, but I don't think we gain anything by remaining here."

Temari smiled as she stood while saying, "Something told me you would say that. We did search around while you were napping, but couldn't turn up anything. I guess we will have to hope he eliminated himself, or that one of the other squads looking for him picks up the trail."

Naruto got back to his feet, planning to return in time for Seramu's birthday celebration. However, Sakura moved in front of him holding her hands out. Looking at her in confusion he asked, "What's up?"

"I need the Chakra Blade that I gave you back. I need to return it to the Research and Development department," Sakura said.

"Right," Naruto said reaching behind him for where he had kept it sheathed. Feeling nothing but air, he began to sweat as Sakura continued to look at him expectantly. "Um... it looks like I lost it somewhere."

"What!!!" Sakura said as Naruto turned on his heel to run.

"I'll find it Sakura. It has to be around here somewhere, right?"

"You better Naruto," the pink-haired girl replied looking around as well. "Otherwise you can explain to Tsunade how you lost it." Temari and Samui watched amused as the two Leaf-nin looked all over for the missing blade.

*****************************

Naruto watched as people danced around the massive bondfire that had been set in the center of the courtyard of the fort slash inn. He had also joined in to dance with each of his lovers as there was a lot of rubbing and grinding involved. He found he rather enjoyed the desert mentality of living every moment like it was your last as there was also a lot of heavy petting and making out going on by the other revelers as the mood of the celebration began to switch to more nightly endeavors. He had also learned from some of the caravan members that the night for those enjoying their seventeenth year was often a night that many chose as the one that would be their last as a virgin.

He took a sip of the sweet liquor that he had been enjoying and had found was made from honey. He looked out of the corner of his eye to see that he was the recipient of quite a few glares from some of the eligible men who were likely hoping to be the one Seramu chose for the honor of deflowering her. But, they likely felt that if anyone was going to be picked, it was going to be him. Or, they were just jealous of the other beauties that he had danced with who had pressed their bodies to him so wantonly as they danced in time with the music. After which, Seramu would quickly approach him to ask for another dance and try to outperform whichever lover he had danced with before.

Naruto finished his drink and then looked directly at the young men giving him the stink eye. A smirk appeared on his lips as they all looked away. His gaze soon drifted past them though to settle on Sara, who quickly looked away having been staring at him again. Naruto frowned, as he had been acting in a similar manner since returning from the ruins of Roran. He was beginning to feel like he believed she must have after their first encounter back when he rescued her people from slavers. He didn't understand why he suddenly felt that way, since he imagined that the time to feel such Deja Vu would have been during that first encounter. But, if he was feeling some sort of delayed reaction to having met Sara before, then he was being hit by it hard now.

"Naruto," a breathless and breathtaking Seramu said approaching the jinchuriki, "Let's dance."

Naruto smiled as he accepted her hand to be pulled back to his feet as Seramu brought him back to the spot where they had danced before. The young woman looked splendid in the light of the fire as it caused her skin to shine from the sweat coating it from her almost nonstop dancing. She was wearing an orange halter top and black flowing dress with slits running up the sides which often exposed her toned legs and thighs as she moved about.

Reaching the spot, she began to move with the beat as Naruto let the music move him as well having quickly figured out there were no set dance moves. Soon Seramu stepped in towards him placing her hands on his hips as she swayed her hips with his. She quickly spun away to press her back into his chest and her butt into his groin to grind herself into him. Her arms reached up around his neck as she stared up into his eyes. He felt her tighten her hold on him as if to pull him into a kiss, but it relaxed as soon as she felt a little resistance as if not sure to proceed for fear of being rejected. She pulled away to dance in front of him again, before once more coming in close.

One such time, Naruto spared a look towards Sara to see her staring with a fair amount of jealousy causing her to quickly get up and leave upon realizing he had seen it. Naruto focused back on Seramu to dance with her for almost another half-hour before telling her that he needed a break. He noticed that quite a few of the other revelers were pairing up together with a few of the more brazen not waiting until they were alone in their rooms to grope each other.

Naruto walked across the sandy courtyard looking for Sara hoping to ask her if she had the same foggy sensation that they had known each other during a different time. He spotted her on the balcony that led from her room located on the second floor. She was searching near the fire for something, making Naruto believe that she was checking to see if her daughter and he had moved on. She spotted her daughter dancing with another person causing Sara's gaze to begin searching the sea of people standing around the bondfire. Seeing an opportunity he slipped into the shadows.

*****************************

Sara looked for some sign of Naruto unable to shake the strong feelings that welled up inside her whenever he was around. She had tried to convince herself that due to how he had saved her people from the slavers, she was just transferring the feelings she had harbored for her Dream Warrior onto him. Yet, some part of her soul seemed to accept that transference and more to the point told her that she should act on it. She had refrained from listening to that part of her due to it being obvious that Naruto hadn't felt anything akin to what she had upon that first meeting. Or even upon his return to her life recently.

However, her hope to run across Naruto once again was the primary reason that she had offered her Caravan's services to Guren in transporting the goods The Great Tree Shipping Company collected. She had been thrilled when her desire to see him again was rewarded so soon. Even if a part of her had been disheartened to see that her daughter had equally been glad. A fact highlighted by how suggestively Seramu had just been dancing with Naruto.

Sara had nearly gone over to put her own moves on Naruto out of jealousy. It hadn't been the fear of acting in such a manner in front of her people which had stopped her. No, by now her people knew that Sara had no such qualms about abandoning her noble demeanor when necessary working twice as hard as any of them. It had been a result of her not wanting to rob her daughter of her own dream warrior as well as the fear that she wouldn't measure up to Seramu's beauty.

While Sara wasn't ugly under any definition of the word, she just felt that when compared to her daughter, the passing of time had certainly taken its toll. Still as had been so often the case her eyes seemed to seek out Naruto, which was why she continued scanning the crowd.

"Looking for anyone I know," Naruto said from where he sat perched on the railing of her balcony.

Sara gasped as she turned to face him. She smiled softly upon realizing who had spoken to her though. "I think you know who."

Naruto leapt down from the railing as he said sounding a little unsure of himself, "Yeah. I've noticed the looks you sent me."

"I'm sure you must find me quite strange then," Sara said unsure if she should tell Naruto why it was she couldn't help herself. She began to head back into her room causing Naruto to follow.

Naruto looked over his shoulder at the ruins of Roran in the distance before replying, "I did when we first met." He noted in a mirror opposite Sara how she frowned at his words. "But now...it's strange...but I kind of understand it. I kind of feel this strange pull towards you."

Sara's heart skipped a beat at the admission. Dressed similarly as her daughter, she turned with a look of hope in her eyes as she asked, "W-what kind of pull?"

Naruto scratched his head in confusion trying to put his feelings into words. Finally he stated, "I'm not sure. It feels like I should know you better than I do. Like we've met before..."

"Before we actually did," Sara finished for him.

Naruto nodded as the pull he felt towards her since Roran grew stronger. "I'm not sure why. But I have this feeling that if I kiss you right now. It would feel..."

"Like we've done it before," Sara said gliding closer to Naruto. She wrapped her arms around his neck and despite witnessing him with Guren, or suspecting how he might be in a similar relationship with the women he was currently traveling with. She planted her lips to his and almost as soon as she did she knew she was in the arms of her Dream Warrior. She suspected that Naruto was having a similar epiphany as soon the kiss grew heated as they clung to each other tightly like long separated lovers who finally found each other again.

*****************************

Kushina felt a whirlwind of emotions upon her return to the present. She had arrived with the full knowledge of what had happened in the past. She had several ideas as to why, but felt it was some kind of punishment for how she had wanted to change the future. Yet, if there was one feeling that was front and center it was the feeling of betrayal that she felt towards Minato. After all, he had obviously figured out that Naruto was his son and along with the knowledge that he contained the Kyuubi, and thus knew that something had likely happened to her.

Yet, despite that he had shown no curiosity about the matter, instead deciding to wipe his and everyone else's memories. Deep down, she knew he had done the right thing, but she wasn't listening to that part at the moment instead wanting to bask in her anger and guilt. A guilt that stemmed from her betrayal of Naruto. Yet, she hadn't been able to stop herself and while the majority of the reason was tied to her desire to enjoy the family life that she had been denied. It was also tied to her fighting a losing battle with her own desires for her son.

The only bright side was that Naruto didn't know what she had done, and she knew she could keep it that way. But in time she figured the guilt would eat away at her. She was about to reverse the jutsu that Minato had used when the lamp near the sofa she was sitting on turned green. She stared at it for a second, feeling her emotions swirl all about before a red hot anger took hold of her. Anger from her having to fight almost nightly, the temptation to bask in the pleasure that she knew existed just outside the green field of light. A pleasure she had denied herself, despite the occasional stumble, out of loyalty to her husband, whom she had just witnessed put duty and the shinobi world ahead of her.

Grabbing the lamp angrily, she threw it against the wall and although she could have willed it not to break, didn't. It shattered into a million pieces as did her resolve to force another sleepless night upon herself when she could sleep the sleep of the damned after being rocked to bed from orgasm after orgasm courtesy of her son. With the lamp destroyed the apartment setting of the room melted away to be replaced by the stone room of the inn where Sara was staying.

Naruto stood before her after just kissing Sara and reaching out to cup her face said, "I told you I'd find you again."

Kushina's eyes went wide as she realized that Naruto had broken the jutsu his father had cast. A feat achieved by Sara as well as she said, "You did," although Kushina heard her say it in her own. He pulled her face to his as he kissed her hungrily something which although Kushina was on autopilot as she mirrored Sara's actions, nonetheless eagerly enjoyed.

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Sara moaned into Naruto's mouth as he reached down and clasped his hands behind the small of her back pulling her towards him. Sara raised her right leg up and wrapped it around Naruto's hip which she used to pull his groin tight against hers. She cooed, as she felt his hardened cock which she ground her pubic mound into as the continued to kiss. Naruto groaned into her mouth as his hips began mirroring hers and they began dry humping against one another. Naruto's hands traveled from her back to her butt as he grabbed the cheeks of her ass pulling her into him even harder."

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Kushina broke the kiss with her son although she didn't want to as she followed Sara's lead. She moaned loudly, as Naruto's hardened member dug into her cunt which was increasingly getting wetter and wetter. Kushina was surprised at how much she was feeling and wondered why through the haze of her lust. She figured that due to her taking over the seal would have reacted harshly thus depriving her of a great deal of the sensations Sara was enjoying. Yet, instead Kushina was feeling it more than ever, but she wasn't just feeling pleasure but Sara's own emotions as well.

Kushina had to agree with the former Queen of Roran at how perfect it felt to be in Naruto's arms. She could also feel some guilt that she was perhaps betraying her daughter, but having dreamed of this moment for twenty-two years, she could not stop herself any more than she could stop from needing oxygen. But, while for Sara's world everything felt perfect, if she had one regret, then it was that while her Dream Warrior hadn't aged since their encounter, time had continued to flow for her.

Kushina feeling Sara's wish that Naruto could experience her as she had been decided to make it a reality. She knew it wouldn't make up for what she had done, but felt that it might be a start.

**************************

Sara felt warm as Naruto's Bijuu chakra began to make her younger again so that she was around the same age as her daughter. Neither of the two soon to be lovers noticed until Naruto pulled back. At first he didn't notice gazing into Sara's violet eyes, but when he did he asked confused, "Sara, what happened?"

"W-what do you mean?"

He turned her around towards the mirror causing Sara's eyes to go wide as she saw her younger reflection. She reached up to touch her face as she said, "I...I was just thinking how I wish I was young again. I...I wanted to be like you knew me back that."

Naruto kissed her neck before whispering, "You didn't need to worry about such things, Sara. Even older, you were as beautiful to me as you were then."

Sara spun in his grasp as she linked her hands around his neck, "Still, I'm happy. How else will I be able to keep up with the likes of Guren and the others?"

A look of surprise appeared on his face as he asked, "W-when..."

"I saw you with Guren," Sara admitted. "I had wanted to speak to you about how I felt that we had already met. A-at first I was shocked... but not as much as I would have expected. I suppose it was because I so desperately wanted to be in her place, and now I am. Please Naruto; I've waited for this moment so long."

Naruto picked Sara up as he said, "Your wish is my command."

Caring her to the bed he set her down gently before lying next to her. He kissed her lips gently before moving down to her collarbone where he placed another feather light kiss. He then moved to the other one where he did the same thing. Next, he kissed her chest just below her throat, before moving his head over her right breast. He gripped the top of the cloth covering it, before pulling it down to expose her pink nipple.

Sara moaned as he squeezed her breast with his right hand and rolled his tongue around the areola before sucking her hardened nub into his mouth. Meanwhile, his left hand traveled down her body and under the waistband of her skirt and panties. Naruto began to rub her pussy in a circular motion.

Sara began to raise and lower her hips against his hand as she moaned, "P-please... please don't let this be a dream."

Naruto let her nipple slip free of his mouth as he smiled at her to say, "The time for dreaming has ended, Sara."

He moved between her legs causing her to raise her butt so he could remove her dress and panties. He lowered his mouth to her wet pussy and began to lick her folds. Sara arched her back in response as she grabbed the bedding while moaning happily. Naruto's hands reached up her body where he grabbed her breasts and teased her nipples. Pinching the still covered on one on her left breast, he pulled his mouth from her cunt to say, "Your so wet Sara. It must have been a long time since you been with a man."

"Yes...too long," Sara hissed as Naruto pushed his tongue into her tunnel, "I've only ever been with my husband and he's been gone for so long. I've saved myself for the only two men I will ever love."

Naruto pulled his mouth from Sara's quim as he sat back on his knees. Pulling his jacket and shirt off, he climbed up Sara's body to kiss her heatedly while he shimmied out of his pants and boxers. Once free, he lined his cock with her entrance and said, "I'm sorry for making you wait so long."

Sara grabbed his face affectionately in her hands as she said, "It's fine, but please...I can't wait any longer."

Naruto thrust into Sara burying his cock fully inside her. The two lovers took a moment to bask in the feeling, before he slowly began to move inside her. They kissed tenderly as Naruto set a slowly languid pace as they took their time enjoying each other's bodies. "Your pussy feels incredible," Naruto said as he slowly worked his rod within the red-head, "You're squeezing me so tightly."

"B-because you're making me feel so good Naruto," Sara replied happy to be connected to her Dream Warrior finally.

Sara began to bring her hips up to meet Naruto's half-thrusts, so the jinchuriki moved his arms so that they rested under the red-head's knees. Pushing them forward, so that they were up against her shoulders he began pounding her with hard deep thrusts that caused Sara to moan out every time he bottomed out inside her. He relentlessly slammed his hips into her causing his nuts to bounce against her butt as he drilled Sara's hot and steamy hole.

"Mmmmm... oh yes... pound me into the mattress," Sara said eagerly as she felt a massive orgasm approaching. "I... I'm cumming!!!" Sara shouted as she wrapped her arms around Naruto, pulling her torso up against his while he drove her ass into the mattress as he flooded her cunt with his seed.

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Kushina panted as she held onto her son as she felt his seed fill her through Sara. She mewed happily as he collapsed atop of her. He smiled happily as he looked into her eyes and said, "I hope it was worth the wait."

Kushina felt dirty as the guilt she expected to feel set in as she could only agree while she repeated what Sara said, "Yes..."

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Sara began using her cunt to squeeze the still stiff rod inside her as she added, "You're still so hard."

"Well, after a twenty something year wait. I don't think you'd be happy with a one and done," Naruto said rolling them over so that Sara was on top.

The former queen smiled as she ran her hand down his chest, before pulling her halter-top off. Naruto's hands reached up to grab her tits as Sara placed her hands over his. She then began rising and lowering herself on his rod. She looked up at the ceiling as she rode him slowly shaking her head back and forth causing her long red-hair to sway about behind her.

Naruto groaned as he closed his eyes to enjoy the feel of her warmth around his cock, but just before they closed completely he opened them again as an image of his mother imposed itself over his lover. He disregarded it as a product of his imagination, brought about due to the conflicting feelings he was having about his mom at the moment.

He had Sara spin on his cock so that she was facing away from him. She leaned down his body burying her face in the mattress as she gave him a spectacular view of his dick sliding in and out of her velvet tunnel. The two lovers continued like that unaware of the door to the room cracking open.

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Seramu felt disappointed as she headed to her room as she had been unable to locate Naruto. She had wanted him to take her virginity and had worked herself up from her various dances with him. She wondered where he had disappeared too, and had wondered if at some point he had needed to leave as he had told her they weren't sure what had happened to Mukade.

She had also noticed her mother's absence but hadn't thought much of it since she would often take her leave once the celebrations of her people became more hedonistic. Seramu had often wondered why her mom never took part since there were lots of men who were clearly interested in her both inside their caravan and without. Whenever, she had asked her mom would give her a smile that always struck Seramu as a little sad as she said, "I'm saving myself for my Dream Warrior."

Seramu hadn't understood why her mom clung to the myth of her Dream Warrior so strongly, especially since she had obviously loved her father enough to forget about him for a time. But after meeting Naruto, Seramu believed that she did now.

She reached her room which was located next to her mother's, which Seramu had been annoyed by since she suspect it was so her mom could keep tabs on her. She was about to enter it when she heard sounds coming from her mom's room. She frowned as she wondered if she was feeling okay. Deciding to check, she cracked the door open and her eyes went wide as she saw Naruto and what she could only assume was her mother from the red-hair of the woman whose face was looking down. She quickly closed the door as tears gathered in her eyes, before she ran to her room. She threw herself on the bed as she cried and cursed her mother even as she dug out the memento Sara had given her which she claimed had belonged to her Dream Warrior.

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Kushina rose back up as she felt another orgasm approaching. Naruto began thrusting up into her harder and harder causing her to place her hands behind her on his chest as she accepted his thrusts to her core. Her strength gave out causing her to fall back against him where he turned her face towards him to kiss her greedily. Kushina screamed her climax into her son's mouth as he final thrust pushed up against her womb and he filled it once more with his warmth.

Kushina knew she'd hate herself in the morning, but she at the moment all she felt was pleasure and was thrilled as Naruto rolled them over and pulled Sara to her hands and knees as he fucked her from behind. She only hoped the night never ended as that would be when she'd likely be confronted by her son about what she had tried to do.