Chapter 63: Heart

(Next Day: 18 hours after Battle of Kaminejima)

The morning rays of the sun enlightened Haku's beautiful face, while the cool breeze made her long hair flow freely in the air. Currently seated atop a crow summon, her eyes were fixed on Naruto who was sitting in front of her. His eyes were peacefully observing the beauty of nature around them.

It had taken them a few hours, but Naruto had been thorough with his plan. He had taken control over the entire army of 500 soldiers that were sent to kill him, she still found it hard to believe that his eyes held such power in them. But she had also witnessed the soldiers who hated him switching their loyalties, and bowing to him. Swearing their lives for his safety and ambitions.

She knew it was wrong, but at the same time it was for Naruto's dream.

"You have to find your own answer, Haku..." said Naruto knowingly, breaking her chain of thoughts.

She looked at him for a few seconds, before a tired sigh escaped from her lips. All of this was simply too much for her to accept in such a short amount of time...

"Was this the reason you brought me with you? To make me see what your true plan is?" asked Haku flatly, getting a nod from him.

"It was my intention, but simply enslaving soldiers is not my plan. It's something that will change this world forever, as a matter of fact it will change the fate of humanity. You wanted to fight for me, that's why I showed you what path I am going to follow...and whether you will be able to do the same" explained Naruto patiently,

"And if I refuse? Will you do the same thing to me as you did with those men?" asked Haku directly, her eyes looking straight in his own.

For his part, Naruto never lost his cool or even felt cornered on her blatant question.

"No, there are a few people in this world whose will I won't bend for my ambition. You are one of them, but I will wipe out the little information you have about my plan. I'll simply let you live your own life..." said Naruto frankly,

"Is it the right thing to do?" questioned Haku doubtfully,

"There is no right or wrong in this world, what's correct for me maybe incorrect for me. The only thing that is true in this world is- Wish..." said Naruto calmly,

"Wish?"

"My heart yearns for a future free of war, or at the very least create a world where children are not made into killing machines. Where people are not taught to hate each other from the very beginning of their lives, and if for that dream to become a reality I have to do these things, then so be it. I don't care what people think about me. But Haku, my path is not for the weak. I can't promise you a light at the end of the road, as even I don't know what fate awaits me." explained Naruto deeply,

A faint smile came on the girl's face as she saw his soft side, one that wished for the happiness of others at the cost of its own.

"This is the first time I've met someone like you..." commented Haku pleasantly,

"I get that a lot, my only regret will be that I can't be together with Kurenai. I'm not afraid of dying, but not having her in my life is the worst punishment for my sins. But Valkyrie will help in creating a better world for her and my few friends back home, so I have no choice but to go on. I-"

He stopped speaking and averted his eyes from her, she noticed his hands trembling a little. And it didn't take a genius to figure out that Kurenai was Naruto's Achilles heel, his greatest weakness.

"Do you really not desire to let her be a part of this plan? She loves you a lot, maybe she'll..." suggested Haku, but he shook his head quickly.

"When you love someone with everything in your heart, you can't put them through something like this. I don't want her to live a life of being hated by the entire world, not even for my sake. But knowing her, she would not stop coming after me again and again. I simply don't have any answers when it comes to her..." said Naruto helplessly,

"I understand what you feel for her, but as your friend I would suggest meeting with her. If what you said about the first phase of your plan is true, then there is a lot of time left before we make our move. Doing something like this takes a lot of courage, and once we start it there is no going back. Sort out your feelings, Naruto you are the leader of our revolution. Everything depends on you..." said Haku seriously,

"What good will meeting her do? Won't it pain her when I do that?" asked Naruto worriedly,

"Perhaps, but in your quest for the future you can't just ignore the present. I have seen people like you who rebelled against the system, even Zabuza-sama yearned for happiness in his own way. And so do you, living a little for yourself even for a short time is no sin. As far as your actions hurting Kurenai, I can't say that it may happen or not. But the time you spend with each other will forever be remembered in your hearts...

...our path is full of pain and suffering, Naruto. So, at the very least we deserve to be happy even for a short time period." suggested Haku sagely,

Naruto seemed hesitant, but her words sounded so good. He would be lying if he didn't want to go and meet Kurenai right now, there was only so much pain a person could take. The only reason he was able to go so far in Operation Ghost was due to the memories of his happier times with Kurenai, and the rest of his friends/family in Konoha.

Haku was right, he had a lot of loose ends to cover.

Maybe this was the right thing to do...

(With Kurenai: Few Hours Later)

The genjutsu mistress was currently busy in packing the little clothes she had brought during her weekly visit to Saizkuma islands. The main reason behind her visit was never fulfilled, and instead she had to suffer one of the worst setbacks of her life. The man she had loved with all her heart, didn't want anything with her anymore.

She had tried to meet him continuously since the past 2 days after their disastrous meeting, only to find out that he was out on missions. First by himself, and then with Haku.

Just the name of that teenage girl was enough to make Kurenai angry to the core, it was a fact that Naruto and her relationship was on rocky terms. And the girl had simply taken advantage of that weakness, or maybe she had been too hard on Naruto?

Any normal person would have called her crazy for being so madly in love with a ninja who was supposedly a traitor to her village, and one who had made her feel grave pain in the past. But only if they could understand, that Naruto had been by her side during her rough times.

She was a mess after what happened with Yakumo, many people had judged her for the cruel action she had to take. But not him...

He was one of the very few people who supported her decision, and helped her get over the depression. Before they even fell in love, he had been a good friend when she needed one the most. So, what if his life got messed up due to this stupid Operation? Was she just supposed to abandon him? Cast him aside like a useless piece of trash?

She may not be too expressive in displaying her emotions to the people she cared, but that didn't mean that she was a cold hearted bitch.

However, both her and Naruto had two great drawbacks to themselves.

One was a liar and was hell bent on protecting his lover, that he was willing to cast her aside and make himself look as evil.

While she lacked the insight to see the real truth hidden beneath a pile of lies, by the time she discovers the truth things get much worse.

Result her current situation...

She blinked in surprise when the the door of her room was unlocked without permission, reacting on her instincts she grabbed a kunai from her pouch. Not two seconds later, the same weapon fell down on the floor with a resonating thud. As there standing on her door was Naruto himself...

His new attire as well as appearance was certainly a surprise...

An awkward silence prevailed between them, as she stood her ground not saying a word. While on the other hand, he tried to search for a point from where he could start a conversation. Damn, this was really awkward...

"Hi.."

And just like that she face palmed hard on the floor on hearing his silly greeting, a small tick mark was visible on her forehead as he nervously gave a forced smile.

"What are you doing here?" asked Kurenai vaguely, while walking towards the couch.

"Haku said you visited and had something to say, so..." suggested Naruto hesitantly, as she glared at him.

"Oh, so you finally have time for little old me. Or does Haku always keep you on a leash?" asked Kurenai sarcastically, as he quickly waved his hands.

"It's not like that..."

She simply stared at him while he seemed to be gathering courage; debating with himself whether this was the right decision or not. His rational mind was screaming at him not to do this, to continue the lie which he had told her. But his heart was an entire different story. If he could not be honest with her, then he was simply suppressing her will like others. He could not make all decisions for her...

"I lied to you about Haku...about everything that day" said Naruto honestly, as her glare intensified.

"Tell me something which I don't know, Naruto..." scolded Kurenai harshly

She was further irritated when he didn't say anything, and just stood there like a child who was being scolded by a parent. She sighed tiredly while gently massaging her forehead that was giving her quite a headache.

"Sit"

He obeyed immediately and went to sit on the bed further away from her, which only made her growl in frustration.

"Not there, you idiot!"

He had the good grace to look a little embarrassed as he changed direction and instead went to sit on her couch. Even then, he still maintained a little distance, hoping she wouldn't tear his head off.

"Why?"

It all felt like a deja vu for him as he found himself on the receiving end of that question again, after Wave he had hoped to avoid such a situation again. But just like his inner self had said, his naive selfless nature only caused more trouble for him.

"I was getting close to Orochimaru, the day after I met you I had to go to meet him. I'm strong, but he was a Sannin. The stakes were too high and I was not sure whether he would believe my cover story, there was a high possibility of me dying that day..." said Naruto truthfully, and was relieved when the anger vanished from her eyes.

The fury in her eyes was replaced by great concern as she edged closer to him, and grasped his hand. Orochimaru was one of the most dangerous ninja of their world, and after what he had told her it didn't take her long to connect the dots.

"Have you done a mastery in stupidity?" asked Kurenai in disbelief, and couldn't help from laughing out loud when he pouted.

"I was just looking out for you..." protested Naruto childishly, but deep down he found her laugh to be quite reliving. How long had it been since he had seen her this overjoyed. And right there his heart threw his rational mind straight out of the window...

He wanted this, the weight of the entire world which he seemed to be carrying on his shoulders, all his pain, sufferings just didn't bother him when he was near her. If acting a little stupid could make her smile this much, then he was ready to do this for the rest of his life. Haku was right, every second of this time would be memorable to him.

After a few moments of laughter, she saw him simply staring at her with a satisfied look in his eyes. She could clearly see regret in those eyes, but there was no doubt that he cared about her happiness so much, that he was willing to make himself suffer.

"You know, you didn't have to lie about being with Haku. That was a low blow..." said Kurenai bitterly, it still hurt her when she remembered the pain she felt in that moment of lie.

Placing a hand on his cheek, she gently gave the soft skin a few gentle strokes with her fingers...

"How long will you punish yourself for my sake?"

"Punishment is the code of my life, whether I want it or not. We're like polar opposites- light and dark. After everything that has happened in my life, I figured it would be better if you move on if I were to die by Orochimaru's hands. If you were safe and sound from all this mess, then it was good enough for me..." confessed Naruto sadly,

"Then what changed your mind?" questioned Kurenai seriously,

"After that dangerous meeting with Orochimaru, I realized the promise that I made to you in Wave. I promised to let you make your own decisions, and not bend your will through my lies. I can never keep any promise to you, can I?" said Naruto disappointedly, guilt clearly visible in his eyes.

"You're really tired, aren't you?" asked Kurenai sympathetically, she could barely imagine the pressure under which he was working.

While facing the hatred of the entire world and bearing it all on his young shoulders. He had always been like this, and for her it was one of his strengths.

"There is just no end to all of this, one thing keeps on happening after another. Sometimes it makes me wonder if there is any point to all of my struggles. Maybe it would have been right if I died after eliminating Root. At least it would have prevented me from doing more and more sins" said Naruto tiredly,

He felt her squeezing his shoulder quite roughly, while rewarding him with a harsh glare.

"How can you talk like that?" asked Kurenai angrily,

"I'm not as strong as you are, Kurenai..." replied Naruto silently, but it only bolstered her resolve further more.

"So, you can't live if you're not strong? Wrong! By living and continuing to fight we prove that we are strong. There is always light after an era of darkness, no matter how bleak the circumstances may look we should never lose hope..." argued Kurenai vehemently, but he simply didn't look in her eyes and continued to stare at the couch beneath them.

"You're too optimistic..."

His depressed answer pour hot oil over the newly rising anger in her heart, grabbing him by the collar of his cloak she lifted him up instantly making contact with his eyes. Her ruby colored ones glared into them.

"Kurenai..."

What the two didn't realize that the couch had simply not been able to adjust to the newly shifted weight, and rolled over making both of them collapse with it. His hand instantly reached behind her head to protect it from banging against the floor, while her arms snaked around his back to stop him from rolling over violently and crashing against the nearby table.

Both of them ended up in quite an awkward position, with Naruto falling completely on top of Kurenai. Each and every inch of their bodies was pressed against their partner, as a strange new feeling evolved in their gut. Kurenai could actually feel the warmth radiating from his body, while the blonde Anbu captain was quite aroused by being this close to her. The only saving grace was Kurenai's beautiful hair falling over her face and covering the blush that had arrived on her cheeks...

For not only being the cause of them ending up in this position, but for also enjoying this new sensation.

But it didn't stop her ruby eyes from staring in his dark black eyes, before things could get awkward any further Naruto gave her a reassuring smile which did well in easing her anxiety.

"Kurenai, there is something which I need to say to you..." said Naruto cautiously, his rational mind was yelling at him to stop him from doing this. But for once in his painful life, he decided to take a risk. Decided to be a little selfish...

And it seemed Kurenai had the same thoughts...

"I also have something to say to you..." said Kurenai nervously, completely unsure of how well he would take the tragic news she had brought for him.

He seemed to have stopped, trying to think of a way to make all of this work. Neither of them were in any kind of emotional state for whatever they wanted to say to each other, and this feeling which he was experiencing right now...

He wanted it to last longer, much, much longer.

"Would you like to spend a day with me? Just you and me, no missions or anything. Simply the two of us spending a day together as normal people..." suggested Kurenai knowingly, and was overjoyed when the smile on his face grew wider.

"You're always so right..." complimented Naruto happily, while removing a small strand of her hair that was falling over her eyes.

"I...just want us to be together, that's my only wish..." said Kurenai weakly, her voice losing the previous confidence it had.

"Kurenai..."

A small stream of tears slipped from her eyes, as she placed one of her hands on his cheeks.

"I thought I'd never see you again, Naruto..." said Kurenai sadly, a soft sob escaping from her mouth.

Placing both of his thumbs gently on her cheeks he gently wiped away the streams of tears, at first he seemed hesitant as his eyes were fixed on her lips. He could still hear her sobbing despite him stopping her tears momentarily, and for the first time he showed a little courage.

Moving forward he smashed his lips against her, he was neither slow or fast. Rather, he had simply claimed her lips as if he owned them, ravishing the welcoming sensation as he relished this feeling. Right from the soft touch of her cheeks, to the strange scent of ladies's perfume that was radiating from her, to the strawberry like taste in her mouth.

Kurenai's breath got hitched for a second when she felt this arousing sensation, sending jolts of electricity across her entire body. A soft moan elicited from her when he caressed her tongue with his own. Letting go of all restraints she had maintained over these months, she kissed him back vigorously. He seemed to like the gesture and fought back quite passionately as her tongue tried to wrestle control on her side.

All barriers were teared apart, as the feelings of the past rekindled again in their hearts.

Which brought a smile on a fox's face...