Undying Love
The Briefing
'Hey, Grandma Tsunade, what's so important that we called us here so early?' Naruto asked the Fifth Hokage, stifling a yawn. She narrowed her eyes and glared at Naruto who was oblivious to the danger ahead.
Kakashi rolled his uncovered eye and stepped in to save him. 'Yeah, it's barely the crack of dawn.' He was feeling tired himself. Sakura groaned beside him and rubbed her weary eyes. She had been working at hospital all night and she's barely gotten any sleep.
Tsunade's eye twitched. Jiraiya exchanged a wary glance with Shizune and cleared his throat hastily. 'You three are not the only ones summoned here at this time.' He informed them.
As he finished talking, there was a gentle knocking on the door and it opened. They all turned to see who it was.
Dense gave a snore and slumped down to the floor, his hand on the knob supporting him from falling headlong to the cold tile floor. Center appeared behind him and kicked him lazily. 'Wake up, Dense.' He said sleepily.
'Move it!' A familiar voice called impatiently. Kakashi brightened up at the sound of it.
Fury stepped in view and pulled Dense to his feet. He grunted in surprise. 'Hey, I know you're tired too but you don't have to be so ratty.' He mumbled. Naruto grinned despite his weariness.
Kakashi smiled too and Fury caught his eye. She smiled then yawned. 'Good morning.' He greeted her as she walked towards him. She waved a hand vaguely back. The other element ninjas walked in with the same tired expression on their faces.
'I've called you here to tell you something important.' Tsunade started in a loud and clear voice. 'I've just been informed that Orochimaru and the Sound village are planning to attack the Leaf village in less than two weeks.'
'WHAT?' The half-asleep group jolted in surprise. They were instantly more alert.
'Who informed you about this?' Kakashi asked suspiciously. Tsunade hesitated while the others watched her intently.
'The Akatsuki.' She finally said.
There was a dead silence. Kakashi looked quickly at Fury who was frozen in horror. He took her hand and she looked at him in a stricken way. The others were talking among themselves urgently. They kept looking at Naruto.
'Did it occur to you that the Akatsuki might have made this up to get closer to Naruto?' Rush said to Tsunade. She shook her head.
'Trust me, we interrogated them and they weren't lying. You could ask them if you like.' She said then nodded at Shizune.
Fury winced. 'That shouldn't be necessary.' But no one heard her except Kakashi who looked at her sadly.
There were footsteps then ten cloaked figures appeared. The room was silent as they took in the Akatsuki. Fury tried not to hyperventilate as she saw the yellow blonde hair under a rice hat.
Pain nodded at Tsunade respectfully enough but didn't glance once at Jiraiya who was studying him with regret on his face. Suddenly, he saw Fury and his face registered surprise. 'Fury, didn't expect to see you here.' he greeted quietly but everyone had heard him.
All heads turned towards Fury including the blonde head still under the rice hat. She stiffened then relaxed when Kakashi rested a hand on the small of her back. 'Yes, I didn't expect to see you here too. How are you?'
'You know him?' Tsunade asked, scandalized. She darted a glance at Pain for help and he smiled reassuringly.
'She was hurt during a mission and we took her back to heal her. We did a good job considering,' He added cheerfully. 'Right, Sasori? Deidara?'
Two figures took down their rice hats and grinned at Fury. 'Right.' Deidara said, his grin faltering a bit as he took in Fury beside Kakashi.
'I think that is enough proof to trust them.' Tsunade broke through briskly. 'If they won't hurt a Leaf village ninja, they won't lie to us. You trust them?' She asked Fury who nodded confidently thought her insides were numb.
'Ok, dismiss!' Tsunade ordered and they cleared out of the room. Whirl and Rush looked at Fury anxiously but she was blocked by Deidara.
'Do you want to catch up on old times?' He asked her cheerfully, his fake grin still plastered on his face which looked weary. Fury exhaled sharply and Deidara looked desperate instantly. 'Please.'
She looked at Kakashi who nodded. 'Alright.' She said and Deidara took her by the hand happily. Kakashi watched them walked away, jealousy boiling inside him. He clenched his fists in his pockets.
