Hogwarts' ANBU

A/N: Hey there, I'm back- and I brought virtual cookies for every reviewer.

This chapter's title is "Goodbyes and Hellos", which is basically what will happen in it's plot. One part of it tells about how the Naruto characters say goodbye to their home and precious people. The other (and smaller) part is about our heroes entering the HP World and meeting up with a few, to us well-known wizards.

A/N ² The book is the Bansen Shukai. I had a little star attached to the word in the first chapter, but didn't show it in the story… Neither did it show the lines I draw between the different sections of the chapter. Strange! I apologize for this inconvinience and hope it's better in this chapter!

Furthermore: I ran this chapter through a computer programm that is supposed to identify errors in grammar and spelling twice and I read it a few times. I have to admit, that I'm not a native speaker (I'm german) and it's not beta-ed. If anyone wants to take the "job", I'll be very grateful. I have to warn you though: I've already written the raw-versions to a few more chapters and it's quite a bit of material to go through. Thank you.

Chapter 2: Goodbyes and Hellos

"Don't worry. Magic, huh?… Well, haven't heard of wizards in a while…" Kakashi mumbled, but no one heard him. Instead Tsunade asked, if there were any questions. The six shinobi exchanged looks for a moment, before one raised a hand.

"Yes, Sakura?"

"Excuse me, shishou, but did you say seven?"

"Ah, yes. I did, didn't I?", the blonde Hokage asked with a mischievous smile. "You've surely noticed that there's only six of you here with me now, and still I started the briefing, right?" Everyone nodded. "Well, your seventh team member has been notified, but was unable to come as she had a final appointment with Ibiki-san. As you all know, Cat has just gotten back from a long-term mission last year and hasn't gone on any mission since then due to the psychological aftereffects of said assignment. She's been slowly getting over it with a little help from Ibiki and a bit psychological assistance. Therefore, and because her talents will come in handy on such a mission, I decided to put her back into active duty. And seeing as Team Wolf was the one, that escorted her back home, I figured it would be better for her to have her first mission with you guys. She trusts you. If she can't take it, I'll have her return to the village immediately, so don't worry. Just… keep an eye out for her."

"Hai!" they all chorused.

"Very well, you may go. Kakashi, you stay. I still have something to discuss with you."

Sighing the silver-haired shinobi reluctantly sat down in one of the chairs infront of Tsunade's desk, while the others took their leave. He had the sinking feeling, that this would take a while and that he really, really wouldn't like it. As expected Tsunade shifted uncomfortably as soon as everyone was out of her office. She seemed to be a bit nervous about this 'discussion' herself. She was his boss of course, but that didn't change the fact that Kakashi was hardly one to just accept orders of that type! The Hokage opened her mouth, but not a sound came out. She pressed her lips into a thin line before she tried again and this time, her voice didn't betray her.

"Now Kakashi, I suppose you know what I want to talk about, so I won't beat around the bush… I should probably start off by asking you: What are your plans for the future?"

Kakashi sighed again.

Oh yes, this would definitely take a while.

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"So, what do you think about Cat joining us for the mission?" Sakura asked as soon as they had left the Hokage Tower. Everyone stayed silent at first, not knowing how to answer. None of them knew very much about the mission Cat had been assigned on before coming back. Just that it was a S-class one and that it took her all of ten years to accomplish it. Even though she was an ANBU Captain, and they all knew that not just anyone could achieve that position! It scared them a little what one mission had done to someone so strong, both physically and mentally.

"I'm not sure," Neji finally answered. "I mean, she's gotten better, yes. She's… calmer now. Only three months ago she would break down crying whenever she saw some of my younger cousins play around the compound."

"Not to mention that she would flinch away whenever a man or boy would come any closer than three meters!" Naruto added thoughtfully. Then he seemed to remember something. "Except for Kakashi-sensei, of course. She was okay with him."

"Well, what did you expect. He had been her ANBU Instructor, not to mention a close friend since childhood- I guess Yondaime got his wish then."

"What do you mean, Shikamaru?"

"Isn't it obvious, dobe?" Sasuke answered instead of the pine-apple-headed genius. "Yondaime just wanted to make Kakashi socialize, seeing as he is such an antisocial hermit, though he lives in a village full of people."

'Whoa, that was the most Sasuke had ever said at once!' Sakura thought in awe. He really was changing. Not only had he come back to Konoha out of his own free will after killing his older brother and murderer of his clan, Itachi, he had also worked hard to change himself to be a little friendlier and regain the villagers' trust. Of course, the members of the former Team Kakashi and Team Yamato had done their best to help him and cheer him up.

"Anyway, I have to head off. The compound is the other way. See you at Tsunade's office," Neji said waving, before he hopped off into another direction. Quickly jumping from tree to tree he reached the compound in only a few minutes. The guards at the gates, sensing someone nearing them, lowered into their fighting stance, their Byakugan activated. They relaxed, however, as soon as they recognized him as their leader's husband, who was approaching. With a quick nod and a quiet "Neji-sama" they let him pass. Without further ado, the Hyuuga genius walked over to the teahouse. He knew his cousin would be there at this time of the day, waiting for him to talk to her in private. Silently entering the dark confines of the room, he closed the door behind him and marched over to the table in the middle of the room, where a dark figure sat already waiting for him. As soon as he was seated, the figure, obviously his cousin, opened her mouth to form a simple question.

"How long?" Her soft voice barely reaching him, even over such a short distance.

"A year," He answered calmly, but on the inside he was in turmoil. How could he go to another country now of all times? And for a whole year too? Tsunade knew what was going on in the Hyuuga household: still she sent him away. Leaving Hinata without protection.

"Don't worry, Neji!" the clan head spoke again, this time a little louder. She reached out for him with her hand and he took it in his. They had a mutual agreement on not using the usual suffix' when they were alone. "Hanzou-san will make sure I'm kept safe. And Tsunade-sama has already assigned two shinobi to do the same."

"Hanzou is Hanabi's protector."

"But Hanabi is perfectly safe, just by being the Kazekage's girlfriend. I mean, who would dare to mess with Gaara-kun?" she asked giggling lightly. Due to her diplomatic duties for the Hyuuga family, she and her sister had become close friends with the Kazekage of Suna. Hanabi was even dating the stoic man, since this summer. Neji wasn't sure what to make of that. In his opinion Hanabi was too young to be looking for boys, but Hinata seemed to think of them as a very endearing couple- or 'cute' as she had put it.

"I still don't like going away at a time like this. The Main House members-"

"Former Main House members, Neji," The blue-haired woman corrected. "There is no Main and Branch House anymore in this family, and I have already signed the clan law that forbids my successors to ever install something like that again."

It was true.

The first thing Hinata had done upon becoming leader was ending the clan segregation for good. She had even found a way to remove the cursed seal, Neji being the first to experience this at their wedding. The Hyuuga Elders had never been so surprised… or furious!They had always underestimated shy, little Hinata, and never thought, she would amount to anything. They had thought, that they could rule the clan themselves- Hinata only a mindless doll at their disposal! Honestly, Neji had thought the same for a while. But the blue-haired girl had fooled them all, secretly researching the curse mark and- with a little help from Hatake Kakashi- even made up a counter jutsu! That day, Hinata stunned the whole family, except for Hanabi, who had been the right hand in all her sister's doing. She had also forbidden the use of the jutsu that put the cursed seal on someone. Those who rebelled against this, she had put to silence by threatening to curse them for their insubordination. Neji had never seen her so determined…, or scary. She really had changed. There was no trace anymore of the shy little princess he had once hated- except for the constant blushing when anything concerning romance or intimacy was even mentioned…

'Some things just never change…,' he thought smirking a little. Then he resumed where she had cut him off. "Anyway, they're still very dangerous, Hinata. They have been trying to murder you over a dozen times by now- and it has just been a year since you became clan head! They are not gonna give up, and we still have no proofs for their crimes, so we can't put them under arrest. I don't feel okay, just leaving you here like a dove among the hawks." That being an allusion to her ANBU code name: Dove. "Even with Hanzou around. I would feel better, if…"

"If I left the compound, right?"

"Yes."

"I guessed so. Therefore, I have already asked Temari-san, if I could stay with her at the Nara-compound. It's at the other end of the village, and therefore, the furthest away that I can go for such a long period of time. She said yes. Would that be alright with my dear, overprotective husband?" Hinata teased, a sly smile on her features.

Neji smiled too. "Yes, that would be great," he said rounding the table to give her a strong hug. "Thank you for understanding."

"You're welcome!" she said as she snuggled deeper into his warm embrace.

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"That means we'll have to rearrange our wedding." She concluded from what her fiancé just told her.

"I'm sorry!" he said, though he didn't mean it. He wasn't sorry they had to postpone their wedding. It was just a formality after all- and a troublesome one too! But he said it for his sake and her's, because she wasn't happy about this development, and because he knew, she wanted him to say that. As expected, she smiled sadly at him, her green eyes worried, biting down on her lower lip.

She had been so happy, when the lazy genius had finally proposed to her. After almost two and a half years of dating. She was relieved, because she had thought, that he was afraid to take the next step in their relationship. Sure, she couldn't blame him, seeing as her two younger brothers had constantly pestered him- not to mention threatened him- about how he was treating their sister. Since Gaara wasn't a blood-lusting psychopath anymore, he had become very protective of his newfound family. No wonder Shikamaru had been nervous about asking Temari's hand in marriage!

"Ah, well. I guessed it already when Hinata came to me asking permission to stay here until Neji returns from his mission with you guys. I hope you don't mind?" He shook his head, knowing that she wouldn't take 'yes' for an answer, although realizing it was best for Hinata. Not even looking at him for his answer, she continued. "Really, I can't believe to what length she goes just to soothe his nerves?! From what she tells me, I would even dare to say he's worse than my siblings!"

"Your family never tried to kill you, though," he reminded her.

"True enough," Temari added with an exasperated sigh. Whether it was, because of the Hyuuga's family problems or their own difficulties at starting a family in the first place, he didn't know.

"I'll miss you," he said, because it couldn't hurt to do so, because she needed to hear it, and because it was true. He would miss her. Love makes men into fools, after all. And he had definitely become one, because he missed her already, even though she was standing there, right in front of him. The blonde Suna-nin cracked him another sad smile. Smiling a little himself he erased the distance between them to give her a gentle kiss, that soon became much more passionate.

"How long do you have until you have to be at Tsunade-sama's office?" she asked breathlessly as they broke apart. Shikamaru turned to look at the watch hanging beside the door.

"Three hours, fourty-seven minutes and twenty-five seconds."

"That will be enough!" Temari decided and pulled him down on the couch…

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Naruto and Sasuke lived together in the Uchiha compound, ever since the last member of Konoha's prestigious clan had come home two years ago. Sasuke had agreed to the 'dobe's' idea, because there was enough room to avoid him.

And because it was too quiet even for him with nobody around.

It got lonely.

But of course he would never tell that to anybody, much less Naruto. Sure he had opened up a little more and even smiled once in a while or made a joke, but he was still an Uchiha dammit!

The last Uchiha, but still…

He couldn't just go around admitting that he felt lonely, admitting weaknesses! It just wasn't him! So he kept his mouth, but silently appreciated that Naruto still hadn't gone away or looked for an apartment of his own. Sakura would have lived here too, if it wasn't for her parents's house being closer to the hospital. Not to mention that it had gained a lot on memory value since her parent's deaths. She still came to visit both her 'boys' quite often though, or invited them into her home and even cooked on those occasions, which was an added bonus.

Therefore neither of the two young men were surprised, when the door-bell rang and Naruto opened to a slender woman wearing a Lynx-mask and a beige-coloured flak-jacket. They nodded to one another and were on their way. None of them had anyone to say goodbye to- no one that was in town anyway. Sakura told them quietly that she had written a letter for Tsunade to give Sai, Yamato, Ino, and all the others when they came back from their respective missions, so as not to worry their closest friends too much. Sasuke and Naruto- or rather Raven and Fox as they were in full Anbu gear- nodded their thanks to this as they followed her all the way up to the Hokage Tower.

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When he had finally gotten home after a heated discussion with the Hokage about the future of the Hatake clan Kakashi only had time for a quick shower and maybe an even quicker bite into an apple or something. Fortunately he. like most elite shinobi, always had a backpack ready for short-notice missions, even long-term ones. So instead of hastily rummaging through his closet and cupboard and throwing everything into a rucksack he calmly walked into his bathroom and hopped into the shower. The hot water relaxed his stiffened muscles. Quickly drowning his hair in his shampoo, he washed his silver mane, before grabbing a towel to dry up and putting on his clothes again. As soon as he stepped out of the bathroom he knew something was off. He looked around his living room, but found nothing unusual. The same old couch, same loveseat, same carpet, same…

"I'm here," a voice said- definitely not his. Kakashi turned around. Leaning against the door was a tall woman in the normal ANBU uniform, mask in one gloved hand. Her long brown hair had been bound together tightly at her neck, so that only a few bangs fell at sides of her face. Her rosy lips were curved into a gentle smile, while her pearl-white eyes were taking in his appearance, her head cocked to the side.

"Sayuri?" Kakashi asked baffled. Seeing her in his apartment reminded him of his 'discussion' with the Lady Hokage. "What are you doing here?"

"Can't a girl visit an old friend without having to have a reason?"

Kakashi just raised an eyebrow.

"Okay, you got me. Today I'm here on Tsunade's orders. She told me to make sure, you wouldn't be late. Come on now or we're not gonna make it in time," the Hyuuga answered, her smile growing into a smirk as she put on her Cat-mask. Kakashi chuckled, but slid his Wolf-mask over his face anyway. It felt good seeing her smile again- even if it was at his expense! It felt right.

'And thinking that she wouldn't even do so much as talk when we escorted her back!'

"Let's go, then," he grunted, while being ushered out the door by his female partner.

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"Hatake, you're actually on time!" the Hokage exclaimed with mock admiration. "I should always send Cat to retrieve you before important missions, since she seems to have the great Copy-nin whipped."

Snickers could be heard throughout the room.

"Very well. Seeing as we all are here now, I would like to remind you that you are to guard a school full of kids, that have no idea of the shinobi's world. I would like it, if it remained like that. Furthermore, you are to kill only if absolutely necessary- and no, annoying students don't count. Wolf and Cat are the Team leaders, because they are the most experienced and because I say so."

She gave everyone a look daring them to argue, but nothing came of course. Not even Naruto was dumb enough to anger her further.

"That should be it…" Tsunade explained. "No wait, one more thing. Hatake, you're not to spoil those brat's innocent minds with your stupid porn, understood?! You may read them in private, though. And don't forget what I told you," she added menacingly.

Kakashi gave a reluctant nod.

"Good. In that case, grab hold of the portkey-cup. It will take you to your destination."

Everyone touched a finger to the little object and waited.

And waited.

And waited.

Just as Naruto mumbled "I feel like an idiot!" and Sakuse answered "You are one!" they all felt a strange force pulling at their navel. Then they were practically ripped from Tsunade's office and thrown into a world where there existed no earth, just sky. Though not for long. Soon enough, the pulling ended and left them landing in a dining room full of strangers staring at them as if they had two heads. Only due to their exceptional skills, they all managed to land on their feet, instead of their- masked- faces.

All the while, Tsunade quietly sipped her sake.

"Ah, it's gonna be so much quieter with them out of town. Shannaro!"

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Harry Potter, his friends, Sirius, the Weasleys and Tonks had been setting the table and/or been waiting for the food Mrs. Weasley cooked, when Mad-Eye Moody came into the room with a surprising announcement.

"You'll have to lay more plates, special guests are coming inn any minute now."

"How come?" Fred asked.

"Dumbledore requested their presence during the school year just this morning. Why do you think we put a few beds in the unused rooms upstairs?! They will be coming by portkey at 6pm," the ex-auror answered.

"That's today, already…" Mrs. Weasley took a look at the clock. "That's in twelve seconds!" The woman exclaimed panicked. "Fred, Ron, hurry. Take some more plates and put them on the table."

"How many more will we need, mom?" Ron asked.

"Seven, boy." Moody said. "Ah, here they come."

There was a loud thumb beside the table as seven figures landed feets first on the floor. The Weasleys, Hermione, Harry, Sirius and Tonks gave the newcomers a onceover and immediately decided, that they were creepy. Knee-high boots adorned their feet, black pants and loose, hooded jackets, either beige or white. You couldn't see their faces under the hoods, because they were wearing porcelain white masks with swirls of colour and two slits to see, that resembled animal heads.

"Welcome to Number Twelve Grimauld Place, gentlemen!" Moody greeted them in a gruff tone, but with a big, if a little creepy smile on his scarred face. The strangers shifted their attention to the ex-auror. One of them started to make hand signs, while the others watched carefully. When he was finished another responded in kind, which made the room awfully silent. Harry and the others didn't dare breathe. Instinctively they had pulled out their wands after they saw the new arrivals. What were those people anyway? Why were they wearing masks? How come, Moody seemed almost cheerful upon seeing them?

"Oh, I completely forgot… Here!" Mad-Eye suddenly said as he took something from his pocket. The strangers seemed alarmed by his hasty movements, but relaxed as Moody handed them a scroll in a green enclosure. One of the guests took it from him and read it through then nodded slightly as he lifted his hood to reveal a mob of grey hair. The others followed his lead, pulling down the zippers of their flak jackets and shrugging the cloth of their shoulders. Beneath it a bone-white armor over a black shirt with high collars came into view.

"Blimey!" Ron whispered.

"Well, how about you introduce yourselves, dears…" Mrs. Weasley suggested after a few minutes of silence. "Oh, wait. Do they even speak our language, Mad-Eye? Or do they need a translation spell?"

"I suppose they already got one before arriving, Molly," he answered, but giving the guests an uncertain glance anyway.

"We do speak your language…," a soft, feminine voice answered. She had a slight accent, but was very much understandable to everyone's relief. It was the visitor nearest to Harry, who had spoken up. She wasn't very tall, just about 1, 67 meters, but she definitely attracted attention with her shoulder-length pink hair.

Yes, PINK!

How could anyone have PINK HAIR?

"Six of us anyway!" she added with a side-long glance at the blonde boy standing to her left. "But that problem is already solved. He got a 'translation spell' as you call it put on him, before our departure. Plus, he's learning english, I'll make sure of that-" The blonde gulped- "So, don't worry. We understand you."

"Who are you?"

"I'm a Junior ANBU Lieutenant. My codename is Lynx. The blonde and the bluish-haired boy beside me are normal ANBU Soldiers; Fox and Raven. Behind me, you see Deer. He's a Senior ANBU Lieutenant.-" Here she received a "Troublesome…" from said person. "And the last three of our little group are Eagle and our two leaders Cat and Wolf. All three of them are ANBU Captains. The highest rank. You can see it by our masks. They all have different colours." She pointed at every one, while going through the introductions- none of them had done more than nod curtly ( not even Naruto? Wow, seems like there's a first time for everything) then turned to Mrs. Weasley. "Could you tell us your names, please."

"What?…Oh, yes. I'm Molly Weasley, these are my sons Fred, George, and Ron. My daughter Ginny. My husband, Arthur, Hermione Granger, Sirius Black, Nymphadora Tonks, ("Don't call me Nymphadora!") Alastor Moody, and of course Harry Potter." As soon as Mrs. Weasley was finished Harry felt the guests glances rest on him heavily as they all had turned their attention to him simultaneously.

"What business do you have with Dumbledore?" George put in, but before any of them could answer, Moody spoke up again:

"They are hired guards. They will protect the school throughout the year."

Kakashi scowled behind his mask. He didn't like it, when details of his mission were just given away freely, but concluded that the brats would find out sooner or later. Therefore he just shrugged and sat down at the table, his comrades soon following. It appeared to be the cue for everyone else too, because not a minute later everyone was seated and waiting for dinner to be served. The wizards stole quick glances at the guards every now and then, but they were ignored as the ANBU discussed things among themselves for a while.

Harry realized then that this would be an awkward dinner…

End of chapter 2!

A/N: Poor wizarding world! Hogwarts will never be the same again!

Anyway. Seeing as I don't know much about ANBU ranks, I decided to come up with an own chain of command: Captain - Senior Lieutenant - Junior Lieutenant – Soldier - Recruit! If you know anything, please let me know.

As for their masks, I decided to make the ranks obvious by the colour of the swirls. From Captain to Recruit: Black – purple – red – green - no swirls at all. Sakura's mask however has crimson swirls, because she's a medic too.