Hey there! I'm back with another chapter!

Oh by the way, Freowin...I can't believe you actually read this! I can't help but wonder if you've read Part I. I also just have to say, you were partly the inspiration to writing a NarutoxKarin fanfiction in the first place! To know that you've read this made me freak out like crazy man. Much thanks.

Anyway.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto!

Chapter 4: Rising Tension

Karin ran her eyes through the report with a cold chill running through her body. This had Sasuke written all over it, but Naruto and the rest of the guard didn't agree. What pirate would blatantly attack a convoy of Kirigakure warships and sink half of them, taking a flagship to the bottom of the ocean as well, and kill a Kirigakure politician in the process? It seemed that Sasuke was continually working against Tobi's interests and working more towards his own, which at the moment, undefined and unknown.

The redhead slammed the report down onto the desk in front of her and took a deep breath. She picked up another report, a dispatch from Konoha saying that Koharu had gotten sick and had to be admitted into the hospital for better care; leaving Naruto with a shinobi that was going to be about ten days late, two old-timers who were probably going to say something ignorant or completely arrogant and anger someone else. And then he was going to be stuck with a lava-maiden from Iwa, whom of which was best known for melting people more often that the Mizukage does.

Karin shook her head and slid the sheet of paper from her hands and onto the desk. She lifted her coffee mug to her mouth, slowly taking sips as she leaned her butt onto the side. She was bored and after approving some of the paperwork that Naruto should have already done, she was left with nothing to do. Neji and Shikamaru were off asleep in their rooms of the palace, and Naruto was too busy, still being asleep with Shizuka.

Karin looked away as she set the coffee mug onto the desk. She walked over to Naruto's side of the table and quickly plopped into the cushioned swivel chair, immediately bouncing up and down. She laughed for a bit and quickly fixed her glasses and hair and began to reread everything on the desk, more importantly, trying to make sure that she didn't fuck up on sorting the papers. Many of these sheets were troop movements requiring approval from Naruto, Neji or Shikamaru, or even herself. If any of those papers were to get into the wrong hands, or even destroyed, things would get pretty hectic for the alliance, and to top it off, it would be held against her.

She shivered suddenly, thoughts of getting thrown into jail again ran through her thoughts. If something like that were to happen, she knew that she wouldn't be able to bail herself out of it like the first time. If anything, the first time was just pure luck. Who knew that Naruto would come and see her, and if she remembered it correctly, the boy didn't even know that they were gonna call him. She took a deep breath, wanting to force the thoughts from her raging head. Her breath was ragged but she managed to calm down well enough.

She pushed aside the sheets of paper finding one at the bottom of the stack. It looked torn and burned even. She was confused and quickly took the piece of paper and read the content; second by second feeling a something within. She shivered, this time it was with good reason. Her crimson eyes ran back and forth with bullets of sweat starting to slip down her brow. Her breath hitched. Something was wrong. Something wasn't going as planned. Karin turned the piece of paper over only to find more words which quickly turned into threats.

She slammed the sheet down, already stressed out of her mind. She stood from the swivel chair and bellowed. Suddenly, the door shot open to reveal a young ANBU kunoichi standing at the ready, visibly shaking with excitement apparently. She had a porcelain mask in the shape of a boar with body armor holding her well-endowed chest hidden. The shoulder-pads and thigh guards clearly showed she was from Konoha. The girl had long-black hair and had curves that Karin surly wished she had. Karin took a deep breath and handed the sheet of paper to the ANBU, folded and marked with an ink seal.

"ANBU." Karin said with a frown. "Wake the Shuryō. He needs to read this, and I know that this doesn't have to be said, but this message is for the Shuryō's eyes only."

"Understood." The ANBU bowed and walked from the door shutting it quietly.

That girl sounded familiar. Karin thought to herself. Nevermind, it's probably just my imagination. I'm just so stressed. This job is killing me, and when the hell are these damned cabinet members going to get to the fucking city?! I need to relax. I am getting too worked up over nonsense; nonsense that should be on the shoulders of the actual Shuryō, no me. I need a break, and it's only the first week on the job.

Karin headed over to the left of the office to find a small personal bar with whiskey, vodka, sake and tea, all waiting to be ingested. She smiled in relief when the tea pot released a steady stream of what smelled like oolong tea. The hot, steamy tea splashed in the small tea cup bringing an aura of relaxation. Karin brought the small tea cup to her mouth, blowing on it to calm its temperature and placed her small lips against the edge of the cup. The tea, warm and tangy, slid down her mouth and into her throat, slowly soothing her aching body.

She sighed in relief, carrying the cup with her towards the Shuryō desk. Now, calmed and with a loosened muscles, she smirked and began to stamp papers with her approval. All that remained was for Naruto to approve of the papers himself. Things were still complicated and it pissed her off, but with oolong tea, she was as calm as could be. She stamped away, letting the time go by, waiting for her leader to appear.

Just before the girl thought she was going crazy, the door opened to reveal Shikamaru, Neji and Naruto, all three covered in sweat and missing shirts, but with shirts in the bags hanging by a strap. Karin's face went up in heat when she realized that despite Shika's laziness, he was actually quite muscled. Neji had a great body with very impressive pectorals, and of course Naruto. Karin's mouth went dry, almost completely forgetting how Naruto looked without a shirt on. Her crimson eyes trailed up and down Naruto's scarred and muscled body, only for her eyes to lock onto the eight-pronged seal on his bare abdominal.

"So you three decided that training early in the morning was ok, and leaving me to do all of this work?" Karin asked with a feigned look of hurt. "I am clearly offended."

Neji and Shikamaru scoffed and waved her off with smiles of their own and quickly walked over to the bar for some sake while Naruto walked over to Karin and wrapped his sweaty arms around Karin's body, drenching her with his sweat. The redhead squealed out and slapped Naruto, trying to get him off of her, but the girl was suddenly picked up and dropped on the rather comfortable couch against the right wall of the office, allowing Naruto to plop into his own seat.

Karin gave him a look, but the door opened revealing the ANBU from before, visibly distressed only to freeze and show that she was clearly flustered. The four shinobi stared at the ANBU for a good ten minutes before the girl decided to do anything. She rushed forward, keeping her head down, almost as if she was embarrassed about something and tossed the paper onto Naruto's desk, vacating the room as quickly as possible. The door slammed shut, leaving the four young adults to ponder what just happened. Whatever it was, Naruto was glad the girl decided to show up and hand him the report.

"I sent that girl to find you and wake you." Karin sighed. "Clearly, you weren't asleep, or anywhere to be found."

"Heheh, yeah, I've been awake since four in the morning training." Naruto replied, only to get a pillow thrown at him via Karin.

"W-What was that for?!" Naruto asked, completely surprised by the sudden attack. Neji and Shikamaru were laughing quietly while downing their drinks.

"You didn't even come into the office!?" Karin shouted, not even trying to hide her anger. "I've been in the office since I woke up at six! I've been doing the work you forgot to finish, baka!"

"O-Oh…yeah…" Naruto at least had the decency to look embarrassed. "I'm sorry Karin!"

"You'd better-"

"Naruto-sama." A voice sounded from the door.

"Who is it?" Naruto asked.

"Daisuke Yamauchi, General of the Fifth Army." The voice replied.

"Oh! Enter!" Naruto said, quickly slipping on his shirt and jounin vest.

The door swung open revealing a battle-scarred man with one white eye and another chocolate brown. His hair was a deep black with a few white strands of hair going from his hair line and out into his warrior pony-tail. He wore a full body, lamellar styled samurai armor, unlike the ones used by the Land of Iron samurai, which consisted of full plate that could channel chakra. This man was well known and even helped train Naruto with kenjutsu during the ten month reprise after the ceasefire of the October-war. Behind the large man was two of his best fighters, both were in the same armor style and wore full-head kabuto helmets along with battle-masks.

Around their waists was a thick blood-red rope, tied tightly, but still with enough room to hold two katanas at their sides, along with a naginata spear on their back. Speaking of their backs, they carried the banners of the Shinobi Alliance, the kanji for Shinobi. Funny thing was; the name Shinobi Alliance was starting to no longer be a valid name for the Alliance. With borders starting to disappear and smaller nations getting annexed evenly into the larger nations thanks to some well thought out decisions on Shikamaru's part, the Alliance was just now being called an Alliance.

"How can I help you, Daisuke?" Naruto asked, resting his hands on the desk in front of him.

"Naruto-sama." He bowed. "We have received a report from our patrols near the Land of Waterfalls."

"What is it?" Naruto was confused and opened the scroll.

"Son of a bitch." Naruto sighed and handed the scroll to Shikamaru. "Close the door."

With the door shut cleanly, with little noise, Naruto looked to Karin and the two Uzumaki sped through hand seals and slammed their hands onto the floor, spreading silencing seals all over the room. Once the seals were in place and locked away, Naruto looked to Shikamaru awaiting his wisdom. Neji ran his eyes along the lines and looked deep in thought as was the general. Shikamaru glared at the scroll and rolled it up, handing the scroll to the general.

"Things are only going to get worse from here on out if that report is true." Shikamaru sighed. "How reliable is the source?"

"Extremely reliable, Shikamaru-sama." Daisuke nodded. "They're my best scouts. I had received rumors of Akatsuki buildup in that area, along with the dead country of the mainland. They were rumors at first so we didn't report anything. But now we've received reports of soldiers patrolling the borders of both countries and even unmarked shinobi jumping through the trees. I didn't believe it at first, and neither did the other generals, so we didn't say a thing until more reports flowed into our offices. Slowly but surely, our scouts and some shinobi spies, infiltrated the countries and reported back with whole cities and fields dedicated to the Akatsuki military."

Naruto scratched his chin as the general continued. The Shuryō shook his head and stood from his seat and motioned for the general to continue. His back was to the samurai with his sapphire blue eyes watching the ocean breeze by. The general had just said that there were at least fifty known Akatsuki military bases and an undefined amount that still had to be found. The general snapped his fingers getting Naruto's attention only to find a strange arrow placed onto his desk. Naruto's interest was piqued and he quickly placed all of his attention on the weapon.

While the arrow shaft was quite normal, oak, the arrowhead was what caught his attention, along with the feathers used. He examined each part of the arrow and nearly collapsed into his swivel chair when he realized where it came from. He almost slapped himself across the face for not noticing it sooner. The arrow head was shaped like a sharpened snowflake. Commonly used by samurai or some skilled shinobi of Yuki no Kuni; a place he hasn't been to since he was a child. But why was this arrow here?

"This is from another patrol." Daisuke said. "Fourth Army had a patrol in northwestern Kaminari no Kuni and was ambushed by unmarked shinobi and unmarked samurai from. Fifteen were killed with twice that wounded with a one hundred percent casualty rate. It's the worst attack on Alliance forces since the October-war. Arrows like these were pulled from the backs and sides of the samurai and shinobi of that patrol. This can only mean one thing; Yuki no Kuni is growing stronger and stronger with their technological advancements and is starting to challenge the Alliance-"

"Not plausible." Neji interjected. "Yuki no Kuni, if I'm not mistaken is being ruled by Koyuki Kazahana, a peace advocate and managed to cut down on her military as best as she could. Sure she has advanced technologies, but under her leadership, she used the technology for peaceful measures such as transportation as the main usage of her nation's technology. It's improbable-"

"Anything is possible." Daisuke interrupted. "With all due respect Neji-sama, but even with a seemingly peace-loving leader, there's always a military that's in need of improving, therefore, leading to more usage of weapons and rise for better technology. Especially if it's a small nation like Yuki no Kuni, and smart like Yuki no Kuni, they'll need all the help they can get if they're to compete with any of the larger nations."

"Not only that…" Shikamaru suddenly spoke. "Last I checked, Yuki no Kuni isn't even a part of the Alliance, which could mean anything if this unprovoked attack was no lie. Not that I doubt you Daisuke-dono, but if Yuki no Kuni is gearing for a war, wouldn't they attack a more important, high-end target like a politician, or a General. I think there's something else going on if Yuki no Kuni is involved. I propose that we send a dignitary over there to have some peace talks and probably even have some technology at our side if we bring them into the fold of the Alliance."

Naruto nodded at Shikamaru and nearly jumped up and down in excitement. He was so damn tired and exhausted with having to sit in a chair all day without any chance to get any action done. The possibilities of leaving his wretched torture room brought a smile to his face. Already his heart was racing at the thoughts of getting to travel again just like before the war. Back when he was just a lowly genin. He slammed his fist onto the table and picked the arrow up from the desk and starred at the device, pretending that he was indeed, giving the weapon a deep inspection, when really he was too busy thinking of ways to convince them of letting him go without a fight.

"Ok." Naruto sighed as he placed the arrow back onto his desk. "I believe it's settled."

"What's settled pray-tell?" Karin asked.

"I'm going to Yuki no Kuni to speak to Koyuki-dono in person." Naruto beamed.

"No you're not mister." Karin glared. "You haven't been in this city for more than a week. You also have a family to take care of too, remember?"

"I'm inclined to agree with Karin." Shikamaru sighed. "As your advisors, it is our jobs to advise. I advise that you wait for a while before taking off and leaving the city too soon, especially now that the Alliance is now at the strongest it's ever been. You're needed here and now."

"Funny thing about advice." Naruto laughed sheepishly. "I never did listen to advice well."

"I knew you were gonna say something like that." Shikamaru sighed in despair. "What will we do about the Taki no Kuni deal? It seems that something will need to be done about the two different fronts."

"Agreed." Naruto smirked. "Neji, how would you like to join General Yamauchi to the border Taki no Kuni for some reconnaissance?"

"Given the circumstances." Neji sighed. "I guess I have no choice but to accept. I'll get packed by noon and leave by mid-afternoon."

The Hyuuga bowed respectfully and headed from the office towards his room on the western wing of the castle. Daisuke realized that the meeting was over and bowed respectfully to the three remaining in the office and left the room with little sound in his step, bringing silence back into the office. Naruto was silent and kept watch on the clock and his two friends. Shikamaru wiped his hand across his face, bored out of his mind as the door shut, leaving the three in complete silence.

"Alright. Karin." Naruto smiled softly. "You're in charge while I'm away in Yuki no Kuni. Please, I trust that you'll do well, and please make sure that Shika will wake up on time. I know he won't. And also please befriend Shizuka and Kohaku."

Karin's face fell. I knew he'd say something.

"Talk with them and have some sort of friendship at least." Naruto smiled. "It would mean a lot to me if you two became good friends, after all, you're the godmother to my daughter. Kohaku will love you unconditionally if you open up to her. Promise?"

"Yeah, yeah, I promise." Karin sighed. "When will you leave Naruto?"

"I'm gonna go piss real quick." Shikamaru sighed not wanting to be anywhere near their sappiness. "And probably watch…clouds or something."

Naruto and Karin watched the Nara leave the office and shut the door behind him as he left, leaving the two Uzumaki alone to talk. Naruto ran a hand through his blond hair and gave Karin a small sigh followed by a smirk. A smirk that Karin knew she was going to miss. Karin backed away and leaned against the window sill, looking away towards the city streets with a look of distress.

"I'll probably leave tonight if I get everything together soon enough." Naruto said. "I'm not intending to use Kurama's power just yet. I don't want the Akatsuki to know that I've made a move. I especially don't want Sasuke knowing that I've made a move. He might get it into his head that Edo is weak and he might even try to attack the city while I'm away."

"How's your hiraishin?" Karin asked curiously.

"Shit." Naruto replied. "I can barely go thirty meters without having to use hand seals, and even then, I miss the kunai by almost six feet and at the most almost a mile. I can't control myself going at that speed yet, so it will be of paramount importance to keep this move a secret. No one can know that I've left."

"Understood Naruto." Karin sighed.

An awkward silence flowed between the two of them. Karin looked away, already, her heart was racing. She just hoped that she wasn't the only one with some feelings left over. Suddenly though, Naruto's rough, battle-hardened fingers were wrapped underneath her chin and moved her to look at him. Karin's breath hitched softly as her crimson eyes widened with surprise. Naruto leaned forward and planted a soft kiss on her forehead.

"Be safe Karin." Naruto gave her a foxy smile.

"S-So should y-you." Karin replied, knowing full-well that Naruto didn't feel anything from the kiss. "Just don't say anything stupid and piss someone important off, like you normally would."

"Heh, I'll try to!" Naruto smirked and ran off through the hall leaving Karin once again in the office to look after the paperwork.

The redhead ran a hand through her unkempt half and let out a roar, akin to a lion. She plopped into the swivel chair and slammed her bare forehead against the mahogany surface, rife with anger. Her breaths were ragged and her hands were shaking. She removed the metal rimmed glasses from her blushed face and released a gasp. What just happened was too much and quite frankly it caught her off guard. Karin kept her head pressed hard against the mahogany surface, not ready to show her face. She clenched her fists and slowly rose from the desk with a new look on her face. Despite her feelings for the blond Shuryō, she wasn't about to let him down.

"Tensions are rising." Karin stated absentmindedly. "And it's only going to get worse and worse. I need to step up my game and start helping this Alliance even more."

"Good god…" Karin took a deep breath. "What if the war starts again…?"

Elsewhere…

Trees blocked much of the island from the light of the sun. With the village below, reduced to only a few buildings left and the rest to rubble, there wasn't much action on the island. People's bodies were piled up and dumped into the ocean to feed the bloodthirsty sharks that have suddenly become accustomed to human flesh. Mourning families walked back and forth through the destruction, trying to find their deceased loved ones while at the same time trying to hide from the oppressive regime.

Walking through the thick foliage of the forest and jungle hybrid, the land began to elevate, until, slowly but surely, the earth extended high into the air as three different hills with a massive palace on top of the central hill. Bridges were made leading from the central palace to two other palaces on either side. The common image of the three palaces though was the massive banners bearing a single sigil; the clan sigil of the Uchiha.

Things were chaotic in Nadeshiko as women were thrown left and right, used and used. But in the palace, sitting upon a throne made from many weapons melted down into a seat, Uchiha Sasuke can be found, wallowing in darkness, alone. His hair fell down, covering his face while his forces ravaged the land around him, without order or even a decent command structure. Suigetsu and Juugo were standing guard watching the doorway to the throne room, making sure that no one could disturb their friend. Sasuke was glaring at everything in front of him.

His right hand rested against his cheek. He was pissed about something; it seemed that Suigetsu and Juugo didn't even care enough to find out why he was pissed anymore. Suddenly though, the two good friends of the Uchiha were ordered to leave. It was the first time the boy spoke since the girl Shizuka had escaped from the village. Something about Sasuke was having them worried. But knowing better than to go against the Uchiha's orders, they left the throne room as soon as possible, leaving the sulking Uchiha to himself.

Once the two were gone, Sasuke sat up in his seat and pushed his bangs from his face, revealing dark eye bags beneath his puffy eyes. His eternal Mangekyō sharingan was active, and strangely, watery, salty tears were falling down his face. His face was emotionless and his glare was gone, leaving nothing the face of someone truly hurt. He laid his head against the headrest of the throne, sighing with shaky breath. His hands gripped the armrests tightly, nearly breaking the rest completely.

But before he could continue crying, his tears were replaced with blood. Sasuke growled as a statue was caught on Amaterasu flame. He gritted his teeth as he started to break down. He hyperventilated slightly as his body began to ache slightly. Shutting his eyes, Sasuke let the blood fall and mix with his tears. His chest was pounding with pain as memories of a certain woman began to flow through his damaged mind. Sasuke knew he was in pain, and he knew that there was a hole in his heart that he couldn't fill without that certain woman. He was broken and he knew it, but one thing was for certain; he couldn't let anyone else know, or else, they could exploit that from him.

Ever since the Land of Iron, he missed her; ever since he realized his mistake; ever since he spoke with Itachi. He knew that he should have never treated her like that. It was all his fault and he reveled in his regret. While never being one to feel bad about his choices, Sasuke really felt it this time. The fact that he let her slip through his grasp was something that baffled him. He didn't know what it was that was about her, but it made his mind go crazy. Was it that she was his first time? Was it because she loved him unconditionally?

He shook his head as his knuckles cracked. He gripped the armrests, crushing parts of it. He gritted his teeth as his rage started to grow. Sasuke growled menacingly and let out a deafening roar. Despite having difficulty in getting spies into the nations aligned with the Alliance, Sasuke was able to get the message that a certain blond had already taken and claimed his woman. The Uchiha was vilified by the notion. Vilified? Sasuke thought to himself with a spiteful laugh leaving his lips. I'm fucking disgusted.

"Karin…" Sasuke whispered. He held his chest as his heart beat painfully at the mention of her name. "I'm sorry…for everything I've done to you…"

"Well, well, well. Isn't this just sweet?" A voice appeared from behind the Uchiha.

Sasuke shot from the throne and landed in the center of the room with his kusanagi drawn. His sharingan was bright and blaring revealing that there was indeed another person in front of him, but it was strange that he couldn't see the chakra flow of the intruder correctly. Everything looked like a disgusting blotch of an ominous purple and black flowing off of her like his former curse mark. Sasuke narrowed his eyes at the intruder.

"Who are you?" Sasuke narrowed his eyes.

"Katon: Gokakyuu no jutsu!" The voice sounded.

Sasuke didn't move an inch. The voice sounded like it was coming from all directions, almost like there were duplicates. The Uchiha glared and barred his teeth, gripping the sword tighter than before, recognizing that there was only one person on the planet that could make shadow clones that can use jutsu without dispelling. He growled and channeled raiton chakra into his sword, covering him in a terrifying light-blue light.

The fireballs exploded around him, but strangely enough, the flames merely spread around him in a circle, almost binding him. If only he knew. Black seals shot from the flames and surrounded Sasuke holding him in place like shackles. His kusanagi fell from his hand, ending the chakra flow, leaving him to be illuminated in the orange hue coming from the orange flames. Sasuke was brought to his knees and forced to bow his head down to his attacker.

"It doesn't matter who I am." The voice said with a feminine tone.

"Who are you?" Sasuke asked once again, this time with more mirth, forcing himself to look at his attacker. It was clearly a woman. She had large breasts and wore armor representing ANBU armor from Konoha, but she was clearly not from Konoha. Her hair was a deep black with the lower part of her face visible while the upper half was covered with a mask resembling a boar. A sickening smirk on her face was formed, revealing pearl white teeth which quickly surprised Sasuke.

The woman smiled this time, a genuine smile and reached behind her head and began to mess with the straps, loosening her mask. Sasuke held his breath, curious as to whom this woman was. The mask fell from the woman's face and echoed on the granite floor. She stared at the slack jawed Uchiha and nearly burst into laughter. The smile never leaving her face as Sasuke finally came to from his surprise.

"I-It can't be!" Sasuke said as his body ran cold. "You're supposed to be dead!"

Who do you think the mysterious woman is? And how do you feel about the other side of Mr. Sasuke Uchiha?

Ja ne!

gottahavekyuubi