Tsunade was awake when they entered the room, along with several medical ninja who were performing various tasks such as medical jutsu, writing down notes, and just keeping an eye on her.

It was easy to see why. Tsunade was deathly pale, lines of tiredness covered her face and she was shaking.

All-in-all, she was a total mess.

'…I thought I told you to keep everyone out until I recovered, Shizune. She lifted her head to see who was there, only to collapse back on the plain white and blue bed with a groan.

'Naruto is showing the same symptoms you have.' Shizune replied hurriedly.

Tsunade frowned, her eyes narrowed in thought. 'Odd, who would want to poison Naruto as well as me?'

'It's a poison?' Shikamaru spoke up, curious.

'Well, whatever it is, it's nothing I've seen before.' Tsunade murmured. 'Thankfully, it isn't contagious from what we've seen. Nobody else has displayed the symptoms, even people I came in contact with.'

'Indeed, we don't want an epidemic on our hands.' Shikamaru nodded his head. 'so you think it's a poison then, but if it is what do you and Naruto have in common, and where does this mystery poison come from. Not to mention how was it administered. Any idea how long it takes to start affecting you?'

'No… it could have been administered at any time as far as I know.' Tsunade's voice trailed off. 'Sorry I can't be of more help, I've been trying to recover myself, but whatever it is, it's resilient. Any healings gives only a temporary effect. The damage it deals is rather random too. It attacks pretty much any part of the body at random, which makes it odd that Naruto started with similar symptoms.' She gave a raspy cough. 'Perhaps there is a method behind the poison, disease, whatever it is, perhaps it's just a coincidence.'

'Do you have any idea what to do then, Hokage?' Shikamaru looked to her. 'we'll do whatever we can to get you two better again.'

'I-I'm afraid you're just going to have to trust me and the other medics.' She gave a weak chuckle. 'It'll be fine. Shizune, escort them out and Naruto to the hospital.

Shikamaru looked ready to argue, but found himself dragged out by Shizune.

But as soon as they were out of earshot, Shizune began to talk to them. 'I'm afraid it isn't looking good, if they could find something they would have by now. Honestly I'm not sure how much longer Tsunade, or Naruto for that matter can last if their state keeps getting worse.'

'There must be something we can do! Search the village for the poisoner perhaps.' Shikamaru trailed off, his mind already abuzz with ideas. There was no way he would let a member of his team die.

Shizune hesitated, Shikamaru quickly noticed and pressed on it 'You know something Shizune? Please tell me.'

'Well, Tsunade would hate this, but there is one possibility…'

'Yeah? What is it?'

'There is one medic who might be better then even Tsunade, who might be able to cure her…' She seemed hesitant to continue. '…Kabuto Yakushi.'

Shikamaru's eyes narrowed. 'That spy who worked for Orochimaru?'

'He is also an amazingly proficient medic with some unique abilities. If anyone knows how to cure this, odds are he does.'

'If he does, he might also be the one who poisoned them, or at least gave the poison to someone who did.'

'It's possible, yes.' She bit her lips. 'Look, Tsunade wouldn't allow a search party, other then the one we already have. But honestly I think we need more people on the search, we need to find him as fast as possible! So… unofficially, would you take a team to go help find him and extract a cure, or something along those lines, off him?'

'Of course!' Shikamaru was surprised she even bothered asking. 'How many people can I bring?'

'Well, currently we have available you of course, along with Lee, Tenten, Hinata, and Chouji. Trust me, Kabuto is dangerous, you need everyone you can bring. Unfortunately Neji, you're due for a mission with Kiba and Ino, and the more time before anyone knows you're all missing, the better.

'Bring… me… too…'

Neji had been silent the entire time, and now Naruto, currently slung in a fireman's carry, was speaking up.

'Naruto, you're too sick to join them, you would just slow them down.' Shizune said firmly. 'You need to rest and try to get cured.'

'No… we might need him.' Seeing Shizune's expression Shikamaru quickly continued. 'Look, Kabuto might give us the slip, but if we can at least get a hold of a cure or something, we can test it on Naruto first.'

This didn't exactly relieve Shizune, and Shikamaru wasn't particularly fond of dragging Naruto along to be used as a guinea big either. But they had little choice. They would be careful, but it was the best they could do. Besides, it could be for the better. Naruto might get the cure earlier, which could be vital. Of course, that made it feel wrong to leave Tsunade here… But really, either way presented problems. Shikamaru deemed the risk worth it for Naruto, the tailed beast within him wouldn't want him to die, after all.

It was, Shikamaru thought bitterly, such thoughts that had gotten him promoted so quickly. He didn't enjoy it. But make no mistake, he would do anything in his power to make sure Naruto lived.

'Anyway, I better round up the team…'

Nobody could come into the Hidden Leaf Village without Danzo knowing about it.

He had the place wired inside and out, Root members gathering information on the current happenings, watchers seeing who came in and out of the village. He may not be the Hokage, but he knew more about the village then she ever would.

And now, he heard that a sickly Jinchuriki had returned to the village, and then left with a large escort.

Without a second thought he had ordered the boy to be watched at all times in the village. This could be the time, he thought to himself, the chance to fit a collar on the monster.

Of course, he had to be careful. Odds are others would be watching him too.

Yes… with the Hokage and the Jinchuriki sick, now was the time to act, most likely not just him. He could become Hokage and have a powerful weapon at his disposal in one fell swoop.

Of course, first he had to make sure the general public knew the Hokage was sick. Not the Jinchuriki though, other villages may see the weakness of their greatest weapon as an excuse to invade.

Danzo beckoned with his good arm. Immediately a Root member was next to him. 'I want you to start a rumour among the population that the Hokage is sick and wasting away. Make sure it can't be traced back to us.'

And with that, the member vanished.

Now for the matter of the Jinchuriki. He beckoned with his good arm again, another Root member stood before him. 'Get Strin, Nairu, and Joseph to go capture the Kyuubi, make sure nobody traces it back to us one way or another.'

Once again that member left Danzo's sight, but this time he wasn't alone.

'Sir, I couldn't help but hear you're going after the Kyuubi.' The deep voice behind him warranted not a glance, Danzo knew who it was. 'I can't help but feel… neglected, I do wish to go after him as well. After all, his spirit has always interested me. The destruction it caused, the terror in people's hearts.' He sounded ecstatic at the very thought.

Danzo sighed, an uncommon occurrence. 'I'm sure you would go no matter what the cost. You have my permission, but remember, bring him back ALIVE Deimos.'

A chuckle. 'Oh, don't you worry. I'll let him live, he'll probably be more fun then even Itachi!'

Finally, Danzo was truly alone. And so he began further plotting and scheming, what to do after in case of success, or failure.

It never hurt to be prepared, and it was for the good of the village.