Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
Naruto dressed that morning. After being held overnight, he was being released. He needed to get back to training, and there was also the idea of Shikamaru's plan to rescue Gaara. The Kazekage was missing, but Naruto knew that his friend probably had some sort of plan in the works.
There was a knock on his door. He pulled his shirt on, and found Hinata standing in the hallway. She was being released too, and grinned happily at him, "How are you feeling, Naruto-kun?"
"Better than ever," he replied, "I always hate hospitals."
"You've spent a lot of time in here," Hinata had a worried look on her face.
"No biggie. We're ninjas, and that's what happens."
"Shikamaru is holding a meeting, and wants us to be there."
Hinata felt a certain amount of pride that she got to sit next to Naruto for the meeting. She exchanged looks with Shino and Kiba, and knew they would always be her dearest, closest friends. They nodded back at her, and she knew that they would always stand by her and support her no matter what. Over the years, they had been through so much, and it they had grown from a team of two boys who were two alpha males in the making with one timid girl, so one of the strongest shinobi teams ever to come out of the Academy.
Her entire class was known for that right.
Choji, Ino, and Shikamaru, who still went on missions together. Shikamaru was the head of the Acadmey now, but he was known for working with the ANBU and other special forces squads because of his talent with strategy. Even the Jounin in the village had worked with him long before he was promote to their ranks. He also acted as the ambassador between Konoha and Suna, since he had such close ties with the Suna siblings.
Ino and Choji were married.
Married.
It was still strange to think about it. They were married and had three children, all of whom called Shikamaru 'uncle'. Ino trained medical nins for triage on battlefields, and Choji was assigned watch over security for the village, which kept him busy. He was no longer fat, and Ino was definitely not the airhead that everyone used to think.
Neji was ANBU now, was it was starting to look like he would become the eventual leader of the group entirely. He was intelligent, highly skilled, and ran a tight ship. Despite all of this, he was still friendly, kind, and always quick to lend a hand. Hinata appreciated this, since he had become a very close friend to her. They were cousins, and they trained together, and she owned him a lot. In the past, he had lent his ears to her when she needed someone to listen. Now, he gave her a soft smile, and his head motioned to Naruto beside her. His smile turned into a smirk.
She blushed, and knew that he never missed a thing.
Tenten was the weapons master in the village, and she trained all shinobi forces in how to use them. She also worked with the science branch and war office in the manufacturing and testing of new weapons. It was a difficult job, but she enjoyed it, and everyone respected her for being the one to test the new inventions. So far, there hadn't been any accidents, but Tenten was a professional weapons master. She always said that she was too good that that, and she really was.
Rock Lee was the only person in the group that lead a team of three genin. The moment he had been promote to Jounin, Tsunade had asked him point-blank to lead a team. He had agreed whole-heartedly, and no one was surprised that he was so good at it. He still continued to train, and go on the occasional mission with Tenten and Neji when Tsunade ordered them, but most of his days were spent on missions with his team and training for the Chunin Exams.
Hinata glanced over at Sakura and Sasuke, who were standing close to Naruto. Sasuke was the newest addition to the Konoha Eleven team. He was only wearing his dark gi robes instead of a uniform, since he was no longer a shinobi. Sakura seemed to be trying her best to ignore him, which was interesting in itself.
"Alright," Shikamaru stood in front of them, "I'll bet you're wondering why I've called you all here."
There was silence in the room.
They were in a classroom at the Academy. Since they were trying to find a room that no one would notice them in, headquarters was vetoed. Sasuke would attract too much attention, and everyone would want to know why they were all meeting. Shikamaru had concluded that the school was best, because students were out at the end of the day, as school was evil and no one wanted to stay after hours.
It was a sound conclusion, as the building was completely empty.
"Tsunade-sama has give us a special mission," he said, "We are to be the main front of the effort to retrieve the Kazekage. We have reports from Sunakagure that Gaara boarded the boat at Suna, and that it was bound for Kirigakure. Kiri has reported that they have no knowledge of such an exchange, and the ship was not listed on any known roster."
"How is it possible that a village with as powerful of an intelligence department screw that one up?" Kiba blurted out.
"Kiri believes that the group responsible is the Kaguya Clan," Shikamaru said, "An old clan that originated from Kiri, that was thought to be extinct."
"Kaguya," Lee frowned, "That sounds familiar."
"It should. You found one of its members," Shikamaru replied, "Kimimaro."
Lee instantly looked surprised. That was one fight he had never forgotten, or the fact that without sheer luck, Kimimaro would have probably killed him.
"Kimimaro was thought to be the last member, but it seems that some survived the masscre. They were killed off when they tried to attack the village, since their clan revolves mostly around war and strength. Despite their history, they are known for being rather cunning and difficult to beat. It was mostly because of their lack of numbers that their assult of Kiri failed," he continued, "Kiri believes that there are only a few members left, but that they may be descendents of people who married into prominent familes in their village. Prominent familes who possess a lot of resources, and a grudge against Kirigakure for its alliance with the Five Nations. Many of the old members still believe that they deserve to rule the nations, and they want to awaken the years of the Bloody Mist."
There was an awkward silence in the room.
"Since Tsuande-sama has announced that she will retire at the end of this year and appoint a new candidate for the position of Hokage, it's likely that if anyone would want to attack Konoha, this would an a good time. Tsunade-sama doesn't necessarily want the enemy forces to know that we are preparing to counter them, nor does she want to alarm the village about the problem."
Naruto snorted, "So, it falls on us."
"It falls on us," Shikamaru glared, "To protect the village. When our guests arraive tomorrow, I will be dividing you all into groups in order to give us the best advantage, and we need to be able to more closely observe the complex by Uzu without be detected. We will also need a team to stick to the perimeter of the village, and one that will be stationed in Konoha itself."
"Guests?" Sakura asked.
"Matsuri and Temari will be coming here to aid us. Kankuro is staying in Suna to fill in, and also to manage the retrieval opperations for their end. We will need a plan to get Gaara out," Shikamaru sighed, "It will be difficult. Tsunade-sama and I have agreed that it dangerous to take him into Konoha, for both sides."
There was chatter in the room as everyone seemed to disagree. Naruto frowned, "You think that someone will sneak into the village and kill him."
That killed the sound.
"They were able to sneak past the borders once, so we aren't taking any chances. We need a way to free Gaara, and to hide him temporarily while Suna sends reinforcements to pick him up. We'll send a team to the Uzu complex, and one person will get him out."
"One?" Naruto gapped, "Don't you think that's a little foolish?"
"One person will only know where he is," he said, "Matsuri-san will be going into the complex alone. I disagree with the plan, but..." he sighed, "I know you all disagree, but we can make this work if we follow the plan."
There was more silence as everyone exchanged looks. It was not surprising when Naruto was the first to answer.
"Hell, Shikamaru, we've followed all your plans before. We trust you."
Hinata smiled at the man beside her, and knew that what he had said was the truth.
"Ah!" Naruto followed his arms behind his head, "It feels like old times being partnered up with everyone!"
Hinata smiled, "It should be fun," then her smile slipped, "You know, Naruto-kun, that I probably will be sent with a different team. The Byakugan is better served with undercover long-range."
"I know," he said. They stopped in front of her house. They had both been released that morning, and he had volunteered to walk her home. Part of him did it to be polite, and the other because he simply wasn't able to leave her yet, "If that happens, promise me you'll be careful."
She nodded, "I promise if you will."
The gate to Hyuuga House was like some sort of looming figure over him. It made him nervous, "Well, good-night, Hinata. Thank you again, for everything that you did for me. Without you, I don't really want to know what would have happened."
Hinata stared at him for a moment, and then said, "I'm sorry, Naruto-kun."
"What for?"
She looked at the ground, "Shikamaru mentioned the Hokage candidates, the ones picked out by the council."
Naruto shrugged, "They are pretty qualified. Strong shinobi will good convictions and ties to the village."
"I'm sorry that you weren't on the list," she said, "It made me so angry. You should have been on it," she gritted her teeth, "You've worked so hard and you deserve it! Those stupid village elders just look at you and see-"
"A stupid monster."
She fell silent. Tears burned in the corners of her eyes.
"I know what they think, Hinata," he said, a smile on his face. It was a sad one. "I was expecting it. They see the Nine-Tails when they see me, and they see that I'm getting closer to Kurama every day. I've even-" he chuckled, "Found myself talking to him occasionally. They probably all think I'm crazy."
"I think it's ridiculous, we all do," Hinata told him, "Everyone in the village respects you. You've-"
"Drop it, Hinata."
She sighed. He was stubborn when it came to something he wanted.
"Alright, then," she said, "But no matter what happens, I'll always be by your side, Naruto-kun."
He stared at her for a moment, and in that moment, started to loose his nervousness from standing in front of her house.
Stepping forward, he wrapped his arms around her.
Hinata gasped, and then buried her face into his shoulder, her arms around his back. At some point, he had grown up. He was tall, and smelled like the forest and the wind. She smiled at the thought, and at the fact that he turned his face in her long hair.
"I could get used to think, you know," he said, "Seeing you every day."
She smiled. She was already used to it. Even if she saw him of every second of every day, that wouldn't be enough.
"Someday, Hinata," he said, "We should talk about that time. The time that you fought Pain."
She felt her cheeks burn, "N-Naruto-"
He kissed her lips quickly, then pecked her forehead, "Good night, Hinata."
Naruto released her, and set off back down the street. She stood in the road until he disappeared, and wished that she understand what he had meant. Did he want to know if she meant what she said back then? If he asked, what would she say?
She would never have the heart to lie.
Takashi took a walk.
Damn the Kazekage. He had passed out again and still hadn't said a word. The stupid man was stubborn, which was a problem. Takashi didn't necessarily want to kill him, only get him to talk and then take advantage of his abilities. Neither of these things he could do if the Kazekage croaked on him.
He had a veil of blood in his hand. His main researcher was probably aching for it now, considering the experiments were close to complete. There were only a few additions that needed to be made.
Satoshi was a cunning, smart bastard. One of the main reasons Takashi had took him on as an alley was that Satoshi would have made a troublesome enemy to have. Making his way into the lab, he passed by the glass window that offered a view of the surgical room. Tayuya had been an test subject at first, but unlike the many others before him, was the first success. They still didn't know how Tayuya ended up handling the surgeries, but it was a big step.
The blood in his hand would be the finishing touch.
"Is that what I think it is?"
Takashi grinned at the man in the white coat. Taking the veil like it was a precious gem, Satoshi grinned, tipping it under the light to see the sand inside.
"Excellent," he said, "I still wonder how the scientists were able to combine these elements. Sand and blood aren't meant to mix, but that man violates every rule in nature."
"When do you think the experiment will be complete?"
Satoshi thought a moment, "Four days. It will take that long to complete the surgery, and then to see if Tayuya will survive. If he does," he then grinned, "He will be our strongest asset. I'll be able to synthesize a drug from his blood and distribute it among the soldiers. They will all have his abilities then."
Konoha was still in debate over the Chakra acid. That was small potatoes considering what the real goal was, and if Satoshi could manage to replicate the powers from the demon animals, they would have a real boon on their hands. The sand abilities of Gaara of the Desert marked that their list of requirements was almost over. There were only a few more samples that they needed.
The Byakugan and the Sharingan.
A sample of each would finish the list. Then every soldier in the army would possess the abilities of all Konoha's top families. He would have the most powerful army in the world. Everyone thought that the war with Madara had been difficult? They only had to contend with the individuals with their respective abilities. Now, they would be facing a person with the abilities of everyone .
Not to mention his entire army would soon have those abilities as well.
Takashi smiled to himself as Satoshi took the veil and disappeared into the surgical room. Tayuya lay in the bed, medical paper covering his eyes, his chest, wrapping around him like a mummy. It was meant to keep him unconscious, unknowing about what they were doing, which was something that Tayuya had requested himself.
Satoshi attached the veil to the IV line, and injected the blood.
Takashi smiled against to himself, and went in search of tea.
Naruto sat in Ichiraku, staring at the bowl of ramen in front of him.
For once in his life, he didn't feel like eating it.
"You've been staring at it for ten minutes now."
Iruka sat beside him, taking a sip of tea, and ordered dinner for himself.
Naruto said nothing.
"It's foolish, you know," Iruka continued, "You should have been on that list. After everything you've done, and you're parents-"
"I don't want to be Hokage because of my parents."
"I know that," his old teacher scoffed, "You're stronger than Minato was."
Naruto sighed. So what if he could replicate every single of his father's moves now? So what if he was probably the strongest nin in the village? Even if he went around calling himself Naruto Namikaze, that still wouldn't make the council respect him.
"Tsuande-sama is livid, you know. She's been rooting for you all along."
His relationship with Tsuande was always tenuous. He thought of her like his grandma, or like some sort of eccentric aunt. She was really the only living person left that could probably be considered true family, even if they didn't get along well. When he was younger, he had blamed her for Jiraiya's death, which hadn't really been fair. He was over his anger at her now, but he would never be over Jiraiya dying like he did.
Iruka was like an older brother, if Naruto had ever had one.
Leaning forward, he scooped up a huge bite of ramen, and decided that his pity party was over.
"There's not much we can do, besides, the village is more important than anything I want," Naruto glanced at him, "This new threat is more important than my aspirations to be Hokage."
"But-"
Naruto grinned, "Besides, I was just a dumb kid back then. I was always saying stuff."
Iruka gaped at him.
"Wish my luck, sensei," Naruto paid for his tab, and for Iruka, "I have a mission soon. Can I ask for a favor?"
"Anything."
"If something happens to me," he paused for a moment, "Look over Hinata, kay?"
His mouth dropped open.
"Make sure she meets some guy worthy of her, take her out to eat sometimes, because otherwise she's alone most of the day. I don't like it that she's so stifled in Hyuuga House," Naruto sighed, then he smiled, "She likes Ichiraku almost as much as I do, and she doesn't get to come here often."
Iruka frowned, and looked at his tea, "I promise."
"Thanks," Naruto slapped him on the back, "Catch you later, Iruka-sensei."
Iruka stared at his tea, and couldn't bring himself to say anything.
It was the first time that Naruto had ever paid their tab.
