Well, I got to update quicker than I thought I would. Family went home early, etc. etc., so I decided to finish the next chapter and update. I don't think anyone will complain, (Atleast I hope not.) So, yeah not much else to say. I didn't get to have this proofread, so there might be some errors. If there are any, just let me know and I'll try to fix them. Other than that, I hope you enjoy this chapter. That, and I hope you all had a good Christmas. Well, with that said, on with the chapter.
Disclaimer: I still don't own Naruto
Chapter 8: The plan to save Naruto
After Naruto had collapsed in her arms, she and all the other shinobi quickly returned to the Hokage tower. The journey back had been a quiet one, no one really saying anything. Sakura carried Naruto on her back, she refused to let anyone else carry him. After they had returned, they went to one of the guest rooms in the Hokage's tower, one usually reserved for a visiting diplomat.
Sakura hurriedly placed Naruto on one of the beds in the room, and quickly removed the little clothing he had on, leaving only his boxers. She quickly began healing his injuries as Tsunade began cleaning the blood and dirt from his body. All the shinobi just stood and watched as Sakura and Tsunade hurriedly tried to stabilize Naruto's condition. An hour later, Naruto was sleeping peacefully, taking one steady breath after another.
Sakura leaned back in her chair and sighed, watching the blond sleep peacefully.
"Tsunade-sama, why didn't we take Naruto to the new hospital. Without the proper equipment, we could have...lost him."
"I know Sakura, we took a big risk. But I don't want to put him in a public facility right now. He would be in danger there, people could come and try and hurt him. He will stay here, at least until I've made a public announcement, and found all of the people involved in the little rebellion."
Sakura turned back around and focused on tNaruto, "I see."
"This is all great, Naruto's back, everything is going just great. Just one problem, what do we do about the weakening seal! There's a chance that the Demon will try to free itself again, and this time it might kill Naruto and all of us with him!" Kiba relaxed a little, telling everyone what he needed to.
Shikamaru spoke up next, "He's right, there is still a big threat to the new village, and it's sleeping on that bed. Don't get me wrong, I've known Naruto longer than most of you, and I respect him for many things. But our duty is to the village after all, something needs to be done."
Shino was the next to speak, "What do we do though, we can't just throw Naruto out. The fox still might get loose, and if that happens there is a good chance that it might come after us again. And more people might die."
Kankuro was next, "So what, should we just kill him. I mean, if he dies doesn't the Demon die too. That would protect the village, right?"
"That's not an option! I won't let any of you kill Naruto!" Sakura shouted at the Sand-nin. "There's got to be something else we can do, right? Jiraiya-sama, you're an expert on seals, what do we do?"
Kankuro raised his hands in protest, "Sorry, I was just being sarcastic..." Temari quickly hit her brother over the head with her fan mumbling the word "idiot."
"I don't know. I already told you, I know nothing about the seal that was used. The only way I'd be able to study it is if Naruto was dead. The only person who would be able tell us what to do would be the fourth, and he's with Shinigami now." Jiraiya took on a real solemn look, and closed his eyes as if deep in thought.
Tsunade stood up and walked to the corner of the room, and pulled out the Forbidden Scroll. "The fourth summoned Shinigami to create the seal. I was reading and studying the various techniques and abilities of the previous Hokage. The seal itself is created by the Death god, so if we want any answers, we would have to go to the Death god himself. Since he both created the seal, and is our only connection to the fourth."
"There's one problem with that, every time Shinigami is summoned, he demands a soul for his services. As Hokage, you can't go and sacrifice the life of one shinobi for another. And there is no way in hell that I'll let you use your own soul to pay. Not now, your duty is to the village, not Naruto. Konoha...no Honoogakure needs you."
"How can you say that Jiraiya, he's your student! We can't just leave him alone!"
"I know that! Don't you think I'm worried too!"
"Then DO something!"
"I'm trying! But I don't know what to do!" Jiraiya paused, "I don't know..."
"Might I make a suggestion."
Everyone turned to the Kazekage, who had remained quiet the whole time.
"Okay, what do you have in mind." Jiraiya waved his hand in a sweeping motion towards the Kazekage.
"Let's use the prisoner, Danzou, I think his name was."
"What?"
"I was eventually going to Execute him for treason, since the power and authority of Honoogakure hasn't be established yet. But, why not just use him to pay Shinigami's price."
Jiriaya pondered what the Kazekage had suggested, "Well, he is going to be executed anyway. Very well, all of you rest up. Once Naruto has recovered, we shall summon the Death god and find out how to rid ourselves of the Kyuubi once and for all."
Tsunade watched as the white haired Sannin walked towards the door, "And where do you think you're going?"
"I'm going to go rest, I have a long day ahead of me tomorrow."
Tsunade cracked her knuckles, "Of what, gathering information for your books."
Jiraiya's face became solemn again, "No, I have to prepare everything for our trip." The shinobi eyed the Sannin questioningly. "Trip?" Jiriaya smiled, "You'll see."
Tsunade stared at the old Sannin, and smiled. "Well, in that case I'll come with you. You need a place to stay right, my quarters have an extra bed. The rest of you, you may retire to your homes. Take the next few days off, once Naruto has recovered, you will all be summoned to the tower and further instructions will be given then."
"And Sakura, I want you to stay here. You will live here with Naruto, monitoring his health."
Sakura blushed bright red, as Tsunade followed the rest of the Shinobi out of the door. She grabbed Jiraiya's shoulder and tugged him towards the staircase leading to her room. As she left she turned back to Sakura and winked, and turned once again and shut the door.
Naruto winced in pain as he tried to move. His body felt like Gamabunta had sat on him, or worse, like Sakura and Tsunade tag teamed him. He opened his eyes and looked around the room, it was nice. A lot nicer than his old apartment. Although, he couldn't quite remember how he got there. He tried to move, but realized his legs were weighed down by something. He looked down, and noticed a certain pink haired kunoichi asleep by his bedside, sitting in a chair and using his legs as a pillow.
Sakura raised her head when she felt Naruto move, and she was greeted by a bright pair of blue eyes. Naruto flashed his trade mark smile, and Sakura stood up tears forming at the corner of her eyes.
"Naruto, you IDIOT!" Sakura raised her hand and Naruto closed his eyes, waiting for the blow, but was shocked when she wrapped him in a tight hug. "I...I was so scared, I thought you were going to die."
Naruto wrappded his arms around the kunoichi and pulled her closer. Naruto had sat up, feet hanging off the side of the bed, and Sakura was now sitting on his lap, with her face buried in the crook of his neck. As Naruto sat with his arms tightly around Sakura, she began to cry harder. Loud sobs causing her entire body to shake.
"It's ok Sakura, I'm fine. Everything turned out alright."
"B-but, you almost...the Kyuubi...it almost killed you! I almost lost you! I-I don't know what I'd do if I lost you."
Naruto smiled and continued to hold her, rocking her gently. When she finally stopped crying, she looked up, emerald eyes meeting blue, and smiled very softly.
"Sakura, everything will be fine, I promise. Besides, you all have a plan already to save me, don't you?"
"What, you heard all that, everything we talked about."
"Yeah, don't ask me how though. I was asleep, and somehow, I could just hear your voices. I know what's going on. So, believe me, everything will be fine. You won't lose me."
Sakura smiled and just held him tighter.
"Naruto, did you mean it?"
"Did I mean what?"
"Did you mean it when you said you loved me?"
"I meant every word, I love you with all my heart."
Sakura smiled at Naruto, as Naruto leaned in closer to Sakura.
"Naruto, I love you too. And I promise, I will take care of you, always."
Naruto pulled Sakura into a kiss. It was a shy kiss at first, but it quickly became more passionate. Naruto leaned back onto the bed, Sakura with him, all while deepening the kiss. Sakura's tongue graced the front of Naruto's lips, beckoning for entry, and Naruto opened his mouth. Both tongues darting back and forth. They kissed for what seemed like an eternity, only breaking apart for much needed oxygen.
Sakura blushed slightly, giggling very softly.
"What, what's so funny."
"I never thought that I would ever give my first kiss to you, Naruto Uzumaki."
"Disappointed?"
"Not at all." Sakura leaned in for another kiss, and eventually both fell asleep in each others arms.
Jiraiya laid next to Tsunade, holding her in his arms. Exhausted, and covered with sweat, and she was gently sleeping next to him.
'What a woman, I never knew that she could do that.' Jiraiya smiled pervertedly as images of what they just did flashed back in his mind. He then leaned over and pulled a book out of his clothes, and quickly tossed it out of an open window.
"Well, I won't be needing you anymore, I've found myself a real woman now."
Tsunade, woken by his sudden act, smiled and quickly kissed Jiraiya on the cheek. "I knew that I could turn you into a decent man somehow." Both quickly fell to sleep after that. It was going to be a long next few days. Naruto needed them now.
As the book flew out of the window, it hit a certain shinobi on the head. Shino bent over to pick up the book that had just hit him on the head, and read the cover.
'Icha Icha Paradise, I wonder what this is all about?'
Shino quickly turned to walk home, a blush and a perverted smile gracing his lips, though you couldn't see it due to the coat he was wearing covered most of his face.
(A/N): Well, there you go, another chapter. Hope you all enjoyed it. I should have the next one up in a couple of days. So, as usual, please review. Any ideas, comments, just help me out. This next part I could use the, inspiration I guess you could say. The next chapter is entitled "Summoning the Death god." Any ideas, well, you know. peace to you all.
