Title: Koumajutsu
Author: Tsubasa Kya
Disclaimer: I do not own "Naruto" or "Inuyasha". This will be Canon Naruto and Alternate Universe Inuyasha. Pairings are undecided at this point.

Chapter ten: Hokage Training

Sasuke woke with a rather refreshed feeling filling his insides. He couldn't quite place what it was, but a glance at himself showed the bandages had been removed and he was no longer in the inn, but had been moved to a hospital room. Tubes and wires connected him to the machines in the room.

His brows came together as he started pulling the tubes from his body, and undoing the wires. He couldn't remember how he got there; that was the bad part. Once the pulse reader was removed from his finger, the monitor flat-lined in a rather annoying manner and he reached out to shut it off, pressing the button so it couldn't screech.

Once he was free, he inspected his body. He was garbed in an ordinary hospital linen gown. Scars showed beneath the bottom hem along his legs—all of the scars were 'x' shaped. Some of them were larger than others. Some were so small they almost seemed like dots at first glance.

The worst of the scars were on his torso and back, hidden beneath the linen gown. It wasn't more than thirty seconds after he'd started pulling the tubes out that the medic-nin came rushing in. She was a stern woman, but very petite. He couldn't think of her name, but he knew he recognized her.

Her hair was long now. "Sasuke-kun," she said, worry in her voice, "you need to be lying down." Ino, wasn't it? Yes, that had to be it. He couldn't help but notice that the hospital outfit was not her color.

"I need clothes," he told her. "The woman who was taking care of me… who is she and where is she?" He needed to talk to her. He remembered he was hearing about Summon Exterminators just before he blacked out. He needed to know more. He needed to stop Naruto from learning how to use koumajutsu, or he needed to be the one to block Orochimaru's path.

It sounded like he could do that as a Summon Exterminator.

"Kagome-san isn't here anymore. She left yesterday." Ino looked nervous, and he knew why. He was a traitor, and he supposed that detracted the appeal he used to have. Aside from that, he was scarred from head to foot. There were bound to be some negative side-effects to his plight. He was lucky he was in a hospital, not jail, although that was a question that flickered through his mind.

"Kagome…" he murmured, the name falling from his lips like silk. He met Ino's eyes with a hard stare. "Where did she go?"

"She went home, Sasuke-kun," Ino said. "Please get back into bed."

"I need clothes." He told her again.

She tossed her nervousness instantly, almost as if on cue with something—perhaps his tone? He smiled, his eyes closing half-way. Kabuto had been afraid of Sasuke's voice… Ino stepped forward into the room. "Sasuke-kun, no." she said firmly. "You will not leave this room."

He moved swiftly and stood directly behind her, watching as she looked back and forth, trying to locate him. He brought his hands up and rested them on her shoulders—she stiffened. He whispered in her ear, "Who will make me stay? You?"

"Actually, I have help," she said. He felt suddenly very tired. He turned around just in time to see another medic-nin with a syringe in her hand. Ino said smugly, "If you can't feel pain, you don't know you've been stuck. Reaction time is a lot slower that way, isn't it, Sasuke-kun?"

His smile was gone. He was tottering on his feet. The two caught him under the arms and helped him back into the bed. Unconsciousness was forced on him.

xXx

"So you've returned," Kyuubi chuckled darkly as the young man stood with his hands in his pockets before the large cage. Shikamaru wondered of his own sanity to have come back, but something told him this was wrong.

He was wet—again—from falling down the hole in the mountainside. It would also probably take him several hours to get back out, because even if he had memorized the way from the hole to Kyuubi and back again, he'd found that the hole was too high and the walls rejected chakra so climbing it was impossible.

He watched as Kyuubi prowled forward, once more leaning on the bars of the cage. He really was an incredible sight, but terrifying. "You." Shikamaru frowned, "You were in my head when the ANBU were questioning me."

Kyuubi's crimson eyes glinted mischievously. "Was I?" he asked, as if he were surprised to hear the news. "What would I do in your head?"

"You told me what to say." Shikamaru calmly reminded the creature.

"Did I?" Kyuubi asked again. He rubbed his fox-like ear against the bars, but his eyes remained on Shikamaru. "What did I say?"

Shikamaru glared at the creature, wondering what made him come back in the first place. Wasn't it him that had been so insistent upon leaving in the first place? Then why would he have come back at the first opportunity? "You told me what to say to the ANBU so I wouldn't give up Naruto. Why?"

"Was that me?" Kyuubi looked thoughtful.

Shikamaru felt himself growing frustrated very fast. "Quit playing games, Nine-Tails!" he snapped.

Kyuubi laughed. "Ah, the lazy one is growing a temper… I like it." Shikamaru almost felt like exploding in frustration. He was the type of person who didn't bother with things he couldn't understand, but something—he didn't know what—had brought him back down into this tunnel.

Just before Shikamaru could say anything, Kyuubi asked, "Did you come to remove the seal?" Confusion spread across Shikamaru's face, since he didn't know what he came for. "You know," Kyuubi pointed out, "the seal was only supposed to be there for as long as it took to kill my Summoner. But whatever."

Kyuubi tilted his face slightly. "What?" Shikamaru asked, now feeling rather nervous. What had brought him down here?

"I bet you could do it."

"Do what?" Shikamaru asked. "I'm not removing the seal."

"Oh, nevermind," Kyuubi pulled away from the gate. His footsteps retreated into the back of the cage, splashing as he walked. "You wouldn't be interested to begin with."

Shikamaru's feet took him fast away from Kyuubi. Somehow seeing Kyuubi in that cage was wrong to him. It shouldn't be; Kyuubi had killed countless people in a rampage fifteen years ago. Children were left without mothers and fathers because of Kyuubi.

So why did Kyuubi's imprisonment bother him so much? If he was free, he'd only do it again.

He barely made it more than a few feet away before Kyuubi's voice stopped him. He nearly planted his face in the floor he stopped so fast. "Your dream is to grow old with a woman and a few kids, isn't it?"

Shikamaru again questioned why he'd come down as he turned back to the cage. All he could see was two glinting crimson eyes. "What of it?" he found himself asking.

Kyuubi said, "I have a dream too…not that humans care."

Shikamaru was surprised. "You?"

"Indeed…" Kyuubi laughed, slight remorse in his voice. "Care to hear about it?" Shikamaru couldn't move. He wanted to, but his body wouldn't obey him. It felt like his dad had used the shadow technique on him, but he knew that was impossible—his dad wasn't anywhere near.

Kyuubi seemed to take his immobile form as a 'yes'. He said, "I want to see my mate again." Shikamaru was very stunned to hear something as dangerous as Kyuubi could have a mate. "She's the most beautiful thing ever. Her hair is like rays of the sun, hanging down to her waist. Her eyes are like glistening emeralds. Her skin is as beautiful as pure ivory, unblemished and softer than a feather touch." Kyuubi's voice was almost wistful. "Her lips are the purest red, and her curves are…mmm," he laughed.

Shikamaru took firm hold of himself and turned around. He walked away from the monster of Konoha's past. As he walked away, Kyuubi said, "Too bad I'll die with Naruto as long as that seal remains in place."

xXx

Later that evening, Team Kakashi had a mission to go on. Naruto was very annoyed about it, but when Sakura came to get him from his apartment (he'd only just sat down with the journey log) he stuck the book beneath his pillow and went with her to see Tsunade.

He didn't like the fact that he wasn't getting any time to read, but he also knew taking it on the mission would likely end up in disaster. So instead, he decided to leave it behind. When Sakura, Kakashi, and Naruto had assembled in Tsunade's office, they were briefed on the mission.

"It's an escort mission. You will meet up with the person on the Highway. The request was made last minute, so you'll need to leave as soon as possible. The girl has long black hair and dark blue eyes. She's small and will be carrying a dark green colored knapsack she purchased yesterday here in Konoha." Tsunade explained.

"What's her name, Tsunade-sama?" Sakura asked. Tsunade shared an odd look with Kakashi.

"Ah," Kakashi chuckled. "She grew on you, didn't she?"

"I really enjoyed her 'healing' tale." Tsunade also laughed. She continued, "Just make sure she gets home alright."

Tsunade seemed surprised when Naruto didn't complain about the mission. It was a low-level mission, entirely beneath his skill, but he didn't mind because that would mean it would take less time and he could get back to his book sooner. He didn't tell Tsunade why he didn't mind, of course.

After the briefing, Tsunade asked Naruto to remain behind a moment. Kakashi and Sakura left, and Naruto looked at the Hokage. She looked troubled.

When she was silent for too long in his opinion, he said, "It's about Kagome-san's patient, isn't it?" Finally she nodded, her eyes filled with confusion. He sighed. "It's Sasuke." Naruto admitted.

"I know its Sasuke, Naruto." Tsunade said.

Tsunade stood slowly, her fingers running impatiently through her bangs. She walked around the new desk and placed her hand on his chin, turning his face to hers. He was confused at her behavior. It felt almost like she was searching his soul for something.

Then she asked him, "If I gave you the option to decide the fate of Sasuke, what would you do with him?"

Slightly taken aback by the question, he blinked. "Why?" he asked.

She smiled abruptly. "Maybe training for Hokage," she said. "Well? I'm only asking what you would do if you were in my place. It doesn't mean I'll do what you would."

Naruto pulled back from Tsunade, a frown marring his features as he remembered his encounter with Sasuke only yesterday. He could barely face Sakura—or any of his friends for that matter—after seeing Sasuke. He felt cheated because he had planned on doing whatever necessary to bring Sasuke back.

"Well," Naruto looked out the window of the Hokage's office. Night had settled—the city was settling down for an evening. "I think… I'd give him a bunch of annoying missions. Like finding cats and cleaning the stone faces. Why are you asking me anyway, if you're just going to do whatever?"

Tsunade shrugged. "You wouldn't send him to jail? He did desert Konoha."

Naruto shook his head. "He'd just get out anyway. I know it sounds like wishful thinking, but I don't think he's going to do it again." What could he tell her? That Sasuke had come back to warn Naruto about Orochimaru wanted Naruto and not Sasuke? It would only hinder him. He would be tied to a post for the rest of his life, leashed like a dog, if Tsunade knew.

And if he told Naruto what Sasuke had said about running away in the first place, Tsunade would believe Naruto was just feeling guilty and taking the blame. Tsunade chuckled slightly. "It does sound wishful. I wish I could believe it."

Naruto looked at Tsunade. "It's a standard three years house arrest for running away, isn't it?" Tsunade nodded. He met her eyes, standing up straight as he made his request. "You could put Sasuke under house arrest, and I would take responsibility for him."

"You?" Tsunade inquired curiously. "It wouldn't be unusual for someone to be put under house arrest for running away but they would have ANBU guards."

"But ANBU wouldn't know anything about Sasuke." Naruto pointed out.

"It wouldn't really matter," Tsunade said. "They would only have to watch him and stop him if he tries to run."

"Told you, you would just do whatever." Naruto said, glaring at her for a moment. "I've got a mission to go on." He told her and left the office. Tsunade watched him go curiously.

xXx

Kagome set the green knapsack on the ground beside the hot spring. It was a half-day's walk to civilization in both directions, and she'd left Konoha yesterday afternoon. After walking all night and riding in the mule cart all day, she was a little tired, not to mention being in a mule cart was a pain.

She'd left without Sango and Miroku, but she found she didn't mind. Miroku was going to Sunagakure and Sango was going to accompany him. Kagome knew Sango had feelings for the perverted monk, but also knew Sango had difficulty expressing that. So, knowing Sango was frustrated that Miroku was on his way to Sunagakure, Kagome had asked Miroku to allow Sango to accompany him.

Miroku had 'graciously' accepted the company. Sango hadn't been sure it was a good idea, but Kagome had assured her she would be alright on her own. After all, she told Sango, she could call Sesshoumaru if she got into trouble.

She wasn't entirely positive what motivated her to leave yesterday afternoon, instead of waiting until morning. Something urged her to be back at home. It was that something that kept her walking through the night, and made her climb into the empty mule cart.

But now, she was sore all over, and exhausted. The mule cart was unhitched from the mule, and the mule was tied to a tree so he wouldn't go disappearing on her. She was in a secluded wooded area off the road and had a warm fire burning easily just a short way from the warm water.

Slowly she peeled off her dirty white and green skirt and her blouse. Next went her undergarments onto a growing pile. Once her clothes were off, she took the Shikon pendant off and set it carefully on her pile of clothes. She took the strange chain of semi-large silver bells from around her waist and set it on the pile. She had two anklets made of even very small silver bells and chain that she took off. Last she took off was the chain bracelets with medium-small silver bells.

She left the choker made of black silk around her neck. One silver bell, larger than all the others, hung from the black silk and it tinkled as she slid into the hot spring. She hadn't worn the bells for three years; Sango had still brought them on the trip though. Kagome was glad she hadn't been able to talk the stubborn woman out of it.

The bells were Kagome's Koumaberu, or Summoning bells. They were used to store level one Summon Creatures, and when they rang, the Creature would be released. Of course, they had to be rung a certain way, or they wouldn't work.

If Sango hadn't brought them, Kagome wouldn't have been allowed to go off on her own. Sango was always worrying about small things like safety. But there were at least fifty bells on the belt, and ten more on each anklet and bracelet. The single bell dangling from the choker was a special one given to her by Sesshoumaru when he found she had a propensity for getting into trouble.

Kagome ducked under the water, soaking herself completely. For a few moments she soaked in the warm water, but then she moved to where her knapsack was on the bank. She unlatched it, liking how the new bag seemed so much better than her old one. This one was the same size as the old one, but it somehow seemed to hold more. It had pockets in the strangest places.

She was an easily pleased backcountry girl, she supposed. She took out a jar from her bag and dumped a little of the gray powder into her hand. A small bit of water turned the powder into a soapy goop that she lathered into her hair and used to wash her body. It was a homemade mix that Kagome had learned to make. She could give it whatever scent extract she wanted, but her favorite was white lilies.

It helped her to feel at home. And the best part of the soap she made was that it was all natural. She rinsed it out of her hair. She was under water when her mule started shifting uneasily, so she didn't have any warning for the approaching danger. A hand reached under the water and dragged her out of the water.

"Aiee!" she cried, her mind going blank in the presence of danger. She wasn't used to wearing the Koumaberu daily, so she forgot it was there at all. Sesshoumaru couldn't be by her all the time; he often left her to return to his world. That was why he'd given her the bell she wore now around her neck: so if she happened into trouble, she could use her Maryoku to ring it and he would come. It was a faster way of Summoning, and an easier way.

Once she was dragged out of the warm water, goose bumps formed on her body. She was shoved roughly against a tree; her mule was dragging at his tie, trying to run away. She wondered, 'Why me?'

Her frantic eyes searched for an escape as her hand held the wrist that had her hair captive. There were six people in the clearing. She didn't know how they had gotten there. She'd only been under the water for a few seconds. What did they want with her?

They looked hungry, her mind provided for her. And definitely not food-hungry… She felt a beefy hand wrap around her neck, and heard the amused chuckles from the crazy men. They were not dressed like shinobi usually were, and looked no cleaner than stray, feral dogs.

Her mind called them nothing more than bandits, but even that didn't seem right to her. She'd met bandits before, and they were mostly honorable. They simply killed and stole the possessions on their victims. This was most certainly not 'honorable'. She couldn't think what she was supposed to do.

Kagome's mind provided her with the knowledge that she'd been useless to stop her sister too, and she started crying as that beefy, lusty man threw her at his friends. She couldn't even bring herself to scream, or remember she had a voice. She simply cried.

Thank you so much everyone! Your reviews make me so happy! O does it matter O, regretfully-yours-Cassy-chan, Dark Inu Fan (No, you don't have to stop reading! Ack! Sob!), Hiei's Cute Girl (I worked hard on that scene), KuroxTenshi, Ashuri Nikouru, Natsumi Tsuchi-Ookami (I laughed while writing it), KibaSin (You may be right), Kagome Lady of Darkness, S.T. Nikolian, iplayvideogames666 (I play video games too), ancient-relic.

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