Akebara watched as Orochimaru got up and dressed.

"Where are you going?" she purred. He smiled moving back over to the bed to kiss her.

"Forgive me, koi. There are still a few things I need to prepare before our little family reunion"

"...Oh..." she sighed, apprehension creeping into her face. Orochimaru kissed her again, long and slow.

"Don't make such a face, my love. Soon we'll all be one big happy family again"

But Akebara saw the glint of insanity in his eyes.

'...It's still there...he hasn't changed...'

He kissed her once more before leaving her alone. She gazed down at her hands, her vision tinting crimson as the red tears dripped from her eyes.

'...What...have I done?!'

"Everybody look sharp, we're getting close..." Izanami called out.

"How does she know?" Naruto whispered.

"...That bastard's aura is slithering all over this place like the snake he is..." she hissed.

"Orochimaru is also famous for installing traps so watch where you step..." Jaraiya advised. Izanami paused in her stride.

"Somethings coming...Naruto-kun look out!!"

But it was too late, a large wooden ram came swinging out of the trees towards them. The group leapt off into different trees.

"I...I can't move!" Naruto cried, his sandles were glued to the spot.

"Naruto!" Jaraiya cried.

"Damn that brat!" Izanami cried leaping out of the tree. She grabbed hold of the boys clothes, she hefted him up, ripping off the soles of his shoes. She tossed him aside just in time. The ram smashed into her, slamming her into a tree.

"Izanami!" Kakashi cried. Izanami slid down the tree trunk, leaving a trail of blood.

"Izanami-sama!!!" Naruto cried. The group gathered around her, Kakashi gingerly lifting her into his arms.

"...Damn..." she coughed, blood oozing from her mouth. "...guess I'm...not as spry as I...used to be..."

"Try not to talk..." He sighed.

"...I...I'm sorry I...it came out of nowhere and...and I couldn't move..." Naruto began to shake.

"It's fine, boy, calm down..." Jaraiya sighed.

"How?! She's dying!!" he cried.

"...Shut up! ...I'll be fine..." Izanami snapped. "...We could...use a little break anyway..."

She coughed again. "...Damn...must've...crushed a lung..."

"How can that be okay?!" Naruto cried.

"Dammit Jaraiya!!! Shut that kid up!!!" Izanami rasped.

"C'mere..." Jaraiya said, leading him away. "It's best if we left them alone for a while..."

"But...!"

"Trust me, kid. By time we get back, everything will be fine"

Kakashi watched as the sun began to set, Izanami's head rested in his lap. She groaned softly .

"How are you feeling?"

"...The chills are coming on...I'll be fully recovered in another hour..." she sighed. Kakashi gently stroked her cheek, Izanami blinked up at him.

"...You're not worried about me are you?"

"Of course I am! I love you more then anything..."

"...More then our children...?" she raised an eyebrow.

"Don't do this..." Kakashi sighed. "Not now"

"It's a relevant question..." she smirked.

"No it's not and you know it. I love you and Kanaye and Akiko all the same..."

"You were alway good at weasling your way out of things..." Izanami sighed sitting up.

"...I thought you said it would take an hour..."

"Unfortunately we don't have an hour" she stretched. "That snake bastard has my mother now. Lord knows what he's doing to her..."

"Fine...Just promise me you'll take it easy" Kakashi slumped his shoulders, resigned.

"Don't I always?" Izanami grinned wickedly.