A/N: Thanks again for all the reviews, favourites and follows! My fanfic has exceeded a thousand views, so I'm posting this chapter in honour of that. Besides, I would like to dedicate this chapter to two very special reviewers, RadicalEdward6 and Cyan Rubies. I hope you enjoy reading it! As usual, I'm open to reviews and constructive criticism.

Chapter 9: The Hanransha

"THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE!"

"I assure you, Mizukage-sama, that two of our shinobi were assaulted as they were exiting Kiri. One of them is heavily wounded, while the other is fighting for his life," Sasuke reported in his usual stoic manner.

"I assure you, Kiri had nothing to do with this," the Mizukage said firmly.

"HEY, DON'T FIB!" Naruto yelled, "IF NEJI AND BUSHY B…"

"Shut up," Kakashi whispered fiercely to the blond and then turned his attention to Lady Mei Terumi. "According to the testimony of Rock Lee, the nin were most certainly from Kiri," he continued, "and I don't suspect he is one to lie in a situation like this."

The Mizukage opened her mouth to say something, when suddenly she blanched. Her hand gripped the back of her chair so hard that her knuckles turned white. "No…" she gasped.

"I beg your pardon?" Kakashi said.

"No!" Suddenly, she let go of the chair and leaned forth, her eyes betraying fear, anxiety and rage all at once.

"What's the problem?" Sasuke questioned irritably. He was beginning to grow impatient.

"It's the work of the Hanransha!" Lady Mei Terumi screamed. Immediately, Kakashi stiffened. "Hanransha?" He clarified, "I think I've heard of it. It's a group of rogue nin specifically from Kiri, right?"

"That's right," the Mizukage nodded wildly, "They have been attacking random citizens from our village just for revenge!"

"Revenge?" Kakashi, Naruto and Sasuke asked at once.

"Their leader, Souta, was banished from the village because he tried to betray our political secrets! He's formed his own little squad, which is extremely powerful. And now, since we're a strong ally of Konoha…"

"We're in trouble too," finished Sasuke.

"THAT'S NONSENSE, DATTEBAYO! WE'LL SEE TO IT THAT THIS SOUTA, WHOEVER HE IS, IS PUT JUST IN HIS PLACE!" Naruto cried passionately.

"But there's a hiccup," Kakashi pointed out, "Rock Lee and Neji were attacked while exiting the village. If the Hanransha have an issue with Konoha's ties with Kiri, shouldn't our shinobi have been attacked while entering the village?"

"That's their unique sick form of playing games," Gai spoke up for the first time, "This was just a warning, you see, the actual attacks have not even begun yet."

"You're right!" Lady Mei Terumi agreed.

"Don't worry, Mizukage-sama," Kakashi said firmly, "The Hanransha won't be able to touch either Konoha or Kiri. Our ties will be perfectly safe too. Whatever happens, we will not let this alliance go down the drain. I will marry Lady Haruka!"

Had it only been five hours? It seemed like an eternity. The sky was slowly beginning to darken outside. Birds chirped as they flew towards their nests, ready for a good night's rest. Shizune bit her lower lip, focusing her full attention onto the patient. Her stomach growled without any kind of compunction. Hina immediately came forward. "Why don't you have a food pill, Shizune-san?" She suggested.

"I would love to, but food pills induce lethargy. Besides, there are still another twenty-five hours to go. Let's leave them for the night," Shizune said over her shoulder. "Hai," Hina agreed and took a step back. Shizune was grateful for the presence of the reliable nurse. The knowledge that Hina was still on her feet fuelled Shizune to put even more efforts into the surgery.

Outside the ward, the air was so thick with tension that one could have cut it with a knife. Tenten, Ino and Sakura sat on a bench directly in front of the closed door of the ward where the critical surgery was proceeding. Tenten kept fidgeting with a kunai, while Ino and Sakura just sat still. Each one of them was praying for Neji's life.

Suddenly, Tenten burst out, "I can't take it anymore! This waiting; it's too much! I'm going into that ward!" With that, she made to get off the bench.

"Tenten!" Sakura exclaimed as she put her hands onto Tenten's lap to control her.

"Be calm, be patient," Ino urged, "I know it's tough, but…"

"You have no idea!" Tenten interrupted hoarsely, "I'm expecting Shizune-san to come through that door any minute and announce that…and announce that…"

"Be optimistic, please!" Sakura entreated, though her own voice was filled with worry, "Everything will be fine. Shizune-san is an accomplished and talented Medical kunoichi and I'm sure she will save Neji."

Just then, a door down the corridor opened and Lady Haruka emerged, looking pretty as ever, even though she was quite pale and her hair was messed up. She was being helped along by Momoka, who had gone to tend to her. Slowly, the duo made its way to where the three kunoichi were. Ino, Sakura and Tenten stood up as they approached.

"I do not wish to give the nurse any excess trouble, but I really cannot make my way in such a state. Would any one of you oblige to take me to my rented home?" Lady Haruka spoke. Her voice cracked in three places.

The three kunoichi glanced at each other. None of them really wanted to leave. "Don't you have your own hand-maid?" Ino questioned.

"She's weak!" Lady Haruka snapped. Tenten, Sakura and Ino raised their eyebrows. "I am quite exhausted and I need to retire properly for the night as soon as possible," Lady Haruka continued. Just as Sakura opened her mouth to say something, she was cut off by the sudden appearance of Genma.

"This is an emergency mission," he spoke quickly, "trouble is brewing up in Kiri and Tsunade-sama has ordered you three to go there immediately. Other Konoha nin will be joining you. You will be given details once you reach there."

The three kunoichi glanced briefly at one another before nodding briskly and setting off towards Kiri. Lady Haruka, who had been watching silently, said, "Well?"

Genma smiled cordially, "It is not safe for you to return to your home. Kindly make do with the Hospital. You will be well-protected here."

"But surely you can understand my condition!" Lady Haruka exclaimed, "I have just been made to go through perfect purgatory! My strength is waning. I need to reach home."

"Forgive any inconveniences caused, Haruka-sama, but you will have to stay here. It is for your own good," Genma stated firmly.

"Where is Kakashi? I demand to see my fiancé," Lady Haruka said impatiently.

"'Fraid he's not around in Konoha," Genma grinned cheerfully, "He's out there putting his life on the line for your village!"

Before Lady Haruka had the chance to say anything, Genma had teleported away from the hospital, leaving the brunette in a state of mind that was a cross between appalled and enraged.

A/N: Thanks for reading! For all those interested, I've written a Kakashi x Shizune one-shot named 'Two Souls Unite', so you can go check that out if you wish. Once again, thank you and a thousand cheers!