I DO NOT OWN NARUTO OR ITS CHARACTERS, I OWN THIS STORY AND ANY CHARACTERS I CREATE.


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Chapter 12: Rescue the Kazekage
The Future


Naruto stood in the office, he along Sakura and Kiba were summoned for this mission "The Akatsuki...who are they?" Kiba asks and Sakura also wanted to know. She had heard Sasuke mention the name but refused to tell her anything.

"Naruto has been tracking them for the better part of a year, he can fill you in on the way" Minato says and Kiba nods "Naruto you'll be leading this small three man squad as you will need to move fast" he says and Naruto nods "There is another team in the region passing between the nations and I have already sent word to them to rendezvous at Suna" he adds and Naruto nods again "Rescuing the Kazekage is top priority, only take out the Akatsuki members if the opportunity presents itself" he states and the three nod "Head out as fast as possible" he says clearly not wanting to waste time with semantics.

_Outside the village_

Naruto, Sakura and Kiba rendezvoused at the big green gate. With no time to say goodbye to anyone they began their 3 day journey to Suna, there had been talk about building a direct link to make travelling to and from the villages easier but as of now nothing.

"So Naruto" Sakura begins as the travel from tree to tree at a fast pace "What do you know about the Akatsuki?" she asks and Naruto looks ahead.

"They are a terrorist organization comprised of S Rank Missing-Nin from Hidden Villages across the lands" Naruto begins "They used to perform jobs for Villages that the Villages wanted to keep under radar, Suna has been accused of using them during the invasion 4 years ago" he pauses remembering the dead.

"Why would they be blamed? I mean it was all Orochimaru" Kiba states, Minato made sure every Shinobi knew the truth to honour those that died in the attack, including The Third Hokage.

"At that time Orochimaru was a member of the Organization" Naruto says suprising them "The other Kage believe that Suna was responsible for the whole thing and merely used Orochimaru because of his ties with Konoha" the blonde explains, he had heard trading routes to Suna from the other Element Lands had shut down after the attack severely damaging the economy of the village.

"So why take the Kazekage?" Sakura asks the question Naruto was waiting for; he wondered how he would explain it since it was clear they didn't know about Jinjuriki.

"Do you know about the Tailed beasts?" Naruto asks and they nod but clearly they didn't know a lot "Well the Tailed beasts are monstrous amount of Chakra, some believe they are linked to the creation of Chakra itself" Naruto begins to explain anyway "there are 9 in total and their power level is shown by the number of tails the monster has from 1 to 9" he pauses "It's said that the First Hokage had several of the tailed beasts in his possession at the time and used them as a means of peace between the villages" he pauses once again to stop for the other two who needed a break "These Tailed beasts are sealed within human hosts known as Jinchuriki, the villages hope this will turn the beasts into a military asset...of course the Tailed beasts have no interest and likely don't trust Human after years of denying them their freedom" he finishes

"So the Akatsuki are looking to use the tailed beasts as a military weapon as well?" Sakura asks curiously.

"That is the question of the hour" they halt recognising the new voice, "Kakashi-Sensei" both Naruto and Sakura state together with shock. "Yondaime sent us a message saying we'd meet up with you on the way to Suna but we figured it would be best to wait for you" Kakashi explains as his team comes into view "Naruto, this is Rock Lee and Tenten" he says and Naruto shakes their hands.

"What an exciting occasion... to rescue to Kazekage with the son of the Hokage! Gai-Sensei I will make you proud!" Lee exclaims with tears of joy.

"Don't mind him Lord Naruto...Lee is just a bit eccentric" Tenten says with a sigh, she had to admit...Naruto was extremely attractive and even gave Neji and Sasuke a run for their money.

"Just Naruto Tenten" the Blonde says with a smile "Friends don't need to add the 'Lord' only people I want to annoy" he jokes and she nods "So if you guys are rested up we can head towards Suna...we'll need to move fast if we want to beat the sandstorm" he explains and the group nod in agreement and they set off at a fast pace.

_Konoha_

"You want me to go to Suna too?" Sasuke inquires as Fugaku hands him a report, "...Yura, a Suna advisor" he reads down the document.

"This man is the reason the Akatsuki were able to enter Suna undetected...he was a sleeper this whole time" Fugaku explains and Sasuke nods "However now he has disappeared and you need to find him and his accomplices" he begins the mission brief "However the elders of Suna want this done in secret so not to spread throughout the village" he explains. Sasuke was aware of the number of attempts on Gaara's life at the hands of the forth Kazekage, and not everyone was happy with his appointment as Fifth Kazekage.

"Who can I bring?" Sasuke asks and since Fugaku doesn't reply "Solo mission...I understand" Sasuke states and the Uchiha clan head nods "Then I'll pack and head to Suna Immediately"

"In the mean time I will need to have a private conversation with the Hokage about our own villages' security

"Well I'll contact you when I get there"


_In an Unknown Location_


"It's taken 4 years to get all our pieces in place" Deidara comments flying low on a clay bird beside his teammate, inside the bird was the unconscious Kazekage whom the blonde fought and defeated. "With this our movements will become restricted...was attacking a Kage the wisest Start?"

"When we captured the 5 tails, the statue almost rejected the chakra...according to the leader anyway" Sasori states "Regardless of their statures we must collect Jinchuriki from the number of their Tailed Beasts" he scoffs "It would be easier to simply catch them all and seal them together"

"Relax Sasori my man" Deidara says in a relaxed manner "My art will defeat all the Jinchuriki we face"

_Cafe on Route to Suna_

"This Cafe is really nice and relaxing" Temari says sipping her tea, across from her the annoyed Shikamaru sighs "Hey I didn't tell you to come back to Suna with me" she teases

"Why did I have to pay for YOUR tea?" Shikamaru asks sipping his own beverage, working with Temari on the Chunin Exams had been tiresome, and now that she was heading home he needed to get the final listings for entrants from her brother.

"Because you're a gentleman" she grins happily

"Since when?" he questions with a sigh

"Since now" she replies sweetly

"Troublesome woman" he sighs again

Not soon after they began their final stretch to Suna, the cafe was the last shred of life between the two villages. Although ideas for a road way were being discussed between the two Kage, there have even been whispers of a form of transport that would connect the two villages...a train.

"You act bored but I know you like being alone with me" Temari says slyly and Shikamaru raises an eye brow.

"What gives you that impression?" he asks curiously, she wasn't a hundred percent wrong but he wasn't about to tell her that

"Well the Hokage only asked for you to escort me to the gate, but you decided to go and get the sheet's of our competing Genin a full month before you need to" she smirks as he looks away with a blush.

"I figured I might as well get them now, Lord Kazekage likely has them finished, this way I get to enjoy the way BACK more without you" he expertly lied, she glares slightly tempted to smack him upside the head, however they are soon surrounded by Naruto and the others, "W-What are you guys doing here?" the Nara asks, his face gets serious seeing Naruto's expression.

"It's Gaara...he's been kidnapped"

Those words made Temari's world freeze


Two days later


They arrived in Suna to learn Kankuro had been poisoned badly in an attempt to rescue Gaara; Lady Chiyo an elder of Suna was unable to cure him. Luckily Sakura was able to use her years of tutelage under the famous Sanin Tsunade to good use and quickly saved Kankuro's life.

Much to their surprise, Sasuke was already within the village investigating the invasion. Using his Eagle Summon he flew over them and arrived two days earlier. "So basically, Gaara fought with a blonde haired Shinobi from Iwa" the Uchiha states "If I had to guess it would be Deidara from the description the villagers gave me" he says talking to Naruto and Kakashi alone, the others were either off surveying the village for clues, or resting from the trip.

"I've heard about him...he uses some kind of detonating clay in his Jutsu" Kakashi comments scratching his chin "Kankuro said the one he faced was Sasori...a puppet user from this village" he sighs at the troublesome foes before them.

"Have the elders said anything?" Naruto asks as he spotted an annoyed flicker in Sasuke's eyes "What?"

"They don't want Gaara to be found...it seems they see this as a blessing in disguise" the Uchiha's words shock the room, Kankuro immediately had to be restrained by the Doctors while Shikamaru held Temari's hand.

"After all he did for this village? They'd still discard him without a shred of care?" Kankuro growls, Gaara has fought hard over the past four years to earn the support and admiration of the Shinobi and Villagers but the Elders still despise him.

"It's irrelevant what they want, the mission is to rescue The Kazekage...and I don't plan on failing" Naruto says with crossed arms, the room smiles at this statement "Either way we won't be able to act until the Sandstorm passes...so we should rest and we will chase the Akatsuki down tomorrow"

Naruto stood outside, he watched Sakura and Sasuke sneak into the same room while Kakashi, Tenten and Lee walked off to their own rooms, Kiba mentioned about looking to find a cute girl to get with...or something. Kankuro had fallen asleep, and Temari and Shikamaru where in the room talking.

"Everyone is growing up, Sasuke and Sakura are pretty serious...I had no Idea Shikamaru and Temari were a couple...Kiba is a player or well at least he seems to think so" he smiles thinking about Hinata back home "Hmm...Maybe I'm a little more mature as well"

"Um are you Naruto Uzumaki?" he snaps out of his thoughts hearing his name being called, he looks down and see's a young woman not much younger than him with brown hair "My name is Matsuri...Gaara's girlfriend"

He kept a straight face but inside his mind "Even Gaara got a girlfriend before me?!" he nods to allow the girl to keep talking.

"Before that I was his first student..." she looks away and Naruto smiles "Gaara isn't perfect but...he's the best thing to happen to this village in a very long time" she states suprising him "With respect to Gaara's father the Fourth Kazekage...by the end of his time as a Kage all the Shinobi were tense, but Gaara changed everything...he's inspired the next generation of Shinobi and made our Village feel true peace" she lists off everything Gaara has accomplished as a Kage "If we lose him then everything will become the same as before...please!" she bows "Save him"

"I will"

_Sasuke and Sakura_

"I missed not sleeping next to you" Sasuke says taking in her fresh scent, she had just finished showering to get the grime from the journey and the sweat from the surgery off her.

"It's only been a few days Sasuke" she laughs softy placing her palm on his chest, she sighed at his corny "It felt like a year" line but blushed none the less. They hadn't gone all the way and promised to wait until they got married to do so, so their parent's didn't mind them sharing a bed.

"Is it bad that I'm happy right now...despite the situation?" she asks and he pets her head "I mean Gaara may not be among our closest friends but he is a good person who could be dead for all we know" she states and he kisses her forehead.

"If we allow ourselves to succumb to the grieve of phantom possibilities then we'd never enjoy moments like this" he says and she looks at him "Even if they have Gaara...I doubt the extraction of a Tailed Beast is a simple matter, if it was then they wouldn't have needed to take him else were to do it" he clarifies "The likelihood of them being caught within the Sandstorm also diminishes the odds of them being at their target location" he adds

"I know, but still, this village can't catch a break"


The Following Morning


Naruto, Kiba and Sakura set off first. Kakashi and his team chose to Assist Sasuke in his search for the missing Suna councillor, however Kakashi used his Ninja Hound Summons's to help track Sasori down. "The Elders tried to delay us" Sakura says with an angered expression, "And preventing Suna Shinobi from searching for their missing Kage with border patrol out of fear of an invasion...so weak" she scoffs.

"Perhaps this is a sign that Elders from villages are a relic of the past" Naruto states and Kiba increases his speed to match the blonde.

"What do you mean" the Dog Nin asks...

"Back during the Chunin Exams when Suna and the Sound attacked Danzo tried to bait me into killing Gaara then to weaken Suna's Military power" he begins "At first I expected to find a heartless monster...so I had no problem killing him" he shakes his head "But what I saw was a kid my own age who had this thing sealed inside him and was brought up with the sole purpose of being an asset in a potential war" he pauses a moment "And I was close to killing him...then he asked what was wrong with wanting to be loved...what kind of a life does someone have to go through to utter those words when you believe you were about to die..." he sees a figure a head, it was the old woman he saw first argue with Sakura over treating Kankuro...before attacking Kakashi believing him to be his father.

"Took your time getting here" she says with a slight tease.

"Thanks to the elders of your village...Gaara has been working hard to change the village and old fossils want him dead because of it" Naruto retorts, he was amazed at the lengths the village would go to delay them.

"The village needs to stand on its own...this alliance has made Suna look weak in the eyes of the other villages" she states bitterly, she lost her son and Daughter in law to Konoha, and now she's been told they need help to find the Kazekage.

"The villages had stood on their own long enough...and it's caused 3 great wars" Naruto states suprising her "Now is the time for the villages to stand together ...Children don't need war heroes...they need parents to raise them" he adds thinking about how Kakashi's father died and how it affected his teacher...he didn't realise his words hit Chiyo hard too.

"...I will assist you in finding young Gaara" she says suprising the three, Sasori learned everything he knows about puppets from me...I am the only one who can defeat him" she explains.

"Can you keep up?" Kiba asks and the old woman laughs before running on ahead.

"I should ask you three that!" she says as the three Konoha Shinobi give chase

_Kakashi and the others_

They stood in front of the remains of Yura...he had been used as a sacrifice in a Shape shifting technique to make Kisame, "That's what loyalty to the Akatsuki will get you" Kakashi says looking at Sasuke who had his arms crossed "What are you thinking about?".

"I don't like the idea of Sakura running into a guy like this Kisame" The Uchiha says, while he was supposed to go back and file his report "I'll be joining you on this mission...I need to learn more about this Akatsuki faction" he says and Kakashi smiles under his mask

"Can't admit to being a protective boyfriend out loud...huh Sasuke?" Kakashi says and Sasuke blushes lightly.

"J-Just lead the way"

_Naruto and the others_

They had arrived at the location were Sasori's trail led...a sealed cave with a tag on the front of the boulder "I know this...there are four locations with the same mark that need to be removed at the same time" Chiyo explains.

"Unless you know the formula" Naruto replies, he walks up to the seal and forms the necessary Hand Seals "Release!" he presses his palm onto the paper which causes it to turn blank, he needed to thank his mother for having the formula for this seal. "Sakura...your turn" he jumps down as Sakura puts on her gloves before charging at the boulder.

"Cha!" she smashes the rock with a single punch, Naruto was surprised as he expected her to take more than a single punch.

"Best not piss her off" he thinks as they jump into the cave, Gaara's body fell to the floor with a thud "It seems we just made it" the blonde says as 7 holograms vanish leaving Deidara and Sasori alone.

"Another 30 minutes and we would have been finished" Deidara curses as he creates a Clay Bird which scoops up Gaara "Divide and Conquer Sasori" he says flying out.

"Damn fool" Sasori grumbles as his eyes focus on Chiyo "You're still alive I see" he states coldly

"Well I wanted to see the face of my Grandson one last time" she says turning to Naruto and Kiba "You two get the other one...if the Tailed beast hasn't been fully extracted yet the Gaara is still alive" he says and the two now "Sakura...I'll need your help with him" she says and the Pink haired nods

"Count on it"

Outside Naruto and Kiba gave chase "Kiba I need you to find Kakashi and Sasuke" Naruto says and Kiba looks at him saying "What for?" so the blonde points to the Clay bird "He used an Earth based Hand Seal to


create that...which means he has an Earth chakra affinity...Kakashi and Sasuke have lightning Jutsu like me so we can box him in" he explains removing his armband "use this to find your way back to me" he adds and Kiba nods taking the fabric before rushing off in the direction of Kakashi and Sasuke who weren't far.

"Think you can take me alone? Hmm" Deidara calls down to him "Still...He saw my weaving in such a dark cave...not good" he thinks

"I guess we'll see" Naruto says throwing Lightning enhanced Kunai towards the Akatsuki member who flies up to avoid them.

The chase was on

_Konoha_

Hinata was surprised to say the least; she was walking down the street holding a suitcase still gobsmacked about the situation at hand. She never expected something like to happen in a million years, and she wasn't ready when her father told her the news. "What does this mean for me and Naruto?" she closes her eyes as she stops at the door in front of her. Inhaling deeply she knocks...

Inside there is a loud thump as someone approaches the door the door opens "You're early"...

"Welcome to your new home"


The End


And so the battle lines have been drawn, Naruto will face Deidara. Sakura and Chiyo will face Sasori, and who is welcoming Hinata home? All this in the next chapter


Till Next Time


~DoTheBartMan