A/N: No, I don't know the characters. I just play around with them.
Chapter Twelve
The next morning, Team Kakashi met at the entrance to the village.
"We will probably be two days' journey behind you starting tomorrow," Kakashi spoke, "You can wait for us at the board if you wish, especially in the condition that Hinata is currently in."
Kakashi and Iruka, who were speaking separately from the other members, looked at the others from a distance.
"Do you know the full extent of Hinata's condition, Kakashi?" asked Iruka. Kakashi shook his head.
"No, I don't," the copy ninja replied, "The only one who knows about it is Neji and he is keeping quiet about it at the moment. Not even Sakura knows and she is the closest person to Hinata outside the Hyuuga clan."
"I know something is up with Hinata but I just cannot place it," Iruka said.
"Everything will come out into the open in due time, Iruka. It always does."
Sakura ran over to the two shinobi.
"We are ready whenever you are," Sakura spoke. Kakashi looked to Iruka.
"We will meet with the two of you at the border between Wind and Fire, Kakashi," said Iruka, "That should provide enough time for Hinata to rest up before we continue to Sunagakure."
Kakashi nodded in acknowledgement. Once Iruka and the Hyuugas left, Kakashi spoke to Sakura.
"Shall we depart?"
The medic nin nodded and they departed for Kumogakure.
Kakashi and Sakura arrived in Kumogakure just before the sun began to set. As the two ninja walked the streets of the village, Sakura looked around, obviously impressed with the scenery. Kakashi chuckled, causing the kunoichi to look up at him.
"Impressive, isn't it?" asked Kakashi. Sakura nodded.
"I have never been anywhere besides Suna, Konoha, and the Land of Waves before this trip, Kakashi," Sakura replied.
"The last time I was here, the shinobi here had just kidnapped Hinata Hyuuga," said Kakashi, "I was a member of one of the backup ANBU squads. Things have not changed a lot since then, for the exception of the shinobi of Kumo being kinder towards shinobi from other lands."
The couple continued down the street, eventually stopping off at an unknown building.
"Jiraiya should be in here if I know him well enough," said Kakashi, "Stay with me at all times. The place is pretty shady."
Sakura nodded in reply as the two ninja entered the small tavern- like building. Inside the building was filled with smoke and the smell of sake. Kakashi looked around the room.
"Over there," Kakashi said, leaning in toward Sakura. He and the medical kunoichi walked toward the furthest corner of the room. At a table, his back toward everyone else was Jiraiya, drinking sake. Kakashi and Sakura sat down.
"Jiraiya- sama," began Kakashi.
"Kakashi."
Jiraiya looked over toward Sakura, then back to the copy ninja.
"I was not aware that anyone else would be present when I met with you, Kakashi."
"She decided to come at the last minute, Jiraiya- sama."
Jiraiya observed Sakura once more.
"You're Tsunade's apprentice, aren't you? I have seen you with her on several occasions when I was in Konoha."
Jiraiya turned his attentions back to Kakashi.
"What have you found out so far, Kakashi?"
Kakashi folded his arms across his chest.
"Itachi Uchiha spoke to Minako sometime after Naruto was last seen in Whirlpool," replied Kakashi, "He disappeared sometime afterwards."
"That much I was guessing at," Jiraiya replied, "The Akatsuki must have either located him after they found out about Naruto's location or they could have recruited the guy prior to that. Could be either, but I am leaning more toward the latter."
Jiraiya sat a book down on the table before Kakashi. Kakashi picked the book up and began to look through it.
"The reason I am leaning toward prior recruitment is because Minako has been considered an S- ranked missing nin for a while now. Like everyone else in the Akatsuki, he is dangerous."
Jiraiya pointed to a picture of Minako and Kushina when they were younger, most likely during their genin days.
"He knows quite a bit about the Nine Tails," continued the Toad Sannin, "Probably as much or even more than Konoha."
"What do you mean, Jiraiya- sama?" Kakashi asked, looking up from the book.
"Well, first of all, he and Kushina were genin teammates. You and me know that she was the previous host of the Nine Tails. Secondly, legend states that the Nine Tails is originally from the Land of Whirlpools and has been a part of the Uzumaki lineage for as long as anyone can remember, at least, until Kushina married Minato."
Kakashi closed the book and handed it back to Jiraiya.
"And what about the Akatsuki, Jiraiya- sama?" asked Kakashi, "What have you found out about them?"
Jiraiya shook his head and replied, "No luck, Kakashi. Not good because they just captured the eight tailed host, which makes their count up to seven now."
Kakashi's uncovered eye widened.
"That means that the only ones left are…"
"Naruto and Gaara," Jiraiya said, finishing off Kakashi's statement. The copy nin went quiet. Sakura looked at the jounin as he slowly rose to his feet.
"We need to find Naruto as soon as possible."
Jiraiya smiled.
"I just received word earlier from one of my summons that Naruto is in Sunagakure with the Uchiha boy."
Naruto woke up the next morning to an empty bed. The blond shinobi sat up and yawned, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He looked on the nightstand to his right, finding a not. Naruto picked it up and read it.
Training. Meet me at the training grounds after you wake up. –Sasuke
The blonde shinobi smiled as he sat the note down. He got up and proceeded to get dressed. Naruto was tying his headband when a knock came from the door. He walking to the door and opened it, finding Temari standing in the hallway.
"Good morning," said Naruto.
"Morning," replied Temari, "Did you receive Uchiha's note?"
Naruto nodded and replied, "I am on my way there, actually."
"I'll take you there," said the Sand kunoichi, "He figured you didn't know where they were so he asked me to escort you."
Naruto left the room and followed Temari out of the building.
"Where are the others?" asked Naruto.
"Shikamaru and Lee are out on patrol with Kankuro. They are going to meet one of the Leaf's teams at the bordercountry."
"Sakura-chan's team?" asked Naruto. Temari shook her head.
"Gai's team," replied Temari.
"Bushy Brows' sensei!" Naruto exclaimed, "Sounds like Granny Tsunade sent the whole village!"
"They will be here around nightfall, so don't have anything planned. Gaara wishes to speak to everyone later."
"Figures," said Naruto.
Temari and Naruto arrived at the training grounds nearly ten minutes later, finding Sasuke sitting underneath a nearby tree.
"I have to depart," Temari said, "I am running errands for Gaara."
After Temari left, Naruto walked over to where Sasuke sat, kneeling down before him.
"Good morning," whispered Naruto.
"Morning," Sasuke replied quietly, his eyes meeting with Naruto's. Naruto sat down in front of the Uchiha.
"Did you want to train or not?" asked Naruto. Sasuke smirked.
Both shinobi rose to their feet and stared at one another.
"If you plan on going with me, I need to know if you have improved."
Sasuke withdrew his katana. Naruto performed his infamous shadow clone jutsu.
"Then let's get this party started!" exclaimed the blond shinobi.