AN: I have no problem with reviews. In fact, I like to see them from time to time, makes it worth continuing this fic in the face of heavy paper writing loads. However, I like to see reviews that are more intelligently worded than 'good fic' or 'plz update'.

Chapter 20: Not Again!

Sakura looked up, as Chouji and Shino slowly helped the demon vessel to his feet. Standing, she made her way over to the boy. "You okay?"

Naruto looked at her for a moment, before breaking out his biggest grin. "I'm fine. How'd they take it?"

"Take what?"

Naruto and Sakura both turned, and found themselves eyes to chest with the Godaime Hokage, Tsunade. The blond medic-nin stood, arms akimbo, foot tapping. Naruto was fairly sure he was imagining it, but the ground seemed to shake with every tap, with small cracks beginning to form.

"Well…" Naruto paused. How do you tell the Hokage that, accidentally or not, necessary or not, you had just revealed an S-class secret to a bunch of ninja who wouldn't be qualified to know it for years, if ever at all.

Chouji saved him the effort, as he stepped around in front of the smaller ninja. Not that being smaller was difficult, but still.

"Naruto exposed himself to defend us against the Akatsuki."

"Oh." Tsunade said. "I don't see how dropping his…"

One

Two

"You what?" No screams of fury accompanied this question. And Naruto, knowing all the ways that anger can go, knew that to be a very bad sign. The blond stepped out from behind Chouji.

"They know." The flat tone left no doubt what he was talking about.

She sighed. That's what she'd thought he'd said.

"How bad was it?"

Naruto let a small smile come to his face. "Only three tails."

"Only three? Where is there an only in that?" Sakura demanded, swatting at the back of Naruto's head.

The blond ducked under the swing, afraid for what the pink haired girl's swing could do to the back of his head. Or its attachment to his neck. He rather liked that union.

Tsunade shook her head, and sighed. "Naruto, I'll need a prospective report on the powers of the Akatsuki you fought. Sakura, I'll need a prospective report of what happened that he had to go Kyuubi."

Sakura nodded.

Naruto complained. "I could give you that, easy."

The Hokage's eyes narrowed. "If you had to release that much Kyuubi chakra, he might have tainted your perceptions. We can't risk that. Live with it."

1

The vaguest of shadows slipped across the top of the castle, watching as the two Kages, and their entourages arrived. Time to get into position. Lord Orochimaru's orders must be carried out.

"Gn…" he grunted, as he felt himself fall to one knee. Orochimaru's orders must be carried out.

Maybe so. But he could work that to his advantage. He just hoped they'd get the hint.

1

It happened quickly. The Tsuchikage and Tsunade met in the middle of the castle, their respective entourages watching with the appearance of lazy ease.

Naruto sighed, as he watched the two begin to talk. Well, a quiet arguing would be better, as Naruto could see Granny Tsunade's body tense more and more as the conversation continued.

He had deployed his customary network of Kage Bunshins almost immediately. He had noticed the dark looks from both sets of ANBU, but ignored them. He did, however, send a message to his bunshins to stay out of their way.

1

A Kage Bunshin. Great, he was here. He couldn't afford to be discovered yet…

Ah, an opening. Time to go.

"Chidori."

1

Naruto felt the remerging of one of his Kage Bunshins, as it was abruptly destroyed. It hadn't seen the attacker's face, but the way it was destroyed told him all he needed to know.

Naruto was off and running before anyone realized he was moving. Kakashi saw his pupil begin to run towards the two Kages. Lunging to his feet, he burst into a run, intent on stopping him.

And thus he missed the shock of black hair until it rushed past, blue energy wrapped around its hand. Targetted at the Tsuchikage.

1

Naruto saw both sides of the field moving, reacting to his unexpected charge. That didn't matter, however.

Tsunade spun, locking eyes with the charging blond. He could see the anger in her eyes.

She could see the hardened purpose in his. And under that, just a touch of fear.

She opened her mouth to ask what the hell he was doing. Out of the corner of her eyes, he saw a shock of black hair with red eyes. And a fist-full of lightning.

And then it dawned on her. The song of a thousand birds.

Chidori.

Sasuke.

1

Naruto lunged. Sasuke drew back his fist, aiming directly at the Tsuchikage.

1

Sasuke saw the movement out of the corner of his eye. Too late to adjust, the punch was already thrown and committed.

1

"Damnit." Naruto coughed, as his hand locked onto Sasuke's wrist. "That's the second time you've done this to me." A bit of blood landed on their hands.

Sasuke frowned. Mission failed.

Naruto felt Sasuke grab his wrist, and pull it to his pouch. "Take it." He hissed. No sooner had Naruto grabbed the pouch, than Sasuke kicked away from him, pulling his arm out of the boy's chest.

Naruto fell to his knees, looking from the scroll pouch to Sasuke. Crossing his arms, the boy let his chin fall down and to the left. "Hn."

And he was gone, running up and over the wall of the castle, away from his failed assassination attempt.

Naruto felt a small smile part his lips. He got the hint.

"NARUTO!"

The blond turned. Sakura was running rapidly towards him. He smiled, and held up the pouch.

And fainted.