Author's Note:
So sorry it took so long to update… I had to go somewhere and it was an emergency. Everything is cool now so I hope this chappie makes it up!
Some fans are starting to think HikaShika would be cute. I'm sorry(or not) to say it's still a narusasu fic. However I do plan a special role for shika (coughjealoussasukecough) in the later chapters and that's why his reactions are the way. You have to add in the fact that Hikari may be a girl but is still very oblivious. Anyways, thanks for liking my fic! Read on!
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As a special request, someone wanted Haku and Zabuza a couple. I prefer Haku and Hinata… because of the way I set up the story and paired everyone up…. Anyways I can change it if more people prefer hakuxzabu. So vote in your reviews:
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Chapter 20: Race against Time. Begin!
Naruto pretended to be extremely busy training and Kakashi vouched. Tsunade was afraid that they might need a back-up team and hoped Naruto would finish soon so they'd catch up. Shikamaru had a determined look on his face. I won't fail Hikari. This is my chance to help her. Ino smiled, "Wow, Shika! You look so determined!" Shikamaru smirked and chuckled, "I just know there are people counting on me." Kakashi smiled, "I'm not worried. You said you had a full proof plan right?" Shikamaru nodded. No one said it but they all knew Naruto was behind this.
Meanwhile somewhere…. Pein closed his eyes, "We need all the rings here. Regardless of contact, our plans are useless without the rings." Hidan's and Kakuzu's rings were already on a fake golden hand. Deidara and Tobi put theirs on. Kisame and Zetsu were next. After the leader and his unnamed partner put theirs on, everyone glanced at Itachi. Itachi opened his eyes, "I assure you I won't die." Pein shook his head, "It's too risky. It can be stolen. The Kyuubi's vessel knows too much." Itachi slowly took it off and glared at the hand with his ring. Pein sighed, "There is also the trouble of Orochimaru's ring. We need it. We'll worry about capturing the fox later." And so the members went about discussing. Then Zetsu stopped, "It seems another Konoha team is approaching Hidan and Kakuzu." Pein nodded, "Since you two are the only clones, you may go. Avoid the jinchuuriki."
Naruto sighed as he finally took a break. He sat in a soft chair and Arashi bounced on his lap. Naruto smiled and petted his head for a while. Jiraiya watched as Naruto finally spoke. Naruto smiled sadly, "After I make sure Kakashi and team 10 are alright, I'm guessing Sasuke and Akatsuki will become a close threat." Jiraiya frowned, "Do you honestly think Sasuke would dare harm his own child?" Naruto shrugged and bitterly frowned, "He tried to kill me. He wants to kill his brother. What makes his child any different?" Jiraiya shook his head, "I still don't think he would ever. He is still alive deep down." Naruto sighed, "Perhaps. But until he shows me, he is a single man with only a psychotic brother for family."
Jiraiya chuckled, "You sure love to be in denial." Naruto glared, "That he's insane?" Jiraiya pointed a finger to himself, "I may know little about dealing with teenagers, but I know a lot about love. And you have it bad." Naruto rolled her eyes, "Yeah, I loved the guy." Jiraiya wagged a finger, "You still love him." Naruto looked down, "I love a man I knew. But now, the man I knew is not the man I know. I hate the man I know." Jiraiya kissed his head, "Ever thought, that just maybe, the man you know is still the man you knew?" Naruto turned away and hugged Arashi. The fox yipped and licked his mother's cheek. Jiraiya left the room, "Just think how Arashi would feel later in life."
Kakashi growled as he felt the presence of Akatsuki. Hidan smirked, "Aww, no fox? And here I thought I can get my revenge for all that pain." Kakuzu frowned, "Don't get hasty Hidan. These people know our weaknesses, no doubt." Kakashi chuckled, "Are you afraid?" Hidan grinned, "It's your precious bitch you should worry about. Even Itachi is clueless of why she would deliver such a simple message for her life." Kakashi's sharingan spun wild. Shikamaru's chakra spiked. Ino and Chouji wondered who the female, they were talking about, was. Hidan cracked his knuckles, "Well shall we get this battle started?"
It was a matter of time before Hidan killed one of Kakuzu's lives. Shikamaru smirked at the flawless plan and continued to corner Hidan into the trap. Kakuzu growled. Shit, my last life and I'm dead! Unless, I can steal a heart… Kakuzu began to aim for the weakest, Ino. Of course, there was still Kakashi. His sharingan spun like crazy, "How did hell did you find out about her?" Kakuzu huffed, "Maybe if those love birds had some decency not to make out in public!" Kakashi's eye spun. This is bad! How did they manage to spy on the Valley of the End battle?! Shit, what will Itachi do?! This temporarily distracted him to give Kakuzu an opening.
He was met with a mix of wind and water that over powered the water. Kakuzu hissed, "Well, well the guest of honor has arrived." Kakashi held a fear in his eye, "What else do you know?!" Kakuzu chuckled, "Nervous, are we? Why? Is Akatsuki close to gaining their prize?" Naruto saw the look on Kakashi and growled, "What the hell did you figure out?! You know what!? Screw that!" Instantly, Naruto formed another futon rasen shuriken. In a flash, Naruto was gone. Kakuzu gasped only to have his last heart pour out. Naruto cringed feeling the jutsu was too much with little rest time. Slowly, he felt his bloodlimit cancel out. So Naruto did the only thing he could, transform into a little fox.
Shikamaru came out smiling, "Hidan has been taken care of." He looked around to see shocked faces and a pale face on Kakashi. Naruto was no where. However, there was a small golden fox by Kakuzu's dead body. Kakashi snapped into action, "Hikari, where is Naruto?" The fox looked relieved, "That was er a clone. He summoned me to tag along in stealth." Most bought that, however Yamato, Sai and Shikamaru weren't convinced. But like most learned. Keep your mouth shut because Naruto has deadly secrets. The body was taken as the fox happily skipped along the path. Sakura and Ino were chatting. They were all enjoying their time. Of course, Kakashi was debating on how to break the news.
In Orochimaru's manor… Orochimaru felt extreme pain as Kabuto left to get medicine. A jutsu started to cut him and the wall. Sasuke glared with his sharingan, "You die… today." As Sasuke fought him, he couldn't help but feel pent up anger. So this is the guy who made Hikari miserable. The one who made her love turn into hate. The man who turned her pure innocence into rotten stains. I'll avenge her right now, and then my family. Sasuke glared, "You are of no use to me anymore." After the rather short battle, Sasuke left Kabuto and Orochimaru's body. After Kabuto grabbed some body parts to transfer, he saw Akatsuki's ring. Smiling, he took it. From afar, Zetsu faded away growling. Pein opend his eyes, "Well?" Zetsu shook his head, "Orochimaru is dead, by Sasuke's hand. But Kabuto now has the ring." Silence filled the cavern.
Itachi walked somewhat aimlessly. Kisame stared at him in pity, "What is wrong with you? Ever since you found out your brother has a chick, you've been haywire." Itachi sighed, "I'm fine." How am I going to do this? I said I would capture the jinchuuriki, but she's strong. She knows I'm going blind. If she wanted, she can easily take my mangekyou away. And I'll be left with a pitiful vision of sharingan. It's like I'm using a toy against the creator of the very toy. She knows my weakness and she'll use it. But what's her weakness… surely there is something other than Sasuke or Arashi…of course, the boy… Kisame's sweat dropped as Itachi face went from depressed to furious to curious to maniac evil/happy. He backed away as he heard maniacal laughter fill the air.
Once again, back in Konoha… Kakashi sighed as he went to Tsunade during the autopsy. Hikari heard whispers behind her. Sakura frowned, "Naruto seems like such a different person these days. I really miss him. Sometimes I wish I never asked him to get Sasuke back all those years back. He's so worked up from saving him or killing him. Poor baka will die of pressure!" Ino nodded, "You're right. He seems so full of secrets lately. Just when you're close to finding something out about him, Shikamaru goes and threatens you to forget what you saw!" Sakura blinked and then sadly faced the ground she was walking on, "I miss the cheerful idiot that always messed up but kept trying. Did he die?" Ino shrugged, "Well you have to admit he's much hotter than back when he was twelve." Sakura giggled then watched Hikari carefully. Hikari felt she intruded and ran off. Sakura rolled her eyes, "I think Naruto just heard what we said."
Kakashi found Naruto holding Arashi next to Jiraiya. Kakashi sighed, "You do realize Akatsuki knows about you? Your form, gender, relationship with Sasuke?" Naruto bit his lip, "I'm afraid they know more than that…" She held on tighter to Arashi who yelped and Naruto loosened the grip. Jiraiya smiled, "C'mon, don't worry. Even Itachi can't take on Tsunade and me! Arashi will be perfectly safe when you leave again!" Naruto gave a fake smile which both men bought.
Within the time Sasuke gathered Team Hebi, the news about Orochimaru spread like wild fire. Tsunade was startled when the news reached her. Meanwhile, Konohamaru came up to Naruto who was stuffing his face in ramen. Konohamaru grinned, "Hey boss! Look at my new improved jutsu!" In a puff of smoke, lesbian action was brought on. Naruto chuckled nervously as Sakura crackled her knuckles and whacked Konohamaru's head. Arashi nodded in approval getting a petting from Sakura.
Konohamaru frowned as he rubbed his head, "Ouch, you know it does serve a good distraction." Sakura scoffed, "If you mean old perverted men then yes." Konohamaru pouted and in another puff of smoke came out Sasuke and Sai. Sakura looked like she was in heaven while Arashi ran up Kakashi's vest. This time Naruto cracked his knuckles, "Konohamaru…" Sai smiled, "Hey that's me…" Sai looked over to see Naruto clearly insulted and jealousy was all over his face. Konohamaru gulped as he was sent flying into the nearest wall, "Don't you dare use that jutsu near my face again! Disgusting!" Sai smiled, "You're just dickless!" Naruto flared his nose and punched Sai just as hard. Sakura snapped out of her daze embarrassed. Naruto put his fist in the air, "Don't go corrupting an innocent kit! Idiots!"
Kakashi chuckled as he handed the frightened fox back. Totally over Sasuke my ass. Haku smiled as she saw the arguing team. Naruto finally ended his hissy fit and smiled, "Hi Haku!" Sai's sweat dropped. Bipolar, much? Haku smiled back, "Hello Naruto-kun. The hokage requests your presence." Naruto sighed as he picked up his son and they walked to the tower. Tsunade had a serious look over her face. Naruto knew exactly what it meant. Jiraiya glared at Naruto while Kakashi looked nervous. Tsunade sighed, "Orochimaru is dead." Naruto let a small smile play on his lips. So I guess Itachi is mine for the taking. Naruto smirked, "I'm guessing Sasuke had enough of that snake?" Tsunade nodded. Naruto continued, "Then let's go find Itachi!"
Elsewhere, Itachi and Kisame deliver a jinchuuriki. Pein nodded, "Good. This leaves the five tailed and the eight tailed." Itachi nodded, "We have three months until we can seal the nine tailed. Should we capture her now?" Pein closed his eyes, "Itachi, you know a lot about the nine tailed. Go capture her. Meanwhile, Zetsu, keep an eye on Sasuke. My partner and I shall scout for members. Deidara and Tobi, go get Orochimaru's ring. All of you be on the look out for the remaining jinchuuriki." The members departed. Deidara snorted, "Kabuto would most likely be near Sasuke. I'll kill the brat if we find him. Yeah." Tobi smiled, "Hai, Deidara-sempai."
Somewhere, Sasuke and team Hebi were all ready to depart. Karin blushed, "So, Sasuke-kun… Do you have any idea where Itachi is?" Sasuke snarled. Suigetsu sighed, "So Zabuza-sensei is alive, huh? I wonder how?" Sasuke held a chuckle down. I bet Hikari has something to do with it. Suigetsu cocked his head, "What's so funny Uchiha?" Sasuke shrugged, "I'm surprised Zabuza is alive considering the price for touching me." Suigetsu snorted, "You're not that special." Karin whacked his head making water spill, "Baka! Of course, Sasuke-kun is special!" Sasuke rolled his eyes as they continued down the path. He stopped, "Split up for information."
Naruto sighed heavily as they were far away from Konoha. Please, Arashi. Be safe. Kakashi looked at Naruto's worried face, "Everything's going to be fine." Naruto sighed yet again, "I hope so." They stop in a nearby town. Kakashi states, "Search here. If we find nothing in a five mile radius. We move on." He summoned his nin dogs. Naruto smirked and summoned four nin foxes. All the foxes were a plain red. Naruto nodded, "Meet Kita(north), Minami(south), Nishi(west) and Azuma(east). They will help search." The foxes snarled. Naruto pulled out Sasuke's handband and both the foxes and dogs sniffed.
Kakashi put two dogs per person or team. Naruto nodded, "Agreed so we send out a radio signal if we find something." Sakura gave Naruto a worried look before running off. Naruto gripped his cloak so no one can see his kimono underneath. And so the teams went searching. Meanwhile the sharingan was spinning and watched the two drunk sannin drink. The eyes gazed upon the little black fox. A smirk crawled up the pale face. The fox nervously turned into the blank space. Instantly the fox was trapped in a genjutsu. While Jiraiya laughed alongside Tsunade, Arashi walked away, toward the figures.
Sasuke looked around the area, "Show yourselves." Deidara chuckled, "Well, well. If it isn't the Uchiha boy." Tobi was right next to him, "I don't see the jinchuuriki anywhere." Deidara nodded, "Hmpf. Itachi-sempai said he'll take care of Hikari." Instantly Sasuke growled and his sharingan spun wildly, "How the hell do you know about that?! Where is Itachi?" Tobi nodded, "Sempai, I think you got her boyfriend mad." Deidara huffed, "Doesn't matter, they'll both be taken care of soon enough." Sasuke charged ahead. In the distance, a red glimmer faded.
Naruto was walking along side Hinata, Yamato and a dog when Nishi appeared. Naruto bent down, "Any news?" The fox barked, "Sasuke-sama was seen facing off another Uchiha and some blonde haired man called Deidara. He was angered by the fact they knew about you, Hikari-hime." Naruto rolled his eyes, "That teme. Wait… another Uchiha? Was it Itachi?" The fox shrugged, "Does Itachi have an orange mask?" Naruto blinked, "Are you sure this was an Uchiha?" The fox huffed, "Are you insulting my nose?" Naruto smiled and petted his head, "Keep looking. Good work. See it that the others and you find his team mates." The fox nodded and ran off.
Just then, Kabuto appeared. Naruto glared, "Kabuto, has your fear passed?" Kabuto nervously chuckled, "A little I suppose. I learned to become my own person." He took off his hood. Naruto looked disgusted as before, "You sick man! Orochimaru did rub off on you!" Kabuto sighed, "Then I suppose you wouldn't want a trade right now?" Naruto eyed him, "For what?" Kabuto smiled, "You see, I want to avenge Orochimaru and kill Sasuke-kun. His power is trying to take over me, but just like you, I'll use it as my own. For teaching me that lesson and sparing my life, I present info on Akatsuki." He held up a book and tossed it to him.
Naruto growled, "You think I want some dumb book when you're out to kill teme?!" Kabuto frowned, "I thought you would want information on the group?" Naruto scowled, "That's besides the point! I'm not going to let you kill him! I'll kill him first before that happens!" Kabuto chuckled, "So it's a race against time. I see." He twirled the ring on his finger and disappeared, "Goodbye, Naruto-kun." Naruto hissed as he gripped the book tight.
Karin and Sakura passed each other in the crowd. Just as Sakura was about to get a better look, a fox jumped out. Kita yipped with joy. Nishi nodded then barked. Kita looked surprised and the two ran off. Sakura sighed confused. One dog spoke up, "I just missed Sasuke's scent." Sakura's eye twitched. Azuma was near Kakashi when Kita and Nishi came barking. Azuma jumped with joy and the three ran off. Kakashi sweat dropped. Just what did Hikari tell them? Minami was near Shino and Kiba when three foxes came near her. They wagged tails and the four ran off. Kiba sighed. Some useful foxes! They stopped searching! Akamaru barked and Kiba gasped. So they stopped the search because they found a scent? Could it be Sasuke?
Meanwhile Itachi was scruffing the black fox. The fox was yipping from fear and Itachi growled, "Didn't your parents teach you to zip your mouth?!" Kisame's sweat dropped, "You can understand what the fox is saying? Why did we steal a fox anyways?" Itachi sighed. How can I understand Arashi? Maybe because he is of my own blood? Itachi glared, "This fox will be enough to bait our target." Kisame chuckled, "I'm guessing cutting the mouth off is a no?" Itachi nodded. They chained the fox up and made sure he couldn't wiggle out. Itachi pointed a finger, "You will listen. Do not make a single noise or your parents will die." Fear filled the kit's eyes. He looked too scared to even move. Itachi sighed, "I think that should shut him up."
Jiraiya was laughing with Tsunade. Tsunade sighed, "So are you going to the Rain village?" Jiraiya smiled, "Yeah, but you'll have to keep a close eye on Arashi." Tsunade smiled, "Naruto sure is fond of the fox huh? He'll make a great father one day." Jiraiya smiled only to panic when he couldn't find Arashi. Tsunade gasped, "He just is around here somewhere, right?!" Jiraiya was already running around then started to hyperventilate. Tsunade smacked his face, "Calm down. Summon a frog." Jiraiya nodded, "Good idea!" He summoned Gamakichi and whined, "Where is Arashi!?" The frog rolled his eyes and sniffed the air, "Hmm, it smells like that Uchiha kid but not exactly. Seems that Arashi's scent mixed with his."
A wave of fear spread over Jiraiya's face. Tsunade started to become nervous, "Itachi?" Jiraiya only nodded slowly, "I think that Itachi has just gained a favor from Naruto." Tsunade gasped, "We have to do something! We should call the anbu! It's only a matter of time before Naruto hands himself over!" Jiraiya was also panicking. What if Sasuke finds Itachi first!? He doesn't know he has a son?! Does Itachi think Sasuke knows?! He could be killed! Poor kid is only two! Tsunade looked at Jiraiya, "You looked afraid." Jiraiya nodded, "I'm afraid of what happens when you steal a great demon's child. Something worse than the Kyuubi attack perhaps?" Tsunade's eyes only showed more fear. I knew it. Ramen is the Kyuubi! So how it is that Arashi is the Kyuubi's son? Is it even possible considering he's a living mass of chakra? Naruto… shit!
A loud blast was heard in the forest. Each group turned to the noise and ran. Sasuke coughed as he leaned against the dying snake. Manda hissed, "So it's true. You smell of foxes. Traitor. I hope your mate and you rot in hell." Sasuke heaved as the snake died. Karin, Juugo and Suigetsu ran by. Karin sighed, "Sasuke-kun, you're injured!" Four foxes watched carefully as Sasuke was helped up and the four walked off. They saw Tobi appear from the ground and laugh, "Poor Deidara-sempai. I have the power of Madara Uchiha! The sharingan!" Tobi heard a rustle in the woods only to discover foxes. He thought he heard them say something. He shook it off. I'm hearing things.
While Jiraiya and Tsunade prepared the village, Jiraiya sent the fastest bird to deliver a message to Hikari. Jiraiya sighed as he looked out the window. A bloody sunset. War is approaching. Meanwhile Sasuke was resting in a hotel room. Karin wagged a finger, "Sasuke-kun you should get rest. What you did was cool but it will take some time to heal." Suigetsu chuckled, "Yeah, yeah. You just want to snog him." He was hit again as Juugo's seal acted up. Sasuke hissed and activated the sharingan. Juugo calmed down. Sasuke growled, "Understand me when I say flaring power right now will give us away." Karin blushed as she went out for medicine.
Naruto held his fist as he saw the area. What a mess! It smells like there was two Uchihas here. But the scent is a dead end to here. Damn it! Two foxes came into view with a smirk on each snout. Naruto smirked back, "Perfect." Kiba's eye twitched, "I can't find a scent!" Naruto nodded, "My pretty foxes have been tracking Sasuke. I know where he is. Kita and Azuma are currently watching him." Sakura shouted, "Then why didn't you say so!" Naruto glared, "I'm no idiot! We have to make sure we corner him. We have the upper hand of surprise." Kakashi eyed the nervous Naruto. What are you hiding? The foxes found something else, didn't they?
Juugo was holding birds on his arm when one told him the foxes were after them. Juugo laughed a little. Suigetsu raised a brow, "What's so funny?" Juugo chuckled, "My birds tell me a pair of foxes are eyeing them. I think they don't want to get eaten." Sasuke's eyes widened, "Shit, we need to leave!" Suigetsu sighed, "Relax. Foxes don't eat humans." Sasuke growled, "Those foxes are tracking us idiots!" Juugo cocked his head. Sasuke chuckled, "Of course it's the perfect summoning. Foxes are common among the woods. However I'm pretty close to the only user of the fox contract." Karin slammed the door open, "We have trackers!" Suigetsu glared as his head faded into shape again, "We heard from Sasuke."
Sasuke looked into the sky as they left the city. Konoha's fastest hawk fly overhead. Naruto looked to see two panicked foxes. They explained Sasuke spotted them. Naruto cursed, "Foxes are out. Kiba, we're relying on you." Kiba smirked until the scent spread into many. Naruto growled, "We don't have time for this!" Naruto left his hood up and many clones went around the area. A voice chuckled. Hikari glared under her hood, "Itachi…" Itachi came into view, "Hikari… You have something I want." On a branch was one of Juugo's birds.