A/N: Sorry? REALLY sorry? Yeah...so new chapter? When life gets busy and hectic, you all help me continue to focus and develop this story. So, a huge THANK YOU to everyone: readers, reviewers, adds, faves!

Please, keep it up: RxR! Makes my day. I wrote and re-wrote this chapter so much, and this is my final draft. I wanted to approach it as a dramatic back and forth between observers and Kushina-so it switches quickly and often, hope you can keep up! ^_^

Guys...we're getting there! *makes kissy sounds* :3

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. And yes, my OC's can be bitches.

~OoOoO~

Minato's eyes widened slightly as he looked over Kushina while she slowly climbed from Kuromaru's back. She was donning a deep blue dress that was tattered—except for the jonin vest she was wearing over it. Minato assumed it was Tsume's vest, as the dog-nin did not have hers. The hem of Kushina's dress looked to have been hacked off at the knees, revealing bruised legs and lack of footwear. Bright blue eyes studied the kunoichi warily.

How had she come to wear that? he wondered.

He could see blood spatter on her shoulder and neck, though it looked to have dried long ago. Her right arm hung somewhat limply at her side as she took a few steps forward, her gaze fixed on the girl next to Minato. As Kushina stepped closer to the fire, Minato's eyes grew wide. She had a blackened eye and her lip was split. Those, however, were not what disturbed him the most. He could handle seeing her injured, but it was the wound from her neck to her collarbone, the skinned wrists, and the finger-mark bruises on her jaw that angered him. He could barely control his fury as his fists tightened instinctively. What monster had done this? What, exactly, had she suffered?

"You're wounded," he blurted, his voice high-pitched. He cringed, realizing it was not the most intuitive of observations.

Kushina's gaze flickered toward him before quickly snapping back to the imposter. She said nothing, clenching her jaw in anger. Toward whom she was angry, however, remained yet to be determined.

"Woulda been a lot worse had I not arrived when I did," Tsume muttered, her voice a low growl as her eyes flashed at the memory, "was about to have his way with her."

Minato's eyes grew rounder as the imposter threw her head back and laughed deeply, "Her? Her? She is not his type. No no no, not quite...up to par..."

"Oh yeah?" Kushina raised an eyebrow, doing her best to suppress her anger, "I got this from resisting him." She pointed to the marks on her face, her eyes never leaving her enemy's face. "Seems he couldn't keep his hands off of me."

The girl hissed, not breaking form, as she quickly snatched Minato's kunai before slicing at him with it. He jumped back, another one immediately in hand as he prepared to retaliate.

"Wait," Kushina interjected, her tone gruff. "Don't. Even. Think. About. It. Namikaze. She's mine."

"But..." Minato attempted to argue, not taking his eyes from the imposter,"You're in no condition!"

"Heh," Kushina answered simply. "Ration pills. I'll be fine. But thanks for your concern, Minato."

Fiery cobalt scrutiny remained on Nana as Kushina calmly spoke. Minato's eyes widened at her words, his cheeks blazing at her inference. So she had manage to catch some of what occurred between him and the imposter.

He opened his mouth to speak, but Tsume interrupted, "You can't blame him, really, Kushina. Without a nose like mine, she would look like you. Can't fault a boy for dreamin'."

Minato groaned, Tsume was not helping. He raised his hands in frustration, "She came on to me!"

"Hah!" Nana shrilly cackled.

"Enough! You two, get out of here!" Kushina ordered,suddenly, glaring ahead angrily. "Tsume, keep up the sleeping jutsu over the others! I don't want any interference until I'm finished."

"Got it," Tsume nodded, quickly leaping out of the invisible perimeter that had been set up before their arrival.

Minato had an inkling that Kushina had something up her sleeve. He also knew that it was her pride on the line, and if he got in the way of that, he would regret it. He carefully took a step backward, though more hesitantly than Tsume. His eyes remained on the red-haired kunoichi.

The real Kushina.

"I'm fine, dammit! Now just go!" she challenged, her eyes sending him a silent message that he could only assume he comprehended. He nodded, casting one last glance at the imposter as he leaped away.

"Oh, and Namikaze?"

"Hnh?" he asked as he crouched where he landed, next to Tsume.

"We are going to talk. Later. Believe it," she grunted unenthusiastically, still not looking at him. Minato was unsure if she were intentionally not making eye contact. His eyes grew round as he realized he would have some explaining to do.

Tsume chuckled, and he shot her an angry look, "You're not helping. And I'm your superior."

"Yer not acting like it! Making out with the enemy..."

"Dammit, I already told you..." he whispered, trailing off in defeat. She was right. He wouldn't write her up for her insubordination. He would have too much explaining to do. To everyone. He decided to change the topic, "She has a plan, right?"

"Her? She's been plotting this since we left the mansion, I could practically smell it!" Tsume crossed her arms over her chest, staring ahead thoughtfully, "She can handle herself, you know."

I know that, Minato silently answered her,but, she shouldn't have to!

He did not reply, allowing his mind to digest what he had experienced over the past few minutes. How had he been so idiotic? Did he really think that the Kushina he knew would magically fall in love with him? Want to kiss him? This girl was too forward, too needy. He should have known, but his concern clouded his better judgment. As did his feelings for the red head.

You really did it this time, he told himself, seething in his stupidity.

His gaze flickered to the imposter. She did look exactly like Kushina, so there was no way for him to truly know without a heightened sense or ability that would allow him to do so. He had heard of such Transformation Techniques—where the user could flawlessly take on the appearance and abilities of their intended target, though their smell, mannerisms, and sometimes voice could be distinguished by a very perceptive observer. He, however, was not one of those.

How are you going to be a Hokage if you make these kinds of mistakes? he asked himself. This girl was nothing like Kushina. She was awkward, crude, and slovenly—everything Kushina was not. He should have known. Should have.

But didn't.

"Don't kick yourself too much," Tsume whispered, "'Bout the only chance you'd ever have to make out with Kushina, no?" She chuckled, her voice low and rumbling. Minato felt his cheeks flush.

"I can write you up, you know," he replied through clenched teeth.

"I know," Tsume shot back, "But ya won't. You'll have to explain this to the Hokage. So you'll have to bear with me while I amuse myself."

Minato bit his lip, his anger boiling. Kushina looked to be in no condition to fight. He wanted to help her. To save her. He felt Tsume's grip on his arm, and he looked at her expectantly.

Her slitted pupils returned his questioning gaze, "Don't even think about it. She can handle it. If you jump in now, whatever chance you may ever have with her will be-" she snapped her fingers in emphasis, "Zilch. Nada. Got it?"

Minato said nothing, feeling some sort of momentary bond with the Inuzuka kunoichi. From her face, he could tell she wasn't being facetious—she was genuinely offering friendly advice. Was it that obvious that he was interested in the Uzumaki heiress? He pretended to ignore Tsume's comment, glancing back to where the real Kushina was facing off against the imposter.

"Whatever," he muttered under his breath, "Not my concern. I don't want anyone hurt under my watch. If I think she needs help, I'm jumping in."

"Your funeral, Namikaze," Tsume whistled, shaking her head and chuckling, "Your funeral."

~OoOoO~

The Kushina look-alike laughed, "Looks like who-kissed-who is a point of contention."

"Shut up," Kushina snapped, her feet spreading apart, "I'm gonna end this quickly! For Momo."

"Oh, her?" Nana cackled, "She was apparently a tough kill. Really fought back, apparently. Had a will to live."

Kushina snarled, her anger rising. The words were venom on her tongue, "You're nothing but a puppet. You were being used. In fact.." she changed tactics, calling over her shoulder, "Tsume? What was it Daijiro said about her?"

"Disposable, I think it was," Tsume answered back, playing along, "Wait..no...yup, that was it."

"You...you're lying," Nana hissed, not breaking her nearly flawless transformation. She held the unsteady kunai in front of her, the blade reflecting the flickering fire light.

"Am I?" Kushina raised an eyebrow calmly. "He admitted to raping and killing those girls. Every. Single. One." She held back the urge to retch at sharing that information, and her blood boiled with rage.

"He wouldn't—" Nana screamed. "Not about me! He loved me!"

"Face it, he could care less about you!" Kushina yelled back, her eyes tearing as she thought about the poor victims. Defenseless women.

Nana's eyes widened, and the reaction was not missed by Kushina. She took a step forward, her right arm hanging at her side. Her voice was low, though urging, "You know...You know it. He didn't even care that you were in danger after Tsume reported that your little trick was revealed. Do the right thing, Nana. Surrender now!"

"No..." Nana replied, taking a step backward as her kunai-wielding hand trembled.

Kushina squinted at the tag attached to the hilt, her lips pursing slightly. She glanced toward Tsume, who nodded, grinning ferociously. Minato was studying the girl, saying nothing.

"His death was called for, but yours does not have to be. He manipulated you," Kushina shared, fighting back the murderous intent that was threatening to surface. She was sickened at how much she wanted to destroy this woman. To kill her. Despite her rage, she felt slightly guilty at using Daijiro's words against Nana. Taunting her with them.

"Daijiro's...dead?" she whispered, taking another step backward as the information sank in.

Nana's face fell, and her eyes wandered to the ground. Kushina's mind screamed for her to attack, to maim the young woman. But, the kunoichi simply stood there in silence, allowing her enemy to take in what she had just shared. She nodded, feeling nothing at delivering that news.

"No..." Nana whispered, her misty eyes meeting Kushina wary gaze. They were Kushina's eyes. The Leaf kunoichi couldn't help but feel awkward at seeing herself cry. Even if it wasn't truly her...

The imposter's face metamorphosed from disbelieve to anger, and her eyes grew dark with rage as her hand trembled.. Knuckles turned white from her grip on Minato's kunai, "You...you do not speak the truth! I will cut out your lying tongue!"

Her words were filled with venom and intent as she took another step backward. As she did so, she brought her hands together, slowly fading into her surroundings. Soon, Nana was invisible—adeptly camouflaging herself with the environment. Kushina's brow furrowed; she hadn't expected this. The woman had seemed so ungifted when it came to jutsu and chakra control. How could she so easily disappear? Kushina's eyes darted around, she couldn't detect so much as a footpint! The thundering of blood in her ears drowned out any movement of Nana's that could be perceived. Kushina braced herself, thinking furiously of how to counter her enemy's move. If she didn't think of something, and quickly, she would become the hunted, once again.

~OoOoO~

"Shit," Tsume murmured under her breath, her eyes narrowing, "That wasn't expected."

Minato said nothing, quickly recognizing the kekkai genkai; he had seen it before! There was a Genin team during the Chuunin Exam a few years back that had a young man displaying a similar technique. Minato remembered that one of the lesser shinobi villages in the west was, at one time, renown for having a clan with that particular trait—making them formoidible spies, some for hire. The family had fled the forces during the Second Ninja War, never to be heard from again. It had been assumed they had been killed sometime during the war...

Flawless Transformation, it had been called. The user can transform into his or her target simply by touching them and performing a few hand seals. It rendered the user as an exact clone—body, voice, and even techniques, given the user had studied his or her victim beforehand or during the transformation. Mimicking techniques were easy, using ones that were not natural to oneself were not. As long as Kushina did not overtly display herself to Nana, the woman would not have the advantage of knowing what kind of jutsu user Kushina may be.

The particular clan, he remembered, had apparently been able to imperceptibly fade into the background—literally, it seemed. They were undetectable to anyone unable to physically "see" chakra, making the technique useful amongst most shinobi. Few could "see" chakra, and the only two clans that Minato could recall that could were the Hyuuga Clan and the Uchiha Clan—both with their own kekkai genkai. Perhaps this clan was a distant relative of Konoha's elite families, though that was pure speculation on Minato's part. Regardless, he remembered having to retrieve the body of a young male during that particular exam. The teen happened to be the unfortunate victim of another team's attack—one of Konoha's genin teams, or so he thought. It wasn't intended, as the boy was in the wrong place at the wrong time, no doubt spying on other teams. His poor luck led to his death, and Minato could still remember the wails of his young sister as she identified the body.

"Kekkai genkai," the blonde jonin confirmed, his voice low as he watched Kushina. "Kushina, be careful, dammit."

"Oh shit," Tsume breathed, taking in what Minato had shared, "I don't think she was expecting this."

~OoOoO~

Kushina stood still, closing her eyes and listening carefully. She had long ago assumed that this girl had a valuable trait that kept Daijiro from leaving her. Despite being able to tell that the girl had no formal training as a shinobi, she was still deadly on a different level. She could easily sneak up on Kushina, killing her with a well-placed blow. But, Kushina was not in the mood to play games. She had been stabbed, beaten, and nearly taken against her will. She was not to be trifled with. She was, however, feeling weak from the loss of blood, and Tsume's pill couldn't replenish that. She knew what time she had was limited, and she would have to act quickly.

"You won't be able to go far," Kushina called out, "I've set up a perimeter of exploding tags that will go off if you so much as breathe on the barrier."

A shrill, angry scream rang out as Kushina's words set in.

To my right, ten meters away, she told herself, maintaining her calm had anticipated the woman, once cornered, would flee. Kushina had used a few clones to set up the barrier encampment to prevent the imposter from escaping. Any move through the barrier would be instant death to Kushina's opponent. After a few seconds of silence, deep blue eyes opened. Still, she saw nothing: no movement, no footprints.

Maybe she had underestimated the young woman too much...

~OoOoO~

"Can't smell her," Tsume scratched her head in frustration.

"You wouldn't be able to. It's a kekkai genkai that involves total obscurity," Minato shared, crouching down and putting his fingers on the ground.

"But I could smell her before!" Tsume pouted. Kuromaru yipped.

Minato glanced at the duo, "This is different than before, I'm certain. Now, she knows her enemy, she will take care to mask her presence more carefully..."

"You seem to know a lot about her abilties!" Tsume raised an eyebrow.

Minato shook his head, "Too long to explain, but the short version is that there was a boy at the Chuunin Exam a few years back that had a similar ability. We thought he was a member of the Koichi Clan—a family that lived in one of the small, loyal villages out west. They were skilled spies, able to mask their appearance, almost flawlessly with a little research. They could transform into their opponents or their environment. Only someone like a Hyuuga or Uchiha could spot them."

"We have both of those here, with us," Tsume pointed toward the slumbering bodies in front of them, "We could use 'em."

"We could," Minato smirked, his gaze sliding toward her, "But didn't you say that'd be the death of me if I interfered?"

~OoOoO~

Kushina couldn't detect anything—not even a shadow! Whatever Camouflage Technique the girl was using, it was effective beyond anything Kushina had ever witnessed. She knew it was not necessarily about precision, but being able to manipulate the area around oneself, making the user appear invisible. Her mind raced as she tried to think of something she could do. She recalled a jutsu Jiraiya had taught her one week prior to her promotion to jonin. She had sheepishly begged the Sage to help her become more powerful. She wanted to become the strongest, and therefore, she needed to learn from the strongest. And who better to teach her than a Sannin?

Because it was Jiraiya, there was an exchange in services, of course. One that still made Kushina grimace to this day. One that involved a Sexy no Jutsu. He had caved to her every whim, and she used that to her advantage, of course—though it was not one of her proudest moments. Thinking back, she had never truly mastered that technique...so could she do it now?

Kushina's eyes darted around. If she could use Jiraiya's technique, she could at least detect where Nana was hiding or preparing for an attack. All she needed to do was to incapacitate the woman, as she had no intention of killing her. No, that would be too kind. Despite her hatred for the woman, Kushina knew that Nana was nothing more than a tool. A foolish, weak tool. She had been taken advantage of by Daijiro, though Kushina was not disillusioned to the severity of Nana's participation in such horrid behavior. She was far from innocent, but her motives were misguided and she was taken advantage of all the same.

Just like the others.

Somehow, Kushina didn't think the real Momo would want revenge at her expense. No, bloodshed didn't seem to be in her demeanor, though Kushina never met the young, unfortunate victim. She could only honor the memory of someone who did not deserve the death that was dealt to her. Besides, Kushina was well aware that the Interrogation Squad would not be kind to Nana, another motivating factor in her decision to not kill the imposter...

"Had enough?" Kushina called out. "Ready to end this?"

Silence.

Kushina closed her eyes, raising one hand in front of her palm facing to the right as she raised her forefinger and middle finger to touch her lower lip. She curled her other fingers downward as she brought her other hand upward, so that her fingers could quickly flicker through the movements.

"Kekkai: Tengai Hojin!" she whispered into her fingertips as she felt the chakra rise above her, forming a dome.

Kushina breathed deeply as she concentrated, saying nothing and remaining unmoving. She willed the invisible dome to spread away from her, surprised at the ease at which she was able to do so. She hadn't been able to expand the dome this easily before, though it had been a few years since she tried. Perhaps her chakra control had improved that much, or perhaps it was the Ration Pill that repleted her lost chakra. Either way, it was Jiraiya's tutelage that she had reaped the benefits of, and she made a mental note to thank the perverted shinobi at a later date. Maybe.

She reached outward, looking for any signs of life as she scanned the area. She concentrated on the slight movement of a squirrel as it bounded from tree branch to tree branch. A bird bathed in a puddle on the ground, oblivious to the goings-on around it. Farther, she pressed range grew, and she was approaching the boundary of her encampment barrier.

Flicker.

Behind her. Close.

"Aha!" Kushina yelled, "I got you now!"

Her eyes snapped open, the pupils constricting against the light. She deftly leaped aside, her hair flowing following her movement like a crimson tied. A tiny flutter of movement could be seen as blood beaded along Kushina's left cheek and a few strands of red hair floated to the ground. The kunoichi leaned backward, avoiding a slice that barely missed the tip of her nose. She reached up, trying to fend off the invisible intruder. She had been fortunate enough to recognize the movement before Nana attacked her from behind, perceiving it at the last moment, before a kunai plunged into her neck. The blow was intended to kill.

Kushina struggled with the loss of that sense, no longer having the time to concentrate or the luxury of a chakra-sensing ability. She could see the air move around Nana as the woman screeched, slashing at Kushina with an invisible kunai—the one she had stolen from Minato so effortlessly. Kushina punched, missing her opponent, only to feel the red hot pain of a kunai tip plunging into her palm. The kunoichi bit her tongue to prevent herself from screaming. Nana's invisibility was frustrating and Kushina's temper flared.

"I'll kill you," Nana snarled, venom in her voice, "For Daijiro."

"For the man who used you? Ha!" Kushina goaded. The only way she could land a decent attack is to let Nana get close enough to land one of her own...

"He didn't use me! I knew what he was doing. The entire time!" she spat back. "I welcomed it! I liked it! I watched!"

Kushina's eyes grew round at Nana's revelation. How could anyone say that? Shewas a willing and knowing accomplice? Kushina had been wrong in her assumptions! Grossly wrong. Her mind realled at Nana's revelation. It was her turn to be in shock at the cruelty of the world and its people.

"I seduced that artist to give Dai the time to do what he wanted—what he needed!" she laughed, haughtily, her voice throaty, "He couldn't control himself, so what better way to prove my love to him? My undying devotion!"

Kushina felt a wave of nausea as her body grew cold at Nana's confession.

The imposter continued, her voice a cackling screech as she confessed her sins, "That little bitch deserved to die! I finished what he started!"

"Wha?" Kushina gasped, her face ashen.

"Yes! Yes! See? She was still alive, when he was done! So I asked her how she enjoyed my seconds," Nana cooed, "And you know what she did? She spit in my face! So I cut her tongue off before slicing her throat!"

"H-How?" Kushina croaked, her eyes blank as her shoulders slumped in defeat. How could you do that? she had wanted to ask, but her voice failed her. She steadied herself as she suddenly grew numb at Nana's gruesome admission. She reeled from the sadistic couple's revelations these past few hours, her body in total shock; her feet like lead blocks.

"Easily! I hacked each of those bitches to pieces before disposing of their bodies. They all made me sick, the way they pretended to enjoy what Daijiro did to them in hopes of being released! And now, now I will show you how!" Nana yelled, triumphant as her form shimmered into view as she lifted her arm to land the final blow.

~OoOoO~

"KUSHINA!" Minato yelled, as he watched the exchange betwee the women, "Get out of there!"

"Shit," Tsume growled, "It's a suicide mission! She's not even preventing that bitch's attack!"

Minato turned toward her, "Find those tags and remove them! NOW!"

"Right!" Tsume's eyes were wide as she created a clone. Minato did the same, though creating two so that he could wait there for the moment when the barrier dissipated. Combined with Kuromaru, that made five plus the original Minato. If they could find those tags...

Kushina, forgive me!

~OoOoO~

Kushina stumbled backward as the kunai pierced the same shoulder Nana had injured earlier. She felt a flashing hot pain radiate down her arm and up into her neck as she blinked away her confusion. She looked down as the blood soaked through Tsume's vest. She gasped at the pain, her eyes growing wide.

"Just. Like. That," Nana moved closer, breathing heavily.

For a brief instant, Kushina could see her as she lowered her guard. Her eyes were wild as the original chestnut color returned. The recognition was enough to sober Kushina—to wake her up from her shock. She quickly reached out and grabbed Nana's wrist with her right hand, her mouth slowly turning upward into a cruel smile, despite her injuries.

"What?" Nana asked, bewildered. She shimmered once again, solidifying instantaneously.

"I wanted to save this technique," Kushina whispered, her breath ragged as her lung partially collapsed.

She quickly pulled the shackles from her back pocket—the same ones Daijiro had secured around her wrists and ankles. Kushina wordlessly clamped them around Nana's wrist. The woman suddenly reappeared, her chakra flow disturbed and her technique interrupted. She wasn't entirely visible, but enough so that Kushina wouldn't lose sight of her. Nana clawed wildly at the shackle around her wrist, screaming in frustration. Kushina quickly steadied herself with a step backward, clapping her hands together. Her chakra instantly flowed to her hands, becoming visible as it swirled. It gathered an awkward momentum as she cupped her left hand away from her body, palm facing upward. The mass of energy expanded slightly as her chakra solidified.

"I haven't totally mastered it, but," Kushina shared, the corners of her mouth twitching, "this'll do."

She drew her arm back, screaming with everything she had, her eyes wide and her hair wild as the chakra spun rapidly—kicking up a gale of wind. The immature form became lopsided, dissipating some as it blew her hair about. Nana's eyes grew wide at the odd display of chakra control.

"Violent Wind Palm Modification!" Kushina yelled as she slammed her open palm, complete with the pulsating chakra sphere, into Nana's stomach.

Nana screamed at the impact, her skin and clothes shredding as if a thousand tiny razors had sliced through her. Blood spattered over Kushina as she drew her hand back, stumbling backward before she collapsed to her knees. Nana fell to the ground, not even bothering to put her hands out to stop her fall. She writhed in pain, blood staining her lips as the bluish gray chakra disappeared, leaving a few wisps of smoke as a reminder of its presence.

Somehow, Minato leaped forward, kneeling and catching Kushina as she toppled sideways, "Uzumaki!"

Kushina groaned, reaching up and pulling the kunai out of her vest. She let it tumble from her grip, "Thought I didn't notice...did ya?"

Minato clenched his jaw, realizing how foolishly easy to read he had been. Of course she would have realized he had willingly let Nana steal his tagged kunai. Had she thrown the item or dropped it, Minato would have been able to teleport there, instantly, allowing him to enter the barrier Kushina had put up to keep everyone out and Nana in.

"Sorry," he whispered, his hand pulling her vest aside to see the extent of her wound. His eyes grew wide with panic, "Shit, you need a medic!"

"Eh, minor detail," she replied, taking a breath and wincing as she waved her hand. She ignored the fact that he was awkwardly holding her, "I'll be fine."

"Like hell you will! And what was that?" he asked, referring to her last attack. He had never seen anything like it. It was similar to her wind-based attacks from their childhood, sloppy yet precise. It more closely resembled the form she could use with her blades, though she summoned the chakra to her hands without having her blades. There were no hand seals involved, and she was able to transfer it from one hand to another. It was an odd display, and could still use a more refinement.

"Something I was working on," Kushina coughed, gripping her chest and grimacing. Minato decided to hold off on further questioning. Somehow, it didn't seem to be the most important thing right now.

"That's it, I'm taking you back to Konoha! Now!" Minato tried to stand, attempting to pull Kushina up into his arms.

"Like hell you are, I can walk!" she tried to argue, struggling against him. She winced again, her body quickly growing pale from exertion.

"You've lost too much blood! Even those pills of Tsume's can't replace that!" his eyes grew wide as her blood loss continued to grow. Thick red fluid oozed down her cheek, and the stain on her vest continued to spread. Would the gash on her face leave a scar?

Now's not the time to be concerned whether her face will be scarred! he inwardly screamed.

"I said, in case you didn't hear the first time, Namikaze: I'll be fine," she glared at him, "Now leave me be, you damned fool!"

"No," he replied firmly, his grip tightening on her shoulder as she pushed away from him. He was not going to let her get away this time.

"Huh?" she gawked, blinking as if taken aback by his urgency.

"You heard me, Uzumaki. I am your superior, and I'm taking you back to Konoha. Right now, dammit."

"Like hell you will, I'll kill you-" she began.

"Kushina," came the calm voice. Minato jumped and Kushina glanced toward the speaker.

"Hnh?" she muttered, before her body quickly grew limp. Minato instinctively caught her for the second time that night.

"What the-" Minato began to quickly panic before looking over his shoulder, "Mikoto-san!"

He had forgotten that Tsume's jutsu would wear off if she did not replenish it. He glanced around, the others were slowly rising. He had a feeling that Mikoto had not been affected by Tsume's technique...

Red eyes returned his gaze as she pursed her lips to suppress her smile, "Just a little hypnosis. Thought you may need some help. It is Kushina, after all."

Minato nodded, "Thank you."

"She's somewhere...happy, so bide your time well," Mikoto informed him, turning to walk away, "I'm going to make sure the others are...awake now."

Minato did not argue with her, "I have to, er, get her back to Konohagakure for medical treatment."

"Sure," Mikoto waved, "I'll inform your Second-in-Command."

The blonde jonin wordlessly stared after before glancing down at the now-smiling, injured Kushina in his arms. That was much easier than he could have ever anticipated. Perhaps the Sharingan had its uses, after all. He stood, picking Kushina up into his arms and holding her against him for support as he prepared to leave his comrades and rush her back to Konoha for medical treatment. Tsume was suddenly at his side.

"Whoah," she exhaled, her eyes wide as she looked at the girl on the ground, "So that's what she looks like without all the fancy jutsu."

Minato followed her gaze, finding a barely breathing Nana sprawled on her back. Blood was caking around the large, gaping wound Kushina had inflicted. He could see intestines. If this girl were to live, it wouldn't be for long, though he was more concerned about others over the imposter, no matter the mission. His team would come first—as wise shinobi had taught him that...

"We need to get Inoichi. Now," Minato ordered, authoritatively as his eye studied Nana's face.

It was her! It was the same mousy girl he had seen years ago. The same girl who had identified her brother's body, inconsolable and desolate. He felt slightly sorry for the girl she was, no longer pitying the woman she had become.

"Your brother would be disgusted, I'm sure," he whispered to the nearly lifeless enemy.

Tsume looked at him, narrowing her eyes in question. Minato shared nothing, pulling Kushina closer to him. "She's lost a lot of blood, she needs a medic. A good one!"

"Get her back to Konoha already, will ya? Jeesh, I'm tired of your talk, Namikaze!" Tsume rolled her eyes. Kuromaru barked his agreement.

Minato turned away hiding his smile. He looked over his shoulder, "I will leave Shikaku in charge, so if you don't listen to him, you'll have to deal with me. Got it, Inuzuka?"

Tsume saluted emphatically, "Aye aye cap'n!"

Minato quickly disappeared, whisking a hypnotized Kushina away with him. Tsume watched, shaking her head in amusement, "Those two deserve each other."

Kuromaru yipped his agreement again. Tsume patted him on the head, glancing once again at the barely-living girl on the forest floor. Her brown hair was splayed about, her features mousy and her dark eyes visible under heavy, half-closed lids. Tsume leaned down to examine her more closely, her lids narrowing in scrutiny. She stood like that for some time.

"Hmmph," she finally straightened as she heard her comrades approaching. She crossed her arms over her chest, casting one last look at the enemy as she surrendered her prisoner to the Interrogation Representative.

"I'm definitely better lookin' than her!"