Here it goes readers. Took a while but I managed to get a new chapter out for this story. It's not that long since as it's to continue the aftermath from the invasion. Disclaimer, I don't own Naruto.

Chapter 26
Repercussions

It was a somber day in Konoha. The attempted invasion had been prevented and the rogue shinobi Orochimaru was killed. Despite those successes, they didn't come without a price. Many shinobi from the village had died protecting it. One was being Jiraiya who had scarified himself to get rid of his former teammate and fellow Sannin.

When things had calmed down, it allowed the people to mourn those who have been lost. A mass funeral was being held and everyone in Konoha who could attend was there. As if to symbolize the mood, the weather was murky and a storm was likely on the way.

The villagers stood there as one by one they gave parting words to those who were being laid to rest. There wasn't anything glamorous and the feeling was somber. Nature would put a fitting end as it started to rain heavily. It would get to the point that it was impossible to tell whether the tears coming down people's faces were rain or tears.

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"Well? What do they say?" The day following the memorial funeral, things started returning to normal. Currently Kushina was sitting in a room with a case of anxiety. "Do the tests confirm what you said?"

"Indeed they do." confirmed Tsunade. She grabbed a chair and sat in front of her friend as a conversation was on its way. "Probably shouldn't come as a surprise. There was a chance of this happening."

"But for it to happen now. With everything that's been going on this'll just cause an untimely burden." Seeing the unusual energetic redhead being all apprehensive was an uncommon sight. "Don't know how I can tell Minato."

"Might be overstepping it but you should tell him sooner rather than later. Delaying it would only make it worst." Tsunade's advice was heard but there was no telling whether Kushina would go through with it.

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"Something must be done." In the main hall the council was having a meeting to discuss things that resulted from the invasion. Currently they were talking about one of the more pressing matters. "It can't go unanswered."

"I agree with Inochi." Choza seconded. "We've waited long enough and it can't be held off any longer."

"Please Hokage; allow me to use my hounds to search for them. They will be found." Tsume vowed.

All attention was turned to the Fourth Hokage as they waited to hear what he had to say. "Before we make a decision, we must be careful on how it'll be handled."

"We must act now." demanded Hiashi. "For heaven's sake, the entire Uchiha clan has disappeared. We can't let this go unanswered." There were murmurs of others in the council who agreed.

"Nor can we make rash decisions." Minato was quick to retort. "Imagine what'll happen if this becomes known. We'd become even more of a target than we already are." That thankfully caused the disputing to halt. "We'll search for the Uchihas but we must be discreet so not to draw unwanted attention." Fortunately that didn't get any arguments. "Now then, are we in agreement to the terms of Suna's surrender? Although there was some resistance, everyone agreed.

"Not as though they had much choice." one of the council members whispered to the person sitting beside them. "After all, our demon killed theirs." When they saw the heated glare from the Hokage they knew they were heard.

"I'd be careful with what you say. It was that boy who saved a good majority of people in this village." Smartly the council members kept quiet. "That'll be all today. Meeting adjourned." Soon the room was empty, with only Minato remaining.

Now alone he went to work on the other issue that needed to be handled. Grabbing the stack of folders that were on the desk he opened the one on the top. Each folder contained the evaluations of everyone who participated in the Chunin Exam finals. "This should get some interesting responses."

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Next Day…

"Congratulations. I'm proud to welcome you as the new chunin of Konoha." Standing before the Hokage were those who were deemed worthy of being promoted. As he expected, the news got a variety of reactions.

"Great. Got even more responsibilities. Talk about troublesome." grumbled Shikamaru. He looked slightly annoyed as he held his new chunin vest.

"Quit complaining." Asuka shot back with no real hostility. "You're the only prson who'll actually be upset in getting promoted."

"Let him be." Naruto intervened as peacemaker. "He isn't really known as being an upbeat person. Besides…" With a goofy grin he threw on his own vest before doing a little dance. "I'm a chunin too."

"My brother." Chuckling at Naruto's antics, Haku turned to his father and gave him a formal bow. "Thank you Hokage. It's an honor that you believe in us."

Smiling at his son's formality, Minato waved it off. "That isn't necessary. You all earned this. Whether it was from your performances during the exam or what you did during the invasion, you showed that you had the qualities to be chunin." The Hokage's laid back stance would fade and become more somber. "You have the rest of the day to do whatever you want. Although, do stay Haku. There's something that I wish to discuss."

Everyone left the office and began to go their separate ways. Naruto was going to head home when he caught sight of Hinata. The two hadn't the opportunity to see one another with everything going on. "Wait up Hinata." He called out to her when she had turned to leave. Hearing her name caused the Hyuga to stop but didn't turn around. "Was wondering if you could come with me for a while?" Maybe we could talk." There wasn't any sign of her being in favor of the offer. "Guess you have other things to do. Forget I asked."

"Talking would be nice." said Hinata in a voice low enough that Naruto wondered if he imagined it. She finally turned around and gave the blond a bashful look. "Have anywhere in mind for us to talk?"

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"What is it that you needed to talk about father?" Haku questioned. "By the sounds of it, it was important." He couldn't help being curious about the sudden request.

"To an extent it is." Reaching into his desk, Minato pulled out a folder. "As you may already know that a reason why we were prepared for the invasion was because we managed to get some inside information. What isn't widely known is some of the sources." He then slid the folder to his son. "I believe the contents will help explain why I ask for you to stay behind."

Opening the folder, Haku read what was inside. He soon understood what his father meant as his eyes widen. "This could be trouble."

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With everything that had gone on it was no surprise that the village's hospital had been busy. Over time things started to return to a semblance of normalcy. Although most of its occupants had already been realized, there were those who still resided within.

In one of the rooms was Shino. He was recovering from his match with Neji and if it wasn't for all the craziness that came from the attempted invasion he would've likely been healed and released already but those with more serious injuries took higher priority. When Shino was finally treated he still had to remain in the hospital for one more day. "This might be for the best. It'll give me some peace and quiet."

"Here you are." At the doorway was teammate, Ino. Smiling at him, she walked over and stood by his bed. "Looks like you're getting better. That's good."

"They say I can be released tomorrow." While his quiet was ruined, Shino wasn't going to be rude. "What are you doing here? I figured you'd be bus helping with the reconstruction of the village."

For a moment Ino looked to be offended but quickly covered it up. 'You really think that I wouldn't take the time to come see my teammate? I'm offended at such an accusation." The last part was done as a jest in the hopes of lightening the mood. "Choji wanted to come too but he had things to do with his family that he couldn't get out of."

While he didn't show it, Shino appreciated what Ino had done. "I'm grateful of your gesture. No need to be concerned about Choji's absence. I'm sure that you'll talk enough to make up for it." He had hoped that his last remark would be taken as a joke.

That wouldn't be the case as the blonde saw it as something else. "Now what do you mean by that?" It wasn't long until Shino really missed the quiet.

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"Sounds like quite the commotion." In a room not far from Shino's was the one reserved for Neji. Much like with the Aburame, he had been treated of his injuries and bedridden before being released. Another thing in common was that he had his own company. "Don't they realize where they are? Perhaps someone should remind them."

"Let it go Tenten." waved off the Hyuga. "It's good to be lively after everything that's occurred." Looking over, Neji noticed the surprised expression. "What is it?"

"It's nothing. It's just that you wouldn't say something like that." Finding humor in the moment, Tenten smiled. "It's almost as though you're more at ease."

The observation seemed to surprise Neji. "Perhaps I have. Maybe I realized that I don't have to destine to live one certain way of life."

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"This is amazing." On top of the Hokage Monument, Hinata looked out as the sun slowly started to set over Konoha. "This view is remarkable."

"Feel the same way." Standing away from her was Naruto. "When I need to get away and clear my head I come here." Knowing that delaying wouldn't do any good, he decided to the point of being there. "You know that we'll eventually have to talk about what happened."

Hinata knew it was coming but wasn't eager for it if her shoulder slumping down was indication. "What is there to discuss? It was a heat of the moment type thing. That's all."

"Believe me; I know how it is to do things in the spur of the moment. However, there's more to it than that." Naruto considered putting a comforting hand on her shoulder but held back as his friend might not feel comfortable with it given the current situation. "We've known each other for a long time Hinata. You were my first friend outside of my family. Guess over time things changed. When did your feelings for me changed?"

"…It's hard to say. Since you saved me when I fell from that tree I've found you intriguing." Finally turning around, Hinata look at the blond but it was clear that she was still feeling somewhat uncomfortable. "Maybe it started when my mother died. I was inconsolable for days. But all that time you were there. Didn't matter if it was trying to make me laugh or silently stand beside me, you were doing what you could to make me feel better. That and many other things caused my feelings to become stronger."

The uncomfortableness Hinata was feeling slowly disappeared and was being replaced by calmness. "With all the destruction that was going on I feared that you could be killed. That's why I did what I did." Hesitating for only a moment, she placed a hand on Naruto's chest. "Tell me, do you regret what happened?"

Naruto to his credit didn't shun away as he looked at the Hyuga with an unwavering stare. "I'll admit that kiss was something." The recognition caused both of them to blush. "I've been known to be dense when it comes to things. Have to be to miss the signs. Maybe over time I've been starting to see you more than a friend."

That possibility excited Hinata as she couldn't completely hide the expression from her face. Naruto would have loved to leave it there but knew that there was more that had to be discussed. Grabbing her hand he removed it from his chest. "Before anything can happen, there's something you need to know Hinata."

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"You understand what's being asked of you right?" In a partially lit room, Haku stood beside one of the only other people there. "I know it's a lot to ask but it-"

"No need to explain." interrupted the person that Haku was talking to. "I know that I need to do and why it was you who asked me. Getting the request from a friend than someone of authority will make it easier to accept." The person's easy going attitude was replaced to a more somber one. "How much time do I have?"

"Sadly not that long. Hopefully you'll be able to start things off on a good foot in that time." Haku still wasn't certain about the situation. "Listen Cass. I know you want to help but maybe-" Again he was interrupted by his friend.

"Better get started then." Only taking a moment to collect himself, Cass opened the door. On the other side was a hallway that had prison cells going down either side. While walking he saw several people from Oto that happened to be captured.

Paying them no mind, he went to a particular cell. "So, how have you been? Good I hope." In the shadows within the cell was just one person. "Can't say that I'm glad that this is how we would meet again Kin."

"I can say the same." Lifting her head, Kin stared at him. "Wondered when I was going to be interrogated. Still though, I never expected it would be from you." She briefly became silently before speaking up again. "How is this going to start?"

"First off, this isn't an interrogation. Just want to clear some things with you." Taking another calming breath, Cass got started. "Do you have any information about Orochimaru's network and possible bases? What you say may help you when it's time to determine what's to be done with you."

"What's there to be determined? It's clear what's going to happen." Kin rebutted in an offhanded manner. When she noticed the look from Cass it caused her to stop delaying. "Don't really know much. Wasn't that high in the totem pole when it came to Orochimaru's organization. Know of some possible locations of storage units for weapons."

"Someone will come by to better clarify that." Nothing was said between them for a while but Cass would break the silence. "Tell me, was it a lie? Was all the time we spent together nothing more than a lie?" He seemed to be really hoping for an answer.

"As I said when you guys captured me, my team was to act somewhat as early scouts. Notice any weak points while trying to place ourselves in prime position when the finals happened. My time with you was just an amusing distraction." As Kin said all that she kept herself from looking at him. "Sorry if you were gullible enough to believe otherwise."

Cass remained quiet, letting everything sink in. "Then thank you for opening my eyes. I'll be sure to inform of your cooperation." Without so much as a glance back he left.

"Wow. What a performance." In the holding cell across from Kin's was the sole remaining member of the Sound Four, Tayuya. "You say such harsh words toward someone that was interested in you. Wonder how sincere those words really were."

Bringing her legs in, Kin placed her head down. "Just shut up."

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"How's it going?" Made any headway?" Coming home, Kushina found her husband in the same place that he was when she left earlier. Scattered throughout the office were several documents, papers and other items. Her question received an unamused look. "I'll take that as a no."

"This is incredible. He could gather so much information without losing himself in it. Guess Jiraiya was an expert in gathering intel." Shortly after the Sannin's death, Minato was greeted by a toad summoning.

The purpose for the visit was to deliver all the information that Jiraiya had managed to gather. Apparently he felt that his former pupil would put it to good use. "Still can't believe he's really gone. We had our issues but I…" Minato had trouble getting the rest out.

"Trust me, he knew. He looked to be at peace when he went and Jiraiya wouldn't want us to be sad." By the expression on her husband's face, Kushina came to a decision. "Would've preferred if the setting was better but it's needed." "I met with Tsunade earlier today. She wanted to check something."

Already several possibilities came to Minato as he put down the large folder he had just picked up to look at his wife. "Is something wrong?"

"Everything's fine." Kushina quickly assured to the relief of the blond. "Actually, she did discover something." She grabbed Minato's hand and placed it on her stomach. Didn't take him long to put it together. "That's right. In about six months we'll have a new member of the family." Surpise was evident on Minato's face. "Are you okay with this?" In one swift motion, Kushina was picked up into the air and was spun around. "Take it you're happy."

"Happy? I'm ecstatic." Minato exclaimed with absolute joy. He putting his wife down but still had his arms around her. "It's nice to get some good news with all the hell that's been going on." The two would share a loving kiss.

With the excitement from the news, all the stuff from Jiraiya was forgotten. Among them was the folder that Minato had picked up when Kushina revealed her pregnancy. Written on the folder was one word: AKATSUKI.

With that this chapter is done. Want to be clear about the whole Kushina pregnancy. I figured that if they hadn't died, her and Minato would likely have another kid. Not planning on it or the newest Namikaze family member to play that big of a role in the story but they will have some impact.

I'm hoping to have another chapter uploaded in a month's time however with balancing two jobs and other things might make that difficult. Hopefully to change that but it's unknown if that'll happen any time soon. Until then though, see ya.