Welcome back. I would like to explain my "believe it" line in the last chapter as a fit of insanity. Now please be secure in the knowledge that as you are reading this I am bathing in a vat of hydrochloric acid and viciously scrubbing with a brillo pad . So enjoy the chapter!
Disclaimer - I do NOT own Naruto
-Chapter 28: Bitter Sweet Reunion-
Naruto was glaring at the pass, "We have to be quiet, little or no chakra," he stated. After scanning the maximum his senses allowed he turned to Neji, "How many?"
The Hyuuga activated his bloodlimit and scanned the area, "Four," he replied, "they're scouting, if the main force is here it is beyond my sight."
"It is possible that they were attempting this as a distraction," added Hakumei, "Irregardless, the pass must be closed."
"Zaiaku split your team in half," stated the blonde as he unclasped his sword, "we'll each take a target, remember, quietly. When it's done we'll meet back here to close the pass." After Neji pointed out the four targets Naruto gave the signal to begin.
Zaiaku pointed to Momiji, Rittou, and three others and signaled for them to pursue the nearest target. While he, Shinto and the remaining members went after the furthest. After five agonizingly long minutes they caught sight of the masked shinobi sprinting through the trees. The Ice-nin gave the signal to surround the target and prepare to ambush.
Meanwhile, Gaara, Shinto, Neji, and Yumi were already engaging their target. Do to a case of bad luck, Yumi had landed on a rotted branch, causing it to snap, and putting the enemy nin on alert. A short chase had ensued, but with Shinto's quick thinking he had managed to intercept his path before the man could reach the pass, "We must finish this quickly," stated Gaara, "we do not know if he has a method of contacting his comrades." After a quick nod to Neji, the Hyuuga launched a precisely aimed kunai which pierced the ninja's heart, causing an instant death. Gaara reached up and turned on his ear piece, "Target eliminated."
Momiji's team was having a much easier time, due to experience and the assistance of the arctic wolf, Rittou. "There," whispered the summoned creature. After recieving a signal from his leader, he crouched low to the ground and began to soundlessly make his way through the underbrush.
The rest of the team was perched in a tree, then the brown haired captain gave the signal, which was a bird call. In a blur of white, Rittou had sprung from the brush and lached on to the nin's ankle, preventing him from escaping. The next moment consisted of Momiji severing the man's head with her ANBU sword. Emulating Gaara she sent her message over the headset, "Target eliminated."
'Two down, two to go,' thought Naruto as the NaruShikaInoCho team closed in on their target. "Can you bind him without giving off too much chakra?" he whispered to Shikato
"Are you kidding?" questioned the aged Jounin, "the shadow bind is made for silent assassinations." Forming the rat seal, Shikato extended his shadow and bound the man silently, "you're up, Hakumei-kun." The three members of Naruto's team watched in mild horror as their captain's summoned creature vanished and reappeared in front of the bound man, tearing out his throat in one fluid motion.
Naruto chuckled and shook his head at Hakumei's overzealousness to slaughter, "Target Eliminated."
In a small clearing, a mist nin was staring in horror at four masked leaf nin's and, by the looks of it, one very young leaf jounin. "The leaf is weak indeed, promoting mere children to jounin?" he questioned.
Shinto made to kill the enemy nin, but Zaiaku had already vanished and reappeared behind the man, his sword now unsheathed and a hard look in his eyes. After a moment the nin hit the ground with a thud as blood began to flow freely from two wounds, his heart and liver, "Target eliminated." With another hand signal his team vanished and reappeared at their starting point, "Any ideas how to close that pass?"
Naruto nodded, "Yea, but subtlety is out the window, we're going to hit it in two waves. First is going to be close range, second will be the ranged jutsu. When that's done Gaara's going to pull it all down." Resecuring his sword he began assigning targets, "use your hardest hitting attack, we've only got one shot and we're tearing through rock. Close range is with me, long range will fire on Zaiaku's command, once we're clear. My group will hit the closest side, Zaiaku your's will hit the furthest." After several nods the three teams began to position themselves, "Let's go!" cried Naruto as he began to charge the rock walls of the pass, his chakra beginning to swirl in his hands.
Chomaru was stunned, "That's..."
Shinto had the same reaction, "..no way.."
"Rasengan!" (Spiral Blast) cried Naruto as he ran along the wall, allowing the grinding sphere of chakra to tear into the rock. When he released his jutsu he saw that his group was looking at him in a combination of disbelief as well as admiration, "What are you doing? GO!"
Neji was the first to snap out of his stunned revere, he didn't know what that attack was, but it was impressive. As he neared the was he launched himself into the air, "Kaiten!" (Heavenly Spin)
Next was Rittou, "Ookami Setsudanki!" (Wolf Guillotine) as he charged, a silver cresent shaped blade appeared in his mouth. He dug it into the rock and sprinted along the wall for a short distance
Next was Shikato, "Kage Mori!" (Shadow Lance) His shadow, instead of projecting along the ground, formed into the shape of a spear on his arm. Bringing the appendage up and then down quickly, the shadow launched forward and tore into the mountain side. He was followed by Chomaru, using his size increasing jutsu and sheer strength. Several of the ANBU members used the special technique taught to them when they entered to ranks, it's a simple attack consisting of channeling your chakra into your sword, causing it to be able to pierce nearly all targets.
After Inoishi slammed several exploding kunai into crevaces, Naruto turned to Zaiaku, who was already sealing, "NOW!"
The ice-nin's eyes began to glow as he completed his seals and release an explosive amount of chakra, "Hyouton: Haryuu Mouko!" (Ice Style: Piercing Dragon Fierce Tiger) The dragon headed tiger erupted from a whirl of fridged wind, that had formed around Zaiaku, and slammed into mountian.
Momiji looked at her team leader like he had sprouted another head, 'What in the hell are you?' She was broken out of her thoughts by Hakumei's voice
"Kitsune Bakufuu!" (Fox Blast)
Recomposing herself she began sealing, "Katon: Ryuuka no Jutsu!" (Flame Type: Dragon Fire Technique)
After his teams concentrated blast on the farthest foundations he nodded to Gaara, "You're up!"
The redhead's eyes flashed yellow as he began to call forth wave after wave of sand, extending both hands caused two huge clawed arms to form up from the ground and latch onto the heavily damaged walls. Gritting his teeth and focusing his chakra he forced them to pull down on the stone, slowly the rocks began to give way. 'Only a bit more,' he thought as he forced more chakra into the arms.
Naruto's ears perked up as he heard a whistling sound approaching them fast, "Shit, they're here!" He had no time to react as a golden arrow dug into Gaara's shoulder, "GAARA!"
As another arrow neared, Zaiaku was infront of his friend and Rittou had ripped it from the air, "We'll stop the arrows," he stated as the wolf snapped the projectile in his jaws, "make sure no one gets through." Without turning around he spoke to Gaara, "You alright?" his companion nodded, "Good, get that pass closed so we can get you looked at."
Gaara forced everything he had into the arms of sand and let out a cry that sounded more like a roar, finally the walls came crashing down, crushing several approaching mist and sound nins. Naruto supported Gaara and watched as the three teams dispatched the small handful of nins that had made it through the pass, "Mission accomplished," turning his head he noticed Gaara was unconcious, seeing the tip of the arrow he narrowed his eyes, "Poison, Zaiaku I need you to get Gaara to the hospital as fast as your feet will move!"
"You're in charge," he stated to Momiji. He crouched as Naruto secured Gaara to his back, "Let's go Gaara." As he channeled his chakra, the ground began to ice over, "I'll report to Tsunade-sama as soon as I drop him off," kicking off, he vanished, followed by Rittou.
"We have about twenty four hours before they get around the cliffs, assuming that was the main force," stated Shinto
Naruto nodded, "Let's get back to Konoha." Without another word, the remaining teams began their sprint back.
Zaiaku thanked kami that the front gate was open from a returning patrol, moving as fast as he was caused him to have tunnel vision and running into a gate at this speed was not high on his priority list. He frowned as he heard Gaara let out a ragged breath, "Almost there man, hold on," amazingly his speed increased even more as he forced his chakra to explode between his foot and the ground.
A woman at a fruit stand shivered involuntarily as the cold washed over the street Zaiaku was nearing, "I thought it was supposed to be spring?" she grumbled. In a flash, a bittingly cold wind blew down the street, knocking over signs, small children, and various other things. "Very odd weather we're having," she stated as she continued to make her purchases.
'If the door isn't open, I'm going through it,' thought Zaiaku gloomily as he neared Konoha Hopsital. Thankfully, being that it was a nice spring day the hospital personel had opted to have the doors opened, "Thank Kami-sama." Skidding to a stop in the lobby he caught the eye of the person he was hoping was there, "TSUNADE-SAMA!" he half exclaimed, half gasped.
Thankfully the sannin was prepared for this, "I sensed your chakra when you entered the village," she looked around him for a minute, "where is everyone else?" As she waited for his answer, she commanded the staff to get Gaara to a operating room
"While we were...closing the pass...Gaara was hit with a...poisonous arrow," he replied with his hands on his knees, gasping for air, "We did...get the pass closed though...and no casualties."
Tsunade smiled, "Excellent job, I didn't expect anything les-" she was cut off as Zaiaku fell to his knees, "You over did it, how long ago did you complete your mission?" She supported him as he flopped down into a chair
The white haired teen leaned back and closed his eyes, "we completed the mission at eleven-hundred hours."
Tsunade looked at the clock on the wall, then did a double take, "That was ten minutes ago!" she cried, "You made it that far in ten minutes?" She recieved no response, as Zaiaku had fallen into an exhaustion induced sleep, "Amazing kids."
"Tsunade-sama, the poison and arrow have been removed and Gaara-san is going to be fine," stated a Doctor as she exited the operating room
"Good," fifteen minutes later, Naruto along with Gaara and Zaiaku's teams came barging into the lobby. Tsunade held up a hand to stop the torrent of questions that was being spewed forth, "Gaara is fine and Zaiaku is simply exhausted, he made it here in ten minutes, CARRYING someone." Leaning back against the counter she eyed the three teams, "Now, Report."
Naruto stiffened and began to recite the events that transpired during the mission, "...then I told Zaiaku to get him here as fast as he could. Shinto-san's team normally patrols that area, according to him we have one day before they make it around the cliffs."
The fifth looked to Shinto for confirmation, "Naruto-san is right," he replied, "assuming that there entire force was attempting to come through the pass, then it will be roughly a day on foot around the cliffs."
Tsunade nodded, "Alright, rest up. There will be a meeting in the Tower in five hours, dismissed." Naruto immediately bolted for his friends' room. She noticed that the other people that came in with him, didn't move, "Is there something wrong?"
"A few things actually," replied Shikato, "the most glaring is, who are they?"
The Hokage frowned, "I beg your pardon?"
Inoishi matched her look, "Naruto-kun, is the first. How does he know the Rasengan? An A-ranked jutsu only usable by Jiriaya-sama and the Yondaime. Also his leadership skills are nearly flawless."
"Zaiaku-san is the second," interjected Momiji, "his speed, jutsu level, and intimate knowledge of ANBU hand signs."
"Gaara pulled down two cliff walls with an arrow in his shoulder," added Shino, "We have all agreed these things are beyond normal for people our age, and limited experience."
Tsunade went to respond, but was cut off when she saw Sakura and Hinata come off the elevator, "Oh boy."
Sakura threw a questioning glance to Momiji when she saw her in the hospital lobby, "Now what are they doing in here? Hinata, isn't Neji and Shino on Gaara's team?" Her lavender haired friend nodded, "Then why?" She immediately went wide eyed, "Oh no, not again." Bolting behind the desk she began to search for the most recent entries, 'I don't see his name, does that mean? Oh please no.'
"He's not in there," stated Tsunade calmly. She was being evil, but she was loving it, "He's..." she paused dramatically, looking down and shaking her head, "asleep, in room 110." Casting a glance up at her pupil she realized that maybe she went a bit too far, Sakura was glaring and had broken the pencil she was holding, "Sakura, calm down. He's fine, Gaara was wounded and he ran from the pass to the hospital. When he got here he was exhausted so I put him in a room to get some rest, Naruto-kun is in there now." Sakura was calm, but now Hinata was borderline hysterics, "Gaara is fine as well, take a break and go see them for the love of Kami." She turned and threw an amused look to Momiji then addressed the group, "The boys have three years where they fell completely off the map, I can't tell you more than you already know." She turned and began towards the front doors, "Just one thing," she said, "was it really the Rasengan?"
Shinto nodded, "No doubt in my mind, Hokage-sama."
'He must've learned it on his own,' she thought as her expression darkened, 'Those boys, there's something not right about them. It's more than just being demon vessels, they seem much older, like they've lived another lifetime.' When she entered he office she saw Jiriaya sitting on her desk, the third was standing next to him, "Good, I wanted to meet with you both."
The toad sannin nodded, "About them," he stated, "I followed their teams to the pass. Those boys, Naruto in particular, are something else."
"So Shinto was telling the truth," she replied, "Rasengan, what are the chances he figured it out on his own?"
Sarutobi took a puff of his pipe, "Arashi created and mastered it in two years. Naruto-kun has been beyond our sight for two years, then another, it is possible." He turned and looked at the picture on the wall of the Yondaime, "I think we've only seen a tip of the iceburg in reference to all three of them, skill wise."
Tsunade looked out the window over Konoha, "They seem so old, their eyes..." she paused as she placed a hand on the window, "...sixteen year old children shouldn't have eyes like that."
Jiriaya placed a hand on her shoulder and gave a light squeeze, "We need those eyes for now."
Meanwhile Hinata and Sakura were doing their best to fight down the urge to laugh. Naruto was asleep on the couch. His snoring was so bad that, in their sleep, Gaara and Zaiaku had put their heads under their pillows. Sakura snorted as Zaiaku threw his extra pillow at the blonde, hitting him square in the face, but that only made him snore louder. Gaara was the first one to get irrate, "NARUTO I WILL KILL YOU IF YOU DO NOT STOP THAT NOISE!" Silence, then...another snore
As he was about to get out of bed Zaiaku placed a hand on his shoulder, "I'll do it," he grumbled still half awake and not aware of the rooms visitors. shoeless and in only his black pants and shirt, he reached over and gripped the extra pillow off of Gaara's bed and trudged over to Naruto's sleeping form. Hakumei watched in mild curiousity as Zaiaku gripped it at one end, much like he would Shimotsuki, and raised it high above his head, finally he brought the pillow down full force on his blonde companions cranium. It exploded in a soft poof and a shower of feathers, "NOW SHUT UP!" he yelled as he proceeded to flop back onto his bed.
"You could've asked me to roll over!" cried Naruto as he spit out feathers. Hinata and Sakura lost it, bursting out into a fit of laughter, "Hinata-chan, Sakura-chan!"
Zaiaku cracked open an eye, "How long have you been there?"
Sakura grinned as she looked at Zaiaku's one open eye, "Long enough to know that you would kill us in a pillow fight." She then glared at all the feathers on the floor, "You're going to have to clean this up!" Zaiaku ignored her and put his head back under his pillow, "I'm serious! If you don't clean it up, then I'm going to have to!" she whined as she tugged on his shirt.
"Sakura-hime, I'm exhausted" he replied groggily as she continued tugging on him, "five more minutes." He reached back and unlatched her hand from his clothing and held on to it.
Sakura blushed and looked up as a squeek was emitted from Hinata. Apparently Gaara, in his half awake state and the small amount of poison still in his system, was a tad lethargic. When Hinata had gone to check on his shoulder, she had an arm around her waist and was pulled onto the bed. Now she was sitting with Gaara's head in her lap and her face was beet red, "G-Gaara-kun?" she whispered.
"Well this is cute," drawled Momiji from the doorway, Shinto was right next to her. In a flash, Hinata was off the bed and Sakura was a good three feet away from Zaiaku, "There is a meeting at sixteen hundred hours." Letting out a chuckle at her daughters expression she and Shinto exited the room. "I was worried there for a while," she said as they left the hospital, "the look those three had in there eyes at the pass, it was like something snapped, and they killed so effortlessly."
"I understand," replied Shinto, "good to see that they still know how to be normal." Then he grinned under his bear mask, "Sakura-chan seems a bit-"
Momiji groaned, "Believe me I know! At least this time, Zaiaku-teicho seems to at least be interested, unlike that Uchiha bastard."
"Accepted him as captain finally?" he questioned with a raised brow, "I figured you would be a bit more difficult to pursuade."
"I thought he was just a little show off that got lucky with Fantomu," she confessed as they entered the nearby ANBU headquarters, "After he came to my home, asking for Sakura-chan, I couldn't fathom how someone that looked so carefree could be so dangerous. At one point I even thought that maybe someone else killed him and Zaiaku just took the credit." She reached up and removed her ANBU mask and untied her hair, "Everything changed at the pass, he's...special, but still human." Shaking her head and removing her vest she smiled, "I can't even explain it."
Shikato, Inoshi, and Chomaru were sitting inside the BBQ resturaunt, waiting on their order, "What do you think about Naruto-kun?" questioned Shikato
Chomaru threw back his cup of sake, "He's really something else, I was expecting something more..." he cut himself off
"Dangerous?" finished Inoishi, Chomaru nodded. "He's an amazing young man, like he doesn't even have the Kyuubi sealed inside him," he added as he took a sip of his drink. After a moment he let out a hearty laugh, "It's weird really," he responded to his friends' glances, "When we were fighting, if he would have asked me to attack that army, I think I would have."
Chomaru joined him, "Yea," he added, "I felt pretty unstopable, I knew he was right behind me, watching my back."
"He's the same age as our kids, but he's an amazing leader," stated Shikato with a nod, then he hoisted up his sake bottle, "To Naruto-kun's leadership! and to our victory tomorrow!"
"To Victory!" chorused Inoishi and Chomaru as their glasses clacked together
The meeting was simply to reaffirm everyone's team assignments and their missions during the battle. Also the time that they would group up and set out, to which all three boys agreed was way too damn early. Currently the three boys were rumaging around in the dark, "We're as good as goners if we get caught," hissed Zaiaku
"That is why silence is key," retorted Gaara as he rifled through an old dresser, "I am wondering what we are looking for exactly Naruto."
The blonde didn't respond, instead he continued his search, 'They have to be here somewhere.'
'I am curious as to what has brought on this sudden urge?' questioned the Kyuubi
Naruto smiled as he heard the familiar clang of metal shifting against metal. Opening a draw he cheered mentally, 'Because we're outnumbered and hopefully I can use these to even out the score.'
Kyuubi snorted, 'and if anything goes wrong you'll just destroy your chakra circulatory system and everything in a hundred meter radius.'
'You're a glass is half empty kind of demon aren't you?' he questioned, ignoring the fox. He turned to his two friends and held up a bag, "Found'em, let's bail."
As they sprinted away from the deserted house, Zaiaku cast a glance at the contents of the bag, "You're fucking kidding me!" he cried in disbelief and coming to a complete halt, "what are you thinking? Scratch that, are you even thinking?"
"Very much so actually," replied Naruto confidently, "they're going to need some inspiration, some extra drive. Try as we might, the power we cut loose is scary, that won't inspire anyone. This might."
"And it could very well kill you, remember the last time you tried that?" questioned the ice-nin, "or are you beginning to forget that this isn't our first go around, sure we're a little stronger, but-"
"We're ALOT stronger," interjected Naruto, "I'm not putting this up for debate, I'm doing it, period."
"I hope you have thought this through Naruto," added Gaara, he wasn't stupid, from Zaiaku's outburst and serious expression he had deduced what Naruto's intentions were. "You have attempted this once and you now have no time to perfect it," he added in his most serious tone, "let's get home, it is getting late and I believe we had some things we wanted to do before the battle."
'He's going to get himself killed,' mocked Shukaku
Zaiaku relented, 'No point in argueing he's too stubborn to back down.'
'I do not think you, of all people, should be calling someone stubborn little one,' added Shiva
Sakura was sitting at the dinner table in her home, absentmindedly drawing circles next to her glass of water, "What's wrong Sakura?" questioned Momiji as she spotted her daughter. When the pink haired girl didn't respond, she placed her hand over the one drawing circles, "Telling me, might make you feel better."
"Am I strong?" she questioned her mother, "I've done so much to become stronger, but am I powerful where it counts?" Taking gulp of water she sighed, "When I didn't see Zaiaku-kun with you in the lobby I paniced, I can't do that tomorrow. I can't have a mental break down everytime someone comes through that front door, worrying if it's you, or Zaiaku-kun, or Naruto, or even Gaara. ANY of my friends could die or get wounded badly." She looked up at her mother and gave a watery smile, "I think I'm finally realizing that we aren't academy students anymore, this is real. I'm worried that I might fail one of you when you need me the most."
Momiji stood up and gave a slight bow to her daughter, "From this point on Sakura, you are no longer my little girl. I recognize you as a true shinobi and a woman." Sakura gave her a puzzled look, "It takes a true shinobi to recognize their fears and to admit them openly, because that is the only way to overcome them," then she sat back down and wrapped her arms around her neck, pulling the pink haired girl close, "and as far as being a woman, you've been one for a while I just chose to ignore it." Standing up and walking to her door she smiled, "Get some rest Sakura, tomorrow will be like nothing you've ever experienced."
Hinata was buisy pouring over books in the Hyuuga library, absorbing everything she could before she went to work tomorrow, "Hinata-sama, it's late, you should get to bed," came the voice of Hizashi from the doorway
"Hizashi-san," she squeaked, "I was just going over somethings bef-"
Hizashi ignored her and gently closed the book she was reading, "Hinata-sama, you are a wonderful medic, why do you doubt yourself?" He sat down and tucked a loose strand behind her ear, "Would you like to hear the biggest difference between you and your mother?" he questioned and recieved a tentative nod, "she lacked your skill, but had twice the confidence, therefore she never showed it. She was amazing."
A second presence came to the doorway, "Hinata you should be in bed," stated Hiashi with a frown, not at his daughter herself, but at the fact she was pushing too hard. "People will be relying on you to be at your best," he continued, what seemed to be, another scolding, "lives will be in your hands Hinata." He ignored Hizashi's glare and placed a hand on each of her shoulders, "and there will be no better place for them."
The lavender haired girl choked back a sob, it was a very round about way, but the message got across, 'I'm proud of you.' Standing she gave both men a small bow, "Goodnight Father, Hizashi-san."
"Goodnight Hinata."
"Sleep well Hinata-sama."
The next morning Naruto, Gaara, Zaiaku, and Temari were up before dawn. "Almost time," said Naruto as he downed his second cup of coffee, he sent a look to Gaara and Zaiaku and both exited the room. Heading for the hospital, before the meeting time. "Worried?" he questioned the remaining person, Temari.
"Che," she snorted, "I will kill anyone that messes with me." She pretended that she didn't catch his underlying message, 'Are you worried about me?' Glancing up, she met his eyes head on, "I get to help guard the hospital, so I doubt I'll be fighting much," she spat bitterly.
"You're a jounin and very strong, it makes sen-"
"I should be out there with YOU!" she cut him off, quickly placing her hand over her mouth before more emotions flew out. "I'm sorry," she whispered, "I...just...be safe ok?"
He smiled brightly, "of course!" He turned to make his way out the apartment, his forward momentum was halted by something gripping his jacket, "Huh?"
As he turned around two arms were around his waist, "Don't get so caught up in saving everyone that you forget to watch your own back." She leaned up and placed a lingering kiss on his cheek, "make sure you make it back ok, Idiot."
"Gaara and Zaiaku wouldn't let anything happen to me," he replied and nuzzled into her blonde hair, "those two, along with Zabuza, are my family. Together we're unstopable."
On the roof Zabuza was looking over the village, "What?" he questioned.
Anko appeared next to him, sake bottle in hand, "Want some?" he declined, "what are you thinking about?"
"The boys," he replied. She gave him an amused look, "I'm not that soft, I just hope they leave someone for me to kill." He snatched the bottle from her, "Make sure you take care of yourself ok?" Drinking down the last bit he launched it into the air and shattered it with a shuriken, "I can't lose my drinking partner can I?"
Anko let out her version of a giggle, which was somewhere between evil laugh and 'I've lost my fucking mind' laugh. "You know, at first I was just attracted to you because you were a dangerous S-Class nin," she stated honestly, "Then I found something in you in our many drinking ventures. Loss, you lost something special, I know that feeling. Well it's more like betrayal, the first man I ever loved left me, but it's still a loss. We're a lot alike, Demon of the Mist: Momochi Zabuza." No more words were exchanged for a few minute, "Ah! This is way too serious, we should get moving."
With a nod from Zabuza they made their way to the stairs. He observed her for a moment she was, without a doubt, gorgeous and dangerous at the same time. "Anko," he said, the jounin kunoichi turned and gave him her patented grin, "I'm not going anywhere."
After recovering from the momentary shock she jerked down his mask and planted a forceful kiss on his lips, "Good!" she exclaimed and began down the stairs. Zabuza only pulled up his mask and let out his own dark laugh.
"Don't over do it," said Rin as she adjusted Kakashi's vest.
"I won't," he replied in an amused tone, "that's the fourth time you've tried to straighten it." He smiled as she pouted, "I'll see you later, ok?"
"Yea," she responded, "Kakashi? I love you."
He gave his normal response of a warm smile and a nod, before pulling up his mask, "How can you not?" With a small wave, he was gone in a poof of smoke.
Rin smiled, that was his version of 'I love you too.' She quietly began to head for the hospital, 'Watch over them all Sensei.' She had no idea how close her prayers would come to being answered.
"Momo, Sakura," stated Momiji, "I'll be back soon." With a small kiss to each of their heads, she began down the path to the front gate.
"Do you think Kaa-san will be ok?" questioned Momo
Sakura beamed down at her, "Of course."
"I'll make sure of it," came Zaiaku's voice from behind them, "I knew I recognized her from somewhere." He winced inwardly as he took note of the small girl, her legs were covered in a blanket embroidered in Konoha emblems and she was currently sitting in a wheel chair. He quickly recovered and extended his hand, "Hi, I'm Zaiaku. What's your name little one?"
The small girl tentatively shook the outstretched appendage, "Momo, Haruno Momo," she stammered.
"What did you do to your coat?" questioned Sakura as she noticed the white fur-like material around the collar, "I like it."
He smiled as she ran her fingers over the soft material, "I picked it up yesterday after the meeting, it goes more with my name, my real name I mean." He looked into her eyes and wanted to do nothing but assault her with kisses, but he figured that wouldn't go over too well.
"Did you mean it?" came the small voice of Momo, "will you protect kaa-san?"
"Momo-chan," scolded Sakura, "you can't ask him something like tha-"
"She's on my team," he interupted in a soft tone, "I'll protect her with my life, little one." He looked up and smiled at Sakura, who was on the verge of tears, 'I'll protect all of you.' Standing up straight he gave them a quick nod of the head, "It was a pleasure meeting you Momo-chan," he said, "I'll talk to you both later, ne Sakura-hime?"
Sakura smiled and began her journey to the hospital with Momo, 'I think I'm...no...yes...,' she let out a sigh, 'I'm falling for him,' she was broken out of her thoughts by her little sister
"He's cute," she stated with a grin, "I like him!"
Sakura blushed, "Momo!"
Gaara and Hinata were standing in front of the Hospital doors, "Watch out for Neji-nii-san and Shino-kun?"
The redhead nodded, "Of course," he replied, "I will let no harm befall them."
"Are you sure your shoulder's in good enough condition to fight?" she questioned worridly
"Hinata," he replied, "there are somethings you need to to know about me."
She placed a finger over his mouth, "Tell me later," she interupted. He nodded and smiled as she wrapped him in a tight embrace, "Be safe, Gaara-kun."
"Hai," he replied and began down the steps
As he came down the street he saw Naruto leaning against a light pole, "Ready?" quesitoned the blonde
the redhead smirked, "Always."
"Let's make sure they will never attack Konoha again," added Zaiaku as he rested a sheathed Shimotsuki on his shoulder.
As the three boys approached the gate, Jiriaya smiled, "I hope those three are going to live up to our expectations."
"I'll be severely disappointed if our expectations aren't blown completely out of the water," replied Tsunade. Then she turned to the gathered shinobi, Konoha's finest, "Come, Jiriaya, let's get this bittersweet reunion on it's way."
End Chapter 28
Read and Review - WHEW! That was looooooooong, longest chapter yet. However, I feel completely fufilled. This chapter had a bit of butt kicking, but next chapter begins the asswhipping! As far as Zaiaku's jacket, just picture the nidaime's fur collar, just less mass. I think I maybe rushed Zabuza and Anko, but I still like the outcome. I picture them both as the impulse type, sue me
Preview Chapter 29: Beyond your limits
