"You did good kid," the large Chunin said, clapping Shikamaru on the shoulder. These guys weren't pushovers, but you managed to take them all down – and with no casualties even." He frowned. "Why didn't you make Chunin again?"

Shikamaru shrugged. "I don't really care. Will Neji and Lee be ok?"

"The Hyuuga kid and Mini-Guy, right?" The Chunin said. "Yeah, they should be fine – after some surgery. Mini-Guy used the Gates, right? His muscles were all torn up, but nothing a little medical jutsu and some intensive physical therapy can't fix. But what about the girl?"

Shikamaru shook his head. "Stupid mistake on my part. We had the bone one cornered and alone. Kiba tried to charge in but I held him back – figured we could sit back and take him out from a distance. But then he started this weird thing where bones started growing from the ground…Neji dove in and hit him in the heart with a gentle fist strike. Killed him, but one of the bones impaled Neji." He sighed. "I shouldn't have given him time to start that technique in the first place. But more than half our forces were down and I didn't want to risk it."

The Chunin clapped him on the shoulder again. "Hey, we all make mistakes sometimes. Yours didn't cost anyone's life – though the Aburame lost an arm. What happened to him?"

"Shino? God that was brutal," Shikamaru said, sitting down on the floor of the hospital and leaning his back up against a wall. "The big fat guy got in close and just ripped it off. Then Shino's bugs went crazy, swarmed inside the fat guy's nose and mouth and ears and just…started eating.

The Chunin shuddered. "Well, chakra exhaustion isn't the worst way to die. I've heard it's supposed to be like falling asleep."

Shikamaru shook his head. "You don't understand. They didn't eat his chakra. They ate his face. From the inside out."

"Oh," The Chunin said, looking like he was about to throw up. "I didn't know the Kikaichu ate flesh."

"Neither did I," Shikamaru said with a shrug. "Maybe it's a defense mechanism. But other than the arm, Shino will be ok, right?"

"Should be," The Chunin said. "Like I said kid, you did good. And the good news is they found your Chunin leader. She and the Uzumaki kid managed to rescue Uchiha Sasuke. So your mission was a complete success."

Shikamaru smiled slightly. "Shino will be glad to hear it. I should go talk to him. And Neji too, after he gets out."

"You do that," The Chunin said with a nod. "I gotta run. Be seeing you." He jogged off after a medic nin whose face was obscured by a small mask, and Shikamaru groaned as he stood up.

"Shikamaru, got a moment?"

Shikamaru turned to see the dark skinned Chunin who had lead Ino and Chouji on their mission not too long ago. "Yeah, I guess," he responded with a shrug. "What do you need?"

"Nothing much," the Chunin said. "I'm Koyaiba. I lead your teammates, proctored in the exam. You remember?"

Shikamaru nodded wordlessly, secretly wishing this guy would get out of his way so he could visit his friends.

Koyaiba didn't get out of the way though. "Just wanted to see how you were holding up," he said. "You were handed a lot of responsibility very suddenly, and you didn't get out unscathed. It can be tough – I know from experience."

"I'm fine," Shikamaru insisted. "I just want to make sure my friends are alright."

Koyaiba motioned for Shikamaru to go. "No problem, no problem. I was just picking up some dead bodies. That was good work you did, collecting them like that. Keep performing like this and you'll be a Chunin within the month."

"Yay," Shikamaru said, voice utterly devoid of enthusiasm. "Can't wait."

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Koyaiba dropped to one knee before entering the room the Hokage was standing in. Hiashi was like a statue as he loomed over his daughter's hospital bed, the only noise the tiny huffs and puffs of Hinata's breathing.

"She will survive," Hiashi said in answer to Koyaiba's unasked question. "She sustained a blow to head while protecting her fallen teammate. I am told she performed quite admirably."

"Is Hanabi not here as well?" Koyaiba said, coming up beside the Hokage. "I thought she would want to see her sister."

Hiashi's face did not change in the slightest. "My youngest daughter was found dead this morning. Apparently Orochimaru wanted his hands on the Byakugan as well as the Sharingan, but she resisted. Rather than allow her Byakugan to fall into enemy hands she…destroyed her eyes, killing herself in the process."

Koyaiba bowed his head. "Hokage-sama, I am…so sorry. There aren't words."

"There are words," the Hokage said, his voice flat. "I am deeply grieved. You came here to report something, correct?"

"Yes, Hokage-sama. Of course," Koyaiba said. "The bodies have been successfully transferred. Kumotora was ecstatic and set to work immediately. This should greatly speed up the schedule for Project Blessed Seal."

"Excellent," the Hokage said. "You've done well. But I have a mission for you."

"Anything, Hokage-sama."

The Hokage turned abruptly and walked out of the room, Koyaiba hurrying to keep up with him. "Hatake Kakashi had been assigned a mission to Waterfall shortly before his hospitalization at the hands of Uchiha Itachi. Obviously he is unable to complete the mission at this time. As he was injured protecting you, I feel it appropriate you go in his stead."

"I would be happy to," Koyaiba said. "Is there anything I need to know?"

"Not much," the Hokage said, walking out the Hospital's double doors and into the empty street. "As you already know, the Waterfall village is home to the most sophisticated prison system in the world. Because of it and Konoha's…agreement, for lack of a better term, it is often host to some of our villages high profile prisoners."

"I don't mean to second guess, but is that wise?" Koyaiba asked. "However loyal to the Leaf Waterfall may claim to be, they've wanted to be a truly independent village since the 2nd Shinobi war."

"Waterfall? Challenge Konoha?" The Hokage rolled his eyes. "They wouldn't dare. Make no mistake Koyaiba, I'm the one making decisions for that village. Just as the Raikage makes the decisions for the Snow Village, and the Tsuchikage for the Grass. Waterfall will not challenge us."

"Of course, Hokage-sama. I apologize for the interruption."

"Anyway," the Hokage continued, "several years ago we captured a seal master working with Orochimaru in the creation of the cursed seal. We were unable to get any information out of him, and sent him to Waterfall. We want him back now. Go to Waterfall, and see if he would be interested in helping us in exchange for freedom."

"Do you honestly think that he'll cooperate?" Koyaiba asked.

"Project Blessed Seal will not fail, Koyaiba," the Hokage said. "I've staked much on it, and the sooner it succeeds the better for my political career." He sighed and rubbed his eyes. "The other clans have been in uproar ever since I was elected Hokage. Placing some of their members in the program should help quiet them down…you'd be amazed what many of the clan heads would put up with for a little power. I need this to succeed."

"So I've just got the entire structure of Konoha politics resting on my back," Koyaiba said. "No big deal."

Hiashi was not amused. "You leave tomorrow and should be back within two weeks. I expect to see you at my daughter's funeral. Dismissed."

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Jiraiya didn't bother to knock before entering Hiashi's office.

The Hyuga was sitting at his desk, idly filling out paper work while sipping at a cup of tea. "Jiraiya," he said without looking up. "It is four in the morning. I expect you have an explanation for why you are here."

"I see you haven't mellowed out at all, Hiashi-kun," Jiraiya said, putting as much mocking affection into the kun as possible. "You'd think age would've taught you how to relax."

"I'm the Hokage now, in case you've forgotten," Hiashi said, finally looking up from his paperwork. They locked eyes, and Jiraiya had to admit that Hiashi was much better at the whole death glare thing than he had been when they had last had this kind of conversation. "I have no time to relax. Missions, treaties...my own ninja disrespecting me…" he continued, regarding Jiraiya cooly.

Jiraiya chuckled and took a seat, propping his feet up Hiashi's desk. "Hey Hiashi, remember when we were kids and I used to shove your face in the mud?"

Hiashi said nothing.

"That's what I thought," Jiraiya said with a grin. "Now I'm here to tell you something."

"This should be interesting," Hiashi said, folding his arms and leaning back in his chair.

"I'm going to be taking off soon," Jiraiya said. "Don't get me wrong, fighting Itachi was great and all, but I need to get out of Konoha. I have people to meet, deals to keep. You understand."

"You have your duties," Hiashi said, inclining his head slightly. "As little as I enjoy to admit it, your information networks have proven very helpful."

Jiraiya shrugged. "What can I say? I am amazing." He smiled, but then sighed and took his feet off Hiashi's desk. "I'm going to be gone for a couple years. Hunting this…Akatsuki that employed Itachi and his partner. I want to bring Team 7 with me."

Hiashi didn't say anything for a long moment. "Let me get this straight," he said finally. "You…expect me…to allow you to leave the village for several years with my newest Chunin, the last loyal survivor of the Uchiha clan, and Konoha's only Jinchuriki."

Jiraiya nodded. "That about sums it up."

Hiashi shook his head. "I refuse. The risk is too great. One of them, I could agree to. Maybe even two, as long as the second was the girl. But all three? You're out of your mind."

Jiraiya leaned forward. "Listen to me, Hiashi," he said, his voice low. "You have no idea what these kids are capable of."

"Of course I do," Hiashi said. "I have their reports right here."

"The reports don't matter," Jiraiya said. "The reports aren't what I'm talking about. Kabuto was a jounin level ninja, at least, and had personal instruction from Orochimaru for who knows how many years. And these kids killed him with no casualties or even serious injuries." He sighed. "Hiashi, I think these kids could be the next Sanin."

Hiashi nodded slowly. "And so you want to train them personally."

"They need a teacher Hiashi," Jiraiya said. "Kakashi's a good kid, and one of the best Jounin Konoha has, but he's no teacher. And besides," he said, "I know your leadership is on the rocks. You know as well as I do that the clan heads aren't happy with your election…and that they're looking at me as the best alternative."

"Is that a threat?" Hiashi asked, his voice dangerously low.

Jiraiya held up his hands. "Nothing of the sort. I don't want the job Hiashi – they offered it to me before they offered it to you. All I'm saying is that by putting Konoha's two biggest assets – and a particularly talented Chunin – under my tutelage and then letting them leave the village, you show the dissenters that you're not trying anything."

Hiashi put his hands into a steeple. "Or I show them that I'm weak and am voluntarily sending away two of my greatest weapons."

Jiraiya shrugged. "You're at the level where you have to make tough choices. So make them."

Hiashi glared at him. "I have made tougher choices than you have ever imagined. Do not…" he sighed and rubbed his eyes tiredly. "I am sorry. My youngest daughter is dead. I am…not at my best."

Inwardly, Jiraiya sighed. It had been easy to hate Hiashi before, when he had just been a pompous ass with stupid expectations of everyone around him, but it was significantly harder to drag up that old annoyance and contempt for the person in front of him now.

He could almost hear Tsunade's voice. That's because you're finally growing up, dumbass.

"Very well," Hiashi said, leaning back in his chair and taking a sip of his tea. "Take them. I'll do the paperwork later." He shrugged slightly. "There's been an idea for a mobile team bouncing around for several years anyway. Your team will be a good test run."

"Always working the angles, aren't you Hiashi?" Jiraiya said with a grin. He stood and turned to the door, pushing it open.

"You would be too, if you were in my position," Hiashi said. "Before you leave though…I hope you know your team will still be required to take missions. You have the special issue chakra paper, do you not?"

"I've got it."

"Excellent," Hiashi said with a nod. "Then I will get in contact with you when I have a mission."

Jiraiya grinned and stepped outside. "Got it, Hokage-sama."

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Naruto was worried that he was getting used to living in Sasuke's house.

It had been one week since their fight with Kabuto, and things were almost peaceful. They had had very little training since the fight, but Kakashi made a point of stopping buy for a few minutes every day and checking up on them. Mostly he and Sasuke passed the time throwing shuriken at practice dummies, or sparring with each other. Sakura came to visit more often than not, but her injuries had been the most severe of all of them, and she couldn't train at all until she was fully healed.

She busied herself with the scrolls in the Uchiha library. Occasionally Sasuke would take one look at what she was reading and snatch it out of her hands, muttering under his breath about family things that really should be kept private, but most of the time he was happy to let her sit and read.

She had yet to mention how exactly she came about her injuries, and Naruto was hoping she would stay quiet. Still, he couldn't ignore the way she seemed to shy away from him whenever he came near her. Iruka had said that it was best to talk about your problems…but that was an issue for another time.

"You know Sasuke," Naruto said as they sparred, "you could've died out there."

Sasuke arched an eyebrow, turning away one of Naruto's punches and landing a strong kick on his shoulder. "Naruto, I used to think you were brave…but now I realize you're just to stupid to understand danger."

"No, I'm being serious," Naruto said, coming down in a defensive stance and ducking under a roundhouse kick. "You're always talking about how you want to rebuild your clan and stuff, but if you die then that's it. Why put yourself in danger like that?"

Sasuke sighed, turning away a kick and responding with a quick elbow that missed its target by a few inches. "I guess it doesn't matter…" he muttered to himself. "Somebody needs to know…" He rolled his eyes. "You know that refrigerator in my room?" He asked. "The one I always keep locked?"

"Yeah," Naruto said, launching himself into the air and attempting to dive bomb Sasuke.

The Uchiha boy gracefully dodged out of the way before responding. "I have it filled with all the…necessary ingredients."

Naruto's face screwed up in concentration as he tried to figure out what his teammate meant. After a few moments, it shifted into one of disgust and no small amount of horror. "That's nasty."

"You asked," Sasuke said with a shrug. "Just…don't tell Sakura about it, alright? Or Ino?"

"Would they really…" Naruto said, glancing over at Sakura. "That seems a little extreme."

"I'd rather not take the chance," Sasuke said. "Blonde Uchiha? Or even worse, pink-haired ones?"

"I dunno," Naruto said with a grin. "It would go great with your Sharingan."

He was rewarded for his cleverness with a punch to the jaw that was a little bit harder than was actually necessary.

Naruto grinned and pounced, launching into a long string of kicks and punches that forced Sasuke across the yard. They both fought back and forth for a few moments, until Sakura interrupted them.

"Naruto! Jiraiya-sama is here to see you!"

Naruto turned in surprise, waving hesitantly to the toad sage. He had thought Pervy Sage would've left Konoha by now – he had certainly made it clear that he wouldn't be sticking around long after the Chunin exams. And yet he was still here.

"Actually, Sakura," Jiraiya said, taking a seat beside the wall, "I'm here to see all three of you. You see, I have a proposition for all of you."

XXXXXXXXXXXX

"Hokage-sama."

Hiashi nodded, his expression blank, as Kakashi stepped into his office. "Kakashi. Take a seat. I want to talk to you about some things."

"No problem," Kakashi said, lounging in one of the seats on the opposite side of Hiashi's desk. "Sorry I'm late. I was helping some academy students with their shuriken throwing."

Hiashi fixed Kakashi with an even stare and then shook his head. Inwardly however, he was smiling – he had actually told Kakashi to arrive several hours ago because he knew the jonin would be late – in fact, for perhaps the first time in his life, Kakashi was on time for a meeting with a superior.

"We all need to do our best to help the upcoming generations," Hiashi said with a tight smile. "I'm glad teaching has started to grow on you."

"Oh definitely," Kakashi said, his mask shifting in the way Hiashi had come to associate with a smirk. "It's the looks on their little faces…"

"That's not what I'm here about," Hiashi said, cutting him off with a sharp glare. "I take it Jiraiya has discussed Team Seven's arrangement with you?"

Kakashi nodded. "He even checked it with Sakura's parents. I didn't know he could be that thorough. I think he's speaking to the kids at the Uchiha Compound now."

Hiashi nodded. "You'll be rendezvousing with them several times while they're away in order to judge their progress. I'll have other ninja reporting to me as well, so don't try to fake a good report for Jiraiya."

Kakashi put his hand over his heart in mock pain. "I wouldn't dream of it."

Hiashi sighed inwardly. "Secondly. I need to know when you're going to be ready for active duty again. I already had to send a Chunin on your mission to Waterfall. He left a few days ago. I can't afford having you miss any more missions."

"Doctors said I'll be good tomorrow."

Hiashi nodded in satisfaction. "Excellent. I want you going through all of Konoha's official records in an attempt to find a counter to that Genjutsu Itachi used against you. And if you fail to find anything…then feel free to check less official records."

"Understood."

"Now leave. I'll have another mission for you tomorrow."