Hi peeps! Again sorry for the delay my hard drive has been clicking at me for awhile so I had to take it to the shop, where they told me I'll have to send it off to get repair as my laptop wasn't starting up. So I had fun transferring Data and that onto disc. it took me awhile to find this file for me to complete it. I hope it's worth the waiting you have done, and I am grateful to all of you who are patient with me and haven't given up on this story.
Disclaimer: Same as Chapter 1
Enjoy :-)
"We've had three fatalities this morning. We have another twelve more who are in critical condition and probably not going make it through the next twenty-four hours." informed the head of D&I, as he walked through the hospital with Tsunade. She sighed;
"That's it?" snapping slightly, the weight of the situation beginning to show.
"They've been given sedative's, and are resting comfortably." looking at the Sannin. "There is nothing you or anyone could do for them right now."
"I can go see them." she said as if it was the most obvious thing to do.
"No you can't." as he stood in front of her. "Your exhausted and you've already have a lot on your plate."
"Those people are my responsibility." she said defiantly walking pass him.
"Hokage-sama." came a female's voice.
"What is it?" he asked exasperated turning to face the secretary.
"As of eight hundred this morning, the D.C.P has confirmed cases in both The Land of Rives and The Land of Hot Water."
"We could be looking at a global pandemic."
A gentle scent of cooking breakfast filled the apartment, waking a sleeping teen from his slumber. It wasn't long before the teen was sitting at the breakfast bar, mouth-watering.
"Well they always say: The best way to a man's heart is through his stomach." chuckled Kiba as he plated up the last of breakfast. "You can start eating, Naruto." not needing to be told twice, the blonde piled up his plate, and began to demolish what was on his plate. By the time Kiba was finished with his helping, Naruto was polishing of his third helping. "Did that even touch the sides?" the brunette asked rhetorical, as the blonde licked the last of the breakfast of the plate.
"I needed it, I was starving." the Chūnin chimed as he patted his full stomach. "Right I'm going to have a shower, wanna join me?" nodding his head enthusiastically, Kiba got up and followed the boy, like a lost puppy into the bathroom.
It took them an hour to leave the apartment; the majority of the time was spending molesting each other in the shower. They made it to the mission hall finding it unsettling empty, except for the odd team. The pair received several assignments due to the lack of Shinobi being on duty, as the days went by more and more people were contracting the virus. They knew that they wouldn't be finishing until later that evening, so they halved the assignments between themselves. Saying a final goodbye they began to carry out their missions.
Around mid-afternoon Kiba was called back to the office for a blood test, he arrived after delivering some documentation to the Konoha General Hospital. The boy allowed the medics to take the blood sample without any fuss (unlike his counterpart), this was becoming more and more frequent, he noticed the six o'clock shadow's underneath the medics eyes. Once they got what they wanted, he returned to his missions putting all his questions to the back of his mind.
By the evening time Naruto was becoming irritated and hungry from running round like a headless chicken, nonstop back and forth, all over the village. The crescent moon was high in the sky by the time he was finished his share of the assignments. On top of everything his stomach hadn't stopped growling for the past hour, demanding to be fed, not waiting for Kiba he made his way home. Rummaging the cupboards for something quick to eat because he was in a lazy mood, he found his stash of instant ramen hidden right at the back of the cupboard.
'How dare he hid my ramen!' he thought as he began to prepare the ramen for consumption. He hummed to himself while he quickly did the dishes left over from the morning, he wasn't aware of Kiba standing there watching him. There were times when he would get home and Naruto would be pottering around the kitchen or doing something domestic, he would always hum the same tune, never singing the words. It was rather relaxing to listen to him;
'Man, I'm soo whipped.'
"Are you going to stand there all night with that stupid look on your dog face? Or are you going to help with these dishes, so we can eat?" asked an irritated Chūnin, soapy hands on his hips.
"Yes, mum." he said playfully, earning a scowl and a spoon being thrown at his head, which he caught.
By the time they were done so was the ramen, still being cheeky Kiba grabbed the pair of chops sticks and took a bit out of the blondes late dinner, before hightailing it out of the kitchen laughing to escape the blonde. Profanities followed the mischievous teen as he hid in the master bedroom, waiting for a few minutes he sneaked out of the bedroom tiptoeing down towards the bathroom. It was quiet, too quiet. His ears twitching from the different sounds in the apartment, he knew it would be harder to sniff the boy out, due to his scent being all over the place; still he used all his senses.
"What are you doing creeping around like that for?" asked a bewildered Naruto as he stood behind the brunette.
"Shit!" Kiba jumped at he sudden appearance of the blonde, causing his heart to pound against his ribcage making it feel as though it was going to burst out. Kiba clutched his chest, feeling his heart race and hammer at the complete surprise. "For Kami's sake, don't creep up on me like that! You scared the living crap out of me."
"Hey, it's not my fault that you was creeping around the place." the blonde said causally as he walked towards the bathroom, with a towel in hand. "Do you want the water after me?" he asked as he neared the room, glancing over his shoulder.
"Oit, Naruto! I was going in the bath first, not you." the older one whined like a two year old, stomping up to the whiskered teen a pout on his face, when he reached the boy he lifted him up and chucked him over his shoulders.
"Put me down Kiba!" the boy shouted as he struggled against the other boys hold. Tightening his hold on the struggling boy, he moved as quickly as he could managed, he rushed into the living room before unceremoniously dropping the boy on the seti before hightailing it out of the room, locking the bathroom as fast as he could. Naruto somehow ended on the floor after he was chucked on seti, he must of pounced of the chair and landed on the fool in a heap of limps. Getting up of the floor his elbows and but ached from the hard landing, sapphire eyes narrowing into slits, his eyes honed onto the sound of running water.
'This means war, dog-breath.' so the prankster began to plan the others demise.
Sakura, Ino and Hinata were assigned to the manufacturing of a vaccine using Naruto's antibodies, they were met with limited success. They managed to isolate the antibodies but that's only as far as they've got in the last few days, each time they tried to use the formulas for making vaccines, the antibodies broke down. The days were merging as neither one stopped their work, desks covered in paper filled with notes, useless scrolls cramming an already full bin. Other medical personnel filled the other desks in the room, a constant supply of coffee was the only source of keeping their energy levels up, and no one wanted to stop, knowing that if they did, more people would die if they stopped for a few minutes. The three young Kunoichi shared the largest desk in the room, all three of them working on a revised vaccine formula. Ideas were chucked back and forward, occasionally an idea would work then it didn't, balls of scrunched up paper were being to accumulate on the floor around them.
"This is hopeless!" cried out Ino as she scrunched up another sheet of paper. She was tiered, hungry and hadn't had a proper wash in a couple of days. None of them wanted to admit it out loud, but they didn't seem to be getting anywhere, it was like taking one step forward, two steps back.
"We have to keep trying, no matter how impossible it may seem." stated Sakura, trying to be as positive as she could, but she wasn't blind to what was going on, none of them were.
"That is all we can do. Face it Sakura, people are dying, and there's nothing we can do to stop it." the blonde's voice cracked at the end of the sentence, everything went silent all eyes on the large table. The pink haired teen let out a defeated sigh, her head resting in her hands.
"Despite the best efforts of all those involved, the virus continues to spread at an alarming rate. The D.C.P has advised, if anyone suspects they have the virus, or may have come into contact with someone who did, to quarantine themselves and immediately contact they're GP." the radio presenter said in an even tone, giving the story as it was, Tsunade tuned out the rest of the transmission, her tired eyes looking at the growing amount of paperwork which filled up her desk. Jiraiya was out of the village, following up the information which they got from the interrogation.
"Sensei?" came Sakura's voice as she walked into the room. "Here's the report you requested." handing the file over to her teacher.
"Please tell me something good is happening somewhere." Sakura didn't answer her, just waited for the Fifth to finish reading. Sighing the Medic chucked the file on the ever growing pile of paperwork.
"Sensei, Hinata had an idea about trying to get a sample of root DNA of the virus, even though it's mutated several times since then. She thinks it may help with completing the cure, the only problem is we have no idea where the person is who started the plague."
"Kakashi and Iuka could have the DNA which we need. You, Hinata and Ino are now assigned to getting the DNA we need." the Fifth instructed, hope filled her chest for the first time in ages.
Later that day her secretary came in looking rather worried, all she had was a sheet of paper in her hand.
"What is it?" Tsunade asked as she finished signing some papers.
"The Land of Water, Stone and Lightning, have closed their boarders to all incoming traffic, in response to us being in quarantine. A meeting of all three Kages and Daimyōs is being held in the next thirty minutes." for the umpteenth time that day she sighed, getting up she went to retrieve her hat. It was going to be a long day.
(InsertLine)
As was expected the other nation's Kage's and Daimyō's were present and waiting to begin the meeting.
"Good everyone is here." the Raikage impatiently said drumming his fingers against his desk. A vain popped up on the Fifths head at the comment, yet she bit her tongue. It was going to be a long day.
Matsuho stood on a balcony overlooking her domain, everything was moving smoothly, the ninja world remained unaware of what's to come. Yes, maybe Konoha and Sunagakure we alerted to her rebirth, but that didn't matter, soon the world will be hers.
Tsunade marched into her office, chucking her hat to the side she ignored Shikaku who was sitting causally on the window frame waiting for her return.
"How was the grilling?" he asked with mirth dancing in his eyes, she shot him a dirty look.
"Medium-rare." she said while getting her sake out of its resting place, pouring a cup before knocking it back. "I hate politics."
"Hey, you wanted to be Hokage." The Nara said shrugging nonchalantly; silence reigned for several minutes as neither. "How bad is it?"
"Let's just say that we were one step away from all-out war." a pause filled the room, before she continued; "An agreement was made; Hi No Kuni is solely responsible for the research and eventual distribution of a vaccine. Any deaths suffered within the other countries, we will be held liable." another shot of sake was chucked back as though it was water. "There was a small silver lining to come out of this." another one thrown back. "I don't care what the other nations think, but we need to start making contingency plans. The way things are going; shit is really going to hit the fan if we make it past this pandemic."
"There is only so much we can do at the moment, not with our resources being spread as they are." Stated the Nara, "However, I can begin making the necessary arrangements for when we have the resources to spare." Tsunade waved a hand at him to get on with it while she was downing the remainder of the sake.
Sakura walked into the silent room, in the middle of the room was Irukas' lifeless body. The room remained eerily quiet; the young women began her task, suppressing rogue emotions. Everything seemed so surreal the man simple looked like he was sleeping. She placed her equipment down and stood there gazing at her fallen sensei. She didn't know how long she stood there, looking at the brunettes face. A single tear slid down her cheeks, taking a deep breath, she picked up her samples placing everything in contamination bags. The door rattled open giving the pink haired teen leave, glancing over her shoulder at the lone figure.
'Goodbye, Sensei.'
The door slid shut leaving the room once again void of life.
Two days passed as the number of infected steadily rose as each hour passed. Local economies began to collapse do to the rising panic, resources were becoming scares. At the peak of the crises, the Hokage declared Martial Law. What resources were left seized by the Shinobi, and rationed for the populace.
Time was slipping away…
Matsuho sat in her throne, a twisted smile dancing on her lips as she listened to her agent's reports. A slender hand ideally stroking a fell beast head, the beast itself laid round the throne, as if guarding its master. Tilting its serpentine into the touch, a low purr rumbled from its throat.
"You like that, my pet?" she asked rhetorically, adding pressure to her touches. Her attention returned to her minions in front of her, absorbing the last of the reports. Things were going as planned, ancient bases being established once again.
"Excellent work." She stated happily, rising from her seat of power. "Everything is going as I have foreseen. It's time we move onto the next stage." Receiving a bow from all assembled, they turned to leave, however her voice reached them as the great doors opened. "But remember, the world is still blissfully unaware of the danger they are in. Keep it that way." They all nodded in understanding. "Fail me, and I shalt not be so forgiving." With those final words she turned her back on them, walking back to her throne. The dull thud of the large doors closing signalled she was once again alone. Taking her seat she sat there in silence before laughter filled the room.
Deep within The Forest of Death, a massive bonfire was burning in the centre of a clearing. Anbu stood around the fire, while some were adding deceased members of Root on to the roaring flames. Panther stood there overseeing the entire operation. Root was purged from Konoha; the organisation was wiped out as though it didn't exist. Life was taken on both sides, some having to take their friends lives; a sombre air filled the clearing.
The Fifth sat at her desk signing of reports when a folded sheet of paper appeared, reaching for it, she unfolded the paper.
'Operation Novera complete.'
Letting out a weary sigh, she simply looked at those three words; a weight lifted itself of her shoulders, making the day seem that much brighter. Burning the sheet of paper she returned to her work, while the sun went away for another day.
Days passed in the ninja world, more victims fell to the rampaging virus as it swept over the world. Reports were coming in from every corner of the Shinobi world, tension was rising among the nations, and more political pressure was being put on Hi No Kuni for a cure. The stress of it all was beginning to show with all those involved; there were several disputes which erupted over passed day some, some became violent.
Ino and Sakura were at each other's throats more often than not, Hinata was caught in the middle of it, wishing she could just disappear. Fists started too been thrown as their arguing reached a peak, neither pulling any punches. Tsunade walked in on them, a vain appearing on her forehead, she had enough of everything. Grabbing both girls by the scruff of their necks, she hurled them out of the window, sending them into the river below. Watching both of them surface, coughing and splattering, she yelled down;
"If I see either of you anywhere near each other or near any medical buildings without my express permission, heads will roll!" turning on her heel she walked back to where the girls were working. "Hinata. How are things progressing?"
"They're not Hokage-sama. As you know, the contingent's rapidly mutating nature necessitated us requiring a specimen of original DNA. We finally managed to get some DNA from both Iruka's and Kakashi's clothes, so far it hasn't helped. It looks like we've hit a dead end." Informed the Hyuga, relaying all the information they had required.
"Let's hope 'look like' is the operative sediment here." Replied the Fifth as she turned to leave.
"Hai, Hokage-sama."
"Get some rest Hinata." The older women said as she walked through the door.
Throughout the day both Kiba and Naruto were completing errands all over the village. Since that morning Kiba was feeling a bit off, he had breakfast and the feeling went away. But it lurked in the background, but by lunch time his head was spinning. Bracing himself against a wall, he waited until the dizziness stopped, after a few seconds it did stop. Shaking his head he took a couple of steps forward before his legs gave out, causing him to grab hold of something to stop him falling face first onto floor. His head started to spin with a vengeance, his free hand clutched hold of his head trying to relieve the pressure rising, in seconds everything went black.
Consciousness slowly returned to the teen, senses being to take in his surroundings. He was lying on something soft and comfortable, he realised that he was lying in a bed. He tried to open his eyes but shut them immediately because of the strong lighting in the room, groaning he tried again, this time he managed to keep them open. He scanned the room instantly recognising he was home, laying in his and Naruto's bed. Searching for his blonde lover, his presence wasn't there; a gentle smell slowly filled the room as footsteps drew closer.
Click
The door was pushed steadily open revealing Naruto carting a tray with a steaming bowl, its contents filling the room up.
'Chicken soup' the brunettes' mind supplied, subconsciously licking his lips as his stomach rumbled, at the delicious smell wafting over to him.
"Your awake." came the calm response as Naruto walked over to the side of the bed were his partner rested. "You gave me quite a scare when Sakura told me some nins found you collapsed on the floor unconscious." Sitting down on a free spot next to the boy, he waited until Kiba sat upright and comfortable. "I made you some chicken soup. Well, I got it out of a tin." Confessed the blonde as he scratched the back of his head, Kiba smiled at him. Carefully he leant over, making sure he didn't spill any of the tray's contents, placing a soft kiss on the boys whiskered cheek.
"Thank you." He said simply before getting stuck into his soup. The silence was broken by the occasional slurp, other than that, the boys sat in silence. Ten minutes later Kiba placed down the empty bowl, and smiled happily at the quiet teen who smiled back.
"Get some rest. I only want you to get out of this bed for the toilet, or a major emergence." Instructed the blonde as he cleared away the used tray. "Go back to sleep, Kiba. You're going to need you rest." He said planting a chaste kiss on the Chūnin's cheek. "Go to sleep, I'll wake you when it's time for dinner." With that he left the older boy to rest, shutting the door behind him, he stood there his back resting against the door. A tired sigh left his lips as a pushed himself off the door making his way back to the kitchen. Naruto stood at the sink as the tray and all its contents, were been covered in hot water, he zoned out as he watched the steam rise.
"He's going to die, isn't he." He whispered in his mindscape, fearing the answer which he desperately doesn't want to hear.
"If a cure isn't found soon, then yes, he will die." Answered a soft voice, a sigh echoed through his mindscape. "If I knew how the virus was created, I wouldn't hesitate giving the formula for the cure, but I don't." she paused to gather her thoughts.
"During the Human-Demon war, Matsuho disappeared without a trace, we feared that she was killed during an uprising close to her temple. As you know the war lasted for a two hundred years, in that time she created many things, some which you've encountered in battle already. They are just the tip of the iceberg, what she has at her disposal, will bring death and destruction on an unimaginable scale. This virus that's she's unleashed is only the beginning. Once it has weakened your kind, she'll bring forth a darkness which will devour everything, sparing no one. Human and demon alike."
"How come I'm immune to this virus?" the blonde asked as he began to wash what little dishes there were.
"You have the immunity because I have it, those who survived it the first time around, grant their host immunity, whether we wish it or not." Silence fell between them as Naruto contemplated what she said.
"Isn't there anyway of curing this disease?! Matsuho's research notes…" realisation hit the blonde like a battering ram. "Her notes! She couldn't of made it from thin air." Then he paused in his excitement. "Couldn't she?" his tenant didn't answer him, then it hit him; 'She knows.'
"You knew! You knew of a way to stop this from happening and yet you've done nothing to stop this!" he shouted, anger boiling in his veins.
"Of course I knew she would have written them down! But this is a different variation of the one she originally used a millennia ago!" she shot back, her own temper rising.
"Are you telling me that you had a copy of her original notes but didn't say anything?!" this was getting better and better. The bloody flea ball had in her possession Matsuho's research notes.
"I did have a copy but they were lost over time." Spat back the demon, wanting nothing more than to pulverise her host into nothing. Naruto gave out a bitter laugh at what the giant flea ball just said.
"Oh oh, you conveniently loose such important research material, which by the way, could be used against her! But noooo the great Flea Ball loses it!" the sarcasm was practically oozing off each word.
"Weren't you my host, I would destroy you." Growled Hinako her eyes blazing red, white canines' bared. Neither host nor beast was willing to break their glaring contest, both as stubborn as the other.
"This is what's going to happen; you're going to help me steal Matsuho's original research notes." The Chūnin said as he left his mindscape to get everything he needs for his spontaneous mission, Hinako was still processing what the boy has said, regaining her composer she let him have it;
"Are you out of your fucking mind, Uzumaki?! Do you have any idea what you'll have to do?!" she couldn't comprehend what the boy was thinking;
"Firstly, you have to make it to her stronghold, which is an eight day journey from here and that's just for starters. You'll have to navigate a series of obstacles which you'll have to pass undetected. Then you'll have to get inside the fortress, with every possible exit covered going in and out. When and I mean when, you somehow get in, you'll have to find her private quarters! Which will probably be tighter than Ero-Sannin wallet." Hinako listed off while her host still got ready.
"How are you expecting to get there and back again, when he will be dead in five to eight days?" Naruto paused for a moment before continuing packing what he needed. "Also, how are you going to slip out of the village undetected and crossing the border, when the whole country is under quarantine?" she challenged, trying to get the boy to think it through.
"Are you going to help or not?" snapped the blonde having enough of her talking.
"Tsk. It's not like I have much of a choose." She mumbled falling quiet once again. In fifteen minutes Naruto was ready; his entire outfit was black as the night. Doing a final check he noted he had everything, he pulled up the mask which covered his noses and mouth, hiding his unique cheeks, finally pulling up the hood shrouding his face into darkness. Steeling his mind for the journey ahead, he left his home without so much as a noise, and headed into the night.
Sticking to the shadows the teen moved quickly and silently across the slumbering Village, going unnoticed by the ever invisible guardians. Reaching his destination, he slipped in passed the Anbu standing guard outside the entrance to the Forest of Death. Deeper he went, avoiding the nocturnal beast which played a never-ending game of cat-and-mouse. Finding the clearing he wanted, he jumped down into the middle of the clearing, his senses on high alert; the forest was just as deadly as it was during the day. Satisfied he was alone he was ran through a similar sequence of hand signs;
"Summoning Jutsu." He said quietly slamming his hand on the ground making a plume of smoke arise, once the smoke cleared Gamakichi stood in its place. Before the toad could open his mouth, Naruto covered his mouth with his gloved hand, looking the amphibian in the eye, signalling him to be quiet with a finger on his cloth cover lips. Once satisfied he removed his hand from his summon, giving the place a quick look around, before returning his attention on his long-time friend.
"Gamakichi, I don't have time to chat, but I need your help, it's really important. I don't trust anyone else to help me with this, but I need to do this." The summoner whispered, lowering his hood so the other could see his face.
"What's going on Naruto, and why are we in the Forest of Death at this time of night?" asked the toad, looking around nervously.
"I need you to transport me here." Pointing to his required destination, his friend looked at the map then back at the blonde.
"That's forbidden territory, no summons is permitted to go there." He replied looking at the boy in front of him with slightly narrowed eyes. "And anyway the Land of Fire is under quarantine, so I can't take you out of the country."
"Kit, were not alone. I sense several Anbu heading this way, they will be on top of us in seconds." Warned Hinako, Naruto began to panic.
"Gama, I know what I'm asking of you, but I need to do this." He implored his friend. "I know if I do this I'll be jailed at best court marshalled at worst. But I won't stand by why the people I love die around me when there could be a chance to save them." His feelings shining in his sapphire eyes. "Please Gamakichi."
"We have to leave now." The Kyuubi said urgently, as the sound of figures moving closer to the clearing. Hearing they would be having company in seconds, 'kichi grabbed hold of the boy and dispelled just as the Anbu came into the clearing. All what was left of the pair was a plume of smoke, Panther stepped forward observing the area were the intruder escaped from.
"Eagle, Cat, tiger investigate what just happened here. The rest of you are dismissed. I want your reports by o'six hundred hours tomorrow." Panther said authoritively, leaving in a swirl of leaves.
Thank you for reading it :-). Please comment on what you thought of it in a form of either a review or PM don't care :-). Thanks again to all those who do fav and follow :-). Until next time :-)