Chapter 28
Minashi crept along the base of the buildings, her sleek form blending into the evening shadows. She could feel her suppression tags on her team as they surrounded the Jounin escorts as they neared the ambush location.
They were in communication silence for the past ten minutes. Ever since the Iwa ANBU patrol passed by the route to clear it.
Minashi felt when they entered her barrier. She stepped out of the shadows and slowly walked towards the Jounin towering over her. The look alike Sand Siblings were between the group of six.
"Whoa, it's a fox." One of the front ones on the right whispered and smiled before lowering down. "Hey there pretty thing."
"Fujimaro, get back into position." The lead Shinobi snapped.
"Eh, what are they going to do Seiji?" he said even as he reached into his pouch and pulled out some jerky wiggling it at Minashi in her Fox henge. "We have their Chakra cut off. The Patrol already cleared the route. There have been no sightings of Suna ANBU coming for them. Their Kazekage probably thinks them dead anyways." He smiled even as Minashi neared and snagged the jerky. "That's a good girl." He preened and went to pet her.
"Fujimaro!" Another hissed.
"What?" he grunted and turned back. There he froze when he found his companion being held by their leader by a Kunai. The other three were unconscious already. His companion's eyes widened to Minashi as she shifted from Fox, to Suna ANBU.
Fujimaro turned and met a seal to the face, rendering him unconscious. She then looked up and slapped another on the two prisoners. Usagi releasing her jutsu before the tag hit.
Fumiko dropped out of her hiding place a few moments later even as Minato checked on the Sand Siblings.
"Thank you!" Yashamaru whispered.
"I don't recognize them." Karura hissed even as Fumiko worked on basic first aid.
Minashi stepped forward and summoned a scroll from a seal on her arm. Both siblings eyes popped open at the sight.
"I have a message from Hokage-sama." She said and handed the scroll over. The rest of the team was already working on binding and hiding the bodies of the Iwa Jounin escorts.
"The Hokage? Not KazeKage?" The siblings frowned but Karura opened the scroll and read the message. Her eyes lit with understanding.
"The alliance went through. There is a second original correspondence on here from the Kazekage Yashamaru. They are our escorts home." She smiled and looked around at them. "Thank you."
"Don't thank us yet." Minato said from behind his Suna mask. "We still need to escape undetected. We are on limited time."
Minashi stepped forward. "I have two Fuuin tags here. These will suppress your signatures from other prying sensors. Not your chakra. Those I will be removing momentarily."
Yashamaru nodded and held out his wrists. "Please, I feel weak without my chakra."
Minashi nodded and went to work. Yashamaru was freed, then hidden. Karura right behind him.
"Let's move. Diamond formation." Minato ordered and took point. Minashi jumped to the back to cover the rear.
They were then off leading the siblings towards their exit route.
Twenty minutes later, they were waiting in a cave for another hour.
"Why are we waiting?" Karura asked.
"Patrols." Minato explained. "This is the middle point between two, but it will be the furthest away from where shift change will be. We have another two hours to wait. Kitsune, can you get them any more healed?"
"No. I'm not that good a healer. My tags don't work on those types of wounds. Ba-chan is on standby for this reason."
The ANBU jolted and stared at Minashi.
"what?" she frowned.
"Seriously?" Minato whispered his blue eyes wide. "She lets you call her that? She can't be that much older than you though."
"Until she can be me in a spar, she is an old bat. That is our bet."
Fumiko snickered behind her mask. "I'd pay to see how red she must turn at that. She has a legendary temper, almost as legendary as her gambling habit."
"Tsunade Senju is on this mission too?" Karura asked with wide eyes.
"Hai." Minashi confirmed. "I think it's more because this is the first joint mission. While you are first our targets to rescue, we will be arriving to Suna first for our reports. Then we will arrive back to Konoha. This will show that Konoha means business. The Sannin are no ordinary shinobi."
"Isn't that the pot calling the kettle black?" Koichi hissed to Toru. Yashamaru looked at them curiously.
"Kitsune doesn't flaunt her importance to the Hokage unless it's needed." Toru whispered back.
"Just how important is she?" Yashamaru whispered leaning towards them while Karura begged for more information on Tsunade.
They shared a look before shaking their heads. "We can't say, not until she introduces herself to the Kazekage."
The next two hours went slow as whispered conversations continued and rations were fed to the Siblings and their own team.
Minato's eyes were sharp on the patrol route yet glanced at Minashi who's gaze was out of focus. She was focused on tracking the patrols.
"Ready." Minashi warned. The group prepared back into formation. "NOW!" She hissed and they sprinted for the border and over the wall. She watched each Shinobi launch over and landing last, she double checked the number of heads before giving Minato a nod. They were off again to race for the trees and their meet point afterwards. She saw a small plume of smoke on Minato's shoulder as he sent word to the Sannin.
"Faster." Minato hissed back.
Silent nods followed and the siblings were pushed through their exhaustion as the sun started breaking the horizon.
Just as they arrived at the cavern, Minashi stumbled and leaned against the stone her head flaring with a mild headache.
"Kitsune?" Toru asked. The group looked back to her. Tsunade raised her head from where she was healing Karura.
"You need healing brat?" She called out.
"No. I left a clone with Takeshi, it popped."
"What?" Koichi snarled.
"Kitsune, what did you do that for? You said the seal would burn off on its own." Minato narrowed sharp eyes on her.
"He was the Iwa Jounin Commander." She growled back.
"Which makes him all the more dangerous, no matter how good his moral compass is!" He argued.
"He's someone in a position of power! When the actions from the Second war spark the Third war, he is in a position to keep the blood shed at a minimum. Just like I'm trying to do from my position!" she snapped back. "Hatred only breeds more Hatred!"
Minato's eyes widened in realization. "The Cycle of hatred."
"Yes."
"You're trying to break it?"
"Yes." She signed.
She saw Minato look back to Jiraiya to see him just raise a brow.
"Don't look at me like that brat. I don't know how to break it."
"But you do?" Minato spoke with awe in his voice looking back at Minashi.
"No, I don't know the true answer, but all I know is that someone has to make the first step towards some sort of solution."
"By stopping the bloodshed before it happens." Minato whispered as he ran a hand down his face. "That's why you ordered us to not kill anyone. Not just because you didn't want to spark another war. Because you are making the first steps to breaking the cycle."
"Shedding less blood and learning to forgive those that have harmed you." She said evenly even as Tsunade helped Karura back to her feet. "Those are the two steps that I have learned. I passed them onto Takeshi. He promised to try. That is all I could ask him after what we just did."
"One step at a time. Just like when learning a new jutsu." Orochimaru nodded.
"Hai." Minashi smirked. "Now, I've placed a tag at the Konoha/ Kusa borders. Ame is not a nation to pass through, so we will be taking the safe route through Konoha. That is the closest Tag I have to our destination. We'll run from there with Cheetah's lead."
Minato groaned and rubbed his stomach. "Do we have to?" he whimpered.
Minashi raised a brow at him. "Iwa Shinobi are already patrolling around the village looking for their missing prisoners and making the search grid further. I'd rather lead them up to our point here and completely disappear then go through Taki, Kusa, Ame, and Kawa. That's just asking for trouble.
"Hai, hai." He grumbled and gripped her shoulder. His other gripped Yashamaru. "You all know the drill, make sure our guests are secured."
"What?" Orochimaru frowned, but Jiraiya and Tsunade just gave him downright Evil smiles.
"The brat has a Space-time Jutsu." Tsunade chuckled as her grip tightened on her pale partner.
"It's worse than my student's." Jiraiya snickered. Orochimaru went green.
"Hold tight." Minashi chuckled and they were gone in a gut-wrenching swirl.
Minashi smirked as only her and Minato were the only ones left standing. Tsunade was already healing herself. One hand on her stomach, the other on her head. Jiraiya was in a fetal position. Orochimaru had slithered towards a bush. His retching was echoing around with the two Suna Shinobis'. Team Cheetah was groaning from the ground in a small heap.
"Sadist." Usagi hissed as she staggered to her hands and knees.
Minashi eyed Minato who was only swaying a bit. "You've gotten used to it." She pointed out.
"I think I'm the only one that has experienced it the most." He muttered.
Minashi hummed as she went through and passed out the Fuuin tags that were specifically for her Hiraishin side effects.
"You're a goddess." Toru hummed.
"Only because I make your head stop spinning." She smirked.
"Touché" he muttered back.
"Alright, when you all stop feeling your stomachs protesting, switch back into uniform." Minato looked to Minashi. "How far into Konoha are we?"
"Only a few miles."
Minato nodded slowly. "Change, then we move out."
"Hai Taichou!" Team Cheetah chorused in mumbled voices.
Minashi rolled her eyes and went behind a tree to change. Once done, she switched with Minato so he could do the same. The Sand Siblings were finally starting to recover when she neared to check on them. Karura seemed to be fairing better than her brother. He was still a bit green.
"Wh-what, was that?" Yashamaru mumbled between swallows.
"Fuuinjutsu. Hiraishin. Teleportation. The Niidaime created the first form. Cheetah-taichou over there and myself have both created out own versions."
"That wasn't a very pleasant Jutsu." Karura whimpered.
Minashi shrugged. "You get used to it. Cheetah-taichou apparently has and he's only taken it a handful of times. But he also has his own version."
Karura just whimpered and rubbed her stomach. "I'd rather not travel by either any time soon."
Minashi chuckled and went to check on the Sannin. Tsunade and Jiraiya were up on their feet. Orochimaru had his back to the group with his partners on either side watching his back.
"You okay Oro-chan?" Minashi teased.
A hiss was his only answer. Minashi snickered. "Come on, Cheetah is already used to it after a few rides. Just think, the more you travel by it, the less affected you are."
"I agree with the Yamanaka, you are a sadist." He hissed as one angry gold eye glared at her from over his shoulder and through bangs that escaped his hightail.
Minashi just rolled her eyes at him a smirk underneath her mask. "Do you need another Tag? Or is Tsunade well enough to heal you now?"
"The others didn't need another." Jiraiya frowned.
Minashi shrugged. "Less chakra."
"Minato?"
"Has his own, semi-used to it."
"Ah." He grunted. "lucky brat."
Minashi just snickered as she watched Tsunade heal Orochimaru. He sighed loudly.
"You are amazing as always Tsunade." Orochimaru hummed.
Minashi watched something curiously. Tsunade's eyes softened as just the faintest pink filled her cheeks.
"Well you and Jiraiya are a pain in the ass, but you my pains in the ass."
"I knew you loved us Hime, even when we annoy you." Jiraiya leered. Tsunade deadpanned him, but her eyes were still soft.
"I will punch you back to Iwa Jiraiya, don't temp me."
Jiraiya raised his hands in defense and leaned back against the tree. He met Minashi's gaze through the mask before jerking his chin behind her. "I think the brat's ready to go."
Minashi turned and found that Team cheetah was loosening back up for another run.
"Let's head out!" Minato called out and they were gone once again into the trees.
Conversation was minimum as they travelled down the Konoha borders. It wasn't until well after dark that Minato called the group to a halt. Minashi was relieved to see that they were actually at one of the border patrol bunkers.
"Thank Kami." Koichi muttered for the group. Minato quickly led us in and spoke softly to the two on duty Shinobi. They left down another hall while Minato turned back to us.
"We'll rest with border patrol tonight and take off again for Suna first light. Get a full night's rest. Get a full meal or two in you. Dismissed. Yashamura-san, Karura-san, if you would follow me, I can escort you to your bunk room. They aren't the best, but they will work."
"It's better than stone floor." Yashamaru's voice answered as they disappeared down the hall.
"This brings back memories." Jiraiya chuckled as him, Orochimaru and Tsunade were next to follow.
"Bad memories." Orochimaru grumbled.
"Only because you two didn't make it out of the rubble." Tsunade smirked. They glared at her.
Minashi raised a brow as she watched all three disappear into the same bunk room.
Koichi and Itsuki took and room. Toru and Fumiko took another. Fumiko paused at the door and looked back at Minashi.
"Ah, sorry Kitsune, would you rather switch with Toru? I'm not used to having another girl on the team yet. Sleeping arrangements haven't been talked about."
"You don't mind sleeping in the same room as a guy?" Minashi questioned curiously.
Fumiko shrugged. "Toru doesn't like women."
"Ah." Minashi's brows shot up behind her mask. "He seemed-"
"Not many know."
"To each their own." Minashi shrugged and pointed to the last empty bunk room. "So, I'm rooming with Taichou?"
Fumiko snorted. "If he even sleeps. He just normally rests his eyes without actually falling asleep."
Minashi rolled her eyes. "I'll watch over taichou."
"Thanks." Fumiko whispered and shut the door. Minashi slipped into her new bunk for the night and ended up taking the bottom bunk. She let her mask rest beside her as she turned on the side and focused on attempting to get some rest.
She was woken from her doze an hour later when the door opened. Minato didn't turn the lights on, but he muttered under his breath.
"of course. I hate top bunk."
"Should have gone to bed sooner than Pretty Boy." Minashi hummed.
"You're awake." He said surprised.
"Was just resting until you returned." She yawned and sat up to look at him. There were bags forming under his eyes. "She was right. You haven't slept at all during this mission."
Minato grunted as he tossed his mask to the top bunk. "never do on S-ranks. Too much paranoia builds up. Too much is riding on the lives of my team."
"But you need to trust your other teammates to have your back."
"I do."
"Then sleep." Minashi chuckled laying back.
Minato groaned before climbing up and flopping down.
"Why do you hate the top bunk?" Minashi asked after Minato had thrown the butt of a Kunai at the light switch and immersed them into darkness.
"I always end up forgetting it's there and hitting my head." He grumbled as she heard him shift around above her.
"And there isn't that risk on the bottom bunk?" She questioned.
"No, Since I'm normally there, instinct is to roll then sit up on the floor. I go to do the same up here but remember at the last minute and end up smacking the ceiling before kissing the floor when I rebound."
Minashi sucked her lips in and bit them to keep from laughing aloud. Minato sighed from above.
"let it out." He grunted.
Minashi snickered before bursting out laughing. "Oh, Kami that is so sad. Do you want to switch?"
"No." he grumbled. "I should have gotten here first if I wanted to claim the bottom bunk."
"Aw, don't worry Pretty boy I'll make sure you at least don't kiss the floor." She snickered.
"Thanks." He replied dryly.
Their conversation slowly bled away as exhaustion settled in. Minashi was on the brink of sleep when she glared into the blackness. Her eyes turned red using suppressed Chakra from Kurama so she could see into the darkness. She enhanced her hearing even further to see what noise was keeping her up. It took a few more moments before it clicked. Minato was mouthing theory and writing Fuuin into the air. Noises barely there for human ears, but her enhanced hearing felt the whispers of it.
Pulling up the leg she wasn't laying on, she coiled it to her chest before sending it swiftly up into what had to be Minato's ass. He yelped in surprise.
"Turn off that big brain of yours Minato before I shut it up with a seal." She growled.
He was quiet for a moment before he shifted, and she had to remove Kurama's chakra from her eyes when she saw hair start to appear over the side of the top bunk.
"I might actually take that. You are right about the fact that I need sleep and I do trust my team. We are in the safe zone of the mission as well."
Minashi groaned and threw another Kunai at the light. She hissed when they blinded her for a moment. Minato just rolled over the railing and smiled at her in thanks. She snarled at him.
"Get back up there. I'm not lifting your ass up there."
His eyes widened before diving up and under his covers. Minashi got into her pouch and snagged the spare sleeping tag. She then slapped it on Minato before he could say another word. He dropped like a rock onto his pillow. Minashi let out a relieved sigh and collapsed onto her own bunk. Exhaustion wrapped her in its arms and pulled her willingly under.
"It's sooo hooooot!" Fumiko whined for the tenth time in the last two hours. "Taiiii-chooouuu!" She called. "How much farther?"
From beside Minato, since the Sannin had the rear, Minashi snapped around with a snarl on her lips as she stormed up to Fumiko. Fumiko took a few steps back when she realized she might have pushed too far.
"I am hot, I am hungry, I am thirsty, I am not made for the dry heat of a desert, and I am getting to the last of my patience. So please shut your trap Usagi before I find a way to seal a living being in a scroll and Leave you in it for a month!"
Fumiko looked at her with eyes like saucers through her mask. "W-wouldn't t-th-that kill me?"
Minashi just grinned foxily behind her mask. Fumiko whimpered when shivers went down her spine, feeling the smile without even seeing it.
"If you have nothing helpful to say, then kindly, Shut. Up." Minashi said firmly for all to hear. Even the Sannin took a step away as Minashi's killer Intent leaked out.
Fumiko could only nod and bury her face into the collar of her desert cloak.
Minashi chuffed and stormed back for the front. Their group resumed their medium pace through the desert. Silence reigned for another three hours when the Suna Walls finally appeared on the horizon.
"Finally." Minashi growled and led the pace faster.
"Halt!" the Gate Guards called once they were within yards of Shade. Minashi reigned in her temper as Minato took control.
"We are from Konoha. We are part of the team sent to escort two Shinobi of Suna back after capture was reported in Iwa. We are here to give our reports on the joint return mission."
The guards shared a glance before scanning the hooded figures. "Papers of the Suna Shinobi?"
"You really think they have anything on them after being captured? If not destroyed, then Iwa still has it." Minato frowned.
"We have no knowledge of a mission sent to recover two Shinobi back."
Minashi felt a growl bubble up as she pulled Minato back and Yanked off her mask.
"I am Kitsune, Personal Advisor to the Hokage, Ambassador and Voice of the Hokage when he is not present." She thrust a scroll into the Senior guard's chest. "These are MY papers. In them are the orders from the Hokage and the KAZEkage about how important the success of the first joint mission was to the alliance of Suna and Konoha." She hissed as she let her Killer intent shoot out. "You will escort us to the Kazekage so that we can continue to finalize the Alliance that will save lives of both our people in the future. Or did you not notice that we are also being accompanied by the legendary Sannin? The Students of the Sandaime Hokage."
The two guards were not only trembling at realizing their mistakes, but from her killing Intent.
"I-I'll escort your group to the Kazekage." The Senior Guard whispered.
"Good." Minashi grinned predatorily. He gulped and turned to walk them into the village.
"Remind me to never get her that mad again." Toru whispered to Fumiko. "What she pinned on you was nothing compared to what those poor chuunin just experienced."
"I wouldn't be surprised if they had nightmares." Itsuki mumbled.
"You kidding? I'm going to have nightmares just from what I handled." Fumiko whimpered.
"I believe that the heat brought this out." Koichi whispered.
"You are from a cooler climate." Karura said gently.
The group went silent when sharp blue eyes peeked through black hair. There was only one word in those eyes. Silence. The order was heard and understood.
Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade raised a brow at the group's reaction at Minashi's look.
"And Sensei hasn't manipulated her into his position yet how?" Jiraiya asked Orochimaru and Tsunade.
"She's refused it multiple times is the rumor of the ANBU." Orochimaru hummed.
"She's smarter than him in the art of manipulation." Tsunade chuckled.
"True." Jiraiya chuckled and shook his head. "Want to bet on the upcoming meeting with the Kazekage?" he smirked. Gold and Honey brown shared a glance before looking back at twinkling coal.
"Alright." Orochimaru smirked.
"Prepare to lose boys. What are we betting on?" she grinned.
Minashi ignored the whispers of the Sannin, but raised a brow when Jiraiya got creative.
"What?" Minato asked when he saw Minashi's twitching lips. He didn't know what put her in a good mood, but he almost needed to know for the next time they had to travel in the desert.
"The Sannin think that I have their temperament. That and they think they know me well enough to guess my behavior."
"Are they close?" he asked truly curious.
Minashi snickered as they neared the Tower. "No, but I've half tempted to do most of them just because they seem fun." She smirked.
Minato sighed. "No Kitsune. We are in foreign land with a shaky treaty."
The group resumed silence as they entered the building and were led directly to the Kazekage's office. Minashi blanked her face when she felt familiar chakra. It took her a few moments to realize it. Minato chatted with the Guard while we waited to be let in.
Rasa? Minashi wondered. But then- She froze when she realized it. Sasori has probably already killed the Sandaime Kazekage. Rasa was a young Hokage. He'd been older than Gaara's mother. But were they together yet? If they were, had he given the order for his wife to be executed? Kurama growled within her mind, agreeing with her. He would have had Gaara's mother killed. Her best friend. Shukaku's last host. Shukaku's only human friend.
Let me bite him. Kurama snarled.
'Calm friend.'
He snarled from his cave. Deal with him Minashi before I do.
'Hai.' She said simply.
"Kitsune-san." Minato called. Her sharp gaze snapped to him and Minato's back straightened at the serious look in her gaze. "The Kazekage is ready for us." He carefully.
Kitsune nodded and walked behind him as they led the Sand Siblings into the office, the remains of their team taking positions outside the office. The Sannin walked in behind them and waited a few steps back until their time to talk.
Minashi's sharp blue eyes locked on the black eyes of Rasa of the Sand. Their gazes stayed locked before they moved to the Sand Siblings.
"Yashamaru, Karura, Welcome home. I will get your verbal mission report after this meeting."
"Yondaime." They replied in unison with a curt bow.
Rasa looked back to the Masked Minato and unmasked Kitsune.
"To have the Legendary Sannin, The famed Cheetah ANBU captain, and now the Hokage's newest revealed Personal Advisor all in my office. One would normally feel threatened. I however feel honored to have such skilled Shinobi go into the depts of enemy territory to retrieve two Shinobis not of their own nation. You are also half a day early arriving than scheduled. Is this due to the Sannin leading, or did the Captain do his job that well?"
"I was the lead of this Mission." Minato stated. "The Sannin never went over Iwa Walls. They were there for safety precautions due to the severity of the Mission."
"Yes, I must thank you and your team Captain for returning my fiancé and her brother. They are two of our best. It would have been a shame to lose them."
Just a little bite. An arm. Just let me have an arm. He doesn't need two to make three babies.
'Stop tempting me.' She mentally swatted him away.
"Well, begin. You already have your written permission from the Hokage to give me Konoha's side of the report."
Minato went into the report, leaving out specific skills unless absolutely unavoidable. One of those being Kitsune's skills in seals.
"A Seal's Mistress? I've heard the Rumors, but to know that I have two Seal Masters and a Seal Mistress in my presence." He smiled, but it didn't reach his dark cold eyes. "I really should feel threatened. Is the Hokage trying to send me a message?" he mused allowed.
"Hai." Minashi butted in. Rasa's eyes snapped to her.
"Oh, and what would that be?"
"That we know you will be needing a human container for the Ichibi within the next ten years. The teapot the Bijuu is currently stored in has a seal that is weakening. He will not be able to be resealed into it. He will also not be able to be sealed into another object. A human container will be needed."
Rasa's fists clenched beneath his chin. "How would the esteemed Hokage have found that out? Only my most trusted know about that. You are also insinuating that I have a leak."
Minashi just rolled her eyes and re-met his own. "Oh, please. Shut up and stop interrupting me with your sorry excuse of intimidation tactics." She deadpanned. The room froze. Rasa stared at her before blinking slowly.
"Kitsune." Minato hissed.
Jiraiya snickered behind them even as Tsunade groaned and handed over ryo to both Orochimaru and Jiraiya.
"I am here as the voice of the Hokage to offer our last piece of the Alliance." Minashi said firmly.
"I'm listening." Rasa growled.
"When you are ready to have the Ichibi sealed into a container, they will be brought to Konoha. We will do the sealing there where we will have a secured sealing room prepared. Myself, Cheetah, and Jiraiya will be the ones to personally seal the Ichibi away in your chosen container. This will ensure that the sealing is done correctly, and the container will not be affected in any way by the Bijuu. The key will return with the container back to Suna."
"What's the catch?" Rasa glared.
"The jinchuriki will live in Suna until academy age. He or She will then move to Konoha for a year then return to Suna. This exchange over the academy years will continue until they reach Genin. From there they will then stay in their home village where they will then be tutored in politics between missions, making sure that Joint missions between Konoha and Suna are part of their mission roster."
Rasa frowned as he listened. "Between Konoha pulling back from accepting Mission from the Wind daimyo and the imports we are getting, and now this? Suna is benefiting more from this alliance than Konoha is." His dark eyes studied Minashi to figure out what he was missing.
"What does Konoha get in return?"
"Your Jinchuriki will be living with our Jinchuriki during his or her stay. This will enable proper growth and ensure that both will have a companion that will understand their burden."
"That doesn't answer my question. How does Konoha profit from this alliance? Other than a few exports from us, there is not much else minus militia support." Rasa repeated firmly. "What do you want?" he snarled.
Minashi turned to Minato. "Please return to the team." She turned to the Sand Siblings. "Please leave the room. My next words are for the Kazekage ears only."
"You haven't asked the Sannin to leave." Rasa pointed out annoyed that his own shinobi were being dismissed.
Minashi looked back at him sharply. "Please dismiss ALL Present Suna Shinobi."
Rasa narrowed his eyes at her before flicking a wrist. She felt the Hidden ANBU leave. Minato escorted the Sand Siblings out.
Minashi went through a fast set of seals and slammed her hand on the floor. The Purple barrier shot to life around the five of them.
Jiraiya whistled. "Whoa, Sensei wasn't kidding."
"he said you based this off a barrier I created?" Orochimaru hummed.
"Huh. Impressive brat." Tsunade said even after flicking the barrier. Minashi winced and rubbed her temple.
"Don't do that Ba-chan." She muttered and Tsunade shrugged.
"What have you done?" Rasa said with wide eyes.
Minashi let her Kitsune henge drop and Rasa blinked at her.
"Currently you are Sixth person to see my true face Rasa."
He slowly sat back down when the Sannin took a seat as well.
"What for?" he tilted his head intrigued before it turned to a frown. "Wait, Minato Namikaze was just in my office. You look like family. Why did you have him dismissed?"
"He doesn't know." Minashi shrugged. "To him I am a five-year-old girl that is his last remaining family."
Rasa blinked once. "What?" he deadpanned.
"Let me properly introduce myself." She smirked as the clothes on her shimmered as the Henge took over. She stood once again in her Hokage robes. "Hello Yondaime Kazekage Rasa of the Sand. I am Rokudaime Minashi Uzumaki-Namikaze. I am here to tell you the fate of your village if you continue to see Shukaku and his container, your third son Gaara of the Sand, as a weapon of war."
Rasa didn't blink. Barely breathed. Five minutes passed.
"Prove it." He challenged.
"Spar me." Minashi challenged back.
"You will be at a disadvantage." He narrowed dark eyes.
Minashi just smirked as she let Kurama rise in her eyes. They bled red and her pupils narrowed to slits. "Will I?" she chuckled as she let Kurama's chakra leak past the suppressors as well.
Rasa's eyes widened in realization.
Minashi ignored the sound of muttered cursing from the Sannin and the sound of Ryo passing hands.
"Recall that Chakra now! You will cause a mass panic-"
"My barrier keeps all chakra in and all exterior sensors blind to the contents. Same with sounds and sight. Nothing leaves this barrier until I say so."
Rasa held burning red eyes.
"I accept your challenge to spar."
Minashi grinned. "Good. Gaara got to fight you in the Fourth war. He wouldn't tell me or my brother much as we still had a war to fight. I was luck enough to fight along side my father. But then again that's what happens when two different people summon the dead to fight a war."
Rasa lifted a confused brow. "Excuse me?"
"Forbidden Jutsu, reanimates the dead, puts them under the caster's control." She waved it off. "Nothing for you to worry about, only me."
"I beg to differ." He grunted.
Minashi shrugged and walked to the solid barrier. "So that Spar?"
"I'll lead you to a training ground."
"Good. Can we also have a hotel for my Companions to get some rest in? I have a feeling we'll be here for a while afterwards discussing the treaty."
"I'll have it done."
Minashi resumed her henge before touching the barrier and releasing it. The ANBU were on her in a flash with killing intent flashing and Kunai ready at vitals.
"Stand down." Rasa grunted.
"Kazekage-sama" The Lead protested.
"She was instructed to make sure that the area was extra secure. The information was for Hokage ears only."
He grumbled but disappeared back into the shadows. Rasa moved to walk beside Minashi with a curious look in his gaze.
"You didn't even flinch." He murmured.
Minashi chuckled. "Same thing happened with Hiruzen. I make ANBU jumpy."
Rasa snorted. "I can't image why." He retorted dryly. As they left the office, he signaled two ANBU down. "Please escort Konoha Team Cheetah to one of our finer Hotels. They are escorts for the Ambassadors of Konoha. They have also just returned from Rescuing my Fiancé and her brother."
"Hai." They bowed and took Minashi's team away. Minato stopped and sent her a few signals. He rolled his eyes and shook his head at her response.
Minashi snickered.
"Stop teasing the brat." Jiraiya chuckled.
"But it's so easy. No wonder Kushina get's a kick out of it." Minashi threw back.
"He's going to get a complex." Jiraiya challenged.
Minashi shrugged indifferent.
"Shall we?" Rasa interrupted firmly.
Minashi just raised a brow at him. "You know, you'd actually be pretty good looking if you'd smile." Rasa just stared at her while the Jounin and Chuunin in the halls froze.
"Are you this casual with the Hokage?" Rasa challenged.
"Kages only get entertainment in teasing their shinobi or making them squirm. Otherwise it's just paperwork and more paperwork. Everyone forgets that you are people too. You hurt, you tire, you feel every loss, yet you feel every joy when promising shinobi continue to rise through the ranks. You see Children playing in the streets and parks with happy smiles. That's what keeps a Kage going through all the strife that comes with the Hat. But they still need someone to treat them as another human being and not the man or woman with a village resting on their shoulders."
Rasa just stared at her like the rest of the other Suna shinobi eavesdropping on their conversation. There was something different in Rasa's gaze though. A small flicker, but they were no longer cold.
"So Rasa, you ready to have your ass handed to you?" She smirked.
Rasa shook out of his mind and bristled. "You do not understand what you are getting into Kitsune."
Minashi just laughed as she followed the fast walking Kazekage through the Kage Tower. Wide shocked eyes following them, but Minashi just smiled as she caught up to the Kage and began poking his cheek. She was surprised to see a twitch begin under his left eye. Gaara had a similar one. It made her smirk. Her old friend had the same quirks as his father, but the heart of his mother.
"You will not back down?" Rasa called from the center of the clearing. Minashi was walking around placing tags down for a larger barrier. It wouldn't be fully solid like her one she did in the office, but it would hide any Bijuu chakra she used. She could already feel the curious stares of the shinobi hiding behind the sand dunes around the training field.
"You asked me to prove myself. This is how I will do that." She placed the last tag before making one sign. "Fuuin." She whispered and a bright red barrier shot up into the sky as it sealed the clearing.
"This isn't just a trap is it?" Rasa smirked.
"The Sannin are not within the barrier." She reminded him.
"So, shall we get started then?" Rasa narrowed his eyes.
Minashi closed her eyes. 'You ready Kurama?'
Hai. He said sitting up and getting into a lotus position.
'What about Nature Energy? Think I will be able to use any during this fight?
You haven't been wearing the filter for long. Your body isn't used to it. It is used to my chakra. So your own reserves and mine will all you will be able to use in this fight.
'So a battle of stamina?' Minashi smirked. 'I can do that.'
Her eyes snapped open and she shushined away from the tidal wave of Gold dust that had been about to drop on her.
"That all you got Dust boy?" She taunted. Rasa's eyes developed a dark ring around them before the earth beneath her shifted.
Minashi smirked and kicked off into the air. Water bullets flew from her mouth as she spun up to take aim at the other waves of Gold Dust aiming for her. Throwing Kunai between jutsu, she aimed for Rasa, but he just deflected them.
A Gold wave crashed where Minashi had just been. Instead Rasa deflected the Kunai she had aimed for his throat with his own. Their eyes held, as their Kunai crossed. Swiping up with a foot, she lashed out at Rasa with a Wind jutsu, but he just blocked with a hardened wall of Gold Dust.
Pressure registered on her ankles. She was yanked into the sand.
Rasa narrowed his eyes at where he'd yanked her under. The hairs rose up on the back of his neck and he dropped to a wide crouch to avoid the Katana swinging for his neck. Another Minashi smirked and Rasa was on the defensive as he blocked her Katana with his kunai. Her swings were heavy, her intermixed kicks left his bones feeling the strain when she got past the Gold barriers. She was fast. Sometimes faster than his dust.
Her wind was sharp on her blade, extending it's length. She made it stronger by mixing with water and fire on two separate combinations.
He could see that she was serious. Her blue eyes were slitted, showing that while she was using some of the Bijuu chakra, she was not using a lot.
He drew on his water blade even as his Gold dust pushed her back with spikes shooting from the ground. Minashi backflipped to the edge of the barrier. Rasa charged her. She smirked and then disappeared in an explosion of blood when Rasa's water blade cut her.
Whistling screeching filled the air. Rasa turned back to find the original Minashi back where he'd forgotten he'd buried her. She smirked and the weapon in her hand flew through the air at him. Rasa pulled at the Gold Dust and prepared for impact, but he was also stuck at the edge of the barrier. He cursed before slipping into the dust and moving through it to escape.
The resounding explosion shook even as deep as he had traveled. He closed an eye and used the Gold Dust to find Minashi. She was crouched on the handle of her Katana that only had the tip buried in the sand. Her Violet eyes slowly bled back to just slitted blue and the black markings around her face faded to grey before disappearing. Her eye twitched.
"Oh shut it furrball. I'm not stone and it was only long enough to throw it." She muttered under hear breath, but his jutsu still caught it. "Plus, he's almost as good as Gaara, even after he lost Shukaku to Madara's creepy statue." She muttered as those sharp eyes scanned the field. She suddenly smirked. "not good enough though." She chuckled and Rasa cursed when his eye saw her launch towards him with another ball of chakra, this one missing the wind blades. It dug into the sand until Rasa was forced to exit it. He sent Gold and water at the Kunoichi, but she either met his jutsu with the same, or dodged the dust.
He didn't realize it until it was too late. Thirty minutes later, Rasa stumbled after dodging one of her Fire jutsu. She had pushed him into using more and more chakra heavy attacks to defend against her own, or in frustration to capture her.
He felt her at his back again and dodged, he twisted to throw a kick back up at her, but instead watched the clone pop just before he felt something land on the back of his neck. He dropped to the ground, eyes wide and chakra cut off. His eyes snapped over when he felt the sand shift beside him. Minashi spluttered as she rose from the sand with a grimace.
"Kami, I hate the desert. How did Gaara stand it?" She muttered and shook like a dog. "I'm going to have sand in the most uncomfortable places for weeks." She continued to grouse as she stripped of her uniform armor and sandals, shaking out the sand. When she was finally done, she glanced over to the glaring Rasa.
"Oh relax, it's just a paralysis seal. Remind me to never do the Headhunter jutsu in the desert again." She frowned as she rolled him over and removed the tag.
"Doesn't the headhunter jutsu grab at the legs?" he asked once free.
"yes. But I needed to get access to your skin. So, I needed to get your neck as close to the ground as possible."
"So, you had me dodge your clone and waited for my counter which you hoped would bring my head close enough for you to put the tag on." He said brushing off the sand from himself as well.
"Yep." She beamed then held out a hand. "You almost lasted half the time Gaara normally did even without Shukaku."
Rasa looked at her hand before looking back into her normal blue eyes again. "He meant a lot to you." He concluded.
"My best friend." She whispered. "our best friend. And we were his first best friends at Twelve."
He took her hand and shook it. "I will listen to your warning."
"That is all I ask." She nodded and she released the barrier. "Shall we return to your office?" She smirked.
Rasa nodded and went to walk there when Minashi gripped his wrist. He glared at her but knew he'd have nightmares at that Foxy smile of hers.
The world suddenly shifted and swirled around him.
Minashi smirked at the Kazekage that was curled around his office trashcan, retching up his lunch.
"Ah, that never gets old." She hummed pleased.
"Is this your version of Politics?" Rasa growled incredulously.
Minashi rolled her eyes and slapped the relief seal on his forehead. He sighed and relaxed.
"No, this is my version of treating you as a human. No matter how much I am tempted to allow my Bijuu to take a bite out of you." She deadpanned.
"On what grounds?" He grunted as he stood and returned to his desk. Minashi took the seat before him and slapped her privacy seal down.
"You ordered that if their extraction shouldn't be completed, then to executed them instead." She said coolly as she fingered at the flap to her kunai pouch. Rasa sighed and pointed to the seal on his head. Minashi nodded and he removed it and looked at it while she waited his answer.
"You assume that that decision didn't cost me?" he asked softly.
"No. I'm sure it did. But I do not know you. I do not know how you view life. The only thing I know about you is from over ten years into the future. You were a completely different man. Older, more jaded. You had your own toddler son assassinated in attempts to destroy a weapon that you couldn't control. I do not know if you are already that man or not."
Rasa glanced at her before handing the seal back. She stored it away without looking away from him.
"I love Karura." He said in a voice completely different than anything she's heard from him yet. "I did not want to put her and her brother on this mission. They were the only two qualified. We aren't sure how they were found out, but her report will provide that."
Minashi held his dark eyes, but she couldn't feel anything from him that leaned towards lies. Kurama grumbled and pulled back the last of the Chakra that wasn't used to hold the Kitsune Henge. Rasa was telling the truth. He did love Karura. Her death must have hardened his heart the rest of the way.
"Alright." She conceded and relaxed back into her chair. "You want to know what Konoha gets from this alliance right?"
"Yes."
"Loyalty." She said simply.
"That's it?" he frowned.
"In the future I am from, Orochimaru had been turned into an evil mad scientist of sorts with a grudge against Konoha. He persuaded you as Otokage to join him in attacking Konoha during the Chuunin exams of the year myself and my brother were twelve. In the end you were assassinated, the Ichibi was released, My twin and I defeated and befriended Gaara, and soon after Gaara took over as Godaime Kazekage and led his people with the kind heart and love his mother had always given him. She'd embodied his sand with her love and will to always protect him while she could not. Gaara then was one of the Generals that led the Shinobi Alliance during the Great Fourth Shinobi War against the Tentails and Madara Uchiha. That was done though after Naruto and I helped Chiyo bring him back from the dead after Shukaku was extracted. Your two eldest children will be great on their own. Temari, eldest, will be an ambassador between Suna and Konoha. Kankuro had taken over the Puppet Brigade and was renown for his skills in poisons."
Minashi looked down at her hands. "But that was my past. A future that currently is on a fine line of coming true or changing completely. Anything is better than what I left behind. The Elemental nations had been decimated. We had to join with Iwa's remaining Shinobi to dig so deep into the earth just to get away from the craters that the Tentail's Beast bombs created. Not to mention the beast attempting to dig us out. We really had just become Shinobi. There were no villages left to fight against. No land to squabble over. It was only about survival, protecting the precious people we had left. My twin brother was the Child of Prophecy. The one that brought Hope to the Elemental Nations. When he died from Our Bijuu being extracted from him, that hope was taken away. It led to the caves we just survived in. I am trying to prevent that future." She paused and frowned. "well most of it. I still dream to see the Elemental Nations joined together as just shinobi." She looked back up at Rasa. "And that is why I'm starting with you."
Rasa stared at her for a few moments. He took in a deep breath and ran a hand down his face as he stared at her.
"Why me?" he asked softly.
"You are a good man. A good leader. I believe that if you actually put the work into being a good father, you will raise even greater children. What you need to do is let go of the fact that the Ichibi can be just as Human as you or I."
"They are weapons-" He choked off when Minashi snarled.
"They are the product of Human hate. They were brought into this world to keep the peace. Human fear and Hate created the 'beasts' that they are seen to be. When treated like anyone else instead of that, they can be the best of friends, the most loyal of companions, and family when no one else is left."
Rasa stared at her again. She could briefly see his mind whirling behind those eyes.
"Loyalty huh?" he muttered.
"Kaze no Kuni land is larger than Hi no Kuni. But between us are smaller nations. Nations that were caught between the Second shinobi war. If Konoha and Suna can promise to protect the nations that are between our borders, then we can prevent unnecessary blood shed when the Third war comes to pass. We can also evacuate civilians into the deeper parts of our countries. Keep them away from the Shinobi war."
"We will also be able to move easier between the borders if we have their alliances." Rasa nodded. "And all you want is our loyalty?"
"Absolute Loyalty." Minashi confirmed. "This can be confirmed by political marriages and shared knowledge."
"Konoha still doesn't get much from this Alliance."
"We get a strong ally, more borders to work with, and a large but 'weak' nation to work with."
Rasa tilted his head at her. "You do not agree that we are weak."
"No." She smirked. "In your element, your shinobi are strong. You just live in an environment that makes agriculture difficult. Yet you are still many in number. Did you know that most of the A and S-rank Missing-nin in the bingo books are from Suna and Konoha?" Minashi tiled her head with a foxy grin.
"This alliance though would be putting my shinobi out of their element."
"Not when they are on joint missions with Konoha shinobi. We know our trees. Leave it up to us to make openings for your shinobi when on Fire soil. The same can be said for the reverse. Hell, I about shoved one of my own teammates into a scroll to shut her up when she wouldn't stop complaining about the heat. Karura and Yashamaru just brushed it off." Minashi shrugged. "We train together. We learn each other's strengths and weaknesses. We become true comrades and never leave another behind. We come out of this next war together."
"Shinobi." Rasa mused.
"Yes. Not Konoha, not Suna. Shinobi. Other nations will be added as soon as I can beat some sense into their Kages." Minashi smirked.
Rasa snorted and shook his head at her. "Brute force only gets you so far." He sat forward and rested his chin on his laced fingers. "You revealed all this too me. How can you be sure that I will not just sell this information?"
"Because you need this alliance more than Konoha." She said with ice blocks for eyes. "We do not Need Suna. We want Suna for the extra militia support and imports. This alliance is not just for that though, it is for the People, for the children. For future generations."
"How long are you staying Minashi?" he asked.
"We will rest tonight and leave tomorrow at sunset."
Rasa nodded and stood, Minashi stood with him. "I would like to request another meeting with you and the Sannin at Lunch. We will complete the treaty and add in the final pieces."
Minashi took his hand and they shook on it. "I look forward to it Rasa. Also, please call me Kitsune."
He nodded and watched her remove the seal before going to sit back down. Minashi paused at the door and looked back to the Kazekage. His shoulders were already tense as he stared down at his desk.
"Rasa?" she called. He looked up at her questioningly.
"Do you know any place good to eat around here?" She smirked.
Rasa nodded. "Yes, there are a few."
"Would you like to join myself and a friend of mine for dinner? Your Fiancé is welcome. I'm sure you'd enjoy some time with her."
Rasa stared at her before standing abruptly and joining her at the door. "That would be most pleasant." He said and offered his arm. "Shall we?"
Minashi smirked and let him lead her to his home. There they found Yashamaru passed out and Karura in a summer dress. She smiled lovingly at Rasa before he yanked her into his arms in a crushing hug. Minashi politely turned her gaze away and sent a fox to send for Minato.
Minato met them at the restaurant and Minashi slipped away to change after seeing that Minato had done as instructed and changed into nice clothes. Even Rasa was dressed Semi-formally. Minashi returned to their group outside the restaurant in a sleek black off the shoulder dress and took the arm Minato offered her.
"Thank you Pretty Boy." She teased. Minato sighed.
"In front of the Kazekage? Really Kitsune?"
Karura giggled into her hand. "You are on the pretty side for a man."
"You have a stunning husband to be yourself Karura." Minashi smirked as they were led to a private room. "I can already see your children. With his auburn hair and your teal eyes. They will be handsome as well. He'll have the people swooning." She took a sip of wine as she settled into her seat and snapped like just thinking about something else. "Or a little girl with your blonde and teal, but Rasa's sharp features." She sighed. "Suna citizens have such exotic features."
"You seem to have good genes as well." Karura smiled around her blush even as her hand tightened in embarrassment in Rasa's. Minashi saw his lips twitching around his sake cup.
Minashi smirked. "Very true."
"She isn't Lying with that either." Rasa smirked at Minashi. "Kitsune is quite the beauty beneath her mask. The man that lands her will be lucky." He looked at Minato. "Isn't that right Minato-san?"
Minato choked on his sake. "I'm sorry?"
"Well, you do seem awfully close to Kitsune-chan." Karura smiled not understanding Rasa's jab at Minashi.
Minashi just rolled her eyes at the Kage and started eating when the food was delivered.
"I'm s-sorry, Kitsune-san is just a friend. I also have a lovely girlfriend that would kill me if I looked at another."
Minashi snickered and patted Minato's shoulder. "Oh Minato, Kushina wouldn't kill you. She'd torture you first. She's an Uzumaki remember?"
Minato paled and reached for the sake. "Please don't joke about that Kitsune. She's scary enough as it is. Reminding me that she is Uzumaki is reminding me that my Imouto is half Uzumaki." He shuttered. "She's already so good at Fuuinjutsu. I hope she doesn't pick up Kushina's habits." He muttered into his cup.
"You have a little sister?" Karura beamed.
Minato smiled back. "Hai. She'll be Five soon. Her and another one of the kids in her class are hailed as Prodigies. It's a handful to remind the two that they are just kids. We're trying to get them to enjoy life."
"Oh?" Rasa glanced at Minashi before looking back at Minato. "And who is the other lucky child?"
Minato paused and looked between the couple and Kitsune.
"The alliance is steady." Minashi supplied. Minato nodded.
"Kakashi Hatake."
Rasa's eyes widened with Karura's. "The White Fang's son?" She whispered amazed.
"Yes. They'll both be Genin by the spring." Minato offered.
Rasa though was looking at Minashi with a calculating look.
"You make it seem like they are friends." Rasa mused.
Minato snorted. "Connected at the hip is more like it." He provided now noticing that Rasa wasn't looking at him but Kitsune who just held his gaze. "Kakashi-kun is smitten with her." He said slowly.
"That's sweet!" Karura smiled. "That reminds me of us Rasa."
"Really?" Minashi smirked. "I loved to hear how you two got together."
Rasa sighed. "It's not-"
"There you are brat!" Tsunade snarled as she stormed into their room.
The four of them looked at the angry blonde.
"Hello Ba-chan!" Minashi waved.
"Hello Tsunade-sama." Minato greeted.
"Do you know what you've done?" Tsunade snarled ignoring Minato to pull Minashi up by the front of her dress. Minashi looked down to make sure nothing tore.
"No. What?"
"You disappeared from the training ground with the Kazekage! The ANBU and Jounin have been going crazy looking for him! Then we get word that you were spotted strolling around with him and his fiancé enjoying dinner?"
"Politics." She deadpanned before smirking. "That and a bit of payback. I took him for a ride."
Tsunade's opened mouth prepared to shout, paused before snapping shut and raised a brow at her.
"You used it on him?"
"Hai~" Minashi smirked.
"And?"
"Same as Orochimaru."
Tsunade's lips twitched as she released Minashi. "You just made Jiraiya lose another bet. I was smart to not bet on that one or else it wouldn't have happened. Did you at least get any pictures?"
Rasa choked on his drink behind her. "No," she sighed "I'm Sadistic, not cruel."
Tsunade nodded. "Alright, sorry for intruding then."
"Oh, tell the guys that we'll be meeting with Rasa at noon to finalize and sign the treaty."
"Good. Then we can get out of this sandbox. Thank god Suna doesn't have Hot springs or Jiraiya would cause even more incidents than your little actions did."
Minashi snickered as Tsunade left.
"I'm so sorry about her." Minato tried to placate.
Rasa waved him off. "The Sannin are legendary. Not only in their skills but personalities. It was bound to happen once I saw them."
"True." Minashi chuckled and filled her cup and the other's. "I'd actually like to make a toast."
She lifted her cup and they followed. Minato looking at her curiously.
Her gaze though was on Rasa.
"To new friends, New allies, and to the Next Generations. May we live happy lives and keep our precious people safe as united Nations. May we set the pieces in play together, so that our children will not have to experience what we ourselves have."
"Cheers." Rasa agreed and the two of them downed their drinks before Karura and Minato followed slowly. Karura looking at her fiancé with a worried glint. Minato looking at Kitsune with a curious gaze.
Minashi pulled up the hood of her cloak even as she gave the desert beyond the stink eye.
"It's only a handful of hours." Minato reminded her gently.
"We were supposed to leave after the sun had set." She growled.
"You wanted to leave after the Sunset." Minato corrected. Minashi just grumbled.
"Kitsune. Namikaze." They turned to find Rasa walking away from his guards dressed in his Hokage robes.
"Rasa." Minashi took his offered hand.
"It was interesting meeting you Kitsune. I look forward to another spar in the future."
"You got it Dust Boy." She smirked.
Rasa's eye twitched. Minashi's smirk grew. He looked to Minato and ignored her.
"Thank you for the engaging conversation last night Namikaze. I hope the next time you are in Suna we can have another chat. You are young, but you have promise. I can see why you made Captain. You have the mind and heart of a leader in the making. Maybe one day we will be standing across from each other in similar attire."
Minato's cheeks flushed at the praise. "It is my dream to be Hokage. I will continue to work hard. Thank you." He bowed respectfully to the Kazekage.
Rasa nodded before finally looking back at Minashi. "Learn from this fine Kunoichi Namikaze. She is already Kage material."
Minashi deadpanned him. "I don't want the hat."
Rasa raised a brow.
"Too much paperwork not enough time to train. Even Hiruzen only just recently got back into training after I told him the secret to paperwork."
"And what is that?" Rasa asked trying not to sound too eager.
Minashi smirked. "Beat me in a spar and I'll tell you."
Rasa grunted but held out a hand. Minashi took it and had a flash of déjà vu when Rasa suddenly smiled softly at her.
"Thank you." He said earnestly.
Minashi swallowed thickly and nodded silently. Rasa eyed her. "I reminded you of him?" He asked gently.
"Hai." She responded softly.
"All I can promise is to try." He reminded her.
"That's all I ask." She smiled back.
"Take care."
"Till next time." Minashi turned and headed for their waiting group with Minato at her side.
"Another lost friend?" He asked gently.
"Hai." She whispered.
Minato nodded before looking between the group and the desert. He then eyed Minashi.
"I'm taking a vote." He called out to their party. "Who wants to trek through the desert?" no one raised their hands. "Who would rather face the desert than Kitsune's faster mode of travel back to Konoha gates?"
Team cheetah and the Sannin shared glances as Minashi raised a brow at Minato. He shrugged.
"I'm hot, I'm tired, and I want a bath to get all the sand out of my pants."
Minashi rolled her eyes at him. With a few grumbles the group made sure they each had both hands on someone that was touching Minashi.
"Hold tight!" She grinned. With a whirl and twist, they were gone from the torturous desert heat.
