This chapter includes:

Focal Point: The Mark of the Leaf

An Impossible Choice: The Pain Within Tsunade's Heart

Unforgivable. A Total Lack of Respect.

Inheritance, The Necklace of Death!

A Dubious Offer! Tsunade's Choice!

Breakdown: The Deal is Off!

Attack! Fury of the Rasengan!

The Fifth Hokage! A Life on the Line!

Deadlock! Sannin Showdown!

"Hey, where's this castle you were talking about?" Naruto asked, us stopping next to Jiraiya. Jiraiya's face fell.

"It...It's gone!" My eyes widened and I looked up to see a crumbling building, almost like it's been obliterated.

"So what happened? It's like a typhoon hit it." Naruto stated.

"Something." I said, looking at the castle ruins.

"Run! Run for your lives!" People ran down the street in front of us.

"Hey, you there!" Jiraiya shouted. "What's going on?" A man stopped, looking at Jiraiya, Naruto and I on the roof. "Tell me, what are you running from?"

"If you're smart, you'll run too! There's a monster up there!" I looked from the man, back to the castle. A monster? I closed my eyes and concentrated, searching to see any close chakras, or the chakra of the so called monster this guy was running from. I started to find some chakra, when Jiraiya snapped me out of my concentration.

"Naruto, Tessa, come on! This could be the same snake. I'd like a closer look at this monster." Naruto and I followed Jiraiya when he jumped off suddenly, the wall next to us destroyed. "Looks like we're too late. Let's go. We're not gonna find her here."

"This is getting ridiculous. How many places are you gonna drag us to?" Naruto asked. I sighed, twisting some hair around my finger.

"It is pretty late Pervy Sage, don't you think its time to give it a rest?" I asked, my eyes closed.

"Hm.." Jiraiya's footsteps stopped, making me look up. "Well, in the meantime, we'll get a bit to eat in here."

"Hm? Hey, what are you talking about, it's a tavern!" Naruto shouted annoyed. I rolled my eyes, stopping next to him.

"We're literally 12, and you're gonna take us in there?" My eyes narrowed in annoyance and frustration. I really wish this trip was over already. I'm over Jiraiya.

"Nobody is making either of you do anything, all right. Just have a snack and stay out of the grownup's way." I scoffed, crossing my arms. This is such a waste of time.

"Asshole." I muttered, following Naruto inside. I jumped at Jiraiya's voice suddenly shouting, giving me a heart attack.

"Tsunade!" I looked over to see him pointing at a blonde woman sitting in a booth. She stood up, slamming her hands on the table.

"Jiraiya?! What the-why are you here?" Pervy Sage walked forward towards her booth.

"I'm gonna kill him for being annoying, I swear to god." I muttered loud enough for Naruto to hear.

"Me too." He said half heartedly, both of us following Jiraiya. He got in the booth across from Tsunade, Naruto sliding in as well. Jiraiya looked at me silently asking if I was gonna get in, but I shook my head, leaning against the booth with my right shoulder, my arms crossed. This Tsunade was beautiful. She had blonde hair tied back in pigtails behind her, and her eyes were brown. On her forehead was a diamond, but...it felt like there was some chakra there? And of course, she had large uhem... hands as Jiraiya called them once before. Beside her sat another woman as well.

Naruto and Pervy Sage had gotten food, as had Tsunade and the other woman, whose name I learned was Shizune. I had sat down next to Naruto, but not really touched anything to eat.

"We're not stopping for anything else, so eat when you can." Pervy Sage's voice said, immediately irritating me. My head snapped over to look at him with narrowed eyes, me glaring right into his soul.

"Not. Hungry." I said shortly, before turning back to my bag. I pulled it open and pulled back out the medical ninjutsu book, hoping to ignore Jiraiya's every word.

"What'd you do to piss her off?" Tsunade's voice asked.

"What didn't he do?" I asked sarcastically, not even looking up from my book.

"It's like a reunion." Tsunade said after a moment of silence. I raised one eyebrow, looking over the top of my book. "All ya'll's faces coming back at the same time." Jiraiya poured Tsunade another small glass of alcohol before drinking his own.

"You mean Orochimaru." He said. My eyes widened the slightest bit, and I looked back at Tsunade. So he did show up.. I thought, gripping my book tighter. So what then, I was having nightmares, or seeing things? Because of what? I looked down and over at my right hand, before closing my eyes. No, that couldn't be...could it?

"We said hello, that's about it." I opened my eyes to see Tsunade suddenly shuffling a deck of cards. Where did she even get those? Jiraiya passed his plate over to Naruto who placed it in front of me.

"Do you mind?" I asked irritably, shoving it back towards Naruto. I know he didn't do anything, but I wasn't really in the mood to deal with anything at the moment.

"Well then," Tsunade spoke, placing the cards in front of Jiraiya. "why have you been looking for me?"

"I'll cut right to the chase." Jiraiya replied, shuffling the cards himself. "Tsunade, in its wisdom, the village has come to the decision to name you as the Fifth Hokage." I heard Naruto next to me choking on the fish he was eating, my eyes widening slightly. The Fifth Hokage? I guess...that makes sense. She is one of the Legendary Sannin. Jiraiya is pretty incompetent and wouldn't do, and for obvious reasons, they're not choosing Orochimaru.. But do they want a Sannin that bad?

Who else could they choose though? Who else would be worthy of becoming the Hokage? If they wanted to choose her for the Hokage, then she has to be insanely strong. I know the Fourth Hokage was insanely powerful, and the others clearly were as well...

I was thrown out of my thoughts by Naruto shouting in my ear, him standing up and startling me. I sighed, ignoring him as I threw my book back in my bag, clearly not going to be able to continue reading.

"Oh yeah, what's the deal about her being the Fifth Hokage?!" I groaned, standing up next to Naruto and shoving him back into his seat with my hand on top of his head.

"Naruto, shut up! You're screaming in my ear!" I yelled annoyed, smacking him in the back of the head.

"I'll say it once again." Jiraiya spoke again after drawing some cards. "The Leaf Village has made its decision. They have chosen you to be the Fifth Hokage. So, what's your answer? Do you accept it Tsunade?" It was extremely quiet, the woman clearly thinking and Naruto clearly squirming in his seat, either in anger or frustration.

If she was a good medical ninja as well, I might be able to start learning from her. If she became the Fifth Hokage, and if she even had time to teach. Tsunade finally threw her cards down, her eyebrows pointed downwards.

"Impossible. I decline." I looked at her a little surprised. She was from the Leaf Village, right? What is she even doing out here? And why would she decline?

"That's funny, that rings a bell. I remember you saying those very words the first and only time I ever asked you out." I raised an eyebrow, looking at Jiraiya. He actually asked her out? So he does have a preference in woman he actually likes? What a surprise.

"You're slipping Jiraiya. This apprentice isn't at all like your last one. He's a fool with a big mouth. Funny looking too." Before Naruto could say anything, I narrowed my eyes at her.

"At least he's got guts to protect the village, unlike you." I snarled. She only smirked at me, her chin laying on her hand.

"And what about you, huh? Some loudmouth brat you are." I clenched my fists, feeling my chakra and my anger build up inside me. "Throwing lives away, all for the sake of the village? Money's one thing, a life's another. To risk your life against all the odds, that's a sucker's bet."

"You ought to know, seeing how as you haven't won anything in your life." I retorted, tilting my head at her. "You're supposed to be some brilliant healer and strong kunoichi, yet look at you now. You're just like Jiraiya. Pathetic." Jiraiya looked at me, hurt and shock in his face. Tsunade slammed her hands down on the table and glared at me.

"What'd you say?!" She snarled.

"You heard me! Stop feeling sorry for yourself and pull yourself together!" Naruto was shaking beside me, his anger building.

"Tsunade!" Shizune warned. Tsunade bit her lip before sitting back down, looking back at her cards.

"Playing at Hokage. Count me out, it's a fools game." She said shortly, leaning her head back.

"That does it!" Naruto slammed his hands on the table and jumped up, aiming a fist right at her. Jiraiya grabbed Naruto by the back of his jacket, holding him back as he fought to get at her from on top of the table. "Let me go! Stop it, let me at her!"

"That's enough, people are looking." Jiraiya said, still holding onto him.

"I'm not gonna let her sit there and make fun of the old man! No way! I don't care if she is a lady! I'll knock that cynical sneer off her face!" I watched Naruto for a moment who was still standing on the table when Tsunade stood up, her leg on the table and leaning forward towards Naruto.

"Are you challenging me? You've got guts if nothing else. Let's take this outside, kid." She said, a small smirk on her face. Naruto growled in response. I smirked, following them outside.

"One of the legendary Sannin taking on a snotty-nosed Genin? I ought to be ashamed of myself." I growled, my eyebrows turning down.

"If you fail Naruto, I get a chance at her." I smirked at him. Tsunade lifted her arm, holding up a her index finger.

"Oh, stop trying to show off." Jiraiya said, sounding done with the situation already.

"You see this? One finger. It's all I'm gonna need to take you down." I crossed my arms, narrowing my eyes at her. "Well? What are you waiting for, kid?"

"Don't ever underestimate me!" Naruto shouted, running straight for her. He pulled out a kunai and threw some shurikan at her, Tsunade dodging them easily. Naruto tried to hit her with the kunai, but it was like a flash. She was fast! Her arm went up, Naruto's headband flying off his head and up into the air. Naruto stumbled backward, but in an instant, she flicked her index finger into his forehead, flinging him backwards across the ground.

"Lady Tsunade!" Naruto stood up, his hand on his forehead. We watched as his headband and the kunai landed on the ground with a thud and clang. I hm'd, taking a step forward.

"My turn Naruto." I smirked, focusing chakra into my right hand. I grabbed a kunai from my pouch and flung it at her with such strength that it sped to her quickly. I saw her eyes widen the slightest bit and she ducked under it, giving me the chance. As quick as I could, I slammed my fist into the ground, the earth beneath us shaking and crumbling. When the dirt cleared the air, I stood in a small crater, my hand still touching the ground.

"Hm, you got strength, I'll give you that." I heard her behind me. "But you're still too slow!" I turned behind me, but her index finger was already coming towards me to flick me in the back of the head. Without warning, a small shield protected the area she was going to hit, her finger hitting it, but bouncing right off of it. "Huh?" I heard her say. I took the chance to swing my foot around, aiming for her stomach. She grabbed it and pulled me close to her, grabbing my arm and flipping me over her shoulder, me landing on my back. I let out a groan, and when I tried to get up, her foot was on top of my chest, holding me down. Her brown eyes narrowed down at me, flickering to my right hand for a moment. "What the hell was that?" She asked. I smirked, not giving her an answer. She hm'd, taking her foot off of me and backing up. I sat up, narrowing my eyes at her but not taking my gaze away from her. "Not bad for a mouthy brat." I pushed myself up to a stand.

"Not bad for a pathetic Sannin." I taunted. Her expression grew dark at my answer but didn't respond.

"Tell me kid," She looked at Naruto. "what makes you so touchy about Hokage?" Naruto glowered at her, tilting his head the slightest bit.

"It's because unlike you, that's my goal. Just watch. Some day I'll be Hokage." I saw Tsunade's eyes widen the slightest bit. "Remember this, to be Hokage, that is my dream." Tsunade's eyes widened even more at his response, making me grin. Naruto always has a way with words with other people. Then in a flash, Naruto ran right past me, a ball of chakra in his palms. My eyes widened, seeing that, that was the Jutsu he was working on! Whoa, that's insane!

Tsunade slammed her hand down onto the ground, Naruto falling right into the crevasse.

"Naruto!" I shouted, taking a step forward. Naruto was flung right back into me at the force of him tripping, and the force of Tsunade hitting him. I groaned as we landed on the ground, him landing on me with a thud. "Ow...Naruto.." I groaned, shoving him off of me.

"Jiraiya! Are you the one who taught this little kid the Rasengan?" Tsunade asked, annoyance in her voice. I lifted my head at the name. Why does that sound familiar?

"Well of course I did. I'm his teacher, aren't I?"

"Ha. You and the Fourth Hokage are the only ones who can use that Jutsu. What's the point of teaching it to someone who can never master it? You old fool! Giving him false hopes like that. Filling his head with stupid ideas. Making him think he could actually be Hokage someday. Naruto pushed himself to a stand, him standing on my hand.

"Ow, Naruto!" I shouted, kicking him off my hand. Jerk..

I focused my chakra, trying to help my hand a little from him stepping on it, ignoring whatever Naruto was saying as he and Tsunade went back and forth.

"You know some medical ninjutsu?" Shizune's voice asked softly, making me look up at her. I looked down at my hand for a moment.

"Very little. I can only heal surface wounds if they're minor. I tried healing muscles and tendons, but..it didn't work." I said, looking back up at her.

"Like that?" She tried to grab my right hand. I yanked it away from her, hiding it under my arm.

"No. Not like that." I said, a little coldly. She shook her head before standing up, walking over to Tsunade. I closed my eyes, shaking my head. And I wanted to learn medical ninjutsu from this lady?

I'm gonna skip to where Tsunade meets up with Orochimaru at the end of the week

I walked down the street, hands in my pockets, a bag hanging from my wrist. I left early to get some breakfast for Naruto and I, Jiraiya not showing up back at the room when I got up this morning. Today was supposed to be the day that Naruto mastered the Rasengan, so I was looking forward to seeing it. When I got to the front of our building, I heard Shizune's voice above me, the window opening. I looked up in time to see a kunai hit the building right in front of her, Jiraiya almost to the window. My eyes widened and I jumped up to the roof, kneeling next to Jiraiya.

He had sweat dripping down his face, and it looked like he was extremely weak.

"What the hell happened to you last night?" I asked, furrowing my eyebrows. I turned and tossed the bag to Naruto without seeing if he even caught it.

"She slipped me a mickey." Jiraiya said, his voice wavering. "Double crossing little vixen. She must have spiked my drink when I wasn't looking. I can't build up any chakra. My body is so weak. I don't think I can even throw a kunai straight." I looked over at the kunai sticking out of the wall, and it looked like Shizune did as well. Shizune started giving Jiraiya some water, trying to get his strength back together, but it was taking a while.

Gonna skip this too because Tessa doesn't really affect this scene, etc

"So, you fear the sight of blood, eh? Let's put it to the test, shall we?!" I heard the familiar voice shout. Before he could hit her with the kunai, I appeared in front of her, putting a shield right in front of me, just barely catching the kunai in it. I glared at Kabuto through my shield, the kunai's tip close to my face, before dropping it, Kabuto pulling the kunai back. He didn't say anything, so it looks like he was too distracted by our entrance to notice...

Just in time...

"Well well well...hello child." His slimy voice spoke. I felt myself shudder under his gaze, but tried to hide my trembling. "It's been a while, hasn't it?" He asked, a grin on his face. I didn't reply, partially too terrified to. "Ever since the Chunin Exams, at least." I swallowed the lump in my throat.

"Yeah, back when you had your arms." I taunted. That was probably dumb, but at least I'm trying to not be afraid. His grin fell from his face, slight anger replacing it.

"It's been a long time, old friend." Orochimaru said, turning to Jiraiya.

"Long time, indeed. And I can't say it's improved your looks any, old friend." Orochimaru chuckled at this. God, he's so creepy. My eyes flickered up to the man in front of me, as did Naruto's.

"Huh? Hey! Kabuto!" Kabuto looked back at me, then Naruto.

"Naruto."

"You've met this guy before, Naruto?" Jiraiya asked.

"Well of course I have. We took the Chunin Exams together." He looked back at Kabuto. "What are you doing here, Kabuto?" I saw Orochimaru smirk behind Kabuto, making me feel wary.

"And Miss Tessa here knows him as well. More on an...experimental level." I winced at this comment, knowing what he was talking about. Kabuto smirked, tilting his head at me.

"How's the hand, Tessa?" He asked deviously. I felt myself pale, when Tsunade pushed past me, making me stumble to the ground. What the hell?!

"Out of the way! Stay outta this! I can handle them!" She yelled, throwing punches and kicks at Kabuto who dodged all of them. "So you've recovered! No matter! You're still not at 100 percent!" She cornered him. I pushed myself to a stand, when I saw blood drip to the ground, making me gasp.

Kabuto had cut himself, spilling his blood all over Tsunade. "I knew I wouldn't be able to take on two of the Legendary Sannin at once." Tsunade was frozen, her body trembling. What was going on?! "But at least, I got one down!" He slammed his fist into Tsunade's face, slamming her back. Shizune jumped, catching Lady Tsunade before she hit the ground, although having been landed on by her. Naruto turned away from her, looking back at Kabuto. I pulled out a kunai, ready to take his head off. I'd kill that bastard for what he's done.

"I don't get it. What's going on? I'm confused, did I miss out on something? How come Kabuto and Grandma Tsunade are mixing it up?" Kabuto laughed, amused at this.

"I see you're as slow as ever, Naruto." He replied. "No wonder you're no match for Sasuke."

"Huh?" Naruto looked at Kabuto, still confused.

"He's not on our side, Naruto. He never has been." I said, growling. Naruto looked at me in shock, then back to Kabuto. "He's just a spy. He's been creeping around our village gathering intel and reporting back to Orochimaru. He's never been an ally to us, Naruto." I said, venom in each word I said. If looks could kill, Kabuto would have his head on a spike at this moment.

"But you...you helped us get through the Chunin Exams. You saved our lives..." Naruto said, shock in his voice. I knew how he felt. Betrayed. He trusted Kabuto, and so did the rest of our teammates. But this is where Kabuto's life was.

"He's our enemy, Naruto. He always has been." Kabuto smirked at us.

"You two are just a bunch of kids sitting at the grownups table. Look around you. The Three Legendary Sannin are surrounding us. You can't beat them. You can't beat me."

"Oh yeah?" I challenged. Naruto and and I ran at Kabuto at the same time, both of us done with his shit.

"Naruto, Tessa, no!" Jiraiya yelled. I ignored him. I knew what Kabuto was capable of. I might not be able to kill him, but I sure as hell was going to try. Naruto and I both made hand signs, yelling at the same time.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Five more of me appeared, three more of Naruto. All of the Naruto and all of the me jumped at him, kunai in hands. Kabuto easily dodged all of us, making me growl and try to swipe my leg under his feet. He easily jumped over it, grabbing the back of my shirt and throwing me over his shoulder, my back hitting a large boulder nearby. I let out a groan in pain, but ignored it, standing back up.

Back towards Tsunade, Naruto was in Shizune's arms, whom was sliding. I saw her spit out poison needles, but Kabuto tilted his head down, and I heard them clink against his headband. I scowled, seeing him preparing to jump back.

"I don't think so!" I reached out, my magic extending out of my right hand into a large black magic one. Kabuto's eyes widened, but he jumped backwards quickly, dodging it before I could grab him. He threw kunai in my direction, but I withdraw the large hand, blocking them from hitting me. He had jumped back to Orochimaru, his eyes darting at me and my magic warily.

"So, you still have it, do you?" Orochimaru asked, a smirk on his face. "I thought you'd gotten rid of it." I growled, kneeling down.

"Like you gave me a choice." I didn't care about the bloodlust at this moment. I just wanted to slaughter Kabuto.

"Tell me...how is your murder tendencies?" Kabuto taunted, making me scowl.

"I'm feeling very murderous right now, if you haven't noticed." Kabuto looked at me warily again.

"I'll admit, I don't think I could fight you with that.." He then smirked.

"What's the smile for? Thinking about all the good memories before you die?" He hm'd, annoying me. "Fine! Guess I'll have to find out the hard way!" I jumped, disappearing and reappearing in front of Kabuto, a kunai in my hand and me attempting to slam it into Kabuto's side.

"Tessa, look out!" Shizune screamed. Before I could react, I felt something sharp stab me in the side of the neck, making me gasp. I froze, feeling something cold travel down my neck, into the rest of my body. Kabuto took the opportunity and sent a kick into my stomach, making me fly onto my back. I groaned, but forced myself to a stand. I didn't get very far though, immediately falling to my knees, my right hand holding me up. I felt my breath getting heavier, me wheezing to catch it. I grabbed onto something that was poking out of my neck with my left hand and yanked it out. Whoops, probably a bad idea.

I held it in front of me, looking at it. A syringe.

"W-What..." I wheezed. "What did you do to me..?" I asked. My body was shuddering, the liquid inside me freezing cold. Kabuto smirked again. Goddammit, I'm gonna wipe that look right off of his face.

"That is something that's supposed to temporarily block your power. At least, we hope so. It's still experimental, so there might be some...side effects." The wheezing in me increased, my lungs feeling like they were filling with the liquid. "You see, while you thought you destroyed all the research, there was a small page that wasn't completely burnt. The blocking serum." I glared up at him, trying to catch my breath as I felt my body get weak. I tried forming a shield around myself, but I saw it appear and disappear quickly, before completely disappearing. Shit. "Oops. Looks like you're gonna have to fight without it. If you can, of course."

"Tessa!" Naruto's voice shouted, coming closer to me. I didn't look up at him, but I felt his hand on my left shoulder, him kneeling down to check on me. "Are you okay?" He asked softly.

"Can barely...breath.." I wheezed out.

"And now you're done for!" Kabuto ran at me, a kunai in his hand. Naruto wrapped his arms around me and jumped, pulling me away with him. He landed next to Shizune and gently set me down, my body starting to ache from whatever Kabuto injected in me. My magic was struggling against it and trying to force it out unsuccessfully.

"Tessa. Stay here." Shizune said. "I will face Kabuto. Naruto, stand guard over Tsunade and Tessa." I nodded, my right arm giving out from under me, and me falling to the ground on my stomach, a sigh leaving my lips. I felt so tired suddenly. Maybe I could close my eyes...just for a few moments..

Wake up you brat.. I heard, stirring me.

H..huh..? I opened my eyes to see myself standing in front of Itama's cage. What..what happened?

That fool injected you with something..it knocked you out..but you need to wake up. If you sleep any longer, you will stop breathing.. I furrowed my eyebrows, looking at him.

Why would you care that I died? Itama growled.

I am a part of you. If you die I DIE! He screamed, making me wince.

Okay, okay. Can you give me some strength? Please.. Itama.. Itama growled, before looking away.

Just this once child... I smiled.

Thank you..

"Just get out of the way Naruto! No, look out!" I hear Tsunade shout. I squeeze my eyes, feeling how heavy they were.

"Until I'm Hokage, I don't care what happens, I'm not gonna die!" I let out a soft groan, hearing the commotion near me, but not being able to open my eyes.

Do it. Open your eyes!

I...I can't...

Yes you can. Stop complaining, and do it already! That other brat needs you.. Itama says, surprising me. I don't question it though.

Naruto...needs me..

I finally force open my eyes, just in time to see Naruto drop to the ground, making my eyes widen.

"N-Naruto?" I forced myself up and crawled over towards him on my knees. Blood was dripping out of his mouth, and he wasn't moving. "Naruto, wake up!" I shook him. Lady Tsunade was next to me, kneeling down next to him as well. I ignored Tsunade and Kabuto's words, watching Naruto shake and whimper on the ground. Tears built up in my eyes, and I clenched my fists, angry at what Kabuto had done to him. I didn't see it, but it must have been bad. Lady Tsunade got close to Naruto, leaning her ear against his chest.

"His heart is failing!" Tsunade suddenly said, making my heart beat faster in fear. She unzipped his jacket, and felt around his chest, her hands still trembling. "The muscles surrounding his heart have been torn to shreds." I looked up at her in worry.

"Can you help him? Please." I begged. "Can I help?" Tsunade didn't answer, her trembling fingers cutting Naruto's shirt open. She put her hands over Naruto's chest, concentrating. her chakra. "Here." I said quickly, and focused my chakra in my hands. I touched her arms, transferring chakra to her, as much as I could at the moment. It's not much, but maybe it could help a little bit.

"You're wasting your time." I hear Kabuto struggle to say from his spot on the ground. "It's all over for him. With my last strength, I severed his heart's chakra network. I cut him off from getting any help from the demon, the Nine Tailed Fox. And he hasn't the power to save himself. I'm telling you, he's finished. Dead. All your skills are useless now."

"Oh shut up!"

"Shut the fuck up!" I shouted at the same time as Tsunade did. "I'm gonna kill you, I swear to god." I threatened, malice in my voice. Tsunade's eyes suddenly widened, making my heart drop.

"No...no..no!" I swallowed the lump in my throat as I looked down at Naruto, tears falling down my cheeks. Naruto can't die. He just can't. He has so much to do left. He has to become Hokage. He has to prove everyone wrong.

"Naruto..please.." I begged, my voice cracking. "Please wake up.." I stopped when Naruto's hand reached up for the necklace hanging from Tsunade's neck, the First Hokage's necklace.

"Hey...don't...forget..our bet.." He said weakly. "Told ya..I'd win.." His hand fell. Tsunade caught his hand, holding it.

"Naruto!" I sobbed, leaning down and wrapping my arms around his neck. I could hear his heart beating, the sound being comforting in the moment. He's alive. Oh my god, he's alive.

"He's...still alive..?" Kabuto's voice asked in disbelief. I ignored him, my forehead against Naruto's cheek, me still leaning down. I felt a hand on my shoulder, making me sit up. Tsunade was giving me a soft smile, and leant down, lifting Naruto's head and gently placing the necklace around his neck, laying it onto his chest. I smiled, a nervous chuckle coming out of my mouth, me wiping my tears from my face with my sleeve.

"Thank you." I looked at Tsunade gratefully. "You saved him. Thank you." I whispered.

I stopped, my eyes widening as I saw movement coming straight for Naruto, Tsunade and I. I looked behind me, seeing Orochimaru flying straight towards us. Towards Naruto.

"No!" I screamed. I jumped in front of Naruto and gripped the sword sticking out of Orochimaru's mouth, it sliding down my hands and slicing them both. I felt the sword pierce my left shoulder, going straight through it. I felt myself shaking at the sudden pain, but I gripped the sword tighter in my hands, refusing to let it go any farther. Orochimaru pulled his sword back, yanking it out of my shoulder and slicing my hands even more, making me gasp in pain. Blood soaked my hands, the sword going back into his mouth.

"Tessa...you I don't want to kill unfortunately." Orochimaru said, looking down at me. "I still have plans for you yet. If that brat is allowed to live, it will mean more trouble than you and your friends could ever imagine. Than the entire village or land of Fire could ever imagine. Stay out of my way."

"No.." I said through gritted teeth, my hands clenched into fists to help me withstand the pain in them. "You listen to me..at the Chunin Exams, you hurt Naruto, Sasuke..me..you sent the sound ninja after Sakura and I.." I looked up at him defiantly, straight into his eyes. "but you will NEVER touch another one of my friends again. NEVER!" I shouted, blood spurting out of my mouth. I ignored the irony taste, but glared up at him. I didn't want to be scared of him anymore. I didn't want to watch him hurt others. "I will protect my friends. I will protect Naruto from you until I die. That, I swear." I felt Tsunade shift her weight behind me, clearly ready to attack if she really needed to. Thank god. I don't think I could even stand right now. Orochimaru could take me out with one hit probably.

"Well...if you're unwilling to compromise with me and you're ready to die..then let's get it over with!" He swung his head up, the sword coming back out of his mouth. My eyes widened as he brought his head down, the sword slashing me across the chest, knocking me to the side. I gasped in pain as I hit the dirt beside Naruto, blood soaking my shirt and hands. I struggled through the pain, looking over to see Orochimaru getting closer to him. "Now all that's left is Naruto himself." I pushed myself up and crawled over to Naruto as Orochimaru swung his sword down towards Naruto yet again. I laid next to Naruto on my back, my left hand raised up. But before it hit me, it hit Tsunade's side, her kneeling over Naruto and I. I gasped, seeing her take the blow easily, protecting us.

"L...Lady..Tsunade.." I got out, feeling weaker than I had earlier.

"I will die before I let you touch them!" Tsunade shouted, looking over at Orochimaru. Orochimaru glared, lifting his foot.

"You're half dead already!" He slammed his foot into her side, forcing her to the ground on the other side of Naruto. I laid on my side, looking up at Orochimaru through strands of my red hair, feeling the blood loss start to take effect. This is it. I can't protect Naruto anymore. I don't have the strength to get back up.

I heard footsteps and Orochimaru shout in pain. I could see him fly and hit the ground, Tsunade standing in front of me.

"I finally remembered something. I've been chosen as the Fifth Hokage of the Leaf Village." I smiled softly, seeing the world start to fade a little bit.

Am I dying again..Itama..? Itama's snarl filled my head.

No..luckily..but you better not do that again, brat.. I chuckled, smiling.

That's good...thank you..Itama..

I closed my eyes for a moment, but the next one I opened them, Shizune was kneeling next to me.

"I've got you, Tessa..just get some rest."

"Okay Shizune.." I said contently, closing my eyes and finally feeling more peaceful. "Kick their ass..Pervy Sage..Tsunade.."

I strolled by in the village, my hands behind my head. Now that I was back, I could go and see-

"Hey!" I turned around and smiled. Shikamaru was walking forward towards me, his hands in his pockets. "I heard what happened on your mission. Didn't I say to try not to die this time?" He asked, his eyebrows pointed downward. I chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of my head.

"Uhh..well, I mean-" He stopped next to me, looking at me.

"You're troublesome, you know that?" I looked at him in surprise but then laughed.

"Yeah, yeah, I know. Anyway, do you want to go get something to eat? I'm starving! And I won't run on a mission this time!" Shikamaru gave a small smile and nodded.

"Alright, alright. Let's go. But we're not bring Angel this time." He said, his voice slightly grumpy. I giggled, feeling my hand brush his the slightest bit.

"Okay Shikamaru."