Hey guys, I'm glad you enjoyed the last chapter, and yeah to the person who said about it, I was going for Obito freezing up at the sound because it reminded him of Rin's 'death', I'm really happy you caught on! I hope people enjoy this chapter too, and I'm glad you enjoy the playful dumbassery, as I like to put it, between team seven, there will be more of that to come as well as some really hard hitting scenes that I like to think are emotional. Anyway! Enjoy and please do review!

It wasn't a long walk out of the forest and back to the hotel, and once they were back Jiraiya propped the door shut while the three kids perched on the edge of one of the beds.

"I need to know exactly what happened." He ordered, "Starting with you." he pointed at Sasuke, "Since I assume you followed them from Konoha?"

"Yeah, I did." Sasuke nodded, "Kakashi-sensei had sent Karin-san to come and get me, I think he wanted to talk or something. When we got there we saw Itachi and the shark guy with him. Itachi just hit me away and then the other guy showed up-I think it was him, he was under a henge I think, and he was angry at Kakashi-sensei for some reason but I didn't catch why-and he... it was like he made his arm-"

"Intangible. He can do that." Naruto scowled, "Fucking annoying."

"Yeah. And he pushed it through Kakashi's shoulder before making it solid again and ripping it out." that made Sakura let out a horrified gasp, "I heard them saying about Nohara and I knew that had to mean Naruto. When Rin arrived and stabilized Kakashi-sensei I decided to try and get to you guys before they could. I guess I failed."

"Is Kakashi going to be okay?" Jiraiya's voice was concerned, "How bad-"

"He's stable. Rin-san said it was a good thing you were already going to get Tsunade-sama."

"Right." Jiraiya nodded, "We'll need to hurry up if Kakashi needs her care. Naruto-chan. Sakura-chan. Your turn."

"Right." Naruto took a deep breath, "I was tired so we came here to relax and there was a knock at the door, I looked out the peephole and I saw the Sharkface guy, and I heard them talking about some Madara guy, we assume they think he's Uchiha Madara but I dunno I don't think he was. Anyway they forced the way in when we didn't open up... I guess they heard of me after the whole Orochimaru fight thing because they wanted to know stuff about me.."

"Naruto then realized that Itachi was Sasuke-kun's brother." she looked very amused, "I don't think I've ever heard anyone get scolded quite so thoroughly before."

"You told my brother off."

"I made my opinion of him clear." Naruto sniffed and turned her head away, her cheeks red. "I may have yelled at him some-"

"It was beautiful Sasuke-kun you'd have loved it." Sakura declared, "I know I'll treasure the memories. He looked so shocked."

"Itachi is an S-ranked missing nin and you berated him like a child?" Jiraiya looked torn between horrified and amused. "Why am I not surprised?"

"Because Naruto-chan is pure chaos." Sakura declared easily, "And chaos follows wherever she goes."

"She's an Uzumaki it's in her blood." Jiraiya grumbled, "I should have known she'd be like this-"

"And I'm proud of it don't forget that."

"And what happened after that?"

"I made it clear I was opposed to anything Itachi was involved in and they mentioned Jinchuriki and I made it clear I'd protect Gaara if they went after him for whatever reason and sharkman said about killing me then Sasuke arrived and he yelled at Itachi too."

"I feel like I should have yelled too." Sakura remarked, "Just to not be the odd one out."

"Sharkman attacked and.." Sasuke hesitated, "I seem to have unlocked the next stage of the Sharingan and... I did something, Itachi called it Susanoo I think, and he... I think he stepped in to stop Sharkman from killing us it was weird."

"The next stage?" Jiraiya's eyes narrowed, "Do you mean."

"I have the Mangekyou."

"I've heard rumors about how that's unlocked." Jiraiya's gaze was suspicious and Sasuke snorted, "Yeah, so have I. Naruto has a theory."

"I don't think it's the act of killing someone you love but the actual loss itself. And Sasuke-kun thought I was dead."

"Hm..." Jiraiya paused, thinking for a moment before nodding "That would make a certain amount of sense." he admitted. "I trust your judgement on that one Naruto-chan."

"After that fake Madara arrived, he was pissed." Naruto shook her head, "Definitely a Uchiha... he uh... he admitted to.." she swallowed hard, "For some reason he was real angry with me but also-he knew who I was the second he saw me."

"How?"

"I... it's complicated." Naruto looked away, "But he was super strong, I had to try and use four tails and he was still stronger and faster than me. I... I was getting my ass kicked until Sasuke and Itachi showed up." she should tell Jiraiya everything, she knew she should, but the words just wouldn't come. If she told him what would he do? He'd probably insist on dragging her home, he'd say continuing was too dangerous but Kakashi-sensei needed Tsunade.

And a part of her wanted to see the man again, to find out who the hell he really was, to understand his obsession with her mom and to kill him for what he did to her parents. Jiraiya wouldn't let that happen if he knew.

"Itachi attacked him and distracted him and I took advantage of the distraction and-I used a jutsu Kakashi-sensei taught me for the exams on him."

"What Jutsu did you use?"

"His Chidori."

"He taught you that?" Jiraiya demanded, "Why?"

"I needed an attack that would be able to pierce Gaara-san's sand if I did come up against him."

"It's an assassination technique." Jiraiya's voice was tight, "You only use it if you're aiming to kill-"

"Or if I needed to get through Gaara's sand." Sasuke shot back, "I didn't plan on killing him. Now the guy who was hurting Naruto, him I'd have liked to kill."

Jiraiya eyed Sasuke for a second before shrugging, "You know what, that's fine with me actually. So you managed to catch the bastard with it?"

"Then Itachi threw me back and the guy disappeared." Sasuke paused "I think Itachi knew he'd disappear and he didn't want me to go with him or something. Which makes no sense Itachi... he's meant to be..." Sasuke shook his head ,"He helped us. I don't get why but he did help us."

"That is odd." Jiraiya shook his head, "We'll figure it out. Sasuke you should re-"

"I'm not leaving."

"What?"

"I'm not leaving. Naruto-chan is a dumbass and I'm not leaving to let her get her ass kicked."

"Ugh." Jiraiya groaned, "I didn't sign up to have to look after an entire team you know."

"Yeah well, you're not sending me away." Sasuke glared fiercely, "I'm protecting my sister and my teammate no matter what."

"Your..." Jiraiya stared before rolling his eyes, "Listen if the situation was different I wouldn't mind but right now you need to go back to Konoha because the Hokage has no way of knowing where you've gone or what you're doing. Given the circumstances you won't be in any trouble but if you try and come with us without the Hokage knowing and giving permission you'll be in a lot of trouble. You need to go home Sasuke-kun. I know you want to protect your teammates but you can't right now. I'm here she'll be f-"

"You weren't here though were you?" Sasuke asked sharply, "You weren't here when they came after her? What would have happened if I hadn't been here?
If Itachi hadn't decided to help for some reason?"

"I was tricked." Jiraiya's voice was guilty, "Believe me I don't plan on letting that happen again. I'm not going to let Naruto-chan or Sakura-chan out of my sight from now on-"

"Awe." Naruto pouted slightly "But Ero Sennin I don't think they'll come after me again so soon-"

"Naruto-chan don't even think about arguing over that." Jiraiya's voice was uncharacteristically serious, "You could have been killed. You're going to stay with me, both of you girls."

"Hn." Sasuke sounded slightly appeased. "You better keep her close Jiraiya-sama. If my sister gets hurt because you're distracted."

"I will Sasuke-san." Jiraiya paused, "You know I'm actually starting to like you brat."

"I don't care if you like me."

"And there you go."

"Ero Sennin?" Naruto's voice was almost hesitant as she interrupted them, a sudden thought hitting her, "What..." she swallowed hard, "You said something about... the Akatsuki?"

"Right." Jiraiya's shoulders slumped and he sighed heavily, "I should have told you before but I thought you and Rin-san were safe, no one knew you were Jinchuriki."

"Ero Sennin what is the Akatsuki."

"A group of ten S-rank missing nin." The old man looked away, "They're mercenaries. I've been keeping an eye on them for some time, they've shown a lot of interest in the Bijuu and their Jinchuriki's. I believe that they plan on hunting down all nine Jinchuriki and extracting the Bijuu from inside of them for some reason."

"What?" Naruto's hands flew to her seal and pressed against it hard, her eyes wide and face pale, "No-no they can't I won't let them." an entire group dedicated to taking her best friend from her? No way in fucking hell was she going to let them take him away from her.

"Naruto-chan breath." Jiraiya moved quickly, crouching in front of her and grabbing her hands, "Naruto-chan, look at me and breath." his voice was soothing,
"I know you're scared for Kurama's safety but I will not let them get to you Naruto-chan. I won't let them take him away from you."

"I need to put the new seal in place."

"After we've found Tsunade and taken her home I'll take you somewhere secure where you can do that." Jiraiya promised, "I know just the place Naruto-chan. I promise no one will take him from you."

"I'll kill them before I let them take him away from me." Naruto snarled the words, "I'd take them limb from limb for even trying he's mine!"
"Brat." Kurama's voice was soft, almost reverent. Sure he'd known she cared about him, but it was one thing to know it in an abstract way and another entirely to feel the terror and rage flooding through her as she thought of them being parted.

It was almost painful for him to realize how much she cared, to truly feel it like this. The only one who'd cared that much for him before was long gone.

It was a good feeling.

"I won't let them take you from me."

"I know. I know Naruto but you need to breath brat. No one is going to force us apart you know that. We're safe for now and once you've sorted the seal we'll be even safer now won't we?"

"Yes."

"Then stop panicking. Or you'll lose it. You're a dumbass but you're my dumbass and I'd rather you not have a total breakdown."

"I... right."

"Now Naruto-chan, you need to pull yourself together and reassure your moron of a godfather that everything's okay and you'll be fine or I'll take control and eat him."

That earned a weak laugh from Naruto and she took a deep breath, forcing herself to focus on Jiraiya, who looked beyond worried. "I'm okay Ero Sennin."

"Oh thank kami." the old man let out a breath, "You had me worried for a second there brat."

"I'm sorry." Naruto gave a weak, shaky smile, shaking her head and letting out a breath, "I didn't mean to worry you."

"Are you okay?" Sakura's voice was slightly higher than normal and her eyes were wide, "I don't like seeing you so upset Naruto-chan it's not right."

"I just got a bit worked up, Kurama helped calm me down."

Jiraiya snorted, "I never thought I'd be grateful to the Kyubi." he muttered, shaking his head, "I remember how angry Kushina-chan used to get about him. I think she'd have a heart attack if she found out that her precious daughter somehow managed to become friends with the fox that she hated so much when she was younger."

"What can I say, I have a way with words-"

"A way with words? A way with words?! You annoyed me into this friendship brat."

"Yeah well you're the one who caved."

Naruto mentally poked her tongue out at the Bijuu. "I think you're just a giant softy who secretly really really wanted friends but didn't know how to make-"

"Do you want to be eaten Nohara?"

"Oooh, last naming me, scary."

"Naruto-chan." Sasuke was clicking his fingers in front of her face, an almost amused smirk on his lips, "Earth to Naruto-chan."

"Sorry Sasuke-kun." Naruto laughed, rubbing the back of her neck sheepishly, "I was bickering with Kurama. He does not think I have a way with words."

"You do." Sakura piped up, "It just happens to be that your way of words is essentially you just pissing people off until they give up and agree with you because anything else just doesn't work on your level of insanity."

"See, see I'm a genius that's a special way with words-"

"Hn." Sasuke snorted, shaking his head, "You believe that." he patted the top of Naruto's head and she mock gasped before lunging at him, ignoring the persistent ache from the fight with the so called Madara and pressing her fist to the top of his head, jerking it from side to side, messing up his hair as
Sasuke yelped and struggled in her grip.

"Let go of me loser!"

"NEVER!"

"Can I join in?"

"Sakura-chan I swear to Kami if you-" Sasuke was cut off by Sakura jumping on top of him and Naruto with a mad cackle that made Jiraiya chuckle.
They reminded him of his own team as it should have been. He knew Kakashi and Rin felt the same way too. It seemed that finally, after all these years, there was a team Seven that got it right.