Hello guys! I hope you enjoy this chapter, not such an action filled one but still, it's a necessary chapter and hopefully you guys will enjoy it, and look forward to some stuff that'll be happening soon.
Naruto was rushed to the hospital after that, as Kakashi made short work of dragging the injured Kabuto off to a cell.
Naruto was ushered straight into a hospital bed however, and Rin instantly started barking orders at the other medics, and a moment later Sakura was rushing into the room, a look of pure relief on her face.
"Oh thank Kami." the pink haired girls shoulders slumped and she leaned against the wall panting, "I was so worried-"
"Is Sasuke-kun okay?"
"The medic seeing to him said he'll be fine, the sedative should wear off in an hour now that they're flushing it out of his system."
"That's good." Naruto shifted, wincing in pain-and Rin slapped her shoulder gently.
"Sit still while I'm healing you sweetie."
"Yes mom." Naruto resisted the urge to groan, "Sakura-chan you go back and stay with Sasuke-kun he shouldn't be alone. I have mom with me."
"Of course." Sakura nodded, a soft look on her face, "Rin-san-"
"I'll look after her Sakura-chan. Just look after Sasuke-oh and I'm pretty sure Tsunade-sama will come and want to talk about what happened, she'll probably come to us first because Naruto-chan is awake."
"Of course." Sakura nodded and darted back out of the room, and a moment later Kakashi arrived.
"Ibiki has Kabuto, he'll be interrogating him now. How is everyone?"
"Okay for now." that was Rin, who gave a tired smile and shook her head, "I'm pretty much finished healing Naruto-chan and Sakura-chan is staying with Sasuke-kun, he should wake in an hour or so apparently"
"Good. I imagine Tsunade-sama will be here soon, I know that a runner was sent to tell her something had happened as soon as Sakura ran into us."
"What did happen Naruto-chan?" Rin frowned, "Sakura was so panicked she couldn't explain well but she pointed us in the right direction and then we found you there with Kabuto."
"He was trying to convince Sasuke-kun to defect and join Orochimaru. Of course Sasuke-kun refused and then Kabuto tried to kidnap him."
"Of course. Orochimaru wants the Sharingan we already knew that." Kakashi shook his head, "Admittedly I didn't expect him to attempt it quite like this."
"It was gutsy. He clearly thought Sasuke-kun would go with Kabuto willingly."
"He underestimated Sasuke-kun then." Naruto declared fiercely, "He didn't agree to go at all."
"Of course he didn't." Rin sighed, brushing her fingers through Naruto's hair, "Of course he didn't sweetheart."
"Did he consider it at all?" Kakashi's voice wasn't accusing, "Orochimaru is manipulative and I imagine he'd have briefed Kabuto on what he should say. I know Sasuke did consider it befo-"
"The only time he even thought about it all was when Kabuto was talking about the Akatsuki and how much danger I'm in!"
"He talked about the Akatsuki?"
"Apparently Orochimaru was a member."
"Right." Kakashi grimaced, "That shouldn't be a surprise it's the type of thing he'd join. Did he say anything about the other members?"
"He talked about some guy called Pain. Said about how strong he was, how I wouldn't stand a chance and how Sasuke-kun wouldn't be able to help me."
"That's smart." Rin's voice was tight, "Really smart."
"He didn't agree in the end-said how it would hurt us too much."
"He's staying because you're his little sister and Sakura's his friend and he can't hurt you." Kakashi looked relieved, "For a long time I was worried he'd leave. Recently I've had much more confidence in the fact that he'd stay but... I hoped it wouldn't be put to the test... now I'm almost glad because at least we know for sure."
"The only time he even considered it was when Kabuto said about him needed to protect me. Which is ridiculous-"
"But understandable." Kakashi shook his head, "It might have tempted me if I was in his position. He's claimed you as his sister, Sasuke-kun's been very clear about that, and I know for a fact that when Uchiha's form bonds they're very difficult to break."
"That's good-"
"Yeah." Rin hesitated, "Admittedly the last Uchiha we knew who formed a bond like that was-"
"Obito?" Naruto asked quietly.
"Yes." Rin nodded, "Luckily for us no one plans on letting anything happen to you or Sakura but I do think Sasuke would lose control if either of you got very seriously hurt or killed."
"He's not like Obito."
"You're right." Kakashi gave a wry smile, "He's nothing like Obito... a few months ago I'd have said that was a bad thing but now.." his expression was sad and Rin reached out, grabbing his hand and squeezing.
"It's okay Kakashi-kun." her voice was soft, "I think we all understand." a heaviness had overcome the room. But then again that was usual when it came to anything that brought up Obito. It had been bad before thinking of Obito for the two teammates, but now? Now it was a thousand times worse, Naruto knew that they'd spent several nights up drinking together trying to find some way to understand how their one time friend had become a monster willing to kill their sensei.
The gloomy silence was broken when the door swung open and Tsunade swept into the room, hat still perched on her head, though it was lopsided, clearly she'd rushed to the hospital.
"I just got word of what happened. Is everyone okay?"
"Yes Tsunade-sama." Kakashi straightened up, "Sakura-chan is with Sasuke-kun right now. He was drugged by Yakushi Kabuto in an attempt to kidnap him when he refused to defect and join Orochimaru."
"Where is Kabuto?"
"Currently with Ibiki."
"I'll need to know exactly what happened."
"I don't know what happened exactly." Naruto took a deep breath, "We were out getting some food and Sakura spilled some down her dress so I was in the toilets with her, helping her clean herself up y'know? And when we came out Sasuke-kun was gone and he'd left a message for us telling is roughly which direction to go. He.. he also left my Hirashin Kunai on the counter. I'd assume Kabuto ordered him to."
"He must have remembered how you Hirashined to me." Tsunade's expression was grim as she shook her head, "Annoying but it does make some sense. So you followed them?"
"Kurama helped. We found him and Sakura and I lingered back for a bit to figure out what was going on, make sure that just leaping in wouldn't put Sasuke in more danger than he already was and we could hear Kabuto trying to convince Sasuke-kun to leave with him... tried to get him angry about the massacre and stuff but when it wasn't working he tried to convince Sasuke that he was weak and Orochimaru could get him strong enough to help protect me-"
"From what, you're stronger than most of the idiots who'd come after you."
"Akatsuki. Orochimaru knows most of them apparently, because he was one of them."
"Right." Tsunade nodded, "Jiraiya did say that was why he first started looking into the Akatsuki, because Orochimaru was a member. We knew that he left the group. What did Kabuto say about them."
"He said that I might be able to fend off some of them but not all of them... he mentioned someone called Pain, said he was a lot stronger than me, that I wouldn't stand a chance and how Sasuke wouldn't be able to help me but if he trained with Orochimaru he would."
"Manipulative little shit." Tsuande shook her head, "I'll talk to Jiraiya about this Pain person."
"Sasuke-kun refused... that's when Kabuto stabbed him in the back, literally, with a needle." Naruto explained, "Then he was, well he was sedated y'know, and Sakura and I jumped in. Sakura took Sasuke and ran and I fought Kabuto." her brows furrowed and she bit her lip. "He's strong, got my side pretty bad but I managed to Rasengan him."
"You did good." Tsunade sighed, "You managed to prevent an abduction and defend your teammate. Of course this does complicate the situation somewhat. If Orochimaru is targeting Sasuke-kun we'll need to keep him safe. He'll stay in the village and do D-ranks and train-"
"But he'll hate that!" Naruto's eyes widened "That's not fair on him Baa-chan."
"I know Naruto-chan but what else can I do. At least he'll be training."
"I'll focus on the training." Kakashi promised, a determined glint in his eyes, "I won't be failing Sasuke I can promise you that much." he paused, "It will make the Chunin exams difficult-"
"I was planning on proposing a special make up exams between Suna and Konoha to cement our new stronger alliance." Tsunade spoke up, "Given the fact that the future Kazekage-and it's official by the way, Gaara-san will be the next Kazekage, is very fond of you and Sakura-chan. He'll almost certainly agree to extra precautions being put into place under the circumstances."
"I could be there too." Naruto said quickly, "Just to make sure."
"No." Tsunade shook her head, "You won't be there-"
"What? Why?" Naruto frowned, "Why can't I be-"
"You won't be in Konoha."
"What?" Rin frowned, "I don't know anything about this."
"Jiraiya's finished making arrangements." Tsunade took a deep breath, "Naruto. You'll be going on a training trip with him for at least a year, possibly two, the first part of which is going to include you fixing the seal or something? Jiraiya said that you were determined to do that-"
"Wait. Seriously?" Naruto straightened up, "That... that's... I get to take off the old one and use my new one."
"Yes, apparently so." Tsunade nodded, "I trust yours and Jiraiya's judgement in all things Fuinjutsu."
"Thank you." Naruto let out a breath. She wouldn't mention how she nearly ripped the old seal off in a fit of rage and pain and grief after finding out the truth about Obito, if she did she'd need to explain what had stopped her and... that was private, personal. She'd tell her mom and Kakashi eventually but for now it was something special and secret just between her, Kurama and her dad.
"You've been waiting for it for a long time." Rin's voice was soft, "You've wanted to do this for years..."
"Are you okay with it mom? It'll be the longest time we've ever spent apart."
"I'll be fine. You deserve this, you fix up that seal of yours and be happy. You'll enjoy a training trip with Jiraiya."
"If you need me you'll have one of my Hirashin Kunai. You know that right."
"Of course." Rin kissed the top of her head, smiling gently, "You'll always be there if I need you I know that well enough."
"And she won't be alone." Kakashi promised, "I'll look after her and Sasuke I promise you Naruto-chan."
"What if... what if he comes?" she didn't need to say the name, Kakashi, Rin and Tsunade all knew who she was talking about.
"I mean, he knows mom is a Jinchuriki. He's in charge of an organization hunting Jinchuruki down it's not exactly crazy to think that he might show up and try and-"
"Naruto-chan if he shows up I will go perfect Jinchuruki mode." Rin promised, "And if that isn't enough then let's face it people will have sensed it so they'll come running. And I have your kunai and a Hirashin tag on the back of my neck. I'll never be out of reach for you honey."
"In any case I think Rin-san won't be leaving the village much either." Tsunade said calmly, "There are open positions at the hospital that would be perfect for you Rin, and I'm sure if you want other missions I'll find some. You and Kakashi-san did an
exemplary job going through Danzo's Root."
"I guess you'll have Karin-chan to keep you busy too." Naruto added, a thoughtful look on her face.
"See, everything will be fine." Rin shook her head, smiling fondly, "I'll be safe and so will everyone else and when you come home you'll be able to officially say that you're a perfect Jinchuriki-"
"It's about time." The words were almost a purr, "When we can work together fully we'll be the most powerful team Konoha's
ever seen brat. I'd like to see that bastard Obito or that Pain guy try and part us then."
"You're right Kurama."
Naruto's lips twitched up into a smile. "We'll get so strong that we can take on any threat that comes our way."
"Of course I'm right. I am the ancient all knowing being made of chakra-"
"I have my doubts about the all knowing part of that-"
"Screw you brat."
Naruto shook herself from her thoughts, a wide smile on her lips. "Okay then. When will we leave?"
"He wants to leave in three days time. You'll have a chance to say your goodbyes." Tsunade promised, "And you'll have those three days off. Enjoy your time here because you probably won't be home for a couple of years."
"I will. I'll make the most of it."
