Chapter 58
Kitsune sat astride the back of her four tailed vixen Ume. Both the Masked ANBU and Violet fox easily hidden at the edge of the clearing by the genjutsu Ume had them wrapped within.
'Report' Orochimaru's voice filled her head.
Kitsune nudged Ume's sides and they slinked around the encampment they had found beyond the 'meeting place' Hanzo had agreed upon to meet the Rebellion Leaders to discuss a 'peaceful' solution.
'Hanzo seems to have pulled all his loyalists to the fight. There are also some missing-nin and mercenaries in their numbers.' Kitsune responded as she and Ume continued to slink around the Ame camp, counting. 'One thousand fighters, easily.'
She absently heard the muttered cursing of Yahiko before Minato reminded him of who they were working with. While Akatsuki was barely a hundred and fifty strong, they were backed by six sages.
Kitsune patted Ume's neck ten minutes later when they had enough information. The Vixen quickly sprinted back to the Rebellion's own camp. Ume dismissed herself once Kitsune was dropped off at the Leader tent.
The Masked Ravenette stepped in and promptly shook herself like a fox to get the rain off of her. A few snickers from her comrades and the Captains of the squads were heard but knew better than to comment.
"I respect all you Ame-nin for living in a constantly wet country." Kitsune grumbled. "But I will be very happy to return to my own mostly dry country when this is all over."
"We got a message from Hanzo." Jiraiya waved the scroll at her. "He's agreed to meet the brats alone." the sarcasm in his voice wasn't missed by anyone.
"So we're sticking with the plan." Kitsune nodded. "The Ame Trio will meet with Hanzo and spring his trap. This will then spring our trap for him. Have the medic supplies come in from Kawa, Suna, and Konoha?"
Konan stepped forward with Tsunade. "Hai. In order to not create suspicion from Hanzo, the supplies were ordered and received in secret smaller amounts from our allying countries."
"Same with the weapon shipments from Suna." Nagato added. "Supplies have been handed out and everyone is preparing for tomorrow's battle by eating and resting."
"Then all we need to do is keep those on patrol on high alert just in case Hanzo sends scouts." Minato reminded the captains. "The barriers are active and should keep any sensors from finding out camp."
"The genjutsu in the seals should also ward them away." Orochimaru smirked.
"All we will need then is for you, Yahiko, is to lead your people tomorrow into battle. The ambush will get into place after you've made contact with Hanzo." Kitsune instructed. "They will make the preemptive strike to take as many shinobi down silently from behind as possible until Hanzo acts."
"Must we make Konan the bait?" Yahiko frowned.
"She has one of my hiraishin tags on her skin." Minato gave a reassuring smile. "She also has a paper tag to slip onto hanzo that is Kitsune's own hiraishin. Everything is planned out, and Hanzo has no knowledge of our assistance to your rebellion. Sensei and Orochimaru's spy networks have confirmed this."
"Okay." Yahiko took in a deep breath. "Okay." He said with more confidence.
Hanzo fumed. The poison expert had planned today in a way that there could only have been success. Now...NOW his forces were being decimated between the combined forces of the Yellow Flash and Red Hot Habanero that were picking off whatever the Rebellion forces couldn't handle.
This was not helping in the fact that the Million of Ryo he'd spent on mercenaries and Missing Nin, turned useless. FOXES! Foxes had taken them out. Three dark orange foxes aided by a Konoha ANBU in a fox mask culled them like they were genin.
Then, his old enemies. The three Konoha ninja, the Sandaime's students he'd named Legendary Sannin, had come back to end him. And they'd come back stronger. No longer was the Toad the only sage, but the Blonde bitch and Snake were Sages as well.
What was worse...Senju Tsunade knew his poisons. They were immune to them. Their battle had slowly been wearing the Ame Leader down until it was forcefully tipped out of his favor when the Fox ANBU joined. He could feel the similar Nature Energy in her veins as the other three. They trapped him in the center of a four point seal. He was breathing heavy from all the chakra he'd used up against them. He could see and hear his soldiers dying at the rebellion's hands. At TWO MORE SAGES hands as the nature energy present in the Yellow Flash and Red Habanero registered on his senses!
Yet, he could only chuckle as he felt the seal feeding from his body. He'd been defeated. His last thoughts were on how weak Ame would become in the hands of those rebellious brats. But….his mind slipped as a face popped into it. A face he hadn't thought about since he was a child. Maybe he'd finally get to see his sister once more. A sister lost to war so long ago. Lost too young, damaging the child he once was into a weapon for his village.
Kitsune stared down at the body of Hanzo. Jiraiya walked forward and placed a body scroll on his back. A flare of chakra later and Hanzo's body was gone.
The original seal had been something the four Seal Masters knew had to be used, but never wanted to actually use it again. While initially the seal was activated by four Kage level outside chakras, the seal would then rapidly pull from whomever was inside the barrier, fueling it to pull stronger. This lasted for only as long as the target's reserves were large. It would pull and pull until those reserves were empty and then pull again from the life chakra needed to sustain the human body. The chakra was then pulled away and released into the air as natural energy. With four sages already pulling on nature energy it had only fueled their strength until they released the energy, cleaner than when they had pulled it in.
"You okay?" Tsunade asked, coming up to the Masked Ravenette.
"He was an evil tyrant over his people." Kitsune whispered into the rain. "But...you aren't born evil, you are made it. I hope whoever was on his mind at the end, will be there in the pure world to welcome him." She felt that last bit of wistful hope in his heart's chakra before he'd passed away.
Tsunade gave a motherly smile and brushed some of Kitsune bangs back behind her ears. "We can only hope so with your wish and Will guiding the Kami's decisions."
Kitsune looked at her fellow blonde in startled confusion. "What?"
"How else would you have made any of this possible without their blessings?" The Senju whispered. "Kami listens to your wishes because they know you will never make a selfish decision with ill intent." She kissed Kitsune's forehead. "Come, I have a medic tent that needs my help and the dead will need to be gathered. Then, Ame will need our help in stabilizing itself."
"Hai." Kitsune whispered as she linked arms with the Senju and headed to where even her own foxes were helping to carry the rebellion's injured to the medics. Blue eyes couldn't help but look for Minato and Kushina and found them helping Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan as they shook with tears of relief and joy at winning.
Present….
Sakumo stared down at all the profiles of the Passed ANBU recruits. It pained his heart and made it soar with pride at the same time to see his thirteen year old son's picture there.
"These four," Dragon grunted, tossing three additional profiles across the table of the desk to land beside his son's "Are a pain in the ass. No offense Hokage-sama."
Sakumo snorted and straightened the four files out. "You knew they would be as soon as you set your sights on them. You can't complain now because you can't place them." The Hokage warned mildly.
Dragon huffed and pulled off his mask. The Hokage was the only one to ever see his face. The White haired man ran a hand down his pale face and Sakumo marveled once more at the almost spitting image of the Nidaime before him. Only the blue eyes of his Uzumaki lineage distorted the image. The three facial markings were just as bright as his father's and grandfather's before him.
"Kudorama." Sakumo said, pulling the man's gaze back to his own. "Do you have a Captain that can lead them well and a medic that can keep up with their future injuries?"
The White haired Senju just huffed and practically looked down his nose at the Hokage for even suggesting that.
"Please, do not insult me."
Sakumo just gave him a dry look.
"Saito Toru-Boar. Yamanaka Fumiko-Usagi. Captain and Medic respectively. Usagi has been attending extra lessons of Tsunade's just for this purpose. I've personally been training Toru since Minato left to be a sensei. Being Ex-root will also aid him in patience with Orochimaru's students all being back on the same team."
The Hokage hummed in understanding as he took the two new profiles and record files for the ANBU's named. The Yondaime looked them over with sharp eyes.
"What missions will you be giving them first?"
"Tracking Missions to start with." Kudorama provided easily. "With your brat, Minato's brat sister, and the Uchiha brat, that's three trained trackers already. The Hyuuga brat was also on a tracking Genin and Chuunin team, so this won't be much different. Boar has led plenty of missions of this sort but is more suited for infiltration. Usagi will be able to use her family techniques to assist in tracking if absolutely necessary."
"Once they're broken in?" Sakumo looked at the Senju, who was about his age.
Kudorama shrugged. "Infiltration, tracking, sabotage, assassinations, anything I believe they'll be able to complete."
"Kudo-" Sakumo warned, bristling.
The Senju just huffed and waved the Hatake off. "Look, do you think I really want to send Kakashi out there either? We are both just lucky that Hiruzen wasn't in charge anymore. You and I both know he would have sent Kakashi out to the fronts when he was still a chuunin instead of keeping him back for C and B-ranks near the village."
The Yondaime sighed and rubbed his temple. Kudorama had always been one of the few to ever get under his skin. It never helped they were practically raised together. Only the loss of Sakumo's sister Mashai and Mako had strained that relationship. With Ruriko being Sakumo's second mother and Aunt to Kudorama, it wasn't unexpected that they'd all grown up together.
"I'm aware. Just….don't throw them into a situation they won't be able to handle." Sakumo asked of one of his last family members, even if it was only by marriage.
"Of course." Kudorama huffed, running a hand through his white hair. "So...shall we go congratulate and mark the brats?" He smirked. "I'm looking forward to running through some new drills I found in grandfather's journals from when he started the ANBU."
"You just want to get back at Minashi for all the pranks she's pulled on the ANBU." Sakumo smirked watching white hair turn unrecognizable black once the Dragon mask was back on.
"Abso-fucking-lutely." Dragon growled as they left his office and headed for the bullpen where the waiting recruits were.
Dragon was quick with his speech, one he'd given plenty of times before and stepped back for the Hokage to give his own speech, another almost standard one. It was best to keep it the same to make things go quickly. Branding each agent took the longest time since the Hokage had to do them each individually, but soon the Hatake left and Dragon was left with his fresh meat.
"From today on, you are ANBU agents. You are the shadows. You report to me, and only the Hokage's orders trump my own." He barked out. "In a few moments I will be assigning you your new captains. Only my word and the Hokage's word trumps their orders. Understood?"
"HAI!" the group of twenty shinobi saluted with fists over their chests.
"Good. Follow me where we will meet your new Captains and teammates. It will be their responsibility to show you the building, training grounds, and assigned dorm rooms."
The group followed the tall form of Dragon down a short hall before they entered through double doors. The massive room was a mix between a dinning hall and common room. One wall was made up of a long buffet bar with tables and chairs taking up most of the room. On the opposite wall there were couches, coffee tables, and lounge chairs arranged in a haphazard but relaxed design.
Much to the wariness of some of the new Recruits, they were outnumbered five to one in most cases.
Dragon didn't waste time. "Captains, Step forward. Captain Crow of Team Iku." And it began.
Dragan called forward the Captain, identified the team name, and assigned the one or two recruits that the team got. This continued until there were only four recruits left.
"Capta Boar, Team Ro." Dragon paused, catching the attention of the ANBU present, seeing as he was the last Captain remaining. "Agents Kappa, Raiju, Tengu, and Yosei are all yours. May Kami grant you patience."
Murmurs went around the common room at the fact that Boar was getting an entire team of recruits. The four new ANBU went to their captain and gave salutes and stood at the ready.
"Mission assignments will be handed out for the teams with new members in a week. You have that long to get them trained. Good luck." The Commander was then gone in a shunshin.
Boar looked at the two smallest recruits and withheld his groan. Now he understood why Dragon had taken an interest in him and had been bouncing him around teams. It was to prepare him for these four. Everyone of the ANBU had watched the trials after word had spread that the Hokage's son and his teammates would be testing for ANBU. This also meant that he had his own Taichou's baby sister to keep alive.
"Welcome to ANBU Team Ro. I am Boar, you will address me as Taichou." The ex-root began, stowing his own annoyed feelings to get shit moving. He waved to Usagi behind him. The shorter woman stepped forward. "This is Usagi, your senior agent and Medic. Don't piss her off or else you won't get healed. She is our team medic."
"Trained by Tsunade-sama herself." Usagi added helpfully.
The four new ANBU introduced themselves quickly and then followed their senpai's to another set of double doors.
"Back there was a multipurpose room. Mostly for a common room or dining hall as you all saw." Boar said as they continued down the hall until it led to stairs that split off. "Follow these stairs up and it will take you to the offices of the Captains and Commanders of both ANBU and Hunter-nin. And before you ask, yes, we share an HQ with the Hunter-nin corps. Hunter-nin, Seduction corps, standard ANBU, we are all part of the same Branch of shinobi, just different subdivisions. Just like we have our own division of bomb squads, assassination squads, and many more. The rest of us folks that aren't in specific fields get grouped and teamed together to work on teams and assigned missions that will best fit our talents."
Boar led the way down the stairs instead of up and soon they were at a lobby of sorts. Boar waved to two Masked shinobi behind a counter that took up one part of the wall. Behind the shinobi were shelves and racks of weapons.
"That is the supply counter. The ANBU provides agents with standard equipment including maintenance and repairs. Anything personal and it will be your responsibility to tend to it. The former also includes your armor. Masks are different."
He waved to the opposite wall where only a half door was and a sign with 'In' was showing. Boar flipped it over to show them 'Out' was printed on the other side. "These are the mask makers."
Two blank masks leaned on the half wall and with simultaneous waves, greeted them.
"You will find spare masks in your dorms. You get two. If you break a mask, you better be bringing all the pieces home so they can save the secrets within the masks and provide you with a new one for a fine."
Boar saw Tengu twitch but let him off with a warning look behind his mask. The team moved to the last set of double doors that opened to a half circle room that split off into three different halls. "Dorms." Boar blankly stated and led the way down until they were at a grouping of three rooms with RO printing plainly on the doors. "We double up. Tengu, Raiju, Kappa. Jankenpo on who will have the honor to bunk with me."
The three males turned to each other and did as ordered. Tengu was first to win leaving Raiju and Kappa to compete until only Raiju was left losing to Kappa.
"Cheaters." Kakashi hissed to the two Dojutsu holders. Tangu just wiggled his fingers cheekily at the smaller ANBU agent.
"Kappa and Tangu, you're bunking together. This will also apply for when we ever stop at patrol bunkers as well. Usagi you and Yosei are automatically bunking together. Again, this will apply at patrol bunkers and especially when tent sharing. There will be NO funny business with any of your female teammates on missions." Boar growled at the end. "I'm partial to even applying that rule outside of it to keep team dynamics smooth. But seeing as Usagi is out of your dating ranges and Yosei is too young for such things, we'll revisit this in a few years."
Boar was surprised when only the three male recruits twitched, yet Yosei just sighed annoyed.
"Rack up. We begin training in the morning. Usagi and I will escort you to the training grounds then along with where you will report when summoned for a mission. Dismissed."
Kitsune let out a relieved breath as she stepped out onto the balcony of the Kage tower of a skyscraper that was in central Ame. A full extra month in Ame since they'd defeated Hanzo, hunted down his loyalists, freed the people, and inaugurated Yahiko as their Kage. The Peace treaty between Konoha's allies and Ame had been temporarily signed. Soon, new squads would be sent for diplomatic purposes and teaching purposes. This meant that Team Sage could return home, which thankfully was the plan for the morning.
However, the people and once rebellion nins now turned Ame-nins once more, wanted to celebrate. It didn't surprise Kitsune to see Kushina and Konan take charge and the entire thing turned into a massive party. The music was loud, the singing louder, and the dancing wild.
Looking down into the drink a happily drunk Minato had handed her, she ran her tingling tongue over her teeth and wondered just who had the balls to spike the punch. The Ravenette was still analyzing just exactly what had been added in a healthy quantity to be affecting even her metabolism.
"You haven't drank that right?!" A panicking voice yelped as a body soon almost slammed into her trying to take the drink away. Kitsune just held it up and away from Nagato's wide blue eyes.
"Half of it already." The unmasked ravenette mused.
Nagato whimpered and eyed her before glancing back to the shut doors that lead to the massive hall that was acting as a ballroom for the party.
"Na~ga~to?" Kitsune smirked, her prankster senses tingling. "What did you do?"
"I uh...might have...umm.." He stammered while looking at the very interesting floor. "ImighthavespikedthepunchwithanaphrodisiactogetYahikoandKonantostopdancingaroundeachotherandjustdatealready." He word vomited.
Kitsune blinked very slowly as her mind stopped and rewound what he said. "Did...Did you just admit to spiking the very public punch with a sex drug just to make your best friends finally have sex?"
Nagato turned as red as his hair. "Um...Yes?"
Kitsune stared before snapping her head back to look through the glass of the doors, and sure enough the Orange haired teen and bluette were leaning up against the wall on the other side of the room making out. That was not what really had Kitsune's attention though. Five people were missing now that she looked for their chakra signatures. Searching for them resulted in finding both Minato's and Kushina's together, along with the Senju trio alone in their own temporary quarters of the tower. Kitsune quickly cut off her senses from both rooms and focused back on the nervously twitching Nagato before her.
"You...little Uzumaki, are very lucky that my companion burns shit like this away before it does anything to me." Kitsune stated evenly, trying her hardest to hold back her laughter.
Nagato paled. "I'm sorry!" He bowed before Kitsune grabbed his shoulder and lifted him back to look at her. There the redhead found her smirking like a fox.
"This is hilarious, but I will give you some advice. Avoid Tsunade when you all visit Konoha next time. If she puts it together of who did this, and it results in another kid? She's going to punch first and ask questions later."
Nagato whimpered before Kitsune let the laughter flow free and pat his shoulder reassuringly. "Don't worry, Just come find me and I'll protect you."
Making a noise reminiscent of a tea kettle, Nagato crumbled to the ground and ended up with his back against the balcony. Kitsune joined him and tilted her head back to look at the clear starry sky. A rarity in Ame, but a gift Kitsune had given the immediate village by teaming up with Minato, Kushina, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru. A mixture of Rasengan, Rasenshurikens, Fuuton jutsu, Katon Jutsu, and Raiton Jutsu, and the skies would be clear for a few days of peace.
"Make sure you all write." Kitsune said softly. "I'm gonna miss you brats as I'm sure Jiraiya and his partners feel the same. Not to mention Kushina. Family is precious to her." The ravenette rambled even as she finished off her drink and enjoyed the warmth that seeped from her stomach and made her body feel relaxed.
"I will try. She has been a big help in improving my control and skills. She's even been patient enough to help me learn the Uzumaki Taijutsu style."
Kitsune chuckled and glanced over at him. "Yep. She enjoyed teaching it to her little sister as well."
"I bet her sister enjoyed it just as much." Nagato softly replied,really looking at her.
Kitsune's smile softened as she watched a shooting star cross the sky. "Ah, she did."
"Thank you." her companion whispered as he too turned to look up at the sky. "For saving us from that fate."
"You're family." Kitsune swallowed thickly. "There are so few of us left. Even now, I'm still searching for a cousin of ours. A medic who's daughter should be about a year old now. My fox trackers can't find them. They were supposed to be in Kusa….But after six years of searching, they haven't arrived there yet, or Mariko's plans changed because of the ripples I created."
"We can keep a lookout." Nagato offered softly.
The hidden uzumaki looked at him with watery eyes. "Please. Red hair, red eyes, both of them. Mariko has the healing bloodline."
Nagato nodded and grabbed her hand. "If they pass through Ame, would you like me to contact you or just direct them to Konoha?"
Kitsune just took Nagato's arms and pushed up his sleeve. Carefully she placed a small ryo sized seal on his inner bicep.
"Just send chakra into that. It will let me know. I'll then either send foxes for them, come myself, or pay for a team to bring them here if they so wish."
"Consider it done." Nagato smiled and turned back to the stars.
"The party seems to be dying down." Kitsune remarked as she felt less and less shinobi and kunoichi in the room. "Although, it seems you all will be having a baby boom next year." She snickered as she pointed out the mostly empty punch bowl.
Nagato snorted and shook his head. "I was just trying to put it in their cups." He admitted. "They snuck up on me and the vile fell out of my hand. I couldn't replace the punch before they'd let me go from meeting some dignitary or something. They had their cups in hand where it was the most concentrated, but the rest….got shared." He chuckled with a grimace.
Kitsune just snorted. "Eh, it will all end up fine. I'd just make sure your medics prepare for a possible baby boom."
The defeated look on the redhead's face was enough to bring a few last cackles from kitsune before she headed for her own room. There she made sure her security seals were locked from any and all tampering. She didn't need any drunk horny couples barging in on her peaceful sleep. As a stray though, Kitsune made sure to add sound proofing and chakra suppressing elements. She did not need to feel the flares of excited chakra all night long.
Blue eyes twinkled with mirth the following morning at the sight the five Sages made. Back in standard Jounin attire, none of them looked anything like the elite shinobi they were. Orochimaru and Tsunade's necks were riddled with hickies, Jiraiya's hair was even spikier, Kushina's hair was thrown up in a haphazard bun and she didn't seem to be able to walk without a limp. Minato was the only one to look the most put together, if Kitsune couldn't see him wincing whenever he twisted wrong, agitating his apparently sore back.
"Sleep well?" Kitsune teased with a sly grin on her face.
Five blank faces greeted her. The ravenette already knew that they wouldn't remember, the short meeting with Yahiko and Konan avoiding each other's gazes at breakfast was enough of a hint.
"Um….Kitsune," Minato cleared his throat and tried again. "We seem to be missing parts of our memories after escorting the Rain Daimyo back to his guest quarters."
"Oh?" The vixen's grin only grew. "My memory is just fine. Then again, I also have a better tolerance to alcohol than you Minato-kun."
"Not any better than me!" Tsunade snapped and then cursed softly as she rubbed her temples with green glowing hands.
"Hm, well, I'm not really sure where you all disappeared to anyways. I was having a lovely little chat with Nagato and his plans for Ame with his friends." Kitsune chirped. "But enough about that, we have to get on the road."
Grunting a grumbling followed as the Six sages made sure they did have everything they went to Ame with, plus the addition of the first drafts of the treaty.
It was only an hour into their travels when Kitsune proposed her question to her travelling companions.
"Can we swing by Suna on the way back?"
"That's not really an on the way stop Kitsune." Orochimaru hissed annoyed with the prospect of returning to the desert.
"I want to check on Karura's seal. She's due soon." She reminded the grumpy Snake.
Tsunade groaned but agreed. "She's right. If we pick up speed, we can be there by evening."
"Oh? Not going to just let me use my Seals?" The Ravenette snickered dodging a swipe from the Blonde Senju.
"Fuck that shit! I'm already nauseous as it is!"
"But you're a medic!" Kitsune teased. "And I brought some spare seals."
Unfortunately Kitsune was out voted and the Konoha Sages didn't use her jutsu. By dust, the group was pulling up to the gates of Suna.
"Halt!" A chuunin guard called out before watching as the group removed their cloaks. "Oh, Kitsune-sama, The Kazekage wasn't expecting you." The guard then looked at the other powerful members of her groups. "Umm...is something going on that we missed?" He looked nervously at his fellow guard.
Kitsune just chuckled. "No, no need to worry. I'm just here to check on Sparkles and Karura."
"Ah, okay, well have a good day then!" They waved together, letting the Six Legendary figures into Suna with ease.
"We'll just sleep here tonight." Jiraiya sighed, cracking his neck. "Go check on your friend. We'll book rooms at the embassy."
"Later!" Kitsune waved before disappearing in a swirl to the Kage tower. Arriving she was surprised to find her friend wasn't in office. Leaving out the door she found that the secretary was there and nervously biting a nail.
"Yukana-san."
The brunette yelped and looked wide-eyed at Kitsune. "Kitsune-sama!" She exclaimed and rushed to the ravenette. "Please! He got called away two hours ago when Karura's water suddenly broke! It's too early!"
Kitsune's eyes widened before she was one second blue eyed, the next, violet feline slit. Her head snapped in the direction of the hospital. She assessed the situation from her current position.
"I need Tsunade and the others." Kitsune mumbled absently but was gone in a swirl to retrieve them. Five minutes later Six Sages of Konoha were bursting into the labor and delivery section of Suna's Hospital.
Yashamaru practically fell out of a set of double doors to meet them. "Thank Kami!" He choked on his tears. "Help! Something is wrong-"
"I know. I can feel it from here." Kitsune stated as she and her five Konoha comrades fell into the Hospital room and started taking over. She spied Rasa hovering over Karura's taut belly with sweat beading down his forehead. Black eyes snapped up to her and relief entered them.
"Kitsune." He whispered reverently. "The Ichibi-"
"Is attacking from within." Kitsune nodded, putting her own hands beside his. Jiraiya and Minato moved to stand across from them. Tsunade didn't have to say a word to the midwife to make her move. Only a threatening glare. Kushina moved to Karura's head and started patting the sweat from her barely conscious form. Orochimaru replaced the nurses as he got the NICU incubator ready for his wife.
Power surged as not only Kitsune, but Jiraiya and Minato fell into Sage mode to better see what was happening. Even Tsunade went still to also better her healing senses.
'Kurama?' Kitsune called out to her partner.
Something has tampered with the seal. He snarled and Kitsune copied him aloud as she felt it as her chakra finally connected with Shukaku's.
'I need to calm him down. I need to use your chakra or else he'll kill Karura and destroy any chance Gaara has of living normally.'
Kurama grumbled but used Kitsune as a medium to sense out for Madara and Zetsu.
They aren't within Suna. There is no guarantee that the pest will not still feel it. Put your barrier down just in case. Also, only use my Yang. The Namikaze and Uzumaki will be less likely to recognize my chakra that way.
'Hai'
Violet eyes snapped open before she stepped away and went through the string of seals for her solid barrier. Slapping it on the floor, she barely waited for it to finish before she was back on Karura's stomach.
"Back off. Everyone but Tsunade." Kitsune ordered sharply. She felt Kurama stirring inside her seal to mix his own chakra with hers, leaning heavily towards Yang concentration.
"But-" Rasa started to protest before he met Kitsune's eyes and saw the violet irises started to fleck with gold.
"Now." She commanded and the Kazekage stepped back. Jiraiya and Minato stepped back. Orochimaru pulled Kushina away. Tsunade met Kitsune's gaze.
"You collapse from whatever stunt you are about to pull, and I can't catch you this time."
Kitsune just nodded and took a deep breath. 'Ready'
My Chakra, even only the Yang, will still be heavy, brat.
'I know. The Henge should help hold it just long enough.'
If Rasa thought that having four Sages active in the same room was something to behold, it felt nothing like the chakra output Kitsune suddenly released as golden flecks of chakra suddenly surrounded her body like fire flickering on and off. Violet eyes had turned GOLD. But while the Chakra was powerful and heavy, it was also Warm with LIFE.
He saw the eyes widen on even the still active Sages and knew her output must be even greater to them.
Kitsune didn't care what her audience was thinking. No, she had to repair the damage Zetsu and Madara had somehow done to the seal. That endless land of sand she'd created for the bijuu? Yeah, it was gone completely. Instead it was blackness with an obvious Sharingan in the sky, signalling that the Bijuu was being forced through a genjutsu.
Flaring her mixed chakra, Shukaku immediately settled down in his thrashing. Unique black and gold eyes met her own golden ones as her chakra slithered around the darkness and rebuilt the seal from inside out.
That...Chakra. The exhausted tanuki mumbled disoriented. Nii-san?
Yes, Otouto. Kurama purred as he slipped into the seal to curl around the tortured form of his youngest brother, gently caccooning him within his many tails. Sleep otouto, Minashi will fix your seal and make sure no one else can ever harm you like that again. The fox promised fiercely.
The tanuki let out a sigh and curled into his eldest brother, that being enough of an action to prove just how bad the genjutsu must have been. Kurama didn't care and would not hold it against his youngest brother. They were still family. The fox had learned how precious that was after being in both his hosts for so long and then even longer in Minashi.
Golden chakra continued to change the seal back to its original design, but adding in the protective elements for Shukaku and Gaara's sanity. No longer would they be controlled by a sharingan. The first signs of genjutsu and the seal would automatically pulse both their chakra. In apology, Minashi twisted the interior of the seal to have an oasis that Shukaku could sleep under. Her own Sage/Kyuubi mixed chakra guiding the Tanuki into a deeper sleep for both his health and Gaara's own. A decade's rest would do the Tanuki good.
Slowly she pulled her chakra out of the seal, out of Karura, and back into herself. She felt the drain on her body, reserves, and mental strengths.
Stumbling back as the golden glow faded, Kitsune was caught in Orochimaru's arms.
"I can't stop the labor." The ravenette panted with heavy lids. "Shukaku is asleep now. The seal is fixed." She slurred before her body gave up and the ravenette passed out. Orochimaru lifted her up and placed her gently on the window bench cushion.
"Alright then." Tsunade clapped, gaining the remaining shinobi's attention. "Let's get this baby delivered then."
Once stabilizing Karura, the exhausted mother was able to deliver her premee son with no complications beside exhaustion. Little Gaara would have to be monitored for a few days, but Tsunade promised to remain until he was in the clear.
The Konoha group decided to send the rest of them home while Kitsune and Tsunade stayed. Kitsune, because she was still unconscious the following day. Tsunade to keep her promise. So, the two male Senju, Namikaze, and Uzumaki made tracks for home.
It wasn't for a week before Kitsune and Tsunade too were able to leave. Gaara had been sent home with his family at a healthy weight and no need for feeding tubes or O2 machines. Watching Rasa try to handle a baby that was just barely as big as his two hands together had been picture worthy. Kitsune had made sure to capture it and promise Karura a copy.
Unfortunately Tsunade did not get to avoid Kitsune's teleportation jutsu on the way home. Kitsune made sure to slap on a nausea seal before taking her friend through space-time. The duo appeared right in the middle of the Hokage's office.
Kitsune stumbled when they arrived, a testament to her own exhaustion that still lingered.
Sakumo was quick enough to catch her and help her down. "You're late." He scolded firmly even as Tsunade also took a seat.
"Ichibi seal was tampered with." the Ravenette yawned.
"Vacation." He ordered firmly.
"Minashi?" Kitsune asked.
"Her team is out on a tracking mission. Due back this evening." Kitsune felt the flare of chakra and knew that the Hokage had activated the privacy seals. "I'm giving her ANBU team a week off when they get back. They have done well in back to back missions since they were put together a month ago. I know you have not popped your blood clone in two months. As we agreed, you will take that time off."
"She can crash at the Senju compound." Tsunade grunted from her own seat. "That way I can keep an eye on her and it's off the books."
"Done." Sakumo nodded and patted the blood henged Minashi. "Get to it then."
With a groan Kitsune stood and linked arms with Tsunade. Together they tiredly headed for the Senju compound.
"Tadaima!" Tsunade and Kitsune called out tiredly to the main house of the Senju compound. Just barely getting their sandals off before three sets of pounding feet stormed to them.
"Mom!" "Aunt Kitty!" three voices chorused and both Kitsune and Tsunade couldn't help but smile at the two white haired boys and little blonde girl with big honey brown eyes.
Tsunade kneeled and was tackled by her twin six year olds. Kitsune happily scooped Wakana up into a spinning hug, getting a gleeful giggle from the three almost four-year-old.
"Oh my kami, look at you!" Kitsune couldn't help but coo at the replica of Tsunade in her arms. Her short blonde hair was up in twin tails and her smile was massive. "You look just like your mama little sprout!" Wakana giggled and continued to cling to her second favorite person in the world.
"I missed you Aunt Kitty!" The toddler beamed.
"Hi Aunt Tsune!" Itama and Kawarama were then hugging her legs. Kitsune couldn't help but chuckle as she ruffled their spikey white heads of hair.
"Hey troublemakers, you haven't been giving Oba-chan a hard time now have you?"
"Never." The twin devils chorused with very innocent looks.
"Uh huh." Tsunade dryly remarked as she pried Wakana away from the Ravenette. "Come here squirt. I'm the mom here. Why does she get hugs before me?" The Senju matriark huffed. Wakana just giggled innocently and made up to her mamma with almost squeezing the life out of her neck.
"Love you mamma!" Tsunade's face relaxed as she hugged her daughter back.
"Love you too squirt. Where are your fathers?" She asked even as she ignored the fact that Kitsune now had Itama clinging like a monkey to her back and Kawarama hanging from her neck and front like a limp noodle.
"Papa was called to work about something about a new code." Itama said from his perch on Kitsune's back.
"Daddy is in his office writing." Kawarama informed them next. "Ne, Aunt Tsune, can you help us train?"
"Sorry squirts." Kitsune smiled down at them softly even as she set them down one by one on the couch. Tsunade still kept Wakana on her hip. "I'm here for some supervised rest. Your mom's gonna keep an eye on me."
"Aww.."The boys' faces dropped in disappointment.
Kitsune just ruffled their hair and didn't dare to fall for their golden puppy eyes. "Sorry boys, Hokage's orders."
They tried to pout but Kitsune just smirked and straightened to meet Tsunade's gaze. "I'll be locked in my room."
"Che, I've had to heal you like this too often over the years if you've seriously got an actual room in my Clan compound." Tsunade teased but waved her off. "I know the drill. Go sleep, I'll check on you before I head to bed."
The Ravenette nodded gratefully and headed for her small guest room in the wing opposite from the family quarters. Activating the security seals only took a small flare of chakra. Dropping her blood henge, Minashi groaned as her exhaustion almost doubled. Quickly stripping from the too big clothes and armor, the Blonde teen showered and changed into a tank and shorts. Hair back in a braid, the blonde teen happily collapsed into bed and fell asleep.
Sakumo felt the flare of chakra before Team Ro appeared in shunshins into his office just as day was turning to night.
"Team Ro, welcome back. Good hunting?" He asked even as he took the prisoner scroll from Captain Boar.
"Hai, Hokage-sama." Boar replied crisply.
"Good. Your team has been pushing things this past month." Sakumo raised a brow at them.
"Just trying to break the newbies in Sir." Boar kept himself from shifting at the pointed look the Hokage was shooting at him.
"They are broken in and you will exhaust them at this point. A week off. All of you. Rest, restock, and recover. I'm sure your families are also missing you."
"Hai!" They chorused.
"Dismissed. Yosei, stay a moment."
Team Ro looked at their youngest member before following orders and leaving. Sakumo signaled his guard away before activating the privacy barrier. Minashi removed her mask once it was complete.
"Two months. I've told your original this already, but I didn't get a chance to ask her. Will a week be enough to recover?" Sakumo asked immediately.
The Blonde hummed and looked to the ceiling in thought. "It will be cutting it close. I've been compensating with Nature Energy and back up storage seals of her chakra we've been preparing over the years for these situations." The Blood Clone rambled.
"Minashi." Sakumo barked sharply.
"Maybe?" The blonde shrugged. "Even during training I've never had a blood clone go this long, but it was unavoidable these last two months."
"If you run over, I'll have Tsunade report that you are sick and seeking her personal care." Sakumo grunted, rubbing his temple. "Your original should already be safe away in the Senju compound under Tsunade's watch, so you should be good to pop."
"What about my reports?"
"Get them to me after you've rested." He glared at her. "Especially your Suna one. Jiraiya said that your original used a chakra that he didn't recognize to reseal the Ichibi."
Minashi blinked before realization filled her blue eyes. "Oh...OH!" She exclaimed before wincing. "Um...Yeah...I'll get boss on that after she wakes."
The Yondaime just pinched the bridge of his nose. "What was it so I know what damage control to prepare for?"
"Yang half of Kurama's chakra mixed with Natural Energy. It comes off gold, so similar to the golden cloak I arrived here in. Since it was only half and a mixed version of it, Kushina Shouldn't have been able to recognize it since it wasn't corrosive." Minashi tried to defend.
Sakumo grunted and waved her off. "Get out of here brat before I decide to make you debrief me as you are."
"Ja ne!" The clone squeaked and popped in a cloud of smoke scenting of blood. Sakumo sighed before throwing a small Futon jutsu to blow the scent out the window as he released the barrier.
"Troublesome blondes, I swear." He mumbled returning back to his desk.