Kabuto chuckled evilly while Naruto stared in shock at the female Sanin. "Is… is she afraid of her own blood?"
"Lady Tsunade!" Shizune ran up to them doing a few hand signs and swiftly spitting a few poisonous needles at Kabuto to get him away from her mistress. One she did, she picked up Tsunade's discarded coat and draped it over her trembling shoulders. "Are you alright?"
Tsunade just looked away painfully.
Naruto looked on gritting his teeth. Not only because Kabuto was mocking the Sanin about her fear of blood but also because he was desperately trying to channel his chakra back into his numbed leg.
"Look at you, you're shaking! Aren't you supposed to be the best of the best? And she is supposed to be your apprentice? Did you teach her to be afraid of blood too, Lady Tsunade?! AHAHAHAHA!" Kabuto mocked charging with his sword again but this time the blade was caught firmly by Shizune's hands.
"No! She taught me well!" Shizune swung at him with her leg but Kabuto twisted the blade so he could hold it with one hand and paralyze her leg with the other.
Feeling her leg go numb, she quickly released the blade, twisting it away from her and breaking it causing the broken off blade to stick into his torso. Having distracted him she hit his arm with chakra, numbing it in an instance and leaping away, falling onto the ground a few feet away and clutching her leg.
Kabuto groaned pulling the blade out of his torso but chuckled as it immediately healed. His chuckle quickly died down as he realized he couldn't feel his arm anymore. "What?"
Shizune smiled. "I told you she though me well."
He growled in anger. Throwing the broken sword onto the ground he exchanged it for a kunai. "Well, that sure was fun, but I'm afraid I'll have to finish this game NOW!"
But just as he was about to plunge the kunai into Tsunade's chest an orange blur caught it first. He looked up and his eyes met Naruto's who glared at him.
Naruto squeezed his hand firmly and the kunai cut into his hand. Kabuto tried to release his hand but Naruto's grip only got tighter and a few thick drops of blood leaked out of his wound. The blonde didn't even flinch at the blade separating the flesh between his fingers.
"How can you possibly still be on your feet?!"
"Because… I don't know how to give up and I never will." Naruto made a shadow clone. "Until I become Hokage… I don't care what happens, I am not gonna die!"
Tsunade's eyes widened not only at his proclamation but also at the smooth ball of chakra his clone formed in his hand.
"HYAAAAAAAAAAA!" He forced the ball into Kabuto's chest. "RASENGAN!"
And with that, Kabuto got blown away an incredible distance until he slammed into a boulder and fell flat onto the ground.
On the other side of the clearing the other two battling Sanin stopped to look at the performance.
"Well, well… it looks like he finally did it." Jiraiya smiled in approval.
"A silly child mastering a jutsu like that… it's unheard of!" Orochimaru frowned.
Naruto panted having exhausted all of his chakra trying to revive his leg.
Tsunade stared at the genin in shock. "He did it… he actually did it… he actually mastered the Rasengan… in one week!"
Her musings were interrupted by Naruto's loud cough which ended with him spitting out blood.
Shizune gasped and tried to get up. She had frantically tried to heal her leg but it still felt a bit wobbly.
Naruto blinked as we started swaying. "What… my chest… it hurts… I can't…" He gasped and fell backwards.
"Naruto!" Tsunade was by his side in a second. She put her trembling hands on his chest but there was barely a pulse. She unzipped his jacket and ripped open his shirt. "Come on, stop shaking!"
"Lady Tsunade, what happened?" Shizune crawled over to them.
"I… he struck him somehow… the muscle surrounding his heart has been ripped into shreds."
"It must have happened when Naruto hit him with his Rasengan." Shizune deduced.
"That's… right…" A weak voice responded drawing their attention towards the boulder where Kabuto was lying. Looking towards it they saw him shakily get back on his feet.
"How are you still conscious? That blow should have finished you!" Tsunade yelled in anger and confusion.
"My level of medical knowledge is way too advanced for him to hurt me. I started gathering chakra before he even hit me, even before the impact I had started healing myself. But Naruto… it's over for 's over for the Nine Tailed Fo-"
"Oh, shut up!" Tsunade interrupted him.
Kabuto grinned and opened his mouth to continue but all that came out was a low yell of pain and he collapsed to the ground staring at fragments of his broken glasses. "Impossible… the damage is too great… I…"
"You'll be dead soon, you'll see." Tsunade turned back to Naruto feeling his chest again. She gasped. "There's no pulse!" Quickly, Shizune and her used the last of their chakra to desperately try to heal him. "No…" The images of her beloveds showed before her again. "No!" Her chakra flowed through Naruto's chest. "No...don't die… don't die!" Her tears coated parts of Naruto's seal. "Don't die!"
She gasped again as Naruto reached up and gently tugged her necklace. He slightly opened his eyes and smiled at her. "Hey…" He choked out.
Shizune let out a long breath she didn't even know she was holding. Tsunade took his hand and gently gripped it.
"Told ya… I'd win…" His hand became heavier as he slipped out of consciousness.
Tsunade looked at his chest as it rose and fell. She gripped his hand firmer and healed the wound on it before slowly putting it back down.
"He'll be fine, Lady Tsunade. He's alright, you saved him." Shizune assured her.
She nodded before taking off her necklace and gently putting it around his neck.
"Are you sure you…"
"Yes, Shizune… just one more time… for the last time… those words will become true." She let a tear fall.
Shizune smiled and nodded.
A cough startled them and they turned to see Jiraiya limping towards them rubbing his stomach... but no one else.
Tsunade turned towards the boulder but Kabuto was gone. "What? Where…"
"I don't know. He socked me with his knee and the next thing I know they're both gone. Maybe it's best for now, I'm pretty sure we're all out of chakra. Let's just get back to town."
Suddenly, Tsunade gasped and her skin tone changed to a grayish hue and her skin shriveled up.
Jiraiya looked at her wide eyed. "Are you going to be okay?"
"Yes… after a bit of rest my younger form will be restored… let's just get back…"
Naruto's eyes slowly fluttered open. He looked around and realized he's in his room. He groaned and tried to sit up. Looking down at this lap he saw the cat curled in a ball between his legs, sleeping soundly.
"You're awake?"
He blinked and looked to his left. "H-hey, Shizune." He cleared his dry throat. "What happened? Did we win?"
"You could say that. Orochimaru and Kabuto bailed. Unfortunately, it's more than likely we'll see them again."
"Damn it!" He sat up. "Is everyone ok?"
"Yes, we're all fine."
"Oink!"
Naruto swallowed in relief and put his hand on his chest but felt an unfamiliar feeling of his jacket fabric against his bare chest. Confused, he unzipped his jacket only to see his black shirt split down the middle. "What the heck happened to my shirt?"
"Lady Tsunade was healing you after you almost…" She trailed off looking away.
"Died?" Naruto finished.
She sighed and nodded in response.
"Man… really?" He rubbed the back of his neck. "But I feel fine." Suddenly, his fingers felt something around his neck. He tugged on it, tracing the string to the front of his neck revealing a blue crystal on it. He's jaw slightly dropped as he twisted and turned the crystal between his fingers. "Wait, if I won that means… she's coming back to the Leaf?" He looked at Shizune hopefully.
She smiled and nodded. "Yes, we'll be on our way when you are ready to go."
"Well, what are we waiting for then?" He jumped out of bed happily. Seeing his backpack next to the bed he started rummaging through it. "Just let me change my shirt." He then froze and turned to her. "Wait, where's Gama-chan?"
Shizune giggled and pointed to the table beside him.
He grinned and grabbed his wallet from the table and nuzzled it to his face. "Yay! You're back! And you're still full!" He giggled happily.
Shizune laughed. "Well, it looks like your energy is back."
He nodded. "Yep! I'm always as good as new after I get some sleep." He took of his jacket and started switching his shirt.
"You know, you can tell how hard you train by your physique. You were really impressive during the fight." Shizune commented.
Naruto blinked a few times before a luminous blush spread across his face. "Aw, go on!" He looked away embarrassed making her laugh again.
Meow.
"Huh? Oh… what do we do about her?" He zipped up his jacket again and scratched the cats head gently.
"Well, it looks like she doesn't have an owner as she's been stuck to you like glue. Maybe you should keep her?"
It was like the kitty understood those words as she jumped onto Naruto and licked his chin. He chuckled. "I guess you're right. I should probably name her then, huh?" His face scrunched up in thought. "Well, she does kid of remind me of a marshmallow cuz she's white and fluffy but that's too long."
"How about Marshie for short then?" Shizune suggested.
Naruto's face lit up. "Yeah, that's perfect! Huh, Marshie?"
The kitty meowed in approval and licked his face. He laughed. "Alright, now that's settled, let's get going, huh?"
"Yes, but before we get going, there is something you should know." Shizune said seriously.
"The Fifth Hokage?!" Naruto yelled after they finally found the two Sanin sitting in a dumpling shop.
"Naruto. Back to hyperactive, I see." Jiraiya commented taking a sip of his sake.
Tsunade just looked at the blonde in surprise. "Shouldn't you be unconscious?"
"Shouldn't we get going? Old man Hokage needs help, remember? And just because you're the Fifth Hokage now, doesn't mean you can order me around. So if you give me some lame missions I'm gonna tell the village you're just an old lady who uses jutsu to look young. You got that?"
Tsunade looked at him angrily before slowly getting up and walking towards him. Her eyes never left his and a drop of sweat trailed down his whiskers. Gulping, he closed his eyes as she raised a finger at him. "Not the forehead again!"
Thinking she was about to punch him again, he was very surprised as she just moved up his headband and gently pressed her lips against his forehead. He opened his eyes with a blush and just looked at her confused.
"I don't think so. You better not disobey me kid. After all, you'd want to be on my good side if I end up being the one to name you the next Hokage." She smiled.
He looked at her surprised before grinning.
Jiraiya smiled. "Alright, let's hit the road then." He got up.
"Woah, hold up! I haven't eaten yet!" Naruto yelled out.
They all just laughed at him.
"What the hell is so funny? I almost died, I'm starving!"
As nighttime hit, they were in front of the village gates. Tsunade looked around the village absorbing the sight she hasn't seen in years.
"Can we go see old man now, please?" Naruto pleaded.
"We should. Come on, Tsunade."
About an hour later they were sitting in front of the room in the hospital waiting for Tsunade to heal Hiruzen. Finally, Tsunade walked out of the room. "He'll be fine but he's weak for now."
Naruto sighed in relief.
"N-Naruto?"
He jumped hearing a very familiar voice calling out to him. Looking around he saw Hinata running down the hallway towards him.
"Hey!" He ran up to her and gave her a tight hug. "I'm sorry, I was going to tell you I'm back right away but I just had to-"
"I know, it's ok." She interrupted him softly. "Ko saw you enter the village and he let me know. I missed you so much."
"I missed you too." He smiled giving her a few soft kisses.
Tsunade blinked in shock. "A Hyuga?"
Shizune 'awww'ed snapping Hinata back to reality and making her squeal in embarrassment. "I-I'm s-sorry, it is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Hokage." She bowed deeply.
Tsunade chuckled. "The pleasure is mine little Hyuga." She winked at her making her blush worsen.
"Hey, old man Hokage is going to be fine." Naruto said getting her attention again.
"Oh, thank Goodness." Hinata clutched her chest.
"Better thank grandma Tsunade here." Naruto said jokingly.
"Stop calling me that you brat." The new Hokage turned and walked away followed by Shizune and Jiraiya.
"Is it true that she will be the Fifth Hokage?" Hinata asked.
"Yup. And hey, I made a new friend while I was away." Naruto walked back to the bench where his backpack was.
"A new friend?" Hinata blinked.
Naruto grinned and picked up his backpack to reveal a cat behind it. He picked it up and walked back to the brunette. "Meet Marshie."
Meow. The kitty reached her paw out to Hinata. She smiled and took her paw. "Oh, Naruto! You got a pet? She's so cute!" She giggled.
"Yeah, well she wouldn't leave me alone so I decided to take her home. I am gonna have to get her a cat tree or something. Heheh." He grinned.
"Speaking of homes… did you move back to yours?"
Hinata nodded sadly.
"That's ok, can you sleep over tonight? I got you a gift." He smiled hopefully.
She looked at him in surprise. "A gift? You didn't have to!"
"But I wanted to. Come on, let's go home."
Walking into his apartment, Naruto sighed. "Finally home! Do you like it Marshie?"
Meow! The cat immediately jumped on the couch and stretched on it before laying down.
Naruto chuckled. "I guess she does." He took off his backpack and rummaged through it.
"I… I came here a few times and I cleaned up a bit and watered the plants." Hinata twiddled her fingers.
"I can tell, thank you." He handed her a box. "Here, I hope you like it." He smiled.
She took it. "But you really didn't have to spend money on me."
"Nah, I won some money on a game and I wanted to get you something, open it."
She opened it and gasped. It was a beautiful embellished mother of pearl jewelry box. "Oh, Naruto it's beautiful."
He smiled. "I remembered your locket. It seemed precious to you so I wanted you to have somewhere safe to keep it. Plus, it sparkles like your eyes."
She wiped away a tear. "I love you so much."
He blushed and grinned. 'I love you too." He wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. "Also, I though it be kinda stupid to give you an empty box so I just filled it up with all kinds of candy." He chuckled.
She giggled. "You are really sweeter than any candy, Naruto." She blushed surprised she just said something so audacious.
Naruto blushed heavily. "Are you trying to make me faint now?"
She giggled. "Silly."
Meow!