"speech"

'thought'

A/N: Sorry . . . for the late update, what can I say things came up. I'll try to get the next chapter done ASAP. Next week is Spring Break so I will have lots of time to write then. Thanks to all those who have read this so far and those of you who have just started. I'm going to try to re-edit the story from the beginning. Now that I look back there are SO many small little errors and big errors I have to correct and make it look better overall call it overhaul or maybe I won't . . . whatever happens will happen then I guess. Thanks, appreciate you all for reading so far.

Naruto X

Chapter 15: The one I care for most, Part 2

By Suuiren

Yuri felt tired as she walked down the corridor of the hospital hall. With all her effort going into the sealing of Naruto, she hadn't realized she had been without sleep for the past forty-eight hours. Things were only getting more hectic as her assistants seemed to have disappearing out of nowhere, leaving her short handed for the sealing.

'This is going to be a close one. If only she were still here.' thought Yuri as she proceeded towards Naruto's room which was several floors up from where she currently was.

Kakashi was worried now, especially since it was so close to the sealing. His team of ANBU had discovered the body of a medic ninja in a dark alleyway and several more elsewhere. The deaths were of unknown circumstances but it was clear that the ninjas were murdered, by who was still to be determined. This only complicated the situation more as he had to send his only ANBU team that was supposed to have been guarding Naruto to search out the area and investigate who murdered the ninja.

'This is getting too close for comfort.' thought Kakashi as he saw Gai, Asuma, and Kurenai approach him.

"I see you two have recovered rather quickly from the last battle." said Kakashi in a nonchalant voice towards Kurenai and Asuma.

"Well, yes, I was just taken off guard by her attack. It was nothing big though, I only suffered damages to my pride." said Asuma as he smiled and scratched the back of his head in slight embarrassment.

"I would have never expected anything like that from Hiko-chan." replied Kurenai seriously as she looked directly at Kakashi. "More or less her beating Hiashi Hyuuga AND while battling Kakashi AND Gai. I never expected her to be that strong. In all respects, she looked nothing more than just an ordinary girl to me when we met."

"Well, it was interesting to say the least." replied Kakashi as he took a look at Gai. Gai was bandaged up a bit but other than that he looked pretty lively. "I see you're also feeling well Gai. I'm glad that the effects of Lotus weren't that profound on you."

"Yosh! You're one to brag Kakashi!" screamed Gai ecstatically as he gave his complementary thumbs up. "You should be the one resting after using the first stage of Lotus for the first time. I'm surprised that you still have enough energy to still be standing. But, then again, you ARE my ETERNAL RIVAL!" yelled Gai as he put his arm on Kakashi's shoulder. "And I'm glad that you could trust me enough to ask for my help . . . friend." finished Gai in a serious tone.

"Heh." said Kakashi as he smiled awkwardly to all three of his companions. "Sorry to have asked this of you guys but I was short on man power . . . and . . ."

"And plus we were the only ones that you trust huh?" interjected Asuma.

"Yes," replied Kakashi as his tone all of a suddenly changed from friendly to dead serious. "A few hours ago, we found the body of several dead medical ninjas. I've sent my only ANBU team to investigate it; they died of no apparent wound . . . that is all we know for now."

"So, that was why you called on us to help? To help investigate with this matter?" asked Kurenai.

"No, something more important, you three are to help me protect Naruto during his sealing. I trust in each of you and our abilities as a team." replied Kakashi. But as he looked past Kurenai and Asuma he saw Rin behind them, approaching. There were also two others behind her; Kakashi could already tell that the two people behind her were her team members.

"Kakashi, may I have a word with alone?" asked Rin as soon as she got within range of Kakashi and the others.

"Sure, sure," said Kakashi as he smiled towards the others and walked towards Rin. "Yo?" was all that he asked her when they both met.

"I want to be present during the sealing." said Rin directly at Kakashi as if the answer were already yes. "Me, and my team that is."

"Hmm, now let me think about that for a moment. Should I or should I not?" asked Kakashi to himself as he smiled at the thought of just making Rin frustrated.

"Kakashi, I have as much right to protect sensei's legac-!" said Rin, but before she finished a loud explosion was heard and the sound of glass breaking could be heard coming from the hospital followed by the sound of a large explosion. "What the, what was that!" yelled Rin out of surprise as she looked at the hospital building, fire bursting into midair as two figures leapt out.

As they both looked they could see a giant owl flying away and the two figures jumping towards it. They both were wearing cloaks with the distinct red cloud designs all over it.

It took a second for Kakashi to register what just had happened but he soon realized it was Naruto riding on to the large owl and that the two figures were after him.

"Naruto!" yelled Kakashi in panic as he disappeared, chasing the two figures that were chasing Naruto. Naruto seemed to be heading towards the Hokage Tower.

Reacting just as swiftly as Kakashi, Rin had ordered her two team mates to check on the wreckage as she herself followed Kakashi, they were also followed by Gai, Asuma, and Kurenai.

'What the hell is going.' was the only thought in Kakashi's mind as he headed towards the Hokage Tower.

Meanwhile at the same time Yuri had just felt the massive explosion that had rocked the hospital.

"What the, what was that!" yelled Yuri in shock and disbelief as she realized where the explosion came from. "That sounded like it came from Naruto-kun's room. Oh no! What happened there!" she yelled as she hurried up the hospital stairs and into the secured area of the hospital corridor where Naruto was being hospitalized.

When she got there to the lounge she was horrified at what she saw, ANBU members laid everywhere like broken dolls. Some were in pieces, others not, blood was scattered everywhere; it was a massacre as Yuri saw it. Not one had been left alive and they all seemed to have died with an extremely pained look or terror in their face. It was as if some sort of animal with horrendous strength had ripped them apart, like a crocodile or shark would do to its victims. It was a massacre as far as she could tell, the ANBU were probably caught off guard and massacred. She panicked as she rushed towards Naruto's room to see what had happened to him.

When she got there she saw one lone girl there, it was Hiko and next to Hiko laid a dying Uzumi. "What happened here?" was all that Yuri was able to ask as soon as she got into the destroyed room.

"Trouble." responded Hiko as two ANBU members, Rin's team mates, appeared out of nowhere to ask the same question and assess the situation.

Earlier, Naruto's room:

"Old man, old man, do you really want me to become friends with your grandson. You're not lying to me are you?" asked an ecstatic Naruto as he looked upon Uzumi.

"Yes, Naruto, it is my hope that such a thing could be made possible. Which is why I-!" but before Uzumi could finish what he was saying he had seen the door all of a suddenly flung itself open revealing someone Uzumi had never expected to ever see while he was still alive.

"Itachi." was the only word that he was able to mutter as he instantly avoided any eye contact with Itachi, already knowing what he was capable of. 'I have to act fast.' thought Uzumi as he had already started his hand seals.

'Damn it, an elder.' thought Itachi as he flung open the door to Naruto's room. He had gone on ahead to look for Naruto's room while Kisame dealt with the ANBU and he didn't expect to see an elder to be with Naruto. Since it seemed they had despised him so much Itachi had not expected something like this, but here was one and Itachi had to be careful. He didn't want to make a mistake since he was so close to capturing Naruto. But before he could act it was already too late.

"Kuchiyose no Jutsu – Summoning Technique!" screamed Uzumi as a giant owl appeared and grabbed Naruto, breaking the windows as it flew out. "Get Naruto out of here and head towards the Hokage Tower! You must not let Itachi have him! Akatsuki must not have him!"

'Damn it!' thought Itachi as he rushed the old man, stabbing him in the heart with his kunai. But as he did so a smile appeared on Uzumi's face.

"Old man, how did you know about the Akatsuki clan?" asked Itachi as he looked at the dying face of Uzumi.

"How could I not?" whispered Uzumi as he also thought, 'Gaara is my grandson after all, so how could I not know about your existence and threat towards him.'

"Fool." said Itachi as he threw aside Uzumi and prepared to go after Naruto, it was then that Kisame also reappeared.

"Well, so I guess you didn't get him after all?" said Kisame as he gave a blood thirsty smile. He was slightly amused at the sight of Itachi failing but also knew that they couldn't fail on this mission, no matter what.

"Teh," said Uzumi quietly as he looked at Itachi and Kisame. "Never turn your back to your opponent . . . Ryuuka no Jutsu – Dragon Fire Technique!"

Itachi and Kisame had already seen the technique and had just simply jumped out the window after Naruto as the fire dragon exploded in the room, destroying most of what was inside leaving only a dying Uzumi behind.

Soon after Hiko had rushed into the room but was already too late as all she saw the destroyed room where Naruto once was. 'Damn it, too late.' she thought as she saw two figures go after Naruto. Soon after that Yuri had appeared with the two ANBU members appearing not long after her.

Near the Hokage Tower:

'Damn, damn, damn!' cursed Naruto in his mind as he relived the event that just had happened. He had been saved by the Uzumi but had sacrificed himself doing it. 'All for me! Why do others keep on getting hurt because of me! Why am I so weak!' screamed Naruto in his mind tired of being the cause of so many bad things. Tears were streaming down his face uncontrollably now never realizing that he was being followed.

'Good, we're catching up.' thought Itachi as they got closer to Naruto, jumping from building to building and looking over to his partner he could see the frustration building in Kisame's face. 'Seems like Kisame might not be using it after all. I am disappointed, it would have been interesting.'

"Kuso," spat out Kisame in frustration, "I was looking forward to a fight but it seems tha-!"

"Konoha Gouriki Senpuu – Leaf Herculean Whirlwind!" yelled a green blur as it appeared out of nowhere striking Kisame directly on the head, forcing him to slam into and through several buildings.

"Konoha Gouriki Reppuu – Leaf Herculean Violent Wind!" came the green blur a split second after it attacked Kisame, but Itachi was prepared for the move, seeing it through his Sharingan, simply dodging the spinning kick in mid-air. After dodging the attack Itachi simply grabbed the leg of the attacker and propelled by the force of the attack threw the green blur into a building; slamming it through several walls.

"Hmm, was that it, Gai-san." said Itachi mockingly as he landed next to a building near where he had put Gai through. But as soon as he had landed several explosions decimated the buildings near as Itachi was barely able to escape the trap. He did not escape unscathed though as his cloak was clearly singed, protecting most of his body from the burns that may have occurred.

'I was too reckless.' thought Itachi as he scanned the area for the person who had put the trap there but saw no one as he knew everyone was concealing their chakra. But it was no use as Itachi simply saw through their attempts at hiding with his Sharingan.

"Come out, Hatake Kakashi, Yuuhi Kurenai, and Sarutobi Asuma." said Itachi in a cold toneless voice as the three mentioned persons appeared before him.

"Itachi." spat out Kakashi maliciously as he looked at the Uchiha Sharingan Master. "What business do you have back here murderer."

"None of your business." came Itachi's reply as his partner Kisame jumped next to him.

"Hn, I thought that we were attacked by some exotic green beast but it seems that it was some pests that were behind it all." said Kisame wryly as he fixed his jaw back in place.

"Gai, you alright?" asked Asuma as he appeared next to Gai, against the rubble.

"Sure, just a bit bruised." said Gai as he gave a thumbs up with a smile. "But we have bigger concerns now . . . I would of never imagined that Itachi would ever return and in the open. Whatever he wants must be very important. Asuma, don't look into his eyes, avoid it at all costs. If you don't, it's all over for you."

"Kakashi," said Gai as he drew out the hidden microphone that was inside his vest. "We need to come up with a plan to deal with these two."

"Agreed." responded Kakashi as he looked at Itachi, who had an emotionless look on his face. "ANBU and others are being gathered right now by Rin, all we need to do is hold them off for awhile. Kurenai and I will handle Itachi, you and Asuma get the other one. But be careful, from the looks of it his giant sword may prove to be more than a handful."

"Copy that. We'll try to handle him as soon as possible and help you take down Itachi." replied Gai as he stared at Kisame with killer intent. "I don't usually kill anymore since I became a Jounin teacher; I tend to refrain from it for the children's sake but for today, I will make you a special exception."

"Teh, should I be flattered or scared at such a jest." said Kisame as he took out Samahade with a blood thirsty grin on his face. "I wasn't known as one of the Mist's 7 Deadly Angels for no reason! Come on Green Beast of Konoha, let's get it ON!"

"Woah, what immense chakras these two are emitting." thought Asuma as he stared at the two deadlocked foes and just in an instant the two disappeared leaving not a trace of either in their wake.

A/N: Thanks, for reading and I hope you give me a review of how this chapter was . . . even if you want to kill me for this cliff hanger.