Second to last chappie!

Midnight: Damn, you reviewed quickly. Totally didn't expect that. Thanks tons, and I hope this satisfies you!

Cuddley-bear88: thanks for reviewing!

Disclaimer: Plot is mine, Naruto is not.

Chapter 16: …And live to tell the tale

Setting: Same as the last 15 chapters

Time: Seconds after last

Tsunade stared at the puff of smoke. Kira-bunshin whispered 'kai' and the illusion disappeared to reveal Kabuto. He had used Henge no Jutsu to fake being Kira and a kage-bunshin to kill Orochimaru.

(A/N This is where I didn't do my homework. Supposedly, even if you use a clone, the technique will still seal your soul with the target's soul. I didn't know this because when the Third Hokage used it the first two times, it was with clones and he didn't drop dead like he did the third time. So I assumed it wouldn't kill you if you used a clone. Stupid me…)

Kabuto smiled grimly at Tsunade's disbelief and then jumped when Sakura and Naruto burst into the clearing, panting as they tried to convince themselves that no one but Orochimaru was dead. They breathed in relief when they saw everyone alive. Tsunade stumbled into the clearing and sighed. "That scared me so badly…God, I thought you were dead Kabuto!"

Kabuto nodded and then turned towards the three Chuunin on the ground. Crouching next to Kira he said, "Thanks for playing along. It really helped."

Kira smiled before she winced in pain. "N-no problem. Um...can you get us to the hospital? I think I broke my arm or something…And the boys are still out."

Sakura and Naruto walked over to help. Kabuto picked up Jin and slung him over his shoulders. Naruto went for Toboe and arranged the limp boy on his back. Sakura walked over to Kira, grinned, and said "Sorry about this" as she picked Kira up and gave her a piggy-back ride. Tsunade looked over at Sakura and Naruto.

"What happened to Uchiha?"

Naruto grinned widely as he replied, "Sasuke relied too much on his curse seal and when Orochimaru died, the seal vanished, leaving Sasuke as strong as a newborn duck." Sighing happily, Naruto continued. "It was the best moment of my life."

The group's laughter followed them as they returned to Konoha.

---

At the hospital…

Kabuto waited to be informed about his friends' conditions. Finally, a nurse stepped out into the hallway and walked towards Kabuto. "Are you Yakushi Kabuto?"

Kabuto stood up quickly, wiping his sweaty palms on his clothes while he nodded. "Y-yeah. That's me. Are they alright?"

The nurse sighed, and opened her folder to scan a piece of paper. "Nasu Toboe and Koizumi Jin will probably be out until tomorrow, maybe two days from now. The poison almost killed them, and if they hadn't been healed as quickly as they were, the boys wouldn't be with us now. Otherwise, they only have a few cuts and bruises."

Kabuto gulped in relief and asked, "And Kira? Is she okay?"

The nurse continued. "Tabanachi Kira has a severely cracked bone in her left arm, as well as some damage to her lungs. Her chakra levels are almost zero. On the other hand, she's completely conscious. She's asking to see you."

Kabuto nodded, and made his way to Kira's room. Sliding open the door, he jumped when he saw Sakura sitting next to Kira, her hand on Kira's ribs as Sakura healed her lungs. Obviously, Kira was tired of waiting for her lungs to heal and was not worrying about tissue scarring. Both girls looked up when they heard Kabuto, and Kira quickly pushed her shirt down to cover the bruising on her ribs.

Kabuto smiled. Sitting himself down on a vacant chair, he asked Sakura if he could talk to Kira quickly. Sakura nodded, smiled to Kira, and removed herself from the room. Kabuto turned to Kira and said, "Thank you."

Kira looked up, confused. "Huh?"

Kabuto brushed his hands through his hair and continued. "If you hadn't scared the crap out of me, I wouldn't have broken Orochimaru's hold. Thank you."

Kira grinned. "I think you would have done it, but you're welcome!"

Satisfied that he had gotten that over, Kabuto asked, "Will you be allowed to leave the hospital tomorrow for the night?"

Kira grimaced, reminded of her curse. "Yeah. I'll convince Tsunade-sama to give me leave."

Kabuto nodded, and then jumped again when the door slid open to reveal Tsunade. She grinned at their expressions, and then stated, "Kira, you'll be getting leave tomorrow for the full moon. Kabuto, I want you to meet her at the usual room. I'll bring Kira. For now, I need to talk with her. Alone."

Kabuto nodded, said goodbye to Kira, and walked out. He decided to go to sleep early to prepare himself for the long night ahead of him.

As he walked down the streets of Konoha, he could see some damage from the attack, but not much. Fortunately, they had succeeded in keeping all the fighting outside the walls. The lock-down was not over, though, so the streets were not crowded like usual, with only the passing of shinobi going from house to house to check on the inhabitants and soothe any of the fears that still hovered.

Reaching his apartment, Kabuto swung open the door to find Uotani and Imai sitting at his table. Both looked a little worse for wear; Uotani had a bandage wrapped around one arm and Imai had strips of tape covering cuts on his cheek. Otherwise they looked fine. Both showed relief when the exhausted shinobi walked through the door.

Imai jumped up. "You're okay! We heard that Tsunade went out to find you guys. Supposedly you guys found Orochimaru! Is everyone else okay? No one died right?"

Kabuto calmed Imai, telling him that everyone except Orochimaru was alive. He explained Jin, Toboe, and Kira's conditions. Both genin nodded in understanding.

Uotani smirked when he thought of something. "I suppose you didn't see what happened to the kids, did you?"

Kabuto shook his head. "Are they okay?"

Uotani chuckled. "Yeah. Some splinters from an exploding tag hit Tenten, but she's okay. Neji helped the healers find any extra small splinters with his Byakugan. Trust me, she wasn't happy. Hinata got hurt too, but she was fine once they bandaged it. Naruto burst into her room while they were finishing; he thought she was seriously hurt. You'd be proud of the kid; he actually told her that he likes her. She fainted from embarrassment, but the kid knows the girl adores him. Shikamaru had some trouble, and ran out of chakra. Ino chastised him big time, which was funny because she was perfectly okay. Not a scratch."

Kabuto grinned at Uotani's description. Imai chuckled too, and the three guys talked for a bit, and then the genin left to allow Kabuto some sleeping time.

---

Night of the full moon…

Kabuto was swearing as he made his way to the appointed room. He'd lost track of time. He ran down the hallway, and stopped outside the door when he heard Kira echoing the string of words he'd used just seconds before. Obviously, the girl was NOT in a good mood.

Resigned, Kabuto opened the door to find Kira sitting on the floor, her left arm in the sling and a scowl on her face. She was arguing quietly with herself; at least, that's what he could make out of the tones in her voice.

"Kira?" Kira jumped when Kabuto spoke.

"Hey. Argh!" Kabuto flinched when the girl began swearing again, complaining about both the pain from the curse and, I quote, her "stupid, useless, annoying," -a few swears later- "broken arm."

Kabuto plunked himself down next to her and took her arm in his hands. He began healing it to ease the pain, and then moving his hands to her back, eased the pain from the curse. Realizing she was still angry, he asked, "Are you mad at me for being late?"

Kira cursed again and said, "No. I'm hacked off at that stupid old lady (Tsunade) who wouldn't give me painkillers. And THEN she said I shouldn't have any alcohol because my body is still healing and then she said to watch the sugar intake so my blood sugar levels stay and THEN she said I should drink two cups of milk a day for the calcium and I freaking HATE milk." Kabuto rolled his eyes as Kira's bellyaching list continued, from her bemoaning no sugar to having to drink milk to having to sleep in the hospital.

A knock came from the door, resounding around the room. Both Kira and Kabuto looked up and Kabuto shouted, "Come in!"

The door opened to reveal an emotionless looking black-haired man. Kabuto winced when Kira continued with her cursing, completely ignoring the man as she began swearing about her stupid clan and her stupid father and the stupid traditions. Kabuto realized that the man standing in the doorway was the same young man from the clan: Kira's older brother.

The man rolled his eyes as he stepped in and shut the door behind him. He walked over to kneel in front of Kira, who was glaring at the ground and ignoring him. Putting his hand over her mouth to shut her up, the man said, "Imouto-chan, you really are still annoying. Kaa-san would be pissed to hear such language from her beloved daughter."

Kabuto reached forward quickly to hold Kira back as she launched herself at the man, growling at him angrily as she struggled against Kabuto's hold. The man rolled his eyes and waited for her to simmer down, allowing Kabuto to wrap his arms around her to restrain her. Kira finally stopped struggling and just sat there grumbling to herself. Kabuto continued with her healing as the man rolled his eyes, and reached forward to tilt Kira's chin up so that she was looking him in the eye. "Your father, Tabanachi Yura, is dead."

Kira stared at him, her jaw wide open in shock. "Huh?"

"He died this morning from a illness he's had for ages. He knew it was his time. I'm now in charge of the clan."

Kabuto winced again as Kira composed herself and responded, "Oh so now instead of tattling you can just curse someone on the spot? Nice, nii-chan, very nice. You must be so proud. Couldn't wait to lord it over me at a better time?"

The man's eyes turned into slits in anger. "Just because you hold a grudge does not mean I do. You're my little sister, imouto-chan, and the recipient of the family's Kekkei Genkai. You have more power from that then anyone. Just because you hate me does not mean I hate you."

Kira was silenced by his words. "Sorry, Kaido-nii-chan."

Kaido smiled. "No problem. Now turn over so I can remove the curse."

Kira froze. "Whaaa-? What do you mean?"

Kaido looked up at Kabuto. "Turn her over for me, will you?"

Kabuto shrugged and flipped Kira onto her stomach. "Oi! Watch it! Respect the injured people!" Kira began struggling again as her brother pressed his hand against the phoenix burning red on her back. Kabuto held her by her upper arms to keep her from getting up.

Breathing in deeply, Kaido began whispering under his breath as he formed seals with one hand. Kabuto realized that Kaido was repeating the seals under his breath to make sure he was doing them right. Finally, the sequence ended and Kaido pressed two fingers against Kira's back; Kabuto watched in awe as the shape of the phoenix disintegrated, flecks of fiery red slithering around until they vanished from sight. Kabuto and Kaido released Kira as she curled up, muttering "Ow…" under her breath.

Kaido patted Kira on the head as she sat up and glared at him. "You didn't tell me it was going to hurt!"

Kira pouted as her brother shook his head and responded, "Do you really think I'd tell you that? I've learned in my twenty-four years on earth that NO ONE will let you come near them if you tell them that it will hurt. Kaede always asks me why I won't tell her it will hurt, and every time I have to tell her that."

Kira tilted her head slightly, confused. "Kaede? Who's that?"

Kaido grinned. "Your imouto-chan. She's twelve. She was so freaked out when she saw you because you look exactly like kaa-san."

Kira nodded, surprised that she hadn't figured out her little sister's name. Kabuto sat back, allowing the siblings to inform one another about their lifes. Kaido said, "Oh yeah! I released Hitsugaiya Rina from her contract to the clan. I'm not sure if she'll be staying here in Konoha or going to Sunagakure or coming back with us."

Kira shrugged and then realized what he'd said. "Sunagakure? Why the hell would she go there?"

Kaido laughed. "Seems she and the Kazekage had a little heart-to-heart about how they felt and Kazekage-sama asked her to come live with him."

Kira and Kabuto both stared in disbelief. Kira stammered, "Y-you mean my little Rina has grown up? When did this happen? I'm going to kill her for not telling me!"

Kaido shook his head. "I don't think she knew until he saved her ass during the battle. But they're really cute together, and I think he really likes her."

Kira pouted, thinking about whether there were any signs of that relationship. "I never would have guessed."

Kabuto grinned. "Me neither. The Kazekage has never been one for love for as long as I've known him." Kira smirked.

Standing slowly, Kira stretched and then said, "I gotta go back to the hospital or Tsunade-sama will chew me out again. Thanks for everything, Kaido-nii-chan. I'll see you tomorrow, Kabuto!" Kira let herself out of the room, leaving Kaido and Kabuto sitting on the floor.

A strained silence settled on the two. Kaido finally turned to Kabuto and asked, "You like her, don't you." Actually, he more stated it.

Kabuto flushed a deep red as he stammered out a denial. "N-no. Not like that!"

Kaido grinned and teased, "You liiiiikkkkee her! You like my little sister! You know you do! Have you guys kissed yet? Declared your undying love for one another yet?"

Kabuto glared at the older man. "Fine. I like her. So what? Just because she kissed me when she was drunk does mean that she likes me back."

Kabuto flushed again when he realized what he'd said. Kaido's eyes widened. "My sister got drunk? Whoa! NEVER saw that coming! And she kissed you? Holy mother of God! My sister kissed you!" Kabuto watched as Kaido shook his head, laughing harder then he had in the past few minutes with his sister.

"Don't tell her. I never told her and she doesn't remember."

Kabuto flushed again when the head clan member laughed. "You really think she doesn't remember? Even when the kid was three she had the memory of an adult. She remembers EVERYTHING! Trust me, kid, she remembers. She might not tell you, but she definitely remembers."

Kabuto gaped at Kaido. "You're kidding. She would have said something! She passed out right after she did it!"

Kaido smiled genially. "Trust me Kabuto. She remembers. She probably thinks you don't."

Kabuto stared, confused. "I wasn't drunk. At all."

"Oh. Well then I don't know why she hasn't asked then."

Kabuto shrugged. "Whatever. I figured I'd forget about it. She probably thinks I didn't take it seriously."

Kaido stood up and waved to Kabuto as he walked out of the room. Kabuto tilted his head back to look out the window at the full moon. 'Damn…I'm going back to bed.'

---

Tsunade stared out over the crowd of shinobi and citizens that stood before her. She could pinpoint Naruto with his orange-jumpsuit, Sakura with her pink clothing, and each of the Rookie Nine and Team Gai. She smiled internally when she saw Kira standing with Jin and Toboe, who had awoken the day before. Kabuto stood beside them with his teammates. Tsunade smiled externally for the people and began her speak for the few lost warriors. As she spoke, tears coursed down the cheeks of the fallens' family members, and arms wrapped around bodies as people comforted one another. Finally, she turned her speech to praising the living and the accomplishments of six special shinobi.

Smiling at each of the six, she spoke of their bravery and resilience, of how they fought for Konoha. The crowd cheered, and friends congratulated the six blushing shinobi. Tsunade ended her speech with encouragement to follow in the footsteps of the fallen and the living, to remember their accomplishments and deeds. Tsunade waved to the crowd as they cheered and celebrated the safety of their home.

Tsunade, in her head, began preparing herself to meet Uchiha Sasuke, who had been found and locked away. She expected that he would go on trial and then go to prison. She wasn't looking forward to seeing him.

---

Kabuto walked with Team Koenma as they made their way back to the hospital for their last night there. Uotani had left with his family, Imai had walked away with his mother, who was crying at the loss of her husband. Upon their arrival at the door, Jin and Toboe looked over Kira's head and winked. They claimed they had to leave and briskly walked inside the door.

Kabuto struggled with what to say to Kira. "Has your clan left yet?"

Kira glanced up at Kabuto. "Yup! Rina decided that she would stay here for a while, and then go visit Gaara in Sunagakure. Everyone else is going back to the North. Kaede made me promise to allow her to stay at my apartment next spring; she really wants to get to know me better. Kaido-nii-chan said that I'm allowed to come back whenever I'd like to visit, but for some reason he kept hinting that I won't want to leave Konoha. Do you know what he meant?"

Kira stared up at Kabuto innocently while he scratched the back of his neck. "I don't think he mentioned it while we were talking."

Kira nodded, satisfied. "I guess I should go in before they close up." She smiled up at Kabuto and turned to walk inside.

Kabuto realized, 'crap! That was my chance!' He ran to catch up to Kira and said, "Wait! Uh…" Kabuto quickly lost his confidence when she turned around again. Shaking his head, Kabuto determinedly asked, "Do you remember that you kissed me when you were drunk?"

Kabuto flushed deeply when Kira's mouth dropped open. She colored quickly, the red covering her face. She stammered, "W-what? I-I didn't think you remembered that…"

Kabuto exhaled, relieved that he hadn't surprised her too badly. "Well, y-yeah, I remembered that. Uh…so I was just wondering… doyouwanttogooutsometime?"

"Huh? I didn't catch that…" Kira stared confusedly at Kabuto, her blush still evident on her cheeks.

Kabuto took a deep breath and asked again, "Do you want to go out with me sometime?" He flushed again when his voice cracked horribly on the last syllable.

Kira blushed again and said, "S-sure. I think I-I'd like that." 'God, I sound like Hinata!' Kira cringed at the thought that swept through her head.

Kabuto grinned. "Great! That's g-great! Um…I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"

Kira nodded, and watched silently as Kabuto walked away quickly. She turned and walked into the hospital; blushing even deeper when her friends gently teased her about her blush and, dare I say it, date with Kabuto.

---

Everyone together now! "Awwwwwww!" So cute, isn't it?

Okay. Epilogue I think will be next. Should be up really soon. Or something…

I can't believe this story is ending! -tears- Goodbye my readers!

If you like Harry Potter, read my oneshots! They're pretty good.

TAMX2 taking over momentarily! Yay! Rina and Gaara! I'm soooooo happy! Finally, Libaka got around to it! Okay, that was fun, I'm going now…

Wow, Tam, sometimes you scare me…. Thanks for beta-ing! Anyways,

REVIEW FOR ME!

MWAHs to y'all