Disclaimer: I tried, but sadly I wasn't the highest bidder on eBay, so, no, I don't own Naruto or any of its characters. The same goes for the Yu Yu Hakusho stuff as well.
A/N: Like I've said before, I don't have the blessings of spell check or a beta, so, if there are any mistakes I over looked, I do apologize. Thanks to the one person who reviewed and the two who put this story on their alert list! You've inspired me and sadisticmasochist kitsune to continue this story as well as give it some actual thought.
Warnings: Eh, there might be some OOCness from Naruto or other characters. Not real sure, but here's a heads up anyways. Now!
Chapter Two: Turn of Events
"Please Hokage-sama, you've seen how he can handle the demon's chakra, and that was before Jiraiya-san trained him. You now as well as I do that he's also had experience with fighting Orochimaru, not all of our ANBU have that." A muffled voice could be heard on the other side of an oak door.
"That may be true, but there's no reason I have to send them on such a mission. Since there is no rush, we may wait for some of our operatives to heal."
"But what of Sasuke, he's seen the inside of their compound before and more than likely knows where such information is kept. Both of them are more than qualified for this mission and you know it."
Inside, Tsunade could be seen unmoving by her desk, a look of contemplation on her features.
"Hokag-"
"Hatake-san, I think that is enough, please send them both to my office. You are dismissed."
The door opened and the masked man left without another word, in search of his two former students.
Tsunade walked over to the door and spotted her assistant down the hall. "Shizune!"
Startled, the young woman ran over to her superior. "Yes, Tsunade-sama?"
"Bring the two forgieners to my office at once."
"Yes Ma'am" Shizune quickly bowed and departed.
Tsunade sighed as she leaned against the door frame before waiting in her office.
Hiei glanced over at his drowsing companion. "Kurama what could these ninja hope to accomplish by aiding us?" he questioned reaching out a hand to set on the red heads' shoulder.
Without opening his eyes he answered, "My instincts tell me that Tsunade is trustworthy."
Hiei's gaze hardened, going unnoticed as he admonished Kurama. "Last time you followed your instincts you wound up dead."
With Hiei's last remark, Kurama's eyes snapped open. "Do not condescend me," he growled. "Since when have your instincts been truthful? It was you who led us to get ambushed and you who lead us straight to the wormhole that landed us here."
"Pardon me," a woman's head poked in the door, not waiting for an answer, "but you both need to come with me."
Kurama looked over to the man. "What for?" he questioned.
"The Hokage has requested a meeting with you, in her office," she replied. "Preferably at this moment."
Kurama nodded and stood up. With the assistance of Hiei, they joined the woman at the doorway.
"Lead the way," he said once he was next to the messenger.
As the ninja led them through twisting halls, Hiei glanced around suspiciously. Kurama glanced down at him before fixing his gaze on the path ahead.
"Stop worrying so much. These people are honorable and will not fall back on their word," he said.
"It is neither their word nor the humans that bother me. It is the demons here," Hiei responded.
Before Kurama could question Hiei, they stopped in front of a closed door.
Three hours later, a knock was heard on Tsunade's office door. Literally throwing the door open, she glared at the late jounin. Kakashi glanced at his non-existent watch and went back to reading, "Sorry we're late, I had to help a cat out of a tree."
"For three hours!" the blonde woman exclaimed.
Without looking up form his infamous novel, he shrugged in response.
While Tsunade was pummeling Kakashi, Kurama turned to Naruto.
"Hello little fox" he called.
The blonde looked over at Kurama, "Oh, hey," he gave a sheepish grin. "You got sent here too?"
"More like dragged. But whatever the Hokage commands." he said smiling at Naruto.
"Come on baka, we're here to see Tsunade-sama, not talk" Sasuke said walking in. Naruto looked ready to start an argument, but actually held his comment as all four entered the office.
"Your friend is a little ray of sunshine." Kurama whispered in Naruto's ear.
Moments later Kakashi exited the building bearing a brand new bruise around his only visible eye.
Tsunade entered and sat behind her desk, motioning for Naruto to close the door before beginning to speak.
"I called you all here regarding our little problem. Kurama, I have chosen four ninja to help you both as soon as you're able to travel." She paused, glancing at Sasuke and Naruto.
"May I inquire as to who they are?" Kurama spoke up.
"Here they are," Tsunade nodded to the door as it opened, revealing a blur of green.
'Oh god no... not him' Sasuke mentally thought as they entered.
"Naruto, Sasuke," the blonde woman motioned towards the two newcomers, "Hyuuga Neji and Maito Gai will assist you"
"That's right; it's our pleasure to aid you on your journey back to your home land!" Gai said, flashing a cheesy smile.
Kurama looked from Gai to Sasuke after "hearing" his comment. Stepping forward he addressed the Hokage, "We will be able to leave at dawn."
"Good, you two can leave then," she said, looking at Kurama and Hiei, "I'll tell everyone else to get you at departure, just before dawn. The rest of you," she looked at the four ninja, "stay."
The two demons silently left, closing the door behind them.
"This should be fun, it seems that there is someone who is after the fox's little friend." Kurama commented in the demon tounge. While in the office with Tsunade, he used demon telepathy to sort through Tsunade's mind, learning all the dangers of the sound nins and of Orochimaru himself.
"Hn." was the only response as the two made their way back to the hospital.
"Alright, I know I've already mentioned this, but all of you will escort our newcomers to the Sound. It seems their only way home right now is through a forbidden scroll keep guarded over there. I trust you, Naruto and Uchiha-san, to stay on task and use what you know of Orochimaru and his nins on this assignment. I'm sending you two, Hyuuga-san and Maito-san, to aid them as you're the only jounin I have available at this time." Tsunade continued once the door had been closed.
"Just get in, get the scroll, and get out, it's as simple as that. Avoid casualties on either side. Konoha cannot afford another attack from Orochimaru, and if he finds out that our ninja were deliberately sent to his compound, an attack is likely. Once you're out, perform the jutsu from the scroll and the two demons should make it back to their world."
She paused and looked over at Sasuke, "If you don't make it back for any other reason other than injury or death, I will count you as a missing nin." she said sternly. "That goes for all of you."
"Don't worry Hokage-sama, I will make it my personal duty to make sure all of Konoha's youths are returned without mishaps," Gai spoke up.
She glanced over at him before motioning at the door. "Alright, I want all of you to leave before dawn. Good luck."
Without another word, the ninja left the room.
In the early morning stillness two quiet figures rested and waited for the ninja escort. Kurama looked over to Hiei who sat silent near the bedside.
The door opened and Neji stuck his head in the doorway, "Are you two ready?"
Not replying the two demons simply stood and walked over to him. The six quietly walked out of the sterile hospital and made their way to the edge of the city. Upon arriving at two huge doors, Gai signaled an unseen person and the gate opened, quickly shutting behind them once they were outside the village. They quietly made their way down a used dusty road.
"How far to the Sound?" Kurama asked breaking the silence.
"Around two days and one night's travel north, if we hurry," Sasuke answered.
"If I remember correctly the village is hidden by a powerful gen-jutsu," Neji spoke up, "Do you remember where the village is, Sasuke?"
Said ninja winced at the memory, "No, I was unconscious when I arrived. We'll have to rely on either your Byakugan or my Sharingan for that." Sasuke glanced over at the blonde, "Not that I'm complaining dobe, but you've been unusually quiet."
Naruto looked up at him, brought out of his thoughts. "Oh, um, I've just been thinking a lot lately is all," he replied and gave a small grin.
Sasuke raised an eyebrow, as well as Neji, but neither said anything.
"Apparently they aren't used to the little fox thinking," Kurama remarked to Hiei in their own language.
"That's because foxes never think." Hiei retorted back.
Their comment was ignored as the cheerful jounin began speaking, "Don't worry Naruto, if there's something that troubles you, you can always rely on the help of your comrades."
Neji rolled his eyes at his former sensei.
"Yes," Kurama spoke up, "you could talk to me if you wish."
Naruto glanced over at Kurama, "Uh, I guess I'll talk with you later, when we set up camp that is."
"I would like that very much little fox."
The blonde nodded his head and looked at the path ahead, falling silent once more.
Naruto hammered in the last stake for his tent with a kunai. None of the ninja had expected rain on their journey, so the six had to share three small tents that were brought for such an occasion. The fox-nin tried to ignore Gai's lecture on 'how to build the perfect tent', but laughed at Neji's expense as he received full attention from the green-clad jounin.
Walking up behind Naruto, Kurama laid a hand on his shoulder. "Need any help?"
"No, I just finished," he replied.
"What weighs you down little fox," Kurama suddenly asked.
"...How do you know of Kyuubi?"
"I can hear him."
"I noticed. I can hear your conversations. But, please try to ignore him, he's trying his best to come out and speak, no fight with you, and it's hard for me to control him."
"I will," a pause "I'm not sure if Youko would be able to handle him," Kurama said smiling. "You know he wants out too. But for different reasons."
"Like what?"
"I haven't let him out since the last full moon and he..."
Naruto innocently looked up at Kurama, waiting for an answer.
"...he is bored sitting," Kurama half-way lied, not telling the still young shinobi what the demon was planning after he had his own body. For, obvious reasons of course.
Before the blonde could question Kurama any further, he looked out into the wooded area. Sasuke looked over at the stilled Naruto, feeling the boy's chakra levels rise. "What's wrong dobe?"
Without any chance to reply, a kunai ripped through the trees and barely missed the young Uchiha. Eyes instantly fading to red; the brunette took up a fighting stance, the others doing the same. Hiei joined Kurama next to Naruto as Kurama pulled a rose from his hair.
"What is happening?" Kurama asked.
As if to answer Kurama's question, thirty clones appeared from the forest landscape. All had Sound hitai-ate, and seemed to be controlled by different ninja, a copy of ten from each suspected attacker. As they all encircled the six, Neji responded,
"Ambush."
SMK: Uh...for onceI have nothing to say.
Scooperchan: (gasp) I have no words for your absence of words.
SMK: Please review. It helps witha faster update. (nudgenudgecoughcoughwinkwinkhinthint)
Scooperchan: Next Friday at the earliest.