*I DON'T OWN NARUTO*


Sakura held onto Naruto's arm affectionately as they made their way to the clan meeting. Her head was still spinning from the whirlwind of emotions she had just been immersed in. She was married now, she was officially Uzumaki Sakura, and that was both, wonderful, and terrifying the same time. She had no idea what went on during clan meetings, she had never been to one before, but now she was going to attend one, and as a member of the Uzumaki clan. She squeezed Naruto's arm in an attempt to gather her wits.

"You've been slowly cutting off the circulation to my arm since we left the interrogation building. Is everything okay? You aren't having seconds thoughts about the marriage, are you?"

"No of course not."

"Then what's wrong?"

"I'm just really nervous, this whole clan meeting has me on edge."

"Why?"

"I've never been to one before, and now that I am going everyone will find out that I'm your wife."

"So?"

"People are going to start talking, aren't you worried about that?"

"No, and neither should you."

Sakura sighed heavily.

"You make it sound so easy."

"You're over thinking things Sakura-chan. The clan leaders, and the council, are going to be focusing on arguing amongst each other. Our personal lives won't be their main focus."

"I suppose you're right."

"Of course I am, so don't sweat it."

"So, I've never asked you this before, but how many clan meetings have you been to?"

"This will be my third one."

"I don't want to come off as insensitive but why's your clan included in the meetings if you're the only member?"

Naruto chuckled.

"You aren't being insensitive, it's not like what you said isn't the truth."

Sakura blushed at his response.

"So, what's the reason then?"

"Baa-chan is the reason, she made sure I started attending them once the war was over. She said it would be a great way for me to get experience in village decision making, and politics, crucial practice for her predecessor. Plus it pays homage to the relationship to the Senju and the Uzumaki had years ago."

"I can't believe I never knew this."

"Well I never talk about it."

"Why not?"

"Because those meetings are incredibly boring, that's why," groaned Naruto. "All that ever happens is that the council argues with the clan leaders and Baa-chan is stuck in the middle, that's it. I usually just zone out and fall asleep."

"They're that bad?"

"Yeah, so don't be nervous," reassured Naruto.

"I won't, but only if you promise not to fall asleep," teased Sakura.

"Deal," chuckled Naruto.

They soon approached the council hall building. Several clan leaders, and members, were already making their way inside. Naruto lead Sakura inside and she was in awe when she saw the inside of the building. The council hall was a rectangular two story room, where clan leaders, and their members, sat at individual desks arranged on a tiered semicircle platform that faced a raised and the council we're already seated.

The walls were adorned with silk flags that were adorned with Konoha's village insignia, as well as pictures of prior hokages. Naruto guided Sakura through the rows of filled seats. His seat was always between the the Nara, and Hyuga clan, only this time there was an extra seat for Sakura next to his. They sat down and watched as more people arrived and took their seats. Clan leaders that were already seated were wasting no time in expressing their feelings about Fuyu's room continued to fill until only a trickle of people were coming inside. Tsunade rose from her seat and a hush fell over her audience.

"I'm sure all of you have a lot of concerns and questions about the attack that occurred about an hour ago. That's why I decided to hold this emergency clan meeting. Let me start by saying that the individuals responsible for the attacks have been apprehended, and they are currently being interrogated. With that said certain safety precautions need to be taken to ensure that our villagers stay safe. A curfew will be held until further notice, as well as our borders being temporarily shut down."

The room buzzed with rapid discussion. Some shinobi shook their heads in agreement, while others, shook their heads sternly in disagreement.

"What's going to be done about Sasuke?" Asked a Hyuga member.

"Yes how are we going to retaliate?"

"Closing our borders and initiating a curfew isn't necessarily going to be a sign of power, something must be done."

"I agree, we cannot let the enemy win by sheltering ourselves and hiding!"

Hushed whispered filled the room, as everyone debated amongst themselves. Sakura looked over at Naruto. He hadn't voiced his personal opinion on the matter, but his expression showed that he was listening intently to everyone.

"Let me stress that we are not going to sit idly by, Sasuke's actions show that his hostility for his home is stronger than ever. I have a team of individuals working on the decoding the virus that has been engineered to attack us. I will also be enlisting my pupil Sakura to help with the deciphering. On top of that I want a tactical team to be assembled here and now."

People looked around back and forth, Sakura felt her face flush when people started noticing that she was present, and that she was sitting next to Naruto. It was clear that a lot of people were confused, but everyone's attention was cut short when Tsunade cleared her throat.

"I have compiled a list of individuals that will make up the team. They are as follows, Neji, Sai, Kiba, Lee, and leading them will be Naruto."

Homura and Koharu looked at one another, it was clear that they didn't exactly agree with the Naruto being the team captain.

"Honestly Tsunade is it wise to have Naruto leading this team? His connection with Sasuke is far too personal and on top of that Sakura is pregnant. If Sasuke were to find out he could use that against him," huffed Koharu.

"Koharu is right," replied Homura.

His gaze landed on Sakura, he then looked over at Tsunade.

"Haruno Sakura's presents screams suspicious. Just what did you do Tsunade?" Asked Homura.

"Whoa, whoa, don't talk about me and my,wife like we're not here," said Naruto as he stood up from his seat."

"My goodness, for once you aren't asleep," leered Koharu.

"Wife?! Honestly Tsunade why on Earth are you encouraging this?"

"I'm not encouraging anything, Sakura is 18 years old, and she has every right to get married if she so chooses too."

"That may be so, but Naruto isn't, he's still 17."

"Do you really think this is a time or place to be talking about Naruto and Sakura's personal affairs?"

"..."

"I find it curious that you two so easily forget that I am not only Naruto's guardian, but Hokage, and I approved their marriage."

"This is preposterous Tsunade.."

"I'm not saying anything else about their new union, because it's not the topic we should be focusing on."

"Tsunade is right Koharu, we mustn't get off track."

The elder woman gathered herself as she let out a drawn out breath. She nodded in agreement at her old teammate, though it was more then clear that she had more to say to Naruto and Sakura.

"So then Naruto, do you really think you're up to this? Let us not forget this is not the first time that you are on a retrieval team whose objective is to capture Sasuke. We all know how that mission turned out," said Homura.

"Things got complicated last time, and I've learned my lesson since then. There's no way in hell I'm going to let him get away this time. No matter what I'm ending this."

"And what makes you so sure that this time you'll succeed? We've heard promises from you before regarding Sasuke Naruto, and sadly we've been disappointed in the past."

"Simple, a lot more is at stake," said Naruto as he looked down at Sakura. "I've had my family taken away from me once, I won't let that happen again."


Sakura unpacked some of her belongings, while a few of Naruto's clones moved around the furniture in the living room. Naruto had created a few clones for Sakura when he dropped her off at her apartment. With their help she had moved all of her belongings from her apartment over to his place,and she was now officially moved in. It was a good thing that Naruto had left her some clones, had it not been for them, and Lee's team, they would have been stuck in the rain. The weather had changed drastically after the clan meeting, rain clouds had started to hang over them as they made their way towards apartment building.

Now all of that was behind her, and the thought of beginning a new chapter with Naruto gave Sakura butterflies in her stomach. She happily made her way to the kitchen while Naruto's clones argued over the placement of the couch. She filled a tea kettle with water, and placed it on the stove. She was making her way back into the living when she heard the arguing amongst the clones stop. They all looked at the front door, and then at Sakura, then they each waved goodbye, and in an instant they dispersed into plume of white smoke.

Perplexed Sakura walked towards the fading smoking when suddenly Naruto barged into his apartment. Sakura quickly looked in his direction, he was soaking wet, and clearly in a bad mood. He slammed the door behind him and stormed inside. Sakura watched silently as he began to remove his wet clothing.

"What's wrong?"

"We aren't heading to Kumogakure, instead we're all stuck here until further notice."

"I thought Tsunade-sama said you were leaving once the prisoners were fully interrogated?"

"Well that was the plan, until that big busted lady from Kumogakure showed up with some other shinobi at Baa-chan's office."

"Who are you talking about?"

"Oh god what's her name," groaned Naruto as he pulled off his soaked jacket. "I think her name is Samui."

"Oh you mean that blonde haired women that came here once with Killer B's student's right?"

"Yeah that's the one, she arrived at Hokage tower with her team right after Baa-chan and I got there. She came with a message from the Raikage. Apparently he's closed the borders to Kumogakure to ensure that Sasuke doesn't escape, which means he's purposefully denying us access to search."

"What did Tsunade-sama say then?"

"She said that if the Raikage says we can't go, then we can't go. If we did we'd be trespassing, and Baa-chan doesn't want to have to deal with all the red tape that's involved with that. So we're to stay here until further notice. We can't even have border patrol because the ANBU are in charge of that."

"Did Samui say anything else?"

"She probably did but I was so pissed I tuned her out."

"Naruto.."

"Look, I'm going to take a shower to clear my head, I'll be back."

Sakura watched Naruto as he made his way into the restroom. She was debating on whether she should join him when the whistling of the hot tea kettle caught her attention. She poured herself a cup of tea and walked back to the couch. She sat silently as she pondered the news Naruto had just given her. It wasn't the best news, but part of her couldn't help but feel a little relieved, Naruto wouldn't be leaving so soon.

She sat there for quite sometime, and the next thing she knew her cup was empty.

The need for more tea pulled her away from her got up from the couch and made her way back to the kitchen for a refill. Naruto walked into the living as Sakura poured herself another cup of hot tea.

"Can you pour me a cup too?" Asked Naruto as he sat on the couch.

"Sure," replied Sakura as she reached into a nearby cabinet for an extra cup.

Naruto was drying his hair with a towel when she approached him. He was dressed in his normal civilian clothes, which was composed of his orange pants and black shirt. Sakura handed him his cup once he rested the towel over his shoulder. Naruto took a sip of tea and sighed deeply.

"I'm sorry for being a jerk."

"You weren't being a jerk, I understand how you feel," reassured Sakura as she nestled herself next to him.

"No, I can't be dumping my emotional baggage on you. Being stuck here is frustrating, but I know better, I shouldn't be focusing on setbacks, instead I need to be patient and let things work themselves out."

"That's my Naruto," cooed Sakura.

She leaned towards him and kissed his lips softly. Naruto gladly returned the kiss as she wrapped her delicate arms around his neck. Before they could further their affection towards one another there was a knock at the door. Without saying a word Naruto reluctantly pulled away from Sakura so he could answer it. Shikamaru was on the other side, clearly drenched from the rain, so Naruto moved aside so his friend could come inside.

"Wow, it's really coming down isn't it," said Sakura as she watched Shikamaru shake his head.

"Yeah it is," said Shikamaru.

"So what's up? I doubt you were out taking a leisurely stroll," said Naruto.

"I needed to deliver some paperwork to Sakura."

"Paperwork, for me?"

"That's right, you and I are now officially partners. Tsunade-sama wants me to be paired up with a medic since she can't be spread out too thinly. She has to keep in touch with the other villages, the shinobi alliance, and the council. So she has a lot on her plate right now."

"And the food?" Asked Naruto as he inhaled the savory aroma coming from a bag his friend was carrying.

"Oh this, it's a last minute wedding present."

"..."

"Classy I know, but you really didn't give anybody a chance to plan properly you know," said Shikamaru as he handed Naruto the bag of food.

"What can I say, you know I'm not one for plans."

"Yeah well congratulations, dinner's on me, and all the paperwork is in the same bag as the food. It's in a manila folder."

"Thank you Shikamaru. Would you like me to get you a towel? You can dry up and we can work together."

"Thanks, but I still gotta check on Kurenai-sensei."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah I bought her dinner too since it's raining. Mirai doesn't really give her much of a chance to cook," said Shikamaru as he lifted a second bag.

"Alright, tell her, and her cutie pie daughter, that we say hello."

"Will do, let me know if you figure out anything Sakura. My notes are in there along with what Tsunade-sama has gathered. Hopefully with the three of us we can figure this out."

"Of course, I'll do my best. I'll keep you posted if I find anything."

"Sounds like a plan."

"Thanks again for dinner."

"My pleasure, laters you two."

With that said, Shikamaru reluctantly let himself out. Before he was fully out the door Naruto threw an umbrella at him.

"Catch."

"Thanks, and congratulations again."

"See ya Shikamaru," said Naruto before he closed the door.

"That was awful sweet of him."

"You know Shikamaru, he has his moments," said Naruto as he searched the take out bag.

"Nice, he got us okonomiyaki."

"Awesome, let's eat here in the living room. I can look over the notes while staying comfortable on the couch."

"Yeah and I need to get my mission report started."

After a little setting up Naruto and Sakura were knee deep in paperwork and takeout boxes. Sakura ate her okonomiyaki silently as she read over the paperwork Shikamaru had brought her. Naruto on the other hand was chewing on his pencil while looking up at the ceiling.

"You do realize you're just wasting time," said Sakura.

"I can't help it, writing reports is freakishly boring."

"Isn't this your first official report though?"

"Yeah, and it's even worse than I imagined."

"You're unbelievable,"chucked Sakura. "How in the world do you expect to handle all the paperwork that comes with being Hokage?"

"Baa-chan never does paperwork and she's a great Hokage," said Naruto confidently.

Sakura peered over her notes and raised one of her eyebrows at Naruto's answer.

"The point of being someone's successor is to be better than they were Naruto. So that means that unlike Tsunade-sama you will most certainly be doing your paperwork," said Sakura. "So stop daydreaming and get to work."

"Alright I'm going," groaned Naruto.

For the next hour the two love birds said nothing. Naruto had finally gotten into his stride with writing and was working diligently, while Sakura was getting enthralled with Kabuto's notes. Apparently they were recovered by Kakashi and Anko, they found his journal in an old hideout of Orochimaru's. Sakura wasn't sure if they were left there on purpose since it was conveniently the only real thing of interest in the abandoned facility. Sakura continued to browse through the journal when she came upon a culture slide that was taped to a page. She remembered seeing a small rectangular box that was filled with more slides, in the folder Shikamaru had given her, so she decided to compare them all. She carefully opened the box and examined each of the slides.

"This is really interesting. I've never seen anything like this before," whispered Sakura. "Naruto can you please hand me my medical book on viruses?"

"Sure."

"It's cover is blue, it's in a box labeled textbooks in the bedroom."

Naruto walked to his bedroom and after a few minutes he returned with Sakura's desired book. He handed it over and Sakura wasted no time in flipping through its pages. She found what she was looking for and began skimming the text for a certain passage.

"Did you find something interesting?" Asked Naruto as he looked over Sakura's shoulder.

"I think so. Look at these, they're microscopic cell cultures of the virus. The first one comes directly from Kabuto's journal. This one right here is from the strain we dealt with here in the village. The last one was removed from the corpse during its autopsy. If you notice each photo is drastically different."

"And this means..."

"That this virus is being engineered by people, but I can't help but feel like I'm missing something."

"Like what?"

"Well take this for instance," said Sakura as she handed Naruto one of the slides. "Kabuto's slide doesn't look like a virus at all."

"It doesn't?"

"No, the protein shell around the virus particle doesn't look like protein at all."

"Well I have no idea what a protein shell is supposed to look like, but if you ask me it kind of looks like chakra, don't you think?" Chuckled Naruto.

"Oh my god, that's it Naruto, that's why there is no cure!"

"Uhhhh?"

"Kabuto tricked us into thinking we were dealing with a new flu strain by altering its structure each chance he had. However what we're really been dealing with is some sort of jutsu that's been infused with a virus strain. This protein shell is actual chakra protecting the virus!"

"Woah…"

"It's crazy I know but this would explain Fuyu's snarky little comment."

"You can't cure a jutsu," whispered Naruto.

"Exactly, the only way this virus can be stopped is for it to be released by the person behind its creation."

"So what happens when that jutsu is released?"

"Then the virus nucleus that the chakra is protecting will attack the host's body. Since this virus doesn't exist in nature there's no way of telling what it's capable of, but I can promise you it isn't going to be something as simple as the flu."

"So why was everyone getting sick then?"

"I guess it was a decoy to make Tsunade think that it was just a new version of the flu. The antidote she made did cure the symptoms, but the actual virus is still intact and dormant inside its hosts."

"I remember Fuyu said something about an incubation time. Maybe Sasuke needs more time before he can release the jutsu?"

"Maybe, but we have no idea how many days, weeks, or months we have. Plus the list of the infected is pretty long. This means that once Sasuke-kun is ready we automatically lose all these shinobi. Our defenses will be cut in half. This will be the case in all the other shinobi villages as well."

"Who would we lose?"

"Let's see, we'd be without Ebisu, Shizune, Yamoto, Guy, Kushushi, Iyashi, and Kito, and that's just the first page. The last three are high rank medics."

"Losing them would hit us hard. Sasuke's planning on crippling us slowly, and when the time is right he'll release the jutsu and strike."

"This is horrible, I'm just glad that no one else has gotten sick, especially you."

"Well I wouldn't worry about that, I've never been sick before in my life."

"Are you serious?"

"Yeah, the Kyuubi ensures that my immune system is more complex and powerful than your average humans."

"Well thank god for that," sighed Sakura. "Tsunade-sama's chakra reserves on her forehead kinda works the same way, which would explain why she and I didn't get sick."

"It's a good thing too Sakura-chan. Sasuke is going be surprised to see that our Hokage won't be out for the count."

"You're right Naruto, losing her would be devastating. We need to hurry and head to Hokage tower. Tsunade-sama needs to hear this so we can think of a solution before it's too late."


Naruto and Sakura watched in slience as Tsunade took in the news.

"I don't know what's more astonishing, the fact that Kabuto was able to create something like this, or the fact that you were able to figure it out Sakura."

"Thank you Tsunade-sama."

"Any idea how to handle this Baa-chan?"

"I wish I did, but this is something we've never seen before."

"May I success something?"

"Please, by all means Sakura.

"Why don't we create a synthetic protein to try and coat the chakra shell? Perhaps an extra shell will disrupt the chakra, leaving the virus vulnerable."

"That's actually a good idea. I'll get everyone started on it immediately, with your help of course Sakura. It's going to take all of our minds to make this a success."

"Yes of course, you can count on me."

Naruto stepped forward.

"I have to be honest you two, I really don't understand any of this stuff, but do you think there really is a chance of this working?"

"Well Naruto nothing like this has ever been done before, but if Kabuto was able to create this virus, then there's no reason why we can create something to counteract it. We mustn't forget, there is much at stake here."

"That's right, there are other villages that have infected people too."

"Precisely Sakura, what progress we make on a cure is going to affect everyone else. I'm going to have to hold yet another meeting to inform everyone of this new development. You two go ahead and head back home. I'll let you know as soon as I hear word from the Raikage and the status of his village borders Naruto. Until then you and your team, are to stay here until further notice."