The scene sets out showing the village of Konoha. Many villagers were walking around chatting amongst themselves. It looked like just an average day for anyone who lived there happy people laughing and excited for some sort of festival.

The Kite Fighting Festival!

There were many stands selling all sorts of kites as well as many food stands with a variety of different kinds of street foods. Kira was walking around enjoying the warm weather, watching random kids run around with their own fights. She was supposed to meet Naruto around here.

She found a fried squid vender and bought one medium sized squids, she didn't know how hungry Naruto might be so she went for one size up. Then went to a Takoyaki stand and grabbed a small order. She only had a little bit of money left but figured this would be enough for the two of them.

Sasuke caught sight of the pretty young girl clutching onto his older brother's hand. They were about to meet up with their parents to see the Kite Fights together. A large blush made its way to his face staring at her. Itachi was quick to take notice of his brother's stare.

"So thats her." Of course Itachi knew all too well how his younger brother felt for the girl. He talked about her to him whenever he got a chance to.

"She's so pretty, and talented. She's one of the best in my class." The two watched her run over to a bench a few feet away. Her black backpack bouncing as she ran, her gray hair in a loose braid swung back and forth on the side of her face. She looked so giddy.

"Why does she have her backpack on?" Itachi questioned already knowing the answer. Sasuke had told him before. He just liked the way Sasuke spoke about her, it reminded Itachi of when he first met his Izumi.

Sasuke grinned loving the idea to talk about Kira. "She always has that on. My classmates think she sleeps in it. But she has everything in there. Notes, weapons, snacks. Anything Kira and Naruto might need." He grumbled Naruto's name as he sent the blond haired boy a glare. He was walking down the road looking around trying to find her.

Itachi pulled his younger brother to a small shop to look over the items they were selling so that no one would question why they were watching the two children.

"Naru!" Kira squealed in her high voice. Naruto made it to her side quickly sitting beside her and taking the friend squid she extended. Naruto let out a excited thanks and took a large bite, enjoying the flavor. Sasuke grumbled wishing Kira would share her food with him.

"Come on. Lets meet Mother and Father. They're expecting us." Itachi instructed tugging his brother along again. Sasuke didn't want to join his parents but followed Itachi knowing he would be right. Father hated lateness. Sasuke cast one more glance over at Kira before walking off.

"Where's Kakashi?" Naruto asked looking around the village to hopefully see the older male.

"Kashi's on a mission. I'm sure he'll be back soon!" Naruto nodded taking another bite of his squid. "We better hurry, the fights will start soon!" She ushered finishing her Takoyaki and running over towards one of the many trash cans throughout the village and chucking her trash.

Naruto picked up the black backpack off the ground throwing it on his shoulders and chased after his best friend through the village. The two giggled over who would win the race. Naruto and Kira paused when the reached the center. "Here ya go!" Naruto took the backpack off his shoulders and extended his small arm to his best friend.

"Thanks Naru!" She grinned leaning over and placing a kiss on his cheek. Naruto's cheeks flushed but never lost his grin. The walk hand in hand to get a better look. There were so many kites in the sky, dancing with the fluffy white clouds.

Adults started to whisper whenever they saw the blonde haired boy. Looks of disgust crossed some of their faces. Kira glared at the ground, her hands clenched into fists as the anger started to take over. "It's okay…" Naruto muttered softly placing his hand over hers, wanting to calm his very best friend down.

"No it's not. They're being... assholes." She grinned. Kakashi never let her curse and get away with it but with him gone she could curse all she wanted, plus she just learned that one and Naruto found it hilarious whenever she used one of them.

He didn't laugh this time though, he cracked a grin and pulled her into a hug. He always hated that the adults were so mean to him for no reason but at least someone was by his side.

Sasuke's eyes widen seeing Kira and Naruto appear. They were going to be near him again! Itachi chuckled to himself getting a strange look from their parents. Sasuke's happy mood turned sour when he saw Sakura and Ino. They were always making fun of his Kira.

"Oh great it's Naruto and Kira." Sakura groaned glaring at the two behind her stood Ino with just as an annoyed face as Sakura.

"Why are you two here?" Sakura's shrill voice yelled her pink eyebrows knitted together as she tried to figure out why those two kids were at the festival.

"Why wouldn't we be here? It's the Kite Flying Festival. It's for everyone." Kira spoke in a matter of fact tone, leaning forward some in a 'I'm not scared of you' way. Sakura didn't seem intimidated at all. None of them did. Ino let out a huff of annoyance. From Sasuke's view he thought she could be a little intimidating but she looked more cute than scary to him.

"Sasuke do you want to go say hi to your friends?" His mother asked noticing his stare. Sasuke's face heated up looking at the ground having been caught staring. He shook his head, he didn't want to bother Kira right now. He'd see her at school.

"Great, just what the day needs. They're going to ruin the festival!" Ino whined to Sakura.

"I know! Every time Naruto and Kira are at these functions something always goes wrong and it's their fault." Sakura crossed her arms over her chest trying (and failing) to look scary.

"Thats not true and you know it." Kira snapped. Naruto stayed quiet, why were they always like this? All he wanted was to enjoy today's festival. He didn't even do anything. Not today anyway, he saved up some of the little money he had to go to the festival today. Why were they acting like this? Why did they always treat him like this? "Why don't you just leave us alone. We're not even bothering you."

Shikamaru's eyes opened as he watched the argument, studying everyone's behaviors. "You're breathing aren't you?" Ino snickered causing Sakura to join in.

"Lets just go…" Naruto muttered tugging on her arm. "We can still see the kites over there." he motioned towards the farthest way back. He didn't want to be around these people anyway…

Kira narrowed her eyes at the small group of children trying to ruin their good day. "Fine. But I'm not leaving because they're trying to make us. I'm only okay with leaving because of you." Naruto nodded accepting her reasoning.

Naruto and Kira left, Kira letting out a hmph sound as they walked away. "Good now we don't need to see Naruto's ugly face anymore." Ino laughed.

"I can't believe they show their faces in public. I mean seriously no one likes him."

"Naruto's by far the biggest idiot alive I mean…" Ino cried out in pain feeling a body slam into hers, tackling her to the ground as a fist started to slam repeatedly into her perfect face over and over again.

"Take it back!" Kira yelled pulling at the blondes hair as hard as she could, ignoring her own pain as Sakura tried to pull Kira off her best friend. Ino pushed on Kira's face trying to get her off her. "Take back what you said!" Scuffs and scrapes appeared on both girls bodies as they scratched and clawed at one another.

Naruto stared wide eyed at the fight going on, not realizing the two girls were staring to get a crowd. Sakura's screaming made that one easy. Itachi watched Sasuke stare in awe, heart shaped eyes as he watched the gray haired girl fight.

Two adults came by breaking the girls apart. Kira still trying to bite the bratty blonde haired girl and growling like an animal. She stopped fighting when she realized she couldn't win.

"Knock it off you two! Now whats going on here?" one of the ANBU's spoke staring at both girls. Kira glared at Ino hatefully.

"Take it back!" Ino cried hugging onto the woman holding her.

"She's crazy! She attacked Ino out of nowhere!" Sakura cried tears streaming down her face as she ran to Ino's side.

"It's true!" Ino sobbed.

"You liar! She was talking bad about…" Kira growled only the adults didn't seem to care. Ino and Sakura had the adults believing them over Kira. Naruto rushed over to Kira's side looking her over and pulling her out of the man's grip.

Sasuke's father huffed shaking his head disappointed in the scene in front of him. Sasuke noticed his mother had a sad look on her face watching the two kids fight on the ground. He noticed something going on in his mothers head, but didn't know what.

"So this is your doing huh? I'm not surprised." Kira growled glaring at the man's insults. "Don't think Lord Hokage won't hear about this."

"Good! Let him hear about this!" Kira snarled gripping onto Naruto's hand "At least he'd listen to both sides of the argument before passing judgement!" Sasuke's heart hammered in his chest. She was so strong willed, so passionate. She was perfect. "Lets go Naru, they're all a bunch of idiots!" She insulted glaring at the adults doing nothing to speak up for her or her friend. They all had glares on their faces and looked at the two kids like they were better off dead.

Sasuke glanced up at his brother and wondered if he should check on Kira and Naruto. He might not like Naruto but he wanted to make sure Kira was okay. She had scratch marks surrounding her face and her tight braid was lose and had strands of hair thrown all over the place.

"What a disgraceful girl." Sasuke heard his father mutter staring at the two walk by.

"No she's not! I think she's amazing." Sasuke sighed a goofy grin on his face. His mother giggled to herself returning to normal. She was loving how her son was acting.

"You think this now, but later you'll realize the truth." Sasuke shook his head refusing to believe Kira could be anything but amazing. He didn't like his father talking bad about Kira. She would make a great wife!

"I don't think so father, she was only sticking up for her friend. And wasn't it you who said that when looking for a companion you should pick someone strong enough to fight for themselves as well as those around them." Itachi quotes giving Sasuke a small grin.

"I'm going to marry her one day." Sasuke's parents shared a look but it was his mother who spoke. She crouched down so that she was eye level with her youngest son.

Sasuke stared at his mother worried. "If you think she is worthy of being your wife then marry that girl." Sasuke grinned. The world around them turned dark. People were disappearing one by one till it was only Sasuke and his wonderful mother.

"Mom?"

"You have to get stronger sweetie." Her soft voice cooed, her hand reached out and placed it on his cheek. "You must for me."

"I'm am mother." Sasuke was now his current age holding onto his mothers hand while she held him. He didn't realize how badly he missed her. His heart constricted in his chest, and he tried his best to keep his emotions in check. He could smell her perfume, her warm fingers resting against his face, the way her soft voice echoed through the darkness.

"I know dear, but you must avenge us. The longer you lay waiting Itachi is growing stronger. Kira needs you to protect her. You don't want your brother to take her from you, do you?"

Anger coursed through Sasuke's system, no. He didn't want that bastards hands anywhere near his woman. "It is your job to protect her," Sasuke nodded staring at his mother feeling like himself again. "Grow stronger and revive our clan, only you can do this. My dear sweet boy, I believe in you."

Sasuke watched his mother disappeared and he was left alone in the dark. He had to get stronger. He would but how? What was he to do?

Kira huffed and puffed as she sat leaning against a tree. Her body sore in places she never expected to be sore. She felt like her body was burning from the inside out, there was no possible way she was actually burning...right? She was a dragon holder. She was supposed to be able to deal flames. Isn't that what Kaida had said?

Kira hadn't spoken with the demon in a while now. It's been six days and she believed she was almost there. She had barely been back to the hotel, getting bits of food she found and staying close to a spring of water. She had everything she needed, though she worried over Naruto. She hadn't been back to even see if he was doing okay.

Tomorrow would be the day that Naruto would have to show Tsunade his jutsu. They had barely spoken but it was possibly for the best. Naruto needed to focus on training and didn't need any distractions. He had to if he was going win.

She saw Jiraiya once throughout the week. He watched her practice then said to keep it up, she figured that meant she was on the right path. That was three days ago. Right now her body was covered in dirt and scuff marks. Her face was red and her fingers felt rough, rougher than they usually were. Everything felt like it was tearing and ripping. She wondered what Gaara would think if he saw her like this, covered in cuts and bruises, burn marks. Would he find her disgusting? Or would he like it?

She let out a groan limping as she walked towards the hotel again. She was glad the building helped support her weight as she walked. "Just a few hours...that's all I need. Just a few hours…" She muttered to herself. It was the middle of the day. Many people would be eating some meals or relaxing. Kira didn't need to eat, she just wanted to get some sleep.

Up ahead a tall woman was walking towards her, head down, lost in her own thoughts. Squinting her eyes she tried to get a better view, pausing in her steps she put her full weight on the building beside her.

"Ts-tsunade?" She mumbled staring at the woman confused. What was she doing here? Wouldn't she be off with Jiraiya?

Said woman looked up seeing the utterly exhausted teen. Long gray hair pulled into a ponytail sent out in all sorts of directions, burns around her lips, dark bags under her eyes, dirt clinging to her clothes and exposed skin. Dried blood ran along her hands, legs. She looked like she was about ready to fall.

"What are you...doing here?" her voice sounded hoarse, like she was about to lose her voice. Her breathing was ragged and uneven. Tsunade stared at the girl for a moment or two before walking over placing her hand on the girls head. Kira wobbled backwards trying to clutch onto the wall.

"You're burning up." Kira shook her head, clenching her eyes tightly.

"I'm fine…" She muttered waiting for the wave of dizziness to move on. "I just need...some sleep…" it hurt to breath.

"Sit down."

"I'm okay." She urged trying to push forward. She still didn't like this lady. Tsunade let out a grunt and swiped Kira's legs out from under her letting her fall to the ground on her butt. Kira let out a hiss of pain glaring up at the woman. "Hey."

Tsunade went into doctor mode, she grumbled as she checked over the young teen. "Shut up." Kira watched the women's hands turn green, instead of seeing a bright vibrant blue they were green, she scrunched her eyebrows together confused. Sure she read about healing jutsu's being the color green but she's never seen it in person.

She felt her insides feel better but still felt utterly exhausted. "Why can't you come back with us?" She mumbled feeling her body start to shut down. "You're the best aren't you?" Tsunade glanced at the girl's eyes starting to shut.

"You could say that." Tsunade muttered checking the girls temperature.

"Will you teach me...I need to...learn…" her eyes shut completely and she was knocked out. Tsunade sighed shaking her head, she was getting too old for this. Reaching down she picked the girl up and carried her back the hotel room with Naruto and Shizune. Stepping over the woman's body she placed the girl on the opposite bed. She shook her head and left once more.

She had work to do.

Kira gasped shooting up from sleep. Looking around she didn't know what happened, she was on her way back to the hotel when she fell asleep...how did she get here? Looking over Naruto was stretching and getting ready to get up again.

"Morning Kira," Naruto grinned. He looked well rested and hyped with energy. "When'd you get in?" Kira held her head, her fingers felt the top of her horns under her bandana. She gave a half smile knowing it didn't slip. She didn't want to deal with the strange looks from new people.

"I don't know...I must have passed out last night in the road or something. I was on my way back here." Kira shrugged, shifting to get out of bed, her muscles screamed in protest at being used again. The rest was not long enough. "How's your training going?"

"I almost got the hang of it. I need a few more hours and I'll have it mastered! What about you?" Naruto sat cross legged on his bed staring at his best friend waiting for her to speak.

"I'm having trouble and keep burning myself in the process." She frowned hunching her shoulders over and staring at the ground. "I'll get the hang of it though, I should have it down in the next few days maybe." She perked herself back up forcing a determined look on her face.

The two stood from their respective beds and looked on the floor noticing the woman passed out on the ground. "What?" They gave each other a confused look before crouching down and nudging the woman. "Hey," Naruto poked trying to wake the woman. "Hey you." Naruto called again.

She was starting to wake up. "Hey you doing okay?" Kira called staring at the woman confused. What kind of woman would just take a nap on the ground.

"O-oh no!" Shizune screamed sitting up looking around feeling horrible right now, pain was evident but she tried to push past it. "Wh-what day is today?!" She screamed a nervous look in her eyes and voice.

"Uh...it's Monday…" Naruto gave Kira a 'is she joking' kind of look before getting ready to leave. Shizune gave Naruto a confused look having seen him completely worn out yesterday, he shouldn't be able to move.

"What?"

"You feel okay?" Shizune was starting to feel better but couldn't stand up just yet.

"Ever since I was a kid, I've been able to recover from practically any injury after only one single night sleep." Naruto explained looking ready for anything now.

Shizune cringed trying to make a stand. She needed to get out of here. She needed to stop Tsunade! "What happened to you?" Kira muttered squatting down to her level looking her over. Her hand raised to to rest on the woman's shoulder.

"I'm fine I just…" She watched the girl's eyes turn bright blue and felt a cool water wrap around her stomach. She felt like she was floating in a river but couldn't get over her shock. Her pain was drifting away like a current.

Naruto grinned at the surprised expression on the older womans face. "Yeah Kira's the best healer I know. But where's that annoying old lady? Today's the promised day! I might not have perfected it in training yet, but there's nothing like game day pressure!"

Shizune shot up knocking Kira backwards onto her butt. The blue light dimmed returning her eye color to the original crimson color. She stared at the woman confused. "Naruto, Kira, you stay two stay here!" She cried trying to jump out the window.

Thump.

Kira and Naruto joined Shizune to look out the window confused. A kunai was embedded into side of the window.

"Pervy Sage?" Naruto muttered confused. "Jiraiya?" Kira spoke the same time with Naruto. They stare at the old man confused.

"Hold up...Shizune…" Jiraiya looked dead on his feet, huffing and struggling to stand on his own. After sitting down, Shizune, Kira, and Naruto sat around him waiting for him to speak. "Tsunade drugged my drink." He explained.

Naruto didn't like that. He shot up and gave Jiraiya a death glare. "You, who keeps bragging about how great a ninja he is?! So wrong man! Did you fall for some pervy attack or something?!"

"Shut up!"

"How was she able to drug you though? Weren't you paying attention?" Kira crossed her arms over her chest staring at the man. Naruto was right, Jiraiya is constantly telling them how amazing he is. So he should have had his guard up at least around her.

"She may be rusty, but she's still a medic specialist, she's the only one who can compound a tasteless and odorless drug that can be used against other shinobi...although I can't believe she was able to slip it to me, no matter how drunk I was." Shizune grunted listening to Jiraiya speak of Lady Tsunade.

'I would never have guessed that Lord Jiraiya himself would show up here. Now this is really getting troublesome...my best course is withdraw and prepare to report to Lord Orochimaru. Even you two are here interesting…'

Kira spun her head around looking in all directions. "Shizune was there anyone else with Orochimaru when you saw him." Kira spoke up still glancing around the hairs on the back of her neck stood up. They were being watched. Or were.

Shizune's eyes were wide staring at the girl shocked. "Why don't you start spilling? What all you've been chatting with Orochimaru about."

Shizune's head hung as she spoke. Her hair was covering her face. "I wanted to trust Lady Tsunade...thats why I didn't speak up sooner...but now…" Shizune stood up there was no time to waste. "There's very little time, please come with me I'll explain everything on the way!"

"Sure thing!"

"I'm coming too!" Shizune told her tale in great detail and the group jumped through the tree's to where Orochimaru and Tsunade would be. Apparently Tsunade was at first not even going to try and help Orochimaru and heal his arms but at the offer of bringing back her younger brother and her boyfriend she was considering it.

"How could he possibly bring back the dead? Isn't that imposible?" Kira called jumping off another branch, Naruto was doing some sort of monkey jumps as he listened in on the group of adults talk. The way he was jumping looked a lot like the pig.

"It is possible but very complicated. There was only a handful of people who knew how to." The way Jiraiya said that made her skin crawl. She didn't want to know what happened to those people, for all she knew they could be alive and well. But how he said it made her think differently.

"But of course the old woman is going to say no." The look on Jiraiya's face proved he wasn't sure.

'I might have to kill Tsunade.' Kira shook her head jumping faster. "Shizune who was Orochimaru with? Whoever is working him knows we're here and is going to tell him."

Shizune started to pick up her pace. "There was a teenager, older than you and Naruto. I've never met him before but I'm sure he's smart. We must hurry." The four of them found the meeting point was in shambles. Craters and ditches were destroyed. Tsunade must have refused.

'At least she came to her senses.' Kira thought shaking her head.

'I can't believe she almost said yes, what do you think happened?' Naruto surveyed the area looking for anything that could be a clue.

'I don't know...but there's no time to lose.' Everyone shot forward, Kira grabbed the single kunai off the ground. She didn't know who it belonged to but an extra weapon could never hurt, especially if they were going to go up against Orochimaru. Tonton the pig ended up getting their scents and we shot after, following the nose of a pig, Kira never thought she'd ever say that in her life. The run felt like hours when in reality it was only a few minutes.

Jiraiya arrived just in time to protect Tsunade from death. When the smoke cleared Naruto and Kira found out the horrible truth of who was working with Orochimaru.

Kabuto.

"Ka...Kabuto?" Naruto stuttered staring at the taller male. Kira couldn't believe it sure when she first met the guy he was strange but...he couldn't possibly be...he couldn't be working for Orochimaru.

Kira couldn't find words to speak, Kabuto was an enemy to the leaf. Was he part of what happened at the end of the chunin exams? He had to have been, he's working for Orochimaru!

"Hey Naruto, Kira…" Kabuto grinned giving a mock wave.

"How could...why would…" The questions started to come forward only to change again and again. She couldn't take her eyes off him. That sneaky little bastard!

Jiraiya spoke to himself smirking some at the situation "Well it seems like these three know each other." Tsunade growled throwing Jiraiya out of the way knocking him off balance as she shot forward getting ready to end Kabuto's life.

Kabuto hissed shimmying his body till his Kunai sliced open his wrist, sending blood all over the woman. She stood frozen giving Kabuto the perfect chance to send her flying backwards. Shizune caught the woman flying backwards, sending the two to the ground.

"Hey! Hey! Whats going on here? Why are you fighting Granny Tsunade, Kabuto?" Naruto yelled utterly confused. Kira glanced around her. She needed to form a plan and quick. This was bad, this was getting really bad.

"Not too sharp are you, Naruto? That's why you can't take on Sasuke."

Naruto let out a soft gasp staring at Kabuto's cocky form. "Take a close look at Kabuto's headband. He's Orochimaru's." Jiraiya explained for the boy.

"That's right, I'm an Otogakure spy."

"Wh-what are you talking about? You're kidding right?" Naruto had cold sweats dripping down his face. It's not possible, he thought that Kabuto was a good guy.

"I collected info on the two of you as well, and I've discovered something." Kira gave a small growl like she didn't care what he would say. He's a liar and is just trying to get a rise out of Naruto and her. "Kira's just a lovesick puppy begging to be noticed as something more than best friend?" Kira's eyes grew large, how did he know? She didn't want Naruto to find out this way, no. She never wanted him to know.

"What's he talking about?" Naruto whipped his head around to face her. She was as white as a ghost, a look of horror in her crimson red eyes.

"Please stop…" Kira begged softly knowing he wouldn't. Those words escaped her before she could stop them.

"Are you too afraid that Naruto will find out about your feelings for him? Poor, poor Kira never can she get the boy she truly loves." Kabuto taunted grinning at the misserey he put her through. He saw the look of surprise cross Naruto's face as he stared at his friend. Tears starting to form in her eyes, she couldn't face him. She didn't want to see his rejection.

Naruto though shocked saw his best friend's distressed. What was he to do? He obviously didn't feel the same way about her, but she's his best friend. They've been friends for years? How didn't he figure it out sooner? Should he comfort her? After all the times she's been there for him he needed to be there for her right? Hesitantly he reached out to touch her arm, but she pulled away from him.

Kira didn't want to be comforted right now, she wanted blood. Kabuto's blood. 'Let go…' Kaida's voice echoed through her skull. To just up and disappear, run away from the situation would be fun but she couldn't. Not now.

"Why'd you do that to her?!" Naruto yelled glaring at the older teenager. He didn't have to embarrass her like that! Kabuto chuckled shaking his head, putting on a great show for the adults.

"Naruto you couldn't even figure out she loved you. Everyone could tell, but you're different." Kabuto grew serious again "You're different from Sasuke. You don't have what it takes to be a Shinobi." If looks could kill. "Put on as tough a look as you want, but you're just and out of place little genin. Sure, I expected something from that demon sealed inside you. But now, being face to face with the Three Great Shinobi, you're a total disappointment."

Naruto and Kira focused all their attention on Kabuto. Both holding hard looks. Kira was going to rip this guys throat out. "Right now, you're nothing but a tiny bug. If you get in my way, I'll kill you."

Naruto shot forward quickly performing a few hand signals and creating four clones attacking Kabuto in all sides. Even though Naruto was able to get in a few cuts Kabuto was able to defeat all his clones and send the real Naruto flying backwards. Kira shot forward catching the boy before he hurt himself further.

"Kira I…"

"We'll talk about this later. Right now I wanna see this guy without a head." Kira snarled baring her fangs, welcoming the pain Kaida always gave her when her emotions went haywire. Naruto nodded glaring at Kabuto as well. They were going to end him.

"You're bleeding pretty good Kabuto." Orochimaru smirked.

"Unwrap your left arm please." Kabuto ignored his masters comment while popping a pill in his mouth. He was a medical ninja as well as Shizune.

"Seems the water spirit is taking over once again." Orochimaru chuckled to himself staring at Naruto and Kira a sick look in his eyes.

"So thats Orochimaru."

"He's the one who had that giant snake in the Chunin Exams Naru." Kira growled glaring at the man clutching her kunai's in her hands so hard her knuckles turned white.

"Shizune you take four eyes. Orochimaru is mine." Jiraiya spoke in a deathly calm voice refusing to take his eyes off his former teammate. "But before that, I need Tsunade to do something about my condition."

"That medicine will probably affect you for several more hours. Not even I can do anything about that." Shizune spoke softly knowing that it wasn't the information he wanted to hear.

"Agh. I've got no choice, I'll just have to make do. Tsunade you rest up, Kira I want you to see what you can do to heal Tsunade." Even though Jiraiya was annoyed at having to fight Orochimaru while drugged he did sound like he cared about Tsunade's well being. It made sense since they were teammates for such a long time, it was sweet that he still cared about her. Kira nodded her head sitting beside the woman.

"Hey! What about me?" Naruto yelled itching to fight Kabuto. He needs to be taught a lesson after that little spout.

"You and piggy stay with Kira and protect Tsunade."

"What? I wanna fight too! I can…" Naruto started but Jiraiya interrupted him giving Naruto a hard no. Naruto of course wasn't happy with this idea. He didn't want to sit back and do nothing while the adults did everything.

"Like four eyes over there said, you're not at that level yet. Orochimaru's one of the legendary three like me, and the third Hokage's killer. An eye for an eye. And I'm the only one who can do it." Naruto grumbled at Jiraiya's answer. "Also foureyes is at the same level as Kakashi." Kabuto refused to let it show but he hated being called foureyes.

At the mention of Kakashi Kira's heart clenched in her chest. If they lost this battle Kakashi wouldn't wake up again, he'd be gone forever. "Well then!" Naruto started to perform his shadow clones yet Jiraiya stopped.

"Wait! Don't use dopplegangers, they're useless in this case. It won't even work as a diversion against them. It's a waste of chakra." There was a stare down going on between the two sides. Orochimaru and Jiraiya start it off by summoning. Orochimaru with his two large purple snakes and Jiraiya with a small toad...talk about performance issues.

"Even for an oaf like you, that's pathetic. Tsunade must have done something to you. Heh, heh, heh." Orochimaru taunted. Kira couldn't help how familiar it seemed between those two.

"That jutsu requires a body to sacrifice. She planned ahead probably drugged him with something to suppress his power to use him as a sacrifice."

"Pathetic as always." Orochimaru chuckled reminding Kira of Sasuke and Naruto too much. Though Sasuke would never be stupid enough to be like Orochimaru. Naruto was having a hard time listening to those two talk bad about Jiraiya.

Orochimaru started the fight off shooting his large purple snake towards Jiraiya. Shizune grabbed Tsunade and leapt out of the way when Kabuto attacked with his large snake. The snakes large wide mouth almost snapped down on Naruto.

Jiraiya was quick to use earth style and trap Orochimaru's snake into the freshly created dark swamp style. "Where the hell is...Damn it Naruto! Get out of the snake's mouth!" Kira yelled jumping away from a set of throwing stars sent her way.

"It's not like I wanted to! Damn it! I'm not gonna get eaten again!" Naruto snarled using his strength to keep the snakes lips pried open before jumping out. Kira shot forward gripping the older woman and leaping away while Shizune was busy with Kabuto.

While Shizune did her best to stop Kabuto, she just wasn't strong enough to stop the teen. He was stronger than he looked and most likely trained under Orochimaru making him stronger than he normally would have been.

Kabuto with his activated medical ninjutsu rewired Shizune's chakra flow, cutting it off leaving her defenseless and just like that she was down for the count. Kabuto used one karate like chop to her back knocking the wind out of her. Blood spilling out the side of her mouth. She was out like a light.

Naruto after making that jump having used most of his strength to escape the mouth of that damn snake was down struggling to move on the ground. His bones felt like jelly, everything hurt.

With Tsunade still in her far out state the only thing between her and Kabuto was Kira. Kabuto smirked, he saw her calculating something in that big head of hers, her eyes darting across the ground in every which way. She looked like she was trying to map out a set of attacks but it wouldn't work. Not on him anyway.

"Move."

"No." the small girl growled finally coming to a decision. Quick as she could she shot forward not relying on his first attack. She knew she couldn't catch him off guard but she could try to tire him out. She was fast but he was faster. He blocked each attack slicing and dicing. She could feel her muscles screaming in pain. Each of his attacks felt like her veins were being ripped from her arms and pulled out over and over again.

Kabuto was smart, he wouldn't get too close. Even if he was faster than her he didn't want to risk hurting himself further. He studied her movements. Allowing her to cut him only slightly trying to make her think she had the upper hand but he knew he did.

He didn't expect to feel her try and swipe at his legs, to trip him. He saw her movements starting to pick up again, her wounds were healing quicker than he expected them too. They jumped apart her breathing huffing like she was trying to fight off something other than him. Sweat trickled down the sides of her face from her forehead.

Her hands moved to their own accord. Kabuto prepared for whatever jutsu was coming his way standing in a protective stance ready to jump back when need be. Her eyes never leaving his, she wouldn't let him get away that easily.

A jet of water escaped her lips missing Kabuto completely soaking into the lush green ground around him.

"You missed. Here I thought you were to be an exceptional shinobi." Kabuto mocked chuckling to himself.

"I am. My big brother taught me." She growled. "Never underestimate a Hatake." She warned in a low voice. Her hands were still moving even after she used her weak attempt of fish spit. What was she planning?

Kabuto frowned watching the water particles around her take the form of shurikens. She was planning on launching those weak style attacks at him? She finished and she looked ready to attack again but didn't. She was waiting for him.

"You really think you can protect Tsunade." Kabuto smirked this would be done and over with in the next minute tops.

"I can to an extent. I know you're powerful but so am I." The water shurikens started to steam around him. Around the two of them. She was boiling the water to create a barrier around them, so that he could lose sight of her and she could get him from behind.

Kabuto ignored Jiraiya and Lord Orochimaru's fight as best as he could. He needed to keep his ears wide open to catch her. He felt her wiz around him in different areas. Damn her! Hot sharp searing pain emitted from his back left hip. Kabuto spun around searching through the mist, nothing. He couldn't see two inches in front of him.

The cut wasn't too bad. Nothing too major, yes blood was spilling but it was an easy mend. Pain shot through his right arm while he was distracted. Deeper than his side. 'Shit!' He growled to himself waiting a good moment.

Now! He reached out grabbing hold of her wrist and concentrated on his sides knowing she'd kick there. With Kabuto's hands glowing he twisted and felt the bone in her arm crack and snap in a way it shouldn't be. He heard her scream through her teeth and try to kick but he sent her flying with a punch to the chest.

Her sternum and close to her heart ached. She could feel the pain pulsate through tremendous pain. Breathing hurt, her lung felt like it had been punctures but her ribs weren't broken. Or at least she hoped they weren't.

"K-Kira…" Naruto cried from the ground watching his friend fly out through the mist landing in front of Tsunade. Still hasn't moved. The mist started to clear showing a fuming Kabuto.

He stalked towards his friend and saw the panic in her eyes as she tried to find something to use as a weapon. Kabuto knocked her fallen kunai aside and stomped down hard on her other hand. Blood was gushing over her left arm with something white sticking out at the top.

Naruto couldn't help cringing hearing his best friend whimpers of pain. Kira's leg shot up trying to kick Kabuto in the groin, didn't work. He must have been expecting it because he gripped her foot and twisted. White hot pain was all she felt.

He kicked her off to the side. Naruto watched his best friend coughing up something leaning on her non broken arm. She was visibly shaking. Kabuto stalked over to Tsunade kicking her around a few more times before deciding to end her misery.

With a surge of energy Naruto somehow found the strength to block Tsunade's attack. Tsunade stared wide eyed staring at the the boy standing tall in front of her. Blood trickled down under his forehead protector, that only helped fuel his anger. First this guy insults both him and his best friend, then he sends a freaking snake to eat him, next when Naruto finally was able to escape the snakes clutches he was forced to watch this asshole hurt his best friend. And finally he treated Granny Tsunade like she was worthless. Now he may not like her but he'd be damned to watch her get herself killed because she was in shock and couldn't defend herself.

"Thats enough!" Naruto snarled scratching the area around his hand, perfectly performing the Rasengan Jutsu. Kabuto was quick to jump out of the way but that didn't stop his anger. Pain radiated through Naruto's leg.

"Hmm, it seems that as a result of your battle with the snake your left femur is fractured. If it were only the bone you'd still be able to move but not now, because I cut the lateral vastus muscle in that leg." Kabuto smirked chuckling at the pathetic look on Naruto's face. Naruto was trying to figure out what to do, he could barely concentrate on his chakra completely before.

Kabuto was quick to activate his Chakra Scalpel again. What were they going to do? "Heh, heh, you scared? You wanna run away?" Kira grunted forcing herself to get into position to crawl, she wasn't going to run. She couldn't. Now without Naruto. She hissed moving her limbs forward. Blood stained the grassy ground the more she moved.

"Shit." She panted gasping for breath staring at the bone. The sight made her sick to her stomach, she felt the urge to puke up the contents of her stomach. She had to set the bone or something, bones were not supposed to be seen! But it's not like she could just up and set the bone back in place, one it sounded like it would hurt a lot. And two she couldn't lean on her bad arm to put the bone in place.

Screw it. She needed to get to Naruto now.

Naruto's eyes darted between Kira and Kabuto, Naruto couldn't understand why she was moving. She needed to stay down! Kabuto rolled his eyes at how stupid the girl was being. "Naruto, remember what you said with such bravado at the first test of the chunin exam. 'Never underestimate me. I don't quit and I won't run. I'll accept your stupid question! Even if I risk ending up a rookie for the rest of my life I'll become Lork Hokage even if I can only make it by pure stubbornness. I don't care. I'm not afraid of you.'"

While Kabuto quoted Naruto's speech from the first exam, Kira slowly made her way towards Naruto. Heaving in as much air as she could. She couldn't go on much longer, she was pretty sure Kabuto punctured her lung or one of her ribs had. The taste of blood never really left. Her hand reached out and placed it on Naruto's left leg.

"Even now...do you still feel so brave? You're not a child anymore, so better cut the bravado. Based on the situation, when you want to give up and run away, just do it. Don't be an idiot like your friend there." Naruto felt the pain leave slowly, he felt like his leg was submerged in a lake of water. Why? Why was she using what little energy she had to help him? Why couldn't she just stay next where she was and just rest? Why'd she have to risk more injury to get to him?!

Naruto felt her grip loosen till it was just resting on his leg. Why? Why did she have to do that?! He snarled glaring at Kabuto's form his fist clenching so tightly that blood started to drip down. "N-naru…" she muttered sleepily her eyes were growing heavy. "I-I'm sorry...I ca...can't do more…" her voice was barely above a whisper. He barely heard her. She looked so pale, sickly pale.

"I doubt you little girlfriend can make it much longer. You might wanna run as well or you'll end up the same way." Naruto growled ripping his jacket sleeve clean off never taking his eyes off him. He fumbled warping the wound as best he could to stop the bleeding.

"Now, now what's that look for? You're going to die! If you die, you won't have dreams or anything else. Kids think everything is easy that's why they go on about their stupid dreams. Why they don't give up." Naruto slowly rose to his feet making sure Kira was in a somewhat comfortable position. He'd thank her later. Right now he was going to show this bastard who he really was. "And then they die."

The surprise in Kabuto's eyes was there when he saw Naruto stand up completely shaking some but other than that he was completely fine. "Straight up...I never go back on my word. Thats my Shinobi way." Naruto shot towards Kabuto only to be knocked back at Tsunade's feet. Naruto kept getting up through the pain.

"Why?" Tsunade's voice quivered staring the boy in front of him. "Why are you…"

"Granny Tsunade...As promised in our bet. That bad luck necklace around your neck, I'm gonna take it." Naruto created three clones of himself shooting forward. Fear raced through Tsunade's eyes as memories of Dan and Nawaki deaths. She didn't want to see him die as well.

"Don't protect me! Naruto don't!" She screamed unable to move.

"I told you that kind of stubbornness will get you killed!" Kabuto warned lunging in for the kill. Naruto smirked already having a plan in mind.

"If you die everything, dreams and everything else is gone! Get out of the way! Run!" Tsunade screamed terror of having to relive the painful past all over again evident in her eyes.

"Heh...it's okay." Naruto stopped the kunai attack with his hand. The blade went straight through his hand splattering his blood on the ground. "Until I become Hokage, there's no way I'm gonna die. Just take care of Kira for me okay?" Tsunade stared wide eyed at the boy clutching onto Kabuto's hand. "Now you can't escape." The clones got to work creating the Rasengan. With Kabuto unable to escape he received the full blast of the jutsu. Kabuto's body was sent flying backwards in a whirl of strong air.

Naruto gave a smirk before coughing up some more blood and falling backwards. Naruto barely heard the words going on above him. All he knew was it was dark. So dark that he could barely hear. A soft light made him aware he wasn't alone. A group of people were standing over him.

Sasuke giving his usual annoyed look as he stared down at him. Sakura grinning like he just did something amazing. Kira grinning excitedly practically jumping with some exciting news. And Kakashi sensei chuckling to himself his pervy book under his armpit for once. His family. It was his family and friends.

"Wake up Naru, we gotta get ready for our next mission!" Kira giggled extending her hand toward him. Reaching out Naruto realized where he was. He was in the middle of a battlefield with Granny Tsunade overtop of him. A worried look in her brown eyes. Cracking a smile he reached up and lightly grasped onto the necklace. "...the bet...I win…" He grinned before falling back asleep.

Orochimaru seeing a sort of problem with Naruto's power. He decided it would be best to kill off the boy now before he gets in his way later. Ditching his fight with Jiraiya, Orochimaru darted forward coughing up his a sword, wrapping his tongue the handle he sent the weapon forward not expecting Tsunade to block the way.

Later:

Naruto woke up with a jolt looking all around confused. The last thing he remembered was the battle with Orochimaru and Kabuto. How did he get in this hotel? Where was he? What happened? Kira! His eyes searched over the room. Where was she? Was she okay? What happened?

Stumbling out of bed he started to run to the door to demand answers from the adults. The door slid open to show a surprised Kira. Her wide crimson eyes stared at a completely healed Naruto. "Hey Naru." she called giving a half wave. She had wrapping all over his left arm. A dark bruise over her cheek and around her shoulders, his blue eyes traveled down to show more bandages wrapped around her right ankle.

Not knowing what else to do Naruto reached out pulling the girl to his chest in a hug. He felt her instantly wrap her arms around his torso, she was alive. She was okay. He felt her breath on his neck, her hand rubbing up and down on his back, her warmth radiating off in waves. She wasn't a dream. She was real.

"Thank you." he muttered burying his head deeper into her neck. "Thank you for healing me to protect Granny Tsunade."

"I'm sorry I couldn't be more helpful." She muttered, she was just glad he was okay. When she woke up she felt horrible for passing out on him. She really didn't expect to wake up alive let alone in the same room with a softly snoring Naruto.

The two pulled away looking over one another. Naruto looked perfectly healthy. He didn't look like he had any other injury. He looked normal. "How're you feeling?"

"Fine actually. How about you?" He couldn't help staring at the bruises as he asked. He knew she was in pain.

He watched her shrug her shoulders give off a half smile and spoke up. "Could be better but at least I can walk." Naruto nodded and the two walked back inside the room the be alone. He watched her limp around the room gathering their things to pack up.

She put on a brave face but even he could see she was hurting. "So…" he muttered thinking over what Kabuto said earlier. "You love me?" He saw her stiffen at the words. Her hand mid reach for a brush on the dresser. It was true then.

He waited patiently for her to speak. Her head bowed as she grabbed her brush keeping her eyes trained on the floor. "Yeah…"

"As a brother or…" Naruto questioned further. "Because I…" she faced him and he saw how sad she was. She was fighting something within her to speak but he didn't know what. He wasn't a mind reader.

"I think both." He waited for her to continue, she limped across the room to sit on her bed looking at her arm. "You're my best friend and some days when it's just us all I see you is like a brother. We've been together for eight years and I guess as I got older I was pretty sure the two of us could be together…" Naruto wasn't sure what to say.

"So when I talked about going out with Sakura...you?"

"Sure that hurt. I mean I'm sure you know how it feels when Sakura goes on and on about how amazing Sasuke is." Naruto nodded he hated watching Sakura fawn all over Sasuke. "But then there are times where I have these feelings for someone else...someone like Gaara."

Naruto's eyes widen in surprise "You like Gaara?! How? When did that happen?" He called surprised.

"Not sure, we talked a lot...or I talked mostly. Its strange but I guess I started crushing on him. We talked a few times on this trip actually." Naruto felt a half smile adorn his face at the idea of Gaara getting friends. He didn't know how he felt about Kira and Gaara being together but wasn't against it. Gaara deserved happiness after a lifetime of loneliness.

"I know you don't feel the same way I do and I know that if we ever did that there would be a chance it could ruin our friendship." Naruto nodded both teens staring at the ground in silence.

"I do love you, you know. But only as a sister." He saw her nod her head in understanding.

"I know and I'm okay with that...I really just want things to go back to normal." Naruto nodded this time in agreement.

"So lets just forget about that. Go back to before Kabuto said that." Kira laughed knowing fully well things would never go back like things were before. But for right now? Thats all they needed.

"I'm willing to, if you are. We're best friends." Naruto extended his hand for a fist bump waiting patiently for Kira.

Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Shizune walked in on seeing the two kids slam their fists together, shift their hands to form a handshake, gripping onto one another and slam their heads together grinning through the pain. The moan in pain clutching their respective heads and laughing together.

"What good is hurting yourselves when Lady Tsunade has just healed you two!" Shizune snapped glaring at the two kids. Naruto and Kira shrugged grinning at one another for show. Only when they were alone from anyone would they show how they really felt.

Jiraiya led the kids down to get some breakfast talking about how Tsunade had finally agreed. Naruto didn't seem too happy about it though. "Granny Tsunade becomes the Fifth Hokage today?"

"You don't look too happy Naruto." Jiraiya couldn't help being confused. That was the purpose of the journey.

"Well compared to the Third Hokage it's just that she's brash and kinda selfish and she throws money around, she's sneaky and stupid…" Naruto took a glance over at Tsunade once more. "You sure she can be Hokage? I'm kinda worried." Tsunade didn't seem to like being insulted again. After she just said that this kid was going to be Hokage maybe she was wrong.

"Lady Tsunade lets order something…" Shizune laughed nervously trying to distract the older woman.

"Come on Naru, she's going to help Kakashi and Sasuke! They've been out of it for weeks now." Naruto nodded how good it would be for her to come back.

"I know but come on. First of all an old woman in her fifties changing herself to look young, should the Hokage lie like that?"

Kira smacked her head wincing in pain. "Outside brat! Now!" Tsunade snarled getting in Naruto's face. Jiraiya, Shizune, and Kira sighed following after the two stubborn people.

"Why are they like this?" Kira muttered annoyed pinching the bridge of her nose. Jiraiya only shook his head annoyed.

"However I maybe look, from today on I'm the fifth Hokage. I don't have to take some pipsqueak kid seriously in a fight." She held up her pointer finger. "This one finger is plenty."

"Quit making fun of me and calling me a kid!" Naruto yelled back to his normal obnoxious self. Something she really loved about her best friend. "Whenever I am now, I'm going to be Hokage someday!"

Naruto shot forward screaming "I will take you on, Granny!" Tsunade's hand out knocking Naruto's head up and Naruto had a moment of fear seeing her finger form into pre flick motion.

He cringed waiting for her attack but frowned feeling a pair of lips on his forehead and a grip on his chin. She patted the necklace on his chest and gave him a cheeky grin. "Become a good man okay?" Naruto grew his own cheeky grin making the entire group grin. The whole event just made everyone smile.

"Keep an eye on him okay?" Tsunade patted Kira's head giving her a grin. "He needs someone to keep him in line." Kira nodded. Yeah things should be okay again.

Thats it! You all have no idea how long it took me to write this! I've been obsessing over certain areas and oh my god I'm just glad it's over with. I have so many ideas on what to do with the next chapter. Thanks again for reading!