Italics denote mental thinking.
Understanding that their enemies had been defeated, Kabuki examined their surroundings. "So." He began in a flustered tone of voice. "How are we supposed to get off this pillar?"
Naruto stared down into the oblivion of darkness below him. His thoughts reflected on the battle in the last stage. Had Izumo and Kabuki not intervened, he would have lost control of his emotions and been vulnerable to the Kyuubi in him. What really troubled Naruto was the expression on his opponent's face after being hit with the Rasengan. He was smiling, as though thanking me. Was he planning on this from the start? Naruto shook his head in disbelief.
"Naruto, heads up!" Kotetsu's warning snapped him out of the daze in time to catch the rope at the end. He tied the rope to a kunai and stuck it deep in the earth. He toiled his hands and legs around the rope and began working his way across the gap. Izumo, Kabuki, and Iruka were doing the same.
The return home had been a quiet one. Even the usually loud blond-haired boy seemed to be deep in thought. Naruto glanced at the Mist ninja trekking along ahead of him. His mind drifted back to the village they had left. He didn't know if Tsunade would ever send him that way again, but he promised Kaisei that he would return – somehow. I promise I'll come back some day.
Somewhere beside him Konohamaru and Iruka's tap on the tree bark could be heard, indicating that they were keeping up. A scowl crossed Konohamaru's features every now and then as his memories of being put to sleep during the last fight would surface. He had a startling wake as he realized someone was carrying him and instantly tried to fight himself off, nearly landing him on the ground fifty feet below. Naruto had explained to him what happened as he intently listened. The silent return ensued after he finished the explanation.
Izumo and Kotetsu each traveled on Kabuki's sides. They were grateful for his assistance in the fight, but it would be foolish to trust him completely. Ahead of them Shikamaru leaped through the branches, scouting for anything suspicious. He could already see the top of Konoha's main gate. Soon they would be home. Everyone was tired since rest was short.
Once they got to the clearing, the group jumped to the ground and proceeded to the gates. Two chuunins sat in the guard house. One was sleeping while the other read a book with his head propped up on one hand, occasionally looking up to note any visitors. He glanced up at the group of ninja coming through the gate and nudged his sleeping partner.
"Hey, hey! Wake up! Am I dreaming or is that Izumo and Kotetsu we replaced?"
The sleepy headed one peeled an eye open and stared at the battle worn group walking by. "I think so." The other ninja sniffled. "Hey, are you crying?"
"I've never been so happy!"
The sleepy ninja rolled his eyes and put his head back down.
BAM! BAM! BAM!
Tsunade's head shot up as she quickly used her sleeve to wipe any drool from her lips, smearing the ink imprinted on the side of her cheek.
"Come in…" She said rather groggily. Four chuunin, two genin, and a mystery ninja filed through the door. Shikamaru noted the smeared ink on her cheek and cleared his throat. Catching her attention he slyly pointed to his own cheek. She quickly rubbed off the excess ink before anyone else caught on to her deranged appearance.
Izumo stepped forward and detailed her with the mission report and its side trouble. Tsunade listened patiently as he continued on and remained silent for a while after he finished. She looked over her crew and noted their disheveled status and closed her eyes.
She pondered on the words regarding Kabuki's actions. Though Kabuki may have had good intentions at the end, she could not let it slide that he worked for Orochimaru.
"Izumo. Kotetsu. Send Kabuki over to ANBU. I'll be there shortly. The rest of you are dismissed."
"Ah Tsunade-sama." Izumo interjected as the others left. "I'd also like to request that I be able to return to the village on a weekly basis for at least a month to check on their status." Tsunade nodded in approval. "I've been thinking the same."
Naruto's head poked out from the door. "Hey hey! Me too!"
Tsunade looked surprised at Naruto. "I'm glad you feel that way Naruto, but I can only send one. I will keep you in mind if a mission ever comes up near there."
Naruto was about to start complaining, but Iruka quickly yanked him back through the doorway and thanked Tsunade on the way out. "Let's get some ramen Naruto!" He didn't have to convince Naruto of leaving after that, as he was already high tailing it.
As Kotetsu and Izumo led Kabuki to the ANBU headquarters, Kotetsu commented how the spunky boy really did have a big heart for the kids in the village. Izumo nodded in agreement. "It's really something how he gives hope to others."
Unexpectly Kabuki replied. "Sometimes the bravest thing of all is to hope." Kotetsu and Izumo nodded in agreement.
A/N: That's a wrap up for this mission, but count on a continuation that will entail new adventures with the return to the village. Let's just say that it's where dreams come true, including nightmares.