Firstly, if you haven't gotten it yet, this Fanfiction is inspired by Konoha Corner Podcast, which you can find on Youtube (Gothic Gaara's channel), Facebook, Twitter, and iTunes. Also, I'd like to know if anyone would like to be my beta-reader for the story. Now, on with the story~
Chapter Two: Once More With Feeling- Finally Getting the Girl
Early the morning, just before Danzo ordered the hit on those who would be known three years later as "Konoha's Rebels"…
In Kakashi's quiet apartment, the silence was broken with a clap of thunder, and his tossing form sat straight up. The blanket fell from his front, revealing his face, but that didn't register in his brain at the moment, hands searching around the covers with a concerned expression. After a few moments, a couple of which revealing Kakashi wasn't wearing anything at all under the blankets, he covered his face with his hands and rubbed back his hair, sighing deeply.
"God damnit… why… you idiot, why did you do that… especially with his daughter…" Shame filled him. "I have to find her and apologize…"
Getting out of bed, he was filled with dread every time his eyes noticed the shuriken-covered blankets, pulling on his regular clothes with a guilty air. What have I done…
With determination, he unconsciously packed a backpack, putting his weapons pack on his leg. Stepping out of his apartment, he stuffed his hands in his pocket, heading to the first place he thought of to find Naruko: Sakura's apartment.
I hope she doesn't kill me for waking her up at four in the morning… He thought, knocking on the door once, putting his hands in his pockets.
Within seconds, he was pinned against the wall of the apartment building's hallway, kunai in his face, Sakura's expression surprising him. Why do only the angry ones pin me down? "Sakura, what-"
A set of kunai impaled in the wall, and she flipped him over to the floor. "I've been dealing with them for about five minutes now- Danzo sent ROOT to take me out."
Getting into serious mode, he pulled out a kunai, watching for the remaining ROOT.
"I've taken out all but two…" She said, eyes narrowing. "… glad you're here though, I'm not going to question the vibes you're giving off…"
"Thank you." He moved to block several hurled weapons. "Well, this should be over-"
A scream broke through the night, lights going on all over the village as Kakashi and Sakura's fight went to the roof. The sounds of fighting reached them from all directions.
Sakura paled after taking down the last root member. "We're not the only ones…"
"I'd agree."
The pair ran through the rain, fighting their way through the village with others that joined them randomly or disappeared into the night, both hoping, praying to themselves that their friends would make it out alive that night…
After awhile, unknowingly, they got separated. Near the border of the village that would head near Suna, Sakura was with Ino-Shika-Cho and a few others. It took everything they had to keep running, not knowing if their friends and loved ones had made it out…
In Sunagakure the night after the attack…
Kankuro sighed, leaning over one of his scrolls, watching the horizon for some sort of relief. Damn, graveyard shift sucks… especially when that person is in town…
A yawn escaping his painted lips, he was startled when someone dropped from the landing above him to fall right in front of him. Before he could pull a kunai on the surprise 'attack', his mouth was covered by another in a warm kiss.
"-The hell!" He spluttered once released, and a light giggle reached his ears, muttering angrily once making the connection. "Er… you didn't have to get up so early to sneak onto my shift…"
"It's okay." A warm smile and blushing face was close to his, and arms wrapped over his shoulders, keeping their faces near each other. "I thought you'd need a reason to stay awake a little longer…"
He sighed, rubbing his head so his 'hat hair' got worse, slightly looking down to avoid the other's eyes while thinking of what his companion was implying. "Sure I did…"
"Anyway, your shift is over." The platinum blonde pointed at the candle with divots in it that marked the time, and Kankuro realized that his companion was telling the truth. A mysterious grin crossed their face. "So…"
"Don…" He also grinned, wrapping his arms around his 'boyfriend', putting his head on his shoulder. "How about we-"
"Kankuro-sama, Don-san!" Matsuri ran up to them, looking winded. "We have unexpected visitors!"
"Who?" They both asked, shocked as they pulled apart.
"Sakura-san, Shikamaru-san, and some others sir." She lowered her voice. "They were attacked and are hiding here for the time being, go visit your brother so you can plan what to do next."
Nodding, taking the blonde's hand, they ran to Gaara's room. A disheveled group of some of Konoha's finest were waiting for him, with Sakura Haruno speaking to Gaara with tear-tracks down her dusty face.
"… and you're sure that Naruko wasn't there during the attack?" Gaara said, putting an arm around her shoulder.
She shook her head. "I only saw Kakashi, but the ROOT had come to me looking for Naruko so she wasn't anywhere they'd looked already. Her apartment had been destroyed days ago so…"
A teen with spiked brown hair and matching eyes cleared his throat. "Gaara-sama, Sakura-san… I can tell you that Naruko was definitely not in the village that night."
"As can I, though my teammate and myself were already on our way here." A white-haired young woman with brown eyes nodded as she wiped blood off from around them, and Don seemed surprised to see her. "Naruko-chan was occupied in the village until a few hours before the attack and went back to the Toads to train."
"Thank kami." Don said, taking her word, as did the rest of them. "What about some of the others?"
She closed her eyes. "Scattered, but for the most part safe. Lets lay low for a few days until Danzo comes calling for information… is that a good plan for you, Sakura-san and Gaara-sama?"
"Yes, but I apologize beforehand; You can't stay here." He was looking at Sakura as he said this, but she was looking at the floor. "To prevent civil war between my village and the daimyo, who Danzo most likely has on his side along with the other nations daimyos, you'll have to stay in an abandoned ANBU hideout in the desert between our meetings together."
She nodded, as did the others. "Where is this ANBU hideout?"
"Not far." A wild-haired woman with red fangs on her cheekbones snorted. "I think I can bring the kids there."
"Tsume-san, you know where this place is?" Ino asked, Choji looking at the woman with surprise, Shikamaru being 'troubled' by a surprised Temari.
"Hell yeah I do." She grinned. "My squad and a Sand ANBU cell had a 'last stand' of sorts there."
"That was you with that squad?" Temari smirked, punching Shikamaru's shoulder. "Great, I know someone that can take care of this slowpoke while you aren't allowed in the city."
Choza laughed loudest despite the tense situation. "Then take us there Tsume."
She nodded. "Who's coming with me?"
Getting their things together and heading out the door, Sakura paused at who was staying behind. "Haru, Yuki, Don; aren't you coming?"
"We're all here legally after all." Don shrugged, and Kankuro looked relieved under his indifferent mask. "My cousin and her teammate will stay here with Hirumu-san and keep in contact. Hopefully we can contact the other survivors within the next week."
"Alright. Stay safe." Her eyes lingered on the quiet group's leader. "All of you."
"Yes ma'am." Don said for the group, looking down.
In Kumogakure the night after the attack…
"You do know where we're heading, right Sensei?" TenTen said with caution, looking between a tense Neji and speeding Guy.
"We do not have much of a choice TenTen." Lee said, frowning.
"He's right." A busty blonde with golden eyes, who was next to a brunette woman sporting red lines coming down from her eyes and a toddler strapped to her back, said in a hiss. "Even though Kumogakure has done the Hyuuga's wrong, it's the only option we have. Killer-Bee will protect us even if his brother, the Raikage, doesn't."
"That is exactly my point, Yoko-chan!" Guy turned to them, determined. "We need to find a safe place for Kaori and Shao."
"Plus," Kaori said over him, to the amusement of the teenagers, patting the mentioned little one's head. "We might find where Shiru ended up after she went missing."
"Why would she head here?" The weapons mistress said with confusion.
Getting close to the border, the group slowed down.
"Because… the majority of her clan is from Kumogakure." Her voice had lowered to a whisper.
There was a feeling in the air that had the group on even higher alert, and the highest-ranked of the group put up a hand.
"Something isn't right…" Ibiki said, but before he could continue, a long tentacle wrapped around him and flung him into a tree.
"FUCKING HELL!" Kaori covered the girl in her arms and protected her from the flying debris, wiping the blood off her cheek and performing a summoning. Two cow-sized frogs appeared, ready to defend her and the little girl.
Yoko ran to Ibiki's side, but was knocked off her feet by another tentacle. "Shit!"
Before anyone else could move, Guy held up his arms. "We mean no harm Killer-Bee-san! We're friends of the nine-tailed Jinchuuriki Naruko Uzu-"
He was encased in a tail, and a tall man with an impressive collection of swords walked up, sunglasses flashing darkly. "What're you doin' lookin' for me, the great Killer Bee?"
"Konoha has been overturned." Neji said, prepared to fight, TenTen at his side. "We are looking for a place to keep cover until we can contact you allies that have escaped the attack."
He frowned, releasing Yoko, Ibiki, and Guy. "My brother can't help you, but I'm no fool! Follow me and I'll find a place you can be free."
"What are your demands for this protection?" Neji said, eyes narrowed.
"I have everything I want, but I don't mind being apart of a battle front." Shrugging, he waited for everyone to be standing, the frogs blinking out of existence in a cloud of smoke. "How about it?"
"We don't have much of a choice, do we?" Ibiki said, recovered.
A white-toothed grin crossed Killer Bee's expression. "Nope, but I'll help you guys out, so don't mope!"
Sharing glances, the group followed him, and were brought to a glade. A woman with long, blonde hair was sitting on a branch, petting the head of a large, black panther.
"Yugito-chan, I won the bet, and we'll save their necks!" Bee said, and she laughed, to the surprise of the Konohagakure-nin.
In the village of Konohagakure… (present time )
With a deep breath, a 'chubby' brunette girl with red swirls on her cheeks finished wiping down the counter of her parent's restaurant, glad they closed early on Sundays.
"Mom, can I go to the meeting house?" She asked, and a woman called out an answer that sounded positive. "See you tonight!"
Locking the door behind her, she ran through the streets, avoiding a group of ROOT men by slipping into an unmarked door. On the other side, Moegi greeted her with a smile, finger over her lips.
"You're not too late Suki, the rest of us aren't going to be invited to listen for awhile yet." She said, and the Akamichi nodded. "Lets see how Asuka is doing."
The two walked into the main room, where the small, brunette girl with red eyes played on the floor in Hinata's lap.
"How are you Asuka-sama?" Suki smiled at the little girl, who grinned.
"Good!" Her beaming grin shone, making the teenage girls laugh. "Uncles Iruka and Inoichi are fun, but Aunt Hinata is the best!"
The Hyuuga heiress slightly blushed. "Then when you meet your uncles Kiba and Shino you'll have a lot more fun."
"Yep!" She opened her mouth wide, about to say more when she yawned instead, Kuernai and the other adults walking in to see her face and reacting positively.
"Is it nap time baby?" Picking up her daughter, she rocked the child, looking at ease. "Well, let's go to bed then…"
One of the men seemed as if he was debating following them, but by the time anyone looked his way, only Suki had seen his expression of worry.
"Alright." Inoichi said with a gruff look to him. "Let's get ready for business, and by that, I mean that we need to break into storage units, discover schedules for our 'dear' Hokage, and make sure that we are ready for the battle when it comes."
"Roger that." Tsunade, being flanked by Kotetsu and Izumo, said with a grin. "You heard the man boys."
Their faces also split with smiles. "You know, I love messing files up."
"As do I…" And they disappeared with a hand seal and poof of smoke.
"… those two…" Hiashi shook his head, the others expressions ranging from similar to his to the complete opposite. "I'll handle making sure they don't get caught."
"No, I'll take that job." Genma said with a sigh, getting up and patting Shizune's shoulder. "This shouldn't take too long for today."
"Alright." The others politely ignored the way they looked at each other.
Suki swallowed at the tense quiet once many of the rebels cleared into their own rooms. There's only a short time until the fight starts up again… no one wants to see their loved ones go through the pain of losing each other, but they've fallen in love anyway. What a burden…
"Would you join me in watching Asuka while she sleeps?" She was startled by Hinata's question, but nodded and followed her. "Kurenai is going to be busy with the planning for the fight, so she needs her rest right now without her daughter keeping her awake…"
"It's fine." She smiled, and they hid in a smaller room meant for Kurenai and her daughter, sitting on the bed. "At least she's not planning on fighting."
"… If I wasn't so eager to protect my teammates and help Naruko-chan win back our village, I wouldn't fight either." The Hyuuga heiress bit her lip, watching the baby. "I'm not a fighter, but I'll do anything for Naruko-chan and the others."
"That's all you have to do." With a slight nod, the other girl sighed. "Of course you tell the one that will be designated to clear people out of the city instead of fighting that you're now confident in combat."
"I never have been until now… it's a nice change."
In the rouge hideout… (present time)
"Well, is it time?" Obito asked, ignoring the three rough-upped teens bound and sitting against the cave wall, talking to Xian-Takaya.
It was Xian who answered by touching his shoulder. "We're ready to show the 'tough guys' our views on this rebellion."
"Excuse me, but do we get a say on this?" Kiritsu glared, bound almost with the same intensity as Juugo. Her hair was in her face, but she sounded a lot more determined than she looked.
"Lets think about that… We had you captured to keep you out of trouble, have bound and gagged you to prevent your interference, and above all I'm aware of your connection with our enemies." Takaya glared at the girl, then she smiled darkly. "Of course you can have a say, just not until we've figured everything out with the rebels."
Kiritsu looked as shocked as the rest of them.
"You're strong, and with the inside knowledge you're also priceless." Xian continued from the previous statement, then turned to Obito. "Keep an eye on your partner while you visit the group with the Mizukage; As you know, they won't be happy to see each other."
"Yep." The man grinned behind the mask and left the room, saluting those remaining.
"Konan." Xian called to the blue-haired woman. "Your ward will be taken care of by the children while you and your partner are gone, alright?"
"That is reasonable." She sighed, pulling her collar closed tight about her throat, her flower ruffling as she turned and left the room. "We'll be off to Suna now."
"Good."
"What about me and sis?" A young woman with very short light brown hair and a Jashin necklace walked into the room, a shorter, darker-haired girl walking slightly behind her.
"Rikai, you and Yokubu can-" Xian looked over to Sasori walking into the room, who was followed by the blonde bomber and Obito, which switched her to Takaya. A smirk crossed her face. "… help Sasori."
"What, why would I want to do that?" Rikai looked unimpressed, glancing at Deidara as the bomber and Obito walked past. "Can't I go with them?"
"Because if he gets angry and blows you to pieces, I'll just let you suffer…" Takaya said dryly.
"He doesn't get angry at me… often." Rikai sighed at the look she got from the leader. "Fine… I need a smoke…"
"You know that's bad for you-" Yokubu began.
"I don't care!" Rikai walked out of the room swiftly, heading to the living quarters, and Sasori shook his head.
Deidara let out a low whistle, which got glares from Takaya, Yokubu, and Sasori. "What? I'm just impressed she got pissed so easily, hn."
"Stupid brat."
"I don't see how she likes you…" Yokubu murmured, then said louder. "Sasori, want to work with me and Kiyoshi since you're kind of stuck here with us?"
"I still have puppets to repair-"
Yokubu grabbed his wrist and pulled him along. "We still have a few weeks until the possibility of a fight, and you have more than enough puppets in perfect condition… Plus, you can see where I can't. You don't want Hidan or Konan to try and kill me because something happened to Kiyoshi, do you?"
"You wouldn't let anything happen to that girl…" He rolled his eyes, but walked alongside her. "Kiyoshi needs some practice time with her puppets anyway. If you release me, we can pick those up before we go to find the brat…"
A brief blush crossed her cheeks, but she let him go with an easy smile. "Sure."
Somewhere in the wilderness between Iwagakure, Konohagakure, and Sunagakure..
A woman with black hair in a braid sighed, turning her head towards the massive man next to her. "Kisame, we'll have to face them soon enough… could you convince her-"
"You know her better than that, Ryuuchi." He said, interrupting with a low tone, looking out over the surrounding area with a tense expression on his shark-like features. "Besides, we're safe here for the time being. If we travel there could be a risk to Deji; Do you want to risk a child's-"
"Kisame, Shiru." A woman with blind eyes and crow's hair walked up, bundle in her arms containing a small yet concealed child. "Don't argue about the subject any longer."
"But-" Kisame was silenced by the blue-faced child smiling at him.
"Do you want to bring our miracle into this?" She demanded in his direction, and the little one looked up at her mother with curiosity. "It wouldn't be just our lives at stake, but hers as well."
"You know if Naruko and the others don't succeed Deji won't live much longer." Shiru pointed out, tired with her friend. "You almost let her die once, don't make the same mistake again."
After a moment, the woman's lower lip trembled, and she turned away from her companions. "Who could we go to? You two are missing-nin and I'm dead…"
"Only according to records, and according to those, you're a man as well… Itachi…" Shiru sighed. "We're not too far from Konoha, and an old friend of ours has a home near here… we might find him there."
"Is this the 'him' that took you under his wing when I turned traitor?"
"The very same…" She sighed.
"How do you know he was telling you the truth?"
A slow smirk. "He had no reason to lie to me by that point, and trusted me to take your brother there if we couldn't protect him from the council any longer."
"What is the name of this place? You keep talking about It like it's a temple or something." Kisame said, and Itachi handed him the toddler so she could stretch her arms and rub her face.
"The Hatake Hideout." Shiru said, and Kisame looked uncertain.
"How would we get into a place with the kind of defense that structure has?"
"Bonds."
"… You're kidding me, right?"
"You're the only one with us that has a real sense of humor, Kisame." Gold eyes flashed red, then violet, and back to gold. "So, are we going today Itachi?"
A sigh from the Uchiha. "The sooner the better, and considering the state my brother is in because of 'Madara'… it's inevitable that I return anyway."
"Then let's head out."
AN: You didn't expect that did you?
Note: The 'partners' sent off to places that will gain the most success once peace is established. Dejikiseki translates to 'our precious miracle', as the fact she lived through the circumstances of Itachi's pregnancy was a miracle in itself.
OC's- Non-rouges
Don Hatake: Cousin of Yuki that no one is quite sure what to think about. Born into the Hatake clan, his parents had twins (boy-girl) and their personal files kept getting mixed up even though the 'girl' had died with the parents. Depending on who you ask, Don could be a boy, or a girl named Rei according to paperwork. He was apart of the 'international team' as Toshi's partner, and is in a relationship with Kankuro.
Yoko Senju: Best friend and teammate of Yuki, she's a Senju with two (dead) ninja parents. She is a medic and hated Haru until a point in Shippuden when herself and Yuki were placed on a team with him, Toshi training the three of them. She is rumored to have feelings for Lee, but doesn't act on them. Knowingly.
Kaori Senju and Shao Might: Kaori is Jiraiya and Tsunade's daughter (she doesn't like that label) and Guy's 'girlfriend' (she likes that label slightly more ). A medic and ANBU, she was Shiru's closest friend besides Itachi and trained Suki, Yoko, Yuki, and Don personally. She was the 'mother figure' of Don, scaring him from women at a young age. She gave birth to Shao early into the pre-Shippuden time-skip and is considered to be quite the 'mother' despite her nature.
Suki Akimichi: Old teammate of Yoko and Yuki, daughter of two civilian Akimichi clan members. She works at her parent's restaurant and got out of being attacked the night of the 'purge' because of her civilian status in Shippuden, despite her Chuunin rank.
OC's-'Rouges'
Rikai: Older sister of Yokubu and an ex-Jashinist, she still uses the powers and likes taking hits. She's intrigued by Deidara, but won't make the first move because of her loyalty to her sister and her damaged brother-sister relationship with Hidan (that got repaired very recently). She has a tenancy to use her fists before her words, and has a bad smoking habit as of late, possibly from an addiction to sulfur.
Yokubu: Rikai's younger sister, she's a highly-developed sensor ninja and blind. The girl is very observant and sticks to Sasori once recruited into Takaya's group, taking care of Kiyoshi as often as possible. Her sensor affinity doubles as vision, and she's generally portrayed as kind, but she has an undertone of 'cold' from her past experiences.
Shiru Ryuuchi: Kaori's best friend, and Kiritsu's maternal half-aunt, she knew Itachi's secret when they were in ANBU together, and promised not to tell a soul the truth about the massacre, ensuring this with a seal on her chest over her heart. Itachi later removed the seal when they traveled together after Shiru saved Itachi ( and Dejikiseki ).