Chapter 11-

Jiraiya fell to his choice of perch as the younger ninja all turned their heads to him. He was heavily bruised, clinging his left arm to his body, and some blood was dripping from the corner of his mouth, but he didn't really look too bad. His clothes looked worse off than him. The horns of his hitai-ate were both broken, and the plate itself seemed cracked.

He was missing his geta- the reason for which they could guess any number of. His happi coat was torn along the hem. His gi was heavily stained with blood and soil. It was also torn in several

places... actually ripped would be the more appropriate word. Kiba, having seen the man in action once, had one thought as he looked at his friend's teacher.

'I'd hate to see the other guy.'

"What do you mean, 'we shouldn't bother' ?" Shino raised an eyebrow, though it wasn't visible from behind the mask.

"I mean just that." Jiraiya leaned against the tree rather glumly. "His body is not there, and there are no traces or clues as to where it went or who took it."

"Hmm." Shino thought. "It's obvious that all of this is connected, but we can't seem to figure out how."

"It's not important now. I want you all to come back with me."

"But Naruto-"

"Will be fine." Jiraiya stated, interrupting Hinata. "Hinata. We all know how you feel about him." He looked at the circle of Konoha warriors before him. "I'm about to teach you all the only thing I've ever learned about love. Real love."

Sasuke scoffed at this, but the others gave him a sharp, spiteful eye, and he kept silent. One did not take the lessons of a Sannin lightly.

Jiraiya reached across and put his hand on Hinata's shoulder. "Above all things, you need to have faith."


Back inside the walls of Konoha things were finally beginning to wind down from the battle. Many ninja had collapsed in the massive rescue operations. So many had been injured from Kanaye's last show of defiance and hatred. With exception to Kanaye himself, the battle had been on a rather small scale. Up until the end it had been confined to one area, with less than a tenth of Konoha's population as the attacking force.

Yes, up until the end things had gone rather smoothly. The end itself however was not so neat and clean. The medic-nin had a hell of a time taking care of everyone. Without Tsunade or Shizune around, Sakura was the one who had to take charge. That's exactly what she did.

Now she was sprawled out and slouching on a public bench. A rather rare sight. She'd been exhausted so thoroughly she had temporarily abandoned the feminine mystique. Not that anyone noticed. They were all too tired themselves.

Many ninja who might have been capable of fighting were needed far more urgently by the wounded. Men and women like Rock Lee, Ten Ten, Hyuga Neji, Hanabi, Might Guy, and many others. Some might have been capable of lasting a few minutes against "the fury" as some were beginning to call it. But more than enough ninja were fighting already, and the rest would not have been able to catch up to him once he was out of their reach. So they put their able bodies to better use.

Still, Sakura was the one who had been pressed the most. So many people needed healing, and direction. And things had still been on a relatively manageable level, until three wounded were brought in. Each needing the best of healers. That's when the shit hit the fan.

The ninja now returning, had not been there for any of this. Sakura looked up from her fatigue induced lounging. Five ninja and one dog were making their way up the street. She smiled to see their return. Then she realized the number was slightly off; it should be six and one dog. The worry showed in her eyes.

Shino, removed the glasses from his mask, removed the mask and then replaced the glasses. 'I must do something about that' he thought to himself. "He is not dead."

Sakura felt a wave of relief wash over her, but then saw the worried look in Hinata's eyes. She looked over the faces of the others, lingering an extra moment on Sasuke. They each shared the same concerned look. Something was still wrong.

"Where is he?" she asked. "He's not hurt is he?

"We... we don't know." Hinata fought back her fears. "I hope not."

"Sakura." Sasuke called her attention. "He's missing. Sharingan couldn't find anything. There isn't a trace of him." Sasuke's normally calm, flawless exterior, was now slightly cracked. His voice was calm, but his eyebrows had slightly furrowed. He was concerned.

Sakura stared at them for a moment. "We need to report this!" She motioned them to follow.

They made their way through the bustling streets. Off to the sides were people resting, recuperating, or being treated. As they progressed, people began to notice them. They began to whisper. No one had failed to notice the return of Sasuke- and the absence of Naruto.

Eventually they were brought inside a small building. It was a restaurant which had been commandeered to treat the severely wounded. This had helped to save numerous lives that wouldn't make it to the hospital. Jiraiya's eyes had widened when he went through the door. There lying on a table, with plenty of pillows to keep her comfortable was the Hokage.

"Tsunade!" He lost all composure and pushed past everyone to reach her.

Tsunade opened her eyes to look at her old friend. She was a little pale and weak, but life was in her eyes. "Jiraiya..." she all but whispered.

Jiraiya leaned closer to better here her words. BIG. MISTAKE. Fist met face, as Jiraiya was sent careening across the room and out a window. "Next time you cop a feel, you better make damn sure I'm dead!" she growled.

Jiraiya had already made his way back inside with tears in his eyes. "Thank Kami! She's going to live!"

Tsunade's harsh demeanor instantly vanished when she noticed the ninja that was missing. "What do you have to report?"

"Hokage-sama..." Hinata began.


Three hours had passed since they had reported to Tsunade. Several men were sent to investigate. Specialists. Hunter-nin.

They would find whatever they could and report back. In the meantime, all anyone could do was wait. The rumor mill had begun to turn. Naruto was missing. This was interpreted differently throughout Konoha.

Those who knew and loved Naruto, were worried. They wanted him home safe and would do whatever they could to make it happen. These people all gathered together inside the restaurant. The remainder of the Konoha 12 were all there. Along with them, each of their sensei.

Of course, they weren't the only ones. Konohamaru and his entire team, including Ebisu was there. They were uncharacteristically quiet, simply eating bowls of ramen and listening to the others as they waited. The ramen was provided by Teuchi Ichiraku. It seemed that whenever Naruto was concerned he and his daughter Ayame were there.

The parents and family members of the Konoha twelve were there as well. Each comforting their children or siblings who had grown close to Naruto. They in turn had come to appreciate the blond young man. It seemed he had become a positive force in their lives, one way or another. They wanted him back now, just as much the young ones.

Any who might doubt such a thing would only have to look to the far left of the room. There they would see all the proof they would need. The famous "Koru-sama" holding his daughters hand as she sat with him. She was trying to comfort and ease him in his injured state. Instead, he was providing comfort and ease to her injured heart.

Outside the restaurant is where the rumors truly began to fly. Those who had never hated Naruto, or had changed their opinions of him showed genuine concern for his well being. Those who disliked Naruto, or hated him- for whatever reason- had several varying rumors. Some believed him to be dead, others captured, and others believed him to have abandoned the village. Naruto's presence or lack thereof was now something which could effect the entire village.

That was what Yosei had decided as he made his way back to Tsunade to make his report. He had been the man in charge of the investigation. During their month together, he had become rather attached to his student. Yosei couldn't help but like him. Naruto was something unique- even more so than himself.

The other ninja under his command went home. They had found nothing and would not need to be present to answer questions. Yosei alone walked into the restaurant. The minute he did, all eyes turned to him. People had frozen in place.

'Talk about pressure...' Yosei internally commented.

He didn't bother walking the rest of the way to Tsunade's side. Apparently everyone was going to hear this report, as the Hokage didn't dismiss anyone. So he took a chair and sat down. He took a deep breath. Then he began his report.

"The rest of the team found nothing. The Hunter-nin were at a loss out there."

Everyone looked extremely depressed.

"I however, did find something." All eyes were immediately back on him.

"What was it?" Jiraiya asked. He wanted his student back.

"Traces of energy. I can't say for certain what it was, but I know it wasn't chakra. That's why no one else was able to detect it. It was barely detectable to me, and it doesn't really help us that much, but at least we now have a clue as to what may have happened." There was a scraping of chairs as some people moved closer to hear him better.

"I believe Naruto has been teleported." Yosei stated firmly.

"Teleported where?" Hinata blurted out, her hair was standing on edge.

"Couldn't say." Yosei looked up at the ceiling. "Certainly, nowhere in this world."

Everyone looked confused. Everyone except Jiraiya and Tsunade. "Are you telling us..."

"Correct, Jiraiya-sama. Naruto was most likely plucked from this world in mid-flight, and placed inside another dimension. Or at least that is my best guess."

Sasuke finally spoke. "How do we get him out?"

Yosei turned to look at the dark haired ninja. "We don't." he replied. "It's beyond us."

"What the HELL?!" Kiba, Sakura, and Konohamaru yelled.

Kiba was the one to finish the sentence. "Are you telling us to just abandon him?! That we shouldn't bother trying?!"

"In a manner of speaking." He replied.

"Yosei." Tsunade looked at him darkly.

"Stare at me all you want, Tsunade. It doesn't change anything. If Naruto is going to come back, it will have to be through either his efforts, or the machinations of his abductors."

"Find the enemy, find Naruto." Guy spoke.

"That's our only real option." Yosei confirmed.

"Where do we find them?" Hinata said, quite resolute.

Shikamaru leaned back for second, and cleared his throat. "I think I know where to start." He held up a scroll.


"Osoru!" Zōo called out. "How much longer?"

The man sitting on a tree limb in the secluded area of the forest looked down at his leader. "I am afraid that it will be a while yet."

"I see." Zōo looked up at his companion. "I knew this was inevitable, but I hate waiting."

Itami, who was sitting in a tree across from Osoru looked down at Zōo. "I feel your pain. And you are the most patient one of us."

"Hmm, don't I know it. Well at any rate, it can't be helped. I am going to rest up. I suggest you all do the same, taking turns to keep watch. Keep me posted." With that, Zōo walked into the shadows of the trees.


Naruto looked around. Breathing was steadily becoming a more difficult task each time. He was still trapped in this alternate world, with no way out. The fox had been anything but useful. Refusing to answer any of Naruto's questions, or help him in any way.

'Stupid fox!' Naruto mentally screamed. It was a wasted effort.

The fox wasn't going to do anything. Naruto was on his own.

"But... how do you break out of another dimension?"

He continued to look around, having lost count of how many times he'd done so. There had to be a way out. There was a way in, so that meant there was a way out. Naruto wasn't a very patient person, but he had learned... somewhat. After all, he was still Naruto.


"I see..." That was Tsunade's response to Shikamaru's report. It was the message of warning from Suna, at last revealing the name of their enemy. One copy was sent to each of the villages.

The room was suddenly very cold. "The Dark Five," Hiashi whispered. "Never in my worst nightmares..."

"Are they that scary?" Konohamaru inquired.

"I should have made that part of the curriculum." Iruka frowned. "You'd know just how serious this is."

"I don't think any of us really understands how serious this is." Kakashi commented. "This is... unimaginable."

"And...and they're the ones who have Naruto?!" Hinata could barely contain her fear. Neji was now at her side as well, along with Hanabi. Their presence was of some help.

"It would seem so." Yosei, stated. "But, at least we know they're somewhere within Fire Country; most likely very near Konoha. We may be able to help him yet."

"Most of us." Jiraiya lamented.

Yamato could only wheeze in agreement. His tracheotomy wouldn't allow him to speak at the moment.

Tsunade looked at them. "I'm afraid it's true. We're too beaten up. It's entirely up to you kids."

"Even Kakashi-san and myself are unable to fight." Hiashi checked his grip with sadness as he spoke these words. "The last battle has taken a toll on our bodies."

Guy looked mournful. "Sadly I cannot go with you into battle. I and the the rest of the elite must stay to protect the city. Still..." He thrust out his hip and performed the infamous 'nice guy pose.' "Now is the time for you to show the power of youth!"

Tsunade looked at the next generation. Ambivalent with both remorse and pride. "Shikamaru. Organize your team. Go find that knuckle head!"


Setsuna awoke the leader of the Dark Five. The man in a blue Yukata stood smiling over the one dressed in black. "It's nearly time."

"Excellent." Zōo, rose from his nap, and strode forward.

Filled with energy, he made his way with Setsuna to clearing. There is where they found their other three comrades. Zōo moved directly past them and began to trek towards their next goal. Konoha, was once again, in sight. Soon the real work would begin.


Author's Section

Well, there you go. Chapter Eleven. And look everyone! Tsunade, Yamato, Hiashi! They're still alive!

Man I had you all, but good. What would you have done if I actually killed one of them? Or all of them? Boohoohoo, right?

At any rate, I decided to end this chapter a bit early, as it was apparently nothing more I could do. Be ready for the next one! Please read and review. I'm really hungry for those reviews.

-bakagaijin