"Where is the Kyuubi currently?" Tobi asked Zetsu.
Zetsu smirked, "In the middle of their campsite. He currently has those mutants around him, his team, and one of the Sannin is with him as well. It won't be easy to get to him unless the Akatsuki attacks with force."
Tobi nodded at Zetsu's information. After a moment of thought he nodded again.
"Gather the Akatsuki. The Jinchuuriki will no longer be a problem after tonight."
The night air was cool and crisp, but with a warm breeze running through the camp. Tsunade had set the list of sentinels for that night and they knew how long each of them were to wait until relieving those on duty.
Kiba and Akamaru walked through the darkness constantly sniffing the air for any changes in the wind or the scents of the forest. Many of the other sentinels were on high alert in the dark. They couldn't shake the suspicion that it had been too long since the Akatsuki and Sound nin had tried anything.
Laura walked back to the tent where Naruto and Sakura were silently sitting on Naruto's bed. Sakura with her hands placed on Naruto's shoulder where the poison had initially entered his body. She ran her green glowing hands along, then removed them smiling.
"You're all clear," Sakura announced. "But please don't do anything reckless for a day or two. I don't care that you have an abnormal healing time."
Naruto whined protesting, "Sakura! You are so mean."
Laura giggled at his puppy dog eyes.
Sakura smiled at the mutant girl. "Don't ever let him out of your sight when he has that look on his face. It means he is up to something."
Naruto groaned, "It does not!"
Sakura patted him on the back, "Sure." She left the tent leaving the two alone.
Tsunade looked up from where she lay peacefully grasping at as much sleep as she could possibly get while all was calm. She reached over to a cup that had held water an hour ago, but was now empty. She moaned in annoyance. Standing up she walked out of the tent with her cup in hand heading for the stream running through camp near the area that was designated for cooking.
She allowed herself to relax while listening to the chirping of the crickets and the wind rustling through the leaves. The snap of a twig made her body instinctively tense until she identified the source was just a small grey fox ran by in the bushes sticking close to the shadows and staying out of sight.
She knelt down still alert and scooped up a cup of water. Tsunade ran her hand around the cup determining that there was no poison in the water before taking a sip.
The chirping of the crickets suddenly silenced around the forest. Tsunade looked around suspiciously.
"Otomatsu. Yamato."
"Yes, Lady Tsunade," they greeted on one knee before her.
"Go check in with each sentinel. I want them to all be twice as alert at the moment. Once you are done with that, I want you both to keep an eye on, Naruto. Yamato, you stay with him inside the tent. Otomatsu you stay on the lookout outside. If the X-Men see you, just tell them you are there by my orders," she ordered.
"Yes ma'am."
The two ANBU disappeared within a puff of smoke leaving her on her own.
Yamato had taken the west side of the camp and was now going to each sentinel over there. His first stop was Kiba and Akamaru.
The Inuzuka turned to him when he appeared.
"What's up Captain Yamato?" Kiba asked
"Tsunade wants everyone twice as alert. She doesn't seem to like something in the air right now.
Kiba nodded with Akamaru's affirmative bark. They would both be extra cautious if the Hokage had a hunch about something that serious.
Yamato landed at the front entrance to Naruto's tent and brushed past the tent flap.
He took note of Laura and Sakura sitting next to his bedside chatting with him. The talk had ceased as Yamato entered.
"Captain Yamato," Sakura and Naruto greeted.
Laura nodded in greeting as well.
Sakura frowned at Yamato's serious attitude. "Is something wrong?" she questioned.
"Hmm…Oh no. I was just checking in on Naruto. How are you feeling?" Yamato asked Naruto.
Naruto beamed, "I feel great! But Sakura won't let me get up and do anything."
Sakura rolled her eyes. "That's because you always hurt yourself again! I'd like to not have to be healing you again at the moment. Plus you need to stay somewhere where the Akatsuki can't get to you in case they return."
Naruto whimpered, "But Sa-ku-ra!"
"NO!" Sakura snapped standing up over the blonde mutant ninja.
Naruto cringed back under her gaze. "Okay, Sakura! Geez…I just wanted to get up and move around a bit."
"NO!" she repeated firmly.
"Uh…Sakura. Why don't you let Naruto get some rest," Yamato suggested.
Sakura leaned back with an exasperated sigh.
"Fine. Come on Laura. Let's leave Naruto to his sleep."
Laura nodded and silently followed Sakura outside. Yamato turned his gaze to Naruto and glared at him.
"You are to stay in bed until I say otherwise," Yamato instructed.
Naruto cowered under his foreboding glare. "Yes, Sir."
Naruto slipped under the covers with his head reappearing to rest on the pillow. Yamato nodded and walked back outside to take in the surrounding area.
Naruto peered over the covers. He's hiding something.
No duh. I'm not dumb like you.
Hey! Take that back!
The only thing he could be hiding would have to do with the Akatsuki. Although I agree with Pinky. We need to stay where we are and rest.
Humph. Ya ya. Fine. …
Kyuubi, What do you think the Akatsuki will do now that they know we can't be separated.
…
Kyuubi? Naruto waited for an answer.
Kill.
What?
They will most likely kill you.
Ugh…Well I won't go down without a fight that's for sure.
No, I have no doubt you won't, Kyuubi chuckled.
Do you think Yamato is worried that they will attack soon?
I was thinking that might be the case. That would also explain his orders to stay put until he says otherwise.
Naruto nodded in agreement.
"Naruto?" a faint whisper reached Naruto's ears.
His ears twitched forward at the sound.
"Laura?" Naruto asked pushing himself up.
Laura had come back in and stood by the doorway.
Naruto smiled. "What are you doing over there. Come sit down."
Laura didn't take one of the chairs by the side of the bed instead she sat on his bed by his feet.
"Naruto…I…"
Don't make her ask!
Internally Naruto panicked, What should I say?
Anything!
Naruto tensed before interrupting, "Uh…Laura, I'd like to ask if…Well… I guess ask isn't really the right word."
He turned his gaze downwards to his hands while all the tell tale signs were clearly shown through his ears, tail, hands, and face.
"I've had a growing feeling inside me since we met and well I just wanted to know…I'm in love with you!" he finally blurted out. His eyes were now staring into hers shoving his feelings to the front open to her.
Laura gaped in surprise. When she felt her face heat up she looked downward. "That's…good…because I feel the same, though I didn't really realize what it was until Logan mentioned it."
Naruto placed his index finger below her chin and gently guided her face to look into his. She was surprised at the intensity of his smile reaching from his mouth to his eyes that almost seemed to sparkle.
She was the first one to move forward surprising herself and Naruto as they pressed closer to each other holding each other in a tight embrace.
When they came apart for air they both had the happiest grins on their flushed faces.
Laura pulled from his embrace. "I should let you get to sleep. I think tomorrow's going to be a busy day with preparations."
She leaned forward and gave him a peck on the lips before leaving him alone in the tent.
See.
Oh shut up! I don't need a back seat match maker.
The Kyuubi only chuckled.
Author's Note: Sorry for the long wait! I think I almost typed Mutant ninja turtles earlier. Haha. Thanks for reading! Please review!