An: Thank you for the reviews again as always. Well after this chapter if it was the anime it would be hitting the filler arcs. So with that in mind I like to think of these next chapters as the "All Thriller no Filler Arcs," which ironically will be featuring a few of the filler characters. But Naruto will be taking a backseat for them, as he'll be out of Konoha at the time, so I can focus on some of the other characters for a while. What he's up to during training will pop up from time to time but it'll be in the backdrop. So again thank you for taking the time to review. Your humble author S. o. t. A.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and I'm doing this for fun not profit.
Chapter 30: We've got to get you Strong
Sasuke awoke to find himself on the back of the figure that had aided his escape from Naruto. Still weak and tired he asked, "Who are you?"
"You may call me Fan," the robed figure said its voice sounding distorted and mechanical not giving away whether the speaker was man or woman. Furthermore, he couldn't get an accurate reading based of what he was felling of the persons contours as he/she was wearing light armor beneath its robes.
Giving up on attempting to figure it out, he asked, "Are you an associate of the Uchiha?"
The masked figure didn't respond so he asked, "Why help me to escape Konoha?"
"You figured out that Konoha would only stand in your way of killing Itachi. A task I wish you to succeed in. So I will take you to the base Orochimaru is at, but be warned he only hopes to aid you in gaining strength to eventually take over your body and gain the Sharingan."
"I know," Sasuke replied.
"Then why did you agree to his proposal?"
Pausing a moment, Sasuke said, "Because gaining strength is all that matters. I have no problem breaking my word to someone like Orochimaru, especially since I doubt that he will wait until I destroy Itachi before attempting to take possession of me."
Fan nodded its head and they settled into silence. Sasuke felt sleep nipping at the corners of his consciousness so before giving in asked, "Did Itachi wrong you?"
"Not just Itachi," Fan replied and despite the synthesizer disguising its voice, Sasuke could hear the hatred in it as Fan continued, "But we will talk more after you have killed Itachi. Until then grow strong because we will meet again." Wanting to ask more of Fan's motives Sasuke tried to stay awake but lost the battle so sunk into darkness.
Ino was heading to the hospital to check on Sasuke's condition having been out of the Village on the morning of his discharge on a lame flower delivering mission. As a result she was unaware that he wasn't even in the village anymore. Upon her return from the mission the night of his defection her father had roped her into manning the store the next day, on what had to have been the slowest day in the flower shops entire history. She didn't have even one customer the entire day to gossip with.
Entering the hospital she found that it appeared to be quite busy compared to last time she had visited when Sasuke had first been admitted. Walking up to the front desk ideally wondering why it was so hectic. She pushed it out of her mind figuring she'd ask later, she then said to the nurse manning the desk, "I'd like to see Sasuke Uchiha if that's possible."
The nurse just scoffed at her before saying, "That trash was discharged from here the day before yesterday."
Before Ino could ask why the nurse would refer to one of the best genin in the village in such a disrespectful manner she heard someone say while pushing a stretcher quickly across the lobby, "Get out of the way. We have to get this boy to Room Thirteen. Lady Tsunade believes that she has found a cure for the pills he took."
Stepping closer to the desk she turned to see who got hurt and saw an emaciated boy that looked like her teammate. Ino then said sounding surprised, worried, and shocked all rolled into one, "Chouji!"
To stunned to move after the fast moving stretcher. She heard the nurse behind her say, "Poor thing, I don't think he's going to make it."
Rounding on the nurse, her voice cracking with emotion she asked, "What's going on? Was that Chouji…Chouji Akimichi?"
"I'm afraid so dear," the nurse replied her previous cold demeanor disappearing as she tried to soothe the kunoichi. "How do you know him?"
"He's…he's on my team. What happened to him?"
Taking pity on the confused girl the nurse said, "Sasuke Uchiha defected from the village yesterday. A Team led by Shikamaru Nara took off after him to retrieve him. Chouji was on that team."
"But what happened to him?" Ino asked the concern she felt written on her face.
"I don't know for sure," the nurse answered, "all that I do know is that if Lady Tsunade wasn't the Hokage, he would probably already be dead."
That was all Ino needed to hear and began moving in the direction that the stretcher had traveled. She found Room Thirteen but the light above it, which meant people were receiving treatment inside and to stay out, was on. So she sat along one of the benches outside it. While she waited she wondered why if Shikamaru had been placed in charge he hadn't gotten her as well. He had known that her father had her running the shop yesterday. Yet despite that, it wouldn't have been the first time that the flower shop had been closed for shinobi business. So he should have gotten her. Wasn't she a part of Team Ten too?
Tsunade was looking through the book that she had Shikaku Nara bring to the hospital. Mixing the various ingredients that the book said seemed to retard the chakra accelerating factors of the Red Chili Pill that was causing Chouji's body to in effect feed upon itself she believed she had created a viable medicine for him. Getting up from the table she had been working at she lifted the young Akimichi's head to allow him to swallow the medicine.
After several minutes of checking his vitals she was pleased to see that his slightly elevated heartbeat and temperature were beginning to drop. After several more moments she was sure the medicine was working as his chakra levels that had remained dangerously low as his body was constantly burning through it began to rise. She smiled lightly to herself as Chouji mumbled, "I'm so hungry when is it time to eat mom?" in his sleep. Confident that at least one of her shinobi was out of danger she ran a few more test just to be sure hoping that even though a messenger bird had arrived to report the mission had been a failure that it didn't turn into a costly one.
An Anbu wearing a dog mask with purple marks on the cheeks of it was led into the throne room of Orochimaru. She was flanked by Jiroubou who was carrying an unconscious Sasuke Uchiha in his arms. Taking in the strange scene Orochimaru asked, "Are you all that remains of the Sound Five Jiroubou?"
A little nervous at admitting his defeat the large shinobi said, "I don't know Lord Orochimaru. We were attacked by Konoha Shinobi and I stayed behind to fend them off. I'm afraid, I was defeated. The Anbu before you healed me in order for me to lead her here. She says you owe her master some sort of payment."
Ignoring that last part of the report Orochimaru commented, "Yet you are the one with the prize."
Before Jiroubou could respond the Anbu said, "That's because we found him lying in the woods just outside the entrance to the base."
"I see," Orochimaru replied before turning to Kabuto and saying, "Kabuto take Jiroubou and Sasuke to the infirmary so that I may discuss matters with this Anbu in private."
Kabuto nodded to his master and led Jiroubou out of the room to administer the counter agent to the Sound Five survivor as well as make sure Sasuke wasn't permanently damaged. After they left Orochimaru in good humor said, "Does Danzou not trust me to deliver on my end of the bargain now that I have Sasuke?"
Unemotionally the Kunoichi replied, "I do not try to guess at Lord Danzou's motives. However my mission was to see if Sasuke made it here and regardless of that to collect his payment. It is ready, isn't it?"
"My dear Kunoichi you wound me," Orochimaru said in jest getting up from his thrown. "It's ready, follow me."
Heading to one of his labs Orochimaru asked, "Perhaps you will indulge my curiosity, but what poor soul donated his arm to Danzou's ambition?"
"I believe his name was a Shisui," the Anbu answered.
"Interesting, so he has been holding onto it for that long then," Orochimaru said thoughtful recognizing the name.
Entering the lab Orochimaru walked up to one of the tables in the room where a glass case rested. Taking the case from the table he handed it to the Anbu saying, "I'll admit to having been confused when Kabuto informed me that Danzou wished for the abilities of the Senju and Uchiha. But seeing that arm makes it quite clear. How on earth did he ever convince that old Buzzard Sarutobi to allow him to take those eyes after the Uchiha massacre?"
"Somebody else had all ready stolen most of the eyes that night," the Anbu answered honestly. "These were merely the ones that remained."
"You seem unusually loose-lipped for one of Danzou's Anbu," Orochimaru said.
However the Anbu gave no indication of being offended merely replying, "There is no harm in you knowing where the materials you have been working with came from. I trust once we attach this arm to Lord Danzou there will be no problems?"
Giving a cryptic smile Orochimaru asked, "Now what point would there be in me double crossing Danzou at this point. We may one day be enemies but for now we are moving in similar directions."
The Anbu accepted that but would run test on the arm regardless when she returned to Konoha. Bowing her head one last time at the Snake Sannin she shunshined out of the base. Orochimaru waited several moments after the Anbu left before saying, "I trust Sasuke will live and you gave Jiroubou the counter agent."
"Yes Lord Orochimaru," his right hand man Kabuto replied. "However it seems the wound on Sasuke's chest will leave a scar. Furthermore, Ukon has arrived as well I also gave him and his brother the antidote."
"No matter, but I sense a question lurking in that mind of yours."
"I was merely wondering why you didn't put some sort of poison in the arm or other means of harming Danzou. You know sooner or later we will have to eliminate him," Kabuto stated.
"Well although I didn't know it at the time. I'm glad I didn't. Not with a medic of that quality working for him," Orochimaru replied.
"The Anbu, which just left?"
"Yes, unless I miss my guess she was the one that implanted the Sharingan into Kakashi," Orochimaru informed his subordinate.
But if you didn't know that, it would imply you had another reason not to," Kabuto said.
"Quite right," Orochimaru said beginning to leave the lab to go inspect Sasuke. With Kabuto falling into step behind him he continued saying, "That reason is because when Danzou inevitably rebels against Tsunade, whether he wins or loses Konoha will be weakened in the process. Making it easier for me to destroy at my leisure, and with the Sharingan in my possession there will be nothing to stop me this time."
Shikamaru arrived at the front gate to find several Anbu waiting for him. He handed over the still unconscious Tayuya who after the Anbu slapped several Chakra Repression Seals on her took her to the hospital for treatment for her broken legs. Outside the hospital he was stopped by Ibiki who asked him to tell him everything that had happened during the mission. He did as he was ordered, despite the only thing he wanted to do was find out about Chouji and the rest of his squad. He did note though that Ibiki's eyes seemed to light up when he mentioned his prisoner. Ibiki taking pity on the chunin told him that he could go and that Tsunade was currently working on Chouji.
As he walked to the room the Jounin directed him to. He noticed that while Kankurou had taken off for parts unknown, Temari was quietly following him. Turning the corner where Room Thirteen was he spotted Ino sitting outside of it which surprised him. He wondered for a moment how she knew when even Chouji's own family hadn't been made aware apparently since he was positive Chouji's mother would be pacing the halls otherwise.
As soon as Ino saw him she got up from the bench she was sitting on and stormed over to him saying angrily, "What's the big idea leaving me out of this mission? You knew where to find me."
Not wanting to hear Ino complaining since all he wanted to do was find out Chouji's condition he said, "Not now, Ino. Talk to me about it later."
He tried to walk by her, but Ino grabbed him by the arm saying, "No, we'll talk about this now. I'm a part of Team Ten aren't I? So why would you grab Shinobi that you have never worked with before instead of me?" Ino knew she was coming off as rude but as she had sat outside the room with nothing but her doubts and anger at being left out of the mission to keep her company she had worked herself up into a self-righteous fury.
"I said not now Ino," Shikamaru said sounding as close to angry as she had ever heard the usually laid back Chunin.
"Tough, I deserve to kn…"
"You don't deserve to know anything," Shikamaru snapped letting the anger he was feeling out. "Fine, you want to know why. It's because you are the weakest kunoichi of our age group. Furthermore, knowing our target was Sasuke, I didn't know where your loyalties would lay."
Taken aback by his outburst she remained silent at his saying she was weak. But hearing that he actually thought she would betray Konoha and her team she said, "You actually think I would betray my home and team."
"Why shouldn't I?" Shikamaru retorted. "Sometimes the only reason I think you became a kunoichi was for Sasuke. Take why you're even here in the hospital right now, for example. You came here to see Sasuke didn't you? You hadn't heard he had been discharged from the hospital because of that delivery you made."
Even though what he said was true she tried to defend herself but Shikamaru cut her off continuing, "You say you are a part of Team Ten but are you really. I bet you can't tell me anything about Chouji. Can you? But that didn't stop you from shooting your mouth off about his weight did it. Well if you had bothered to learn anything about him you would have learned that his weight could fluctuate anywhere between ten to fifty pounds depending on how hard he has to fight Ino. His body needs all that stored energy in order to fight effectively. But do you care? No, because it doesn't fit into what your perfect shinobi is supposed to be. So don't tell me what you deserve to know Ino."
Ino stood there shocked at the venom in Shikamaru's words. While it was true their parents were close. Staring into Shikamaru's angry eyes she realized that she really hadn't taken the time to get to know her team as well as she should have. But despite that she had thought highly of them and knowing how lowly Shikamaru's opinion of her was she wondered if Chouji felt the same way. Feeling tears entering her eyes she didn't want to break down in front of him and the Sand kunoichi, so she went to find a quiet corner to cry in.
Shikamaru felt bad as soon as Ino took off running down the hall. While he did feel that way at times with Ino, he hadn't meant it to come out as cruel as it did. He was about to run after her to apologize when Temari grabbed his arm saying, "Don't, she needed to hear how you felt."
"I know, but I didn't mean it to come out as harsh as it did," Shikamaru said upset with himself for letting his emotions get the better of him, "I was just angry."
"I understand, however that is when such things are often brought to light. Was anything you said untrue?" Temari replied.
Shikamaru shook his head no, so she continued, "If you had sugar coated it, she would have just blown it off."
Shikamaru nodded his head still feeling guilty about his outburst, but accepted that Temari was right and Ino would need time to mull over what he had said. He was about to tell her that when the light above the door turned off. Worried what that meant. He waited anxiously for someone to step out so he could ask about his friend. After several minutes and with him almost reaching the point of entering the room, The Hokage stepped out.
Noticing the agitated state of the Nara, she said, "Don't worry, Chouji will be alright."
Tsunade could see as a good portion of the tension in the boy faded away and figured that he would only completely relax when he knew the state of the rest of his team. Walking up to the chunin, she placed a hand on his shoulder as she walked by to find out the status on the rest of the shinobi sent on the retrieval mission. She was beat to the punch as Shizune ran up to her saying, "Lady Tsunade, both Hinata and Neji's wounds have been attended to and they are expected to make a complete recovery."
Nodding her head at the good news she waited for Shizune to continue. Her apprentice then reported, "However, Rock Lee has just been admitted with a deep stab wound to the stomach. His teammate Tenten has received lacerations to her knees that have probably cut the tendons. Hana is inbound with a critically wounded Kiba who was a recipient of a Chidori. Also Shikamaru secured a prisoner whose legs are broken and suffered some damage to her back. I have doctors inspecting her as we speak. They should begin healing her shortly if you wish to over see Lee."
"Yes, I'll look in on him. What about the medical teams I sent out?" Tsunade asked her apprentice.
"One team met up with Haku and is currently checking out Ami. She received a brutal beating but is otherwise okay. Kin also was wounded, but will be fine after some rest. The other team is traveling with Hana doing their best to stabilize Kiba while they head to Konoha."
"What about Naruto?" Tsunade asked before clarifying, "Has there been any word since Kakashi's last report?"
"I'm afraid not Lady Tsunade, but Kakashi didn't think Naruto was in any danger of dying from his injuries so he probably didn't feel the need to keep sending updates."
Accepting her apprentice's reasoning she was about to go help heal Rock Lee since he was the most gravely wounded. When Shikamaru asked, "Did they get Sasuke?"
Without looking back she replied, "I'm afraid your mission was a failure Shikamaru. But with a lot of luck we won't lose anyone so take comfort in that."
Tears leaking from his eyes Shikamaru said, "Don't worry Lady Hokage, the next mission will go perfectly."
"I'll hold you to that."
Sakura was sitting in the lobby after turning over Lee to the medical staff of the hospital. She had heard about what happened to Hinata and was relieved that she was expected to be okay. She hadn't been allowed to see her friend yet so vowed to stay until she could. Also, she wanted to know if Lee would pull through. It had been a few hours since she arrived and she was just about to nod off when Kakashi entered with an unconscious Naruto on his back. Before she could run up to find out what was wrong with him the nurse on duty had taken him off Kakashi's hands.
She was about to follow the nurse when Kakashi placed a hand on her shoulder saying, "Let them work Sakura. You looking over there shoulder wouldn't be of any help. Besides he isn't in any danger he's just banged up and suffering from chakra exhaustion. How's Lee?"
"I don't know," Sakura answered still worried about Naruto despite her sensei's words, "But Lady Tsunade is personally attending to him."
"Well he's in the best of hands then," Kakashi said.
He was about to say more when a voice cut in, "Thanks for the vote of confidence Kakashi."
Sakura turned towards the Hokage asking, "Lady Hokage is Lee going to be alright?"
"Yes," Tsunade said smiling at the girl, "Actually it's all thanks to you that he will be. Tell me. How far along are you in the medic program?"
Embarrassed at the praise, Sakura answered, "Well, I'm not actually in the medic program yet. I was hoping to join the program that starts next month."
"Then where did you learn the technique you used to bind his wounds?"
"From a book I've been studying in order to prepare for the upcoming medical course."
Tsunade's eyes widen in surprise at the information considering the professional way Sakura had patched up Lee for transportation to Konoha. She wouldn't be surprised that should she ask the girl from which book she used to come up with her treatment method she would find it matched perfectly with the pictures the book showed.
With the girl's seemingly impeccable memory recall and the reports she read about her near perfect chakra control Tsunade said, "Impressive, but I'm afraid you will not be attending the medical program…" Sakura looked upset at that until Tsunade finished, "…seeing as you'll be far too busy learning as my apprentice."
Sakura was stunned by the Hokage's decree but felt Kakashi place his hand on Sakura's shoulder again saying, "Congratulations Sakura, it's no less than you deserve after all the effort you've been putting into your training."
Not quite sure how to respond she bowed saying, "I'll prove myself worthy of this honor milady."
Acknowledging Sakura statement with a nod of her head she turned to the team leader of Team Seven and said, "Kakashi, I'll like to speak to you later."
"Of course Lady Hokage," Kakashi replied, "Has there been any word on Kiba?"
"He'll pull through Kakashi," Tsunade answered, "Shizune saw to him while I was healing Lee."
Collapsing into a chair in the lobby Kakashi said the relief evident in his voice, "Thank Kami. Tell Shizune thank you for me."
"Tell her yourself," Tsunade said, "It'll mean more coming from you then me."
"Yeah…" Kakashi said in a way that made Tsunade suspect that Kakashi knew of her first apprentice's feelings for the jounin. Figuring that Kakashi wouldn't feel he deserved happiness after the recent turn of events, therefore depriving Shizune of hers began plotting of a way to help get the two together. While it might have seemed a little silly to some with all the darkness of recent events she hoped to bring a little happiness to those around her.
Naruto was trying to escape from the bed he was tied to. He had woken up a few hours after being admitted and feeling a lot better had decided that he wasn't in need of hospitalization. Shizune on the other had disagreed and having heard of his previous escape from the hospital was prepared.
He was still trying to get loose nearly four hours after Shizune left when he heard, "Give it up kid. She was teached by the best and they never give up a patient until they are satisfied he's healed."
"Pervy Sage, how long have you been there?"
"Long enough," Jiraiya said.
"Come on then Pervy Sage get me out of there," Naruto said.
"No way kid, do you have any idea of what would happen to me if Tsunade heard I helped you escape from the hospital?" Jiraiya replied giving a slight shiver having a good idea of how Tsunade would respond if such news reached her ears. Turning serious he said, "We need to talk."
Stopping his struggles Naruto asked, "About what?"
"Akatsuki is looking for the hosts of the tailed beasts. I need to get you ready for your inevitable confrontation with them, so you'll be joining me on a training trip. We'll also be hoping to meet and warn the other hosts of Akatsuki's intentions."
"How long?"
"Depends but I figure maybe two to three years depending on how well the other jinchuriki are hidden," Jiraiya responded.
Naruto sat there and absorbed the information silently which surprised Jiraiya so he jokingly said, "I have to say kid I'm surprised. I figured you'd give me a hard time."
After a moment of reflection Naruto said, "If a jerk like Sasuke was able to make me go all out. How am I supposed to stand up to nine S-ranked missing-nin?"
Smiling at the boy Jiraiya said, "Well glad to see you can be reasonable. But don't worry we'll get you strong in no time."
"When do we leave?'
"As soon as you are let out of the hospital," Jiraiya said noting that Naruto suddenly didn't seem so anxious to escape from his bonds. Figuring the reason were the two girls he always saw around him Jiraiya added, "Naruto I know you don't want to leave your friends but…"
Jiraiya was surprised and proud when Naruto said, "I know Pervy Sage. But by leaving it'll make it harder for Akatsuki to find me, and they'll leave Konoha alone. It's just; can I have a day to say good-bye?"
"Sure thing kid, I'll let you say good-bye to your little girlfriends," the Toad Sage replied making his way to the window. "Rest well, because it's going to be the last break you get for a while since we are going to hit the ground running."
It was getting dark in the Land of Tea. Dosu Kinuta, former Sound-nin, had quickly learned that being a shinobi without a village while offering unparalleled freedom was not without drawbacks. One of those drawbacks was that he never knew where his next job would come from. Also, a lot of those that would hire an unaligned shinobi like him thought of him as a missing-nin and would try to double-cross him from time to time. Despite those pit falls Dosu had worked hard at building himself a reputation of reliability and integrity.
That was why he was sitting at a bar in Degarashi Port. He had been hired by a contractor to steal a diamond. He had managed to infiltrate the home where the jewel was kept but had found that it had already gone missing. His contact had paid him in full, so with him unable to fulfill the job he was here to return what he hadn't used in preparing for the job.
The bar was dark and was the type of place where such clandestine meeting between a shinobi and his contractor could meet face to face. After about a half hour he noticed a woman with red russet hair approaching. Her lower face was covered with a scarf and he could only see one of her light green eyes the other being covered by her hair.
As she sat across from him Dosu said confused, "You weren't the one who hired me."
"Not directly no," the woman said, "But the contractor who hired you worked for me."
Pulling a pouch full of money Dosu said, "Well this is yours then. The diamond was already stolen by the time I arrived."
Laughing a light musical tone the woman told him, "I know. I was the one who stole it."
Dosu's lone visible eye widen at that information so a little angry he asked, "Then why hire me to steal it if you were capable of it yourself?"
"To see if you could," the woman answered, "Also, this was the real test."
"What was?"
"To see what kind of person you were," the woman answered. "Missing-nin are a dime a dozen. One who would return his pay for as small a reason as the item, he was supposed to steal not being where it was supposed to be are rare."
"The way I looked at it, I was paid to steal the diamond" Dosu explained, "It could do harm to my reputation if I took this money and didn't actually steal it."
"I suppose," the woman replied unconvinced, "But you could have claimed any number of reasons why it wasn't there, faulty Intel for one."
Dosu nodded his head in acknowledgement of her point before commenting, "Now for the heart of the matter…"
"Why?" She cut in, "As I said this job was a test to see if I could trust you for an operation I have planned."
"What sort of operation?"
"I'm afraid I can't say," she answered, "All I can say on the matter is that it is dangerous. But the potential rewards are great."
"What sort of rewards?"
"Money, or perhaps more portent to you, absolution," she said cryptically.
"What's that suppose to mean?" he asked agitated.
Leaning forward she said, "You feel that you let your team down for not seeing Orochimaru's betrayal. That is why you turned down the Leaf's offer of joining them as some sort of penance perhaps. But it wasn't your fault and I believe that you find the life of a missing-nin unappealing. Should this operation go as planned I believe I'll be in position to make it so that you can once more wear a headband in pride."
"Tempting, but what if I say I'll pass?" Dosu asked trying not to let on just how tempting her offer was.
The woman answered, her tone indicating her amusement at Dosu trying to remain unruffled by her offer, "Then you walk out of her with the money in that pouch and your reputation intact. Free to do as you please."
"I'll need time to think it over," he said after a moment.
"Yes, I understand," she said, "Should you choose to accept head to Port City in the Land of Fire. There will be a ship named the Water Nymph docked there in two weeks time. Tell the captain, 'Tea Country peaches are the sweetest.' He'll see that you get to where you need to go."
The woman then got up to leave. Dosu watched her exit the bar wondering just who she was and just what the operation she had planned truly was. Whatever it was, he was sure it was big considering how careful she was being in approaching him. Collecting the money he too left the establishment and wondered if he truly could attain absolution for failing to see Orochimaru's intentions for his old team. The thought kept him up most of the night and by morning he had left the village his feet carrying him north.
Hinata slowly opened her eyes surprised to still be alive. When she let out a little moan her vision was suddenly blocked by Sakura, who said, "This is getting to be a real habit for you."
Hinata smiled tiredly at her saying, "Sorry."
Sakura just smiled at her and sat back down in the chair next to her bed so Hinata asked, "Did we get him? Is Naruto and the others okay?"
Sakura shook her head no to the first part of her questioned and answering the second said, "Everyone will live but there were a lot of injuries, you, Lee, and Kiba suffering the worse of them." Her voice quavered a little as she added, "If your cousin hadn't of carried you back you'd be dead now."
That bit of news surprised Hinata. Her cousin had cared enough to carry her back to the village, was there a chance she could have her cousin back? "What happened to Kiba?" she asked.
Sakura looking gloomy answered saying, "Sasuke tried to kill him with a Chidori. Naruto sent Hana back with him while he faced Sasuke alone. According to Kakashi-sensei, Naruto won but was ambushed by a third party. They collapsed one of the statues at the Valley of the End on him."
Anticipating what Hinata would do Sakura was already moving to hold her down as she said, "Don't worry, Naruto is fine but they aren't allowing visitors for him at the moment."
"Why?"
Smiling Sakura said, "Apparently Shizune feels that it would provoke Naruto into leaving the hospital early again. I heard she has him tied to his bed."
Hinata smiled a little at the image before turning serious and asking, "Why didn't you tell us your suspicions about Sasuke?"
"I didn't want to worry you two for nothing."
"But we're your friends, you should have," Hinata countered sternly.
"I know," Sakura said, "and believe me I wish I had."
Hinata nodded her head. Just then Shizune entered saying, "Excuse me, I have to check how well Hinata is healing."
"I'll leave then," Sakura said.
"There's no need," Shizune said stopping the pinkette, "After all, soon it'll be you checking over the patients."
Hinata unsure to what Shizune was implying asked, "Did you get into the medic program Sakura?"
"Far better than that," Sakura said unable to keep the smile from her face, "Lady Tsunade choose me as her apprentice."
Happy for her friend Hinata said, "Congratulations."
"Thanks"
Watching the two girls as she held her hand over Hinata's stomach to check how well Hinata's wound was healing, Shizune thought, "You poor thing, you have no idea what you've gotten yourself into." After completing her scan she said, "You're healing nicely Hinata, after a few days you'll be able to leave. But it'll be a couple of weeks before you are fit enough for training or duty."
Hinata accepted the news disappointed it would be so long before she could train, but understood it was a necessary precaution. Shizune was about to leave to check on the Sound girl when Hinata asked, "When will I…"
"We," Sakura interjected.
Hinata correcting herself, while sending a little glare at her rival that was returned much to Shizune's amusement, she continued, "When will WE be allowed to see Naruto?"
Smiling at the two girls' mini-rivalry Shizune said, "I'll allow him to see guests tomorrow." Then getting serious she added, "But so help me if he escapes because one of you helped him, after I catch him I'll lock him up in here for a month without visitors."
Both girls paled at the idea of not seeing the blonde for so long merely nodded their heads in acceptance of Shizune's terms. The girls chatted about a few other subjects before one of the nurses on duty informed Sakura that it was time to leave. Sakura told Hinata she would see her tomorrow and headed home. Hinata went to sleep a little while later hoping that Naruto wouldn't be to upset that she had been so severely wounded after she had said she would be careful.
Tsunade was preparing to leave the hospital and get some much needed rest when Shizune had asked her to come with her. Entering a room she found the unconscious Sound-nin chained to a bed. Stepping up and not seeing anything physically wrong with the girl outside of her injuries which seemed to be healing nicely Tsunade asked, "What is it Shizune?"
"I was hoping you could double check something for me, Lady Tsunade," Shizune answered.
"What"
"I would like you to scan her first," Shizune said causing her master to arch an eyebrow.
Shrugging her shoulders Tsunade complied but didn't see anything amiss until she neared the Curse Mark. Smirking she thought, "You old snake, at least come up with something original. I believe I already played this trick on you."
Meeting eyes with her apprentice she said, "Good catch Shizune. It seems to be a variation of the Akimichi three pills in that it would build up an unbelievable amount of chakra in the body. However I imagine instead of allowing her to harness the energy it would cause the girl go off like an exploding tag."
"But why is it concentrated in and around the curse mark?" Shizune asked.
"Because all good bombs need a trigger and Orochimaru undoubtedly figures we would activate the curse mark in order to study it."
Tsunade paused a moment before saying, "I'll work on an antidote tomorrow, it won't trigger so long as the curse mark remains inactive."
Shizune said, "Okay, I'll give it to her when it's ready."
"No," Tsunade said surprising her apprentice, "I think we should show this kunoichi just how much her master values her."
"But…"
"Trust me Shizune," Tsunade said, "By the way how many doctors scanned her today before you."
"I believe three, why?"
"Because apparently some remedial training is necessary if they missed such a thing. Good work by the way. You not only saved this girls life but I'm sure quite a few others as well."
Shizune basked in the praise her master gave her. Tsunade smiled saying, "Now come with me."
Falling in step with her master they left the hospital and headed to the Hokage Tower. Shizune was surprised to find Kakashi sitting outside of the Hokage's office and even more so when Tsunade had them both follow her in. Tsunade indicated she wanted Shizune to stand behind her chair so took up a position to the right of her sitting master.
Tsunade folded her hands in front of her with her elbows sitting on the table and began, "Kakashi, the reason I have called you here is to let you know that I will be shutting down Team Seven instead of replacing Sasuke."
"I understand," Kakashi said dejectedly.
"This is in no way a reflection of your skills as a sensei, Kakashi" Tsunade said trying to get the man to not blame himself for what happened. "It's just that with Sakura as my apprentice. I would need to find two replacements when it would be far easier to simply move Kiba."
"I understand," he replied still projecting an air of depression. "Will that be all?" he asked the end of his sentence being punctuated by a crack of thunder.
"Yes," Tsunade replied earning a nod from the jounin who left looking like a defeated man. Tsunade caught out of the corner of her eye Shizune wanted to say something to him but stopped. After the door to her office closed she said to her apprentice, "Shizune, if you want to be with him. Then be there for him now."
Shizune unsure said, "I wouldn't even know what to say."
"Then don't say anything, just be a shoulder to cry on if that's what he needs." Thinking of her own past she said, "Sometimes it's just enough to know that you don't have to face life's problems by yourself."
Shizune steeled herself to go after the jounin and began to head to the door but was stopped when Tsunade said, "Here you'll need this."
Turning she caught an umbrella that Tsunade kept in the office just in case the weather turned bad while she was doing paperwork. Shizune thanked her master and headed to the one place Kakashi always went to think about his supposed failures.
Naruto after Jiraiya left had settled in to take another nap. He awoke to a loud crash of thunder outside and saw that it was now night. He nearly wet himself when a flash of lightening illuminated Zabuza who was sitting in a chair glowering at him.
Before Naruto could speak the swordsmen said, "You only just noticed me now. Living in this village is making you soft; if I was an assassin you'd be dead."
Instead of arguing Naruto said, "Maybe you're right if a jerk like Sasuke could force me to use the Kyuubi."
His demeanor softening slightly Zabuza said, "Don't beat yourself up too much over that. A couple of jounin got admitted to the hospital after facing off against those Sound punks in that second form of theirs. More to the point, I know you used it as a last resort, you know how I feel about ninjas that use their special abilities excessively."
Smiling despite himself, Naruto recited one of Zabuza's teachings aloud, "Shinobi that rely on gimmicks are dead shinobi when their opponents find a way around said tricks."
"Exactly," Zabuza said, "That Uchiha bastard relies exclusively on those eyes of his and will probably rely on that Curse Mark too. Next time you two meet you'll show him what's up. I'm sure of that."
"Thanks," Naruto said, before stating, "Jiraiya is taking me out of the village on a training trip."
While surprised at the timing Zabuza said, "I figured that he would want to do that after a while."
Surprised Naruto said, "What?"
"Well brat think about it," Zabuza said, "When we were moving around nobody knew where to look for you. Now however Akatsuki knows exactly where you are. By going with Jiraiya you'll be protected but it will also hinder Akatsuki's plans for a while since they have to expend resources looking for you. So when do you leave?"
"The day after I get out of here," Naruto replied gloomily.
"Hey look on the bright side," Zabuza said, "I'm sure Jiraiya has way more than the few jutsu that I was able to teach you in his arsenal. Also, I'm sure those two girls of yours will understand once you tell them the danger you are in."
Naruto said somewhat cheerily, "Yeah I guess you're right. But I don't want Hinata or Sakura to know about Akatsuki."
"Why's that?" Zabuza asked.
"If they knew about them, they would worry. Even though I'm traveling with Pervy Sage," Naruto answered, "I don't want them to be worrying over me for the next couple of years."
"Alright, I think you're being an idiot. But if that's how you want to handle it, then I'll leave it to you on when to tell them," Zabuza said.
Zabuza made his way to the door but stopped when Naruto said, "Zabuza thanks. Thanks, for taking me this far."
Opening the door Zabuza replied looking over his shoulder, "Thank me with cash, when you become Hokage." Closing the door behind him, he smiled beneath his wraps thinking on how he had been glad Naruto was tied to the bed. Sure that the blonde brat would have tried to hug him again, after receiving his endorsement that he believed the boy had what it took to be Hokage.
Kakashi was standing in front of the Memorial Stone berating himself for his failures giving no indication that the rain was bothering him. He became aware of Shizune standing behind him holding an umbrella and wondered how long she had been standing there. Addressing her presence he asked, "Was there something else that Lady Hokage needed to inform me of?"
Shizune shook her head, then looked like she wanted to speak but was having trouble getting the words out until she finally blurted, "It wasn't your fault."
"I know," Kakashi replied.
Taking a step closer Shizune said, "No you don't, otherwise you wouldn't be out her in the rain asking for forgiveness. Sasuke chose this path despite your trying to show him a better one. So why are you out here punishing yourself?"
Chuckling humorlessly Kakashi said his back still towards her, "You know I ask myself the same thing sometimes. But I suppose it's because I see myself as a curse. How else does one explain why everyone around me ends up dead while I keep on going?"
Shizune took another step saying, "They are the results of all the decisions we make Kakashi. We live in a dangerous world while performing its most dangerous profession. But none of that is your fault. Your father chose his path, Obito his, as well as Rin, and Sasuke. Even the Fourth, as great as he was, yet it wasn't because they knew you. But, because they all were shinobi."
"I wish I could…"
Kakashi was surprised as he was suddenly spun around and Shizune pressed her lips to his over his mask, and then she said hugging herself close to him, "I always wanted to do that, but was always to shy. When we were younger I used to get so jealous that Rin was on your team while I could only watch from the shadows. When Obito died I didn't even have the courage to try and help comfort you. I used to ask myself, how could I have claimed to love you, when I couldn't even stand next to you when you needed someone the most? Please let me stand by you now."
"Shizune this is…"
Again she pressed her lips to his except this time she pulled the mask down. At first she was afraid he would reject her when he didn't respond, but eventually she felt him pull her closer and deepen the kiss. When they pulled back for air she said breathlessly, "I'm not asking you to have the same depth of feelings for me that I have for you Kakashi. But I want to be there for you any way you'll have me." Before he could respond she made a hand-sign and shunshined them to his apartment hoping to show him what she meant.
Tsunade had trouble sleeping that night. After the rain stopped she decided to walk the village for a while, but not before noting that Shizune's room was still empty. Hoping that meant good news for the young woman she wondered whether she should check in on her but decided she didn't want to be associated with an activity Jiraiya was so well known for. Before she knew it her feet had taken her to the place she had liked to visit when she was younger, which was a little crevice just big enough for two people to sit on located between the carved faces of her grandfather and great-uncle.
From her vantage point she watched the village, for which almost all her loved ones had died protecting, sleep peacefully. She knew the reason she was having trouble sleeping stemmed from the fact that the first major crisis of her time as Hokage had ended in failure and what that meant for the village in the future. She was pulled from her thoughts by the sound of geta as they walked towards her down the cliff face.
Looking up she saw her teammate as he walked down to join her holding a gourde and two cups in his hand. As he sat next to her, she said, "I'm surprised; don't tell me you are losing your touch at sneaking up on women."
Chuckling as he poured some sake into one of the saucers and handed it to her, he replied, "Not at all princess, I merely would hate to be pressed into the Hokage position because I startled you and you fell to your death."
"How did you know I'd be up here?"
"Well after seeing and hearing about the state of all the shinobi that were sent to recover Sasuke it wasn't hard to imagine that you would be up here. You can be quite predictable especially when it comes to how you let your emotions get to you," Jiraiya said and then took a sip of his own cup.
Giving a grim smile to Jiraiya's words, she said, "I should have found the jounin to send or pulled…"
"Princess," Jiraiya interrupted kindly causing a redness to Tsunade's cheeks that wasn't entirely due to the sake, "with all due respect. Listing what you should have done after the hands been played is rather pointless. Besides we both know you didn't have the jounin to send and if you did pull them from somewhere and we were attacked you'd be kicking yourself for that then. You made the best decisions you could with the information you were given. Leave it at that."
"But…"
"Now if you want to know the only place I think you made a bad decision as Hokage was? Well, that would be your choice not to send Naruto on the first group to go after Sasuke," Jiraiya said interrupting her.
Tsunade looked surprised at that saying, "I was afraid he would do something stupid."
"I know," Jiraiya said, "But the reason it was a mistake was you left him out of the mission because you were worried about him, instead of what was best to accomplish the goal of stopping Sasuke." She was about to interject but he continued, "Hear me out Tsunade. As Hokage you can't let the well being of just one shinobi to trump what is best for the village. If Naruto had killed Sasuke in anger before the truth behind his leaving was known. Than that would probably have been the end of his shinobi career. But Sasuke would have been stopped."
"How can you be so calm about that?" Tsunade exclaimed.
"One, because as the Hokage, you may one day have to send him on a mission where he may not survive. You'll have to do this with the full knowledge that you are probably sending him to die. You won't be able to send someone you like a little less just so Naruto will be safe."
"And the second?" Tsunade asked.
The second has to do with the reason he's wearing that necklace of yours around his neck. And that is because you believe he will be Hokage one day," Jiraiya said proudly, "You should have trusted he would have done the right thing, instead of letting his anger control him."
"I suppose you are right," Tsunade said after a moment. "What happened to that fool I used to know? When did you get so wise?"
Laughing in his over the top way, Jiraiya said, "Well it only took almost fifty-years, but I believe that was a compliment."
Tsunade looked away her cheeks reddening whispered, "Idiot."
Turning serious Jiraiya said, "We'll be leaving the day after Naruto is let out of the hospital. I have a lead on one of Iwa's jinchuriki."
"Are you sure it's wise to take him there? Remove the marks on his face and he looks just like Minato?" Tsunade asked with some concerned.
"Don't worry. Besides, he already covers most of his face anyway," Jiraiya said getting up. "I'll leave you in peace. You can keep the gourde."
As he walked back up the cliff and thinking of Shizune, who may have gotten the man she longed for, Tsunade asked a question that had been on her mind ever since just after her brother died, "Jiraiya that time you spoke to me after Nawaki died. Why did you reject me?"
Scratching his chin Jiraiya said good-naturedly, "Well if memory serves me correctly. You were seven bottles into a drinking binge and that was before you built up to your present immunity. I don't even want to think about what you would have done to me the next morning if you thought I took advantage of you."
"Is that the only reason?"
"I suppose not," Jiraiya conceded, "When you enviably fall for my natural charm. I don't want you to be able to say the sake made you do it." Ending his sentence with a laugh he continued on his way up the cliff.
Turning back to the village unable to keep the small smile from her lips she thought, "You noble idiot."
Shizune was creeping around the small bedroom of Kakashi's apartment doing her best not to wake the jounin sleeping in the bed. After last night she had awoken quite content, but also slightly afraid that Kakashi wouldn't need her any further. Not wanting to hear him say that she had decided to gather her belongings and leave.
She was almost to the bedroom door when she heard, "I was under the impression it was the guy that tries to sneak out in the morning."
Spinning around so Kakashi couldn't see her naked backside and trying to hold her clothes to cover her front despite him having seen everything already, Shizune said, "Well I knew you were in an emotional dark place last night and I just wanted to help. But I didn't want you to feel obligated to make it into anything more than…"
"A one night stand," Kakashi supplied when Shizune trailed off.
Despite how much it hurt her to agree she said, "If that is what you want it to be."
Getting out of bed not ashamed that she was getting an eyeful as he pulled his pants back on he asked, "I believe I have some eggs would you like some breakfast?"
Shizune nodded her head but looked like she wanted to ask him something but was too embarrassed to, so Kakashi said, "I don't know where this road will take us Shizune. But I can see myself traveling it with you. That is if you are still interested."
Again she just nodded her head so Kakashi chuckling kindly moved her away from the bedroom door and headed to the kitchen to allow her to get dressed in privacy. As soon as the door closed the full brunt that Kakashi had said he was interested in pursuing a relationship with her set in. So as soon as she heard pots banging in the kitchen she gave into temptation and gave off a little squeal of happiness.
Tenten wheeled her chair into her teammate's room after visiting with Neji for a moment. Lee as one of the worst injured was still in and out of consciousness for the past couple of days. Today was one of the first in which the boy appeared to be fully aware of his surroundings. Which was why today, she planned to ask him a question she had been thinking about just prior to the retrieval mission but now felt a burning desire to get out.
Lee hearing her wheelchair turned saying, "I thought that you would have been out of that chair by now, Tenten."
"The doctors want me to stay off my legs for a few more days," she replied.
"Ah," was all he replied before turning to look back out the window.
Concerned at her friends, for a lack of a better word 'youthfullness', Tenten asked, "What is it Lee?"
"I'm sorry that I was not able to protect you Tenten. If Naruto and the others had not arrived when they did then you would be…"
Surprised and touched Tenten took his hand causing the genin to turn to look at her in surprise as she said, "Then I should apologize to you as well Lee, because I wasn't able to protect you either. So let's promise that we'll get stronger together."
"Of course Tenten," Lee said recovering some of his vigor, "After all the Leaf Lotus Blooms twice. Next time we shall emerge victorious."
Smiling at him and slightly worried that his metaphors were beginning to inspire her to, she asked, "Lee when we get out of the hospital would you like to go out with me."
"Of course Tenten," Lee answered quickly, "when the doctors say your legs are all better we will resume our training."
Resisting the urge to face palm, she said a little heated, "Not for training. Like as a date, Lee. You know the dinner and a movie type of going out."
She couldn't help smiling though when Lee pointed to himself with a look of confusion on his face as he said, "I thought you liked Neji though. Why would you wish to go out on a date with me?" Before she could tell him all the reasons he went on to say, "Ah a most cunning plan, you hope to make Neji jealous. I of course will help you Tenten."
Getting angry that he thought she couldn't like him over Neji, she said, "I'm not asking to make Neji jealous. I'm asking because I thought I almost lost you and over the course of the past couple of weeks you've become an important part of my life. When I was down you always helped me recover my youthfulness, or motivated me to keep reaching for my dreams. So I'm going to snatch you up before some of the other girls realize how special you are. So what will it be?"
Still not believing his luck but not willing to question it Lee said, "I would be honored Tenten to accompany you on a date."
Happy but strangely nervous, which she found weird since she thought that the hard part was asking but realized that was just the beginning, she asked, "Okay then how about the day after we are discharged from the hospital?"
"Yes that would be fine," Lee said his exuberance fully returned, "I promise it will be the most youthful date you have ever been on or I'll do five hundred laps around Konoha on my hands."
"I can't wait then," Tenten replied happily, sure that it would be an experience to remember.
Haku and Kin were chatting in her hospital room when Anko having returned from leading the Snakes from the Forest of Death to their new home barged in. Anko not exactly in tears, but the worry she had felt upon hearing of Kin's being in the hospital for the past few days as well as the reason why was easy to hear in her voice as she said, "I go away for a few days and in order to rebel about being ordered to stay behind, you go and pick a fight with some of Orochimaru's elite guard."
Nervous Kin said, "I didn't go pick a fight, Sasuke defected. Besides I won but one of them had a dirty ability that allowed him to merge with me. The senbon trick was the only way to get him to leave my body but it isn't without drawbacks."
Moving her hand like a mouth Anko countered, "Blah, blah, blah, all's I'm hearing my dear Kinnie is that you need more training."
Picking her up out of the bed Anko threw her over her shoulder to carry her to Training Area Forty-Four. Making her way to the window she said, "Come along too, lover boy. You obviously need more training if that was the only stunt you could think of with your girlfriend's life on the line." She then jumped out of the window and began running across the rooftops with Kin banging on her back asking her sensei to at least let her put some clothes on.
Haku gathered up Kin's belongs so she would be able to train in something other than her hospital gown and dutifully followed along behind.
Naruto was nervous as he waited atop the Hokage monument for Hinata and Sakura. Having been released from the hospital the day before, he would be leaving tomorrow on his training trip. He hadn't told either of the girls yet since he wanted to spend today with them making good memories not ones with an undercurrent of sadness to them. They had spent all day hanging out and enjoying each other's company but with night approaching he knew it was time to come clean. So he had asked them if they could meet him up here after sunset to which they had agreed.
While he waited he thought about his time in the hospital. He had understandably been upset that both of his precious people had been so reckless with their well-being but couldn't stay mad for long as they had both pouted. Hinata had informed him honestly though, that she would gladly do it again seeing as her cousin wasn't filled with anger anymore. They had spent the time in the hospital healing as well as playing around much to the hospital staffs amusement or chagrin depending on what shenanigans they got into.
Hearing footsteps behind him he turned to see both girls approaching and although they weren't running they appeared to be walking quickly as if trying to reach him first without actually looking like that was what they were doing. As they stopped in front of him Hinata asked, "What is it you have to tell us Naruto?"
Still not having come up with a way to break the news to them he blurted out, "Pervy Sage offered to take me on a training trip outside the village and I've accepted."
Both girls looked like they had been struck by a physical blow so he said, "It isn't permanent, but I'll be out of Konoha for a few years."
Finally Hinata with tears threatening to fall from her eyes asked, "W-why do you have to go? Why can't he train you here?"
"Pervy Sage is in charge of a spy network which takes him away from Konoha all the time," Naruto said not wanting to mention Akatsuki. "He says it will be too disruptive to my training if we have to keep going back and forth between the village and where ever he needs to be."
"But, you just got back, Naruto," Sakura said just as weepy as her friend and rival.
"I know and I'm sorry I'm spring this on you now," Naruto said, "but I didn't want my last day in the village to be sad."
The news that this was Naruto's last day in the village caused both girls to breakdown into tears as they both rushed the blonde hugging with Hinata saying, "I don't want you to go. Can I come with you?"
"I wish I could take both of you with," Naruto said cursing his stupidity in springing this on them, "But I don't think your father would allow it and besides you just got your cousin back." Looking at Sakura who face seemed to mirror the question Hinata just asked he said, "And you Sakura are apprenticing under Granny Tsunade. I know you don't want to let a great opportunity go to waste."
Stepping back from the girls he said, "Please don't cry. I promise to write both of you all the time and let you know how I'm doing."
The two kunoichi seemed a little mollified by that so he stepped up to Hinata giving her a hug saying, "I'll miss you. I'm also looking forward to seeing how much stronger you will be when I get back."
Hinata hugged him tightly making Sakura a little jealous but she let them have their moment while keeping a count of how long the hug lasted vowing that hers with Naruto would be just as long. Hinata whispered in his ear, "Thank you, for saving me when we were younger and for being my inspiration. You made me want to get stronger and be a proud kunoichi of Konoha."
Naruto pulled back slightly embarrassed by what she said having not really known the depths of her feeling for him. Before breaking the hug she gave him a kiss on his right cheek.
Sakura then quickly filled the spot Hinata vacated hugging him tight which he gladly returned as he said, "I'm so glad you choose to keep moving forward Sakura. I'll miss you."
Mirroring Hinata's action she leaned up and whispered, "You've given me a reason to become stronger Naruto. Thank you and please come back soon." Stepping back she kissed his left cheek.
Again Naruto was surprised at what Sakura as well as Hinata had said to him. He didn't know they viewed him so highly but realized that was probably silly of him considering how important the two were to him. They had then settled for sitting together on the Fourth's head to watch the village. By close to midnight they had prepared to leave but not before the two girls promised to see him off in the morning.
Naruto was awakened after getting a few hours sleep by a knocking on his door. Looking at his clock he saw that he still had a couple of hours till it was time to meet Jiraiya. Figuring someone else may have come to wish him well on his journey he headed to the door and was shocked at who was behind it.
Shikamaru after a moment of the two staring at each other and having a hard time imaging the boy in front of him as a hardened killer with the silly looking nightcap on his head, asked, "May I come it?"
Stepping aside to give his fellow chunin room Naruto answered, "Sure." After a awkward silence Naruto asked, "What can I do for you?"
"I wanted to say thank you."
"I see," Naruto said before responding, "I'm afraid while I can appreciate the thought, I can't accept your thanks."
"What why," Shikamaru asked confused and a little angry after all he viewed himself as apologizing for his earlier beliefs about the blonde chunin.
"It isn't that you are thanking me it's the reason you are," Naruto said. He then clarified his position by saying, "You're thanking me because you still see me as a monster and killer."
"I never judged you based on the Kyuubi," Shikamaru said.
"I know, I'm talking about what went down between us at Wave," Naruto stated. "Let's face it, if we hadn't have met there would you feel the need to thank me for doing what you would expect any Konoha-nin to do." Shikamaru didn't respond so he said, "I didn't think so. I know you believe that I'm just an unrepentant killer doing everything I do for money."
"Are you saying you aren't," Shikamaru retorted, "Tazuna was doing something brave and noble but you would have killed him if Gato hadn't betrayed you."
"Your right," Naruto conceded, "I would have." But it wasn't for the money. It was for Zabuza."
"So he was doing it for the money so how does that make a difference."
Sighing Naruto said, "Zabuza had a dream to remove the Mizukage from power because of his sensei being murdered and the other atrocities the man has committed." Seeing that bit of news surprised Shikamaru, Naruto continued, "Tazuna had a dream of building a bridge to free his home of Gato's rule. Zabuza's dream required money which Gato promised to provide so in a sense both Tazuna and Zabuza's dreams clashed. That clashed was settled with Shinobi and due to Gato being a slimeball a mutually beneficial ending was worked out. But you are right if Gato hadn't of betrayed us Tazuna would be dead."
"And how do you see that doesn't make you a monster," Shikamaru asked.
"Because, I was willing to strive for a better outcome for one," Naruto answered, "and two, I was being loyal to the man I swore my allegiance to. Do you honestly think Konoha has never asked a shinobi to perform a task they found personally revolting but had him do it because it was vital to the village? If so I find that kind of naïve."
Walking to the table Naruto said picking his headband up, "When I accepted this headband it was with the full knowledge that I would be asked to serve in a multitude of ways just like I agreed to when Zabuza first took me on as an apprentice. Luckily for us Konoha is a great and, I like to believe, honorable place which doesn't ask us to perform such tasks as working for scumbags."
"I guess I never thought about it like that," Shikamaru said, "It must look like I live a pretty sheltered life compared to you, huh?"
"You did," Naruto said, "But that was what the shinobi that came before us worked so hard to achieve."
Shikamaru nodded his head and then began heading to the door but stopped saying, "I know we've had our differences. But I like to start fresh if that's okay? You seem like an interesting guy."
Naruto stuck out his hand saying, "I'd like that."
Shikamaru took the offered had and after shaking it he thanked Naruto again sincerely this time before leaving. Naruto thought about going back to bed but decided against it. He visited with Sai and apologized for not getting him for the mission. Then he headed back to his apartment after a final bowl of ramen from Ichiraku as well as to say good-bye to the people who ran it. Heading to grab his stuff and lock up his apartment although just about everyone he was friends with had a key.
It was as he was locking up that he ran into Zabuza who simply wished him luck and told him to make Jiraiya's life as miserable as Naruto had made his. He then threatened to dismemberment when it looked like Naruto was going to hug him. Wisely, Naruto refrained.
Haku had also come out to wish him well and said Kin wished she could but her sensei was keeping her hostage in the Forest of Death. So heading out to the Hokage's tower to say good-bye to Tsunade he walked out of his apartment building and looked back to remember all the good memories he had built up with the people it contained.
Hinata ducked into the alley as she prepared to unveil her master plan in Operation: Make Naruto see me as a Woman. The prep for it hadn't been easy having to hide the dress she was wearing underneath her usual baggy clothes. Pulling them off revealed an orange sundress that hugged her in all the right places and was almost too short to be appropriate. Smiling as she smoothed it out she knew she cut a dazzling figure having inspected her apparel thoroughly before leaving.
Leaving the Hyuuga compound though had been the hard part. First she had to avoid her cousin Neji who seemed to have taken on the role of overprotective big brother for her and her sister. While she was glad for the change she was afraid if he had stopped her from getting to see Naruto off because of the way she had dressed she would have to do something drastic in return. She had almost made it unnoticed when she ran into her father. When he asked her where she was going she had been honest while hopping he wouldn't insist on an escort. Thankfully he just told her to wish Naruto his best giving no indication he suspected what she was wearing under her normal clothes.
Rolling her normal clothes up she stuffed them in a bag she had brought and hid it before making her way towards the main gate. She had smiled to herself when she saw a boy her age crash into a pole because he was too busy looking at her instead of where he was going. She heard a similar crash coming from another direction. Looking at where it came from she saw another boy on the ground but he was staring at the girl heading down the street.
Her eyes narrowed when she saw that Sakura had apparently come up with the same idea. The pinkette was wearing a red half t-shirt that showed off her midriff as well as shorts that were a little on the short side. They met at the middle of the intersection before turning down the street heading to the main gate and like the night before soon found themselves seeing who could get to Naruto first without breaking into an all out run.
When they spotted Naruto who was standing by Jiraiya they each called his name. Naruto turned to the pair but stopped when he saw how they were dressed seemingly going catatonic. Approaching the boy they tried to ruse him out of his trance like state. Both upset that their plan seemed to have worked to well. Jiraiya for the most part was highly amused already thinking up ideas for a new book.
Finally the girls settled on hugging the unresponsive boy each whispering something in his ear before kissing his cheek. Jiraiya just hefted him onto his shoulder before carting him off for parts unknown. Hinata and Sakura watched until they couldn't see him anymore before turning to each other.
Hinata eyeing Sakura get-up said, "Your mother let you out dressed like that? I'm surprised, although I doubt Naruto noticed with you standing next to me."
Returning the cheeky grin the Hyuuga was giving her Sakura retorted, "Does your sister know you stole one of her dresses? It seems a couple sizes to small Hinata."
Both girls turned away from each other in a huff before a small smile appeared on their faces. Hinata asked "Do you want to get some training in?"
"Sure, but I'll have to stop by an alley to pick up my clothes," Sakura said.
"Okay, so do I," Hinata replied before adding, "First to the finish then?"
Understanding that Hinata was implying to more than just their upcoming training session, Sakura said, "I wouldn't have it any other way," before dashing to where she stashed her clothes.
Sai entered Danzou's chamber just as an Anbu in a Dog mask said, "I'll be in the lab running tests on it to make sure there aren't any surprises in store for you Lord Danzou."
The Root leader nodded his head while beckoning Sai in. Dropping to one knee as the Anbu kunoichi left he waited until Danzou acknowledged his presence before saying "You wished to see me Lord Danzou?"
"Yes," Danzou replied, "as you know the jinchuriki is leaving on a training trip with Jiraiya. After observing the boy the only question I have is. If we managed gain possession of it would it respond to the Root Emotional training?"
Sai was glad he wasn't looking Danzou in the eye, but instead looking at the floor in his kneeling position as he was sure the grimace that appeared on his face would have Danzou questioning more than Naruto's ability to be twisted to Danzou's ends. Knowing he had to answer honestly and hating himself for it he said, "No, Lord Danzou. Naruto is to ingrained with his own beliefs. He would die before willing throwing away his own emotions."
"Very well, that will be all Sai," Danzou said. As Sai got up from his kneeling position Danzou stopped him saying, "On second thought, prepare to return to the compound. You will be helping in training a new operative I plan to add to Root."
"What about Team Zabuza?"
"Don't worry about them," Danzou said, "I'll merely be asking the Hokage to allow me to give you some extra training in preparation for the jinchuriki's return. Unless she wants to be accused of playing favorites, she'll agree."
Sai was about to leave but stopped asking, "Sir I would like to keep in touch with Naruto. Would that be acceptable?
Danzou arched an eyebrow at this so Sai said, "I feel it would better facilitate my transition back onto Team Zabuza should that become necessary when Naruto returns."
"Good thinking," Danzou said, "of course all letters will be screened."
"I understand, Lord Danzou"
"Good then you are dismissed," Danzou said, "I'll expect you to be back in the compound by the end of the week."
Knowing a reply wasn't necessary or expected to the order Sai left the room. Finding himself alone during his journey back to the surface he created an Ink clone to convince the guards, at the entrance, he had left the compound while he headed to the records room. He knew that his report may very well have signed Naruto's death warrant. Therefore he wanted to see if he could learn, who it was Danzou hoped to send after his friend.
As he moved through the compound he was glad that Zabuza had taught him the Silent Killing Technique as he was able to sneak pass the guards of the compound. Unfortunately, the records hall didn't give him the answers he was searching for, but he did learn that his old team hadn't died of illness as Danzou had claimed but had been eliminated.
At that new he felt the first vestiges of raw hatred for the Root Leader who had so callously murdered his team. Especially since one of the members of his team, he had thought of as a brother and had planned to start a book detailing the triumphs of their training. Leaving the record room he was about to leave the compound when he came across Danzou and an Anbu named Fu Yamanaka as they made their way to a deeper and supposedly unused part of the compound. Creating an ink mouse that would record all that they said and report what it learned to him he sent it after the pair and returned to the surface.
Danzou walked with Fu following just behind him able to sense his subordinate wanted to speak he asked, "What is it?"
"Sir, about that kunoichi you sent to Sound, can we trust her? She wasn't raised up to believe in Root like the rest of us."
"True, which makes her all the more valuable because she sought me out to rid her of the emotions she had swirling around inside of her," Danzou said.
"But outside of her medical ability what purpose does she serve?" Fu asked.
"Simple, she will serve the same purpose as the woman we are about to recruit," Danzou said, "Which is to act as a means of destroying the undestroyable. Sarutobi and his ilk like to believe their emotions give them strength, but only those without emotions truly cannot be stopped. I took her in because at the time Kakashi was the strongest of the active Jounin the village had. That kunoichi would bypass all his strength giving her the opportunity to kill him at our leisure."
"I understand, so the woman we took from the safe house allows the same but with the jinchuriki instead."
"Exactly," Danzou said stepping up to a room.
Entering it Kushina Uzumaki was laying on a bed in much the same fashion as she had been when she was abducted from Sarutobi's safe house. Walking up to the bed he said, "Wake her."
Fu nodded but not before saying, "I must warn you though Lord Danzou. She may die from the waking process depending on how hard she clings to the genjutsu."
"Nothing ventured, nothing gained," was the cold reply of the Root Leader.
Fu made a hand-sign and for a while nothing happened, but then Kushina's face scrunched up as if in pain before smoothing out again. Then sleepily she said, "Minato, just five more minutes please?"
"I'm afraid Minato has been dead for thirteen years, Kushina," Danzou said.
The red heads eyes snapped open saying, "Danzou that's impossible you're dead."
"Perhaps in that fantasy world of yours," Danzou replied his voice like ice, "But I'm afraid you have to deal with the real world now."
Eyes widening in horror, Kushina practically shrieked, "No, no, no, no….you've brought me to this world again. I don't want it, put me back."
"I'm afraid that is impossible as you see the Kurama clan has fallen on hard times. But I may have one stashed away that can place you back in your little fantasy if you complete a task for me."
Not trusting Danzou in the slightest but desperate to return to her dream world she asked, "And that would be?"
"Simple, finish the job you started thirteen years ago, kill the Kyuubi."
"Fine, where is he," Kushina said trying to sit up but unable to move.
"Your body hasn't moved in thirteen years Kushina." Danzou informed the red-head. "You'll need time to gather your strength. When you've done that and laid the defeated jinchuriki at my feet. I'll return your illusion to you."
"It isn't an illusion," Kushina snapped, "not to me. Now leave me alone."
"As you wish," Danzou said leaving with Fu behind him as the woman broke down into sobs. A small black mouse also left the room heading to Sai's residence to dispel itself on a waiting scroll to record all that had been said between the two.
As they walked Danzou said, "Now you begin to see the true pitfalls of emotion Fu."
"Yes Lord Danzou, although having seen her record, I find it hard to believe she would serve you so willingly."
"Well we have two sources to thank for her willingness in that regard," Danzou said.
"Two sir?"
"Yes, the first were the people who put the compulsion in here to destroy her son," Danzou said.
Noting his subordinate's confusion Danzou simply tapped his covered eye with his cane causing a look of understanding to appear on Fu's face who then asked, "And the second?"
"Sarutobi himself," Danzou said extremely satisfied with the way things were going, "That genjutsu the Kurama placed on her created a world without pain or suffering. In that world her husband was probably still the Hokage with her son more than likely well on his way to being the next one I'm sure. Now faced with the real world she'll do anything to return to it and just like a drug addict that only has one choice of dealer she'll do anything I say in the hope of her next fix."
"But we don't actually have the means to return her either," Fu pointed out. "The only Kurama with that kind of power remaining had her powers sealed."
"Yes I'm aware," Danzou said, "while I have plans that involve the Kurama heir it doesn't truly matter so long as Kushina believes I do. And after she has completed her task for me I'll give her the peace she craves. One way or another."