Hello again all and let me apologise for the long wait ! I have had a kinda rough year and it's taken this long to get back in the writing mode. I also want to thank everybody for their comments and reviews, it meant a lot to me! So here it goes the next chapter....

Impact

The chair was most certainly not the most comfortable that was available; the back was too short to allow for getting truly comfortable. Not that the chair placed in the room was surprising just disappointing, after all they say 'Justice is blind but can see in the dark while Prejudice is just blind'. Well that was being born out to be true tonight in so many ways and quite a few of them too painful to sink in at this time.

However, neither the chair nor the dark thoughts would keep him from sitting as close to the narrow white stretcher as possible so that he could continue to gently card his fingers through the now dull but still soft yellow hair in a soothing manner. It seemed this was the only way to stop the shaking and provide a modicum of calm to the young victim laying there suffering from a multitude of wounds. He was well aware that the citizens of Konoha would be greatly shocked to see him of all people gently attempting to sooth the young blond in the bed but he really couldn't find it in him to care. So, he settled in to await the arrival of the young mans adopted father. Unfortunately after taking his glasses off and placing them on his crossed legs there was nothing but a plethora of time to sit with the events of tonight swirling in his mind.

Earlier

He sat at the mission desk with a look of utter boredom on his face and wondered how that conniving Chunin had talked him into taking his shift so the he could go on a date……with Genma of all people. Not that he had any issues with two men dating …..no his problem is that Genma got a date on Friday night and here he sat at the mission desk ready to walk the walls in boredom. It was even more discouraging that Genma was a worse closet pervert than he himself was. So how in the world did he get the ever so popular and shy Chunin Academy teacher to go out with him? It was maddening to say the least and made him resolve to go to the local Shinobe bar after this and try to find someone himself that is if this interminable shift ever ended. No one but the most important of messengers came to the missions' desk on this shift and quite frankly no one was scheduled to be coming in. So it was just him and the four walls. He moaned out loud and dropped his head to the desk acknowledging to himself that this was not an action that his oh so proper Special Jonin self would be credited with but really a man had to do what a man had to do.

He was ready to use the wall for shurikin practice but was far to mature to allow himself this outlet for his frustration in what was the one task that he loathed above all others the dreaded mission desk paperwork. He was however still resting his head on the desk and fighting the urge to sleep and hoping the clock would move faster than normal and free him from this drudgery when the last person he wanted to observe him this way walked into the room and ,shame on him, caught him unaware.

"So Ebisu working hard I see." said Tsunade well aware of how hypocritical she was being as she herself probably still had sleep marks on her face from where shehad been sleeping on her desk before Shizune scared her awake, but hey a Hokage had to find fun where she could.

Ebisu jerked up and looked at the Hokage with a red face and began to stammer a profound apology. "Hogake-sama I am very sorry…"

Tsunade looked at the Special Jonin and felt a twinge of guilt, a small twinge of guilt to be sure but well hell the guilt was still there no matter how small and decided to cut the gaki some slack. She herself had dreaded mission desk duty all those years ago …….after all its still paperwork. "Calm down gaki its okay I know how boring mission desk duty is" Tsunade said.

Ebisu relaxed back and looked at one of the few people in the world that he truly admired and smiled a small smile then asked " Hokage-sama what are you doing here at this time of night? Is there something that I can do for you?"

Tsunade looked at Ebisu and though to herself how much Ebisu had grown as a person in the recent past and couldn't help but shake her head and acknowledge that her Gaki had that effect on people…..he always brought out the best in them. She smiled at Ebisu and said "No I was actually looking for Iruka to talk to him about a certain loud mouth Jonin canadate. However it seems that the cunning Chunin has worked his wiles and talked you into taking his desk duty for tonight."

Ebisu looked at Tsunade with a slight frown and said "Really, I was happy to help him out for tonight." He honestly didn't want the Hokage to think that he was bamboozled by a pair of puppy dog brown eyes, even if that was really what had happened. He was pretty sure it didn't look very good for a Jonin to be suckered by a Chunin no matter how good the said Chunin was.

Tsunade smiled a wide smile and said "Of course you were….." She looked at bisu with a knowing look and was about to finish her statement when suddenly a Dango stick came flying through the open door to imbed itself in the target placed on the wall opposite the door. Tsunade crossed her arms under her breasts, looked at the door as Anko walked in and said with a smirk "Hello Anko what brings you to the mission room this late?" Tsunade was hard pressed not to laugh out loud but held it in as she was more interested in what was to happen next between the two Special Jonin she was currently sharing the room with. Tsunade wasn't made Hokage for her looks after all and was fully aware that Anko was in the Mission Room for one reason ,because Ebisu was there, not that he had any clue of his apparently singular fascination for the Dango loving Jonin . She was also aware that more than likely the person who told her Ebisu was there tonight was one Senbon chewing Genma, erstwhile friend of one special Jonin …..named Ebisu.

Anko walked the rest of the way into the room and bowed to Tsunade with a surprised looked on her face. You could tell that she had not anticipated the Hokage to be in the Mission Room this late with no crisis in the making. However let it be said that even the presence of the Hokage would not keep her from her sadistic fun and so with this in mind she finished her bow and addressed the Hokage politely ( the only know person she didaddress politely) " Good Evening Tsunade-sama" she said.

Tsunade responded with the smirk still in place "Good Evening Anko-san what brings you to the Mission Room tonight".

Anko looked toward where Ebisu was sitting and her look could only be described as sadistic and said "I'm here Hokage-sama because I heard that a Special Jonin got outsmarted by a mere Chunin. So I just had to see who it was of course, and low and behold there sits Ebisu."she said with her trade mark evil smirk.

Ebisu's face became red whether from embarrassment or anger was anyone's guess and stated quite firmly "I was not outsmarted by a Chunin, I'm helping a friend out for the night. Perhaps that's too complicated a concept for you Anko-san". pushing his chair from the desk and simultaneously pushing his glasses up his face. His facial expression was contorted into extreme frustration and it appeared that this battle of words was about to make it into a physical one.

Tsunade sighed as she made to stop her evening entertainment "Now children..." but before she could finish her sentence she was herself interrupted by none other than her lazy strategist running into the room calling for her"Hokage-sama!"In the short minute it took for the lazy Nara youth to skid to a stop with his teammate Ino seconds behind him, Tsunade's stomach dropped. There were very few things that would cause Shikamaru Nara to run and most of them were bad, very bad. Tsunade steeled herself and barked to the Nara boy "Report!"

That was all Shikamaru needed to relay events that were to leave Tsunade in a state that could have been called murderous at best, but underneath of that was a not so well concealed panic bordering on unreasoning fear that her adopted brother/son was out in the darkening cold and most desperately in need of medical attention. Tsunade took a deep breath and collected herself as much as she could in the face of events and asked the Nara "how did you get t his information?! Is it accurate? "

Shikamaru looked at Tsunade and turned to Ino who stood behind him abnormally quiet and said "What one best friend knows the other does as well." "It appears that a crying and distraught Sakura went straight from the incident to her best friend Ino to take her story and Ino being less troublesome that usual (earning him a subtle punch from a pale Ino) found me on her way to here. It was not unnoted by the Hokage that Ino was showing a surprising amount of maturity at the moment both in her silence and the fact that she had recognized that while secrets were meant to be kept between friends that some things were beyond friendship. However right now was not the time to express appreciation for the kunoichi's growth. Now was time to find Naruto and heal her broken son as much as she could from this betrayal.

Tsunade looked at the two Jonin in the room and noticed their paleness and anger which she knew was a reflection of her own and said "Alright everybody split up and take a section of Konoha to search. I'll start at the place were it happened. If anyone finds him…" before she could finish Shikamaru interrupted and said "No Hokage-sama you need to stay at the hospital and wait for us to return."

"Nara" Yelled Tsunade absolutely not planning on sitting around while Naruto needed her.

"Tsunade –sama" please listen"Shikamaru said. "Naruto is going to need the best medical attention and that's you we are going toneed you on stand bye ready to take care of him, okay?!"

Damn that boy's smart mind but he was right as much as she wanted to be the one to find Naruto it was necessary for her to stay in place at the hospital and wait. "Fine, but keep me in the loop as to what is going on at all times understood?" "Also someone needs to find Iruka; I know we are going to need him." Tsunade ordered.

"Already on it Tsunade-sama I sent Konohamaru and his friends to find Iruka-Sensei, they will now were to find him." stated Shikamaru

"Then stop wasting time and find him!" shouted the Hokage!

Four puffs of smoke were all the answer that was given as the Shinobe began the search for their injured friend and camaraderie. It was for Ebisu on of the longest hours of his life as he searches his hometown for the injured Naruto and fumed on the fact that his state, whatever that may end up being was caused by friend not foe!

It wasn't till another 30 minutes passed that he finally had an epiphany on the possible location of Naruto. He had no more stepped onto the Yondamine's head than he saw a bleeding and quite cold Naruto half laying looking out towards the village. He made sure to let Naruto feel that it was him and not a possible enemy as he walked over to the semi conscious blond and said in a quiet voice "Naruto lets get you inside and your injuries treated." He barley heard the "yes Sensei" from Naruto. He helped his battered young friend up gently and transported strait to the hospital room the Hokage would be waiting afraid that any more time wasted could be the difference in Naruto's survival.

Once in the room no words were exchanged between himself and the Hokage as there was no need, Tsunade could see for herself the situation and new that the minutes of the 'Golden Hour' for trauma patients were ticking away. She swept Naruto up and proceeded to take him into the operating room so that she and the team of Med-Nins could start treatment.

Ebisu new at this point it was out of his hands so he left the room to find the rest of the search party and let them know Naruto had been found. It was to be a night of rollercoaster emotions as he informed the searchers of Naruto's condition. Then later found himself preventing one murderous Chunin from killing on of Kohona's strongest Shinobe's. It was not that at this moment he cared if the two accused were dealt with, it was a matter of knowing that the one person that Naruto would want to see upon waking up ( and he would wake up) from treatment would be Iruka. However if he was in jail that would be a problem, he found a surprising ally in Anko who helped him keep both Genma and Iruka calm as well and the rest of the rookie nine in order. It was no surprise that the Nine had found out nor was it a surprise that they were here. They may not be aware of the new and improved Naruto but the loved him none the less and were her to show it.

Time seemed to be suspended as they waited for Tsunade to tell them about their friend's condition but finally she came out exhausted and pale but with relief in her eyes to tell them that Naruto would be okay. Ebisu new that there was more to it but this at least relieved the Nine and allowed them to go home and rest for what was left of the night. Once Naruto was placed in his room Tsunade looked at the remaining Shinobe Ebisu, Iruka, Genma and surprisingly Anko."It was not easy and we had a few moments where I thought…..well never mind what I thought. I want you all to know that Naruto spoke to me for a few minutes and requested that we not do anything to Kakashi or Sakura."

Iruka jumped up and said "No way they get away with this I tell you I'm..."

Tsunade Barked" Enough Iruka….look I agree with you this doesn't get to go unpunished but I thought at one point that Naruto was going to die." The gasp from the Shinobe present said it all. Tsunade continued quickly "at that point Naruto made what I thought was a dying request…..not to hold them accountable. I'm Hokage and I know better but he is my child and I couldn't deny him so I promised not to charge them." Before any one could protest this Tsunade continued" but be assured that this doesn't mean that there will not be some reckoning to be delivered. I will hold their feet to the fire for this and keep my promise to Naruto so relax Iruka nobody gets a walk on this one!"

Having said this Tsunade left the room saying that Naruto should sleep through the rest of the night and that she would be sleeping close by in case she was needed. With dawn breaking through the window and Iruka calmed by the quiet breathing of Naruto, Ebisu convinced Iruka and Genma to go home get a shower and something to eat. He found himself promising that he would sit with Naruto till they got back, sure he was tired as well but he could sleep when they came back and he new both he and they would feel better with someone being in the room to watch over Naruto incase he woke up. So there he sat gently carding through Naruto's soft hair and occasionally talking to the boy softly waiting for Iruka to replace him on the watch, wondering what was to become of the two Shinobe involved.

Tsunade was sitting behind her desk not so patiently waiting for the requested personnel to appear in front of her. She was fatigued from the night's events and had only stopped by shortly at Naruto's room before coming to her office at the crack of dawn. She was anxious to get back to her adopted son but wanted this done ASAP. It wasn't long before the two Shinobe in question appeared before her she grit her teeth and let them approach the desk.

Ma Hokage –sama I thought that we were to have a few days off" said Kakashi his face in a book.

Shisho we aren't being sent out again are we" asked Sakura with red eyes and a guilty look.

Tsunade girded herself to follow her promise to Naruto and not kill the two in front of her, but that didn't mean she was going to look at them for a while. She looked at the two people in front of her and said " fist off Haruno –san Do NOT call me Shisho ever again as of this moment I am no longer your Master!" Before Sakura could do more than gasp and Kakashi put his book down she continued "second yes you are going on a mission, you are being sent to Suna for a long term exchange mission to promote our alliance. I expect you will be gone years! So get packed and get out of Konoha by noon and if you don't do well on this mission I doubt if Konoha will need you back! So get out of my office and get going!"

Sakura and Kakashi stood in front of the desk for a couple of seconds in shock before Sakura gathered her tongue and said " Shisho why are you doing this …" Tsunade stood up from her desk abruptly and screamed " silence Haruno I told you I'm not your Shisho and I think we both know WHY I'm doing this. You're just lucky that Naruto still gives a rat's ass about you two!" "Now get out of my sight!" she screamed as she finally let her rage out and punched the desk. The sound was deafening as the desk cracked into two separate pieces and caused the Shinobe to jump. It became clear quickly that compliance with this order was paramount if they wanted to stay alive. So before Tsunade could use her strength on them Kakashi grabbed a stunned Sakura and Teleported them out of the office and out of danger. He left her at her apartment with a warning to be ready in one hour so that they would be out of town before the noon deadline.

Tsunade's rage left her with the departure of the Shinobe but not her sadness or worry. "Oh Naruto how are you going to recover from this." She whispered.