Naruto waited as Tsuande pinched the bridge of her nose. She read the report again and he knew that she was a bit upset about something. Team Anko arrived two days ago after completing their mission and where in the room with them as well. It seemed that Kakashi and Guy ran into trouble, but Gaara was saved in time. He was however now missing his tailed beast. They would be arriving later that day to turn in their mission brief.
"Well it seems that you guys have had a fulfilling mission," She said as she sipped her sake. Anko stood behind Tsunade and she smiled down at Naruto, tears almost stinging her eyes. "Naruto I thank you for staying safe, but next time when you fight a Kage. Please use your back up."
"Hey they were taking their time with the easy guys," Naruto said with smirk Hinata elbowed him in his side.
"We were fighting an entire army," She said with a huff. "To get to you! And Shikamaru was stuck in the barracks, alone, fighting off the entire Mist ANBU!"
"I think I handled myself quit well," Shikamaru whispered to Shino who chuckled. Shikamaru flinched as he felt Tayuya stare bullets into his head.
"The entire Mist ANBU?" Tayuya asked shaking in rage. "Oh, I'll be safe. I knew you were going to do something stupid like that!"
"I will say this over and over again," Shino said with a smirk. "With Naruto on the team, we can't always make guaranties that we can do anything safe and or sane."
"I agree," Shikamaru said with a smirk.
"It wasn't my battle plan!" Naruto defended.
"ENOUGH!" Tsunade yelled as she slammed her hands on the desk. "You guys did well regardless. Kakashi's team will be arriving tomorrow and he has news. So you guys will need to rest up. You are dismissed!"
"Hai!" They all coursed.
"Lee-kun!" Sakura yelled as he kicked another zombie like creature across the room. "We need to get these kids out of here!"
"Yes I agree!" Lee said as he looked over at the group of kids that were staring up at him. It was a group of six kids ranging from different ages and sex. They all looked up at him with almost stars in their eyes.
"You better make it quick!" Neji said as he disposed of three zombie's that where running into the small room. Tenten was tossing weapons into the hoard of zombies that were gathering at the entrance of the room. Lee looked out the window and sighed.
They came to the town to find out it was abandon. They came to the hospital to see what was happening when they found a message from Thane. He used the people of this town in one of his sick experiments. The entire village was overtaken by a sickness except the six kids that were in the room with them. They were the only test subjects that didn't submit to the disease and because of it they were stored in this room. Sakura ran several test on them and besides the extra immunities to the disease they were perfectly fine. The rest of the village was a lost cause, and they had to dispose of it as quickly as possible. They were able to get the entire horde of zombies into the building, and where going to blow it when they discovered the children. That changed the plans a bit.
Sakura turned to her man who kicked the wall creating a giant whole that lead to the outside. The only down side was they were on the top level and it was a thirty story fall. Lee smiled over at Sakura who was holding the youngest child and gave him a nod.
"We need to blow the building Tenten!" Neji said as he and Kiba held the door closed as the zombies continued to pound on the door. "Do you still have enough seals?"
"I have enough to bring down this building twice over," Tenten answered as she flicked her wrist and a small kunai flew through the door and exploded on the other side. "That should buy us some time."
"Lee get down to the bottom and secure it and make sure we keep them all in the building," Neji said as he turned to Kiba. "You gather as many children as you can with Sakura."
"Right," Kiba said as he looked over at the kids as he and Akamaru approached them. "Who's ready to ride on the dog?"
"Tenten," Neji said softly as he turned to her. "Get them ready, we will blow this as soon as we are out of range."
"Got it!" Tenten said with a bit of a mischief in her eyes.
Lee was already on the ground and disposed of the small hoard of Zombies that were gathering around at the hospital entrance. It seemed that they continued to pile out of the hospital, but Lee never slowed down. Kiba landed in the clearing and looked back as he adjusted the two kids in his arms. He watched as Lee continued to dispose of the Zombies keeping them inside the hospital building. Akumaru landed and gave a slight bark as the three kids on his back squealed in joy. Kiba and his dog ran to the safe zone with the kids. Sakura landed with the youngest in her arms and tossed a quick glance over her shoulder towards her man who was keeping the zombies at bay in at the entrance of the Hospital. Tenten and Neji landed next and began to run.
"MOVE IT LEE!" Neji yelled back.
"I need to blow it now Neji!" Tenten said as the zombies started to try and get out of the hospital. Neji gave her a nod as he looked back at Lee. The entire building exploded and started to collapse upon itself. Lee looked up at the sound of the explosions and with a quick motion his weights flew off his feet and he was gone in a flash.
"LEE!" Sakura yelled as she looked at the dust that settled from the now destroyed building.
"Yes?" Lee asked from behind her. He was covered in dust and panting slightly but was unscathed. Sakura turned and tossed her arms around him and buried her head in his chest. Lee chuckled and wrapped his arms around her and smiled.
"You idiot!" She whispered as he kissed the top of her forehead.
"Ok," Neji said as he dusted himself off and scanned the area with his eyes. "It seems that they are all gone. We shall return home now."
"Great I could use a bath," Lee said as he dusted his shoulders off. Sakura just smirked as her eyes glazed over.
Naruto sighed as he leaned back on the couch. Isuma was bouncing happily on Hinata's leg telling her about his day as Ryuu and Haru played on the floor. Ayame and Anko were talking in the kitchen as Iruka was cooking in the kitchen. They all were waiting for Kakashi's team to arrive so they decided to have dinner at Iruka's. Naruto quickly invited Hinata over who gladly accepted and was currently enjoying her time with Isuma. Naruto was tired from having to watch the little terrors after he got back, but didn't mind in the end. He was able to teach them some of his best hiding places and gave them some cool new pranks.
"So Hinata-chan," Said Ayame said as she and Anko walked up to her on either side. Naruto rolled his eyes and walked over to the bar that was around kitchen. He leaned forward as Iruka gave him a grin.
"Yes?" Hinata asked as she continued to bounce the young boy on her knee.
"When are you going to be having a little one?" Anko asked as she looked over at Ayame who was grinning as well.
"W-what?" Hinata stuttered as she stopped bouncing Isuma and blushed.
"Leave her alone!" Naruto yelled from the kitchen.
"Oh we were just wondering when she was ready to start her own little family," Ayame said with a smile as she looked over at Hinata who was blushing like she was back in the academy. "At least the practice is fun right?"
"Damn it Ayame-chan!" Naruto yelled as he laid his head on the counter as Hinata covered her face with her hands.
"I agree with you Ayame-chan," Anko said she looked back at Iruka. "Right Iruka-kun? The practice is the best?"
"Whatever you say Anko-chan," Iruka said ignoring the conversation happening. Years of practice taking over as he skillfully navigated the kitchen.
"Hey!" Anko yelled as Iruka turned to her and gave her a slight grin. "You listening to me?"
"Of course sweetheart just don't want to burn dinner," Iruka said as he tilted his head to the side. Anko studied him for a moment before turning her attention to the blushing girl in front of her. Iruka turned to Naruto who was staring at him with a raised eyebrow. "That's the secret my young friend. Just agree with them and when confronted, make sure you have a fall back."
"I should write this down somewhere," Naruto said as he searched his pockets for his notepad and pen.
"Then you'll have him wrapped around your finger!" Anko exclaimed as she looked down at Hinata who was passed out with grin on her face. "Oh we lost her."
"I think she passed out when you were describing, in vivid detail, the different ways to convince your man to get what you want," Ayame said with a soft chuckle. "Bless her heart, she was information over load."
"You guys are terrible," Naruto yelled from the kitchen as he slammed his head on the table. Iruka just laughed in the kitchen.
"What are you practicing with daddy, Mama?" Isuma asked as he looked up at Anko who cursed under breath.
"So you're saying that Thane used an entire village as an experiment," Tsunade asked looking down at Sakura who nodded and handed her some blood samples.
"These were taken from the six children that were able to withstand the disease and build an immunity," Sakura said as she sat down across from her mentor. She picked up a cup and filled it with some of her sensei's sake and took a swig. Tsuande smirked at her as she tossed back a shot of sake as well. "I ran several test before bring them to the village so everything is fine."
"Did we find out how he poisoned the town?" Tsuande asked. Sakura nodded and held up water samples.
"The water that lead into town showed trace amounts of the disease," Sakura started. "I recommend testing all of our water reserves in the villages and allied villages."
"I will have an ANBU team start at once," Tsunade answered as she leaned back in her chair. "I believe that you have had a long day, Sakura. Why don't you go on home."
"I just wanted to finish the report before heading to Ino's," Sakura said as she rubbed her neck. "I will be leaving then."
"How's your little boy toy? Looks like you guys have been having fun." Tsunade asked with a smirk as she watched her second apprentice blush a bit but smirk at the same time. Sakura's smirk even more as she covered the slight love bite on her lower neck with her hand.
"Good bye Hokage-sama," Sakura coughed out and walked out.
"You're a lazy, no good, poor excuse for…." Tayuya started to yell but Shikamaru gave her a light kiss shutting her up for the moment. She sighed as she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. Before she could deepen the kiss Shikamaru pulled out of her arm lock and flashed a lazy grin that made her stomach flutter.
"You were saying?" SHikamaru asked as he turned and started to walk away from the blushing girl.
"You're not off the hook yet!" Tayuya yelled as she hurried to catch up with him. "Just wait till I tell Temari about that stunt you pulled in mist!"
"You wouldn't," Shikamaru groaned as he turned to her pinching his nose. "She's had enough on her plate with Gaara missing and almost…."
"Yeah so why wouldn't she want to know that her husband was almost killed in Mist as he took on a squad of ANBU?" Tayuya answered back crossly. "You put yourself in danger when you promised you'd be safe."
"WE are NINJA!" Shikamaru answered as grabbed her hands in his. He traced his thumbs over her knuckles in slow circles. "Being in danger is part of the job. Just know that I will do all I can to always come back."
"You promise," Tayuya asked in rare moment of shyness. Shikamaru just nodded and gave her a slight kiss on her forehead. "Good now we can go to that party!"
"Do we have to?" Shikamaru asked as they made their way to Ino and Choji's. It was custom after every successful Black Leaves mission they would blow off steam and compare stories at Ino's and Choji's spacious house.
"Of course we have to," Tayuya said as she gripped his hand and they walked down the empty street towards the house.
"Great," Shikamaru said as he allowed her to lead the way.
It wasn't a party per say, more like a gathering of friends who just wanted to relax and compare battle house was huge and had a large backyard with plenty of room. A large stone table stood adjacent to he grill and was perfect for gatherings like this. Choji stood behind a large pit of coals cooking various meats while holding what looked like a bottle of Sake in one hand and tongs in the other. A giant apron with 'Ninja Cook' printed on the front was wrapped around his civilian clothes. Kiba and Shino stood by him watching him cook, giving him a couple of compliments every now and then, both red face from their own bottle of sake sitting in their hands. Ino was talking to Sakura, Kin and Haku who were setting the table. Shikamaru looked over at Tayuya who gave him a quick kiss and walked over to the table to talk to the girls. Shikamaru walked over to the guy who were gathering around the girl. Lee appeared from inside the house with another tray of meats and veggies and walked over to the guys.
"So where are Naruto and Hinata?" Shikamaru asked.
"They are visiting Iruka and them for now," Choji answered as he flipped some the more cooked meat. "Hinata said they will swing by once they are done eating over there."
"They are missing out on the famous Choji's cooking?" Kiba exclaimed as he tried to reach for a more cooked piece of meat. Choji was quick with his tongs and smacked his hand away causing Kiba to whimper and shake his hurting hand.
"Don't you be touching my meat!" Choji yelled causing the guys to laugh and Kiba to raise an eyebrow.
"You tell him Choji-kun!" Ino yelled over to the boys. "Only I can touch your meat!"
"WHAT!" Kiba yelled as he was shaking his hands out in front of him.
"Kiba is there something that you need to tell me?" Kin asked putting her hands on her hips giving him a glare.
"I didn't touch his…" Kiba started
"Not what I saw," Shino said as he adjusted his glasses. "Clearly your claw like hands were touching his…"
"I swear that I didn't touch Choji's MEAT!" Kiba interrupted with a yell. Then he turned away from the grill and wondered into the house cursing under his breath.
"It's almost too easy," Shikamaru said as he watched the scene. "But fun none the less."
"I better go get him," Kin said with a smirk as she followed him into the house.
"You better not be doing anything in that house!" Ino yelled as she walked over to the grill with a large plate. "Anything ready, Hun?"
"Just a couple of minutes," Choji answered. "So how was your mission?"
"Oh it was kind of easy," Ino answered causing the others of Team Anko to groan. "What?"
"It was not easy," Haku said as she walked up behind Shino and wrapped her arms around his waste. "We had to fight off some experimental sea monster that Orochimaru had. It went down, but took a bit of a fight."
"Granted it isn't freeing an entire Hidden Village from tyranny," Tayuya said as she looked over at Shikamaru. "How did you guys pull that one off?"
"Well we had lots of help," Shikamaru answered with a smirk.
"Really?" Choji said a little red faced. "It was the four of us freeing Mei then we had to fight though an army to reach you in the barracks."
"Shino-kun?" Haku whispered over his shoulder and he smiled at her. Shino knew she was worried about Zabuza.
"I kept him safe," Shino said with a smirk. "But we didn't have fun time. It was pretty tough."
"You could have had to fight Zombies!" Lee said with a smirk. Tenten and Neji groaned and Sakura just nodded in agreement. "We found one of Thane's experimental villages. Completely laid to waste and they were all infected by some disease that turned them into zombies."
"That was terrible," Sakura said from the table as she sipped on her Sake with Tenten who was pouring herself another cup. Neji was playing Akamaru who was pulling him around by the stick they were using.
"It seems that we have plenty of steam to blow off then," Choji said with a smirk. "Let's start eating!"
"Finally!" They all exclaimed.
"Where are we going Hina-hime?" Naruto asked as they walked the darken streets towards Ino's house. Hinata smiled up at Naruto as let out a light yawn. She enjoyed the feeling of being in his arms as they walked the streets.
"Where all the Black Leaves meet after missions," Hinata said as they came to the large house and walked in without knocking.
"Who's house is this?" Naruto asked as he looked around. Just then the door to the right sprang open and Kiba walked out with a smile and pulling his shirt over his head. His hair was even more wild than normal and he had love bites on his chest. "Hey Kiba!"
"You made!" Kiba said now happy. Kin came out of the room a moment later, her hair also messy and but apart from that she was fine. She gave a slight nod to Naruto and Hinata who smiled back.
"I guess," Naruto said with a smirk. "Your house?"
"No Ino and Choji's," Kiba answered as they walked outside.
"Since when did they live together?" Naruto asked Hinata.
"About a year now," Hinata said with a smirk. "After they both made ANBU."
"I can't believe I'm out ranked by all of you guys," Naruto huffed as Hinata grabbed his hand.
"I think of a couple of good ways to use it," Hinata said with a smirk causing Naruto to blush slightly.
"Oh," Naruto said as he flashed a foxy smile. He wasn't going to be out done. "It isn't anything you learned from Anko or Ayeme tonight is it?"
Hinata coughed a bit as she tried to hide her blush.
The dinner passed by quickly as they ate and talked about their recent missions. Towards the end of the night the girls started to clean as the boys sat around talking. Shikamaru puffed on his lit cigarette and looked over at Naruto who was shuffling his seal cards.
"What do we need to know?" Shikamaru asked as he stared down Naruto. Shino moved closer and adjusted his glasses out of habit.
"Well," Naruto sighed as he stopped his shuffling. "It seems that the group called the Akatuski is planning on capturing all the Tailed Beast. They are a group of S-Class missing Nin's that are at the caliber of Orochimaru and higher."
"Great," Kiba said. "That is why Gaara was attacked?"
"Correct," Naruto said as he huffed and rubbed his belly. "It seems that they are starting. Over the last three years we tried to contact as many Jinchuuriki as possible, but most didn't heed the warning. There are two in Iwa who ignored us, then the two in Kumo didn't believe us. But they might come around."
"So what happens when they extract the Tailed beast?" Shino asked as he looked over at his friend.
"Gaara was lucky that he survived," Naruto said with a sad look. "But others will not be. They die once the beast is ripped from the body."
"So these guys will be targeting you Naruto?" Lee asked as his eyes seemed to burn. Naruto nodded and looked up at the window to see the girls on the inside.
"You haven't told her yet," Shino said a bit cold. "You better because she deserves to know."
"I will tell her tonight," Naruto said as he looked at his friends. "I hope you guys are ready for the war. Because I don't plan on waiting for them to come to me."
"It's been getting a little stale here," Choji said with a smirk causing the others to smile and crack their knuckles. "We will follow you anywhere."
"You're going to be a problem when you finally become Hokage," Shikamaru said with a sigh and closed his eyes. He opened them and his entire demeanor changed. He wasn't leaning back lazily, but was sitting forward his eyes showing that he was thinking every possibility. "We need a plan. You and I will meet tomorrow and you will tell me everything you know about these guys. Then we will start taking them out using the right people for the right job."
"That's why you will be my adviser!" Naruto exclaimed as Shikamaru just groaned. Shino chuckled and Naruto turned his gaze to him and grinned. "I will most likely need two."
"Damn it all," Shino muttered into his sake causing the others to laugh.
Hello Everyone,
Thanks for all the sweet reviews i got for the last Chapter. You guys rock. This is another filler i guess you could say, but it got he job done and now we shall start taking the battle to the Akatuski! I don't think i've read a story where the characters actually start hunting down the group, so hopefully i can do it some justice. As always i hope you all enjoy this chapter as much, if not more, than the last. Let me know by pressing that review button down there lol. OH and hope everyone in the States had a great 4th of July! I know i did. The hangover wasn't that great but hey live and learn right! As always Read, Review, and Enjoy!
Thanks again,
Take It Easy