"Speaking"
'Thinking'
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, so many tears!
Chapter 6
Last Time:
He gave her a quick kiss and jogged quietly down the hall. 'Be careful love.' She heard a creak behind her and turned around with her gun out in front. "Show yourself!"
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"Show yourself!" shouted Hinata
"Whoa there Hinata! I'm not gonna hurt you!" said Jiraiya as he stepped from the shadows with an extension cord wrapped around his shoulder.
"Oh Mr. Jiraiya I'm sorry."
"No it's ok. Kakashi wasn't kidding when he said you were quite the little spitfire. He didn't mention that you had such a great body to go with that great spirit." He said while looking he body up and down several times. (AN: Remember she's only wearing underwear, Naruto's red button up shirt and her boots and Jiraiya is a pervert so…...)
Hinata rolled her eyes at his obvious lecherousness. "Yes, well, what are doing up here? I thought you would be downstairs with Scarecrow and Iruka."
"I was but Tsunade asked me set up some more cameras on the fire-escape. I'm on my way down right now. Where's Naruto?"
"He heard something that sounded like glass breaking and went to go check it out. He told me to go downstairs."
"Well allow me to escort you milady." Jiraiya moved to the side of the stairs and waved his hand to show her that she could go first. Hinata giggled and curtsied before heading downstairs. Meanwhile Jiraiya resisted the urge to pinch her butt, which wasn't helped by the way her hips swayed as she walked. Just as he was about to crack they reached the control room. There Kakashi and Iruka watched several monitors that displayed the key entrance points of the building. Jiraiya scooted around Hinata and sat next to Sakura who was trying to make her skirt cover more of her legs while loading an Uzi pistol.
"I see you and Naruto made up," said Kakashi not taking his eyes off the monitors.
"What gave you that idea? Maybe I stole this shirt from him." Kakashi rolled his eyes and hned in response. "Careful you might wake up as Sasuke if you keep that up."
"Hinata you can sit on my lap if you want. We kinda ran out of chairs." Offered Sakura. Hinata smiled and did just that much to Jiraiya's glee.
'Let's see what else we can get these pretty ladies to do!' Jiraiya lecherously thought. He made a show of loading a convenient pistol and spilling a couple bullets under the desk in front of him. "Aw damn! Could someone help me get these my back has been killing me?"
"Oh sure Mr. Jiraiya. Sakura could you help me?" Without waiting for a response Hinata got up and then crouched down to search for the runaway bullets; giving Jiraiya a spectacular view of her tiny black panties and garter. Sakura sighed and joined her showing Jiraiya the hot pink thong she wore under Kurenai's skirt. Jiraiya grinned and couldn't suppress the urge anymore.
Iruka heard the bullets fall and Jiraiya's dumb plea for help. Turning to help the old man he saw something that made his eyes go wide. Obviously forgetting who Sakura and Hinata were Jiraiya was reaching for their exposed behinds. He tried to warn him, "No Jiraiya don—" A yell pierced the relative silence in the room. Jiraiya had slapped Hinata and Sakura's asses and received two guns at his head and a knife between his ring and middle finger.
"Why you perverted old windbag! How dare you!" shouted Sakura
"What the hell were you thinking?" said Kakashi in a low and dangerous voice. His visible eye had flames of rage burning in it.
"Hey I'm only a man! What did you expect me to do when they were practically screaming 'Spank me!' in my ears? Well?"
"You're lucky my rage affected my aim old man!" hissed Hinata. Jiraiya gulped and put his hands up as a sign of defeat.
"Try that again and you are so dead! I don't care what Tsunade says." Said Sakura and she lowered her gun and made her way back to her chair with Hinata. Kakashi punched Jiraiya on the top of the head but also returned to his chair silently.
'Dodged a bullet there!' sighed Jiraiya.
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Naruto heard the arguing downstairs and laughed mentally. Since he left Hinata he had looked through almost every empty room and talked to most of the girls that were there for the night. No one had seen anything but a few had heard the thumps and pointed him in Ino and Temari's direction where he was headed now. Suddenly he heard the thumps again. They came from Ino's rooms. Cocking his shotgun, he held it at his side and stealthily approached the door. As he reached it someone opened it from the inside effectively smashing Naruto's face with it and leaving him cursing on the floor.
"Whoops! Let's see who I hit." A tall man with dyed blue hair, very pointy teeth and bugged eyes stepped from the room and saw Naruto on the ground. "Oh look who it is! It's the mighty Kitsune, knocked on his ass by a door!" Kisame laughed and moved out of the way for another man dressed in the same black suit, red shirt and red tie combination as Kisame. He had long black hair and equally dark eyes. Ino walked before him with a knife at her neck.
Naruto looked up and beheld Ino with a man he had never met but looked very familiar and his favorite sushi chef. "Hoshi! What the hell are you doing here? You do realize we have a front door and we don't open for a few hours right?"
"Naruto it's Kisame and I'm actually not here for expensive pussy. We do however need something else that only you can provide."
"Tell us where the Hyuga heiress is and we'll let your whore friend here go." Said the dark haired man in an emotionless voice. Without thinking, Naruto immediately fired his shotgun at Itachi's head that dodged it anyway. To prove his earlier stated point Itachi pressed his knife a little harder and allowed a tiny drop of blood to trickle down Ino's neck. "Careful Uzumaki. You don't want her to get hurt do you?"
Naruto sighed and put his gun down. "Fine she's asleep downstairs." He turned around and lead the two men to the stairs only turning once to make sure Ino was ok and that they were following.
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"Did you guys hear that?" asked Jiraiya
"We're not really in the mood for your senile paranoia right now so why don't you shut up." Huffed Sakura.
"No it sounded like a gunshot."
"Naruto!" Hinata jolted up and jumped behind Kakashi and Iruka. "Quickly check all the cameras upstairs. Focus on the ones near the rooms especially any with easy access windows." As she thought a corner monitor displayed Naruto on the ground in front of two Akatsuki one of which had Ino as a hostage.
"What's he doing why is he leading them somewhere?" asked Iruka
"He's not." Kakashi received a few stares. "See how he left his gun there? Naruto would never leave a loaded gun for his enemies to use on him. He also never misses. That shot was a signal." He turned to Iruka. "Go tell Tsunade and warn the girls. He wants us to ambush them."
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Naruto silently lead Kisame and Itachi towards the control room. He was relieved to see it was deserted but that disappeared when he saw Hinata asleep in a chair. He hoped the others had figured out his signal and this was all just part of a plan.
"Alright here she is now release Ino." Said Naruto.
"Good job brat here's your stupid slut!" said Kisame. Itachi released Ino and went to grab Hinata's sleeping form as Naruto checked Ino's neck. Suddenly Kisame was gasping for air as Jiraiya strangled him with a belt. Itachi turned quickly and was then met with a punch from Kakashi as he jumped from a closet. Kisame reached behind his head and pressed something on his back. Jiraiya started shaking and ended up unconscious on the floor. Kisame flipped off his jacket to reveal a long billy club like object. He jumped back a couple feet as Naruto charged at him allowing Ino to run to Sakura who had hidden behind the bar.
Back in the control room Hinata had finally opened her eyes when the fights broke out. Now she was aiming her gun at Itachi but having great difficulty because he and Kakashi kept moving and switching places in various attempts to dodge and land hits. Finally she simply fired a shot and it lucky got Itachi's arm giving Kakashi the upper hand. But as he was going to the fallen Itachi to give the final blow a sharp pain seized his chest and he had to stop and gasp for air. He started to tremble and dropped to his knees wheezing for air. 'Shit not now!' ran through Hinata's head as she rushed to her fallen father figure's side. He started coughing a blood trickled down the side of his mouth. Itachi took advantage of her turned back to knock her out with a quick jab to the neck with his unwounded hand. He picked her up and slung her over her shoulder before he steadily walked towards the front giving Kisame time to finish up.
Up near the bar Naruto was in a losing fight. All he could do was dodge the large man's swings hoping to not find out what would happened if that club struck his head. 'Judging from what happened to Uncle Jiraiya' he thought, 'that club gives and electric shock when the button is pushed and it makes contact with the body. Well this'll be fun!' Dodging another strike Naruto decided to try something risky and grabbed the club as it swung past him. He felt a sharp jolt in his hand but the change in motion had propelled Kisame closer to him and allowed Naruto to deck him in the face sending him stumbling backwards into the bar with a bloody nose. With great aim he threw two knives from his pocket and nailed Kisame in his place by his shirt.
Itachi observed a pinkette and a blonde who were watching Naruto and Kisame's fight from behind and open closet door. He had decidedly been watching to make sure they didn't pull anything funny and that Kisame had time for his fun. But when he saw the pinkette aiming a mini bazooka at is partner he pulled out an Uzi pistol and aimed for her head.
Ino had been rubbing her sore neck and cheering Naruto on in her head next to Sakura. She moved over giving her best friend space when she saw her pulling out her mini bazooka 'Baby' at the bar. Then she heard a gun cocking. She turned her head slightly and what she saw scared her like nothing else had. The pony tailed man known as Itachi, the man that killed her love's whole family was standing in front of Kakashi who was sprawled on the ground in pain with Hinata over his shoulder and a gun aimed for Sakura.
Sakura was focusing on finding the perfect opening to blow the bar and the Akatsuki to high hell when she felt Ino suddenly hug her back. Before she could yell at her to get off she felt Ino's body spasm and then wetness on her shirt. Tears leaked from her eyes and she didn't even have to look back to confirm it. Ino, her best friend no her sister was dead. In her sadness and rage she inadvertently pulled the trigger on Baby as she turned to try and shake the life back into her friend.
Kisame heard something flying and in just enough time tore away from the bar and joined Naruto in flight as it blew up setting the wall and stools on fire from the alcohol. The sprinklers went off dowsing the fire and allowing Kisame and Itachi to run out the front door and down the side alley.
"Sakura what the—oh no" Naruto caught sight of Sakura crying over Ino's limp form. "Shit! Sakura I need you to go around the other side and cut them off! Please!" He himself got up and ran threw the front door in pursuit.
Sakura looked up and nodded wiping the tears from her eyes. She obeyed but once outside she realized she had no weapon. As she turned back to the door she felt a sharp pinch on the back of her neck and then saw darkness. A man dresses in all black so he could blend into the darkness checked her pulse to make sure she was out and then signaled for his team to continue forward.
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"Son of a bitch give her back!" Naruto held his 9x19mm gun at Itachi's head. For some reason he really didn't care about the pair had stopped and had their up. Then a pair of headlight lit up the alley showing dozens of men clad in all black with AK47s at the ready.
A man dressed in a pure white suit and shirt stepped out of a black stretch limousine. His long brown hair cascaded over his shoulder and his steel grey eyes glowed with the headlights. "Actually why don't you give her to us?" His voice held no emotion except for a faint trace of rage giving Itachi a run for his money.
"What is this just capture Hinata day!" shouted Naruto.
"What are you doing here Hyuga?" said Itachi
"Why I'm here to get our heiress back. This is no longer your mission Akatsuki, Uchiha. Why don't we talk in the car? Boys get rid of the blonde bring the Akatsuki and the Uchiha." He turned and entered his limo, Itachi and Kisame following.
"Hey the Akatsuki has a name and it's Kisame!" shouted Kisame as the door was shut in his face and he was directed to a silver Mercedes instead.
Naruto did not like his odds; he was surrounded by armed Hyuga henchmen on all sides with no possible escape. 'Might as well go down fighting' he thought before he made a mad dash for the side door. He heard no shots and thought he might make it before the closest thugs hit him hard in the head with the butt of his AK47 effectively knocking him out.
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Seconds after the Hyugas left a taxi pulled in front of the Menagerie and Sasuke stumbled out clutching his sides. The taxi driver yelled about payment but Sasuke just flipped him off and entered the building. On the outside all had seemed calm but when he got inside and was immediately dowsed in water he knew something had happened. Looking around he saw that the bar was decimated and saw Baby on the floor in front of an open closet.
"Sakura!" he called, "Naruto?" he moved the closet door and his heart lurched. Ino lay on the floor in a puddle of blood, her eyes open and glassy the life gone from them. "Oh God!" He sunk to the floor tears pouring from his eyes. "No Ino! No! Why? WHY?" He cradled her head in his lap and smoothed her head. A sharp intake of breath caught his attention and he looked down the corridor and beheld Kakashi struggling to crawl down the hall. "Kakashi where're Naruto and Sakura?" Kakashi pointed towards the back door and then the front. "Are they alive?" Kakashi made no indication so Sasuke hoped for the best. He heard running and looked to the side at the staircase.
"Oh God honey what happened?" Tsunade stood at the base of the stairs in her robe with Iruka behind her. She ran over and hugged her sobbing son.
"I don't know. I just got back from my solo and found the place like this." He saw Iruka dialing the phone and talking to a 911 operator as he got Kakashi into a chair and ran to find his extra medication. (AN: If you're not from this region 911 is for an ambulance/police/firemen all that stuff.) "Do you know?"
"No, not really. A while ago your Dad came upstairs and warned me that Kakashi and them were planning an ambush on some Akatsuki that broke in. We gathered the girls in a room and waited for the fight to end. We thought since it was just two they'd be able to handle it on their own." Tears started pooling in her eyes and trickling down.
"Tsunade! Naruto and Sakura are okay!" shouted Iruka. After giving Kakashi his pills he had run through the alley and found them knocked out but alive. "It looks like they just got knocked out but Sakura's starting to wake up. Jiraiya's fine too, I don't know what happened to him though." He joined Tsunade in hugging their son and his love on the floor letting their tears fall and mix with Ino's blood on the floor.
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"You had no right to interfere Hyuga!" shouted Kisame. "This was our mission not yours!"
"Really? Because I received word straight from the Senator to intercept you and bring her here. The only reason you're still here is so you can deliver your report and get paid." The Hyuga man's eyes flared with rage at the tall Akatsuki. The fireplace he stood in front of cast shadows making his normally grey eyes look black and fierce. Shadows danced like little devils on the pure white walls of the Hyuga's mansions' Hiashi Memorial living room.
"There's really no need for the fuss Neji." Said Itachi
"Don't even think we're that familiar Uchiha!" Neji hissed.
Hinata despised her place in the room. It brought back memories that to this day still haunted her dreams. She once again was tied to a chair in the room where her father was killed. A woman a year older than Hinata was at her feet cleaning some of the scrapes she had received from flying debris from the explosion. Deciding the arguing was boring she started to make conversation.
"Well TenTen I see you married Neji. I always told you he liked you."
TenTen blushed, "Yeah well I guess you were right."
"Do I have any nieces or nephews that I owe Christmas gifts and birthday money?"
TenTen chuckled, "A nephew. He's three months old next week. Hiashi after your father."
Hinata smiled sadly. "How nice"
"Have you got yourself a husband? Boyfriend?"
"Not a boyfriend per say but…" Hinata's smile brightened. "…I think I love him Ten."
"Oh Hinata!" TenTen hugs Hinata as tears start to leak from her eyes. Suddenly the door is thrown open and a tall, thin man with pale skin and long black hair strides in with four bodyguards. His dark black pin striped suit stands out against the white walls and makes his skin look even paler giving him a ghostly look.
"TenTen go check on Hiashi!" said Neji. Without a word she rose and glided out of the door only pausing to sneer at the senator.
"Good evening to you to Mrs. Hyuga" he greeted almost too sweetly. "Neji your wife is certainly the little charmer."
"I'm sorry sir. She's still recovering from a hard birth, she gets irritable sometimes especially at night."
"No, no it's quite alright. I understand it must be quite troublesome to have random people start rushing through your house at this ghastly hour. Now where is our guest of honor?" He spotted Hinata trying to kill him with her eyes from her chair in front of the fireplace. "Ah there she is!" He walked up and bent over so he was eye level with her. "How are you my dear? Has Kakashi been treating you good all these years? Although with how well you've matured I'm sure any man would." His eyes raked up and down her body stopping at her large bust for several moment.
"You evil son of a bitch how dare you enter this room?" she spat.
Orochimaru's smiling face became serious. "That's a lot of rage you've got there. I understand where it comes from too. My own parent's were killed in front of my eyes."
"Of course! It's not like you can shoot with your eyes close right?" SMACK! Hinata got slapped in the face for that. Neji visibly flinched as the sound reverberated in the large room and looked the other way.
"How dare you bring him up! Where did you hear that?" He got right into her face now. Hinata matched his infuriated gaze with her own. He stood up and walked a few steps away from her sitting down in a vacant armchair. He crossed one leg over the other and rested his head between his thumb and pointer finger. "Since you've obviously been contrary to family secrets you must know everything about my siblings' little operation." Hinata averted her gaze to the floor. "Where are they planning to hide?" silence, "You don't know." Hinata shook her head. "They're not planning to go anywhere are they? They're coming after me aren't they? Hinata looked up, eyes wide with surprise. "You know you've disappointed me a little bit." He got up and started walking about the room. "Your emotions flitter across your face like slide show making it very easy to judge the truth. Unlike your cousin here and your dearly departed father. The perfect Hyuga mask is that not what it's called? Where no emotion besides an undertone of rage or in your father's case hysteria is shown. A voice with no emotion and finally a rock solid barrier around yourself into which no one can get through." He stopped as he got to Neji and observed the calm face that stared back before continuing on and stopping in front of Hinata. "Now listen hear you little bitch I'll give you two minutes to tell me what my sister is planning or I'll send my best men to kill whatever little friends you have down at that God forsaken place."
"Ok, ok!" Hinata's head shot up with pleading eyes. "Just come a little closer I'll only trust you with this information.
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Three dark figures ran up the long driveway. The clouds moved from in front of the full moon shining light and illuminating orange, pink and silver blurs running. After the ambulance had arrived and Sasuke had been convinced to go with Tsunade and Iruka to the hospital, Kakashi roused Sakura and Naruto to prepare to get Hinata back. Because of the high chance of ambush the three teammates now sported Kevlar vests over their customary suits and shotguns at the ready in front of them as they ran. When they reached the door Kakashi signaled for Sakura and Naruto to hide behind the bushes nearby. He was about to open the door when a young woman with brown hair in two buns at the top of her head opened it for him.
She noticed his silver hair and said, "You're Kakashi aren't you? And Team 7?" She looked out into the darkness and saw two dark shapes hiding behind bushes.
"Yes. You're TenTen. You used to have play-dates with Hinata and Neji."
"Please come with me. You have to save Hinata. My husband is in the white living room."
"Thank you. Kitsune, Slug let's go!" Kakashi and Sakura ran inside but TenTen stopped Naruto.
"Be careful. Orochimaru is here."
A grave look covered Naruto's sunglass bedecked face. "Thanks" He ran off down the hall.
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Orochimaru inched closer and bent over to listen to what Hinata had to say. She clicked a button on the back of one of her boots with the other foot and a spiked edge came out. He turned his head so his ear was closer and Hinata smirked; he just made her goal so much easier. She swiftly delivered a round about kick to Orochimaru's face with the spiked heel effectively slashing his eyes and blinding him. Orochimaru screeched in agony and stumbled back clutching his face.
"Ha! Take that you sick fuck! Like I'd ever tell you anything!" Hinata laughed at his pain as a guard rushed to his aid when he tripped over a white autumn.
"Kill the bitch!" he hissed.
A guard went to shoot Hinata but was intercepted by Neji's fist. "Hold on! That wasn't part of the deal Orochimaru! You said that in exchange for interrogating her we would get her location and be able to keep her with no interference from you!" Suddenly the lights went out and the dying fire created less and less light before it extinguished.
"What's going on?" yelled Neji
"Hell if I know! This is your house so you must have planned this!" shouted Kisame
"I did no such thing! How do I know you aren't doing this Akatsuki?" Neji replied.
"You go get the helicopter prepped we need to get him to a hospital right now!" A bodyguard shouted as he hefted a moaning Orochimaru up and slightly dragged him out of the door surrounded by the rest.
"Fuck! Itachi where are you?" Kisame searched around wildly trying to locate his missing partner in the almost complete darkness. Neji groaned and ran out the door to see what happened to the lights.
Hinata searched as well until she felt a slight pulling sensation on her arms. She looked the side and briefly saw Itachi's face when a hole in a cloud appeared. "What are you doing?" she whispered.
"Shh! I need you to deliver something to my brother." Itachi whispered as he worked on cutting through the thick rope.
"Sasuke? Why?"
"All is not as it seems. There are people more dangerous than Orochimaru out there. They are trying to control the country and Tsunade and Jiraiya are the only people standing up to them." He finally got through the ropes and Hinata rubbed her wrists.
"What do you mean? Tsunade and Jiraiya only have jurisdiction in this city and at their height only this quarter of the country."
"Exactly. With them in the way the people I speak of can't reach their goal. With them dead and their successors gone their contacts will lowly disappear and nothing will stand in their way. I need you to give this to Sasuke." He pulled out a small disk and put it in her hand.
"Itachi I'm serious where the hell are you?"
The doors slammed open and three lights shined as they moved around. Itachi moved to get up but was stopped by Hinata's hand. "One last question what's with your eyes? Why are they red?"
"That's something for Sasuke and Sasuke alone to find out." He joined Kisame and they jumped through the window and ran to the helicopter that was about to leave.
"Hinata!" Naruto shouted
"Naruto!" Hinata ran and captured Naruto in a loving embrace. "You came for me?"
Naruto gave her a quick peck on the lips. "Of course baby. You know I wouldn't leave you up here. Now where's that stoic ass that stole you earlier?"
"My cousin Neji? I'm not sure. But look he'll probably return with bodyguards though so we need to get out of here."
"Right! Let's go guys!" Naruto grabbed her hand and joined Sakura and Kakashi in a mad dash for freedom. A pair of brown eyes shined in the darkness, smiling at the joy that covered Hinata's face and she followed the blonde. TenTen turned around and headed for the nursery to check on her baby once again. Once there she saw her son in the arms of her husband sound asleep.
"Are you mad?" she asked quietly
"So it was you that cut the power. Neji rocked a bit in the rocker. "I'm not mad. I just wish I could have actually spent some time with her. I haven't seen her in thirteen years Ten."
"Yeah….maybe when everything dies down she'll finally come back."
"No Ten I think the next time I see her will be staring up from the pits of hell as she floats through the gates of heaven with that blonde idiot of hers." He smiled sadly and TenTen and went back to rocking their son.
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A sharp beeping awoke him from his slumber. 'Damn alarm clock!' He felt really sore and he figured it was from the awkward position he felt himself in. His eyes cracked open and through his blurry vision he saw blue walls. 'Blue walls good. Maybe it was all a dream. But if it was where's Ino?' He turned his head slightly and saw a pale arms draped next to his own. 'There she is.'
"Ino" he whispered
"Sasuke?" a voice broke the silence.
'That's not Ino's voice.' He opened his eyes more and vision started to clear. He saw pink hair not blonde. He started to panic, 'Maybe they saved her!' He looked around some more but he saw Kakashi, Iruka and Tsunade in armchairs, Naruto and Hinata curled up on a couch and Jiraiya in the only other bed not Ino. 'No! No! God damnit no!' Tears started to pool in his eyes again and he formed a fist with his hand.
"Sasuke are you alright?" He turned his head and saw Sakura staring at him with worry shining in her big green eyes.
He wiped his tears before anyone else saw. "Yeah Sakura. I'll be okay. You?"
Sakura smiled sadly. "I'll live."
"I see you guys got Hinata back. I'm sure the idiot is happy."
"Yeah she's safe and sound."
"Good morning everyone! Ah Sasuke you're awake! Good this means you'll be better in no time." Shizune came in with a cheery attitude and immediately brightened the mood in the room. "Your vitals look good and you heart rate's fine. You should be able to leave in a few days which is more than I can say for the big lug over there." She pointed to Jiraiya and scribbled something on a chart.
"Oh Shizune you're here! I didn't even hear you enter." Tsunade said sarcastically as she begrudgingly awoke.
Shizune giggled and walked over to Kakashi. She shook his shoulder and he jolted awake reaching for a gun in the back of his pants. "Whoa there big boy. I just need to check your airways and see if your medication is doing its job. So strip off the jacket and shirt and sit up straight." Shizune commenced with the check up as the final two people in the room awoke. Naruto stretched and yawned causing Hinata to tumble off of his chest and onto the floor.
"Hinata! I'm sorry! I forgot you were there." He joined her on the floor and kissed her in apology. She accepted and energetically returned the kiss.
"Get a room!" said Sasuke
Naruto broke away for a moment to say, "That's a good idea would you mind leaving for a bit?" and then went back to Hinata's lips.
"Naruto get off that poor girl now! We need to have a meeting." Said Tsunade grumpily. She heard Iruka snore next to her and she slapped him awake. Naruto grumbled but got off the floor and helped a giggling Hinata onto her feet.
"Well how bad is it Shizune?" asked Kakashi in a low voice as every one crowded around Sasuke and Sakura.
Shizune smiled sadly. "It's not looking good. Your cancer has become very aggressive. Your meds aren't gonna work much longer, they're already weakening." Kakashi quietly buttoned his shirt back up and stared solemnly at Hinata who was giggling at something Naruto had said. "…You don't have long….Would you like to tell them?"
"No, they don't need to know. Shizune that girl has fussed over me for thirteen years now. I don't wanna make her worry anymore than she already does." He pulled out a cigarette from is pocket and put it in his mouth. He was about to light it when an extra cigarette surprised him by joining the flame. He looked up and caught Shizune taking a drag and sighing.
"Don't tell anyone yeah? I'm supposed to be all about health after all." Kakashi nodded his head and took long drag himself.
"Oi Shizune!" called Naruto. "Could you give us an update on this bastard please? I wanna try and speed up the death process." Sakura smacked him in the back of the head for that and told him not to talk about Sasuke that way. Sasuke smirked when Naruto clutched his head in pain.
"Ha! It's what you get idiot!"
"Why you bastard! I should ring your emo neck!"
"Alright, alright! Naruto there's no need for that." Shizune butted in and decided to save her patient. "Well Sasuke here should be fine in a few days. Jiraiya however will be out for much longer. He still hasn't woken up as you can plainly see but he's suffered no internal injury. However the electric charge that entered his body has shocked his system pretty bad. He'll need some therapy to make sure he can use all his limbs properly. I'd say two weeks after he wakes up."
"Thank you so much Shizune. Is there anything else?" asked Iruka
Shizune glanced at Kakashi quickly. "Well I hate to bring this up but Ino's funeral will have to be planned." She saw the sadness enter everyone's faces and Sasuke squeeze Sakura's hand. "We have a consultant here that will help you with everything you need. Again I'm really sorry but we can't keep her body very long." She turned and left the odd family to a moment with themselves.
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The rain poured in icy sheets and sun was blocked behind dark grey clouds. Perfect weather for the bleak occasion. Friends and family had gathered to mourn for Ino together. The wake had touched on every key point of Ino's persona; her good and her bad. Sakura delivered a speech that brought everyone to tears. She talked about how they had met and every obstacle they had overcome together even how Ino had sacrificed her life for her.
In the graveyard it was a small sea of black umbrellas. They parted to allow Ino's true family through. Sasuke lead the way with Sakura and Naruto at his side and Tsunade and Iruka trailing behind. After the casket was lowered Naruto squeezed Sasuke's shoulder and walked away to join Hinata under and umbrella.
"Uzumaki" Naruto turned to see a redhead with aqua eyes walking up to him.
"Gaara I didn't think you would make it" Naruto hugged his old friend
"I am deeply grieved for your loss."
"Thanks man"
"However I must speak to you about other matters" Gaara's small, sad smile turned serious
"Like what?"
"I must insist that my sister come back to our city. I know being Mayor it will be hard to hide her past but I really must have her home. You've been attacked twice in the last week or so and I can't risk her safety. And look I trust you with my life but she and my brother are all I have left. I need to protect them. I hope you understand." He gave Naruto another hug and then walked off to his sobbing sister.
"Naruto?" asked Hinata worried about her love
"I'm fine. Let's go back home. I haven't had a good rest in awhile."
"What about Sasuke and Sakura?"
"It's best we give them some time."
Back at Ino's grave sight Sasuke laid a bouquet of lilies down. He stared down at the silver promise ring he still wore and started to tremble. Eventually his knees gave out and he succumbed to all of the pent up sadness from the past few days. Suddenly he felt something cradling his head and looked up. Sakura sat beside him shushing him and smoothing his hair. He hugged her waist and cried into her black dress.
"Shh. Don't worry Sasuke. I promise I'll always be here to take care of you." Sakura soothed as tears poured down her cheeks and mixed with the raindrops.
AN: Wow I was actually tearing up while writing some of these scenes probably because I listened to really sad music to help me write. Try listening to "We Are Broken" or "When It Rains" by Paramore when you read the funeral scene or Ino's death it'll definitely make you sad. Anyway the story is wrapping up and I only foresee about three more chapters. So as always please review/comment they're like my anti-drug.