Okay, I'm back from Spain, so here is chapter six of Redemption. I hope you all like this chappie.
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Redemption.
Chapter Six – Bargain.
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Saiyuri was sat at home. Sakumo was fussing over her. "Don't fuss so much Aniki. I'm fine." Saiyuri told her brother irritably. Dan and Mayumi were snickering behind their other teammate. "Yeah Sakumo, your sister still looks hot, so she must be fine!" Dan exclaimed. Sakumo turned and glared at Dan. "Don't talk about my sister like that you little pervert." Sakumo hissed. Dan snickered. "Sakumo, she's fine. My brother and I were taught by the best medic-nin to ever exist. And you should know my Mom wouldn't have let Saiyuri come home from the hospital unless she was okay." Mayumi told Sakumo seriously. That was when they heard a knock on the door. Saiyuri made to run and answer it, but Sakumo held her down on the chair by her shoulders. "Sakumo you baka!" Saiyuri hissed angrily. "No running around for you Saiyuri." Sakumo stated. Mayumi sighed and answered the door.
Itachi was standing outside. "Hey kid, Saiyuri's in the front room." Mayumi said kindly, and moved aside for Itachi to come in. "Thanks Mayumi-San." Itachi replied softly. He removed his sandals in the entryway, like everyone did in Konoha, and walked into the front room. "Hi Itachi!" Saiyuri exclaimed happily. "Hey Saiyuri. I just thought I'd come and see how you're doing, and see if you wanted to come with me to see Kushina-Chan." Itachi stated cheerfully. "I'd love to!" Saiyuri exclaimed as she wriggled free of her brother. "Run Itachi!" Saiyuri yelled happily. Itachi did as Saiyuri asked, grabbing his sandals. He threw them on quickly, as he saw Saiyuri jump out of the way of her over protective brother. She grabbed her own sandals, and Itachi allowed Saiyuri to grab on to his back. That was when Itachi sprinted off, Saiyuri laughing madly, clinging to his back, and Sakumo yelling profanities at the top of his lungs. After a few minutes, Itachi stopped at a bench, and let Saiyuri sit down to put on her sandals. Saiyuri was giggling madly as she pulled them on.
"You're the best male friend I have Itachi! Everybody is too chicken to defy my brother!" Saiyuri stated happily. Itachi blinked. "What's so scary about your brother?" Itachi asked. "I don't personally know. Something about how he looks too much like my Dad? I don't really get that either." Saiyuri stated curiously. "Well I'm not actually scared of your Dad or your brother." Itachi stated. Both Genin laughed. "Let's go and visit Kushina." Saiyuri said after they'd finished laughing. The pair started walking towards the hospital.
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Sai pulled on his Anbu uniform that morning. When he went downstairs to the living room that was behind his wife's flower shop, he found Ino talking to her old teammates. Sai never felt any jealousy about this, as he knew that Ino and her teammates were like a family. Inoshi, Shikariko and Chouzin were playing together quite happily. Shiori was attempting to get Nobu to play with her, but Shikamaru's blond son was as lazy as his father, and was napping on a bean bag. Shiori ran up to Sai, and held her arms up towards him. "Daddy Nobu won't pway wid me!" Shiori exclaimed cutely. Her long blonde hair was tied in bouncy pigtails, and she pouted up at her beloved father. Sai couldn't resist the cuteness of his four year old daughter, and picked her up. "Nobu just likes to sleep Shiori. I'm sure when Mommy, Uncle Shikamaru and Uncle Chouji are done talking, that Uncle Shikamaru will get Nobu to play with you."Sai said gently. Shiori wrapped her small arms around Sai's neck. Her black eyes flashed brightly with joy. "Yay!" She cheered.
Ino turned to look at Shiori, and smiled at Sai. "What did you promise her?" Ino asked. A tone of amusement in her voice. "I didn't. I just told her that when you were all done talking, I was sure that Uncle Shikamaru would get Nobu to play with her." Sai replied. Shiori nodded vigorously. "Yeah. Pwease Unca Shika! Nobu just wants ta sweep all da time! I wanna pway tag wid him!" Shiori exclaimed. Her eyes were all teary and her mouth set in a cute pout that even Shikamaru had trouble refusing. He bent down, where Nobu was sleeping away, and nudged the boy. "Nobu. Stop being rude. Play with Shiori-Chan." Shikamaru told Nobu gently. Nobu opened his deep blue eyes and looked at his father sleepily. "Twubellsum Daddy. Okay Shiowi led's pway!" Nobu said lazily, getting up from his sleeping spot and stretching. Shiori cheered happily, gave her father a kiss on the cheek, and thanked 'Unca Shika' quickly, before Sai let her down, and she ran off to play with Nobu.
"Where are you headed Sai?" Chouji asked. "I have a mission from Naruto." Sai replied. Ino looked at him with concern. "It's not dangerous Ino. Don't worry." Sai said softly. Ino smiled happily. With that, Sai said goodbye and left the house, wandering off to watch over Kushina, as he'd been asked to do.
xXxXxXx ONE WEEK LATER xXxXxXx
Naruto was sat at his desk when an irate Sakura stormed in. Naruto blinked in confusion at his wife's obvious fury. "Naruto Uzumaki! Are you having your daughter stalked like a criminal by our old teammate?" Sakura raged. "The right answer would be no." Naruto's inner voice told him. "Yes I am." Naruto replied honestly. "Damn it! Why don't you know how to lie? You've been the Hokage for how long? And you can't even lie to your angry, psychotic wife?" His mind screamed back at him. Naruto tuned out his inner voice as he faced his wife's rage. "Are you turning into Kakashi-Sensei? Naruto, she's going to notice sooner or later! If she hasn't already! How are you going to explain to her that you don't trust her enough to let her make her way around the village without an escort?" Sakura yelled angrily.
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Saiyuri, Itachi and Kushina were sat in Kushina's hospital room. They were playing Go fish. "Got any tens?" Saiyuri asked. "Go fish." Itachi stated. Saiyuri glared. "Got any fours?" Saiyuri asked. "Go fish." Kushina replied. "Damn it! You guys suck! I always lose!" Saiyuri yelled. Kushina let out an almighty sneeze. "Bless you!" Saiyuri exclaimed, as Kushina looked more than a little confused. "You know when you sneeze someone's talking about you." Itachi stated. "Or thinking about you!" Saiyuri added. Kushina shrugged. "Got any sixes?" Saiyuri asked. "Go fish." Both Itachi and Kushina said at the same moment. "DAMN IT!" Saiyuri cursed.
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Sakura was glaring at Naruto fiercely. "Sakura, someone in Otogakure has taken an interest in her. I can't just take the chance that someone won't try to take her away from here. They were already attacked once. The whole team, with no provocation! I just want to keep her safe Sakura!" Naruto yelled. Sakura bit her lip. "Oto?" She asked shakily. Both Sakura and Naruto knew the pain of losing someone they cared about to Oto. They didn't want such a thing to happen again. Sakura sighed. "Why didn't you just tell me? Why make Sai her babysitter?" Sakura asked. "Because I need to know that she's safe at all times. Wherever she is. I can't expect you to chase her everywhere. She'd definitely notice that. Sai is someone she won't notice." Naruto said softly. Sakura bit her lip. "I noticed Sai, Naruto. You think she won't figure it out sooner or later?" Sakura asked. "You know Sai's chakra Sakura. If you didn't would you have figured it out?" Naruto asked. "I would know someone was watching Naruto. I'm not a trained Kunoichi for nothing." Sakura stated. "I know all of this. I just want to keep her safe Sakura. For as long as I possibly can. Is that so wrong?" Naruto asked softly. Sakura could see the utter desolation in Naruto's face. It was something very few people ever had the chance to see. "We'll all keep her safe Naruto. Somehow, we'll manage it. When she figures Sai out, someone else will be watching. If we run out of Anbu, I'll be watching, no matter what. Kushina belongs with us. She'd never go to Oto willingly." Sakura said softly.
"We thought that about Sasuke too. But he defected Sakura. I won't take that chance on Kushina. I can't afford to. I learned from my mistakes. Somehow I'll make sure she's safe, even if I have to follow her myself." Naruto stated softly. Sakura nodded her understanding, as the pair looked out of the office window. "Tsunade-Shishou said that Kushina can come home today. She can't run around for another month yet, but soon enough she'll be able to. Nawaki promised me that he'll have something for her to do in training, and that he won't work her too hard. We should get some Ramen. She always likes to eat Ramen after she's been sick." Sakura enthused. Naruto grinned. "Yeah. We'd better prepare for her to come home." Naruto replied.
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Kushina was dressed in her usual outfit, waiting for Sakura to pick her up. She wasn't allowed to leave without her, or so Tsunade had told her. Kushina had packed up her things that had been in the hospital. She heard the door slide open, and there was Naruto, standing in the doorway in his Hokage glory. "Hey Carrot top!" Naruto exclaimed cheerfully. Kushina grinned widely. She ran over to hug her father. The mark hadn't been hurting whilst she'd been in the hospital and Kushina had been taking full advantage of it. She held on to her father tightly, as her father hugged her back. "How comes you never came to visit Dad?" Kushina asked. A scowl on her face. Naruto smiled sheepishly. "Would you believe I was a little bit scared to come?" Naruto asked. "No!" Kushina answered bluntly. "Well I was. I was terrified when they bought you back injured Kushina. I was so scared I couldn't think straight. I threw myself into my work as usual. Auntie Sakura told me you were finally okay to be released today. I thought it was only fair that I come to pick you up after being such a wimp." Naruto stated sheepishly. Kushina shook her head. "You're so weird Dad." Kushina said. "I might be weird, but imagine having Kakashi as a Sensei." Naruto replied. "We don't have to. Nawaki-Aniki-Sensei is just as bad. He's a raging pervert with a protective streak a mile long." Kushina stated. Naruto laughed at that statement as Kushina tried not to laugh too much herself. "Let's go home Carrot Top." Naruto said softly. Kushina nodded and Naruto picked up her little pack. She followed him, and closed the door of the room behind her.
xXxXxXx ONE MONTH LATER xXxXxXx
Kushina woke up early. She didn't know why, but something told her to check on everyone. She went to check on Hinata first, who was next door to her. Then Kasumi. Both her little sisters were sleeping soundly. A quick scan with the Byakugan showed they were perfectly fine. She kept it activated as she went from room to room. She checked on little Sasuke and little Naruto, who were sharing one room. Both fine. She checked on Hikari, who was also sleeping well. She peeked into Itachi's room, and saw him sleeping curled up under the duvet, as he always was. Kushina gave a soft smile, as she took note Itachi was also fine and closed his bedroom door as silently as she'd opened it.
She peeked into her Father and Sakura's room. They were both sleeping contentedly, with smiles on their faces. Kushina didn't leave until she'd used her Byakugan to check they were also healthy. She only had one more room to check. She opened Sasuke's bedroom door, and saw that Sasuke was lying in bed. She also noted that he was paler than usual. She used Byakugan, and saw that his heart had stopped beating. Her own heart stopped. "Uncle Sasuke?" She whispered in horror, before she started screaming at the top of her lungs for Sakura.
Sakura ran into the room, with Naruto following her. "Kushina? What's wrong?" Sakura asked. "His heart's not beating Auntie Sakura!" Kushina yelled. She'd never witnessed death in this capacity and it frightened her. Sakura immediately used Medical chakra on Sasuke. Naruto pulled Kushina into a hug, and Kushina buried her face into her father's chest, not even looking at what was happening. Sakura looked at Naruto. "We have to take him to the hospital. His heartbeat is there, but it's very faint." Sakura said softly. Itachi came into the room at that point. His eyes were wide and when he looked at his father, he was afraid. "I'll take your father to the hospital Itachi. I want all of you to stay here. If they're all still sleeping, let them sleep. I'll let you know as soon as I know anything." Naruto told them. Kushina and Itachi stood side by side as Naruto picked up Sasuke, and followed Sakura out of the house. The silence was deafening when the door was shut.
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Once Sakura and Naruto had left the house, they'd headed to the hospital at the fastest speed they could go. They headed up onto the roofs and roof-hopped all the way to the hospital. "You have to be alright Teme! Your kids need you! Hell I need you! Come on brother! You can make it!" Naruto was yelling in his mind.
When they got to the hospital, Sakura ran in, giving orders at the top of her lungs. "We need a room now!" Sakura yelled at the receptionist, who sped to do what she asked. "Is Shizune here?" Sakura asked another nurse. "Yes Sakura-San, she is here." The nurse replied timidly. "Well go and get her then!" Sakura exclaimed. The nurse scuttled off like a frightened rabbit to do as she was bidden. "A room is ready Sakura-San." The receptionist told her. "Which room?" Sakura asked sternly. "One-zero-two Sakura-San." The receptionist replied. Sakura sped off, with Naruto right behind her, still carrying Sasuke. They got to the room, where Shizune was already waiting for them. "Is he bad?" Shizune asked. Sakura and Naruto both nodded. "His heartbeat is so slow I almost didn't spot it. If Kushina hadn't gone to see him we wouldn't have known until it was too late." Sakura said softly. "I already asked Ino to go and get Tsunade-Sama." Shizune said gently. Both Naruto and Sakura nodded gratefully. "Thanks Shizune Nee-Chan." Naruto said kindly. Shizune smiled and left the room to get necessary equipment. Naruto looked at Sakura. "What do you think made Kushina go to Sasuke's room?" Sakura asked. "I don't know but whatever it was, without that Sasuke would be dead, so we'd better thank her." Naruto said sternly. Sakura nodded. Although both of them were wondering the same thing.
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Kushina was shaking. "What made you go into my father's room?" Itachi asked. Kushina looked at Itachi, her eyes filled with confusion and fear. "Kushina?" Itachi pressed. "I was worried. I don't know why. I had a funny feeling. I checked everyone's rooms. When I saw you were all okay, using my Byakugan, I went to your father's room last and I......" Kushina trailed off, her eyes tearing up. Despite a lot of things, Kushina deeply respected Sasuke. Itachi bit his lip. "It's okay Kushina-Chan. I just wanted to know. If you hadn't gone in there, he might've died and nobody would've known." Itachi said softly. Kushina looked at Itachi to see there were a couple of tears making their way down his cheeks. He hugged Kushina, and even though he was supposed to be an Uchiha, and a boy, and a Shinobi, he cried, as Kushina hugged him back, trying to soothe his pain.
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Tsunade arrived at the hospital. She sped into room one-zero-two and got to work. She scanned Sasuke with her own medical ninjutsu and shot out orders right and left to Sakura and Shizune. Naruto waited outside. He had no choice. "Please god let him be alright." Naruto prayed.
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Later that day, Kushina and Itachi got Hinata and Hikari to go to the Ninja Academy. They felt it best not to say anything about Sasuke until they knew what was happening. It seemed unfair in retrospect, but Itachi bought up a good point. If they didn't know for now, they wouldn't be worried, and would be able to go on as normal. If they knew, they'd want to stay home and wait like Kushina and Itachi had to. Both of them, as the elder children, thought it best to let them be worry free until it was absolutely necessary.
Little Naruto and Little Sasuke were playing with Kasumi quietly. Kasumi was showing the two boys how to build little houses from building blocks. They watched her in awe, as all small children watch their elders. They heard a knock on the door, and when Kushina went to answer it, there was Saiyuri. "I heard about Sasuke." She whispered softly. Kushina nodded and let Saiyuri come in. "The other kids don't know anything yet. It's just me and Itachi that know. So don't say anything to them." Kushina whispered. Saiyuri nodded, as she removed her sandals. Itachi looked at Saiyuri. "Saiyuri, can you do me a favour?" Itachi asked. Saiyuri blinked. "What favour?" Both girls asked incredulously. "I want to go and see what's happening at the hospital. So can you stay with Kushina while I go?" Itachi asked.
"Wait a sec." Kushina stated irritably. "I found your father this morning Itachi. I'm worried too. You can't just leave me here and go." Kushina added. Saiyuri stared at the pair. "Geez you two bicker like an old married couple! Why don't both of you go? I'll keep the kids occupied. But you better not be gone too long. My Mom wanted my help to move the furniture around. I have no idea what is up with her lately." Saiyuri quipped. Kushina and Itachi stared at Saiyuri for a moment then grabbed their sandals and slipped them on. "Kasumi, Naruto, Sasuke, You guys behave for a few minutes! Itachi and I are going to get something okay? Saiyuri's in charge of you!" Kushina yelled. A few seconds later a chorus of "Yes Kushina-Chan!" Was heard from the living room. "See you in a few Saiyuri." Kushina said softly. Itachi nodded and the pair ran out of the door.
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Sakura and Naruto were sat next to Sasuke's bed. One on each side. Both of them looking at him worriedly. Sasuke was conscious but he was still very pale and both of his old teammates could tell he was losing strength. Tsunade looked at the trio. "Sasuke, this episode proves that no treatment is actually helping you. You'll have to stay in the hospital so we can keep an eye on your heart rate at all times. I don't know how long you have at this rate." Tsunade said gently. Her face looked saddened. Sasuke nodded his understanding. Sakura allowed tears to fall down her cheeks and Naruto looked like he'd been told his own death sentence. Little did any of the room's occupants know that they had two interlopers listening in to their conversation.
Itachi looked at Kushina, the look on his face was easy to read, heartbroken. Kushina felt terrible pain, to see her father, Sakura and Itachi hurting. "Maybe I can do something." She thought to herself.
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That night, after everyone went to bed, Kushina snuck out of the house and into the forest. She waited for the creature to turn up. But he never did. "He knows that I want something now. He's going to make me wait. Damn it! I don't have time to be sitting around waiting." Kushina thought to herself.
xXxXxXx ONE MONTH LATER xXxXxXx
Kushina had been sneaking into the forest every night, but she hadn't come into contact with the creature. Sasuke was gradually getting worse, and Kushina knew she didn't have long to find out what she needed to know. Tonight, she felt her mark burning. She knew she'd see him tonight. Not that she really wanted to. If she could help it, she'd be running away. But she had to speak to him. She left the house telling Sakura and her father she was going to stay at Saiyuri's house. "Hurry up you asshole!" She thought to herself. That was when he appeared. She glared at him. "Have you been waiting for me Kushina-Kun?" He asked. His voice was syrupy sweet, and it left a sick feeling in the pit of Kushina's stomach. "I want to ask some questions. If you don't answer them, I'll reveal you to my Anbu body guard." Kushina hissed. "Oh you mean that Sai boy? I already dealt with him a few minutes ago." The creature stated. Kushina felt her eyes widen. "What did you do to him?" Kushina asked fearfully. "He's not dead. Not yet anyway." The creature hissed.
Kushina glared fiercely at the creature. "I need to know if you have a man called Kabuto working for you." Kushina asked. The man seemed to do a double take, and then smirked. "It seems Tsunade has figured out why Sasuke-Kun is so sick." The creature said gleefully. "Can you make him better?" Kushina hissed angrily. "What makes you think that I would want to?" The creature hissed back. "If you can then make him better!" Kushina yelled. "Why do you care Kushina-Kun?" He asked. The tone of his voice was laced with derision. "Because his illness is hurting all the people I care about in the world. Because I respect him, and I don't want him to die." Kushina answered softly. "What would you give to save him Kushina-Kun?" The creature asked. Kushina felt her heart stop. "You want to make a deal don't you?" Kushina asked softly. "You can hand over the cure yourself to Sasuke-Kun. But you give your word to come to Oto of your own free will. You give me your word you will head out as soon as you hand over the cure, and you can have it." The creature told her.
Kushina bit her lip anxiously. "What should I do? Should I do what he wants? How can I be sure the cure he has will work? What would Dad do?" Kushina felt questions run through her mind at great speeds. Of course she knew in her heart what her father would do to save someone he cared about. "Dad would do anything to save the people he cares about from pain. I should do the same thing." Kushina thought sadly. "When will the cure start working?" Kushina asked. "Straight away. It will stop the eradication of his cells, and he'll be able to feel it working. You'll know by using your Byakugan whether or not the cure is helping him." The creature told her. "Who are you?" Kushina asked. The creature seemed to smirk as he removed his hood. Once again she saw two halves of a face. "I'm half a being child. Half Kabuto, half Orochimaru." The two voices answered her.
Kushina was horrified. "It doesn't matter how disgusted I am by him. I have to do this!" She thought. "Is it a deal?" The dark-haired half asked her. He held out his hand. Kushina looked at the hand carefully. "Deal." Kushina uttered softly, shaking the creature's hand. "As soon as I see that the cure is working I'll leave." Kushina said softly. He smirked at her, as he handed her a vial of a green liquid. "This will save Sasuke Uchiha. I want your word, on your father's life that you will do as you've bargained." The man said sternly. "I give my word on my father's life that I'll fulfil my side of the bargain." Kushina promised, wondering exactly how far into hell she would go, now that she'd made a pact with the devil.
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Okay that's the end of chapter six. I hope you all liked it. Please R&R and let me know what you think.