Okay chapter seven is here people. I hope you like it.
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Redemption.
Chapter Seven – Sacrifice.
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Saiyuri was reading through an old jutsu technique scroll, trying to brush up on genjutsu. "I need the book on illusionary plant genjutsu." Saiyuri thought to herself. She went to look for her copy of the book she needed, but found it missing. "I wonder if Kushina has it." Saiyuri thought to herself. She left her room and ran down the stairs. "I'm going to Kushina's for a bit Mom. I'll be back soon." Saiyuri called out as she slipped on her ninja sandals. Tenshi looked out of the living room curiously. "Sakumo and Dad are going to be looking for you Saiyuri-Chan." Tenshi said seriously. The boy's mocking laughter was in his eyes. Saiyuri shook her head as she heard her mother's answer of approval and left the house.
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Kushina found Sai before she went to the hospital. She felt a little sick, as she saw Sai lying unconscious under another tree. She used her Byakugan to check that he was still alive. She took note that he had a bad head wound, and he was fairly badly beaten up. She could also see internal injuries, not unlike injuries that were caused by the way some medic-nins fought. "Well it's now or never to try out Shunshin." Kushina thought. She placed a hand on Sai's arm, and made the seals with one hand. She concentrated, and then she heard a poof. When she opened her eyes she was in front of Tsunade's house. She banged on the door vigorously. As soon as she heard someone coming to the door, she poofed out of existence again.
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It was dinner time. Everyone was very sombre. They all knew that Sasuke was very ill, and that there wasn't any more they could do to help him. Kushina wasn't there. She'd told them that she was going to Saiyuri's for the night. Itachi felt extremely alone. "I wish I could figure out what was wrong with father." Itachi thought to himself sadly. There was a knock at the door then. "I'll get it Auntie Sakura." Itachi said softly, when he saw her move to get up. Itachi got up and went to answer the door and he was shocked to see Saiyuri. "Is Kushina there?" Saiyuri asked. Itachi looked back into the house. "Kushina lied to Auntie Sakura and Uncle Naruto? Why would she do that?" Itachi thought to himself. "Who's at the door Itachi?" He heard Naruto call him. "Uh... no one Uncle Naruto. Someone must've been playing a prank." Itachi called back. He put a finger to his lips, signalling to Saiyuri to keep quiet. "Okay, are you coming back to eat?" He heard his Auntie Sakura call to him. "Yeah, I will in just a sec. I left some stuff in the garden." Itachi stated. "Hurry up Itachi, you're gonna be training tomorrow." He heard his Uncle Naruto call. "Okay. I'll be back in a sec." Itachi called. He pulled the door shut gently.
"Where's Kushina?" Saiyuri whispered. "I don't know. She told Auntie Sakura and Uncle Naruto she was going to stay at your house." Itachi whispered back. "But she hasn't been to my house today." Saiyuri uttered. "We need to split up and go look for her. I'll finish my dinner quickly, and tell everyone I'm going for a walk. We meet back here in an hour. If you find her, obviously you drag her back here. If they find out she lied about where she was going, they'll go nuts. She's been acting really weird as it is." Itachi stated. Saiyuri nodded and went off to search, as Itachi ran back in to the house to do as he'd said he would.
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Kushina was sneaking around the outside of the hospital. "The tree climbing exercise I learned from Dad should come in handy." Kushina thought as she concentrated chakra to the soles of her feet. She walked up the wall until she could see into Sasuke's room. She could see how pale and thin he looked. "This has to work. I traded my whole life for it. It has to work." Kushina thought to herself vehemently. She eased the window open and climbed in gently. She saw the tubes and machines, working to keep Sasuke alive. She'd seen Sakura working them many times. "How do I put medicine in again?" Kushina thought to herself. She looked until she saw a tube, with a catheter on the end. It was distributing painkiller. Kushina pulled off the vial of painkiller, and replaced it with the vial of green liquid. She saw it start to drip into the tube and knew it would reach Sasuke soon.
She saw the vial empty into the tube slowly. From the tube it disappeared into Sasuke's veins. She waited a few minutes, and then activated her Byakugan. She saw the medicine travelling through Sasuke, and attacking the disease. She sighed with relief. She made to leave the room, when she heard a soft groan. She turned to see Sasuke's eyes opening. "Kushina? What are you doing here kid? Aren't you supposed to be at home now?" Sasuke asked gently. "I just...... wanted to see how you were doing Uncle Sasuke. I was worried about you. How are you feeling?" Kushina asked kindly.
Sasuke looked as though he were thinking about it for a moment. "Surprisingly I feel a lot better. Better then I've felt for a long time. Maybe Tsunade finally gave me dopey painkillers." Sasuke said. Amusement seeped into his voice. Kushina grinned. "I think you'll be feeling a lot better before long." Kushina said cheerfully. Sasuke gave her a strange look. "You do know how sick I am, don't you Kushina?" Sasuke asked. "Yeah. But being sick, means you get better. Auntie Sakura says that all the time." Kushina replied. Sasuke shook his head. "Uncle Sasuke?" Kushina decided to ask. "What is it Kushina?" Sasuke asked softly. "What would you give to save someone you cared about?" Kushina asked. "What do you mean?" Sasuke asked. "Like if my Dad was in trouble, what would you give to save him?" Kushina asked. Sasuke looked at Kushina strangely for a moment. "Anything." Sasuke answered without a doubt to hinder his voice. Kushina gave a sad smile. "I thought so." Kushina uttered softly.
Kushina went to the window. "So where are you off to?" Sasuke asked. "Nowhere special Uncle Sasuke. I know you're gonna feel better soon. I'd better get going before a fussy nurse finds me." Kushina said softly. Sasuke smirked. "You're so like your father." Sasuke said gently. Kushina looked out of the open window. "Yeah I suppose I am." Kushina replied gently, before she leapt out of the window, using her chakra to run down the wall, and let her land softly. With that she was gone.
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Itachi was just about to leave the house, when he opened the door, he was greeted by Nawaki. "Nawaki-Sensei?" Itachi was completely confused. "Hey Itachi! Where's Naruto-San? I was just about to knock when you opened the door. Can you go get him? I've got something important to tell him." Nawaki stated quickly. Itachi nodded and walked into the dining room. "Uncle Naruto, Nawaki-Sensei is at the door. He says there's something important he needs to tell you." Itachi said. Naruto nodded and left the dining table. Sakura followed him. The other children were still eating. Itachi listened out at the door for the conversation.
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Naruto and Sakura looked at Nawaki, who looked agitated. "There's been an attack on one of the Anbu." Nawaki stated plainly. "What?" Sakura asked. Shock showed on her face. "Who?" Naruto asked. "Sai." Nawaki answered. Both Naruto and Sakura looked worried. "He was supposed to be watching out for Kushina." Sakura whispered in horror. "Someone obviously got to him. He's very badly injured. We're lucky that he managed to drag himself to my front door, or he would be dead. My Ma worked on him, and then we got him to the hospital." Nawaki relayed. He looked disturbed from the whole event. "Have you got the medical report yet?" Sakura asked. "A quick assessment from my Ma, that's it. Shizune-San and my Ma are still there trying to save his life." Nawaki said softly, as he handed over a small file to Sakura.
Sakura read through it quickly. "With those injuries, he would've been in no condition to drag himself anywhere. Someone took him to your house on purpose Nawaki. Why wouldn't they stay if they cared enough to take him there, why not stay to see if he's alright?" Sakura questioned. "I have no idea. But what I wanted to know was if someone should be sent to tell Ino or not? I wouldn't know who to send, and whatever happens now is your call Naruto-San." Nawaki stated. Naruto nodded. "I'll go to the hospital and see how Sai's doing. Sakura, you're Ino's best friend. It might be better coming from you." Naruto said softly. Sakura nodded. "I'll come with Ino to the hospital and help Tsunade-Shishou and Shizune-San work on Sai. If this is a quick report I dread to think what the real damage is going to amount to." Sakura said. A troubled look passed over her face. "What's wrong Sakura-San?" Nawaki asked. "These injuries were made by a Medic-nin. Nobody else could make injuries like this." Sakura uttered. Her face filled with troubled fears. "It looks like the work of Kabuto." Sakura added softly. Naruto bit his lip. "Nawaki, I want you to look for Kushina. If you don't find her report to me at the hospital." Naruto said. Nawaki nodded and left. Nobody noticed Itachi listening in or the look that crossed his face, as he too snuck out of the house to search for Kushina.
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Kushina saw everything that happened from outside the house. "At least Uncle Sai is at the hospital now." She thought to herself gratefully. She snuck in through her open bedroom window. She grabbed an orange pack, and started packing some things. Her orange pyjamas, a few of her orange and black shirts, and black shorts, and some of her weapons. She looked at the shelf above her bed, and saw some pictures sat there. One was a picture of her family, with Sasuke, Itachi, Hikari and little Naruto. It was the day she'd graduated. Another was a picture of her team, with Nawaki, before their first C rank mission. All of them with their headbands displayed proudly, and Saiyuri grinning madly. Kushina smiled softly, and Itachi gave a smirk. Another picture was of them in Kushina's hospital room. Kushina sat in bed glaring at Saiyuri and Itachi, who were sat either side of her, hugging her. Her arms were up, one on Itachi's arm, and the other on Saiyuri's. Most people would've thought that this was a beautiful display of their friendship, but in reality, Kushina had been trying to cover her face, and Itachi and Saiyuri had been trying to hold her arms down for the picture. Another picture was a group shot of everyone at her graduation party. She saw so many faces she cared for. Tsunade Baa-Chan, Ero-Sennin, Kakashi, and so many others that she'd known her whole life. The last picture on her shelf was one she'd shed many tears over. The picture of her family, just before Hinata had been born. Her mother and father hugging each other, and her in the middle, with a hand on her mother's stomach, which had been huge at that point. Kushina put the pictures in her bag. "I won't ever forget them." Kushina thought to herself, as she left her room quietly.
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Saiyuri wasn't sure what made her come to the main path out of the village. She sat on the bench there, and waited for a few minutes, and sure enough, there was Kushina, pack on her back, preparing to walk out of the village. "Kushina!" Saiyuri called. Kushina turned back to look at her. "What are you doing?" Saiyuri asked. "I'm leaving Saiyuri. I'm not coming back." Kushina stated coldly. "What are you talking about? We're friends and comrades! Why would you leave and betray your home?" Saiyuri asked. "Because I have to. Don't get involved. It's better if you just let me go." Kushina said plainly. "Why do you have to?" Saiyuri yelled. "It's not your concern!" Kushina yelled back. "We've known each other forever Kushina! Don't tell me it's not my concern!" Saiyuri yelled back. "I made a promise Saiyuri and I can't break it! It's too late to stop me, so just let me go!" Kushina yelled. Saiyuri stared. "I can't just let you leave Kushina! This is your home! Where are you going to go?" Saiyuri yelled back. "I don't want to hurt you Saiyuri, so just stay out of it." Kushina said coldly. Her voice was like a sharp knife to Saiyuri's heart. "I'm not losing my best friend." Saiyuri uttered. Kushina sighed and disappeared. Saiyuri looked around frantically, that was when she felt a blow to the back of her head. Quick, sharp and to the point. Saiyuri felt herself losing consciousness. "I'm sorry Saiyuri. I have to go. I hope you understand one day." Saiyuri heard Kushina whisper before her world went completely black.
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Sakura made her way to the Yamanaka flower shop as quickly as possible. She knocked on the door and waited. It was Ino who answered. "Sakura! What are you doing here?" Ino asked. "Ino. Something bad happened." Sakura started. "What?" Ino asked. Confusion seeped from her very being. "Ino, Sai is in a bad condition. He was attacked earlier tonight. He's at the hospital now. Someone took him to Tsunade-Shishou's house. She looked after him, but he's still in a bad way." Sakura said softly. Ino nodded, her heart felt like it had been ripped out and stomped on. "Just let me get Sai some things and I'm coming." Ino said. Her voice sounded far away. She went into the flower shop, and Sakura followed. Ino walked around in a daze, she went into her room that she shared with Sai, and closed the door. Sakura could hear her pulling clothing out of a drawer. Sakura felt a shock, when something pulled on her skirt. She looked down to see Inoshi standing next to her. "Auntie Sakura what's wrong with Mommy?" He asked softly.
Ino must've heard him, for the next moment, the door was open, and Ino pulled Inoshi into her arms and hugged him desperately. "Inoshi, go and get dressed into some clean clothes quickly. We're going to the hospital." Ino said softly. "Why Mommy?" Inoshi asked. "Because Daddy is sleeping there and we're going to go and see him." Ino replied. Inoshi nodded and went into his room. Sakura watched as Ino woke Shiori and dressed her quickly. Then they were joined by Inoshi and the group set out towards the hospital.
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Itachi was worried. It'd been an hour since he was supposed to meet Saiyuri and she hadn't turned up. He started looking for her, and decided to go to the main path out of the village. That was when he noticed Saiyuri. Lying on the bench near the path. She was unconscious. "Saiyuri?" Itachi tried calling her to wake her up. Nothing seemed to work. "I have to take her to the hospital." Itachi thought. At that moment, Itachi heard a groan. He sighed with relief. "Saiyuri? What happened?" Itachi asked quickly. Saiyuri looked at Itachi. Her face filled with sadness and fear. "Kushina knocked me out! She left the village Itachi! She's defected!" Saiyuri practically sobbed. Itachi bit his lip angrily. "Saiyuri, go to the hospital, and tell everyone what's happened. But give me a while. I'm gonna go and try to get Kushina back. If we're not back by dawn, then go and tell Uncle Naruto what's happened." Itachi said. "I should go with you!" Saiyuri exclaimed. Itachi shook his head. "No. If we both go and can't get her back, who's going to tell Uncle Naruto that she's gone?" Itachi asked. Saiyuri didn't look happy about it, but she nodded her acceptance. With that, Itachi was gone into the night and Saiyuri walked home, hoping that Itachi would find Kushina.
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Tsunade had worked on Sai for hours. She'd fixed all the internal damage, and closed the wound on his head. Now all that was needed was for him to wake up. Tsunade couldn't be sure that would happen. Sai had been damaged pretty badly, and the next twenty-four hours were crucial. If he woke up then he would be lucky. If not, there was little chance of him ever waking up. After telling Ino this information, Tsunade sighed and decided to go and check on Sasuke.
When she walked into Sasuke's room however, Sasuke looked extremely healthy. He was sat up in bed and looking out of the window. "Sasuke?" Tsunade asked softly. Sasuke turned to look at her. "Tsunade? I don't know what painkillers you've given me, but they're working. I haven't felt this good in ages." Sasuke said. Tsunade walked over to where the painkillers were administered and saw a completely different vial attached. "Sasuke, this isn't a painkiller. It's something else." Tsunade uttered. "What? It could be some poison or something." Sasuke stated. "No I don't think so. I think... it's the cure." Tsunade said gently. "How would a cure get to me just like that?" Sasuke asked. He looked a little peeved. Tsunade pulled the vial out of the catheter. She looked at it and then placed it on the cabinet. She started scanning Sasuke. "The disease is being driven out. Have you noticed anyone come in here who shouldn't be here?" Tsunade asked. Sasuke bit his lip. "Kushina was here earlier last night. I thought it was odd that she was here. She said she was sure I'd get better soon. But there's no way she could have a cure. She's a child, and she wouldn't know how to find a cure, or who to get it from." Sasuke stated. Tsunade looked out of the window at the rising sun, wandering how all of this happened.
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Nawaki arrived in Naruto's office. Naruto had moved to his office once he'd had news of Sai. Naruto stared at Nawaki, hoping against hope. "I've been searching for Kushina all night. I haven't found a trace of her." Nawaki said. "That's because she isn't in the village!" The two men turned to see Saiyuri. She looked suitably cowed by the men's glares. "Saiyuri what are you talking about?" Nawaki asked. "I'm sorry Nawaki-Sensei. She left late last night. I tried to stop her but she knocked me out. Itachi and I were looking for her since early last night." Saiyuri stated. "You were the one at the door when Itachi said it was a prankster. Kushina lied when she said she was staying at your house." Naruto stated. Saiyuri nodded. "I didn't know. Itachi and I wanted to find her so she wouldn't get in trouble. We just wanted her to be okay. But I found her and she said she was leaving. She said she wasn't coming back." Saiyuri said. "What?" Naruto was confused. "She said she made a promise and she had to leave!" Saiyuri exclaimed. Tears streaked down her face. "If you knew this why not come to us straight away?" Nawaki asked. "Itachi asked me to wait until dawn. He wanted to see if he could bring her back. But he isn't back yet." Saiyuri said softly. Naruto felt his heart plummet into the bottom of his feet as he felt a terrible sense of déjà-vu.
At that moment, Sakura burst into the room. "Naruto! It's Sasuke! He's completely cured!" Sakura exclaimed. She looked around the room. "What's going on?" Sakura asked. "Kushina defected. She's abandoned the village." Naruto said blankly. Sakura's face went from confused to angry to complete desolation within seconds. She broke down in tears, as Naruto got up and pulled his wife into his arms. No one knew what was happening at this very moment between two friends.
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Okay all, that's the end of this chapter. But don't worry the next chapter will be here soon. Please R&R and tell me what you think.