Okay, the next chapter of Redemption is here. I hope you all enjoy it.
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Redemption.
Chapter Ten – Reconnaissance.
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Naruto was sat in his office, two weeks after Kushina's defection. There was a knock on the door, and Sakura came into the office. "Naruto, Hiashi Hyuga wants to talk to you." Sakura said softly. Naruto nodded his ascent. Sakura left and only moments later, Hiashi Hyuga walked in. He looked at Naruto sternly. "I'm sorry to intrude Naruto, but when I heard about Kushina's defection, I felt there was something, that I thought you should know." Hiashi said softly. Naruto felt confusion. "Hiashi didn't want me and Hinata to marry and all of a sudden he's concerned about Kushina?" Naruto thought to himself. "Please take a seat Hiashi-San." Naruto replied politely. Hiashi took a seat and fixed his clear eyes on Naruto. "Kushina came to the Hyuga compound to see me a week before she graduated." Hiashi stated plainly. Naruto's eyes widened in surprise. "I know that you and I have not seen eye to eye. I'll admit now that I should never have placed the caged bird seal on my daughter. Her death affected me deeply. Her life ended with bad blood between us and for that I will never forgive myself. But by coming here, I hope to make things right. At least in some small measure." Hiashi stated.
Naruto nodded to show he was listening and Hiashi continued. "When Kushina came to see me, I was surprised by her advancement of the Byakugan. She has in fact reached a level that no Hyuga has ever reached before. She can use her Byakugan to see into another person's very soul. It's like she can read minds just by activating her Byakugan." Hiashi said seriously. "How do you know that?" Naruto asked. "When she had this new level of Byakugan activated, I asked her to read my mind. She managed to tell me things she shouldn't have known unless she had personal access to my mind. However she can't use this strange new level of hers for long. I thought it best to tell you, as in Sound, should she manage to extend the period of time, I'm unsure of the abilities that she could unlock. This is a form of Byakugan I have never seen before." Hiashi replied. "Why did she say she had come to you?" Naruto asked. "She told me it's because she wasn't sure what was happening to her eyes. She told me her mother had written diaries about how she had activated her own Byakugan, and Kushina told me she had followed them. But she said that her mother's diaries never mentioned anything like that, and she wanted to know what I knew about it. She's very like you Naruto. Forward and determined." Hiashi answered. Naruto nodded. "Thank you for telling me Hiashi-San." Naruto said softly. Hiashi stood up and made to leave to room. "Hiashi?" Naruto called. Hiashi turned around. "I want your word that you will never try to place the caged bird seal on either of my older daughters." Naruto said sternly. "You have my word." Hiashi replied. Naruto nodded. "If you would like, I can send Hinata to visit you." Naruto said softly. Hiashi looked at Naruto searchingly. "Why would you show such a kindness to me? I haven't ever been friendly to you." Hiashi asked. Naruto sighed. "It's what Hinata would have wanted. She would've wanted her daughters to know her family. Despite everything all she ever wanted was for you to notice her Hiashi. She truly wanted for you to approve of her." Naruto replied. Hiashi nodded. "I'd be happy to see little Hinata, and Kushina, when she comes back." Hiashi stated. Naruto blinked. "I'm surprised you didn't say if she comes back." Naruto quipped. "You have a habit of getting what you want done." Hiashi replied. He left the office, leaving Naruto to his thoughts.
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Time had gone by in Konoha. Of course the years changed everyone. Sasuke still lived with Naruto and Sakura. He was loath to be parted from his dear friends after all the time they'd already spent apart. Sasuke was back on Shinobi duty and loving every minute of it. A year ago, Sakura had given birth to twins, a little girl with pink hair and blue eyes, who they named Chiyo, and a blond little boy with green eyes, who they named Minato. Sakura had had difficulty during the birth. In fact there was a worry that Sakura might go the same way that Hinata had gone. But Sakura had survived, and although Tsunade had had to perform a caesarean and hysterectomy, Sakura had pulled through. Now Sakura was no longer on active Ninja duty, but was a full time member of the Medical Corp. She worked with Tsunade, in and out of the hospital, as she also looked after little Naruto, little Sasuke, Chiyo and Minato, simultaneously.
Hinata had graduated happily, and was on a team with Tsume Inuzuka and Kenji Aburame, just as Kushina had predicted three years before. Mariko Akimichi, Rock Daisuke and Tenshi Hatake had also graduated as a team. Taiyuko Umino, Hinata's best friend, had also graduated and was on a team with two other boys. All three teams passed through to become Genin and nobody was too surprised.
Mayumi, Dan and Sakumo had become Jounin. They still went on missions together as a team. Naruto had influenced them greatly. Mayumi had started dating Sakumo, which hadn't surprised Naruto in the slightest. It had, however, shocked Dan, and it had shocked Nawaki. But of course, everyone accepted that with Mayumi spending so much time around her two male teammates, it was guaranteed she was going to fall for one of them.
Saiyuri and Itachi were still under Nawaki as a Sensei, even though they had become Chunin. They were determined to get stronger still. Nawaki never stopped helping them. Saiyuri had never changed the outfit she wore since her childhood. Although she had grown over the years. She was now five foot five and she had taken to tying her waist-length, silver hair into a braid, as her friend Kushina had used to do. Itachi dressed in a blue, sleeveless shirt, with the Uchiha symbol on the back. He also wore black Shinobi pants, fingerless gloves and ninja sandals. He wore a black long coat over his new get up, with the Uchiha symbol on the back. His hair looked very like his father's even if it was a little longer, and he'd grown to a tall six foot exactly. Saiyuri and Itachi had honed their own skills well, hoping for their chance to get their third member back on their team.
Kasumi, Nobu, Shiori and Kyo, had all just started the academy. Of course that didn't stop them all getting up to unusual pranks, with Kasumi, usually the ring leader. Her cute grin usually put Naruto off, when it came time to deal out punishments. Although he was still hard on the children when he had to be.
Hizashi, Shikariko, Chouzin and Inoshi, were all very well ingratiated into the Ninja Academy system. They were quite happy to do their studies and keep up with everyone else. Shikariko kept the boys in line most of the time. Hikari was in the year above them, and also worked hard. She never stopped studying.
Keido and his ninja dog, Hakuri, along with Hoshiko and Tamiko, were Chunin under Konohamaru, as a Sensei, and it's with them we start this phase of the story.
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Keido was at the rear of his three man squad. Hoshiko was in front, using her Byakugan to see what was going on ahead of them. Tamiko's golden eyes swivelled around, looking at the area from side to side. Keido walked with Hakuri next to him, sniffing around, making sure that the area was clear. Konohamaru was next to Tamiko, helping her keep an eye on the general area. They were in Rice country, and ambushes were rife on Konoha Ninja. Soon night fell, and the group were forced to make camp.
Keido looked at Konohmaru curiously. "Sensei, what are we looking for out here?" Keido whispered. "There are reports that Kushina Uzumaki was seen around this area. Jiraiya-Sama came out as an intelligence spy to poke around. But he didn't come back. Hokage-Sama is worried. Jiraiya-Sama, is not only one of the legendary Sannin, but he's a master spy. For him to not return, without any form of communication, there must be something wrong." Konohamaru replied seriously. Konohamaru had grown considerably from the pint-sized academy student that he'd been when he'd first met Naruto. He was older, wiser, and more aware of everything around him.
Hoshiko stared at Konohamaru in surprise. "If this is to do with Kushina-Chan shouldn't Saiyuri and Itachi be told?" Hoshiko asked softly. "They're on a mission. Hokage-Sama had to send us straight away. They'll be arriving as our back up after they've finished their mission." Konohamaru replied. The group remained silent, and soon, the three Chunin were sleeping. Konohamaru stayed awake to keep watch first. He wondered how this mission would go.
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Orochimaru glared as he looked at Kabuto. "There is no chance of taking her body then?" Orochimaru asked. "None. Her bloodline attacks all intruders. If you tried to take over, then she would surely overcome you as Sasuke did." Kabuto stated. Orochimaru nodded. "I understand completely Kabuto. But I have another theory. I'd like you to check it out for me." Orochimaru stated. "What would you like me to do Orochimaru-Sama?" Kabuto asked.
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Konohamaru, and his squad, carried on through the forests of Rice Country, heading towards Oto. None of them were prepared when they were ambushed. They felt terrible pain in their heads, and then fell into the darkness of their own minds.
A black cloaked figure came out of the trees, with a group of ten Sound Ninja. A fingerless-gloved hand tentatively stroked the growling ninja hound. "Hakuri, it's okay. I won't let anything bad happen." A female voice whispered to the white dog, gently. Hakuri stopped growling and sniffed the offered hand tentatively. "We need to take them to Orochimaru-Sama." One of the ninja stated coldly. The female turned to the ninja and glared. "Who are you to question me? I'll take them where I want in my own sweet time!" The female hissed. The man grabbed hold of his head, yelling in pain. "Please! Stop! Mercy! I beg you Mistress!" The ninja screamed. He held on to his head, digging his fingers into his skull, trying to stop it from hurting. He was kneeling on the ground now, the pain too much for him to stand. The other ninja looked frightened. Just as quickly as it had started, it stopped. The ninja knelt before the woman, whose face had yet to be revealed. "I'm sorry Mistress. I will not question you again." The Ninja said softly. "Good." The female hissed. "We will be taking them to my personal prison cell." The girl added. The Ninja nodded and began lifting up the four ninja. "Be careful with them." The female hissed. The Ninja did as they were told. The female looked at the group. "What are you all doing here?" She thought to herself sadly as they left the scene. The only thing that showed they'd been there was a small pendant that had been worn by Hoshiko. It was a tiny star-shaped diamond on a silver chain. It was barely noticeable, but it would be recognised by Konoha's allies.
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Jiraiya was an old man. Even so, he knew exactly why he was in this situation. Simply because he wanted to help his student to find his child. Now he was locked up in a dungeon. "I wonder if Kushina knows I'm here." Jiraiya wondered to himself. That was when his old teammate wandered into the room. Kabuto followed him, the two of them finally separated. "Jiraiya. It's been a long time hasn't it old friend how has life been treating you?" Orochimaru hissed. "It was treating me fine until you showed up." Jiraiya stated. Orochimaru and Kabuto smirked. "You were looking for Kushina-Kun. Weren't you Jiraiya? She's certainly grown up. She's very pretty. On the other hand, she's just as deadly. A perfect tool to keep at my side." Orochimaru stated. "I would've thought you would've tried to take over her body by now." Jiraiya spat back. Orochimaru laughed. "Now, now Jiraiya, why distort the perfect weapon. If I take her over, I won't be able to use her remarkable gifts. For a Byakugan user, she has some extraordinary talents. Reading people's minds, crushing their spirits, killing them without touching them. The Sharingan just sees, but Kushina can use her opponent's mind to create images of their worst fears, to kill them." Orochimaru told Jiraiya. An evil smirk crossed his face. "Why tell me this?" Jiraiya asked. "Simply because you won't be alive long enough to repeat what I'm telling you. You, the great purveyor of information, I thought you might appreciate some more before you die." Orochimaru told Jiraiya. Jiraiya smirked. "Well it's obvious that you couldn't take over her body and use her bloodline. If you could you already would've done. So what's stopping you old friend huh? She too strong for you to control, like Sasuke was?" Jiraiya mocked. "It's simple. The warp in her bloodline can't be used by anyone else. A shame, as it would've made a great addition to my selection of jutsu. But you see, I have better plans for Kushina-Kun. You won't live long enough to see them come to fruition. You won't get to see the monster born from a monster." Orochimaru hissed out. Jiraiya's eyes widened in horror as Orochimaru turned to leave, Kabuto following. "What are you talking about?" Jiraiya yelled. Orochimaru and Kabuto left. Leaving Jiraiya to his thoughts.
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The female, had Keido, Tamiko, Hoshiko and Konohamaru, sat on chairs, their hands restrained. The ten ninja who'd helped her bring them there looked at her curiously. "Leave." She said flatly. "But Mistress?" Another Ninja begun before he stopped. He remembered what had happened to his comrade. "What?" The female asked. "Nothing Mistress." The Ninja replied. The others left. The female smirked to herself as she stared at the captive leaf ninja. Hakuri looked cowed as she sat next to her master whining. The female stared at the leaf ninja. Her eyes changed from a startling cerulean blue, to a clear white, then from white to blood red......
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Keido, Tamiko, Hoshiko and Konohamaru awoke to darkness. "Where are we?" Tamiko asked softly. In the three years since Tamiko had become a Genin, and progressed as a Kunoichi, she'd never seen anything like this. "I don't know. The last thing I remember is blinding pain." Hoshiko replied. "We were knocked out by the pain. I don't know how long we've been unconscious for." Konohamaru stated. He looked as nervous as the others. "Hey! Where's Hakuri?" Keido yelled. That was when they heard a voice speaking to them.
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The female sat staring at her unconscious captives. She started asking questions. "What are you here for? Don't bother lying because you're in a realm of my creation." She stated.
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Keido glared when he heard the voice. It was loud and booming. "Is this even your real voice?" Tamiko asked. "Would it make a difference to your situation if it was?" The voice asked. "Not really." Tamiko muttered. "So answer my questions." The voice stated. "I'm not answering any questions until you tell us what happened to Hakuri!" Keido yelled. The voice changed then. "Keido I wouldn't hurt Hakuri. She's fine. In fact you're all still unconscious. I want to know what you're all doing here." Keido's eyes went wide. "Kushina!" Hoshiko yelled.
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The female, Kushina, sighed deeply. She hated to use this power on her friends, once comrades. But of course it was the only way that her new 'comrades' wouldn't know what they told her.
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"I will tell them you're just lost. We'll leave you behind unconscious, and you'll wake up after we're gone. But I need you to tell me what's so important that you're willing to traipse through Rice Country for it." Kushina stated. Her voice no longer booming. "Jiraiya is missing Kushina. Intelligence said you were here and he volunteered to come and see if he could find you. However, the last report we had from him, said he was in Rice Country. He was supposed to report back to Konoha a week ago, but there has been no communication since then. As you can well imagine, everyone is worried about him Kushina." Konohamaru replied.
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Kushina felt a tear drop down her cheek as she carried on her mental interrogation. She decided to speak to them silently, to keep her words a secret from her new 'comrades' in hope she could learn more.
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"You need to leave here. I'll find him and get him back to Konoha one way or another. Even if the worst has happened, I'll still bring his body to the gates." Kushina said softly. "We can't leave our mission." Hoshiko stated. "Do what you want, but Orochimaru's spies are everywhere. I hope to find Jiraiya Jii-Chan before Orochimaru kills him. I know what Orochimaru is like. There's no need to try and imagine the best scenario, because there isn't one. If you get him back alive then you'll be lucky." The voice cut off, and they were once again separate and still in the darkness.
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Kushina's eyes went back to their normal blue. She never once removed her hood. She left the tent, Hakuri sat near Keido still, waiting for her master to wake. Kushina stared at the ten Ninja she'd been forced to bring with her. "They're just lost. They were on survival training and wondered off from the path. A bunch of Konoha Genin with no brains. We're close to the border. We'll leave them here. They'll find their way over the border into Fire Country again." Kushina stated coldly. "Yes Mistress." The Ninjas stated. With that the group left.
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Only minutes later, Keido woke from unconsciousness. He was still tied to a chair. Hakuri was sat next to him. "Hakuri, was Kushina here?" He asked. The dog yipped happily. Keido grinned. "She still cares about all of us." Keido said softly. "Hakuri, can you chew through my ropes girl?" Keido asked. The dog gave another yap. "Great!" Keido exclaimed. Hakuri got to work on his bonds, chewing through them rapidly.
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Itachi and Saiyuri, leapt through the trees behind Nawaki-Sensei. "We're late as it is Sensei. We need to hurry up!" Saiyuri exclaimed. Itachi caught a glimpse of something glinting. "Stop you guys. I see something." Itachi stated seriously. The group landed on the ground. There, lying in the grass was a star-shaped diamond pendant. "It's Hoshiko's." Saiyuri confirmed. "They've been captured." Itachi added. "She could've dropped it." Nawaki quipped. "No, her mother gave it to her when she was little, she'd never just drop it." Saiyuri shot back. Nawaki nodded. "So we can only assume they've been captured. We need to be careful about the route we take, and try to get them back." Nawaki said softly. The other two nodded and the group were leaping through the trees again within moments.
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Kushina was searching through the dungeons of Orochimaru's underground lair. She heard the sounds of Orochimaru's laughter. "That sick freak." Kushina thought to herself as she carried on. "I have to find Jiraiya Jii-Chan. I can't let my father lose anyone else close to him." Kushina added silently.
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Hoshiko, Keido, Tamiko and Konohamaru were leaping through the trees with Hakuri, hoping to meet up with their reinforcements. Hoshiko had a sad look on her face. "What's wrong Hoshiko-Chan?" Tamiko asked softly. "My necklace is gone. The one my parents gave me. It must've fallen off in the struggle earlier." Hoshiko whispered back. "Talking about this necklace." The group heard a familiar voice. They all looked at Itachi, Nawaki and Saiyuri. It was Itachi that spoke. He was holding up the glinting diamond star, dangling from his hand. "Itachi! You found it!" Hoshiko exclaimed as she took it from him gently. She placed it in a pouch on her right thigh. "I'm not losing it again." Hoshiko stated. "What happened to you guys?" Saiyuri asked. "We got captured." Tamiko said softly. "How the hell did you get away? Are there Sound Shinobi after you?" Nawaki asked. "No. It was Kushina that caught us." Hoshiko replied. "What?" Itachi and Saiyuri asked at the same moment. "Kushina was the one that caught us and she let us go. She told her comrades that we were lost during survival training, a bunch of rank Genin." Keido stated. "She was protecting you." Saiyuri quipped softly. "There's still hope for her." Nawaki added. Itachi didn't say a word. "We need to get going. Kushina told us that if Jiraiya's been caught he'll be lucky if she finds him alive." Konohamaru stated. "How did she tell you all of this?" Itachi asked "We'll explain on the way. We just need to hurry." Hoshiko replied. With that, the group were off.
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Kabuto and Orochimaru were sat in one of the labs. "You do realise that your two old teammates have been married for over twenty years now Orochimaru-Sama?" Kabuto questioned. "Really? Actually I didn't know. Nice of them to invite their old friend to the wedding." Orochimaru quipped. "They have two children. Their eldest child is your pet's former Sensei." Kabuto stated. Orochimaru smirked. "Well, let's finish Jiraiya in front of an audience shall we Kabuto? I know Jiraiya is a man that loves a good show. My last respects to an old friend." Orochimaru replied. Both males smirked at the thoughts running through their minds.
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Jiraiya was still chained to a wall. He was trying to figure out a way to escape before Orochimaru and Kabuto came back to finish him off. That was when his cell door opened. "Come to kill me already Orochimaru?" Jiraiya spat out. The form that walked into the room, was not Orochimaru, nor was it Kabuto. Jiraiya's eyes went wide, when the figure revealed herself, only dropping her hood for a moment.
"Kushina? What are you doing here kid?" Jiraiya asked softly. "I'm here to free you. I won't let Orochimaru take anyone else my father cares about. He got my promise to stay in Oto. Obedience isn't a part of the package." Kushina stated softly. She used an escape jutsu to release the chains, and Jiraiya dropped. He would've fallen to the floor, if not for Kushina, who stood next to him and supported him. "Kushina, you should come home. Your father's been a broken man since you left. They all miss you so badly kid." Jiraiya said softly. "I know. But I gave my word. I don't go back on it." Kushina said softly. "Your father curses the day he taught you that saying." Jiraiya quipped. "I believe in it. It doesn't matter how much my father curses it. He believes in it too or he wouldn't have taught me such a value." Kushina replied gently. Jiraiya bit his lip as he felt pain shoot through his body. Kushina saw the wince and stopped, leaning Jiraiya against the wall. Her hands began to glow with green chakra. She started healing Jiraiya's wounds.
"So you've been learning medical ninjutsu?" Jiraiya asked. "I remembered how Auntie Sakura did it. I don't know if it'll be perfect, but it should help enough with the pain to let you get home." Kushina replied. Jiraiya sighed. "You miss them too don't you?" Jiraiya asked. Kushina nodded. Jiraiya saw a single glistening tear drop fall and hit the ground. "Every day Jiraiya Jii-Chan. I miss them every day." Kushina replied. "Sakura gave birth to a set of twins a year ago Kushina. A boy called Minato and a girl called Chiyo. You have a new little brother and sister." Jiraiya said softly as Kushina healed him. More tears fell from Kushina's eyes to hit the stone floor. "Sakura almost died during the birth. Tsunade performed a caesarean and a hysterectomy at the same time. Sakura was lucky to survive." Jiraiya added. "Stop it!" Kushina almost yelled. Tears streaked down her cheeks fiercely. "You think it doesn't hurt every day Jii-Chan? You think I don't want to see my new baby brother and sister? You think that I don't care about my family? My friends? It hurts so much that I hate myself and I wish to whatever power in heaven that I could die here and now! But I never do! I go on living this hateful existence as Orochimaru's damned pet! The monster with a leash marked on its neck!" Kushina exclaimed. Her hurt and pain flooding out. Jiraiya looked at the fifteen year old girl, who seemed so much older. "Kushina, forget Orochimaru. He never keeps his word. Just come back with me kid. No one blames you, everyone wants you home desperately. Hell, Sakura keeps your room like a shrine, praying for the day you come home." Jiraiya stated. Jiraiya saw the girl's hands shaking as she healed him. All her emotions, being held at bay, and then the green glow subsided. "We'd better get going. I need to show you the way out." Kushina said softly.
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Kabuto and Orochimaru were on their way to Jiraiya's cell when they saw Jiraiya with Kushina. "It's not nice to steal toys from your master Kushina-Kun." Orochimaru hissed. Kushina glared from under her hood. "It's not nice for you to steal people from my old home. Haven't you got better things to do then rob my old home of its Shinobi?" Kushina asked cheekily. "You'd better be prepared for a punishment like you've never had Kushina." Orochimaru hissed back.
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As the team from Konoha approached an arid cliff face, an explosion came up from the ground. "Move back!" Nawaki yelled. The group were on high ground when the ground imploded. They were all coughing through the dust, but once it cleared, they were awed by what they saw. A black hooded figure, with Jiraiya on one side, and Orochimaru and Kabuto on another. The group were stuck waiting for a move to come from either side. "Dad!" Nawaki yelled out. Jiraiya turned to look at him, and gave his son a reassuring smile. "Well 'old friend' finding out that you have two children was an interesting experience. And with Tsunade no less. Pathetic that the two of you produced such weak offspring." Orochimaru stated. Jiraiya glared. "Shut up Orochimaru. Even if my children were weak, which they're not, at least I was human enough to create a family. You're too absorbed with immortality to smell mortality knocking at your door 'old friend'! Or do you think you can really live forever?" Jiraiya asked. "My little pet will be punished for helping you 'old friend' you can be sure of that." Orochimaru hissed.
Itachi glared. "People aren't your pets!" Itachi yelled. "Why don't you show your face Kushina-Kun and prove how loyal a little pet you are!" Orochimaru ordered. The group were shocked to see the figure removing her cloak, to reveal their old friend, Kushina Uzumaki.
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Okay that's it for this chapter. I hope you all enjoyed it. Please R&R and I'll be updating soon. In fact I've already written the next chapter. (nods) See ya next week all.