I do not own Naruto or Venom/Carnage

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Chapter 9. First Interlude.

"Put him down gently." Sakura said as she fussed over a blanket. Moving carefully Naruto and Sasuke placed Kakashi down on a couch in Tazuna's house. The five of them had arrived at Tazuna's modest home a few minutes ago carrying their exhausted sensei. That morning when they had awoken Kakashi had found it difficult to move, the effect of his actions the day before finally catching up to him.

"Sorry about this you guys. Using the Sharingan takes a lot out of me." Wincing as he sat up he looked around Tazuna's home. "Ill be up and about in a day or two. In the meantime Sakura you need to rest as well." He said addressing the pink haired girl. Sakura had dark circles under each eye. "Tsunami do you need help with dinner?" He gave her a significant look subtly indicating the two male genin.

"Yes I do." Tsunami replied cheerfully catching on quickly. Tazuna's daughter had been standing quietly in one corner watching the proceedings with some interest. Tall with long dark hair she exuded a calm confidence.

"Well you heard her you two, Get going. Tsunami could you make sure Sakura gets some sleep."

"I will. You two downstairs now. Sakura come with me" Tsunami said crisply, shooing the genin out of the room.

With some more worried glances and a few muttered goodbyes the three genin and Tsunami left leaving Kakashi and Tazuna alone.

Settling down in a chair next to Kakashi Tazuna poured the jounin a cup of tea. "So Kakashi what was it that you didn't want to say in front of the kids?" He asked shrewdly.

Taking the offered cup of tea Kakashi took a sip before answering. "Something's been bothering me ever since that Hunter-Nin took Zabuza. They're elite ninja with a very specific MO. Destroy the body, take the head. And they always do it on the spot to minimize the possibility of a snag."

"So the kid took the body somewhere else to destroy it. He probably just didn't want us to see it." Tazuna said as he poured himself another cup of tea.

"There's something else. those senbon he used."

"What about them?"

"In the ninja world they're used to paralyze foes. they simply don't have enough mass to penetrate deeply enough for reliable kills."

"But he hit Zabuza in the neck."

"Yes and the senbon plugged the wounds they made."

"What are you saying?"

"Zabuza's alive."

oOo

Smiling happily Hinata turned the corner and began making her way down the street to Kurenai's house. Team 8 was meeting at Kurenai's house for a final gear inspection before heading to the Hokage tower to pick up their client. As she walked to Kurenai's house she mentally ran through her gear list. This simple task kept her mind occupied until she arrived at Kurenai's home.

Knocking once she let herself in. And immediately jumped back out. Landing at her feet with a crash Kiba let out a groan.

Levering himself up with another groan he froze as a kunai embedded itself in the floor between his legs. "Stay out of my room!" Tayuya hissed between gritted teeth as she struggled to free herself from Anko's grip.

"Yo princess." Anko called out cheerfully as she casually lifted the red haired girl and moved her out of the hallway.

"Hi" Hinata called out weakly as she tried to figure out what had just happened. Hopping over Kiba she followed Tayuya and Anko into the kitchen.

"I just wanted to say hi!" Kiba called from behind her.

Once she got there she found the red haired girl fuming and blistering the air with a stream of sulfurous swear words. Much to Anko's amusement.

"Umm Tayuya what happened." She asked timidly.

"Let's go outside" Tayuya snarled and left the kitchen.

"Umm Anko-Chan."

"Ill let Kurenai know your here. Now scat. I'm going to have a word with Kiba. You should probably leave." Anko said a nasty grin on her face.

Bowing hurriedly Hinata left the kitchen fast.

Cracking her knuckles Anko approached Kiba who had just entered the kitchen a hopeful look on his face. A look which quickly disappeared as he took one look at Anko.

Outside Hinata found Tayuya angrily sending kunai at some target dummies.

"Umm Tayuya what happened?" Hinata asked as she approached the volatile girl.

"That fucking bastard was in my room!" Tayuya snarled as she sank her last kunai into the target dummies crotch.

"Kiba?" Hinata asked timidly.

Uttering nothing but a low growl Tayuya stormed off to gather her kunai. Following behind her Hinata helped her gather up the weapons.

"Your really good at this Tayuya." Hinata commented as she walked up to the red haired girl and dropped the weapons back into her hands.

"Thanks." Tayuya said as she began replacing the kunai into the holster that Hinata had given her, a beautifully embroidered royal blue holster that resembled a purse more than anything else. She examined the edge of one kunai intently before returning it to her holster. "Hey your leaving today too aren't you?" She asked turning to face Hinata.

"Yes."

The two girls stared at each other a bit uncomfortably.

Tayuya finally chose to break the silence. "Thanks for this." She said holding up her holster. "Not just this I mean. but for teaching me too. Thanks."

The day after their first team training session Kurenai had asked Hinata to teach Tayuya how to defend herself. Hinata not being comfortable teaching anyone taijutsu had instead chosen to begin with kunai. Every day for an hour Hinata had taught Tayuya how to throw a kunai. Tayuya had taken to it like a fish to water something which had pleased everyone involved.

"Thank you." Hinata said shyly.

"Wait your thanking me" Tayuya replied with an amused grin.

"umm No." Blushing a bit Hinata looked away.

As the two girls stared at each other they broke into a fit of giggles.

Reaching into her holster Tayuya pulled out a kunai and held it behind her back. "Hey close your eyes I got a surprise for you."

oOo

Walking into her home Kurenai spotted Shino drinking tea next to a rather disheveled looking Kiba and across from an oddly cheerful Anko. Standing quickly Shino nudged Kiba with his foot.

"Good Morning Sensei." Bowing politely Shino greeted his teacher.

"Morning Sensei." Kiba followed suit as well.

"Good morning you two. Where is Hinata?" Kurenai asked as she joined the two.

"She's with Tayuya." Kiba said excitedly. " Ill go get her."

"Kiba stop!" Kurenai waited until Kiba had turned to face her before continuing. "Shino please go get Hinata."

Nodding once Shino turned and began to leave the room.

"Wait. We were going to do our inspection's outside anyways. You two grab your gear and lets go." Striding past the two Kurenai led the way out to the backyard.

Stepping outside into the bright morning sunlight Kurenai found Tayuya and Hinata sitting together chatting quietly.

As Hinata turned around Kurenai noticed something immediately. The twin strands of hair that had framed Hinata's face were... gone.

"Good morning Dear how are you." Kurenai stared curiously at Hinata's shortened hair.

Smiling broadly Hinata greeted her sensei.

"Good Morning Sensei. Do you like it?" She asked shyly fingering her short hair nervously.

"It looks lovely Dear." Behind Kurenai Kiba gave her an enthusiastic thumbs up, with Shino nodding once to indicate his approval.

oOo

Tazuna's face had gone white as he digested what Kakashi had just said. Clearing his throat he shakily took another drink. When his hands had steadied a bit he began to talk.

"are you sure?" Tazuna asked nervously but his voice steadied a bit near the end.

"not a 100%, but I believe in planning for the worst." Kakashi replied with his usual calm.

"Oh so when are you going to tell the kids?"

"Tomorrow."

"Don't you trust them?"

"huh? Oh no." Taking in Tazuna's confused look he began to explain."Zabuza will be out of commission for at least a week. His partner made no move to help him during the battle so I believe that he acts primarily as support for Zabuza. I doubt he'll act alone. From what I know of Gato he is meticulous. Does that line up with what you know about him."

"Yes from what I've seen he never acts impulsively."

" Good then he won't act rashly which gives us a small buffer. I can afford to give them a day of uninterrupted rest before I tell them."

"Oh so they don't need to know right now is what your saying."

"That's what I said." Kakashi looked puzzled as he pulled out his ever present book.

Finishing his tea Tazuna glanced over at Kakashi. "You should probably hide that from my daughter." He said indicating the book. "She hates those kind of things."

"Thanks for the heads up."

"So what are your plans if you don't mind me asking."

"Our choices are limited here because we have to protect you. Our best option is for us to prepare an ambush for when Zabuza attempts to ambush us."

"You think you can pull it off?" Tazuna asked skeptically.

"I have a few tricks up my sleeve." Kakashi answered a bit smugly.

"Huh" laughing a bit Tazuna toasted Kakashi with his cup.

oOo

"You Naruto start cutting vegetables they're on the table in the kitchen, and you Sosuke make sure this girl gets some rest." Tsunami barked out as she led the three genin downstairs.

Grunting sourly Sasuke led a blushing Sakura out the door. As the two left they stepped around a small dark haired boy who had just came in.

"Mom I'm home." He cried out staring curiously at Sakura and Sasuke as they left the room.

"Inari welcome back. We have some guests. They came back with your grandpa."

"oh Hi I'm Inari." The boy greeted Naruto. "Are you here to help grandpa."

"Yup were going to stop Gato and finish the bridge." Naruto replied confidently.

At the word Gato Inari's face darkened considerably. "Then your going to die." He spoke angrily his eyes intense. "you can't fight Gato."

Naruto gazed back at the boy his own eyes just as intense, but with mixed with some unidentifiable emotion that was hard to read.

"Inari!" Tsunami interjected but was interrupted by Naruto's upraised hand.

"Who was it?" Naruto asked his eyes sad. He knew that look. How many times had he seen it in the mirror, reflected in the eyes of those he knew. Loss and regret. It was the way his mom looked when she talked about his father. The way his uncles looked when they went to the the memorial stone. He'd seen it in one way or another all his life. He saw it now. "Who did you lose?" he asked

"What" Inari asked taken back by Naruto's question. For a long moment he stared at Naruto his eyes brightening with unshed tears emotions flickering across his face. The standoff ended when Inari turned and ran upstairs.

Naruto and Tsunami watched him go silently.

"Kaiza. His name was Kaiza." Tsunami spoke into the silence. "He was Inari's friend and my lover. Had things worked out differently we would have been wed. He was like a father to Inari. When Gato first arrived here Kaiza was the first to stand up to him, and the last." She finished bitterly. "

"I'm Sorry." Even as he spoke the words they seemed hollow. There didn't seem to be anything he could say. How can you compare pain. He thought.

"Can you do it" Tsunami asked suddenly.

"What?" he asked taken off guard a bit.

"Beat Gato. protect us and save our village." She asked. Hope trying to rise in her eyes. The words struck a chord in Naruto reminding him of another promise he had made.

Tightening his fists Naruto turned towards Tsunami. Reaching up with one hand he began to undo the bandages on his left arm. Letting the loops of cloth fall to the ground he drew a kunai. Placing the blade in his now uncovered hand he closed his fingers around the blade. Tsunami watched him silently her eyes wide. With a grunt he yanked the kunai away slicing open his palm. Switching the blade to his bloody hand he held out it point down.

"On this blade and my blood" He began.

"I will protect this village and its people."

Coming downstairs Sasuke paused as he heard Naruto speaking in formal tones.

"To defend you."

Stepping into the doorway Sasuke rubbed his eyes. For a moment he saw Itachi, kneeling before his father and mother, speaking similar words.

"For as long as I live."

Tsunami stared wide eyed at the young shinobi.

"I swear it." Naruto finished.

Stepping forward Tsunami placed her hands gently on top of Naruto's. "I accept your pledge." Leaning forwards she placed a kiss on his forehead.

Sasuke turned away ignoring the sharp stab of pain he felt as he took in the familial scene.

oOo

As she stepped out of the village gates Hinata paused and took one last look at the village. In the morning sun the village looked bright and welcoming. Even the massive doors of the village gates seemed to glow with a warm light.

Turning around she hurried to catch up with her team. Ahead of her was the young leader of Takigakure the village hidden in the falls. Shibuki-San. A tall young man with long dark hair that reminded her of her cousin Neji's. Though he seemed a bit... skittish.

When they arrived at the Hokage tower they had gotten their briefing from the Hokage's secretary. Shibuki-San had arrived in Konoha alone in order to renew the trade agreements between Takigakure and Konoha and the Land of Fire as a whole. The trade agreements had been concluded and he was ready to return home. As a foreign dignitary Konoha had offered Shibuki two full squads of ninja to escort him home but he had refused. Sarutobi-Sama had insisted and a compromise had been reached.

Which was why one 4 man cell (hers) had been assigned to escort him home.

"Hinata hurry up!" behind her Kiba called.

"Right!" Straightening her pack she turned and ran after her team. Leaving Konoha for the first time in her memory.

oOo

AN: Thanks to my Beta's Whitedragon17 and Psudocode Samurai, without whose help and inspiration this story would never have gotten off the ground. Both are amazing authors and I highly recommend all of their fics. And thanks to all my reviewers.

AAN: If you think I made a mistake or have a suggestion or an idea, Please PM me or leave it in a review.