A/N: I apologize for the lack of updates. Like I said in the last chapter, finals are rapidly approaching. I'm doing my best to hang onto my As, so its hard for me to write. I hope this chapter makes up for it. Please enjoy. And one last thing before I finish, all my updates for this story go on my Facebook page, so if you're interested, go there. Given the size of my fanbase, I may make a fan page. That said, here we go.

Chapter Eighteen: Return

The rain had continued for several more days. April fifteenth arrived with the last remnants of the storm. Rise awoke that morning, cradled in Kaze's arms. Rise and Kaze had been alone for five days. Her parents were due back any time now. Rise stood up slowly so she didn't rouse Kaze from his sleep. She laid the blanket over him and she went into her bedroom, closing the door. She stripped off her clothes and she entered the bathroom, slipping into the tub. She closed her lavender eyes and she let the hot water warm her bones. Rise stayed there for a long time. On a whim, she activated her Byakugan, the trait she had inherited from her mother. It was still developing, but Rise could see everything within a kilometer radius. She smiled as she saw Kaze stir on the couch, realizing she wasn't there. She chuckled to herself and she turned her eyes to see people walking through the streets in front of her house. She picked up five high Chakra readings and she smiled.

"Mom and Dad are back with Syao and Lyn!"

Rise drained the bathtub and she quickly dressed. By the time she had exited her bathroom, Naruto had staggered into the room, clutching his leg, supported by his son. Syao had bandages wrapped around his forehead. Hinata was carrying an unconscious Lyn in her arms. Rise felt tears welling up in her eyes.

"What... What happened? Mom, Dad?"

Naruto forced a smile through the pain and he winced as he sat down with Syao's help.

"Long story. Where's Kaze? We need to go to see Tsunade. Now."

Kaze had exited his room, wearing his usual clothing. His eyes went wide when he saw what Rise had seen.

"What happened?"

Naruto shook his head and he sighed.

"Like I just said, very long story. We have to go to the Hokage Tower. All of us."

Hinata sat Lyn down on the couch and brushed her oldest child's hair. Tears splashed down Hinata's face and fell onto Lyn's warm cheeks. Naruto hugged his wife and he kissed her cheek. Naruto pulled a small scroll from his pouch and he pressed his thumb into it. The house swirled around them and they were in the hallway of Tsunade's tower. Naruto rapped on the door and Shizune opened it. Shizune helped them all inside. Tsunade stood up and she helped Naruto to the nearest chair.

"I'm guessing its begun?"

She whispered in a voice just loud enough that Rise could hear. Rise looked at the Fifth Hokage curiously and trailed her eyes to her father's leg. Naruto's leg had been ravaged, and was bound by several bandages soaked in blood. Rise held onto her father's arm as her mother stroked Lyn's hair. Rise then spoke.

"Ok, will someone please tell me what the hell happened?"

Hinata's face turned to reprimand her daughter, but she let it go. Hinata then stood up. Rise noticed for the first time that Hinata was the only one of the four to not have been injured in any way.

"Rise, Kaze, do you remember how we said that someone was hunting the two of you?"

Rise searched her memory and she nodded. Kaze said nothing, but he nodded as well.

"Someone in this very village is working for the enemy. The reason we were gone for five days was because we received new intel that Kenshu had been spotted in the Sound Country. When we got there, we found no trace of him, but we were ambushed by a revived Shinobi from the past, Kimimaro Kaguya. He uses his bones as weapons. Naruto has fought him before and was no match for him. Even with two on one, we were severely overpowered. If Kushina hadn't arrived when she did, we would have died. Naruto managed to incapacitate him, but he took a grievous blow protecting me from his dance attacks. I was trying to protect us both using Rotation. Kushina arrived just in time and sealed him again."

Rise felt tears welling up in her eyes, but Naruto looked at her hard.

"Rise, you're a Shinobi in training. You know its dangerous work. People are injured and die all the time in this world. Do you remember the twenty-fifth rule of being a Shinobi?"

Rise nodded and she wiped her eyes dry.

"A Shinobi must never show tears."

Naruto smiled and he placed his palm on Rise's cheek. Hinata then looked down at Lyn as Rise spoke again.

"What happened to Lyn and Syao?"

Syao stroked his sister's cheek and he let a tear splash on her.

"We were on a mission in the Land of Tea. Uncle Neji and our team was ambushed by a group of Hunter-Nin from Kirigakure. We have no clue what they were doing there, but we had to face off against three of them. Lyn fought incredibly, until three of them attacked her at once. They hit her with aGenjutsu all at once. Its a wonder she survived. I was too late to help her, so we headed back as soon as we could, and we met up with mom and dad. We just don't know why she won't wake up. There's not a mark on her."

Rise looked down at her older sister's sleeping form. She was breathing regularly, but her face was twisted in pain. Rise stroked Lyn's cheek and she sniffled. Naruto hugged them all to him and he closed his eyes. Hinata then spoke

"She'll be fine. If it was just a Genjutsu, it will fade with time. I'm more worried about the psychological damage to her mind. Genjutsu act on the senses. It reminds me of a prison. She can't see or hear the outside world."

Naruto then turned his eyes to Rise.

"Have you noticed anyone or anything watching you?"

Rise and Kaze both nodded at the same time.

"We saw it several times, but it was always just a feeling. We never saw anyone."

Rise said, offering the explanation. Tsunade then sighed. Despite looking in her mid twenties, she was over seventy. Time was catching up with her.

"I think it would be best for things to continue as we are now. Let them stay at the Academy. Hinata, I know how you feel about letting Rise and Kaze become Shinobi, but they're integral to this battle. If we shelter them, they'll only cause the village to be at risk for an attack. Two or many Hinata. I know you love them both, but we need to let them fight their own battles."

Hinata didn't open her mouth to argue the point further. She merely nodded and she spoke two words.

"You're right."

Tsunade stood over Lyn and she took the young woman's pulse. Tsunade then wove three seals and she placed two fingers on Lyn's forehead before speaking.

"Icy Death, Release."

Lyn stirred and she opened her eyes slowly.

"Syao? Mom? Dad? Rise? Where am I? What happened?"

Hinata and Rise threw their arms around Lyn's body and they hugged her tightly. Lyn rested her head on Hinata's shoulder and they filled her in on the events. Syao smiled and he turned away as he shed silent tears of joy for his twin sister. Naruto hugged his son and he whispered to him.

"You're all safe at home. Kakashi-sensei always told me that a successful mission was one where everyone comes home safely. Syao, you did well protecting your sister. There was nothing you could have done to stop what happened, but she's alive and well, and that's all that counts."

Syao nodded and he whispered back.

"I'll get strong enough to protect everyone. Dad, will you train me yourself?"

Syao asked his father, who nodded at him. After everything had calmed down and everyone was attentive again, Tsunade spoke.

"I've come to a decision. Its time for me to tell you the latest news I've received from the Kazekage."

Kaze's eyes shot up sharply to look at Tsunade. She crossed the room to the window and she stared out of it as she spoke.

"Gaara told me that Rise and Kaze are dating. I think its best if we don't separate them for a while. They seem to have a symbiotic relationship. I remember when Rise was younger, the Kyuubi would take over often, at the slightest provocation, especially when she was being restrained. Since they've been together, neither of them have slipped into that power against their will. I've had Naruto teach them basic control over the beasts, but too powerful of a negative emotion could be disastrous. Recall the match we pitted them against each other. Rise nearly went berserk."

Rise felt herself in tears.

"I'm sorry. I don't know why this happens. I'm trying my best to control it Lady Tsunade."

Tsunade turned and she looked at Rise with a smile on her lips.

"Its not your fault Rise. You're a human being. But I think we need to up your training regimen. I want you to train with your parents every day. We need you to be as strong as you can, because you'll be a Genin soon enough. We only have five months until you graduate. Kaze, we're going to have to work differently with you, since the only person who could train you is your father."

Kaze closed his eyes and he smiled.

"My father gave me intense training since I was a child. I've been practicing a lot with Syao, Lyn and Rise."

Tsunade then nodded.

"Very well. My orders are thus: Keep your focus on your training Rise and Kaze. Lyn and Syao, a job well done on your first mission. Here's your pay. Neji tells me your next mission is going to be another C Rank in one month. Get enough rest and train accordingly. Naruto, Hinata, you know what we need from you. Keep a close eye on these four. While Lyn and Syao aren't as powerful as Rise, they're still likely to be targeted. And the last thing I need to do is find our spy."

Tsunade dismissed them after this. The Uzumkai family left the Hokage Tower. Rise felt for Kaze's hand as they walked. Kaze laced their fingers together as they walked. Hinata helped Lyn walk home, who was still uneasy on her feet. When they arrived at their home, the front door was open and blowing in the gentle wind. Naruto dashed forward and he slammed his fist into the wall.

"Someone stole my special Kunai. Dammit. If those fall into the wrong hands, we're doomed. Who could have stolen them?"

Naruto asked and Rise and Kaze both turned on their heel. A flash of red, unkempt hair caught their eyes. Kaze threw his arm forward and a rope of sand erupted from his fingertips. It caught the person around their feet, tripping them. Kaze drew his arm in and he restrained the person, who was not even a year older than he was. Naruto shook his head.

"It can't be..."

Kaze backed off in horror as he looked at their classmate, Suzu Hirano, Yuzu's twin sister.

"Why Suzu? How could you do that to Yuzu and Nanjo?"

Suzu shook her head as she clutched the box of Kunai close to her chest. Naruto took the box from her and he sighed.

"Looks like we found our spy. Hinata, take the kids and go home. I have to take her to Tsunade."

Hinata didn't argue. Rise felt her anger boiling, but Kaze's gentle touch calmed her. Together, they entered the house as they watched Naruto struggle with the girl on his bad leg. Rise was too confused to make sense of the scene in front of her. She suddenly felt very sleepy. She settled onto the couch and she fell asleep.

TO BE CONTINUED...