I do not own Naruto Shippuden or any of the characters.
Reprieve
Fu sat beside Shino, remaining silent as Shino did the same. For being in a relationship, one wouldn't know by watching them most days.
"You'll be answering the call won't you?" Shino questioned.
"Yes," Fu nodded. "We have to. We have to stop the Thirteen. If not, the world is doomed."
Shino nodded then rested his hand on Fu's making her look at her usually stoic boyfriend in shock, seeing tears streaming silently down his cheeks.
"Be careful," Shino pleaded. "I don't want to lose you."
"I will," Fu nodded. "Besides, no one ever said we had to go alone. I know Suigetsu and Mangetsu will be going, as will the other Kage, Jugo, the Uzumaki, Aoba, and probably most of the Konoha 11. I doubt anyone would object to you being with us."
"Alright," Shino nodded, smiling behind his collar. "Hopefully we'll all be going home together after this is over."
"Agreed," Fu nodded hugging Shino who hugged her back.
Shizuka stepped into the village and walked to the Hokage's office. The moment she arrived, Naruto ducked behind Tsunade for protection, making the Kage all chuckle. After a moment Naruto stepped out and motioned for Shizuka to follow him. She did so and they walked to a field outside the village where shinobi often trained and where a certain young man Naruto had summoned was waiting for his next fight.
"Hello Naruto," Temujin smiled, shifting and making his armor clink with the movement. "I assume this is Shizuka?"
"Yep," Naruto nodded tossing Temujin his Double-Edged sword and wincing at the loss of one of his favorite blades of all time, leaving him with one functioning Garian Blade with the two broken ones working together to hold it on Naruto's waist, his new sword, his Crow Blade, and his kunai.
"Is this the guy?" Shizuka questioned.
"It is," Naruto nodded. "Don't kill him."
"I'm not a fan of fighting women," Temujin warned channeling his newly reacquired Gelel energy through his new sword, glowing green wind beginning to swirl around the sword like a transparent tornado. "But I will this once. Thank you again for the Gelel back Naruto."
Naruto nodded, running his hand lightly over the back of his right hand and sighing. He was going to miss that one. He still had a fragment in his hand, however, just enough to keep his Rasenshuriken from harming him. The blades formed by his Kekkei Genkai were now glowing green kunai rather than swords and his Chakra Chains were the standard gold. He was also unable to heal anything anymore.
Naruto dropped his arm to his side and leapt back as Shizuka charged at Temujin.
"Raging Thunder!" Temujin shouted instantly, slashing his sword and sending a blast of wind out, blasting Shizuka backward.
She landed on her feet but as she ran forward, she hit a wall of wind that hurled her back again, a dome of the wind briefly glowing before the light faded and Shizuka growled in frustration.
"Nadeshiko Style, Roaring Gale Chop!" Shizuka shouted blasting the ground and breaking the dome of wind, darting toward Temujin again instantly. "Gale Fan!"
She exhaled a blast of wind at Temujin, who repeated his attack to block it, disappearing in the resulting dust.
"Where did he..." Shizuka trailed off before dropping under Temujin's sword and leaping into the air, spinning and hurling kunai at him a dozen at a time.
He extended his shield and leapt backward, kunai crashing against the shield as he retreated into the trees. After a moment, Shizuka began to spin in a blur and fire kunai into the trees one every side rapidly. Then, a blast of wind hit her, blasting her into the ground and she groaned as Temujin landed over her, placing his sword to her throat.
"You lose," Temujin smiled. "Impressive fighting."
Shizuka smiled and nodded then pushed herself up, and hugged Naruto before slipping her hand into Temujin's and smiling.
"Excellent choice," Shizuka smiled. "Aside from being willing to fight, he reminds me a lot of him."
Naruto nodded and the two walked away, Naruto going to meet the next new arrival at the gate, along with the ninja she had promised to bring.
Nagato sighed, releasing his grip on the Han and Roshi, both of which had volunteered to be his chakra replenisher after he he revived those he intended to return to life. Among them were Zabuza, Haku, Yukimaru's mother using a Zetsu for a host during reincarnation with Sasuke's help, and Jiraiya. Jiraiya was having his ribs crushed by a sobbing Tsunade and the others were catching up with the people they knew, Yukimaru's mother telling Guren that she forgave her and thanking her for taking care of Yukimaru, and Zabuza and Haku talking with Kakashi.
Nagato walked over to Konan and she smiled and nodded.
"It feels good to revive rather than kill," Nagato stated. "What about Yahiko?"
"Let him rest," Konan smiled shaking her head. "He's been gone too long now."
Nagato nodded and the two of them returned to their shared apartment.
Ameyuri sat across from Omoi smiling sweetly, and quite uncharacteristically, and Omoi did the same, eyes inevitably glancing at her pointed teeth. The restaurant was an extremely expensive one but Omoi didn't mind, since he was just happy to be with her. It was fairly deserted, with the only exception being just to their right. B and Yugito were sitting beside them and B looked quite a lot less happy to be at the restaurant than Omoi.
"Hello Yugito," Ameyuri greeted happily. "What are you doing here?"
"Same as you," Yugito smiled. "Post-sex date at a massively expensive restaurant."
Omoi and B both turned scarlet while Ameyuri giggled nodding.
"Please don't talk about that in public," Omoi groaned.
"Why not?" Ameyuri questioned. "You should be proud to have something you can actually beat me at."
"What now?" Yugito grinned.
"Yeah," Maeyuri grinned as well, both enjoying seeing Omoi embarrassed. "He's so cautious, negative, and pessimistic that it took me three straight hours to get him to finish. His one is equal to my eight! Bastard."
"Lucky bitch!" Yugito laughed. "B's lucky to get me to finish twice using his hand with his dick. And he's a Jinchuriki!"
"I think Omoi's just scared that if he doesn't satisfy me I'll kill him," Ameyuri grinned.
"Well there is that, I suppose," Yugito grinned before both women fell silent as the waiter walked over with their meals.
Ino and Tenten both giggled as Neji and Sai fought. They were supposed to be fighting blind but Neji had long since begun to use his Byakugan since Sai was just creating ink lion after ink lion at him.
"Your boyfriend is cheating," Ino stated.
"So is yours," Tenten laughed.
"True," Ino laughed. "So, how are things with Neji?"
"He's the slowest boyfriend I've ever heard of," Tenten snorted. "He is hard pressed to kiss me on special occasions, let alone as often as you and Sai. I think Shino and Fu kiss more often than me and Neji."
"Sucks to be you," Ino grinned. "I'm teaching Sai all the wonders of having a girlfriend."
"Meaning that you're already sleeping with him," Tenten stated, unsurprised. "Pregnant yet?"
"Are you calling me a slut?" Ino gaped.
"Pretty much," Tenten shrugged grinning. "You gonna do something about it?"
Ino shrieked in rage and charged at Ino, Sai and Neji both stopping to watch them fight.
"Now what?" Neji questioned.
"I think I heard Tenten say something about a slut," Sai stated.
"Why?" Neji questioned.
"Probably because Ino's pregnant," Sai shrugged.
Neji laughed then his smile faded seeing the serious look on Sai's face.
"You're kidding right?" Neji questioned.
Sai turned his head toward him and simply smirked then returned his attention to the fight, leaving Neji unsure whether or not Ino was actually pregnant.
Naruto grinned and bowed respectfully as his next guest and almost her entire village passed through the gate, his friend stopping to talk.
"I thought you had forgotten my promise," Ryuzetsu smirked.
"Nope," Naruto grinned. "Just hoping you wouldn't need to cash in. We'll need everyone we can get. And no using that power of yours. Nobody is going to die today."
Ryuzetsu nodded and looked around.
"So where's Hinata?" Ryuzetsu questioned.
"She's letting her legs recover," Naruto shrugged before his eyes widened and his face turned red as Ryuzetsu grinned wickedly at him with one eyebrow raised. "Not like that! She trained with Lee for a day. He...never mind. Lee!"
"Yes Naruto?" Lee questioned a moment later as he landed in front of him.
"What have I said about following me?" Naruto questioned.
"My apologies," Lee apologized.
"Don't do it again," Naruto sighed. "Ryuzetsu wants to train with you. The same way you trained Hinata yesterday."
Lee grinned and nodded turning to Ryuzetsu who grinned taking him in before leaning in to whisper to Naruto.
"Gay?" Ryuzetsu breathed.
"Not sure but I don't think so," Naruto replied just as quiet. "Single too, in case you care."
"You playing match maker now?" Ryuzetsu grinned stepping back and turning to Lee. "Let's get going."
Lee grinned and nodded, motioning for her to follow him before turning and sprinting away in a near blur with Ryuzetsu struggling to keep up. Naruto chuckled and turned, walking to the Hyuga Compound, walking to Hinata's room and sitting beside her on the bed.
"Hey," Naruto smiled. "How're your legs?"
"They hurt," Hinata groaned. "I didn't think he'd keep running all day."
"Ryuzetu's after him now," Naruto grinned and Hinata winced.
"Poor girl," Hinata laughed. "You know you're not going anywhere without me right?"
"Oh I know," Naruto grinned. "You'll be perfectly fine again by tomorrow, if a little lame."
Hinata nodded smiling and naruto kissed her before laying beside her, wrapping an arm under her and holding her against him.
"No sex you two," Hanabi spoke up walking past. "Dad would kill you both."
"Where are you going in such a short slutty black dress?" Naruto called after her.
"Going to get laid," Hanabi shrugged after stepping back into the doorway. "Duh."
"So you're going to see Konohamaru again then," Hinata grinned and Hanabi tuck her tongue out.
"You're joking right?" Naruto questioned. "You're like ten."
"Of course I'm joking," Hanabi scoffed. "I do happen to have some sense of what's right and what's just stupid you know. And I'm not Ino."
"Have a good time then," Naruto smiled and she rolled her eyes and left.
"So, what are we going to do until it's time to leave?" Hinata questioned.
"I'm doin' it," Naruto grinned and Hinata blushed but nodded.
"What about the others?" Hinata questioned.
"Spending time with whoever their with probably," Naruto shrugged.
Hinata nodded and looked out the window just as a hawk flew in it.
Gaara sat on top of the building and sighed. Everyone else had something to do. He was bored. He'd be training if anyone capable of giving him a challenge was around. They were all busy, however, leaving him with nothing to do.
"You look lonely," a familiar voice spoke up behind him.
Gaara turned around and smiled as he spotted Matsuri standing behind him, blushing slightly.
"Mind if I join you?" Matsuri asked.
"Not at all," Gaara smiled and Matsuri walked over, sitting beside him and watching the village around them.
"I've been thinking a lot lately," Matsuri stated. "Not much else to do when you're on the back line by special request of the Kazekage, I suppose."
"Anything important?" Gaara questioned, trying to avoid talking about putting her as far from danger as he could.
"About when I was kidnapped, and you fought Seimei to save me," Matsuri stated. "I never really did thank you for it, much less repay you."
"You didn't need to," Gaara stated.
"Why?" Matsuri questioned.
"Because I wanted to protect you, to see you safe," Gaara stated.
"Yes but why?" Matsuri pushed.
Gaara was silent for a time before sighing and turning to her.
"For the same reason that you were the one to meet me at the gate of our village," Gaara stated. "For the same reason that you would have done the same thing if I were captured. Because...after everything, after all the time we've known each other and spent together...I don't want to lose you. I care too much about you."
Matsuri smiled and kissed him, Gaara kissing her back after a moment before she pulled away and grinned.
"You don't use the word love very often do you?" Matsuri grinned.
"No," Gaara admitted.
"That'll just let me know when you're really excited about something then," Matsuri grinned kissing him again.
Then, she simply lay her head on his shoulder and there they remained.
Read and review. NagatoXKonan fans should read Nagato's Pain(attempt 2). Seriously, someone read it please. I've get exactly 342 VIEWS since I posted it. someone please check it out. Anyway, this was just another filler chapter to show who's back and who's going with the Jinchuriki. the next will show the last two new/old recruits before the endgame is described in the chapter after that.