The next day, Hisako met up with Sasuke for the first time since the incident. It was the first time Hisako felt well enough to face her cousin, especially after the interaction she had with him on that plateau.

She sat on a rock watching him perform the Chidori on a large boulder. There was so much pain and anger in his dark eyes as he continued to practice the technique over and over again.

"I heard a little about the fight with Gaara in the woods," Hisako finally said, breaking his concentration.

He stood up but didn't respond to her. Hisako pressed on.

"It seems like Naruto was the one who saved the day, huh?"

She heard Sasuke tsk, his head turned away from her. He said, "you should have seen him. The way he fought… I need to get stronger. I can't-I can never see my friends hurt like that again."

Hisako's eyes widened in both relief and surprise. "Sasuke, that… That type of philosophy. I've never heard you say something like that before."

His expression was sullen and dark shadows hung around his eyes. "Let's just stop training for today. I need to go talk to Kakashi Sensei,"

Hisako stood up from her rock. "Then I'll go too."

Hisako and Sasuke walked through the village together to Kakashi's small studio apartment. But, neither one expected what they walked into: An unconscious Kakashi on his bed with, three other Jonin responsible for the ninja squads standing guard around him.

Both Sasuke and Hisako gasped at the same time, Hisako covered her mouth.

"What's going on? Why's Kakashi asleep? And why are there three Jonin here?" Sasuke demanded as they both stepped into the room.

Hisako took a few more steps towards Kakashi Sensei, her mouth running dry. He wasn't just asleep; he was hurt. She wasn't sure how she knew, but she knew.

"Uh… Nothing really is going on," Guy Sensei stammered, and he stared hard at Hisako and Sasuke.

"Guy Sensei, something is going on," Hisako pressed, her lips in a fine line.

Out of nowhere, a Chuunin ran into the room shouting, "Hey! Is it true that Itachi Uchiha has returned? And that he's come here to get Naruto?"

Sasuke and Hisako both stood as still as statues. Guy Sensei hid his face in the palm of his hand and Kurenai Sensei closed her crimson eyes.

"Idiot," she muttered under her breath.

Hisako felt unbridled rage pouring off Sasuke like a tidal wave. She kept her breathing calm as she stared at her cousin, panic coursing through her. Itachi was back. Itachi. Was. Back. And… After Naruto? This wasn't good. None of this was good.

Sasuke bolted from the room and despite Hisako's injuries, despite the strain physical activities caused to her body, Hisako chased after him. They had the same thought, even if they had different motives: Get to Naruto; protect Naruto. But, while Sasuke wanted to kill Itachi, Hisako wanted to talk with Itachi. She had to. Even after all these years, she still couldn't shake the feeling that Itachi was innocent.

Sasuke went to Naruto's apartment first, Hisako close to him. The doctors never said she couldn't exercise, just that it wasn't good for her heart. And in this instance, consequences be damned, Naruto's safety far outweighed her comfort.

Naruto's door was unlocked and as Sasuke opened it, Sakura stumbled out of Naruto's apartment.

"Sasuke! Hisako! What-"

"Where's Naruto?" Sasuke demanded, startling Sakura.

"I-I don't know-"

Sasuke took off again and Hisako didn't have time to explain anything to her friend before chasing after Sasuke again.

"Hisako! You need to stop, I'm going to go confront Itachi. Don't push yourself!" Sasuke scolded.

Hisako was already out of breath but she refused to stop. "No way! I'm facing Itachi with you! I don't care about my health,"

"Dammit Hisako! Stop being so stubborn!"

"Oh, screw you Sasuke! You're more stubborn than me!" Hisako shouted back. Her chest was aching and her vision started blurring. Her heart couldn't handle this extra stress. But dammit. She couldn't let Sasuke do this without her!

Sasuke stopped at Ichiraku Ramen next, and asked the owner the same question he asked Sakura: "Where's Naruto?"

This time, the two of them gained more information. "Oh yeah! Naruto said he was gonna travel with Jiraiya. I guess they're heading for that outpost town right outside of the village."

"An outpost town?" Hisako repeated, her shoulders slumping.

That was so far away! And she was already tasting the coppery taste of blood in her mouth that told her she had pushed her body way past its limits.

"Hisako. Stay. Here." Sasuke ordered.

Hisako bared her teeth. "Not. Happening."

Sasuke growled, "you're so frustrating!"

He jumped onto the rooftops again, and Hisako followed. It wasn't as if this was taxing on her whole body. Other than the horrible chest pains and the difficulty breathing, she felt fine. Her legs weren't sore. She could do this. She had to do this to save Naruto. Sasuke couldn't fight Itachi alone. Hisako had to be there. So she would push through.

They made it to the outpost town, and Hisako was panting hard. She stumbled and grabbed onto Sasuke for support before she could straighten up again.

"I'm… a Shinobi. I won't falter," Hisako muttered to herself.

"We're going to have to go door to door. See if they're at any inn," Sasuke told Hisako before breaking off from her.

Her knees threatened to give out from exhaustion but she stood her ground, pushing through the discomfort. She ran through town going from inn to inn. Eventually, she met back up with Sasuke who was starting to show signs of fatigue as well. Sweat beaded down his brow and his breathing came in hitches.

"Any… luck?" Hisako asked breathlessly.

Sasuke shook his head and despair clung to her heart, but she had to keep hoping that they would find Naruto in time.

"We'll find Naruto before Itachi. I know it," Hisako encouraged Sasuke.

They both continued to run, but Hisako noticed Sasuke's eyes were red. He had activated the Sharingan. Which meant that Itachi was somewhere close by. Hisako also activated her Sharingan to prepare for the battle that was to come.

They came to an Inn and with Hisako's Sharingan, she saw Itachi and another man she didn't recognize in black cloaks with red clouds. The second guy had a giant sword on his back the blade that was taller then she was was wrapped in white cloth. His hand firmly gripped the large hilt as he was pulling it out to attack Naruto with it.

Hisako concentrated the chakra into her feet. Now wasn't the time to complain about pain or some damn injury. She told Sasuke they were going to save Naruto and that was exactly what they were going to do.

In an instant, Hisako darted across the hallway. Itachi, even though he could have stopped her, didn't reach for her and instead allowed Hisako to step past their defenses. She pulled her necklace off from around her neck, transforming it into her crystal sword as she stepped in front of Naruto, protecting him. She brought her sword up, ice coating the ground from its chakra, and blocked the large sword that the shark-looking guy swung down.

A moment later, the chakra from her sword seemed to have been sucked up into the larger sword. Hisako couldn't stifle her gasp as she stared at her katana which was now just a regular old blade. It took all her strength to block the giant sword.

The shark man sneered down at Hisako, showing rows and rows of fang-like teeth. "You like it? Samehada has the ability to eat my enemy's chakra. Your sword is now worthless!"

Hisako bared her teeth, enraged. "You may have taken her chakra, but it's something that can be replenished. I wouldn't celebrate so soon!"

Hisako's gaze was steady as she stared at the two Rogue Shinobi. Sasuke stood a few feet behind Itachi, frozen in what she assumed was shock. After years of not seeing Itachi, he was face to face with his brother again.

"It's been a while… Sasuke, Hisako," Itachi said, his voice flat and emotionless.

"Itachi Uchiha," Sasuke replied. He only allowed a small bit of his rage to show by the tightness in his voice.

"Itachi… Uchiha?" Naruto asked, his voice sounding scared, which was quite a feat to scare the normally fearless Naruto.

Naruto was the one who fought against the One-Tailed Chakra Beast Shukaku! And he was scared now? Hisako's resolve shook, especially given her own physical condition, but she fought down her own fear just as quickly. There was no time to feel sorry for herself. She got herself into this mess and now she had to see it through.

"Itachi, who are these brats? I thought you wiped out the whole Uchiha Clan," shark man demanded.

"My younger brother and cousin," Itachi replied in his same monotone voice.

Hisako's breaths became ragged she had reached her limit. The pain in her chest was unbearable and her knees wobbled.

"Why?" Hisako asked, her voice shaking.

She had to buy Sasuke time so that he could figure out what to do. At the very least, she had to buy them enough time for help to arrive. Help would arrive, right?

"Why did you do it? Who's pulling the strings?" Hisako's voice rose. "C'mon, Itachi! I cannot for the life of me believe that you would… The clan…" Hisako shook her head and fought back the angry tears. "I just don't get it."

"Kisame," Itachi ordered.

The man in front of her, Kisame, retracted his sword and in one swift motion, Itachi appeared in front of Hisako. Their faces were a mere inch apart and Hisako's scream lodged in her throat as his red eyes stared into Hisako's.

"Naruto. Run," Hisako hissed, her voice trembling.

Naruto did not run. He trembled, his hands shaking at his sides.

"I did it to test my powers. My limits," Itachi replied, his gaze boring into Hisako's.

Her resolve shattered and she couldn't believe Itachi's words as she yelled, "That's not true!"

Her heart constricted painfully and she couldn't fight back the coughs that followed. This was the worst time in the world for this! Before she could recover, she felt Itachi's hand firmly grasp her neck and lift her up in the air. She gasped for air, her hands frantically grabbing at his fingers. He was crushing her windpipe! She couldn't breathe!

"Hisako!" Naruto shouted, he went to move but Kisame stepped forward, giving Naruto a shark-toothed grin.

"Itachi! Prepare to die!" Sasuke yelled right as Itachi threw Hisako into the nearby wall with enough force that the wall broke and she landed in rubble and drywall.

Hisako didn't get up. The last thing she saw before losing consciousness was Sasuke charging Itachi with the Chidori in his hand.

Neji didn't like this. Hisako was supposed to be back by now. Sasuke said he was going to make sure she got home. That was the only reason he didn't insist on going with them. So where the Hell were they? He felt like he'd searched everywhere for them!

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Guy running through the streets of the village. Where was he running to? Neji gritted his teeth as he ran after Guy.

"Guy! Have you seen Hisako today? She was supposed to return to the Hyuga Clan hours ago," Neji asked running alongside his Sensei.

"Hm? Oh! Neji!" Guy Sensei exclaimed, noticing his student. "Actually, yes. I did see her. And this is perfect timing! I need your help."

"With what?"

"Finding her… well, them. They got themselves into trouble."

"What do you mean trouble?" Neji demanded, his voice tightening.

He thought Sasuke was going to protect Hisako! What the Hell did Sasuke think he was doing?

"I'll explain later. Just follow me. We're going to a small outpost town. Once there, use your Byakugan to find them," Guy Sensei explained.

Neji wasn't sure what was happening or what he would find but if Hisako was in this mess, then he would go. Without a second thought.

A few minutes later, they entered the outpost village.

"Neji, now!"

Neji nodded in understanding and activated his Byakugan. It didn't take him long to find them. They were in an Inn, but it was unlike anything he'd ever seen. There was one floor in particular that seemed to be made of flesh. And the flesh was making it difficult to see inside the hallway.

"They're in that Inn! Third floor, but… the hallway looks like it's some type of… creature! There's flesh on the walls."

"What?" Guy Sensei shouted back.

But by the time they arrived at the Inn, the flesh was gone. Neji saw Sasuke and Hisako both unconscious on the floor and he recognized the white-haired man as Jiraiya. But, there were no more enemies.

Guy didn't realize this however and Neji saw him throw a kunai knife through a hole in the wall.

"Guy! Wait!" Neji shouted, but it was far too late.

Guy Sensei had already landed a solid kick to Jiraiya's face. Neji saw Guy's expression change the moment he realized the mistake he made as Jiraiya went flying into the back wall, blood dripping down his nose.

Neji sighed in exasperation as he rushed to Hisako's side gently picking her up. She grimaced in pain, but she didn't open her eyes.

"Neji! And… Bushy Brow's Sensei? What are you guys doing here?" Naruto asked as he sat beside an unconscious Sasuke.

Neji turned his attention to the knucklehead, "I'm here because Guy told me I could find Hisako here. What happened?"

Guy Sensei laughed nervously as he tried to explain his previous actions to Jiraiya rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. Neji ignored them.

"I don't know… these two guys came. They wanted to take me away or something. And then Hisako and Sasuke, they… well, they were awesome! But… still," Naruto stammered, his gaze dropped.

"Well, uh. How about we forget about all this for now? Sasuke and Hisako need to be taken to the hospital. Their injuries look pretty severe," Guy Sensei finally said.

"They're going to be alright, right?" Naruto asked, standing up from where he was kneeling down.

Jiraiya looked like he considered Naruto's words for a moment. "While I'm sure their physical wounds will heal… I'm worried about Sasuke's mind. I don't know what Itachi did to him."

Neji stood up with Hisako securely in his arms and Naruto's hands formed fists at his sides.

"What did they do to deserve this? Huh? And I'll admit it! I was a coward for a moment! But no more," Naruto paused and turned his blue eyes filled with determination to Jiraiya. "So from here on out, no more playing! This is serious. I'm going to get stronger so the next time I run into them I can give them what for!"

"It's not that simple Naruto! It took everything I had just to run them off!" Jiraiya retorted.

"So what? We just wait for the next time they show up? That strategy sucks!"

"Just be quiet!" Jiraiya snapped, he turned his dark eyes to Naruto his gaze shaky but resolved.

Naruto shut up immediately, his whole body trembling as he dropped his gaze.

"You haven't earned the right," Jiraiya growled.

Neji thought he was going to watch Naruto cry. The blond haired kid closed his eyes tight before opening them again to stare at his unconscious teammate.

"I'm sorry Guy," Jiraiya started, "By the time I got here, Hisako was already unconscious. And I wanted to let Sasuke fight his own fight. But now I see that was wrong. I should have stopped this sooner."

"Sasuke was obviously hit with the same jutsu Kakashi was hit with. And we don't know when he'll come out of it,"

"Hisako… Was she?" Neji asked, his voice uncertain.

She was unconscious, but her chakra network wasn't disturbed. Not like Sasuke's.

Guy shook his head. "Hisako was spared. She wasn't hit with that same jutsu."

Neji sighed in relief.

"You mean they got Kakashi Sensei?" Naruto yelled.

Guy's gaze was distant far off, like he was remembering his recent past. Neji couldn't help but wonder if he was thinking about Lee.

"There's nothing worse than watching one of your students fall in battle. It's like losing little bits of your soul. What we need is a master of the healing arts. And soon."

"You're right," Jiraiya replied, "and the woman you're talking about is the one we've come to find."

"You're talking about Tsunade, right?" Neji confirmed.

Jiraiya grinned and Guy took a step back in shock.

"Yes. That's exactly who I mean. She's the third Legendary Sannin of the Leaf. Like me and Orochimaru. The Queen of slugs and elixirs. The gambling fool and mistress of the healing arts, Lady Tsunade."

About thirty minutes later, they were all at the exit of the town. Hisako was resting on Neji's back and Guy had Sasuke on his.

"Alright Guy, we'll leave these two in your hands," Jiraiya said.

"Jiraiya, just make sure you find Tsunade. Bring her back to us," Guy responded.

Naruto was the one who replied first: "Don't you worry! We'll find her and bring her back! That's a promise!"

Guy Sensei smiled at Naruto. "You know, I appreciate a kid with guts! That's why I wanna give you this."

Guy Sensei dug into his vest and pulled out a green jumpsuit that resembled Lee's. Neji sighed and turned on his heel walking back to the Leaf Village. He did not care to hear Guy Sensei try to convince Naruto that it was a good idea to wear that ugly thing.