Chapter 27

Sasuke remained fast asleep. Izumi guarded him, invisible to the ANBU's eyes, despite how she told them she'd be lingering around. Sasuke would be out for a while from the sedatives the doctor gave him, but that wasn't Izumi's biggest concern. Oh no. It was the fact that Kabuto just took out the ANBU guards. She put herself in front of Sasuke's bed, and before Kabuto could even take another step she spoke up.

"Kabuto, right?" Izumi released her invisibility, smiling. "Sorry, you might be the medical chief's son, but you don't have permission to be here, or permission to take out Sasuke's guards."

"Oh, you're Izumi Uchiha, aren't you?" Kabuto smiled easily. "I was hoping to see Sasuke."

"Yeah, get in line. I can name at least ten other people who want to see this kid." Izumi rolled her eyes. "But I think you're here for someone else. Orochimaru, right?"

"I can neither confirm or deny that."

"Cheeky little shit." Izumi smirked. "I suppose I'm bored though. Let's play a bit before I haul you in for questioning."

"You're awfully confident. It's only you here."

"It's only you too." Izumi lunged, taking the little bastard straight off his feet, but Kabuto had set up a substitution. Although quickly that theory was wrong. Nope, instead it was the dead soul jutsu.

Kabuto was escaping from the window. How cute. Izumi bit her thumb and released her summons. Four panthers appeared before her, prowling around the room.

"Hunt him," Izumi ordered. "But not you, Yami. Guard Sasuke."

"Of course." Yami climbed up into the bed, curling around Sasuke carefully. "Hello, pup," he greeted warmly, nuzzling his cheek. "I'll look after you."

The other three leapt out of the window after Kabuto. Izumi didn't sheath her sword though, she leaned against Sasuke's bed and waited for Kakashi who arrived a split second later.

"What happened?" Kakashi frowned.

"Kabuto." Izumi smirked. "And I've sent one of my boys and the girls to hunt him down. I have his scent, if you wish to join in."

Kakashi bit his thumb and summoned his dogs. "Join the panthers. Hunt down Kabuto."

"Will do, Kakashi." Pakkun nodded. "Go!"

Kakashi's pack immediately disappeared. Izumi and Kakashi shared a nod and she sprinted after them. Sadly Orochimaru saved Kabuto. He must have, because when she caught up to her panthers she found them fighting off snakes, Kakashi's hounds assisting them.

Izumi cut off all the snakes heads for wasting her fucking time.

"Bastard," Izumi spat. "Let's return to Kakashi and Sasuke."

"Yeah," Pakkun grumbled, glaring into the distance, as if he could set Orochimaru on fire with just his glare. A shame he couldn't. "I told Rita he was a little shit. That they shouldn't be friends, but no. The loner wanted to make friends with her fellow loner!"

Izumi laughed nervously. "Maybe they found good company in each others silence?"

Pakkun scowled.

.::.

"I'm facing Gaara... At least it's the last match..." Sakura shivered. "It couldn't have been Shikamaru, or Shino... Okay, no, not Shino, he's just as creepy!"

But less murderous.

"Right, I need Kakashi sensei!" Naruto grinned. "He'll be with Sasuke at the hospital, right?"

"Yes." Sakura nodded, but she lunged, grabbing Naruto's shirt before he could race off. "Hold it!"

"What?" Naruto frowned.

"Idiot! Sasuke's in hospital." Sakura rolled her eyes. "What do we get for people in hospital?"

"Uhhhh?"

Sakura groaned. "Flowers, Naruto. Flowers."

"I'm not buying Sasuke flowers." Naruto wrinkled his nose.

"You peed together yet you can't even buy him flowers," Sakura huffed. "Some Alpha you are."

"That's a little mean." Naruto pouted.

Sakura dismissed him. "I'm going to go buy Sasuke something nice. You go do whatever you want."

She needed to get serious. Sakura wanted to be a better woman, a better Alpha and a better ninja. This was her time to grow up and become a team leader. Sakura smiled at the thought, purring softly, and headed off quickly.

She couldn't believe how much faith Kakashi sensei actually had in her! She had to impress him during these exams again. They had never had such a long conversation about chakra theory and she wanted more. It was thrilling. Sakura giggled to herself and rushed off. And Sasuke would get to see her fight in the finals. Even if it was against Gaara-

The joy drained away instantly.

Gaara of all people. They didn't even get to see him fight in the exams, yet he was terrifying! Choji had surrendered instantly, and honestly Sakura couldn't blame him. He looked like the scariest out of the Sand bunch.

"I need Kakashi sensei's help..." Sakura shivered. "Although, he might be busy with Sasuke..." She frowned. "Well, if he is I could ask Izumi, even if it means she'll steal all my money again."

Sakura was never going to have a rich lifestyle, was she?

.::.

Kiba smiled sleepily at Hinata. She was fast asleep against him, curled up and leaning into his warmth. Whoever had put her there was a hero, a miracle worker, someone who deserved everything in the world-

"She put herself there."

Kiba paused. Had he really said all that out loud? He blinked stupidly at Shino, who looked at him as if he was the biggest moron he had ever came across. Kiba huffed. He wasn't that bad dammit.

"She wanted comfort and sought you out since you're her Alpha," Shino scoffed. "She fought Neji Hyuga."

"She did what now?" Kiba hissed, but settled when Hinata shifted, disturbed. "What happened?" he asked, more quietly now.

"They fought for a little bit, but Neji knocked her out cold." Shino frowned. "I brought her here, but she stumbled over into your cot and settled in with you instead of her own bed."

Kiba beamed. "She did? Holy shit, Shino, I think she's actually- I-Is this us actually starting to bond?"

Shino rolled his eyes. "You're courting her. Bonding to her would mean biting her scent gland."

Kiba flushed. "B-Biting her?"

"Yes. We've been taught about sex, Kiba. Iruka sensei covered both primary and secondary in class."

"Y-Yeah I know. But still, seems like that should be years away."

"Yes, which is why you're courting her." Shino rolled his eyes. "Neither of us have even presented yet, so stop getting so worked up."

"Sure, whatever," Kiba grumbled, but he buried his head in Hinata's hair and sighed in relief at her scent. Still milky and clear like a pup's, but so reassuring.

"Go back to sleep." Shino shook his head. "You're both just as bad as each other. I swear."

.::.

Kakashi could hear a familiar screeching goblin causing havoc in the hospital of all places. Bloody hell. He quickly headed over before he disturbed anymore patients and hushed Naruto, otherwise he might have the save the pup from the doctors' and nurses' wrath.

"Naruto, this is a hospital," Kakashi scolded. "Keep your voice down."

"Kakashi sensei!" Naruto grinned, rushing to his side. "I'm so glad you see you. Listen, I need help with my training-"

"I know," Kakashi agreed. "Sadly though I have other business to take care of, so I found you and Sakura both other teachers."

"Other teachers?" Naruto scowled. "You're going to train Sasuke, aren't you!"

Kakashi rolled his eyes. "I'm guarding Sasuke more like."

"Guarding?" Naruto frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Orochimaru, or the snake lady, you encountered in the Forest of Death is still after Sasuke. I need to stay close by Sasuke to supervise him."

Naruto grimaced. "The creepy snake lady is still after Sasuke?"

"Yeah, so you can see why I have to stay close by." Kakashi nodded over Naruto's shoulder. "Besides, I've found you the perfect teacher. He's even better than me."

"Really?" Naruto sounded suspicious. "Well who is it?"

"It is I," Ebisu announced, stepping into the waiting room.

"YOU?!" Naruto hissed.

Kakashi blinked. He didn't realise these two knew each other.

"YOU CLOSEST PERVERT!"

Huh. Well that was new.

"Such insolence," Ebisu scolded.

"He's a what now?" Kakashi's brow furrowed.

"This is such a joke!" Naruto huffed. "He's weaker than even me, Kakashi sensei! And he's a bigger perv than you. At least you just read those books, you don't go around looking at women-"

"What?" Kakashi had no idea what was going on.

"He saw my harem jutsu once and fell to pieces!"

Ebisu blanched.

Harem jutsu?

Ebisu gagged Naruto with his hand, laughing nervously. "Oh, it's nothing Kakashi! Nothing at all. Just a little joke between us both." He muttered something to Naruto before finally releasing him.

"I still don't get why it has to be him..." Naruto grumbled. "I'd even prefer Izumi, and she's terrifying."

Kakashi grimaced. "She's already making plans for Sakura's training."

Naruto winced. "Plans? She never made plans before! Poor Sakura..."

"Look, I would never have trained someone like you if it wasn't for Kakashi asking me," Ebisu growled. "You're a delinquent, and far below my usual standard."

"Then don't train me then!" Naruto scowled.

"Naruto," Kakashi called, kneeling down beside him. "Listen, you're wrong about Ebisu sensei. He's one of the best teachers around, frankly much better than me." Naruto grumbled, still not impressed, so Kakashi sighed, ruffling his hair. "Besides, out of squad seven your basic skills are the worst. That's what I want you to focus on this time around."

"Hey! Wait a minute, are you honestly saying that I'm not as good as Sasuke or Sakura?"

Kakashi snorted. "Nowhere near as good as Sakura. You had no idea what we were talking about after her match, did you?"

"Something about chakra?"

Kakashi sighed. "The point is the basics are, well, the basics. You need those to build up your strengths, otherwise you're just going to keep adding new abilities to yourself without improving any of them."

Naruto still didn't look impressed.

"Let's put my teaching skills to the challenge, Kakashi. Naruto, I have a deal for you," Ebisu began, smiling. "Try run away from me."

"Eh?" Naruto tilted his head.

"I mean it. Try run away, and if can get away from me I'll resign as your teacher." Ebisu eyed him. "And since I know how much you prefer Kakashi I'll try take over some of his duties so he can be your trainer."

Kakashi snorted. "I doubt you can take over my pregnancy."

Ebisu laughed. "Well, no, perhaps not that part, but your guard duty."

"Really? You'd convince Kakashi sensei?" Naruto beamed. "Right! Just hold on, Kakashi sensei, I'll have you train me up real soon. Man, this is the easiest deal I've ever made. So long, sucker!"

Naruto bolted.

"Have fun." Kakashi grinned, and retreated back to Sasuke's room.

Sasuke had been moved to a new room to recover in. A little more secure with less windows, and deep within the hospital. Izumi was sitting at the edge of Sasuke's bed, reading her notes.

"I'm going to find out Sakura's nature release," she said.

Kakashi blinked. "Yeah?"

"Yeah, she's just like you. Her chakra control would be perfect for it, or medical ninjutsu, but I'm no medic. I'm a frontline fighter. So, depending on what her nature is, and what Sasuke's is, it might be better if we swap students every so often."

"True," Kakashi agreed. "Although I thought you would work on Sakura's taijutsu, since I can't really do much of that in my condition."

"I'll be working on that too. It's the only reason why I'm not focusing on training Sasuke," Izumi admitted. "So, there will be at least one ANBU guard around you at a time, yeah?"

"Tenzo wants one of Team Ro on us at all times." Kakashi nodded.

"Good. So, how long has Mr. Kidnapper been visiting you?" Izumi asked, just as Kakashi went and sat on a chair.

"He appeared after he realised I was late for my heat," Kakashi admitted. "Then once he learned about the baby he started showing up every so often. Pakkun knows, but I haven't told anyone else since Mr. Kidnapper never caused any issues, and always leaves immediately."

"That's risky, Kakashi." Izumi frowned. "He's not done anything to you, right?"

"No. But now that Tenzo knows, he's paranoid about it." Kakashi grimaced. "I briefed him of everything that happened down in the sealing chamber, and I do try to be honest with him..."

"So Mr. Kidnapper hasn't threatened you, or demanded anything?"

"No. He just checks up on me." Kakashi shrugged. "I don't know exactly what he's thinking. I can rarely feel his emotions."

"Fair enough." Izumi scowled. "Damn, this is all getting so serious."

Kakashi nodded, laying a hand on his stomach. "And at the worst time."

He couldn't let the baby get hurt, but by the Sage he needed to protect the pups too.

"All we can do is our best," Izumi insisted. "We'll keep Sasuke safe."

"And if we can't?" Kakashi asked helplessly. "This is Orochimaru-"

"And we know things already, including that he is scared of your Mr. Kidnapper. He won't mess with you if you're around Sasuke. Not if he doesn't want to face Mr. Kidnapper again." Izumi smirked. "You're the perfect protection right now."

"Yey," Kakashi said dryly. "Baby daddy is finally being useful."

Izumi laughed, but it cut off instantly when they both heard Guy yelling. Kakashi gestured for her to stay there and rushed out, because Guy sounded frantic.

"I found him like this when I came to pick him up for a celebration dinner-" Guy sobbed. And much to Kakashi's horror he was cradling Lee.

Lee who was pale, shaking and coughing up blood on Guy. Guy looked devastated, Tenten was shaking and Neji's face was twisted with fury. Their scents suffocated the hallway, and left Kakashi slightly anxious. A doctor snatched Lee from Guy's arms and rushed off. Guy collapsed into a chair, while Tenten handed a vial of purple gas to a nurse who ran off after the doctor.

"He's been poisoned, Kakashi!" Guy cried the moment their eyes met. "Someone poisoned Lee."

Kakashi's Omega cooed softly, trying to comfort their distressed friend, and Guy's Alpha whimpered. Kakashi sat down by his side, and Guy embraced him tightly.

"What happened?" he asked the pups.

Neji grimaced. "We went to pick up Lee because he was running late to dinner, but when we got there we could hear Lee coughing terribly. His door was locked, so Guy sensei broke it down, and we found Lee choking on his living room floor. His apartment was drowned by a sickly sweet smell, with a purple fog clouding the air."

"Somebody gassed out his apartment," Tenten said anxiously, wringing her hands. "And we have no idea who did it."

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! Yeah, Lee getting poisoned is also your Christmas presents, so yey? xD But still hope you all got spoiled and are ready for 2023 :D It's going to be a busy year for me. I want to publish the 2nd book of my The Warden of Strar series (The Thieves of Brait) and an avalanche of games I'm excited for are coming out (some possibly but heavily hinted at) next year too :D This is gonna be fun! Anyway, hope you all have a good New Year :)