I know that 2 updates in a few days is a lot after 3 years of silence, so let this be my apology to you guys. Also a slight refresher on how I format speaking and thoughts.

"Normal Speaking"

'Normal Thinking'

"Bijuu/Angered Speaking"

'Bijuu Thinking'

The Kyuubi's King

Chapter 16

The Hunt for Sasuke

Kakshi opened his eye to a white concrete ceiling.

'Great, the hospital. I don't feel very injured, so that's a good sign.'

"Oh, Mr. Hatake, you're awake!" A nurse had come in to check on Kakashi while he was unconscious.

"Yes. Could you please tell me the date and time?"

...

"2 DAYS?"

"Please don't shout Mr. Hatake. Yes, it has been 2 days since some nice young man admitted you to the hospital."

"At least he had the decency to take me here."

"Mr. Hatake?"

"Sorry, just thinking aloud. Am I injured in any capacity?" The nurse reached for the file hanging at the foot of the bed.

"Well, the file says you were put on IVs after arrival, but other than your coma, there were no internal or external injuries. That means you just have to fill out these release forms and you can be discharged." The nurse handed Kakashi a rather large clipboard with more paperwork than he'd like.

'Great, all I wanted: sitting in a hospital bed, filling out paperwork. I wonder what said nice young man is doing?'

()

Said nice young man was currently making out with the most feared Bijuu in existence. Not that anyone could see it. Naruto had been caught a few times by Jiraiya, since he couldn't control his actions while meditating. Naruto played these off as "erotic dreams," which Jiraiya seemed to buy. Of course, Naruto learned how to control himself while meditating, so as not to get caught again.

'Kyuu, should we do this?'

Kyuubi seemed surprised.

'What do you mean? Do you not like this?'

'No, I love being with you. I just meant is this the right time? Baa-chan could call for us or Sensei could come for revenge.'

'Naru, stop overthinking it. You know time is different in your head space. Just relax for a while.'

'Yeah...you're right. Let's keep-'

Thunk Thunk Thunk

'That would happen to be the door. Sorry Kyuu, I'm right again.' Kyuubi pouted and folded her arms.

'Fine. But you owe me more than a makeout session after this interruption!'

'Sure. Let me take care of this first.' Naruto got up from his meditative seat and opened the door to a relaxed Kakashi.

"Yo, Naruto."

"Oh uh, hey Sensei. Sorry about knocking you out and dropping you off at the hospital."

"Yeah. Well you passed, so I can't be that mad. Lady Tsunade is calling for our team, so find Sakura and report to the Hokage's Mansion."

"Of course. Be right there."

"Oh, and Naruto?"

"Yea, Sensei?"

"How did you get behind me?" Naruto hesitated for a moment before coming up with:

"I'll tell you later. We don't want Baa-chan mad." Kakashi realized what would happen if they showed up late.

"Good point. I trust you to meet me there." Kakashi closed the door and left Naruto to himself.

'You have time now~'

'No, I don't. We have to pick up Sakura.'

'Ughh, can't we leave Banshee Girl behind?'

'I'm going to ignore that.'

'You're no fun when working.'

'Isn't that the point?' Kyuubi couldn't argue with that. With that, Naruto left his apartment and pretty quickly found Sakura. It would be hard to miss her pink hair.

"Hey Sakura, Sensei sent me to find you." Sakura turned around, annoyed at hearing the one eyed ninja's name.

"What does he want now? I swear if he's trying to get me to show him where Lady Tsunade bathes again I'm going to kill him-"

"Whoah, calm down, Sakura. It's a mission, Baa-chan summoned for us." Sakura flustered after realizing the rant she was about to go on.

"S-sorry, Naruto. We should go."

"Yeah, meet you there!" This surprised Sakura.

"What do you mean, meet? Aren't we walking toge-" Naruto disappeared in a bright flash of light, leaving only a small breeze behind.

"I still don't know how he does that."

()

Sakura was last to show up, which was surprising.

"Did Kakashi-sensei really get here on time? Naruto being back has changed everyone, I guess." Tsunade spoke up before the 3 of them got into some argument or conversation.

"Ahem,"

"Oh, sorry Lady Tsunade."

"Thank you, Sakura. Now, as I was saying to Kakashi and Naruto, this is an A rank mission. It has been our first Orochimaru sighting in 2 years, and we had a recon squad confirm." Orochimaru was still a touchy subject, since he did kidnap and brainwash Sasuke.

"Baa-chan, was...Sasuke confirmed to be there?" Tsunade took a long sigh.

"Yes, Naruto. He was confirmed alive and with Orochimaru. We know the base location, we have to press now. There are no other high ranking ninja off duty right now. It's up to you, Sakura, and Kakashi."

"We won't let you down, Baa-chan," Naruto turned to his other squadmate and their captain.

"Alright guys, we got work to do. We have to save Sasuke. Move out, team!"

Finally, another chapter in the books. It feels good to write again, even with all the new criticism. I'm very well aware that the writing in the early chapters is subpar, and I may revisit and remaster some of the older chapters. This isn't my big 8k planned chapter, that's most likely one of the next two. I just needed to get pen on paper again, or in this case, type. Larger author note than usual, I know. I juat had more to say.

In any case, as always, I'm TheStormKage, and you've read "The Kyuubi's King Chapter 16: The Hunt for Sasuke.