Hello everyone I'm back once again to bring you another chapter of my story; if you are enjoying it please keep on supporting me and my other works. With nothing else to say lets begin.
Sabaku no Kitsune: Chapter 49
In the Taki Main building: With Naruto and the others
Naruto was in the Taki main building with Gaara, Tsunade, Jiraya, Nagato, Katsu, Kakashi and Darui sitting at a round table discussing business until a puff of smoke appeared in the middle of the table.
A toad appeared and looked to Naruto and spoke "Master Naruto; I have delivered the package to Sasuke Uchiha as requested" it said and Naruto smiled.
"Thanks buddy I appreciate it" Naruto said as he pulled out a plastic container "here you go one hundred crickets, fresh from the pet store".
"Alright eats" the toad said as it took the container "later"; the toad puffed into smoke and was no longer there.
"I like our little chats" Naruto said.
"So do I" Jiraya said with a chuckle.
"Ok ignoring… what ever the hell that was; lets get back to business" Tsunade said "as of right now our lines have been moving deeper into Konoha's territory; we are making steady gains on the northern front and small gains on the western front". "Darui, you arrived here yesterday; how are things going in Oto?" Tsunade asked and Darui stood up.
"We captured Oto no less that two days ago; I was informed about this early this morning" Darui said "Sadly Orochiamru was not there".
Naruto banged his fist on the table and smiled "Hell yeah; we got Orochimaru by the balls now" Naruto said "probably running back to Danzo to hide".
"Calm down kid; it was a victory but not a knock out" Jiraya said "like he said Orochimaru wasn't killed; so we still have him to deal with". "So going off the list we have Danzo, Itachi, Orochimaru, Tenzo, Shikamaru, Asuka still in play" Jiraya said and everyone nodded "not to mention Hiashi Hyuga, the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, and countless other ninja still against us".
"All it would take is one bad defeat to set us back months" Katsu said "or worse, a stalemate that ends with armistice".
"If that were to happen Temari would be used as a bargaining chip" Gaara said speaking up "and what I'm worried about is if she's used for a political marriage to end the hostilities".
Naruto slammed his hand on the table and spoke "if that ever happens; I expect you all to turn me over to Konoha in exchange for her" he said shocking everyone "I will not have her married to some chode for peace; I'd rather be tortured and killed than have that happen to her".
"Calm down Naruto" Obito said putting his hand on his shoulder "that won't happen".
"I agree with that" Nagato said making both Naruto and Obito look at him "we will never surrender or sue for peace; if we do we get what… ten more years of fake piece until another war starts". "No, we end this now; no matter the costs" Nagato said with finality.
Tsunade smiled at this and spoke "well I'm glad to hear that, because I have even better news for you all" she said and everyone looked at her "Mei has contacted me; she's been spending months building her forces". "She want's to attempt an amphibious landing on Konoha's eastern shores" Tsunade said and everyone went wide eyed.
"Seriously, that's pretty ballsy?" Naruto said "so what do we do; we got to help her somehow?"
"We will and I have a plan" Tsunade said "they plan to do it in two months; so in one month we'll launch a full on assault on the northern and western fronts".
"I see" Kakashi said rubbing his chin "draw more troops towards us and make an opening for them".
"Exactly" Tsunade said before looking at Naruto "Naruto, you and your team will be with Kakashi; since your have the nine tails you can cause a lot of damage in a short period of time of time".
"Hey, my dad entrusted him with me" Naruto said with a smile "besides I'm sure he's itching for a fight.
"I wish to slaughter more humans to satisfy my bloodlust" Kurama said in a dark tone.
Naruto was wide eyed and looked to Tsunade "uh… maybe I can fight like every Monday, Wednesday and Friday; the fox said some dark stuff and uhh…" Naruto said before taking a moment think about what to say "I just don't any war crimes to happen".
"It's not a war crime if your winning" Tsunade said making everyone else sweat drop "we'll discuss the plans later; begin training and get ready, we need everyone at one hundred percent".
Meanwhile in Konoha: With Danzo, Shikamaru and the Konoha council
Danzo was looking at the council with a calculated gaze as his demeanor was as calm as could be; the civilian and the majority of the shinobi council were present. The loss of the Aburame clan and half of the Inuzuka clan hampered the fighting capability of Konoha but did not hinder it's capability's.
"Danzo, how is this possible?" Koharu said as she sat in her seat "we have lost our three allies and have been pushed back to our borders; now we have the enemy making gains in the north and west".
Danzo looked at her and spoke "the loss of Taki and Kusa are inconsequential to us" Danzo said "Taki has not been a significant threat since the time of the First Hokage; Kusa was an opportunistic country taking advantage of the war to gain territory". "But the taking of those two territories has taken its toll on the enemy; by our calculations approximately ten percent of the forces who marched in were killed with another five percent wounded" Danzo said.
"And yet we are also taking casualties at an alarming rate" Homura said as he looked at Danzo "we have lost a quarter of our ninja since the war began".
"And we are replacing them as soon as we can" Danzo said before looking at Hiashi "isn't that right Hiashi?"
Hiashi stood up an spoke "I along with the rest of the Main branch the Hyuga clan has implemented a clan conscription" Hiashi said shocking them all "all able bodied Hyuga between the ages of ten to sixty are training to fight; a total of two hundred eighty percent of the clans total". Hiashi sat back down and folded his arms "the remaining fifty are either too young, too old or too weak; approximately thirty are children under the age of ten" he said.
"Are you insane Hiashi?" Shikaku said standing up "most of your clan are branch members; servants, cooks, doctors". "Only half ever went to the academy" Shikaku said until someone spoke up.
"Desperate times call for desperate measures dad" Shikamaru said and Shikaku looked at him "we are also looking at our prisons and detention centers for volunteers; if all goes according to plan we can replenish out losses".
"What would really help is if the Nara, Yamanaka and the Akimichi clans follow suit" Danzo said making Shikaku go wide eyed "each of your clans have three hundred members each".
Shikaku was about to speak until Inoichi stood up "I will enact a clan conscription" he said.
Choza stood up and spoke "as will I" he said.
Shikaku now had all eyes on him and he looked at Danzo "fuck you Danzo" he said with a scowl "I will too". Shikaku began to walk out and Koharu spoke up.
"You can't leave Shikaku; our meeting is-" Koharu began.
"Lick my ass you old bitch" Shikaku said as he walked out.
"The nerve" Koharu shouted.
"Calm down Koharu" Danzo said holding out his hand "he's under a lot of pressure".
(4 hours later) Nara compound: With Shikaku and Yoshino Nara
Shikaku walked into his bedroom with his wife Yoshino walking in behind him "fuck" Shikaku shouted as he sat on his bed.
"Calm down, honey" Yoshino said as she sat next to him "I know this may look bad but I'm a jonin; I've been to war, I'm not-".
"It's not that damn it" Shikaku said as he gripped the bed sheet "this… this is unreal". "Drafting kids who haven't graduated the academy, old people who haven't touched a kunai in decades" Shikaku said "this will not just be the end of their lives, but the whole clan". "Over two centuries of struggle and hardship, just to end in a war that we can all see is lost" Shikaku said; Yoshino leaned in and put her head on his shoulder.
"I know things seem bad Shikaku" Yoshino said "but we cannot give up; Konoha is our home, we can't just leave everything we have here". "What about Shikamaru or Inoichi or Choza; if not for us then for them?" Yoshino said.
Shikaku didn't answer but he looked at his wife with eyes full of sadness "Yoshino… I don't know about Shikamaru" he said making her go wide eyed "haven't you seen him change over the years; he angry and vengeful, he's cold to us and everyone else".
"I saw it; it was after Choji died, but he's our son Shikaku" Yoshino said and Shikaku looked to the ground.
"Is he really?" Shikaku said "is he really the kind of son we want; I had high hopes for the boy, to become strong and powerful". "But now I see him and I'm terrified" Shikaku said; Yoshino looked at her husband and slapped him on the back of the head.
"Don't you say that Shikaku" Yoshino said her temper rising "he's our son and that's that; this war will end soon and we will be able to mend things". "We don't need that kind of talk here; you're the leader of this clan and his father; so act like it" Yoshino said as she got up "like it or not, this is not about you, or Shika or me; you now have the lives of the Nara clan in your hands". "What is the other alternative?" Yoshino asked as she walked out.
Shikaku didn't move as he sat on the edge of the bed looking at the ground 'the alternative?' Shikaku thought as he clenched his fists 'something that'll haunt me for the rest of my life'.
Root Base: With Shikamaru
Shikamaru was carrying at tray of food down a hall and towards a room at the very end; the entrance was guarded by two female root anbu and Shikamaru stopped in front of them.
"Let me in" Shikamaru said and the Anbu nodded.
"Yes Commander Nara" the anbu said as she opened the door and Shikamaru walked in; upon walking in Shikamaru spoke up "hey Temari; I got you some food".
Temari was in a bare bones concrete room with only a bed, a table, 2 chairs, a sink, a toilet and a mirror medicine cabinet; Temari was sitting in a chair cleaning her fan staring down not even noticing Shikamaru enter.
Shikamaru slightly saddened sighed 'oh yeah that's right; she can't talk' he thought; he's been doing this when ever Temari was back in Konoha and not with either Asuka or Itachi on a mission. He keeps forgetting that she cannot talk, or communicate in any way; Shikamaru walked in and placed the tray down on the table and saw across from her.
"It's fried pork over steamed rice, miso soup and water; sorry about it not being that good, we're not exactly a five star restaurant" Shikamaru said to Temari who stared blankly at the table; she finished putting her fan back together and put it to the side and grabbed the tray of food.
Temari began to eat the food quickly and methodically; she did not taste the flavor nor did she even acknowledge she was eating. She was eating simply to consume, nothing more; a little bit of sauce got onto her face and Shikamaru grabbed the napkin and leaned forward to wipe it off.
Suddenly Temari grabbed his hand and gripped his wrist; Shikamaru saw this was nothing more than a reflex and spoke.
"Temari, let go; I'm just trying to clean you" Shikamaru said and Temari let go and continued eating as if nothing happened; Shikamaru rolled his wrist before going back in and cleaning her face before sitting back down.
"Temari, I just want you to know something" Shikamaru said to her despite her not paying attention "I know that this is not ideal, and when we finally let you go you're going to be pissed". "But I hope that you see this is for the best; for Konoha, for Suna and for us" Shikamaru said with a hint of happiness in his voice "when this war ends I'll ensure you and Gaara are given pardons and are allowed to live here in Konoha" he said "we can start over, have a family, build a life together".
Temari finished eating and pushed the tray to the side and took out a kunai and began to sharpen it with a wet stone; Shikamaru seeing this continued.
"I know it'll be rocky at first; but when you see that everything is better off, you'll know I made the right call" Shikamaru said as he looked at Temari; Shikamaru got up and spoke. "All we need to do is kill Naruto, Tsunade, Jiraya and Nagato; then everything will fall into place" Shikamaru said as he turned around and began to walk out.
Before Shikamaru left he turned around and spoke "Inoichi will be in later to ensure the seal is good; allow him to look at it" he said before walking out.
Shikamaru walked out the door and looked to the anbu guards "close it" he ordered and the anbu closed and locked the door behind him as he walked down the hall. Shikamaru scowled as he walked away 'Naruto' he thought darkly 'not only did you kill, Choji, Ino and Neji; but you defiled Temari, the woman I love'. 'When I get my hands on you; you'll regret ever coming back from that mission alive' Shikamaru thought 'Temari will be sad when I do kill you; but she'll get over it eventually'.
Shikamaru walked away leaving Temari in her cell by herself; as Temari sharpened her kunai the blade slipped a little and cut her finger. Temari grunted and looked at her hand in anger and for a moment until a twinkle in her eye appeared; but as soon as it did it vanished and Temari's cold gaze came back and she got up.
Temari walked to the sink and washed her finger before opening the mirror cabinet and taking out a bandage and wrapping her finger; Temari then sat back down and began sharpening her kunai again like nothing even happened.
Later that night; In Taki: With Naruto, Gaara, Obito, Kurumi and Karin
Kurumi was cooking in the kitchen humming a tune as she stirred a pot of food "alright y'all, time to eat" she shouted as she put the pot of food in the middle of the table next to a big bowl of rice.
"Oooh, what you make" Naruto asked excited as he, Gaara and Obito and Kurumi smiled.
"I made beef stew with carrots, corn, potatoes and tomatoes" Kurumi said "and it'll be over rice".
"Sounds good; thanks my angel" Obito said as he went over and gave Kurumi a kiss on the cheek.
"It does smell delightful" Gaara said as he sat down; Kurumi blushed at this and got a plate and began to put food on it.
"Hey Naruto; can you take this to Karin in her room?" Kurumi asked and Naruto nodded.
"Sure" Naruto said without hesitation as he picked up the food and began to walk to Karin's room; Gaara seeing this looked to Kurumi and spoke.
"Naruto has been very good to Karin ever since…" Gaara began but stopped when he remembered Kankuro and Obito spoke up.
"Naruto knows what it's like to lose someone he loves; he can relate to her" Obito said "not that I'm saying that you don't feel for Kankuro, but for Karin it's different". "I felt the same way about losing Rin" Obito said.
"Sadly I have to say losing my uncle Yashamaru hurt a lot more; that's what made me lose my mind" Gaara said as he got his plate of food "and what's more; I was the one who killed him".
Kurumi came over and put her hand on Gaara's shoulder giving it a gentle squeeze; Gaara smiled at this and patted her hand. Kurumi let go and Gaara picked up his spoon and got a scoop of food and took a bite and went wide eyed.
"This is quite good Kurumi" Gaara said astonished and Kurumi giggled "you will make a good wife one day"; Gaara began to focus on his food missing the blush on Kurumi's face.
'Wife…me' Kurumi thought wide eyed before walking back into the kitchen.
Obito looking at this had a smirk on his face 'heh, my daughter and the Kazekage' he thought 'maybe my grandkids can achieve my dream of become a Kage; of course it'll be Kazekage instead of Hokage'. Obito began to eat his food and went wide eyed 'wow this is even better than Sango's' he thought.
With Naruto
Naruto knocked on Karin's door and spoke "hey Karin, i got you food; you're not naked are you?" Naruto asked jokingly.
"I'm dressed" Karin said through the door; Naruto opened the door and saw Karin lying on top of her bed, her back facing towards him. Karin was wearing a black shirt and black short shorts that she used for sleeping.
"I brought you some food" Naruto said as he walked over and put the plate of food on a nearby desk; Naruto walked over and sat down on her bed "how are you doing?"
Naruto knew the answer but he thought he'd ask anyway "I still can't believe he's gone" Karin said with a slight whimper in her voice "every time you or Kurumi or Obito Sensei knock on the door, just for a moment… I think I'll hear Kankuro's voice". Karin began to cry as she curled up into herself "I loved him Naruto, I really did; I never thought I'd have anyone like him in my life" she said "when I was in Kusa I always wondered when I'd be given to some asshole as a wife; so I can pass on my Uzumaki genes". "But Kankuro, he was different; he was strong, brave, kind and he cared about me" Karin said "he was the best man I ever knew, second only to you".
"I'm so sorry Karin" Naruto said as he put his hand on her shoulder and began to rub her arm "is there anything I can do for you?"
"Can you hold me; like how Kankuro did" Karin asked ?
"Um Karin I think your pretty and stuff; but I think Temari would castrate me if we did something like what you and Kankuro were doing" Naruto said jokingly and Karin for the first time in days chuckled slightly through her tears.
"Don't make me laugh when I'm crying you jerk" Karin said sniffing "let my head rest on your arm and wrap your hand around my waist and hold my hand".
Naruto laid down on the bed and slid his arm under Karin's head, her long red hair covering is arm; Naruto reached around Karin and grabbed her hand.
"Don't worry Karin; we're here for you" Naruto said before taking a breath "we are going advancing on Konoha soon; use that pain on the inside to end this war". "That's what I'm using my pain for; to end this war and save Temari" Naruto said "that's how I'll honor Kankuro.
Karin sniffed and leaned in closer to Naruto "you always have a way with words" Karin said with a smile; "I'll do the same; end this war and rescue Temari, so his sacrifice was not in vain".
"Thanks Karin" Naruto said; Naruto held Karin close as he comforted her.
Naruto thoughts went to the uncertainty of the future and what he expected to happen; he pushed his thoughts away. He just had to have faith in Granny Tsunade and Mei; and hope their gamble pays off.
'End this war and save Temari' Naruto thought 'those are the only things that matter right now'. Naruto was pulled out of thoughts as he realized that Karin had fallen asleep; Naruto carefully removed his arms from around her and got off the bed. Naruto walked over to the food he brought in and picked it up 'I'll put this in the fridge' he thought as he walked out of the room and closing the door leaving Karin to sleep the night away.
Alright another chapter done; I hope you all enjoyed it. If you did please like, comment and share with your freinds and until next time bye.