Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Naruto vs. Sasuke The Aftermath ❯ The Calm before the Storm ( Chapter 24 )

 

 

It had been a long and uneventful trip to the Land of Waves, which surprised Iruka considering who his travel companions were. Both Naruto and Anko had remained relatively silent throughout the trip, as well as distant from each other. Although, Iruka surmised their reasons for acting this way were vastly different from one another. Iruka knew that Naruto was still angry and hurt by Anko's reaction to his offer of friendship, as the explanation to the normally boisterous blonde's change in behavior. As for Anko, he suspected that the Special Jounin was feeling both guilty and embarrassed by her words and actions towards Naruto. As much as he enjoyed the silence, it was a little unnerving for Iruka to see two of the most vocal and excitable people he knew so bottled up, and knew he needed to put an end to this. It was then that Iruka spotted a small clearing with a stream running along its edge just off the road they were on. Signaling everyone to stop, he cheerfully announced.

 

 

“Naruto, Anko, let's stop here and take a bit of rest and get a bite to eat. We should arrive at the Land of Waves by early this evening at the rate were going. We can take a short break for now.”

 

 

Anko merely nodded her head in approval, while Naruto grunted in acceptance as they all sat down under the shade of a large tree. Anko began breaking out the food rations while Iruka checked the water supply in their canteens. Shaking each of the canteens, Iruka asked Naruto if he could go and refill them at the stream.

 

 

“Hai Iruka Sensei.” Naruto mumbled as he took the canteens and made his way to the stream.

 

 

After Naruto was a good distance away, Iruka turned to his other traveling companion and stared while cocking an eyebrow towards the Snake Mistress. After a couple of minutes under Iruka's gaze, Anko finally broke and groused in annoyance.

 

 

“What?”

 

 

“You know what.”

 

 

“No I don't Iruka-SAN.”

 

 

“Fine you want to play that game Anko-SAN! How long are you going to let this silence go on with Naruto?”

 

 

Anko dropped her head and remained quiet for a moment before she softly said.

 

 

“I don't know, I really did think he was just joking with me. I don't know what to do?”

 

 

“Kami Anko, you're the adult here, of course you know what to do.”

 

 

“You're right, I do. I'll apologize to him as soon as he gets back.”

 

 

A few minutes later, Naruto came trudging back with full canteens. As he was putting them down, Anko nodded to Iruka and walked over to Naruto before saying.

 

 

“N, Naruto.”

 

 

Turning around to face the voice that had just uttered his name, Naruto began to say.

 

 

“What is it Anko-sa….mwwumph?”

 

 

It was at that moment Naruto felt two hands grip the sides of his head and a pair of soft lips come crashing down onto his. Naruto was too stunned by this action to even move, while Iruka stared at the scene wide-eyed and in shock. After a moment, Anko released her lip lock of Naruto and stepped back from the young genin with a smile, as the look on his face was quite amusing to her. After a moment, Naruto's brain seemed to kick back on and he stammered.

 

 

“What, what was that for Anko-san?”

 

 

“It's just my way of apologizing to you kid for what I said to you back in the village.”

 

 

“That's, that's some apology Anko-san.”

 

 

“It works for me, although I very rarely apologize for anything. But in your case, I owed you one.”

 

 

“I accept your apology Anko-san, but may I ask you question?”

 

 

“Sure, I guess so?”

 

 

“Why did you think I was lying or joking with you about being friends?”

 

 

Anko gave a heavy sigh and motioned Naruto to sit down next to her before asking.

 

 

“Do you know the story about me kid?”

 

 

Naruto shook his head as he gazed intently upon the purple haired Jounin before him.

 

 

“Well it's not a pleasant tale. My first Sensei after I graduated the academy was one of the legendary Sannin, the worst one Orochimaru. But back then he was my world, and I was so proud to be a student of a Sannin. But then things changed, about a year before you were born, Orochimaru defected from the village and I went with him. I didn't know at the time that we were becoming missing nin, he lied and told me we were going on a long-term mission. Eventually, I would learn the truth, but not before he did some things to me.”

 

 

“Anko-san, you, you don't mean?”

 

 

“No kid, thank Kami I discovered Orochimaru prefers his side of the fence so to speak. Although what he did to me might be worse? I learned the bastard never cared about me in the slightest. He only brought me along because he thought I was a good candidate for a curse seal he had been working on. So after several months of experimentation and pain that he inflicted on me, my Sensei, the man I once would have done anything for marked me with this seal.”

 

 

Anko pulled the neckline of her fishnet shirt to the side to show Naruto the black tome marks of a curse seal implanted at the junction where her shoulder blade and neck meet. Once Naruto got a good look, she quickly pulled the shirt back to cover the mark to try and hide her shame.

 

 

“I've seen something like that before Anko-san. It was on my teammate the teme Sasuke Uchiha, but yours looks different?”

 

 

“Yeah, I know all about the Uchiha brat's mark. It's a fully functional curse seal, mine isn't.”

 

 

“Wha, what do you mean Anko-san?”

 

 

“I mean I'm what my Sensei referred to as, a failed experiment. The curse seal I got was incomplete and didn't work the way he wanted it too. I couldn't activate its dark powers no matter how hard I tried, not that I was trying very hard at that point. In the end the seal was nothing more than a control device he could use to inflict pain upon me, much like the Caged Bird seal does in the Hyuga clan.”

 

 

“I hate that seal, and so does Hinata-chan. We both made a vow to get rid of it someday and free her clan from it.”

 

 

“That's a good goal for both of you to have kid. You'll have to let me know if you succeed, maybe if you do you can get rid of this damn thing for me?”

 

 

“It's a promise Anko-san. But I still don't understand why you didn't trust me and thought I was lying to you?”

 

 

“Trust is a hard thing for me to give Naruto. After Orochimaru deemed me a failed experiment, I was no longer of any use to him so he cast me out. After a couple of months of wandering, I finally made it back to the village. I told the third and newly crowned fourth Hokage what had happened. They both took pity on me I guess and didn't punish me for being a missing nin. In fact I have theYondaime to thank for creating a suppression seal and placing it over this curse mark, which allows me to function as a normal person. So after I was released from the hospital, even though the Hokage had exonerated me my former friends and most everyone in the village weren't so forgiving. I found that all the people I once considered friend's now shunned me like the plague. Soon after that, the name calling began with such wonderful terms like traitorous bitch, snake whore, crazy snake lady and about few hundred more insults people could say to me.”

 

 

Naruto winced when he heard Anko mention crazy snake lady and felt bad once again that he had used such a term on her. Anko noticed his discomfort and put her hand on his shoulder and said.

 

 

“Hey kid, don't feel bad anymore about what you said to me. You already apologized for it, and I was the one who stupidly through the apology back into your face. You want to know something funny; you're actually the first person who has ever apologized to me for something they called me.”

 

 

“I'm still sorry I ever said it.”

 

 

“I know you are Naruto and I'm just as sorry for not believing your apology. As I said trusting someone is a hard thing for me to do. When I was younger a few people pretended to be my friend by gaining my trust and I foolishly let them in only to be hurt by them. After awhile, I just got fed up with being hurt by people. So I decided no one was ever going to hurt me again. So I quit trusting people and adopted this hardcore attitude I'm famous for and you know what Naruto, it worked but at a terrible price. People didn't bother me anymore, but it also meant I was always alone with no friends.”

 

 

“You don't have any friends Anko-san?”

 

 

“I have a few Naruto, some people like your Sensei over there and a few others slowly chipped away at me and were just too damn stubborn not to leave me alone. I'm glad now they didn't, but it took me a longtime to lower my defenses to them. But with you, I don't think I need to wait so long and if your offer is still good Naruto, I would like to be your friend.”

 

 

As Anko waited for an answer, she was stunned when Naruto embraced her in a hug and used a different suffix with her name as he said with sincerity.

 

 

“I'm sorry about all the pain you've experienced growing up; I think I understand it better than anyone. I'll be your friend Anko-chan and I promise never to hurt you, believe it.”

 

 

After a moment, Anko returned the hug and thanked the young Genin. Naruto then leapt up and announced he was hungry and would prepare a special lunch for all of them, some Ichiraku takeout ramen he had brought along. As Naruto hurriedly prepared a fire to heat up his favorite food, Anko went over to sit by a grinning Iruka who said to the Special Jounin.

 

 

“You have an interesting way of apologizing Anko-san.”

 

 

Anko merely glared at him before saying in a voice filled with dread.

 

 

“What you just saw and heard here, you are not to repeat to anyone you got that! And you are never to bring it up again, because if you do I promise you a lifetime of pain.”

 

 

“Ok, ok, I won't say anything about it, you have my word, Anko-CHAN.”

 

 

Iruka then left to go help Naruto with lunch leaving behind one fuming purple haired Jounin grinding her teeth.

 

 

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As Naruto was preparing lunch for his comrades, a worn out Team #8 entered a restaurant back in Konoha and sat down for some much needed refreshments after a hard morning of training. It had been a good training session as far as Kurenai was concerned. She had worked her team very hard the past couple of days, and their teamwork was never better. Although for some reason at times Hinata was not as focused, as she had been the past few months. This did not go unnoticed by her teammates either. It was Kiba who brought the subject up in his usual tactless fashion by saying.

 

 

“Man Hinata, you really stunk out there this morning. What gives? I mean it seemed you were in outer space at times. Is this because the dobe is gone…Arghh?”

 

 

“Don't call Naruto-kun a dobe!” Hinata snapped at Kiba as she retracted her hand from his chest after delivering a Jyuuken strike there. Hinata then rose and stormed off to the bathroom.

 

 

Shino merely shook his head at the scene before saying.

 

 

“Will you never learn Kiba? You know Hinata is very protective of Naruto and won't take anyone insulting him lying down. Do you actually even think before you speak?”

 

 

“Knock it off Shino!” Kiba growled at his teammate while rubbing his chest.

 

 

“Enough you two, when Hinata returns you're going to apologize to her Kiba and then we are going to have a quiet and peaceful lunch, any questions?” Kurenai stated with authority.

 

 

“Hai Kurenai Sensei.” Shino and Kiba replied in unison.

 

 

Hinata returned a minute later, and after a contrite apology from Kiba, a waiter came by to take their orders. The young waiter seemed to paying an inordinate amount of attention to Hinata while the food was being prepared. After coming by a third time to refill Hinata's glass of water but no one else's, Kiba growled.

 

 

“You're going to drown her if you give her anymore water. How about sharing some with the other people at the table you jerk!”

 

 

“Kiba!” Kurenai shouted at her student before turning to the waiter and glancing at his name badge before saying.

 

 

“I apologize for my student's rude behavior Sai; he will be reprimanded for it LATER!”

 

 

“No need to apologize Madame, the gentleman was correct. I have been deficient in my duties to the rest of you. I was merely captivated by this young girl's beauty. Please accept my apologies. I shall return with your orders momentarily.”

 

 

The young man turned to leave but not before winking at Hinata who began to blush, which elicited a growl from both Kiba and Akamaru who was hidden inside his coat. Even Shino appeared somewhat agitated by the waiter, as his Kekkai insects were audibly buzzing from within him. Kurenai noticed the change in behavior in both her male students and asked.

 

 

“What's gotten into the two of you? Kiba you had no reason to be so rude to that young man.”

 

 

“I'm sorry Kurenai Sensei, but there's something about that guy that pisses me off. Even Akamaru doesn't like him; he says he smells of snakes, whatever that means?”

 

 

“I have to agree with Kiba Kurenai Sensei. My Kikai insects are also sensing something disturbing about that waiter as well.”

 

 

“Well, I think you two are just upset that the boy was flirting with Hinata and nothing else.” Kurenai commented with a smirk.

 

 

“Even if that is the case which it isn't, so what. Naruto is a pal of ours and Hinata's our teammate. Were going to lookout for the two of them especially Hinata when it comes to any sleazebag's hitting on her.”

 

 

“Really, so Naruto has both yours and Shino's approval now to be with Hinata is that right Kiba? Funny, I seem to remember two Genin I know spying on the two of them at a restaurant not so long ago.”

 

 

Both Kiba and Shino attempted to shrink into their coats after hearing that. Finding that they were unable to do so, Kiba meekly spoke up.

 

 

“Yeah, well we just wanted to make sure Hinata was ok is all.”

 

 

“I appreciate that Kiba-kun, Shino-kun, I really do. But Naruto-kun would never hurt me, and you don't need to be mean and rude to a boy who was just flirting. It's not as though anything would come of it. I love Naruto-kun and would never do anything to hurt him.” Hinata stated to her well-meaning teammates.

 

 

“We know that Hinata, and while that waiter flirting may have played a part in us being upset. I can assure you a boy flirting with you would not upset my insect brethren. There is something not right about our food server, of that I am sure.”

 

 

Kiba nods his head and Akamaru yips in agreement of their teammate's statement. Kurenai finally decided she needed to change the subject as she thought this whole incident might have been brought upon by the relentless training she had put the team through the past two days. Obviously everyone was wound up even Hinata judging by her earlier actions with Kiba Kurenai thought to herself. It was at that moment the subject of the past few minutes had returned with everyone's food order. While the young man distributed the food, Kurenai announced to her team.

 

 

“Shino, Kiba I'm giving you a day off tomorrow from training. You both have been working hard and deserve a break. We'll resume again the day after.”

 

 

“What about me Kurenai Sensei?” Hinata asked.

 

 

“Well Kiba was right with his assessment of your training the past couple of days. You have been a little distracted and unfocused Hinata. So I'm going to ask the Hokage for permission to leave the village and visit our private training spot tomorrow. We haven't been there in awhile, so we'll just make it a girl's only training session for the two of us. How does that sound?”

 

 

It was at that moment a loud thunderclap erupted over the village and a deluge of rain began to pour. Momentarily surprised by this, Hinata turned back to her guardian and Sensei and replied.

 

 

“That sounds wonderful Kurenai Sensei. I hope it stops raining by then? This looks like a really bad storm.”

 

 

Kiba then proceeded to sniff the air and after a moment stated.

 

 

“You should be ok for tomorrow Hinata. It smells like the storm is mostly going to dump on us today.”

 

 

It was then that Kiba noticed their waiter was still standing by the table and growled.

 

 

“Is there something you wanted?”

 

 

“Just making sure your meals are satisfactory sir, is there anything else I can do for you all?”

 

 

“Thank you Sai, the food is fine and we have everything we need right now.” Kurenai replied.

 

 

“Very good, I hope you all enjoy your meals and on behalf of the restaurant I thank you for your patronage.”

 

 

With that said, Sai excused himself from their table. As Team #8 continued to talk and eat, they failed to notice Sai remove his apron and slip out the backdoor into an alleyway. Looking about to make sure he was alone, the young man smirked and began making his way back to Root headquarters where his Sensei Danzo was waiting for him.

 

 

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It was the early afternoon when Ishi and Taro Haruno arrived soaking wet at Lady Tsunade's office. Taro was looking very nervous as Shizune escorted the couple in and closed the doors behind her. He remembered the last time he was in this office was to receive a demotion in rank for his drunken behavior and excursions in the village. Ishi demeanor was the exact opposite of her husbands as she radiated a cold confidence about herself. Ishi was a striking woman for her age, but her attitude and the never ceasing smug look she always bore upon her face screamed nothing but bitch to the rest of the world. Tsunade glanced up from her paperwork and motioned them to come forward. As the two recently demoted Chunin stood waiting for their Hokage to address them, Ishi grew impatient and with a sneer said.

 

 

“What do you want Hokage-sama?”

 

 

Without looking up Tsunade replied in a deadly tone of voice.

 

 

“What I want Ishi Haruno is for the two of you to stand there and shut up! And I would lose that tone of voice Ishi if I was you, or I'll lose it for you!”

 

 

“Hai, Hokage-sama.” Ishi answered through clenched teeth.

 

 

After a minute, Tsunade put her pen down and leaning back into her chair, leveled a cold and deadly stare at both of Sakura's parents, making them squirm slightly under her intense gaze before Tsunade said.

 

 

“I called you both here to let you know that your daughter woke up this morning and should make a full recovery in the next few weeks. You do remember Sakura don't you?”

 

 

“Thank Kami for that.” Taro softly said.

 

 

“Yes, yes whatever, of course we remember our daughter.” Ishi sniped to the Hokage.

 

 

“Well, I was just wondering considering neither one of you have bothered to visit or even check on Sakura's condition since she was hospitalized?”

 

 

“Yes, well Taro and I have discussed this matter and we feel it would be better if we made new arrangements for Sakura in the future.”

 

 

“What exactly do you mean Ishi?” Tsunade asked in puzzlement.

 

 

“I mean Hokage-sama we wish banishment of our daughter from the Haruno clan.”

 

 

“WHAT!” Tsunade shouted as she leapt from her chair before adding.

 

 

“You can't be serious?”

 

 

“Of course were serious why wouldn't we be?” Ishi responded.

 

 

“First off, there is no recognized Haruno clan! You have what five or six to people who bear the Haruno name in this village and that does not make a clan so banishment is out of the question.”

 

 

“Fine Hokage-sama be that way, whether you officially banish our daughter or not it doesn't matter to us. Sakura is no longer welcome in our home and we refuse to recognize, associate or take care of her any longer.” Ishi declared smugly as she leaned forward on Tsunade's desk and looked her in the eyes.

 

 

Tsunade for her part could only stare at the cold and emotionless face before her in shock. She fought hard to subdue the rising anger within her and punch the woman standing before her into the next country. Taking a moment to calm herself, she glared and Ishi and in voice laced with astonishment asked.

 

 

“Why would you do this to Sakura? Don't you know what that poor girl has gone through?”

 

 

“Of course we know what she's gone through! It's for that very reason why we no longer want her anymore!”

 

 

“Are you saying what I think you're saying Ishi Haruno?”

 

 

“Hokage-sama, you might consider us cruel for taking this action, but look at it from our point of view. We had dreamed of Sakura one day becoming a high-ranking Shinobi and of marrying into a prestigious clan that our family could one day join. But her recent action of defecting from the village and attempting to join up with a Bingo listed S ranked criminal has brought nothing but shame upon our household. Imagine the embarrassment we will have to endure when her criminal trial begins. And even if by some miracle Sakura is acquitted and can resume her Shinobi career. The incident shall we say Sakura went through has made it impossible for her to find and marry into any type of respectable clan now. No decent man will want her; she's used, damaged goods, no better than a whore now. I doubt even that demon teammate of hers would even want Sakura now? In fact a common street whore would have a better chance of finding and marrying into a respected family or clan than she does now. You say Sakura is going to fully recover, that's a shame. It would have been better if she had just died, then we wouldn't have to worry about anymore shame she could inflict upon our family.”

 

 

It took Tsunade a moment to truly process everything Ishi Haruno had just uttered about her own daughter. However once that process concluded Tsunade immediately lashed out with a chakra filled hand and slapped the Haruno matriarch right across her smirking face knocking her into the far wall. As Tsunade watched Ishi crumple in a heap onto the floor, she marched around her desk towards the battered woman and screamed with a vengeance.

 

 

“YOU EVIL SELF-SERVING BITCH!”

 

 

Ishi attempted to muster up some courage and respond back as she clutched her swollen cheek and bloody lip. However the next sentence out of the Hokage's mouth quickly dispelled any notions of her speaking further, as Tsunade raised her hand causing Ishi to curl up into a ball and shiver as she heard.

 

 

“If you say one more word Ishi Haruno, I swear by Kami I will kill you here and now!”

 

 

Tsunade then turned her attention to Taro Haruno who hadn't moved a muscle since entering the room. As Tsunade gazed at the Haruno patriarch who could do nothing more than stare at his feet, she snorted in disgust before turning back to Ishi and said with venom.

 

 

“I might consider you cruel for taking this action? Ishi the word cruel doesn't begin to cover yours and Taro's abandonment of Sakura. And for the reasons given to me as to why you are doing it, I would have you taken to the center square of this village and publicly stoned to death if it were in my power to do so. You two make me sick! You act as though what happened to Sakura was her fault. Need I remind you that she merely chased after the boy she thought she was in love with. The very boy you Ishi Haruno pushed Sakura to pursue for so many years. And what did Sasuke Uchiha who you duly anointed as Prince Charming for Sakura do to your daughter; Sasuke didn't commit an incident as you called it. HE VICIOUSLY AND BRUTALLY RAPED HER! For you to wish your own daughters death for being a victim of rape is one of the most disgusting, vile, and reprehensible things I've ever heard in my entire life. You speak of the shame your family has to endure because of what happened to Sakura. I'm here to tell you that's impossible, because one can only feel shame if they have honor. But from what I've seen and heard from you today, honor does not exist within your family and never has. If anyone in your family has the right to feel shame, it's Sakura for having two truly loathsome and abominable people as her parents.”

 

 

“All your daughter is to the two of you is an object you attempted to whore out into a clan with the hopes of riding along her wedding dress train. I would have thought you would have learned a lesson from your own experiences Ishi? For you to compare Sakura to a street whore is laughable Ishi. I remember you back when you were Sakura's age. You would snap your legs open at the drop of a hat if the boy was from a clan. And plenty of them took you up on the offer didn't they Ishi. But they all threw you to the side as soon as they were done with you. Eventually, you convinced that weak-minded fool over there to marry you when you found no one would come near you anymore. From what I can see, there has been only one whore that bears the Haruno name, and I'm looking at that evil slut right now! You two want to absolve your rights and responsibilities to Sakura, fine I'm going to grant your request. I had hoped that Sakura's loving family would help in her recovery, both emotionally and physically. It's a shame Sakura never had a truly loving family to begin with. But I see now the worst thing I could do to Sakura would be to leave her in the care of you two wretched people.”

 

 

Tsunade then turned and walked over to her desk to get the necessary forms to officially remove Sakura from the Haruno's care, thus making her a ward of the village. She then ordered Taro and Ishi Haruno to affix their signatures onto the document. Once they did this she slammed her stamp of approval onto it and ordered the two of them to get out of her sight. As the Haruno's were leaving, Tsunade spat to both of them.

 

 

“I hope you two enjoy D ranked missions, because that's all you're going to be receiving for a long time.”

 

 

“I don't care Hokage-sama. Soon I won't have to do anymore missions and I'll retire from being a Shinobi of this village.” Ishi replied with defiance as she strode out of the office.

 

 

As Taro was leaving he turned back to Tsunade and quietly said.

 

 

“I'm, I'm sorry Hokage-sama for everything. Please tell Sakura I do love her.”

 

 

“TARO!” Ichi screeched from the outer hallway making the man wince as he closed the door behind him and exited the office.

 

 

After Taro left, Tsunade stared out at the storm currently battering the village. She then abruptly turned around and smashed her fist onto the desk in frustration and anger causing the piece of furniture to crash to her feet while paperwork flew about the room. Shizune heard the destruction of another desk and came into the office to survey the damage. One look at her mentors face, and Shizune knew something had upset Tsunade greatly and asked.

 

 

“What's wrong Hokage-sama?”

 

 

Tsunade couldn't even answer her longtime friend and merely held up the document the Haruno's had signed for Shizune to look at. As Shizune gazed at the paper in her hands, she audibly gasped when she realized what it was and remarked.

 

 

“That poor, poor girl, hasn't she been through enough? What's going to happen to Sakura now Lady Tsunade?”

 

 

“I don't know Shizune, I just don't know?”

 

 

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“I don't believe this?” Kabuto exclaimed in frustration as he read the orders he had just received from his subordinate Koishi sent by their lord and master Orochimaru. Crumpling the document and throwing into the campfire in disgust, Kabuto turned to look at the setting sun while Koishi nervously waited for his orders. Heaving a heavy sigh, Kabuto turned back to the apprehensive Oto nin and asked.

 

 

“Did Orochimaru-sama leave with you any verbal instructions that weren't covered in that message?”

 

 

“No sir Kabuto-san. All he did was send an additional dozen Oto nins for your use in completing this mission sir.”

 

 

“Wonderful, I ask that he cancel this pointless mission, and he sends me 12 more men to complete it. What does he expect me to do? Lead an invasion of Konoha with an army of 32 men and all to capture one insignificant girl for his new bedtime toy. I truly wonder which head Orochimaru-sama is thinking with these day?” Kabuto sarcastically laments to himself in disgust.

 

 

“Sir?”

 

 

“Never mind, Koishi see to it our new forces are sufficiently bivouac and report back to me afterwards.”

 

 

“Yes sir Kabuto-san.”

 

 

As Kabuto watched Koishi leave he turned back around to watch the final rays of sunshine disappear over the horizon, he thought about his current situation.

 

 

`I cannot believe Lord Orochimaru is kowtowing to that spoiled brat of an Uchiha in such a manner. It's disgusting and beneath a man as great as he to be doing. This mission just to appease that child is a foolish waste of my talent and our forces. I grow weary of this idiotic endeavor. I've been stuck here for Kami's sake I don't know how long? I'm cold, tired and now wet thanks to that storm that rained down upon us all day long. I fear if I don't get some good news to help me in this, I may go mad trying to complete this mission for you my Lord Orochimaru.'

 

 

Kabuto was interrupted from his train of thought by Koishi suddenly returning with a message from Oto's top agent within the walls of Konoha. As Kabuto read the document before him, a sly and devious smile spread across his face and he muttered under his breath.

 

 

“Yuuhi Kurenai how interesting.”

 

 

“What was that sir?”

 

 

“Nothing that concerns you. Koishi call our forces together for a meeting in half an hour. If this information is accurate we may be able to wrap this mission up as early as tomorrow.”

 

 

“Yes sir Kabuto-san. As far as the accuracy of the information, our agent said it came from his own top operative and swears to its validity.”

 

 

“That's just what I wanted to hear. Go now Koishi and gather our men for the meeting.”

 

 

A short 30 minutes later, a group of 32 Oto Shinobi stared intently at their white haired, glasses wearing commander and waited for him to speak. Kabuto looked around to make sure that all of his forces were present before announcing.

 

 

“Oto warriors, I have good news for you all. I've just received word from our top operative within the Village Hidden in the Leaves that our target will be leaving Konoha for a short period of time tomorrow to train at an undisclosed location outside of the village. If you perform your duties properly in capturing the target you may soon be returning to your families and loved ones back in Otogakure.”

 

 

This brought a welcomed buzz of excitement to the Oto forces before Kabuto continued on.

 

 

“Now we don't where this location is so I want one observer at each gate to look for our targets leaving the village. Once they are spotted, you are to follow them to their location. DO NOT GET CAUGHT! Once you have established their location you will immediately report back here. When we know the whereabouts of the targets, I will recall the other observers to return. Upon their return, we will converge upon the targets location en masse and subdue and capture them. Any questions?”

 

 

“Kabuto-san Sir, you said targets. It was my understanding that our only target was the Hyuga girl has something changed?” An Oto nin questioned.”

 

 

“Yes, I've received word that our initial target will be traveling with her Jounin instructor, a woman by the name of Yuuhi Kurenai. We are to capture this person as well.”

 

 

“The Genjutsu Mistress of Konoha, I've heard she's hot as Hell! Maybe we'll get to have some fun on the way back to Otogakure boys…ha, ha, ha.” One of the nin's remarked while laughing.

 

 

“Under no circumstance is either woman to be touched or harmed in anyway per Lord Orochimaru's orders! Failure to comply with those orders will lead to a slow and painful death, which I will oversee personally! So you had best keep certain appendages within your pants until we return to Otogakure. For if you don't, I promise it will be the first thing cut off during your punishment for disobeying orders. Are we clear?” Kabuto stated with malevolence.

 

 

“Hai Kabuto-san!” All the nin's fearfully shouted in unison.

 

 

“Good, all of you get some rest tonight. Commanders, pick out our best infiltration observers for the mission. I want them in place at the gates of Konoha by dawn. All of you are now dismissed.”

 

 

Kabuto then made his way to his tent, quickly followed by Koishi. Upon entering, he flopped down onto his cot and said to his subordinate.

 

 

“I won't require anymore of your services this evening Koishi, go get some rest and wake me in the morning for breakfast.”

 

 

“Hai Kabuto-san. Uhh sir, may I ask you a question?”

 

 

“Go on.”

 

 

“Uhh well Orochimaru-sama left no such orders with regards to capturing Yuuhi Kurenai? I, I was just wondering if he will be displeased with us taking her as well instead of just the Hyuga girl?”

 

 

“Wondering can get you killed Koishi! It would be in your best interest to remain ignorant in this situation. I will deal with Lord Orochimaru with regards to Ms. Yuuhi Kurenai! Is that understood?” Kabuto coldly replied as he twirled a kunai on his finger towards the Oto nin.

 

 

“Hai, hai Kabuto-san, plea, please forgive my mention of it. I, I shall never speak on the matter again.” Koishi nervously stammered to his commander.

 

 

“See that you don't! Now leave me Koishi, I wish to rest.”

 

 

As Kabuto lay down on his cot and closed his eyes, he thought to himself.

 

 

`I don't think I'll get into any trouble with Lord Orochimaru by returning with both the Hyuga girl and her Sensei. Worst case scenario, if he gets upset I'll just say we brought her along to help control the Hyuga girl into doing our bidding by holding her teacher as a hostage. Besides, this mission has been a nightmare from the start. Surely Lord Orochimaru wouldn't begrudge me giving myself a bonus so to speak. And what a bonus it is! Ahh Yuuhi Kurenai, the things I'm going to do to you when we get back to Otogakure should be illegal. Now that I think about it, in most countries they are! Ha, ha, ha!

 

 

And with that final thought, Kabuto drifted off to sleep to dream about the red-eyed beauty he would soon have within his grasp.

 

 

 

Authors Note: Well things aren't looking too good for Hinata or Kurenai at this point. What's going to happen to them and everyone else? Only I know for sure, but you're most welcome to take a guess. How about Sakura's parents, talk about brutal. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter? Not a lot of action to it, but it was vital to set-up for many of the stories in the upcoming action chapters, which are sure to follow. As always, if anyone wants to discuss the story in greater detail, just leave a Review or shoot me a PM. I enjoy talking about the story with the readers who really have an interest in it. I'll try to respond back to you as quickly as I can. Sorry about the long wait on updating, I've just had a lot of things going on in my life that's chewed up my time. I do have the next couple of chapters after this one about done, so expect some quicker updates over the next few weeks. Thanks to all of you who have stuck with the story.

 

 

Take it easy and be good!

 

 

Kingkakashi

 

 

School time:

 

en masse

 

Definition: In a mass; All together; As a whole

Etymology: French 1795

Part of Speech: Adverb