Author's Note: The long overdue of this chapter is finally here along with my million apologies. Enjoy my friends!

Disclaimer: Nothing I own.

Assassination

Summary: Uchiha Sasuke, professional assassin, known to kill victims in the blink of an eye without a trace of emotion. And he's never failed his reputation. But what if the target he's supposed to kill, is the woman he's fallen in love with? [SasuSaku] [NaruHina]

Chapter 17 – Revolution

((SFX: bang!!))

"Naruto!"

The gunshot echoed throughout the large, spacious room.

((SFX: splat—))

Blood splurged to the ground, staining the expensive crystal marble floor.

Then, a disturbing, creepy grin, spreading across Orochimaru's pale complexion. "My, my. What a mess." The .30-30 Winchester that was held in the Akatsuki leader's grasp fell limply the floor with a booming thud. His opposite hand slowly lifted, reaching over to his opposite forearm, his index finger taking a ginger stroke against the exposed flesh beneath his pale skin. He brought his hand in front of his mouth, gold eyes eyeing the crimson liquid that stained his forefinger. Then, his snake-like tongue emerged from his mouth, acquiring a feather-light swipe of the ruby fluid. Gold irises glimmered eerily as his unsettling smile widened ever so slightly in a fondly manner.

"…Delicious," he murmured, eyes glazing over. "I'd almost forgotten what my own blood tastes like." He then shifted his gaze towards his henchmen, specifically in the direction of the lackey that was forcing the paralyzed Uchiha's body to face Naruto as he received his fatal blow. "Were you expecting reinforcements, Sasuke-kun?"

Onyx eyes widened by a fraction, though it still remained inconspicuous, before the ebony gaze narrowed ominously.

"Let him go."

That voice… thought the raven-haired assassin, his ebony stare shifting vaguely towards the right. The next sound pitched to his eardrums was the insert of a bullet, followed by a cocking of a gun.

"Don't think I won't hesitate to kill you, just because I'm a woman."

"Sa… kura…" Sasuke mumbled out, eyebrows pulling together in a scowl, lacking its customary fierceness as a wave of numbness continued to overwhelm his body. She was standing beside where the throne was placed, a sharp Desert Eagle revolver held tightly in the clutch of her right hand. "Leave…"

"With you sedated with enough drugs to take out a horse?" the pink-haired woman retorted, scoffing. She kept her arm extended firmly with the firearm held tight in her grasp. "I don't think so." She reverted her callous emerald gaze towards Orochimaru, the corners of her mouth tugging downwards. "I said, let him go."

The snake-like man chuckled, blood continuing to ooze from the open wound against his forearm. "That's quite a shot you have there, girl," he complimented with a wicked glint in his eye. He then gestured towards the henchmen that surrounded him, a smug smirk dawning his features. "But, I'm afraid you're outnumbered."

"'Outnumbered'?" repeated the female killer, mockingly, the curve of her lips displaying a smile. "I'm afraid that word's not in my vocabulary."

Hinata crouched her knees, assuring her position would not be noticed as she hid behind the massively tall and wide red outlined with gold throne. Cautiously, her lilac eyes scanned the area around her before flickering her glance towards Sakura, awaiting her next movements.

As anticipated, emerald eyes flashed to the Hyuuga's for a mere nanosecond. Then, the middle and index fingers of the opposite hand holding the gun curled and straightened, the action repeated once more.

Upon the expected signal, Hinata dashed with rapid speed towards the left. Thin bayonets lied between each of her fingers, resting against the pale skin. With agility and fixed precision, the dark-haired maiden unleashed an onslaught of blades, flying towards the henchmen that resided over Sasuke and near Naruto.

((SFX: clang clang))

The few knives that didn't pierce the targets clanked against the marble floor, followed by the reverberations of thuds resulting from the lackeys that were struck as their bodies swayed to one side, falling flaccidly against the floor with multiple groans.

Swiftly, Sakura glanced towards Hinata, the corner of her mouth quirking up in a satisfied grin. Then she returned her gaze towards the snake-like man. "A piece of advice for future knowledge: Have your weapons vault better guarded." Jade eyes glinted mischievously. "You wouldn't want the 'wrong hands' to get a hold of those powerful weapons, would you?"

Orochimaru's expression remained stoic, his features unfazed. Gold eyes blinked in a slow, dull manner, seeming uninterested and bored.

"I certainly wouldn't want that," he eventually replied, his voice calm and collected. "I wouldn't get too smug yet, ladies," the Akatsuki leader added, stepping aside from where he was, revealing a body. "Not all the corpses that lie against the floor belong to my henchmen."

Lavender eyes widened as Hinata glanced upon the blonde assassin. She couldn't conceal the gasp that escaped her throat as her hand reflexively flew in front of her mouth.

Her gaze fell upon the slumped over body of Naruto's, his blonde hair tinged with dark crimson as she realized the back of his skull was grazed with a bullet. She heard him stifling his groans as his head turned to the side, revealing his eyes clenched shut, his molars grounding harshly against one another back and forth. The thick, sticky scarlet liquid pooled against the floor beneath him, his cranium continuing to bleed, appearing as though all his blood was draining out.

Without a moment's notice the midnight-haired maiden rushed over to his side, crouching against her shins as she rested a hand against the small of his back tenderly.

"Naruto…!" she gasped softly, removing the hand adjoining the assassin's back as she placed both her palms against the hemorrhage in his skull, applying firm pressure against the area. Immense worry dwelled within her eyes as she moved ever so slightly, ripping off a piece of her sleeve to suffice as a bandage as she tied it around Naruto's head. Craning her neck over her shoulder, the concerned Hyuuga sent a look of distress towards Sakura.

Said woman maintained her fixated gunpoint, returning her partner's upset appearance with a look of sorrow. Then her eyebrows pulled together fiercely, sending a heated glare towards Orochimaru.

"What did you do to him?" demanded she, her voice rising to a louder tone. Swiftly, she inserted another bullet in her firearm.

The man blinked, blasé. "To put it simply," he began, "you are not the only one with a quick reflex." He swiped his finger against the deep gash that resided in his forearm, observing—seeming as if marveling— as the blood drops trickled sluggishly from the fingernail.

Jade eyes broadened slightly, realization dawning her. Upon releasing the bullet from her gun, she had assumed the reverberations from the gunshot to be the noise left echoing around the spacious room, not presuming the sound was in result to another gunfire. And as the blonde was still paralyzed, he could not resonate a reaction to alert one of the wound to his skull.

"Hinata," started the pink-haired woman. "You need to—" From her peripheral movement, Sakura saw movement, watching as one of the allegedly dead henchmen stood up without faltering. Instinct kicked in as her arm proceeded to aim her pistol at the moving man. However, her grip tightened when she reached her gunpoint, her eyebrows creasing.

The gray-haired had moved swiftly, protruding a gun to press against Sasuke's temple as the other hand grasped the assassin's thick raven hair, forcing his head back. The Uchiha, unable to retaliate let alone move his body in result to the ongoing effect of the paralyze sedative, could only glare, baring some teeth as they grit against one another, his jaw clenched.

Upon being released from the direction of the firearm, Orochimaru lowered his arm to retrieve his discarded .30-30 Winchester, leaving his shot arm aside as he let it rest against his side limply.

"Don't move," Sakura called out, witnessing his movement as well. She moved her free hand behind her back, obtaining a short handgun as she held the said item fixatedly at the snake-like man. "Don't think I forgot about you."

The lackey, seeing this, pushed his firearm further against the raven-haired man's skull. His voice low and cool, he spoke, "Remove your weapon's aim from Orochimaru-sama."

Upon closer inspection, the female assassin comprehended that the lone living henchman was the man seen beside Orochimaru from their encounter earlier, when being introduced as concubines. Ignoring his earlier said statement, the pink-haired woman asked, "How are you alive? Hinata never misses a target." She sent a glance at the girl as if searching for reassurance, receiving a nod from the Hyuuga.

"She didn't miss," replied the ever-faithful servant, the thin bayonets then becoming apparent as they jutted out of his shoulder blades. "I merely evaded the vital points aimed for." The hand gripping Sasuke's head visibly tightened. "I feigned to be one of the many dead that lie on the floor, awaiting you two to be distracted, hence I could resume my task." His pale face was aloof and detached. "I am called Kabuto, and my duty is to eliminate Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto if a situation presents myself where my master is unable to do so." His dark charcoal eyes blinked nonchalantly. "Uzumaki is already carried out."

Hinata's hands, pressed against the bleeding injury on the blonde's head, added further pressure upon reaction to the remark.

Sasuke continued to glare venomously, his blood seething. Inconspicuously, he radically attempted to budge his paralyzed body. Using all his willpower, he began with trying to move his hand. With extreme effort, his fingers slowly began to twitch, followed by his hand discreetly shaking.

"Relinquish your aim upon Orochimaru-sama immediately," repeated Kabuto, "or I will kill the one you hold dear. I will let you know, I am short for patience."

"Wait!" called out Sakura.

"Why should I refrain?" questioned the gray-haired man.

"Because…" the girl began slowly, lowering her gunpoint from Kabuto towards the paralyzed Uchiha. Ebony eyes enlarged subtly at this, his expression revealing hints of bewilderment. Her hand maintained it's powerful grasp against her Desert Eagle revolver. "…Allow me the first shot."

"Sakura…!" gasped out Hinata. "What are you doing?"

"You wouldn't be able to understand," replied Sakura, not meeting the taken back and befuddled gaze of her partner.

Raising an eyebrow in perplexity to the woman's intent, Kabuto loosened his gun somewhat. "In that case," he began, "ladies first."

Her hand shook slightly from reluctance, nevertheless Sakura pushed it aside. She maintained her direct hold with the aim pointed at Sasuke's chest. With a short swallow, her finger pulled the trigger.

((SFX: bang!!))

The bullet sprang out of her gun, flying at blinding speed. Within seconds it reached it's target—the Uchiha's thigh. Upon impact, crimson fluid splurged to the floor, the flesh wound marking a deep gash in his leg.

A sharp hiss elicited from the raven-haired assassin, his body performing an involuntary jerk. His fist clenched tight, knuckles smearing white, until realization dawned upon him that he had regained control of his hand. Subtly, he found he could move his legs as well, though his injured leg took some effort.

Onyx irises rose, clashing with jade as he read in her eyes that she mentally confirmed her plan had worked. Of course… a sharp pain would force the nerves to start working again, thus giving feeling back to my body, he reiterated in his mind to comprehend the strategy.

Shifting his gaze to the back of his head, Sasuke slowly moved his arm forward.

Narrowing his eerie gold eyes, Orochimaru commented, "Kabuto, keep your guard—"

((SFX: bang!!))

His warning was not heeded as the Uchiha had already made his move, his great speed carrying out his deed in seconds. He had elbowed the gray-haired man, causing him to keel over as the gun he held was left for the taking. Grabbing the accessible weapon, Sasuke didn't waste any time delivering the final blow to Kabuto, firing directly between his eyes for a quick and assured death.

The blood slowly spread across the hard marble floor.

Sasuke cast his gaze to Sakura, his pale, handsome face portraying a heavy scowl.

"Are you an idiot?" rasped the Uchiha brashly, ripping the bottom of his long black pants to wrap around his bleeding thigh.

"Your welcome," retaliated Sakura sourly, nonetheless she beamed a small coy, yet apologetic, smile. Emerald eyes then shifted to the midnight-haired maiden, who continued to apply pressure against the bleeding injury on the back of Naruto's skull. "Hinata, you need to leave."

The Hyuuga instantly whipped her head towards her partner, lavender eyes widening in disbelief. "What are you saying?" asked she, yet her voice was merely a loud, quivering whisper. "I can't leave—!"

"Take Naruto with you," added the pink-haired assassin. "You need to hurry, you know he needs immediate medical attention for that shot in the back of his skull."

Hinata's body tensed. "Are—Are you saying…?"

Sakura's expression was controlled. "He doesn't have much time." Seeing her partner grow silent, she added with stressed urgency, "Go! We'll take care of it, just—"

"And what makes you think I'll let them go so easily?" interrupted Orochimaru, the confirmation behind his threat shown when he lifted his .30-30 Winchester, cocking the firearm with the opposite arm of his injured one. The aforementioned had stopped bleeding in result to a blood clot in the area, the crimson liquid formerly leaking out of the wound drying in thick clumps.

The man shifted his gold eyes towards his beloved Uchiha.

"Your foolish arrogance is beginning to blind you, Sasuke-kun. I would have tolerated your haughtiness had you and the idiotic blonde completed the most crucial of assignments. Yet clearly, you two were incapable of completing the simplest of tasks." He leaned his head back, releasing a loud, hearty cackle. When he faced his head forward, the insanity that dwelled within his eyes was easily clear to see. "You pitiful fools! You were too weak, the proof of your weakness standing in this very room! Incompetent, worthless pieces of—!"

((SFX: bang!!))

His eerie gold eyes broadened, his mouth extended wide as the snake-like man maintained his straight posture, pressing his weight against his knees. Slowly, he fell forward, the collide of his body against the ground resonating a loud thud throughout the spacious room.

Both Sasuke and Sakura stared intently, sparing a brief glance at one another before gazing towards the source of the gunshot.

"Who… are you calling… worthless?" spoke Naruto in susurration, his breathing winded as he lowered his arm, thin smoke rising from the pistol the blonde retrieved from the body of a bodyguard nearby. "Don't turn your back… on an enemy, asshole…" added the assassin before his head dropped and with an sharp exhale of air, he fell unconscious.

"Naruto?" called Hinata, gently shaking his shoulder. "Naruto…!"

Moving over to where his partner lay, Sasuke lowered himself, placing the blonde's arm around his shoulder as he hoisted him up, dragging him half-heartedly towards the exit.

"Let's go," stated the Uchiha concisely, turning to look over his shoulder, glancing specifically at Hinata. "You want him to live, don't you?"

Blinking mauve irises, the Hyuuga nodded, standing up as she proceeded to follow the briskly paced raven-haired man.

Sending a glance behind her, Sakura called out, "Go ahead, I'll catch up."

Hearing this, Hinata asked, "What are you going to do?"

Retrieving a bomb strapped around one of the belt loops of her sleek black pants, Sakura said, "I'm just taking a little extra precaution." Lifting the grenade to her mouth, she removed the cap. Once she heard the continuous beeping tones from the ticking time bomb, she recoiled her arm, flinging it forward as she threw the grenade directly next to where Orochimaru's body lay. Then, she turned to leave, pushing Hinata along as well.

((SFX: beep… beep—boom!!))

Once all four were outside, the large building began to crumble as smoke ascended from the space of the cracks. The walls soon collapsed, dust flying out in a thick cloud of dirt.

"Come on, Sakura-chan," Hinata spoke softly, giving a gentle tug on the girl's wrist.

Casting a final look, Sakura nodded, allowing herself to be pulled away.

Pale fingers stuck out from the heaps of rubble that lied around the area. A few seconds later, they began to twitch, soon resulting to jerking…

The white double-entry doors flapped as a blonde medic pushed them aside, the logo Konoha Regional Hospital printed on each entry side.

"You should be fine," spoke the woman, escorting Sasuke out as the Uchiha moved towards a wall, soon turning and leaning his back against it. "You're lucky it was only a flesh wound to the thigh, and that your artery wasn't it. Had it been hit, you would have bled out in five minutes max." Gold eyes examined the wound as the raven-haired assassin listened half-heartedly. "Keep your weight off it and don't give the area too much strain, and if your health remains as sharp as it is, you should be able to make a full recovery within a month or so."

"Hn," replied the Uchiha brusquely, onyx eyes staring into a distance as though contemplating.

With a nod, the woman turned to leave, halting when she heard her name called.

"Tsunade-sama," addressed Hinata, standing up instantaneously as she delivered the customary bow of respect. As the Hyuuga rose, the worry and apprehension held in the maiden's eyes was clearly evident to the blonde woman. "How is he doing?"

"Oh, the other boy?" answered Tsunade. "I can't be certain. It was crucial you bring him here as soon as the injury was struck, but I suppose it was better than any later. I'm issuing him into surgery." She folded her arms against her chest. "That bullet did a number to his cranium. It cut through the bone, and we all know it must have been a hell of a bullet to do that." Her gold almond eyes scanned both Sakura, whom sat in a chair resided in the waiting room, and Hinata, who continually stood, as Tsunade shifted her gaze between the two before landing on the Uchiha who indifferently leaned against a nearby wall, donning a stoic expression. "Do you know what type of bullet it was, or what gun was used?" questioned the head medic. "If the surgeons knew what the potency was, perhaps his chances would be higher."

Receiving a silence as her answer, Tsunade released a quiet sigh, shifting weight to one leg as she placed both her hands on her hips. "Tell me what exactly happened, again." Her voice leaned towards a commanding tone.

All three assassins glanced at each other, Sasuke's sharp gaze scrutinizing each female. Receiving his intricate stare, Sakura sent reassurance with her eyes as her mouth opened, turning back towards her mentor.

"We were all hunting," started the pink-haired woman. "We came across another hunter who seemed to be having trouble with his gun. Having some knowledge on guns"—her eyes flashed at the words, she knew her mentor could discern her lies—"we stopped to help, and as we were fixing it, the man had his gun facing Naruto and he accidentally pulled the trigger." The corner of her mouth tugged downwards in a frown, adding, "We don't know what type of bullet it was, since it was just an accident."+

"…I see," eventually replied the head medic, her lips pursed. "Sakura, come with me. We could use an extra hand." Said woman nodded, moving to stand beside her mentor. Casting her golden almond gaze at Sasuke and Hinata, Tsunade added, "I'll try and keep you two updated on the status of your friend." With a brief nod, she turned to take her leave, halting when Hinata called after her.

"Tsunade-sama," said the midnight-haired maiden once more when she reached the blonde's side. "Please, is there anything you can do for Naruto—?"

"He is already admitted into surgery and is undergoing the surgical procedure as we speak" replied the woman brusquely. After a brief pause, she continued speaking, lowering her voice to a hushed tone. "Him and the Uchiha were yours and Sakura's targets, Hinata. They were both supposed to be eliminated. Why should I put the effort of saving the life you were supposed to kill?" Her head discreetly jerked towards Sasuke, turning her gaze towards Sakura, "And why is he unscathed, despite the wound to his thigh—which is hardly even lethal—in comparison to Uzumaki whose wound is much more fatal?"

"We were helping them revolt against their leader," explained Sakura. "They had been planning their rebellion for some time—"

"Then why not deliver the finishing blow, when they believed you were on their side? I shouldn't be having to spare my good surgeons when they should be working on more imperative cases that require their attention."

"Tsunade-shishou, Sasuke told me himself that him and Naruto had no specific intention once their revolution was carried out."

Raising an eyebrow, Tsunade questioned, "And your point is?"

"What—What if they were to ally with us, Tsunade-sama?" asked Hinata, her voice soft as she pressed the tips of her index fingers against one another.

A frown formed on the physically young face of the blonde woman, her appearance doubtful and cynical. "I don't know, Hinata. What makes you think I can trust them?"

"Um, well… you can have them under surveillance—"

"Certainly not done by you two. Your feelings will clearly affect your judgment."

"It can be done by whomever, Tsunade-shishou. I think we should present them the opportunity, and based upon how they react is how we'll decide."

"How are you sure your 'lovers' won't pull a revolution against Konoha's Elite Corps? Simply because they are 'bored'—"

Lifting her thin, pale wrist, Hinata suggested, "You can install the microscopic chip, Tsunade-sama. The one Sakura-chan and I have."

Placing her fingers against her chin, the head medic contemplated the thought. "There is a new invention our scientists had recently created. We have prototypes in our possession that can be tested on both Uchiha and Uzumaki, as their initiation test that will help decide whether or not they can join."

"What exactly are the prototypes, shishou?" questioned Sakura with skeptical eyes.

"It is a pill, the size of the top portion of a pinky finger. Once swallowed, it contains elements that will make it unable to be dissolved by the body's acids, as well as components that will trick the digestive system into not assimilating the capsule. Now, the scientists believe that with this pill, the first lethal weapon to reside inside the body controlled by an outer force will exist."

"What—What do you mean?" asked the Hyuuga softly.

"Technology has come far, girls. Residing inside the pill is a powerful poisonous gas, which one spread throughout the body, will cause death in a short period of time. I have been given a switch, and with this switch, I can choose when the pill will release the venomous gas." Both Sakura and Hinata wore stunned expressions in regards to the details, leading Tsunade to clarify. "However, remember this is only a prototype. We're not sure the pill will work correctly."

"Then, you're using Sasuke and Naruto as your guinea pigs?" asked Sakura, raising an elegant eyebrow.

"They are renowned assassins, Sakura. This is the only test I see fit to see if they deem worthy. If they pull one suspicious act, warn the two that I have the capability of activating the trigger that will end their lives instantly. If Uchiha and Uzumaki do not agree to the terms regarding the usage of the pill, I will not consider them for joining." Pausing for a breath, the head medic added, "And if they agree, then the pills will be used as a test-run, meaning my activating the trigger may or may not work."

"So it could potentially be a hollow threat?" asked the pink-haired woman.

"Yes, however do not mention that detail. I want their movements restricted, is that understood?"

Both girls nodded.

"Now," started Tsunade, glancing at Hinata and Sakura before turning to officially make her leave, "I have a patient that needs surgery if he wants good chances of surviving. Is there anything else?"

"No, Tsunade-sama," replied Hinata softly, bowing respectfully. "Thank you."

A few days later…

"Naruto-kun?"

The walls were swathed with the shade of white as a bed draped with pallid satin sheets laid in the corner. A head of blonde hair was pressed against the soft, fluffed pillow as the body of Naruto rested against the soft colorless bedspread.

"Naruto-kun, are you awake?"

Feeling a soft hand press gently against his shoulder, droopy cerulean eyes slowly cracked open, blurred vision taking in the form of Hinata, the image her dark midnight hair and concerned lavender eyes gradually clearing to his eyes.

"Hinata-chan…" he began steadily, his voice somewhat hoarse. "What… what day is it?"

"Thursday," replied the Hyuuga quietly.

"Thursday…?" responded Naruto, then his eyes opened widely as pushed himself up, his upper body rising as he hunched over, wincing slightly from his sudden movement. Upon the sudden movement, Hinata stood up instantly, placing two hands against the blonde's shoulders. "Wait, Thursday?!" repeats the assassin, to which the midnight-haired woman nodded hesitantly.

"Yes, Naruto-kun," answered the woman, "but don't move too quickly, your injuries haven't completely healed—"

"Hinata-chan, don't you see?!" he shouted in response. With a loud groan, he allowed his body to fall back against the mattress. "I missed Ramen Wednesday!"

Blinking her eyes, Hinata tilted her head, confused. "'Ramen Wednesday', Naruto-kun?"

"Yes, that restaurant you took me to, Ichiraku! Teuchi, the old, nice guy who owns the restaurant, told me about it!"

With a dramatic sigh, Naruto sunk into his bed, recalling the words Teuchi's daughter, Ayame, had informed him regarding the special. "You get a free bowl of ramen when purchasing two bowls!" spoke the brunette enthusiastically, beaming a bright, wide smile.

Blinking mauve irises once more, Hinata giggled softly behind her hand. "Oh, Naruto-kun…"

The blonde remained silent for a few moments before speaking up once more.

"Wait a second, Hinata-chan… if it's Thursday… how much time has passed?"

Averting her gaze from Naruto for a moment, the Hyuuga replied, "Well, Naruto-kun… as a result of the surgery, you have been given a few days of rest, which you slept through." Her expression then grew concerned as she asked, "How are you feeling?" Worry dwelled in her eyes as she glanced at the thick bandage wrapped around his forehead, hidden by the thick blonde locks hovering over it.

"Oh, this little thing?" answered Naruto, rising his azure eyes towards his forehead to glimpse his injury in vain. "I'm fine, don't worry about me! It takes a lot more than a gunshot to keep me down." He beamed a wolfish grin to reassure her, then raised one hand as his index finger scratched his temple lightly. "Thanks for being concerned, though," added the assassin as his tone sounded sheepish.

Hinata smiled gently in return, yet Naruto was able to perceive that she was incessantly bothered by his injuries. Moving his hand to the back of his skull, he rubbed the area the bandage was secured tightest. Upon doing so, his mind recollected how he came to receiving his severe wound, recalling the rifle pressed against his temple, then hearing another gunshot, remembering how in reaction Orochimaru's arm slid back but his reflex was still quick enough to pull the trigger on the gun.

Cerulean irises narrowed as his stare grew serious, his eyes seeming to glaze over. Seeing this, Hinata frowned worriedly, her frown deepening when she saw him recoil in result to whatever he was thinking of.

"Is something wrong?" she asked delicately.

"What happened to Orochimaru?" answered Naruto. "I can't remember much after getting shot." He winced following his statement.

At the blunt word 'shot', Hinata visibly flinched as well, soon regaining her calm composure as she explained, "Orochimaru is dead. You shot him, Naruto-kun."

Cobalt eyes widened. "Really? I shot the bastard?" The midnight-haired woman responded in a nod, to which Naruto added, "How well was my shot? Because, you know, from this hit"—he tapped against the back of his cranium—"I doubt I would have had a good shot, even with my incredible skill." He grinned foxily subsequent to his last comment.

"You shot him directly in the center of his back," replied the Hyuuga, unable to help her smiling at the blonde's childish behavior.

"Really? The center of his back?" His grin widened as he folded both his arms behind his head, leaning back against the soft fabric of his pillow, clearly pleased with himself. "Even shot in the back of my head, I can still shoot a damn good shot. You gotta admit, Hina-chan, that's pretty damn impressive!" He flashed an extensive, toothy grin.

Hinata giggled lightheartedly. "Sakura-chan tossed a grenade for further assurance of your leader's death." Then her lavender eyes peered down, her fingers fidgeting with one another.

Glimpsing her nervous movement as their conversation drew to a silence, Naruto asked, "Is anything bothering you?"

"Naruto-kun," she started, her voice suddenly lowered to a quiet hush. "Did you, and Sasuke-san as well, have anything planned once Orochimaru was… 'terminated'?"

The blonde's hand came in contact with his chin as he rubbed it thoughtfully, tilting his gaze upward as cerulean irises gazed at the ceiling. "Well, now that you mention it… not really." He chuckled briefly, adjoining, "To be honest, I never really figured we'd live after the day we did the revolution. I just wanted to see that Orochimaru's perverted ass dead."

"So… you have nothing, then?" asked the midnight-haired woman, her voice speaking somewhat slowly.

"Yeah…" replied Naruto gradually, quirking an eyebrow in curiosity. "Why do you ask?"

Pressing her index fingers against one another (Naruto's curiosity furthering once recognizing her nervous trait), she asked in susurration, "Are you still interested in being in assassin?"

Squinting sapphire eyes, the blonde asked cynically, "Why?"

Stuttering slightly, she replied, "My superior is o-offering you and Sasuke-san, if-if you want it, a position in our organization as an assassin."

At her statement, Naruto stood up abruptly, wincing at his sudden movement as he propped his upper body up by pressing his hands against the soft hospital bed. He was dumbfounded by her words, inquiring, "Wha—wait a minute… weren't you trying to kill me and Sasuke-teme? Why would your people suddenly want us to join?" Leaning back against his bedpost slightly, he asked with wary, guarded eyes, "What's the catch, huh?"

Stammering, she answered, "N-Nothing, I was only asking—"

"What is your organization about?" the blonde asked in query. "Because, if targets of yours are me and teme… I'm not sure I'd be able to go along with that." He then folded both arms behind his head in an 'x' formation, leaning back as he closed both his eyes. He snorted as he added, "Who's your next target going to be? Kakashi-sensei?"

Opening one of his eyes, Naruto glanced at Hinata whom stared at the floor, her body fidgeting as her position signaled her discomfort. Upon seeing this, the blonde slacked his shoulders somewhat, his expression softening. Putting hints together, he asked, "Wait, is this what you were so bothered about? Asking me about joining?"

Watching her lavender eyes avert from the floor to a corner in the wall, Naruto straightened his posture, placing himself in front of the timid girl. His hand reached out, coming in contact with her face as his thumb and index finger tip her chin upward, coaxing her to face him.

Allowing him to lift her head, Hinata shyly raised her mauve eyes to glimpse at him, glancing as a few silky blonde strands fell in front of his distinct sapphire eyes, his thick bangs hovering over his forehead, covering the white bandage tied around his cranium.

"Listen…" he started gently, his voice tender. "I'll talk about it with Sasuke-teme, okay?" Feeling her head nod against his fingers, but her expression remaining distraught, the assassin frowned. "Is there anything else bothering you?"

Hesitating slightly, the girl answered, "Well…"

A few minutes later…

"SASUKEEEE!"

The Uchiha barged into the room, crouching in a low, defensive position as guarded eyes scanned the area, Sakura quickly trailing behind him.

The raven-haired male soon straightened his stance upon finding Hinata raising both her hands with her palms facing Naruto in a calming motion, while the said blonde was curled up in a fetal position, hands grasping each side of his skull as his fingers tangled in thick blonde hair. The male rocked back and forth, his expression appalled as he murmured repeatedly, "No death pill, no death pill, no death pill—"

Upon sensing the new visitors, Hinata turned her neck, glancing over her shoulder as her gaze fell upon Sakura and Sasuke.

Blinking emerald eyes, Sakura inquired, "You told him the terms, didn't you?"

Hinata nodded as Sasuke closed his onyx eyes calmly. Walking over to his blonde partner's bedside, he raised his arm, fingers curling into a fist—

((SFX: whack!!))

With a loud whine, Naruto held his head with accentuated tightness, moaning dramatically from the pain of the strike. "WHYYY, Sasuke-teme!? I just got out of surgery, you BASTARD!"

"Quit complaining," replied the Uchiha stoically.

"While you two discuss things, Hinata and I are going to grab a bite to eat," piped in Sakura. "Do you want anything, Naruto?"

Said male blinked his squinted azure irises in reaction to the question. His eyes then grew round and large as they twinkled brightly. "If you could bring me ALL the ramen bowls in the world—!"

((SFX: whack!!))

"WAA, god damn it, TEME! Quit hitting me! You're so heartless, abusing an innocent victim of a shooting—!"

"Shut up. You're in a hospital, dobe."

"Ohh the PAIN!" cried the blonde, wailing as he flailed his arms around dramatically. "I'm bleeding, teme! BLEEDING—!"

"I told you to shut up, idiot. You're delusional—"

"Sakura-chan! Control your crazy murder-intent boyfriend—!"

"They already left, baka."

Upon the words, Naruto sprung up, blinking cerulean eyes. "What?!" he yelled. After a few moments of silent deliberation, the assassin sank back down into his bed, a content grin spreading across his whiskery cheeks. "Oh, they probably just went to go get the ramen I requested." He rubbed his hands together eagerly as he chortled. "I can't wait until they get back! That ramen broth old Teuchi makes over at Ichiraku is the best I've ever tasted!"

Shaking his head, raven spikes flinging left to right as he did so, Sasuke rested his right shoulder against the spotless white wall of the small room, arms folding across his burly chest. "First you're crying about a death pill, now you're rambling on about ramen?" inquired the Uchiha, his voice even and flat.

Snapping out of his train of thought, Naruto closed his babbling mouth, his hyperactive energy calming as his face grew serious. "Did Sakura tell you about the position her and Hinata-chan's company were 'offering'?"

"They want us as assassins. I know," replied the Uchiha brusquely.

"That's the basic information, teme. Didn't Sakura-chan tell you about the…" he shuddered, followed by an audible gulp, "the 'death pill'?"

The raven-haired male shook his head at his partner's cowardice behavior. "It's procedure. Akatsuki did worse."

"I know that, teme, but it wasn't done on us!" yelled back the blonde, flailing his arms dramatically. He sank back in his bed, heaving a heavy sigh. "What if she changes her mind and decides to kill us without knowing it? Or she hits some sort of trigger that activates a bomb inside and—BOOM—!"

"Stop your babbling, dobe," responded Sasuke. "Those scenarios are highly unlikely."

"Why are you so calm about this?" inquired Naruto. "We just finished taking out Orochimaru's ass. What if this other organization is the same as Akatsuki? Their targets were us! Who knows who they're going to make us go kill next?" Taking his partner's silence as a cue that he was listening, the assassin continued. "In the shape we're in, we won't be able to do a rebellion soon, and we'd have to gain their trust which means we could be bound to this 'Konoha Elite' for years. Teme, I'm not getting any younger!"

Onyx eyes rolled at the last statement. "You make your point. However, your thinking is one-sided."

"What, you mean to consider this at all angles?" answered Naruto. "The only benefits I could think of are being with Hinata and Sakura…" He blinked his distinct sapphire eyes twice. "That's all I can think of." Seeing the Uchiha's face remain calm and indifferent, the blonde added, "Sasuke, this is like our retirement! Why go back to work when we're off the hook, for good? No more stupid deadlines, no more blood staining our clothes, no more traveling everywhere having to stay in crappy hotel rooms"—his face shriveled at the thought, wrinkling his nose—"but forgetting all that, this is the start of the good life! We still have tons of cash left over from our time with the perverted snake bastard!"

"What would we do, then?"

"Easy, teme!" He held out his hand in front of him, using his fingers to count down the reasons with his opposite hand. "We have Vegas, ramen, Ferraris and Lamborghinis, ramen, mansions, ramen—"

Sasuke's eyebrows drew together as he scowled at his partner's pointless list went on. He opened his mouth to retort; however before he could, the door slid open. Ebony eyes turned to glance at the visitor, finding his gaze to meet the blonde female doctor that had bandaged his thigh. Absentmindedly, he glanced at said spot.

"Don't mind me, I'm just here to check the IV charts," spoke Tsunade, her expression composed as she leisurely walked towards Naruto's bedside, clutching a clipboard to her hip. "How are you feeling?" she asked the assassin, her tone professional. She blinked her golden almond eyes, raising a curious eyebrow as she leaned towards Naruto, peering closer. "It seems as if the swelling around your head has grown instead of lessened…" She sent a narrowed glance towards the Uchiha. "Have you been smacking him around? The angles of the hit prove the kid couldn't have punched himself, no matter how stupid he is—"

At the remark, Naruto gaped, his expression offended before it twisted to a glare. "HEY! I'm not that stupid!"

"—So I've been told," added the renowned doctor. Receiving a silence as Sasuke's response, Tsunade gave a brief nod. "I'll take that as a yes. You," she craned her neck towards the Uchiha, "quit hitting him. And you," she reverted her gaze to Naruto, "your healing will take slightly longer from those hits, expectedly. But it shouldn't be too much longer."

The blonde grumpily crossed his arms, sinking lower in his mattress as he muttered angrily to himself.

Her head tilting down, Tsunade scribbled a few words to the front paper on her clipboard walking towards the door as she flipped through another couple pages. She paused a few feet away from the exit, turning 180 degrees on her heel, facing both Naruto and Sasuke.

"One more thing," she stated. "Have the girls discussed the offer with you?"

The sentence caused both men to glance at the blonde woman.

"How do you know about that?" asked Naruto, perplexed.

"I'm the leader of Konoha Elite," answered Tsunade simply. "Have you two reached a decision?"

"What is the purpose of our joining?" questioned Sasuke flatly. "You ordered us to be killed."

"That was merely because you two killed without intention," retorted the doctor. "Our organization is about ridding proven criminals let loose, unlike Akatsuki whom purely murdered without justifiable reason." Her gaze turned sharp. "You two were among the highest threat to society. Your movements were unpredictable, thus one couldn't tell if your next target would be an innocent citizen."

"Teme and I would never hurt anyone innocent!" snapped Naruto.

"Is that so?" rejoined Tsunade. "Do you know the backgrounds of each target you killed?" The blonde assassin remained silent, therefore the woman continued. "My point proven. Since you two are now no longer amid Akatsuki, joining my organization would put your skills to beneficial use. Are there any other questions?"

"How long would we be under the control of this 'death pill'?" asked Naruto.

"Your probation could last for a month, or six months. It will end when I see fit. If you don't agree to the terms, so be it, but there is no other method of joining." Idly, she twirled her pen within her fingers. "No one's twisting your legs to join. You'll either comply, or don't bother and live your separate lives."

"How do we know you won't annihilate us through the pill? You would be completing your original task," inquired Sasuke.

"I give you my word no foul play will be done," replied Tsunade. "I'll leave you two to contemplate—"

"That won't be necessary," spoke Sasuke. Onyx eyes glanced at Naruto as cerulean irises did the same.

Meeting each other's gaze, Naruto spoke, "We'll do it, as long as your word is good."

The corner of her lips curved upwards in a satisfied smile. "I assure you it is." She then turned on her heel once more, sliding the door open as she took her leave out of the room.

"You're sure about this, right, teme?" asked the blonde, his voice somewhat hesitant. "Because if we die, I swear I'll haunt you—!"

"Shut up, baka," retorted Sasuke. "Your ideas of 'retirement' weren't that appealing."

"The only way they wouldn't be appealing is if you weren't a man!" Then Naruto's eyes grew wide, bulging. "Unless… all this time…?!"

((SFX: smack!!))

"OW! TEME! OI, that Tsunade-baachan said no more hitting! I'm telling!"

"Telling who, Naruto-kun?"

Hearing the person's soft voice, the blonde immediately turned towards the visitor. "Hinata-chan!" he yelled, leaping out of his bed as he rushed towards her, grasping her shoulders tightly once in front of her. The stunned Hyuuga merely stared, her expression matching a deer caught in headlights. "Hinata-chan, if I die from that deathly death pill, I just want you to know—!"

"Keep your voice down, dobe. You're still in the hospital."

"'Death pill'?" questioned Sakura before clarifying Naruto's words. "Oh, you two decided to join?"

Sasuke merely shrugged as Naruto flailed his arms around radically as he continued his loud rambling to Hinata.

Six months later…

((SFX: knock, knock))

"Come in."

The door creaked open, followed by four bodies stepping into the office.

"You asked to see us, Tsunade-shishou?"

Said woman looked up from her mountainous stacks of paperwork. "Ah, yes, come further inside," replied Tsunade. "Sasuke, Sakura, Naruto, Hinata," greeted she, addressing each person in sequence from left to right. She straightened her posture, lacing her fingers against one another as she placed her elbows against her mahogany desk. "I called you in to inform both Naruto and Sasuke that you two have completed your probation. Well done."

"Really?" questioned Naruto, a wide grin spreading against his features. "That's awesome! So when do we get these creepy death pill things out, huh? It's been messing with my stomach so bad—"

"The pills already washed itself out of your system months ago."

Sasuke's eyes widened subtly as Naruto openly gaped broadly. "WHAT?" he screeched. "So this whole time I've been worrying for my life for nothing?!"

Tsunade couldn't help but smile slightly, amused at the boy's reaction as she chuckled lightly. "The pills were merely a prototype which you two tested out, and now you've given our scientists criteria to improve the pills upon. The girls knew about this."

"Seriously?!" retorted the blonde. He then turned to the Hyuuga, wailing, "Hinata-chan, why didn't you tell me?!"

She smiled slightly, answering softly, "I'm sorry, Naruto-kun, we were instructed not to say anything—"

"Wait a minute, wait a minute," interrupted said male. "Does that mean… that the pills weren't messing with my stomach?"

Sasuke snorted as Sakura revolted at the question. Tsunade simply chuckled once more, replying, "That would be an impossibility, Naruto."

"So, Tsunade-shishou," chimed in Sakura, "now that their probation is over, can we have a real mission now?"

The woman nodded, saying, "Yes, yes, that brings me to my next point." She opened one of the drawers of her desk, withdrawing a thick file as she dropped it against the counter. "This mission requires the skill all four of you possess."

All four stood in a straight line, each faces intent as they awaited their command.

"You all are sure Orochimaru was eliminated, correct?"

"Yes, shishou," answered Sakura. "Naruto shot him in the back of the skull and I threw a grenade. We left none alive, there's no way he could be alive."

The blonde woman frowned, leaning forward in her chair slightly. "Unfortunately, that contradicts with our elite sources."

"Orochimaru's still alive?" inquired Sasuke, his tone low and flat as his face twisting into a dark scowl.

Before the Konoha Elite leader could reply, Naruto burst out, "That's impossible! There's no way the guy in his condition could have escaped the grenade!"

"I realize that, Naruto," Tsunade countered. "However, my sources aren't ones to be misleading. Therefore, I want you four to check this out." Handing the thick folder to Sakura, the blonde woman added, "It is said that he has been spotted in Kyoto. I expect you won't fail me."

The four nodded simultaneously, turning as they all proceeded to leave.

"Be careful," were Tsunade's final words before the door closed.

T H E E N D

Author's Note: This chapter was extra long for the extra long wait. It's summer, and that is the only reason why I was able to get this update out, along with the help of my sister xX Alpha Clique Xx. Without her I doubt I would have been able to finish this chapter, let alone have the motivation. This is for all the fans, thank you for all the reviews, and all 327 (or more I haven't checked lately) people putting alerts on this story. Hope this chapter didn't disappoint, hope it wasn't an awkward time for an ending but I figure now instead of another year passing before I update again, eh? And finally, I started this story on 3-02-07, and I finish it now on 6-11-09. Thank you for all the reviews, take care!