An: Sorry for the late update but it was an extremely busy month. However that's not important now so let me thank all those who take the time to review

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and I'm doing this for fun not profit.

Chapter 62: Downtime never lasts

Amaru was nervous as she sat inside the bare room where she guessed Konoha did most of its interrogations in. As she waited for whoever was supposed to speak with her, she remembered the trip back to Konoha. She had been surprised by the way both Hinata and Sakura seemed at peace with showing their affections for Naruto, not so much with the other present, but in front of the other gathered shinobi. Strangely the two girls didn't seem to be one upping each other and although they had refused to comment on the strange dynamics between them or talk about their relationship with the blond if there even was one. Amaru got the sense that they were trying to establish some sort of status quo.

She hadn't paid it much mind, although she found the way Jiraiya had continuously scribbled into a notepad while giggling to himself a little disturbing. She had found herself being scrutinized by the man on more than one occasion and strangely enough it was often when she allowed her thoughts to turn to Ami. It gave her the sense that the man possessed some sort of sixth sense when it came to matters of the heart. Although she had that illusion shattered when they passed near a waterfall near a village they were heading to on the way to Konoha and they heard giggling as some local village girls played under the falling water. Suddenly a large lecherous grin appeared on his face as he began to actually skip in the direction of the sounds singing about the joys of research. But before he got out of sight he stiffened before returning to the group with his head down. When Naruto had asked what was wrong, Jiraiya had played it off but Amaru though she caught him mumbling, "If she found out she'd kill me."

Thinking of the many strange characters that Konoha seemed to offer, Amaru was beginning to believe it might be a place where she could settle down. Since it had turned out that most of the people that had lived in her old village had been Sky Shinobi, most of the true villagers had decided to relocate. A few had decided to return but Amaru wasn't one of them. Even though she had been welcomed to come back there were too many memories she would rather leave in her past. Blushing as she thought of another reason to set up shop in Konoha, she was in the middle of working up the courage to broach the subject with the reason when the door to the room opened.

Stepping in was a scarred man wearing a trenchcoat who studied her with a grim demeanor that left her with the feeling he wasn't one to offer comfort. Strangely she found the fact that he didn't offer her a smile or any other kind of soothing gesture rather comforting since it seemed to convey he was a man interested only in the truth and not wasting time in setting up false pretenses.

Sitting across from her the man said, "My name is Ibiki. I've been instructed to tell you that you aren't in any trouble and are free to leave at any time of your choosing."

"Instructed," Amaru asked confused.

"Yes," he replied and although he didn't turn towards the mirror behind him, Amaru was left with the feeling that he was annoyed with whoever had given him the order and was most likely observing them from behind the reflective surface. It was probably due to the fact the man felt it was removing a lever that he could use to pry for the truth. Nodding her head that she understood Ibiki said, "Good, now during the Sky Country incident there was a moment when you transformed into what appeared to be a Bijuu."

"I don't remember that."

"I didn't think you would. What I want to know is, when he sealed the creature inside of you?"

"I don't know. I didn't even know about it till they told me about it possessing me," Amaru said a little tensely since she didn't enjoy the reminder that the man she had traveled with for so long had viewed her as nothing but a means to an end.

"That might be. However, there must have been a time when you felt different or lost track of time."

Not really giving the matter much though she said, "He might have done it when I was sick and he healed me."

"Shinno you mean," Ibiki said unemotionally.

As he expected she winced visibly before staring at the tabletop and answering with a weak, "Yes."

"I don't think so. We already know the creature isn't a true Bijuu. Your survival after its extraction is proof enough of that. Not to mention it seemed to be the source of this dark chakra. That leaves me to believe this creature was a type of new weapons system and if Shinno had the means of creating such a thing then he'd probably have dedicated time to creating more than one. Instead, he attempted to lure out a shinobi of Konoha for the power he possessed. That tells me he wasn't the man that created it."

"But that doesn't mean he didn't seal it in me when I was sick when he first saved me," Amaru replied.

"True, but Shinno…"

"Stop saying his name," Amaru shouted cutting Ibiki off, "Are you trying to keep the pain of his betrayal fresh?"

"Yes," Ibiki replied as calmly as if he had been asked the weather. When Amaru stared at him wide-eyed in surprise he explained, "Coddling you will do neither of us any good. You need to deal with the fact that the man that you looked up to and cared for used you." Giving her a moment to process that before continuing he said, "Furthermore, I need answers since whoever created that creature is dabbling in something that may very well shift the balance of power. And trust me when I say that when that balance does shift war is soon to follow. Now as I was saying, Shinno couldn't know that you'd be so indebted to him after he saved your life. He might have suspected, but not know. Therefore it's unlikely he'd have chosen you then to be the creature's host."

Amaru was about to respond she didn't know when it happened then, until she remembered a time where she had fallen ill again. "T-there was one time where I got sick for a few days… well at least that's what he said. I just remember collapsing and then waking up a few days later."

"Where were you when this happened?"

"Um… Water Country, we were helping to cure a horrible pandemic of the flu. Lots of people were dying and there was a lot of misery…Mas…Shinno was convinced someone was behind it. But when I woke up he had stopped the epidemic but never really brought up the fact of there being some hand behind the outbreak again."

"That is most likely the moment of sealing then."

"How can you know that?"

Ibiki smiled then but it wasn't a kindly gesture but one of satisfaction as he said, "Dark Chakra seems to be reliant on negative emotions in order to be created. If someone was conducting experiments in how to create creatures in order to harness it then such an event would be the perfect place to do so. When after becoming his apprentice did the event happen?"

"Several months…"

Ibiki nodded as if he expected such an answer before saying, "It's likely that Shinno had already met his mysterious benafactor then and was returned to your home village in order to make you ill in order to heal you and gain your trust."

"But he made it sound like he'd been planning it for years."

"True and he probably was. I don't doubt Shinno and his partner were at it for years with the flu outbreak probably being a culmination of all their research up to that point. There are two questions that this raises for me."

"What are those?"

"One why did they dissolve their partnership since Shinno appeared to be content with the one success? The other is if the partner is still around then what has he been up to in the years since then?"

Naturally Amaru couldn't answer either question, but she got the feeling that when the answers were learned it would probably be a new problem for Konoha.

Ibiki followed Amaru out of the room after giving her directions to the employment office of the hospital. Although not a shinobi she did possess enough skill to be hired on as a nurse and if she completed the Konoha medical program could eventually become a civilian doctor. Heading deeper into the building to his office instead of to the observation room where the Hokage and Jiraiya had watched his questioning of Amaru, he collected a file he had been working on and began the trek to the Hokage's office.

Reaching the Hokage's office he was waved in by her secretary and found his village leader sitting behind her desk in the middle of a conversation with Jiraiya who was leaning against her desk next to her. The two paused as he entered and Tsunade asked, "So Ibiki did you learn what you were hoping too?"

"Yes and no, Lady Tsunade," he replied coming to rest in front of her desk. Putting the file in front of her, he continued, "I was hoping that whatever Shinno did to Amaru was somehow connected to what Danzou was looking into with the missing Kyuubi chakra."

"I take it then that you feel there isn't a connection," Jiraiya said crossing his arms as he stood behind Tsunade.

"Not between the two men but there is in the power they hope to harness," Ibiki replied as he opened the folder.

"And what would that be?" Tsunade asked leaning forwarded and wondered why there were old pictures of a pair of Kumo-nin inside the file folder. The two burly men were carrying several strange items between them the most prominent being a gourde held around one of the men by a strap and a fan.

"Something I've taken to calling Pseudo-Jinchuriki," Ibiki replied and seeing the confusion of how the two Kumo-nin his folder contained tied in added, "These two men were infamous shinobi from Kumo called the Gold and Silver Brothers. They became missing-nin due to their staging a coup d'état while the Second Hokage was meeting with the Second Raikage for a peace ceremony."

Remembering her great uncle returning from Lighting Country on death's door despite the fact that she was still rather young and not truly aware of why it happened at the time said, "Yes, I recall that day. So these were the bastards responsible for changing our relationship with Kumo from potential allies to hostile neighbors. Still what does this have to do with Amaru and what Danzou is after?"

"I believe Amaru and the Zero-tails is a separate issue actually. However there was a chance she was connected to what Danzou is after but from hearing her tale I concluded this wasn't the case. On the other hand the Silver and Gold Brothers may have been the inspiration for whoever gathered the Kyuubi's chakra after its rampage." Ibiki paused to let what he said sink in for a moment before giving his explanation by saying, "After the Second Hokage recovered from the attack he described the battle with the brothers and claimed that at some point they became shrouded in red chakra one of whom had six tails and the other four."

"Wait," Jiraiya said, "Kumo has the two tails and the eight. What the hell were they?"

"I don't know," Ibiki answered before pulling the picture from the file and adding, "But look at the men's faces."

Doing as instructed the Sannin immediately noticed the familiar looking markings of three whisker marks on each cheek that the men bore. Although neither of the two previous Kyuubi jinchuriki bore them themselves considering the topic Jiraiya jumped to a conclusion which he voiced by saying, "These men were able to somehow absorb the Kyuubi's chakra."

"That would be my guess," Ibiki replied taking the picture from Tsunade as she finished looking at it. "We know that before Madara and the First Hokage's battle the Kyuubi was still running free. It's probable that Kumo wasn't content with the two Bijuu they already had and were hoping to capture it for themselves. Unfortunately, only Kumo knows the exact details of what happened to give these men their power and I doubt they'd be willing to share."

"Maybe not as unwilling as you think," Tsunade said leaning forward and rested her elbows on her desk as she folded her hands in front of her face. She could tell that Ibiki was clearly surprised by her revelation since she had not shared the details of her meeting with the Raikage with anyone other than Kakashi and Jiraiya. "I'll ask for the file on them and perhaps the Raikage will be inclined to supply it. Now how exactly do you believe these men factor into what Danzou is after?"

"The best theory that I've come up with is that whoever gathered the chakra then implanted it into a child."

"I take it they used a child for the same reason the Bijuu are sealed into them?" Jiraiya asked although his tone seemed to suggest he believed there was more to it.

"Not exactly," Ibiki replied, "I'm not sure exactly how much residual chakra was gathered since it would be impossible to guess at due to the Kyuubi's chakra coated areas in different amounts depending on how active it was. Therefore we don't know how much of a strain it would put on a person's chakra coils. No, my guess is that the chakra could be considered a poison since many report feeling weaker after facing a jinchuriki that is using a dense beast shroud where the host can no longer be seen. I therefore believe an adult that took the chakra into themselves would probably die from it, but a child would likely be immune or able to adjust to its presence much like they seem to be when sealing a Bijuu into one."

Agreeing with the theory, Jiraiya said, "It would also explain why we haven't heard anything of a shinobi with such an ability popping up."

"Exactly, it's likely if a child was used then they would be around the same age as Naruto."

Tsunade agreed with the theory, but seeing a flaw said, "What about the Silver and Gold brothers though? If they were a part of the force Kumo sent to capture the Nine-tails I doubt they were children at the time."

"True," Ibiki agreed, but having already considered the matter himself answered, "But if their ability to absorb Bijuu chakra was a possibility in most shinobi. I'm fairly certain Kumo would have hundreds of such ninja by now. It's likely they are simply the exception to the rule."

Nodding in agreement, Tsunade then asked, "Okay so how do we prevent this Pseudo-jinchuriki from falling into Danzou's hands?"

"Unfortunately that's far easier said than done," Ibiki said closing the file and tucking it under his arm. "I pulled all the travelers logs from the time just before and after the Kyuubi's rampage and while it's likely the person who gathered the chakra simply entered and left during the chaos afterwards. There was a chance the person was simply in the right place at the right time and was therefore located inside those records."

"But Danzou probably thought of the same thing," Tsunade said and could tell from the grim look of annoyance that crossed Ibiki's face that not only had the disgraced elder done so, he had also made sure to deny Ibiki access to those records.

"I'm afraid you are correct and the records in question are missing. As a result I've sent my subordinates out on various missions to search for rumors of powerful chakra outbursts."

"Very clever," Jiraiya said inclining his head in respect to the special jounin's foresight. "You're betting that using such an untried method to contain so powerful a chakra has certain setbacks which would result in something you can track."

"Precisely, yet there is still the problem of Danzou having such a massive head start. Even if the traveler's logs prove to be a dead-end, it's likely that whatever clues are out there, he's found them and is in a position to deny us from learning of them."

Ibiki could see the open concern about to what use Danzou would put the Pseudo-Jinchuriki if he found it first. But knowing there wasn't a whole lot they could do but hope to get lucky Tsunade said, "Well do your best. Now what did you mean about Amaru and the Zero-tails being a separate issue? Wouldn't she have fallen under this Pseudo-Jinchuriki category?"

"Yes, but whoever was behind her becoming one seems to be concentrating on trying to create a Bijuu and not so much on the jinchuriki aspect of it."

"I take it you believe this will probably become a threat to Konoha at some point," Tsunade said gravely and wasn't surprised in the least at how he answered.

"Doesn't it always?"

Naruto checked his reflection in the bathroom mirror for the sixth time felling nervous due to the fact that tonight would be his first official date with both Sakura and Hinata. As he groomed himself again trying to insure he looked his best. He was simply glad that he had yet to inform Jiraiya that he was dating both girls as he could imagine his perverted teacher's reaction, and was fairly certain that at some point during the night he'd find the man following them conducting his research. Truthfully, they hadn't told anyone except his mom and Hinata's father, but he suspected that some of the members on Shikamaru's Sky Country reprisal team suspected something. Jiraiya probably would have picked up on them too if he hadn't been so engrossed in the developing relationship between Ami and Amaru.

Checking one last time to make sure that the red dress shirt and black vest were perfect and that his matching black dress pants were crisp. He stepped out of the bathroom and was surprised to see his mom had apparently left the apartment. Naruto was somewhat glad about that, as he expected his mom to make a big deal of his first date and while he knew it was to her, he didn't really need anything to add to his nervousness.

Entering the building hallway, he took a deep breath to calm his nerves again as he tried to remind himself that he was already dating the two kunoichi that dominated his heart, but his desire for the night to be something they cherished forever and would boast of to their friends made that an impossibility, at least until the night was all said and done. Approaching the door, he knocked and had a hard time not gawking as Hinata opened the door wearing a black strapless dress whose hemline stopped just above her knees. As she smiled softly at him, he gulped heavily before saying, "You look amazing."

Hinata's cheeks began to color at the compliment but before she could reply Sakura said as she came up behind her roommate, "Don't you mean we look amazing."

Naruto nodded as Sakura smiled brilliantly at him as she stepped from behind Hinata wearing a blue dress that had two diamond patches cut from the sides showing her skin there. Feeling emboldened that the two beauties in front of him were willing to go out with him in such a unique relationship, Naruto smiled brightly saying, "May I have the honor of taking you two gorgeous women out tonight."

Both girls smiled demurely at each other before quickly securing their spots on his arms. Walking down the stairs into the part of the building that was designated for the Uzumaki clan to handle its business and meet people the three of them were caught by surprise as a bright flash blinded them. For a moment Naruto feared he had walked into a flash bomb and that some enemy was attacking. However, as the possible attacker cooed, "That was so perfect," which was followed by the sound of a Polaroid spitting out its snapshot. Naruto realized that he had been ambushed, by his mother.

"Mom," he said whiningly causing his girlfriends to giggle. Naruto didn't really mind though as he knew his mother needed this in order to make up for the time she had lost with him. Plus it did the trick of taking away the tension he had felt to make the night perfect. As a result the three of them were soon posing for Kushina as she snapped away.

Having lost track of the time for a moment Naruto noticed a wall clock and said, "Shoot, we have to get going in order to be at the restaurant in time for our reservations." Linking his hands with his dates Naruto shouted back, "Alright, see you later mom."

"Bye, have fun you three," Kushina replied waving. Stopping after the door shut she said, "You know you could have seen them off too."

Stepping out of an office Kushina used when not meeting guests to the clan building, Hiashi replied, "I'm still not exactly at ease with such a relationship and did not wish to tarnish their night with my misgivings."

Collecting her photos, Kushina walked towards the Hyuuga Clan head and Hinata's father handing him a picture of just Naruto and the Hyuuga princess as she passed. The red-head noticed Hiashi smile down at it and guessed it was due to how happy his daughter looked. Her guess proved accurate as Hiashi said, "Still anything that can make Hinata smile like that can't be a bad thing."

"Wow, what happened to the stuck up Hyuuga I first met when I entered the academy?" Kushina asked as she sat on the front of her desk staring at the Hyuuga's back as he still looked down at the picture.

Hiashi remembered the day in question as after hearing the red-head's proclamation that she would be the first female Hokage had mockingly said, "Ha, as if some tomato faced foreigner will ever be Hokage." He had been pleased with the way many of the other boys had latched onto the insult, at least until the first recess when she had approached him. Still pleased on how he had put the low class girl without a clan in her place he had asked, "Now what do you want Toma…" However before he could finish the sentence she had clocked him and to this day Hiashi still felt he had never been hit harder.

Hiashi hadn't been the only bully to be put in his place that day remembering how as a teacher carried the fiery red-head away. She was still threatening to rain death and destruction upon her teasers many of whom were strewn about the playground. As he was being helped to his feet by his brother Hiashi still dazed asked, "How could such a low-born peasant so easily beat me?"

He could tell his brother Hizashi had been disappointed by his words much as he had been by his teasing the girl for her dream and had simply replied, "The rank a person is born too brother, does not determine to what heights they will reach."

Coming back to the present Hiashi said, "Much has happened since then causing me to question a great deal of what I was taught as a child."

"Okay…so what can I do for you?"

"Hinata is unaware of how the Main House will act in response to her deciding to pursue this relationship with Naruto. Although she deserves her happiness she will be barred from taking her rightful place as clan head. This will put her sister in a position where she must assume my position or else it will fall to another upon my retirement."

"I'm guessing her sister doesn't want to be clan head then?"

"I'm not sure to be honest. But Hanabi much like her sister seems interested in a boy outside of the clan and this too will bar her from taking the position."

"Why," Kushina asked confused vowing to make sure her clan did not become like the Hyuuga.

"Because he too hails from another clan and the elders as well as the other influential Main families will never tolerate a Clan Head who is bound in any way to another clan."

"That's like really messed up," Kushina replied, "I couldn't imagine barring Naruto from seeing someone based solely on her being from another clan."

Hiashi gave a grim smile saying, "You say that now. But trust me there are good reasons for such rules especially since relationships between clans can change over time. But that is talk for another time; right now I have to plan for the day the Main Families inevitably move against me."

Shocked Kushina said, "What are you talking about? Surely they wouldn't rebel just because your daughters pursue love outside of the Hyuuga clan."

"I'm afraid that is exactly what I'm talking about. But it isn't solely due to my daughters. No this schism has been a long time coming and my rule as clan head has not exactly been popular among the Main Family. This is due in part to my subtle efforts to combine the two houses back into one. I had hoped that by training Neji and showing his amazing potential was being hampered due to the inferior methods we train the Branch Family with it would cause an outcry for such practices to be banished."

Hiashi moved to a chair that sat in front of Kushina's desk and sitting in it said, "Sadly, there exists a man that has continued to hamper my efforts. As I have tried to bring about unity in the clan. He preaches of the Main Branches magnificence. As you can imagine the Branch Families are loyal to me while the majority of the Main Families are loyal to him. Also if things do come to a head then my allies will not be able to stand for themselves due to that damnable seal. That is why I've come here tonight in hopes of seeking out new allies that can help the Branch family should things proceed as I expect them too once word gets out of Hinata's dating your son."

"Why is that going to be the trigger for this potential rebellion against you?"

"Because it will be the lever Hideki uses to prove his point that I've not taught my daughters about the glory of the Main Family since they are so enamored with men from outside of the clan. In all likelihood he'll uses Hinata's unique relationship to prove I've strayed from how he and others believe the clan should be run. Therefore I'm hoping to call on the potential future bonds that will exist between our families in order to ask for your help."

Leaping from her desk to her feet Kushina said, "Just tell me what you need me to do!"

Smiling at Kushina's exuberance Hiashi said, "Well there are two things. First, Hanabi has been denied an opportunity to attend the ninja academy in order to prevent her from bearing the cage bird seal. She's received some training in the ninja arts from young Konohamaru Sarutobi, but I was hoping you could take her under your wing."

Nodding at the idea, Kushina said, "Sure, what's the second."

Gaining a conspiratorial smile, the Hyuuga clan head said, "I understand you're quite proficient in seals."

Seeing where Hiashi was going with his statement a wide grin began to appear on Kushina's face as she replied, "I've been known to dabble in them."

Naruto had a hard time not thinking back to his childhood and remembering how he used to wish people would notice him as he walked through the village with his dates on each of his arms. The reason for this was as opposed to then now he had everyone's attention. On the way to the restaurant after leaving his mom not too many people had noticed the trio due to the rush they had been in. However, now as they walked slowly back to the Uzumaki Clan building where their apartments were at, with both Sakura and Hinata hugging the arm they held closely to them, everyone seemed to know that the trio had been out on a date. The reason also could be due to the restaurant they ate at had a dance floor with a live band and each girl made sure to enjoy a slow dance with Naruto which caused a stir among quite a few of the other people present as they gossiped amongst themselves.

Naruto had to admit that he had a tough time not simply strutting due to some of the looks that seemed to ask, "What makes him so special?" That he was receiving from many of the men watching the trio as they made their way home. But ignoring the looks in favor of focusing on his dates, he asked, "I hope tonight lived up to expectations."

"Mm-hmm," Sakura hummed from her spot on Naruto's left.

"It was lovely Naruto," Hinata said before leaning up and kissing his cheek.

Sakura simply smiled at the contact not feeling a need to match it any further but noticing that Naruto seemed troubled by something asked, "Hey what's wrong?"

Taking a moment to look at each girl he then looked forward as he said, "Are you both sure you're alright with this? I'm sure us dating like this is going to cause quite the commotion in both of your lives."

Hinata and Sakura smiled at each other before both of them leaned up to kiss a cheek with Sakura saying, "Hey, we're sure."

"Not to mention we'll face any problems it causes together," Hinata added. A look of concern appeared on her face as she said, "Unless you're not sure you're okay with it."

However as a large grin appeared on the jinchuriki's face, she knew that was the furthest thing from the case especially as he added, "You're joking right. I'm the luckiest guy in the world right now. I'm just afraid I'll wake up and find out it was all a dream."

"Please someone wake me up from this nightmare," Zabuza thought as he stepped from the boat into Port City in Fire Country.

One of the reasons for his thoughts came bounding down the ramp after him and stopped in front of his sensei with arms held wide as Mugen said, "Oi, so when the hell are we going to start this mission already. I'm starving for some action."

"Good, I'm going to want you plenty hungry when the mission starts. We'll be heading to the village tomorrow so shut up already," Zabuza replied sorely tempted to cleave the boy in half. While Naruto had often been just as much of a pain in the ass as Mugen was during long boat trips at least he hadn't transferred the energy into baiting Haku into fighting like his current student did. And just as thankfully Haku wouldn't have been prone to responding with violence like Jin seemed all too ready to do.

Looking over his shoulder Zabuza saw the ship captain giving him the sourest look the man possessed, which considering his years of being battered by the worse the sea had to offer was saying something. The reason for the look was easily evident due to the battle damage the boat had sustained when his precious students had decided to alleviate their boredom by trying to bury their blades into each other while he was sleeping in his cabin. After breaking the fight up and confiscating their swords, Zabuza had tied the two up and threw them in a closet until morning and upon waking had instructed the captain to make use of them until they reached their destination.

"Hey when are you going to give us our swords back," Mugen asked shifting his glare from his sensei to the bane of his existence and teammate, Jin.

Giving into temptation Zabuza brought his fist down on the top of the boy's head saying, "When I damn well feel like it. Now shut up and let's go." He was about to begin marching his team out of the City in a hurry to get the mission over with when something caught his eye amongst the crowd.

Stopping abruptly, Fuu bumped into him saying, "What's the matter Zabuza-sensei?"

"Nothing," Zabuza said digging into his money pouch and pulling out some cash handed it to her. "Go get something to eat. Don't gorge yourselves, I'm going to want you three lean and mean when the mission begins."

"Sure," Fuu said obviously happy she'd finally get to eat something of her own choosing instead of his as her two teammates eyed the cash with watering mouths due to Zabuza insisting on less than filling meals for them in preparation for the mission to come.

Taking off in the direction of a restaurant district being led by her nose, Zabuza could hear Mugen saying, "Hey it's not all for you."

To which she replied, "I didn't hear him tell me to buy you jerks anything."

Ignoring the string of curses Mugen followed her comment up with Zabuza moved to the corner of a building and leaning against it said, "Been a while Tsurugi. Why do I get the feeling your appearing here isn't a coincidence?"

On the other side of the corner the Hunter-nin said, "The Mizukage told me of your arrival in her response to my last message to her. She suggested that I make use of you should the lead I'm currently following pan out."

"You mean…"

"Yes, I believe I've located Utakata."

"Good, but why drag me into this?"

"I fear and the Mizukage agrees that Utakata will not be in a talking mood should hunter-nin confront him. That would leave us forced to attack him in order to subdue him, not a method we should use if we are hoping to convince him to return to Kirigakure. I believe that if you are there and due to your own reputation as a former missing-nin that he will at least be willing to listen to you."

"What of the current mission my team is on?"

"Continue as planned and we'll contact you when I've verified the information is accurate." Zabuza nodded although Tsurugi was already gone and so pushing off of the wall went in search of his team hoping they had stayed out of trouble during the short time they had been out of his sight.

Yugito Nii fell back against a tree breathing hard and although her hand was clenched to her side where it felt like she had been stabbed there was no blood to be seen. Still the unseen wound was seriously hampering her as she tried to escape the two men. Pausing a moment to catch her breath, she wondered just how things had turned out so poorly for her and the ambush team that had accompanied her.

As she thought about the events of the previous day she recalled appearing in the clearing the fake letter from Mr. J had directed her too. Moments later and just as expected two members of Akatsuki appeared on either side of her. She recognized the masked one from the file the Raikage had given her although she didn't know how he had attained information on a man tied to Konoha's past considering he was wanted for an attack on the First Hokage almost a hundred years ago. Yet the silver haired manic was unfamiliar, still it shouldn't have been a problem as she had the assistance of twelve Anbu to deal with the two men. As the two men focused on her, the Anbu had struck from the surrounding forest. The Akatsuki members barely had time to react and although the five Anbu's blades bounced off of Kakuzu due to some hardening jutsu. All six of the men who attacked the silver-haired man hit their mark with their swords which was the man's heart. However, despite his heart being pierced six different ways all he did was curse before burying his scythe in one of the Anbu.

As the surviving Anbu jumped away the Silver-haired man shouted, "Jishan take you. Do you fuckers have any idea how much that hurts?"

Chuckling Kakuzu said, "Lucky for you they only stabbed you, Hidan. You'd be in far worse shape if they had cut your head off."

"Fuck you," Hidan replied before charging at another Anbu.

Blocking a sword strike with his hardened forearm, Kakuzu kicked the Anbu away before snatching another one out of the air around the throat that he then crushed with his iron grip. Tossing the dead body into another Anbu, the ancient Akatsuki said, "Hidan forget about these small fry. Your target is the two-tails."

"I fucking know that," Hidan replied but received a kick across the face from said woman that sent him skidding back several feet.

Taking control Yugito ordered the Anbu, "Concentrate on Kakuzu. I'll handle his partner."

"Interesting," Kakuzu replied to her order realizing that somehow Kumo had information on him that it shouldn't have since the jinchuriki knew his name. Filing the data away for future use he said, "You make it sound so easy though." Throwing his cloak off, he revealed several masks that were on his back which then burst from his back the tendrils connected to them took on monstrous shapes that acted as the mask creature's bodies.

Yugito put her faith in the Anbu as she concentrated on her opponent and hoped to take him out quickly to aid her fellow Kumo-nin. Charging at Hidan, she side stepped his scythe as he brought it down in an overhead swing and kicking his wrist knocked it from his grasp before following up with a spinning kick to the gut. Hidan folded around the blow falling onto his back but rolled into a crouch. Yugito trying to follow up her attack nearly lost her head as Hidan pulled a cord that was wrapped around his wrist whose other end was attached to his weapon. Ducking forward under the blade at the last second she rolled towards her opponent and once in front of him used her hands to launch into a kick that connected with his chin. As both of them were airborne she flipped forward again before kicking out with both legs this time connecting with Hidan's chest propelling him into the ground hard enough to kick up a cloud of dust.

Reaching into her pouch she pulled a handful of shuriken and tossed them into the cloud. From the sound of Hidan shouting, "Ahh, you fucking bitch," she guessed a majority of them hit home. She knew it was unlikely they would kill him but at the moment she wanted him mad and careless. As the dust settled she could see that the shuriken achieved a good spread along his body as well as his arms and hoped that even if they didn't kill him that the pain at least would interfere with his movements. Charging the man, she avoided his scythe swing, before grabbing ahold of the handle and slammed the blades into the dirt. Kicking Hidan back, she pulled the handle of the scythe until it was straight and holding the end of the handle kicked at where it connected to the head breaking it free.

As Hidan pulled the cord, she let the handle go allowing him to catch it minus its blades. Hidan glared at her, but charged nonetheless using the broken and sharp end of the handle in an attempt to score a hit. Easily avoiding the slow attacks, she pulled a pair of kunai from her pouch as she went on the attack in hopes of slowing him down by either blinding him or cutting ligaments. Sensing her intentions, Hidan stopped attacking recklessly proving that at the very least he was capable of defense when necessary. Still Yugito was far faster and seeing an opening attempted to jab one of her kunai into his eye socket. However, Hidan caught the blade in the middle of his palm which as it bit into his flesh retaliated with a backhand to the side of her face that hurt far more than Yugito thought it should.

Rolling to a crouched position, Yugito reached a hand to her cheek and was surprised to see she had been cut by the blow. Showing her the hand he had struck her with, she could see one of her shuriken embedded between his knuckles. Smiling darkly Hidan said, "Thanks for the makeshift blade bitch." Licking her blood from the blade his skin turned black and pulling the shuriken free he cut his wrist using the blood that spilled onto the ground to create the Jishan symbol which he then stepped to the center of. Not sure what technique he was about to unleash she prepared to charge him but stopped when he yanked her kunai free of his hand causing her hand to suddenly feel like a knife had been thrust through it in reverse.

Hidan's grin grew wider and eviler as he said, "Too late bitch." Using her kunai, he stabbed himself in the kidney tearing a cry from her throat as all he did was smile despite the pain. Sinking to her knees, she looked to the Anbu but to her horror found that the men that had been fighting Kakuzu were dead although they had taken three of the masked beasts with them.

Staring at where Hidan had stabbed himself Kakuzu said, "Are you sure that she won't die from such a wound?"

"I thought you said her Bijuu should keep her alive," Hidan said moving to lie down on the ground in order to begin his prays feeling the fight was over.

"True, but so long as you two are linked the Bijuu might not be able to repair the damage and most people die when stabbed in the kidneys."

Trying to get back to her feet and succeeding although shakily, Yugito managed to say through gritted teeth, "Don't count me out yet you bastards."

Kakuzu looked like he was about to reply but a sword suddenly burst from the front of his chest. The final and youngest Anbu member who had been held in reserve and should have already been on his way back to Kumogakure upon the ambushes failure threw the body to the side. Charging the still prone Hidan he scratched a line through the symbol he laid upon before kicking the man as he attempted to get back to his feet.

Quickly moving to the two-tailed jinchuriki he helped her stand as he said, "Lady Yugito, we must go."

"You should already be away from here," Yugito said harshly.

"I know, feel free to discipline me when we reach Kumo," the young man said. "But my life is nothing urk…"

Yugito eyes went wide in shock as the young Anbu stiffened seeing black tendrils burying themselves in his back as Kakuzu stood back up holding his arm towards them. Trying to cut the youth free, she heard Kakuzu say, "I used to be like that. All that mattered was the mission, then one day I learned the only thing that truly never let you down is money." Pulling his arm back, Yugito watched in horror as the tendrils ripped the youth's heart from his back returning to Kakuzu's arm were the heart disappeared between some stitches.

Feeling her strength returning somewhat and her own heart heavy with the knowledge that the only thing she could do was run. She allowed the dead youth to slip from her arms and quickly took off into the woods. She had only made it a few hundred yards when a sudden stabbing pain sent her tumbling to the ground. Guessing that Hidan had reestablished his link, she picked herself off the ground and hoped her knowledge of the terrain gave her the advantage she need to stay one step ahead of Akatsuki at least until help arrived from Kumo.

Yugito shook herself awake cursing her almost falling asleep during her recollection due to her fatigue. Focusing her senses, she realized that the forest was almost too quiet indicating that Akatsuki was near. Pushing back up to her feet she ran several yards before a new stabbing sensation caused her legs to collapse from beneath her. Picking herself up she knew the only direction her enemies were allowing her to run was southwest towards Hot Water Country telling her that they'd let her tire herself out while running further and further from Kumo and probably closer to where they planned to extract the Nibi. However, with no other options she continued on aware that she was very likely running towards her doom.

Kushina tiredly pulled herself from the warm comfort of her bed as a desire for a drink of water became too overpowering. Walking groggily to the kitchen, she cursed not having the foresight to leave a glass of water on her nightstand, but knew if wishes were fishes she'd be queen of the sea. Despite most of her mind being shutdown the part that was conscious thought over the day of Naruto's training she had witnessed. Now that Kakashi was back on active duty he had decided to have Naruto perfect the Rasengan in a way even Minato had been unable by adding his chakra nature to it.

She and Yamato had also been present since Kakashi was planning to use Shadow Clones in order to accelerate the process. But all three of them had been surprised when after explaining that the first step was to cut a leaf in two using his chakra, Naruto had simply bound up the trunk of a tree excitedly and after snatching one from a branch hadn't even waited till he was back on the ground to show he had managed to easily complete the task.

Although Kakashi knew Naruto had knowledge of wind jutsu, as most Jounin knew there was a difference between using wind jutsu and using wind chakra. When Yamato had asked how he learned such an advanced method of molding his chakra, Naruto explained that after Zabuza had given him his Ninjato, the missing-nin had taken the opportunity of a job in Wind Country to capture a Suna jounin in order to teach his charges the finer points of Wind Chakra manipulation, which the man was all too willing to do in order to live except in Suna they tended to use limestone not leaves.

Sadly for Kushina, she felt her importance to help Naruto complete the Rasengan was diminished since it would appear he wouldn't be straining himself to the point where the Kyuubi would take advantage. Still as Yamato created a waterfall in the middle of the training field they were using she had stayed to watch since Naruto and the clones he created did have trouble with splitting the water using his chakra. By lunch time it became apparent that due to the low number of clones he was using for the exercise the fox wasn't going to be a factor.

However before she could feel down about the matter, Sakura and Hinata arrived with a young Hyuuga in tow. She smiled in her almost sleep walking state as she remembered her son enjoying the lunch Hinata had made and the almost teary eyed way he had eaten Sakura's medicine balls, it being easily apparent to see that if he didn't care for her that he'd rather be eating dirt. Kushina also recalled how the young Hanabi had nervously explained how her father had told her that she'd be taking over her training do to what her father had said the developing bonds between their clans. As both Hinata and Naruto blushed at the realization that their parents were talking about their relationship, Kushina was certain that both of them were glad that it appeared Hanabi had no idea as to what she was referring too.

A sudden pain awoke Kushina as she stubbed her toe on the end of a coffee table. Cursing she leapt on one foot for a moment but stopped as she experienced a feeling of Déjà vu that gave way to a memory. Flashing back to it, a two month pregnant Kushina cursed still asleep despite just stabbing her toe on a chair in their old apartment only a block from the Hokage mansion, "Damn it Minato what's so important that it can't wait till morning?"

Her husband smiled back at her although it was with the sad gravity that she had noticed appearing more and more frequently since learning that she was pregnant. "Sorry," he replied sheepishly knowing she was rather testy when disturbed from her slumber, "I just needed to show you this… well you'll know why when you need it."

Already feeling the sandman trying to pull her back to bed, she wasn't in any mood for riddles so responded with an eloquent, "Huh?"

Moving towards a wall with a round thermostat he said, "In case anything should happen to me. I want to leave something behind for Naruto." Turning the thermostat like he would the combination of a safe he added, "The combination is your birthday seven, ten, and the last two digits of the year of your birth." After entering the last digit a seamless section of the wall popped open showing that it had a hidden recess with a file inside of it

Swaying as sleep began to overpower her, she said, "That's nice, but I'm sure you're worrying over nothing. Plus, I'll probably forget in the morning. You should tell me then. Goodnight." Yawning she turned away mumbling about why her husband would install a safe now when he knew they'd be moving to a bigger home once the baby was close to being born.

As the memory faded away Kushina felt her heart begin to race as the question about why Minato would install a safe in a home they were vacating answered itself in light of the knowledge she currently possessed, which was due to the apartment's position so close to the center of the village the Kyuubi rampage would likely not reach it as it would often be the most heavily defended area due to its close placement to the civilian shelters often used in emergency situations. Now fully awake she hurried back to her room, where she quickly dressed before leaving the apartment she shared with her son in order to return to the one she had first shared with her husband.

"I'm coming, I'm coming," a grumpy sounding man called towards his door as an insistent banging began gratings on his nerves causing him to really regretting his having signed a long term lease to his current residence due to all the recent emergencies. Granted due to its close proximity to the Hokage mansion it had suffered very little damage during them. But even emergencies in other countries tended to cause chaos in his life since the alarm bells would chime at all hours of the night. Opening his door, the man was confronted by a stunning red-head that under normal circumstances would have taken his breath away but due to his annoyance at being woken from a deep sleep caused him to rudely say, "What ya want?"

Pushing past him the red-head said, "Sorry, I know its rude but I really need to collect something I left here."

"Look Lady, I lived her for several months already and there ain't nuthin here that's yours."

Moving towards his thermostat she began spinning it like a lock combination replying, "Maybe you just didn't look hard enough." When she stopped on the third digit they both heard a pop but due to the tacky wallpaper some other tenant installed the section of wall couldn't pop all the way open. Cutting the paper with her fingernail she grabbed ahold of the section and pulled, ripping a good section of the dry wall away as well. Seeing a folder along with an envelope, she snatched them up clutching it to her chest before running from the room saying, "Sorry, send the bill to the Uzumaki Clan we'll pay for the damages."

Looking at his new wall safe the current tenant could only say, "Well I'll be damned."

Sitting on the top of her husband's head on the Hokage monument and looking out over the village Kushina with shaky fingers opened the envelope. Seeing the clean and crisp handwriting of Minato she began reading:

Dearest Kushina,

I'm sure you've noticed my increasingly strange behavior and although a good portion of the nervousness and worry is learning that I'll soon be a father. I'm afraid to say it's also because I know I won't be much of one. You see during the Rouran mission I met someone incredible, our son. He was thrown back in time due to the actions of the man behind the incident but in order to keep the timeline pure I can't go into further detail than this. It's only because if I'm right you will already suspect something along these lines that I've said this much.

I know I should have simply blanked my memories after the incident, but during the mission he used a power that I knew he shouldn't possess if you were to be there with him. I must say our son certainly takes after you in that he is very stubborn as he wouldn't stop trying to warn me of the coming disaster for our family but seeing him using the Kyuubi's chakra it was easy to guess at and when it would occur. Even telling him that he could unravel all he knew of his timeline was barely enough to get him to keep future events to himself. But again he took after you in simply changing the rules…but I'll skip over that in order to explain the seal in Kakashi's mind. Naruto is the key, but you must absolutely make sure not to unlock it until such a time that Naruto and I have met in the past.

I can already hear you complaining you want to know what is behind it now, but in order to keep you occupied I've left something behind to keep you focused on something else. Teach it to our son for me.

Until a day when I can once more hold you myself with all my love,

Minato

Kushina fought back the urge to cry but instead did as Minato asked and focused on her son so opened the folder. Despite suspecting what it contained she still felt her breath catch in her throat as on numerous pages and explained in painfully small detail, whether for her benefit or Naruto's she didn't know, was the instructions to learn the technique that had made Minato a shinobi with an active order of flee on sight in all the bingo books, the Hiraishin.

Looking around the table around who sat all the other clan heads of the village, Tsunade said, "Alright I'd like to call this meeting to order. Shibi Aburame, you have the floor."

Standing Shibi said, "Thank you, as you know I've been conducting clan business outside the village recently. However during that trip I was approached by a man that wishes to remain anonymous for the moment but is placed inside Iwa." Shibi paused as the various clan heads began mulling his revelation over. When the murmur died down he continued, "He's provided me with the various bases that Sky Country set up during its exile in Earth Country."

Shikaku leaned forward in interest asking, "Do you think it's accurate?"

"It is," Tsunade supplied the answer for the Aburame, "Jiraiya had uncovered several of the locations through his own investigation and they match up to several that Shibi provided. The question now is what to do with the information."

"Does Iwa know of these locations?" Yakumo asked from her position sitting next to her uncle who normally ran the clan and thus attend such meetings.

While on the surface a simple question one that a few thought showed her inexperience the majority were surprised when Shibi said, "Not about all of them. It seems that Sky Country kept their allies in the dark about just how many bases they had established. I believe my source took it upon himself to ferret out the rest in order to give me the information in hopes of easing tension between our two villages."

"That's good to know considering just how tense things have gotten as of late," Tsunade said taking a moment to send a glare Kushina's way due to rumors of the Fourth Hokage being alive and well were spreading like wildfire through Iwa. The red-head simply smiled widely back in a look that told her that Iwa would have another reason to buy into such rumors.

Turning her focus from the Hokage, Kushina said, "Let's give Iwa the list then."

"A clever strategy," Shikaku said seconding the idea.

"I'm sorry, but would you mind explaining how that helps," Yakumo said embarrassed at her not understanding.

"By giving Iwa the complete list it will put the pressure on them to handle the matter while at the same time letting them know we don't consider them being the source behind Sky Country's attack. However, if they don't do anything with the information it proves that at the very least those in charge supported it informing us that they may be preparing for a new round of conflicts," Shikaku explained. Turning to Shibi, he asked, "Releasing the list won't expose your contact, will it?"

"No, he was most clear that we were free to use the information in any way we wished."

"And what does your new friend in Iwa wish in return for being so helpful?" Hiashi asked.

"I'm not sure. He merely provided me the list in favor for meeting with him again. I believe however he hopes to head off a new war between our villages. I will be meeting with him shortly to inform him of how we are using his information, I should know more about his intentions after the meeting."

"Good," Tsunade said preparing to move on to the next order of business.

However before she could Shizune burst into the room followed by Jiraiya. Running to her master she handed her a piece of paper. Reading it, Tsunade couldn't keep her reaction from her face causing Tsume to ask, "What is it?"

Addressing the room, Tsunade said, "It's an urgent message from Hot Water Country. The Daimyo is claiming that a large force of Kumo-nin are moving at a rapid pace towards his border. He is requesting our assistance in securing his country and insuring that if it is an invasion force we repel them."

The room went deathly silent as the repercussions of such a mission played through the minds of the clan heads. If Kumo did invade Hot Water Country and Konoha engaged its forces then it would only be a matter of time before a new war broke out. But before a discussion could begin on the matter a member of the Cryptanalyst Squad entered the room. Stepping in front of the Hokage she handed the village leader a parchment that had Kumo's symbol on it.

Reading the communication, Tsunade's eyebrows knitted in confusion causing Jiraiya to ask, "What's it say?"

"The Raikage is thanking you for once more using your Mr. J alias to inform him of some bandit activity. Do you have any idea of what he's talking about?"

Looking up at her lover she could see that he did especially as he said, "Accept the mission."

"What! Why?" Tsunade said surprised.

"It's not an invasion force, it's a search party," Jiraiya answered. Moving to a rack that was filled with rolled up maps he grabbed one that depicted the two countries currently being discussed and moving to the table the clan heads were sitting at unrolled it. Holding down the edges he said, "When Naruto and I were traveling together training, we were also warning the other jinchuriki of Akatsuki. In Kumo we learned their jinchuriki are highly respected so I set up the Mr. J alias to supply the Raikage with information on bandit groups operating in Lightning Country. It took sometime but eventually he sent the jinchuriki of the two-tailed cat to deal with one of the groups. Well with my goal a success and aware another group my try to use the reputation of the fake informant I told her to pass on to the Raikage I'd never use it again."

Catching on, Shikaku Nara stood and began looking over the map as well saying, "You believe Akatsuki attempted to use the alias unaware the Raikage knew you had dropped it."

"Precisely, but I believe he still attempted to use it as a chance to confront the group threatening his jinchuriki. But I'm willing to bet something went wrong."

Nodding in agreement Shikaku said, "Likely and if Akatsuki stays true to form, they will move to a location where Kumo can't search as thoroughly as they would like without drawing the ire of the country's leaders."

"Or in this case Hot Water Country's Daimyo," Jiraiya supplied.

"Are you sure the extraction will take place there?" Tsunade asked joining Jiraiya in looking over the map.

"Positive, if it hasn't already begun. It's the most likely place. However we can't overlook the possibility that the Daimyo may very well be aiding Akatsuki."

Shocked at Jiraiya's inference it was Kushina that asked, "What makes you think that?"

"Depending on the timeline here, I'd guess a day or two of travel for the ambush team. Then depending on how badly it went the Raikage would wait a day maybe two for word on how it turned out. Considering the speed at which their messenger lizards can move its unlikely he'd need two days to realize something was wrong. Therefore at most these Kumo-nin moving to the border are two days out and considering Hot Water Country has no shinobi of its own…"

"Then someone tipped him off they were coming and in order to hire us for such an expensive mission to protect his border. He'd have to know for a fact they were on their way or the information source would have to be highly trusted," Kushina finished for him.

"Exactly and considering Hot Water Country's intelligence network I say it was the former not the latter," Jiraiya said while looking over the map to find likely extraction areas.

"But if the Daimyo is working for Akatsuki then couldn't it be a trap for Naruto as well," Kushina asked worriedly.

"Don't worry, I'm sure considering the last time they met up Akatsuki will be hoping Naruto is focused on the Kumo-nin and won't do anything to jeopardize keeping ahold of the jinchuriki they already have." Tsunade saw that Kushina did calm at her words so turning to Shizune said, "Pull all available Shinobi for this mission. I want them assembled on the roof in half an hour where I'll be giving them their orders."

Standing Shikaku began to head to his office to formulate a strategy so asked, "What will those orders entail?"

Looking grim she said, "Convince Kumo to keep to its side of the border while doing all in our power to locate their jinchuriki."

Nodding Shikaku said, "I'll begin forming a search grid for the teams tasked with locating any Kumo-nin that have already 'slipped through the border.'

Smiling at the word play, Tsunade turned to Jiraiya about to ask what he had planned. Who guessing at her unasked question said, "I think I'll pay our client a visit. Just to see how on the up and up he is." Turning to Kushina he asked, "Want to tag along? I could use some muscle if he's playing us."

Smiling dangerously Kushina said, "Sure, I could show my new apprentice how we handle uncooperative witnesses where I come from."

Repressing a shiver, Tsunade hoped for the Daimyo's sake he wasn't working with Akatsuki otherwise she didn't doubt an army of Kumo-nin would be the least of his problems.