Chapter 86 wrapping the mission

Orochimaru was able to quickly get to his hideout, the large stone snake head shaped opening stood before him. He was already starting to feel a bit winded from using that jutsu to replace the damage to his body and his battling with Jiraiya. They had to move to another of their bases before the others caught up since he needed time to recover. As he walked through the dark woods he paused as he looked at his right hand.

It was shaking slightly, he pulled it up and took a longer look. It wasn't fatigue or damage that was the cause, the nerves were misfiring. He scowled slightly, this body was starting to wear a little thin and he would need a replacement soon. He clenched his fist tightly for a few seconds and opened it, the shaking had stopped but it was a sign that his body was running out of time. He continued to the entrance and as he got to the opening he found his most trusted servant waiting for him.

"Everything ready?" Orochimaru asked Kabuto.

"I've had the base cleared out," Kabuto told him as the two men left the entrance and got into the open area of the forest. "All personnel, documents, weapons, devices and anything of importance that could be moved have been. Anything that would take too long to move or impossible to move have been destroyed."

"Excellent," Orochimaru knew the value of servants like him, people like Kabuto were hard to find and as he had shown was worth his weight in gold.

"There is one problem unfortunately," Kabuto said as Orochimaru paused to look at him. "None of the Sound four or Kimimaro has returned."

The Snake Sannin didn't like the sounds of that, those five were his personal guard the best of the best of his forces that had survived the curse seal placed on them. The fact that none of them had returned meant that either they had been slowed or defeated. That did not sit well with him, if they had died before bringing Sasuke to him then not only would he have to choose a new host soon but also that he would have to replace his personal guard.

"This is distressing news Kabuto."

The boy bowed his head, "I apologise, as soon as it's possible I'll send out scouts to find out what happened to them."

"Yes and if they had fallen it would seem that I will need stronger soldiers in the future," He looked to the entrance as he judged they were far enough away. "I think it's time to bury our tracks."

"At once," Kabuto made a hand seal as the paper bombs he placed ignited, they were linked to many others as a chain reaction happened. Large explosions happened under the ground as the ground gave in burying the base under the earth. Even if Konoha or anyone else came here they would have to dig through miles of earth and even then it would be a wasted effort as nothing of value would be intact. With that both men left the area as the noise would attract Jiraiya and his team.

It was thirty minute later when the joint force arrived they had taken time to compare notes and look for any injuries. Kakashi had to take things slow as his chakra was running low as well were a few others. By the time they came to the ruins where the massive explosion was heard Jiraiya had already guessed what they would find before they arrived.

The veteran ninja knelt down by the pile of rubble and slightly caved in ground. Looking around the entire complex most likely had been entirely underground. That was something he should have figured his old friend would have done. Not only that but now he started to see why it was so hard to find the Sound Village if it was underground. But the fact that he destroyed this place only told him that this wasn't the main facility.

Looking around though the place looked far larger than what he would expect for an outpost. If he was making huge places like this and scattering them all over the known world, well that meant he would have to rethink how to hunt down Orochimaru. He wasn't sure what Orochimaru was up to but he would have to try and find out.

"Looks like we won't find anything here," Jiraiya said standing up and stretching out his back. "Looks like he covered his tracks and most likely moved to a new place."

"Any way we could track them?" Temari asked.

He shook his head, "He's too good at covering his tracks, too me nearly a year just to find this place. Plus I don't think we're in any shape to go after him if he has a whole army to throw at us. We had the element of surprise for awhile but now he knows who we are and what we might be able to do. He'll plan for that and we won't get away so easily from the next battle."

"Looks like we got to go back and report to Tsunade what we found." He wasn't looking forward to telling her that although a base was now out of action there were most likely any number of them still active.

"So what, we go back to Suna now?" Kankuro asked.

Jiraiya thought about it, "I think you should stick with us, at least until we get to Konoha. If those two are still lurking around they would pick you three off a bit too easily."

No one needed to ask who 'those two' were as the two Akatsuki members while not at full strength were still out there somewhere. Plus if they went to get help who knows who else would show up. The three Suna ninjas gave each other a look as they silently agreed that for the time being they needed to rest up and get back to full strength.

"Alright I think that's a good idea," Temari told him.

Naruto looked at his dad, he looked really tired and he was a bit worried. "Hey pops you okay?"

"Just a reminder that I need to train a bit more and increase my chakra reserves," Kakashi gave him a smile to let him know he was okay. "Although I could use a nice rest soon."

"Yeah I think we all could use a break," Sakura sighed.

"Well then let's get going if we leave now then we can get there before nightfall." Jiraiya told them starting to walk.

"Wait get where?" Sakura asked looking at the others but they had just had blank expressions.

It was just sundown when they made it to a roadside inn, it was a fairly large place but what caught everyone's attention was the sign that read 'Local Hot Springs' by the main sign. Everyone turned to look at the old man who had a red flushed faced and grinning like an idiot. Everyone else suddenly realized why he had picked this place.

"Okay we're going to another inn," Temari suddenly spoke up.

"Yeah we're not here to help you be a total pervert Ero-sennin!" Naruto shouted at him.

"Hey a hot spring is the best kind of thing you can get after a hard mission plus Kakashi is nearly ready to drop. You want him to sleep outside in his condition?" Jiraiya asked Naruto who only looked at his dad. Kakashi was looking like he was barely standing by this point.

"Okay fine," Naruto muttered.

"What about the rest of you, want to keep going on because it's 5 hours until the next inn," Jiraiya asked them. They didn't feel like walking for that long as they did need the rest. So they all had to agree on staying here for the night. The girls decided to share a room as the boys ended up with two rooms of their own to split up between them. After a meal and an offer by the staff to use the hot springs they eventually decided to try it out.

Sakura and Temari walked into the hot springs area with towels around their bodies. There didn't seem to be many other women here so the both of them took a spot near the giant bamboo wall that separated the women's section to the men's section. Both of them sunk into the water as they felt the hot water on their bodies.

"Oh that feel nice," Temari said resting her head against the rock as she sunk down to her shoulders.

"There is nothing like having a hot spring after a mission like that," Sakura sighed starting to feel a little relaxed. It felt good on her muscles after everything they had been through the fighting and all the traveling nearly non-stop. Although she couldn't say she was totally happy about the end result of the mission. They found what was left of a Sound Base but it was buried to the point that there was no real reason to start digging it up.

They were back to square one with trying to find where Sound was located but at least they came out of it alive. She was worried when Itachi showed up, that was a moment she was sure she was going to die but somehow things worked out. Although Sasuke had been kind of moody after it so she gave him space to think about things.

"I wish we had these in Suna," Temari sighed feeling relaxed. "Water is very previous so we have to conserve it being in a dessert and all. So when we finally get missions outside of Suna I really enjoy visiting hot springs."

"We should hit the ones in Konoha then before you go," Sakura sighed feeling her muscles loosening up. She looked over at the blonde girl next to her, she was only a couple of years older but she was much more mature than she expected for someone her own age. Plus she couldn't help but notice the beauty of her as Sakura's eyes lowered a bit she felt a little inadequate in the chest area. Sakura sunk down lower so her lower face touched the water.

For a moment she didn't say anything but she got up a little to ask her a question. "Hey um...Temari-san do you know how to get a boy's attention?"

Temari's eyes snapped open as she quickly looked at Sakura, "Why would you ask something like that?"

"Well it's just that there's a boy I like but I'm trying to get him to make the first move, to notice me more than just...a friend."

Temari paused before sighing, "Look I don't know anything about boys and I have to brothers."

"Really?" Sakura was surprised by this. "But you're...well you're really pretty so I figured boys would notice you more."

"You forget a few things," Temari got a slightly gloomy look to her. "First my father was the leader of the village and my little brother used to be a total psycho monster. Not exactly the kind of family you want to sit down and have dinner with or meet."

Temari may act cool and calm all the time but she was a teenage girl, there had been plenty of cute guys she had thought about but she never even got to talk to them. They always were so scared around her that it was a real mood killer.

"Oh, I guess that wouldn't help," Sakura felt a bit bad for the older girl now. "Well Gaara isn't as bad anymore and...well that should help right?" She was about to bring up her father but stopped herself quickly. That wasn't a good thing to bring up given the man wasn't dead all that long.

Temari did notice the pause and had a feeling she knew what Sakura was going to bring up but stopped herself. Although her father hadn't been the best of fathers, in fact seeing Kakashi with Naruto made the blonde girl slightly envious that he had such a good relationship. Temari couldn't remember any time her father had been playful or even all that kind to her.

Still it was hard to put into words how she felt about her father's death, so she just pushed it away for now. Feeling the warm water sooth her body she thought about her life now, with her father dead and Gaara being less of a monster and more of a human being she wondered if a brave boy would ask her out. She felt her hopes dash as she knew it would take time for people to accept Gaara and even then she doubted anyone from Suna would work up the nerve.

"Honestly I think I'm the last girl to ask about boys," Temari said honestly. "Besides I do have some standards. They got to be okay in the looks department, I'm not too picky but they have to have a spine, a good ninja and smart enough for me to talk to. If there is one thing I couldn't stand is someone that is all muscle and no brains."

Sakura smiled a bit as the older girl seemed to relax and open up a bit, "Well I'm sure you won't have much trouble getting a guy."

"Thanks," Temari cast the younger girl a look. "So, what's the story between you and the Uchiha boy?"

Now it was Sakura's turn to sigh, "I guess I should start at the beginning..."

In the male section the boys were relaxing as well even Sasuke took a moment out to let his mind drift. He had been thinking a lot lately about his fight with this brother as he again saw just how far he had to travel if he ever wanted to beat him. The thing he was coming to terms with was that he may not be able to reach that goal alone like he had thought. Fighting with Sakura showed him that he could get further with the help of others. He replayed the fight in his mind and every time when he went through it alone he lost faster.

Although even though he might need help he still needed to get a lot stronger. He was going to have to train more with lightning elements and look into some new techniques. He had to refine what he had and also sharpen his skills. He opened his eyes as he looked around and sweat dropped by the sight of it.

There was both Kakashi and Naruto sitting next to each other relaxing with towels around their lower faces, Kankuro still had on his face paint and there was Jiraiya trying to find a hole in the wall into the woman's section. Gaara was sitting down by the water but wasn't actually in it.

"Why am I the only normal one here?" Sasuke asked himself sinking slightly into the water. He looked at Kankuro. "So why is Gaara not getting in?"

"He doesn't like water much," the puppet user told him. "He'll bath and stuff but sitting in the water like this isn't his thing. He doesn't like how his sand turns to mud basically and yes I know he could leave the sand off but I think it's a security thing with him."

Sasuke gave a small affirmative grunt at that before trying to relax, after the stress of the day maybe he needed time to let his mind just let go.

"Hey pop if you fall asleep in here I'm not dragging your ass out," Naruto told Kakashi as the man was resting with his eyes closed. "I mean you're way too big for just me to pull you out."

"Just make some clones," Kakashi smirked behind the towel wrapped around his face. "But don't worry if I feel like I'm going to sleep I'll drag myself out. I might have preferred to sleep right away but I think this will be good for my body to help it recover."

"It does feel good," Naruto nodded and then looked at Jiraiya, "Hey Ero-sennin you better not be looking at Sakura-chan or Temari."

"Please," Jiraiya turned to scowl at him, "I'm not into that, they're much too young for me. I prefer my girls to be a bit more older than that...although that Temari will grow up to be a pretty hot number, wonder what she'll look like in a few years." He had a perverted grin on his face as he thought about it.

Suddenly he felt himself surrounded by sand that was slowly tightening up. He looked around to see Gaara staring at him and the old man suddenly felt those green eyes watching for any movement. He kept as still as a stone at that moment. The boy had caught him off guard and he was quick with that sand, in a few years the boy would be a major force to be reckoned with he bet.

"Keep your eyes on this side," Gaara said simply to him in his usual cold and detached voice.

"Okay, okay just ease up," he told the boy.

"Naw keep him in there for the night," Naruto told him. "He'll just keep trying."

"Whose side are you are?" Jiraiya yelled at the boy.

"Hey I got a teammate on there and I don't think Kankuro or Gaara will like the idea of you seeing their sister naked even on accident." Naruto explained.

"He's got a point there," Kankuro spoke up although Temari could be a little uptight and can be a pain sometimes she was his big sister and someone peeking on her naked was something he didn't like to think about. He looked over at Gaara and was surprised that he must have thought the same thing, that boy really had changed since the chunin exams and for the better.

"Alright I promise I won't peek," Jiraiya sighed, "now let me out of this."

Gaara just stared at him for a moment, "I'll think about it."

"What!?" Jiraiya yelled out now wanting to get out of the sand. He only had a towel on and all the sand everywhere was starting to get very uncomfortable. "Kakashi back me up here...Kakashi?"

They looked over to see that Kakashi had in fact gone asleep.

"Crap now I got to carry him all the way up to the room." Naruto muttered.

"I'll help out," Kankuro told him going to the other side of the adult. "I think it's time to get out anyway."

"I might as well help out too," Sasuke spoke up.

Jiraiya watched as all the boys ended up helping to take Kakashi out of the water and then into the dressing area leaving Jiraiya wrapped up in Gaara's sand all alone in the male side. By the time he figured out a way out of the sand everyone in the inn was already in bed and he was freeing from teh cold night air.

-Konoha-

It took some time but eventually they all made it home. Kakashi had felt much better after that rest but it still would take a few days off to fully recover. Jiraiya had been in a sour mood for the first day for obvious reasons but he got over it a day later. What was surprising was that Sakura and Temari had ended up being a bit closer talking a lot together. Temari didn't have many she could call friends back home let alone female friends and she found it refreshing to talk to someone without all the history behind her getting in the way.

They made it to the Hokage's tower as they were shown inside Jiraiya made most of the report to Tsunade, they explained how they had found only one base of how many no one really knew. They all gave in reports of their fights of the ninja they encountered and also of the Akatsuki involvement.

Tsunade had asked for a file from Shizune during that by the end of their reports she had the file on hand. She pulled out several sketches and placed them on the desk in front of her.

"Do any of these pictures look like the ones you fought?" She asked as they all took a close look. They all identified the four images on the desk. Tsunade leaned back, hearing what they had said brought back memories of the report from attack at the chunin exams.

"That's what I thought, these four were with Orochimaru during the attack. In fact these images were created by ANBU witnesses. It seems like they were his personal guard that you faced, although that fifth one that Naruto and Gaara fought wasn't mentioned in the reports for some reason."

"Maybe he was held in reserve?" Shizune asked.

"Maybe," Tsunade wasn't sure why that one hadn't been used as Naruto and Gaara said the young boy had some kind bloodline with his bones. She had heard or a couple of bloodlines like that but they were either very rare or died out. Extreme bloodlines like that took a great toll on the body and ended up being a double edged sword shortening the life span of the user.

Still it seemed that Orochimaru was surrounding himself with unique ninja, how he was getting them or finding them was anyone guess but it would seem that he was looking for specific talent. Well it was something to think about later.

"Anything else any of you can add?" She asked them as there were a few looks but no one said anything. "Well I'll get a full report on this and I'll get a copy for you three to take back to Suna."

"That's fine, we have to book a place for the night here anyway," Temari told the Hokage. It was getting late and if they left now they would only get a few hours of daylight before they would have to camp for the night. They also needed to replenish supplies before the long trip home. "Can we pick it up tomorrow?"

"That's fine," Tsunade was glad for it as she didn't have to rush on that, she had enough work as it was. "Well if that's everything you all can go."

"If you don't mind there is something I would like to talk to you about but we don't need the others," Jiraiya said to her giving her a serious look which she caught. She nodded her head as the others headed on out.

The group left them although some were wondering what he was talking about most were just too tired to think about it. They all had things that they wanted to do, Sasuke felt like going home and just falling into his bed, Sakura couldn't wait to get home and see her parents, Naruto was already planning on seeing if Hinata was still in the village or if her team had been sent on a mission while he was gone. The Suna team were looking towards some downtime, Kankuro hadn't had a decent chance to look over his puppets and Temari was looking forward to the Konoha hot springs.

"Well I guess we better look for a place for the night," Temari told her siblings. "Plus I want to check out those hot springs."

"I can show you where they are if you want," Sakura offered the older girl although it meant she wouldn't get home right away she could spend a few more minutes showing her there. "Actually I could use some time in that later tonight. Want to meet up there once I show you the place?"

"Sure I'd like that," Temari gave a small smile.

"Hey how about you all come by our place for a send off?" Naruto asked getting excited as the idea just hit him. "That way you can met some of my friends too, how about it dad, you think we can do it?"

"I don't see why not," Kakashi shrugged.

"Sounds fun to me," Kankuro looked to Temari and Gaara. It wasn't every day you get a decent send off and he was up for it if they were.

"Only for a bit we still have to get back to Suna you know," Temari told them they did have to get back but she didn't see why they couldn't take some time to enjoy themselves. She figured they could spend a little time in the morning and then pick up the report from the Hokage's office and then leave.

"I would...enjoy that," Gaara had never had anything like this done for him. He had never been invited to anything like this either and he was surprised that he felt something good about it. He actually was looking forward to it.

After a few plans were made everyone split up, Sakura went with the Suna team, Sasuke went on his way home, while Naruto and Kakashi went their separate ways.

As Kakashi made his way home he hoped that Naruto got to see Hinata most likely he would spend the next hour regaling her with their mission, he chuckled at that thought. He hoped that Naruto enjoyed these fairly innocent times since they never lasted. Still he wished Naruto luck in his budding relationship. He knew what it was to be in a relationship although honestly if someone asked him over a year ago he would say that he didn't see himself with someone.

Walking home Kakashi thought about his life now compared to the past. He had lost so many in his life that were close to him that part of him didn't want to find someone because he wasn't sure he could handle losing another person in his life. Taking in Naruto had been a big step for him in several regards, it was a huge responsibility but it also meant he was responsible for a life. Yes it had its ups and downs but overall he wouldn't have given up the experience. Besides when he saw that little newborn who was all alone in the world something inside of him knew that he didn't want that boy to know the kind of loneliness that Kakashi had learned about.

Now here he was a father and in a good relationship, thinking about it he was actually happy these days. He felt a sense of peace he hadn't felt in, well he honestly couldn't remember ever feeling at peace. As he got closer to home he was considering dropping by Anko's apartment to see how she was doing but first he was going to get rid of his equipment, maybe take a shower.

He entered his home and took off his flak jacket off and placing it on the heavy hook for it. He would go over it later making sure nothing was broken or replenishing the items it had. You learned to take good care of your gear when you went on missions. He walked a bit further in just about to hit the bathroom when he stopped.

"When did you get in?" He asked smiling behind his mask and soon felt familiar arms wrap around his shoulders.

"Damn it how is it that you always know when I visit?" Anko pouted she really wanted to surprise him but she found out years ago trying to surprise Kakashi was like trying to see him without his mask in public.

"You moved that picture on the wall," He nodded to the photo of one of Naruto's birthdays, it held a group of people in it.

"It was crocked," she defended herself. "I swear that thing isn't on there it keeps going lopsided."

Kakashi tried not to chuckle he had learned awhile ago that apparently Anko was a little OCD about certain things and pictures that weren't perfect she couldn't help but straightened them. He had once tested that theory out a couple of years ago at her place, boy she had been pissed after that. But what she didn't know was that he placed that photo like that on purpose because it always told him when she was either here or had been here.

"I'll look into it," He told her. "To answer your question next time you sneak up on someone don't wear that perfume of yours."

"Damn I knew that was a mistake," Anko muttered as she let go of him as he turned to face her. "Heard you were back and I wanted to see how things went, where's the little rug rat?"

"He went to see Hinata although we all came back it wasn't exactly a success," Kakashi sighed he should have known that news traveled fast in this village so it was no surprised she must have heard of their return. "We ran into some unexpected trouble."

"You find him?" Anko asked as both knew who exactly she was talking about.

"Yeah but he managed to slither away."

"Damn it." She really wished Orochimaru had been killed that bastard had been haunting her life for over a decade now and what she wouldn't give to be free of his shadow on her life not to mention that damn seal on her neck. Kakashi had helped with it but it was still there sometimes she could almost feel it.

"Well I did manage to get a piece of him most of his lower half at any rate but he pulled some kind of jutsu that managed to regenerate him. But I'm sure it hurt like hell and using that took a lot out of him." He said to her.

She did have a small smile pull on her lips, "Well that is nice. So that's the only problem?"

"No, we ran into Itachi and his partner again," He told her as he noticed her stiffen slightly but she seemed to recover quickly.

When Anko heard that name she felt her heart stop for a bit, Itachi had put Kakashi into a coma and might have done the same to Kurenai and Asuma or worse if Gai hadn't shown up. She remembered how helpless she felt in that moment when she couldn't have done anything. All that time he had been in that bed worried if he would ever wake up, that name brought back so many bad memories.

She quickly looked at him, "Are you okay?"

He nodded his head, "Tired but otherwise I'm okay. Everyone came out of that fairly okay, nothing major although I will have to step up some personal training when I can." Kakashi sat down on the couch feeling how tired he was. All that travel hadn't helped with his chakra exhaustion but he was feeling better at least. Anko joined him sitting down next to him closely her hand went to his and gently grabbed it.

"I'm glad you all came back especially you," She honestly told him since she had come to terms with her feelings for him she could open up a bit more about certain things it was still new territory for her but when his hand lightly grip hers in return she did feel more assured by it.

They were quiet a moment before she had to break the silence. "You really need a shower."

Kakashi chuckled, "I was on my way to do just that before you jumped me."

"Oh?" She smirked as she sat herself on his lap suggestively wrapping her arms around his neck. "You need help washing?"

Although he felt tired he had to admit Anko could always make him feel energetic. He gripped her thighs as he pushed them up standing up. She wrapped her legs around his waist pulling herself close their foreheads touching staring into each other's eyes. She pulled down his mask and captured his lips with her own as he tried to make it to the bathroom without falling, or crashing into anything.

Next up Chapter 24: Party Time