Sakura, "Are you guys sleeping?"
Naruto sighed, "Can't! I keep thinking about Gaara and nee - chan and Gaara again."
Sasuke hummed, "Tell us what you are thinking then. It might help."
Sakura, "Yeah and I will tell you what is on my mind too."
Sasuke, "We can take turns."
Naruto, "Okay, we can do that.... Nee - chan is getting an award but she turned it down."
Sakura, "Huh!!!!! Of all the things in the world, that was not even remotely close to what I was expecting."
Sasuke, "Same here! Details Ruru, details."
Naruto, "So, nee - chan's book is loved by Lady Shijimi. So, since the Lady of Fire Country loves it, other noble Ladies started reading it too."
Sakura, "Um.. That's a goo thing right? Now, a whole bunch of nobles know about Tanna - san's book."
Naruto nodded, "Yes, Ero Sannin said the same thing. According to him, it is apparently a safe topic to talk about. Everyone enjoys characterising and trying to figure out how things would have turned out and all that."
Sasuke, "That is an interesting devlopment, but so Tanna - nee like."
Sakura, "Wait, she does not want the award because?"
Naruto, "Nee - chan says, she wrote the book for me, not to win an award but simply rejecting it would be a problem."
Sasuke, "Right politics can be complicated. The Daimyo will no doubt try to use this as a way to keep peace among the female nobles. Nee - sama might end up becoming a target though."
Sakura sat up, "They would not dare!"
Naruto grumbled, "Directly? No. Behind our backs? Yes. It is why I plan to personally escort her myself when time comes."
Sasuke, "So, she will accept the award?"
Naruto, "Unless, she wants to become enemies with some narcissists with more money than brains, yeah she will accept it. She used those words by the way."
Sakura laughed, "Of course she did."
Sasuke, "Itachi - nii finally picked a girl to be with."
Sakura, "He did? Awesome! Who is it? Someone we know?"
Sasuke, "Surprisingly no, she is not from the village even. She is from Rupong, the village closer to the land of Snow."
Naruto, "He must have met her when he was chaperoning Shisui - nii then."
Sasuke, "I met her thrice now, during the missions there. She is nice, does not question much and kinda like Tanna - nee, now that I think about it. She does her best with what she has."
Sakura, "He must trust her then. Itachi - san, I remember was a paranoid shinobi."
Sasuke hummed, "I think so too. Wonder what happened between them for nii - san to trust her. I just hope she does not break his heart. Heaven knows mom is excited about meeting her and her family next month."
Naruto, "Oh! Introduce us too, Suke. I do not know if I will be free or not but introduce us at some point."
Sasuke, "Of course I will, I think you would both like her too."
Sakura, "Really? Awesome!"
Naruto, "What about you Kura - chan? What's on your mind?"
Sakura, "You know how my parents struggled with fertility?"
Sasuke, "Yes, they wanted to give you siblings. At least, I think that is what I recall them saying before."
Sakura, "Yeah, mom is pregnant. Can you believe that? I am going to become a nee - chan at sixteen almost seventeen."
Sasuke, "Oh? It is confirmed?"
Sakura, "Shizune - sensei has been keeping an eye on them. The baby will be delivered in two months. I am excited but also worried, it is high risk but the baby is healthy."
Naruto, "Heh! All of us got something happening in our private lives."
Sasuke, "Hn."
Sakura, "Yeah, Kuroda - kun has been the most supportive and said if I need anything I should just inform him. He will do his best, even if he is thumbs at Iryo ninjutsu."
Sasuke chuckled fondly, "That guy is smitten by you Sakura - chan."
Sakura flushed, "I know I am very lucky to have him. He is the sweetest and the best."
Naruto smiled as the serious talk turned into a fluffy one about their family, friends and loved ones. As they chatted the trio slowly fell asleep under the stars and the watchful eyes of their clones who kept an eye out. Luckily, no enemy attacked them in the middle of the night and they carried on with the mission after dispersing their clones and receiving the intel. They kept travelling and before they knew it they were at the border village, Ragi where Shikamaru and his team camped out to avoid more injuries and spread of the poison. Sakura got to work right away under Temari's curious gaze, the blond had refused to rest helping Shikamaru care for his students. Taichi - kun kept apologising to Nomura - chan and Hibari - kun, as the two had apparently shielded him from the poison needles. The two would have tried to tell him it was okay, if it was not painful to speak and could only whimper making the poor boy more guilty.
Shikamaru, "Thank you, Sakura - chan."
Sakura, "Do not thank me yet. The mission is not over after all."
Temari fumed, "Still, I can't believe the audacity of that bastard to attack us. In broad daylight, they certainly have guts."
Sasuke, "Do you have a clue as to who it might be?"
Temari, "Oh! I know those techniques alright. Kankuro - kun always lamented over Suna losing them. That man was Sasori of the sand or at least one of his puppets."
Sakura paused, "A puppet that can fight using poison. They are going to be a pain, aren't they?"
Temari nodded, "I bet it was Sasori who poisoned my brother with a new strain. We trained to make our bodies resistant and immune to the poison available around Wind country and even Fire country once trade became better."
Sakura looked at the compound she had extracted into a container and used to make the anti poison, "Do think it is the same strain?"
Naruto, "It is possible but just to be safe make a few more antidotes."
Sasuke, "I will go gather the items necessary."
Sakura, "Alright, here is the list. We should get most of these items at the apothecracy but others... We might have to send Konoha a missive."
Sasuke, "I will send one for the items I do not find."
Sakura, "I will get to work. Naruto - kun, would you.. "
Naruto, "Keep an eye out using my clones? On it."
Temari, "Show me how to make the medicine, Sakura - chan."
Sakura, "Sure, why not. It might come in handy in the future."
Temari went to the table Sakura had taken out of her scroll earlier to use as a work table to create the anti posions and watched her work intently. Sakura worked with the ingredients she still had while she waited for her teammate to return with more items to turn into medicine later. Temari could see why the Slug Princess Tsunade had accepted her as an apprentice. A new poison strain and yet, the pink haired teen already figured out an anti - poison for it within hours. A shame she is already engaged or she would have pesetered one of her brothers to court her. The blonde haired woman watched as Sakura made more batches of the anti - poison while making sure the Genin team recovered from the attack. The three kids were resilient and honestly reminded the team of themselves when they were Team - 7 with their stubbornness to complete the mission no matter what.
Nomura, "We are proud shinobi, Sensei."
Taichi, "We will not back down."
Hibari, "Besides we trust Sakura - Sempai have healed us well enough to travel."
Shikamaru sighed, "That maybe so, but you guys just had a near death experience. So, it would actually be normal if you did not want to continue. However, if you think you can handle it, we will carry on."
Nomura, "We will do it."
Taichi, "You can trust us to always complete our mission, Sensei."
Hibari, "Besides, this is important to both Konoha and Suna. We don't know the gritty details but we are gonna make sure it works out."
Temari muttered, "Damn! They make me wish to take on a team of kids too."
Sakura chuckled, "Yeah, but I do not think I will be able to. I am a medical apprentice."
Naruto sighed, "Jinchuriki here, I would not be allowed as the kids would become a target, sadly."
Sasuke tilted his head in thought, "I am being trained to become a Captain, so it is a no go for me as well. Perhaps, after I finish my training I can take an apprentice if not a full fledged team? Something to think about."
Naruto nodded, "I might take on an apprentice too if someone shows talent in sealing or disguises, I have so many ideas and information for it."
Sakura mused, "Same for medical specializations. Looks like we can only have students in certain fields."
Temari, "It will be interesting to see you three with students of your own."
Shikamaru, "Alright, team fifteen is ready to carry on the escort mission."
Temari nodded, "Great, let's get going."
Shikamaru, "Temari - hime, thank you. For caring about team fifteen. You did not have to and yet."
Temari raised her hand, "You do not need to thank me for that. We are in this together, plus I had to be sure about a few things myself."
Nomura, "Still Temari - hime."
Taichi, "You took care of us."
Hibari, "Thank you very much."
Shikamaru, "Alright then, let's move."
Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura followed team shadow as Nomura jokingly called her team across the dessert to Suna. Naruto thought about his nee - chan wondering how she was doing in the village. His blue eyes went to Temari who's face was now set in an unreadable expression and wondered what he would have done if his sister had been the one kidnapped. Sasuke's eyes went to his fiance when he felt the chakra flare and slowed down to match the blond's speed. Naruto was grateful for the silent support and sent the dark haired male a quick smile. They would get Gaara back no matter what and then return home together. They reached Suna village safely and despite some hiccups with a few Elders who were not happy to see the Konoha nin, they were allowed inside. Sakura got to work immediately, sterilizing everyything and then checking on Kankuro and the Sand shinobi who were poisoned.
Temari, "Lady Chiyo, I understand you do not trust Konha shinobi."
Lady Chiyo, "Humph!"
Temari sharpened her tone, "However, I will not have you openly go against my decisions again. Am I understood?"
Lady Chiyo grumbled, "Fine, honestly Gaara may look like your father but the personality went to you."
Temari, "Any news from the shinobi on patrol."
Lady Chiyo, "They have found a trail and the blond shinobi from Konoha is tracking it as we speak."
Temari nodded, "If anyone can find Gaara, it will be him."
Lady Chiyo, "You are very confident in that blond?"
Temari sighed, "He trained under Jiraiya the information Master of Konoha. If he cannot find Gaara then there is no hope for us to either."
Naruto stared at the chakra strain that led all the way towards the forest away from Suna to the Land of Rivers. He turned to the Suna shinobi, Matsuri was it? He gave her a scroll and told her to hurry back and give it to Temari, she would know what to do with it. Matsuri wanted to protest but something in Naruto's eyes stopped her and she nodded rushing back while marking the area. Matsuri reached Suna under one hour pushing herself to reach it as quickly as possible. She collapsed the moment she gave Temari the scroll making the older woman look at her in exasperation. There was a reason the young lass was not considered for Jounin yet, she still could not balance need with necessity. Sakura picked Matsuri up like she weighed nothing and placed her on one of the free bed so she could sleep off the exhaustion. Sasuke hummed as he inquired Sakura's status to which she informed, the patients were out of danger zone but required rest and food.
Kankuro groaned, "What hit me?"
Temari, "Brother, welcome back to the land of the living."
Kankuro, "Nee - chan? Fucking hell! Gaara, that bastard took Gaara."
Sakura spoke sternly, "You are not going anywhere. Lay back now."
Kankuro, "They took my baby brother."
Sasuke, "Naruto is on his tail. You need to ensure Suna is secured. You cannot leave the village defenceless."
Kankuro, "Naruto - kun, huh? I can imagine he might be pissed."
Temari, "Kankuro, I will be join the search party with sasuke and Sakura. I need you to keep Suna standing. Can you do that?"
Kankuro looked at her then nodded, "Yeah, just be careful nee - chan."
Lady Chiyo, "Do not fret, I will be going with Temari - hime. She will not be alone in this."
Kankuro, "Thank you Lady Chiyo."
Sakura, "Your food is here. Eat slowly and drink a lot of water. I have instructed the nurses to make sure you have a routine hydration. Do not fight me on this."
Kankuro raised his hand, the one he could move without pain in surrender to the pink haired medic as she spoke of what was to be expected. Temari once again mourned not going to Konoha earlier and bagging the pink haired young lass for Suna. Lady Chiyo snorted on seeing the look in Temari's eyes and left to prepare, looks like she was worried for no reason. The group left as soon as possible with Sasuke leading the way and Sakura easily carrying Lady Chiyo to travel faster. The old Lady was reluctantly impressed sharing her tale about encountering Lady Tsunade as a teen long before she got her reputation as one of the Sannin. The younger shinobi listened fascinated as they caught up with Naruto who was working on a seal. Sakura let Lady Chiyo down and did a quick check on him to make sure he was okay while Sasuke talked to the clone who was watching the perimeter.
Sasuke nodded, "Temari, Chiyo, how are your understanding of seals?"
Temari, "Lady Chiyo is the current seal Master of Suna. I have been studying what I can in between my normal training."
Sasuke, "Good because we will need to work together to break the seal the Akatsuki are using to hide Gaara."
Chiyo, "You found them? Where are they?"
Sasuke pointed at the watterfall below them, "Hidden underneath."
Sakura, "That makes sense."
Temari, "Under water? They are under water?"
Naruto got up holding out papers to them, "In a cavern under water but once the seal is broken that is not a problem. I also asked a Jounin team from Konoha that my clone ran into to help us. We are going to need it."
Sasuke, "Who was it?"
Naruto, "Lee's team, they agreed to help. The three of them are Jounin."
Temari, "That will be helpful."
Lee, "Yosh! Naruto - kun, we are here."
Tenten, "Your clone explained what happened. You okay Temari - hime?"
Temari, "I have been better."
Neji, "Why don't you come out already?"
Sakura gasped, "Who's there? I swear I did not sense any danger."
Shikamaru appeared, "Yo!"
Naruto, "Shika? Ah! I see. You could have just joined us. Where is your team?"
Shikamaru, "I sent them with my clone."
Temari was staring at him, "You did not have to."
Shikamaru, "I am serious about you, hime. I want to help you find Gaara. I know I do not need to but I want to help."
Temari felt her heart flutter at that, "I appreciate it, Shikamaru. Thank you. But your kids, won't they need you?"
Shikamaru smiled, "Do not worry about my team. My clone will ensure they reach Konoha safely. Besides, I did not leave them completely alone. My summon is with them too."
Naruto, "Okay, time to break the seal. There are five points, one here and four are located in North, South, West and East directions."
Neji nodded, "He is correct, there are four points from here with seals on it along with guards watching over it."
Sasuke nodded at the information, "There are nine of us so we should go in groups of two to each points. Long and short range, Tenten with me, Sakura with Lady Chiyo, Lee with Shikamaru, Temari with Neji. Naruto you are on seal watch."
Naruto nodded, "I will keep an eye on the seal here."
Lee, "Here you go!"
Sakura, "Is this the new communication device?"
Lee nodded, "Gai Sensei lent us a few. Neji, Tenten and I already have one each, so you and Naruto need one each as well."
Naruto twisted one of the knobs, "Like this?"
Tenten, "Yes, just like that."
Sakura eyed the item, "Ummm... Is it just me or is this designed like.. ?"
Sasuke, "Well, I am not complaining."
Naruto, "Hey, this looks like the device in nee - chan's book. Huh! I will have to ask Gai - Sensei where to find it. This is pretty cool."
Sakura, "Totally! these are awesome."
Lady Chiyo chuckled, "Well then, shall we go?"
The group nodded and went in different directions with Sakura carrying Lady Chiyo and Temari heading out with Neji. Sasuke and Tenten raced towards their own target along with Shikamaru and Neji. Naruto used the device to stay in touch with each group saying the seal was in full active mode and they needed to deactivate the four seals first. They needed to start from the North, then South, then East and finally West side seal. The North Sakura and Lady Chiyo group agreed and started to reach for the first seal only to be attacked. It was not just them other teams were attacked too which made Naruto worried but Lady Chiyo advisd him to stay close to the last seal. The rest of them would get the four seals no matter what. The other groups gave an agreement as they started to battle their enemies who as it turned out were clones and puppets.
Naruto waited, "Ready?"
Sakura, :Yes, destroying the seal now.:
Naruto, "Success! South team?"
Sasuke, :Destroying the South seal.:
Naruto, "Done! East team?"
Shikamaru, :Destroying it, troublesome thing.:
Naruto, "Finally West team?"
Temari, :Done ths side too.:
Naruto, "Done! the seal is off."
Sakura landed next to him, "Awesome."
Naruto looked at her, "Are you okay?"
Lady Chiyo huffed getting off the pink haired kunoichi's back, "She rushed back after punching the clone through the wall and destroying the seal."
Sakura, "Well, I was worried about him. He was here alone."
Sasuke, "We should prepare to enter. Is everyone okay?"
Shikamaru, "Yeah, I am good. Neji - sempai?"
Neji, "I am fine too."
Temari, "Let's get my brother back."
Lee, "Yosh! Sakura - chan, time to destroy the boulder."
Tenten, "They can, right?"
Naruto, "The seal has been removed so yes, it is safe to destroy."
Sakura, "that's all we needed to know. SHANNNAROOO!
Lee, "The power of YOUTH!"
Naruto sweat dropped, 'Was that necessary?'
Sasuke, "Let's go!"
Naruto rushed in the paused at the scene, 'No, Gaara, no.'
Temari snarled, "Get off my brother, you bitch."
Deidara, "Un, it's the Jinchuriki's sister. First the older brother now the sister. Un."
Sasori, "How envious! To have such a loving family."
Deidara, "Let's unite them, un."
Sakura snarled, "Kankuro - kun is alive you asshole."
Sasori, "I see, you managed to find an anti - poison. Tsunade - sama's flower apprentice. I will enjoy killing you."
Neji, "You can try."
Sasuke, "Enough talk! Take out the enemy and grab Gaara. That is our mission."
Temari's eyes widened, 'Gaara! No! I will kill these bastards!'