After the pain

Disclaimer: I do not own Kakashi (even though he is in this chapter) or any of the other characters from Naruto.

Once again I must thank all of you who reviewed, you all keep me going to get this story done.


So now here is chapter six.
(Would you believe this story was supposed to be a one shot?!!!!)


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Tsunade tapped her nails on her desk in irritation as she glared at the Jonin sitting across from her.

Hatake, Kakashi was nearly falling off his chair from laughing.

She was just about ready to beat the tar out of the silver haired nin when he finally managed to calm himself down.

"Forgive me Hokage, I'm afraid your request caught me by surprise." Kakashi chuckled, his one eye sparkling.

Tsunade could tell he was still trying to keep from bursting into laughter again.

"I don't find anything about this mission funny." She growled.

Maybe she should still hit him....

"But you must admit, it is not a task a Jonin would expect to be asked to do." He pointed out as he leaned back in his seat and folded his arms across his chest in his usual laid back manner.

"I don't think it's THAT strange." She informed the copy ninja as she carefully and deliberately folded her hands on the desk in an attempt to seem as calm about the whole conversation as Kakashi now seemed to be.

"You want me to find a wife for Naruto! How is that NOT strange??" Kakashi asked, his one visible eyebrow raised in query.

"I said I wanted you to find a nice girl for him, I didn't say a wife. They wouldn't have to get married... At least not right away."

"But you still want him married, so it's the same thing." He pointed out.

"That's not the point! I want him happy!" The Hokage snapped.

"And you don't think he's happy?"

"I think he's lonely."

The scarecrow shrugged. "He always has been, I'm sure when he's ready to settle down he'll find someone. After all, he's only twenty five."

"But Naruto's not even dating!" Tsunade protested. "I haven't seen him with a girl in years!"

"So that's what this is about." Kakashi chuckled. "You’re worried he might be swinging the other way."

Tsunade's eyebrows shot into her hair. "What!!?"

"If Naruto decides to go for a male partner you won't get the grandkids you've been wanting." Kakashi nodded as if he had figured everything out.

It took the Hokage a moment to realize he was joking.

"YOU ASS!!" She shrieked grabbing one of her paper weights, which happened to be a rock, and hurled it at the smirking shinobi's head.

And he was smirking behind his mask she could tell by the way his eye was sparkling.

Kakashi easily caught the projectile before it could connect with its target.

"Is everything all right Hokage-sama?" Shizune, Tsunade's assistant asked as she popped her head threw the office door.

"Fine, fine, we were just having a difference of opinion." Tsunade assured her friend as she waved her back out the door.

"In all seriousness Tsunade, I think Naruto should be left to his own devices in this matter." The silver haired Jonin commented as soon as the door closed again.

"Well I don't think he should." The Hokage snapped, once again glaring at him.

"Then why don't you ask Umino, Iruka to help you out? He's a lot closer to Naruto then I am."

"Iruka is busy with the academy and doesn't have time for this kind of undertaking."

"You mean he said no." Kakashi concluded out loud.

Tsunade smirked. "Actually he said he would love to help but he just has too much on his plate right now."

Kakashi sighed and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

"There is one thing you may have over looked in this plan."

"And what might that be?"

"The fact that most of the single women in Konoha won't even give the boy the time of day let alone look at him as husband material."

Tsunade shook her head in disbelief.
"What are you talking about? Naruto is, dare I say one of the best Shinobi Konoha has ever seen. He's going to be the Hokage very soon."

"That is true, and every one who knows him well, knows he is kind, loyal and one who can always be counted on. But the fact remains that he is still the vessel of the nine tailed demon fox."

"What the hell does that have to do with anything? That fact was made public knowledge years ago it's no longer an issue."

"In general, no it's not. But there are few women who would willingly get involved with someone they believe to be influenced by a demon. And the ones that are, are not exactly settling down type."

Tsunade was slightly confused.
Everyone liked Naruto he was just that kind of guy.

"You're a little behind the times Kakashi, after all what about Jewel?"
She smirked slightly the scarecrow wasn't going to worm out of this assignment.

"You mean Naruto's last girlfriend?" Kakashi asked.

"That's the one."

"The one who broke up with him about five or so years ago and hasn't been seen or heard of since?"

Tsunade was momentarily speechless, had it really been that long ago?

Once again Kakashi folded his arms. "Look, the fact is that rumors never die, they just quiet down."

"Naruto would never have done anything to that girl!" Tsunade hissed.

"You and I know that, as do his friends. But try and tell that to some of the other people in the village." Kakashi's voice was now deadly serious. "There is no way you'll find a woman in Konoha who is willing to take that kind of chance."

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Half an hour later Tsunade was still too upset to focus on any of the paperwork in front of her.

'How the hell did I miss all the shit my boy has had to deal with? I thought things were better then they used to be.'

Jewel she knew had left Konoha of her own accord, although the Hokage had no idea why. Obviously the girl’s mysterious disappearance had made more of a ripple then Tsunade had originally thought it had.

Maybe it was time for her to sit down and have a very serious talk with Naruto. Tsunade was not someone who liked being kept in the dark about anything.

Kakashi had made a couple more interesting comments before absolutely refusing to interfere in Naruto's love life.

'The cocky bastard.' she grumbled silently. 'He can be such a pain.'

Replaying the entire conversation in her mind something about the copy ninja's attitude suddenly struck her.

"When did he get to be such a defiant smart ass?"

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Naruto was glad to see the familiar land marks indicating that he was nearing Konoha.

Tamari was asleep on his back. Although her injuries had been healed she was still very weak so he had been carrying her off and on for the last four days.
On a trip that would normally only take him a day and a half.
He was glad that he had been able to talk the sand nin into letting him carry her while she rested.

As soon as she fell asleep he was able to travel almost three times faster then they did while she was awake and walking on her own.

It wasn't that he wanted to get rid of her he actually had enjoyed talking to her as they traveled.

But the sooner they got to Konoha the sooner he could get her safely home to her brothers.

Then he had some bastards to hunt down and kill.

On the first night out Temari had bedded down on the ground in a small shelter while Naruto took to the trees, sleeping comfortably in the branches.
He hadn't bothered to buy a second sleeping bag as summer was now in full swing and he didn't need one.

In the middle of the night he awoke to the sound of Temari screaming in her sleep.
It had taken a couple of minuets to wake her from her nightmare and over an hour to get her calmed down.

She had clung to him until exhaustion took over but before sleep claimed her, she had told him every detail of what happened to her.

Even thinking about it now, four days later he still saw red.

Those four were the walking dead they just didn't know it yet.
He would take great pleasure in ripping them to pieces.
And since Temari had made him promise not to tell anyone the whole story of what happened to her. Partly she said because she did not want Gaara destroying everything in his path on his way to avenging her.

Naruto wasn't convinced that that was the real reason behind her request but he had given his word any way.
Of course he could have pointed out that he was the only one who knew the attackers scents, so he was the only one who could track them down with any certainty.

The gates of the village hidden in the leaves finally came into view and Naruto slowed his pace to a walk.

He debated waking Temari she seemed so comfortable, her soft breath warmed the side of his neck and he had to admit that he liked the sensation.

He liked having her close.

After that first night he had slept with her wrapped in his arms, she said it made her feel safe.

It had only been four days and three nights but he was going to miss holding her.
It had been a very long time since he had last fallen asleep beside a woman.
And he couldn't deny that he missed it.

After greeting the ANBU guards and inquiring where the Hokage was, Naruto headed for the tower with Temari still asleep on his back.

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Temari was roused by the sound of voices, a woman's voice as well as Naruto's.
Because she was pressed to his back she could feel his deep voice vibrate through his chest when he spoke.

She smiled slightly, it was a very comforting sensation and she really didn't want to open her eyes to see where they were.

Knowing it was inevitable she stifled a yawn and slowly lifted her lashes.

"Welcome back to the waking world." Naruto greeted with a lopsided smile as he turned his head slightly towards her.

He was so close, their faces almost touched.

'He had the most amazing eyes...'
'Wait a sec, where did that thought come from?'

Before she could feel self conscious about where her waking thoughts had wandered, another voice interrupted.

"Welcome Temari-san, it is good to see you again."

With a start the sand nin realized that Hokage of the leaf village was standing in front of them.

"Hokage-sama." Temari greeted, bowing her head slightly.

"How long have we been here?" She asked Naruto nervously.

"We only just arrived." He assured her as he slowly let her slide off his back.

Her legs were a little wobbly when her feet first touched down and for a moment she was afraid that they wouldn't hold her weight.
However before that theory could be tested Naruto's arm wrapped around her waist supporting her against his side.

She smiled at him grateful for the help she placed a hand on his shoulder for balance as she moved slowly towards the nearest chair.
His arm remained around her until she had settled down on the seat.

When he moved away from her to face the Hokage she immediately missed the warmth of his body.

To Temari's relief he didn't go far, he stood half behind her chair with his left hand resting on the back.
Supporting her even though they were no longer touching.

"Are you alright Temari-chan?" Tsunade asked.

Starting guiltily Temari moved her attention to the woman standing before her.
She couldn't believe that for a moment she had forgotten that she was in the Hokage's presence.

Said Hokage was giving her a strange look, the sand nin wasn't sure it if was concern or something else.

"I'm fine Hokage-sama, I'm afraid I just haven't gotten all my strength back yet."

Tsunade lifted a questioning eyebrow.

"I found Temari- san badly injured on my way to pick up the reports you asked for." Naruto informed her.
He then pulled out several scrolls from his pouch.

Temari felt herself tensing as the Konoha leader moved around her large desk and took a seat.
Placing the scrolls aside Tsunade folded her hands together and looked expectantly at Naruto.

'Here it comes.' Temari thought. 'All the questions.'

Naruto's eyes meet hers, silently asking permission.

She nodded, she was pretty sure if she tried to tell the story she would get upset.

As Naruto started the report she found herself wishing that she had asked him not to tell anyone about the rape part of her ordeal, instead of just Gaara.

It wasn't until she heard him describe the farm they had stayed at that she realized that the tall Shinobi had indeed skipped that part of the story.

Filled with relief Temari slumped back in her chair.
She couldn't say why she didn't want any one else to know, at least not yet.
She needed time to analyze every thing first.

"And you think they were Akatsuki?" Tsunade asked, dragging Temari back from her musings.

"Yes Hokage-sama, But I can not be sure as most of them kept their forehead protectors covered."

Tsunade Nodded thoughtfully before standing.

"I'm sure you would like a hot bath and something to eat so I won't detain you any longer."
She motioned to Naruto.
"Find Temari-san a hotel room and I will send word to the sand that she is safe."

"Thank you Hokage-sama." Temari got to her feet and bowed.

Tsunade made a shooing motion with her hands. "Naruto, I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yes ma'm."

Naruto offered Temari his arm which she gladly excepted. It felt like her legs couldn't decide if they were asleep or awake so she now had a tingling sensation in both.

"I'll buy you supper." Naruto offered as he as opened the door then picked up his pack that was lying next to it.

Temari wondered absently how he had carried it with her on his back.

"You don't have to do that Naruto." She assured him.
After all the trouble he had already gone through for her she couldn't imagine imposing on him any more.

"O yes I do." Naruto stated. "Consider it your reward for having to eat my cooking for the last four days." He grinned.

"That was cooking?" Temari asked playfully as she returned the smile.

"Ouch." Naruto chuckled as he pulled the Hokage's door closed behind them.

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Tsunade watched the door close on the two young people and grinned.
Maybe, just maybe she wouldn't have to find a girl for Naruto after all.

Smiling as if she had learned a great secret the Hokage steepled her fingers and tapped them against her ruby painted lips.

In all the time she had known the boy she had never seen him so protective.
Maybe protective was the wrong word she amended, after all Naruto was very protective of the people of Konoha especially his friends.

But the way he had hovered over sand kunoichi was different, it was.... It was hard to put a name on it, Tender? Caring? Dare she hope, loving?

Pulling out a blank scroll Tsunade rang for Shizune and began to write a letter to the Kazkage of the sand.

"Yes Tsunade-sama?" Shizune poked her head through the door.

"I have a message that needs to be delivered to the sand village, call a messenger please."

"Right away Hokage." Shizune's head disappeared before she was even finished speaking.

Tsunade worded her letter very carefully, she wanted to see what would happen if Naruto and Temari were given a little more time together.
Without the girls overly protective brothers hanging around.

But she also did not want to alarm Gaara and thus have him roar to the leaf village to reclaim his sister.

To that end she kept it simple, explaining that Temari had been found injured. But was recovering well and was welcome to stay until all her strength returned at which time the leaf village could escort her home or she could wait until Gaara was free to come and pick her up himself.

The messenger arrived so Tsunade quickly read over the letter one final time before sealing it and handing it over to the young man.

The messenger bowed and quickly left.

Tsunade smiled again and mentally gave herself a pat on the back.
If all went well she would live to see a whole bunch of little blonde haired, blue eyed ninjas running around Konoha.

She let herself picture that for a few minuets before reluctantly going back to the papers on her desk.

A slight frown replaced the smile on her lips as she recalled Naruto and Temari's revelation about the possible resurfacing of the Akatsuki.

With a sigh she buzzed Shizune again at least she wasn't having any trouble with the sand.

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Kankuro grimly walked towards his brother who stood at the peak of a sand dune, surveying the rolling desert that surrounded them.

The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the land.

The painted man knew that before the ball of fire had completely disappeared there was a good chance that blood would be shed.

Every Shinobi of the sand had been out searching for Temari for the last five days and had found no trace of the Kunoichi, until now.

"Gaara."

The red head did not immediately turn he stood like a statue, the setting sun causing his face to be shadowed giving him a haunted look.

"This was just found." Kankuro informed him, holding out the object in his hands.

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Gaara slowly turned to face his brother.
Having finally grown inpatient sitting in his office he had been using his power to control sand to try to find some trace of his sister.

The demon vessel now knew where every one of the ninja under his command stood in the desert.
But still there was no sign of his onesan.

He could feel the tension coming from Kankuro's body even before he focused on the puppet master.

Gaara's aquamarine eyes immediately fell on the mangled piece of metal in his brother’s hands he instantly recognized it as what was left of Temari's Giant fan.

It felt like his heart had stopped beating as he reached for the remnants of the weapon.
A sensation that he had never felt in his life.

The cold steel sent a chill up his arms as Kankuro set it in his hands.
Bringing the weapon to his nose he found traces of blood, from two different sources.

"Send everyone back." He instructed his sibling.

"What? Gaara, this doesn't mean..."

"Get them out!" The red head growled, interrupting Kankuro's protest.

Rage was beginning to boil in the pit of his stomach and he wanted no one in his way.

The puppet master seemed to realize this as well for he was gone in a puff of smoke.

Giving his brother time to complete the task, Gaara brought the fan to his nose for closer inspection.
After committing the strange blood scent on the edges to memory he went in search of any other scent that may have been left behind on the blades.

A second unknown scent was found where an unknown male had held the weapon that too was committed to memory before he reached the hilt and the blood that was all too familiar.

Someone had dared to harm his onesan!
Rubbing a thumb over the dried blood Gaara suddenly had felt the sensation of his body being drug at an unbelievable speed before being slammed into a wall.

~flash~

Temari did a back flip to avoid a hail of kunai that were hurled at her.
Regaining her feet she brought her fan up and swung it open with practiced ease than sent a wall of wind at her attackers.

There were four shadowed figures, attempting to surround her, she easily deflected their weapons a smug smile on her face. Their skills were nothing compared to hers.

One figure finally took the chance of charging her on his own while his companions sent more kunai and shurikan at her.
He managed to get in close behind her and leapt at her a kunai poised to strike.

Temari saw him coming out of the corner of her eye and jumped to the side, at the same time bringing her fan around and catching the man in the chest.
There was a dull thud as his body hit the ground the giant fan having cut through the chest protector he wore and digging into his flesh.
As his blood leaked onto the blade his face finally came into focus.

Surprise registered on Temari's face as she moved to pull the fan back only to have the man wrap his arms around it to stop the movement.
At the same time a shurikan flew through the air and lodged in her hand.

She snarled and immediately grabbed the star and sent it back to where it came from, then placing her free hand on her fans hilt she set herself to remove the man who clung to the end.

With a heave he was lifted from the ground and just as she moved to swing her weapon she froze, her eyes going wide.

Slowly her grip on the fan loosened and her arms lost their strength, the blades and the man attached to them hit the ground, they were quickly followed by Temari's body as it fell face first onto the sand.

A feathered dart protruding from her neck.

From behind a rock half buried in sand stepped a fifth attacker.

~end flash~

Gaara's knees buckled and he hit the ground breathing heavily. It took him several moments to assimilate all he had just seen.

Aqua eyes bled crimson as both human and demon rage built to the boiling point.

'They will pay!' Shukaku growled, the demon having long since merged with Gaara. The raccoon-dog shared his host’s fondness for the female sibling.

"They will die!" Gaara hissed in return as the sand around him came to life.

Swirling around the lone figure as it built in power and size until it became a tornado reaching a hundred feet into the air.

Gaara squeezed his eyes shut as pain filled his cold heart.
Unnoticed, a single tear escaped and trailed down one pale cheek before it was whisked away by the swirling sand.

His lean body trembled with effort as he attempted to keep his rioting emotions under control.

In the end it was like a candle in the face of a hurricane.

Someone had Temari, had hurt her, spilt his beloved sister’s blood.

With a deafening roar he unleashed his fury on the desert.

The tornado turned into a raging storm several miles in diameter as it swept through the country side.

The Shinobi not yet inside the protective walls of the village were the only living creatures to survive in its wake.

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Well all there you have another chapter, I hope you liked it.

Thank you all again for all your reviews, I really enjoy reading them.

Legilmyth.