To The Marrow

Tainted

Last Time:

Once a set of whiskers were in place Minato blushed, leapt up and got ready to leave ...

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Early the next morning during breakfast, Ayame sighed, "I understand why he left, but I hope Minato is ok. Did you get him enough gear?" She asked Torune, who was just coming in the kitchen and putting his shades on.

"I got quite a bit gathered over the last few years for this moment so he should be safe. There's even a cloak to help hide his fluffy features and stay hidden. Master even gave him my report so he'll have more details soon." Torune explained and blushed as Kaji, who was helping Teuchi carry up a thick chunk of 'ham', kissed his neck.

"Was it complete? You still had to confirm that dreadful rumor, right?" Ayame asked, looking disturbed by the mere mention of the rumor.

Even Torune's training couldn't stop the cringe from coming to his lips, "Yes ... There is a Tap list. It lists the people Hiruzen promised first dibs on Minato. I doubt they all think they will be the only ones fucking Minato, but I do know that, despite his crush on you, Sasuke is on the list." He muttered, not liking that Kaji was treated like this.

Kaji scoffed, "Reviving that clan takes priority, I guess."

"Does he have enough to eat?" Ayame pondered out loud, trying desperately to not think about what she was just told. "How do we know that he got out of Konoha safely?"

Kaji rolled his lotus eyes, "I helped him pack a couple tubs of ice cream, beer battered brains and the crispy finger nuggets, he should have plenty."

Teuchi laughed, "That would keep you covered for two months as long as he doesn't binge the ice cream in one sitting!"

"Does he have a sweet tooth?" Kaji asked and immediately face palmed when he only got laughter in response. "Oops. Well that explains why he was so eager to take them."

Torune hummed, "The finger snacks alone could last him. As for knowing whether he got away safely or not, my insects already checked both Danzo and Hiruzen's hideaways. No alarms were triggered."

Ayame nodded thoughtfully, "What if he's spotted by that group that hunts demon vessels?" She asked while taking the meat in Kaji's hands and helping her father start cooking. Teuchi cooked the food for the humans as Ayame handled the food that contained human flesh.

"Those are the Akatsuki." Kaji reminded her as Torune handed him an updated version of the bingo book for further studying.

"What?!" Ayame gaped, nearly dropping the omelet in her shock. "The group Hiruzen is having Jiraiya take you to today. The ones who will attack you when you get to Wine. They're the same group of S-class ninjas that hunt demon vessels! Are you sure you'll be ok?" She asked somehow keeping the omelet intact despite her shock.

Kaji thought about it for a moment, "Without a few tricks no, but thankfully Torune helped me improve my plant manipulation skills. If I time everything right and catch all of them it should be fine." He said calmly as Ayame set a couple of omelets in front of him and Torune.

Teuchi raised an eyebrow as he set his and Ayame's breakfast down, "Wouldn't you using any technique that could subdue them make Sasuke and Sakura suspicious? Also one of the Akatsuki is a Konoha spy, right?"

Torune swallowed his tasty breakfast and nodded, "Itachi Uchiha, Sasuke's older brother. Now that Minato is out it might be time to try and convince the Akatsuki to try a different career choice." He explained between bites of delicious food.

Kaji smiled, noticing that the ramen chefs looked so happy to have more people to cook for, "As for people's suspicions ... The plan was to give enough time for me to be tortured. Hopefully, I will be done and back with Jiraiya before that ... If I'm late I'll tell Sasuke and Sakura tell them someone attacked and I managed to get out. What are they going to say? Claim I'm a demon?" He commented, making the ramen chefs breathe sighs of relief. After a few moments of eating peacefully Kaji brushed Torune's hair back making the insect user blush. "Your ears are pointy." He observed and it was true. Torune's ears had a new point at the tips.