The Shinobi Demigod

Pt 19: Saying Goodbye

The next day

I slowly woke up and groaned. Ow, my body hurts. I prop myself on my elbows and take in my surroundings. How did I get in this bed? Eh, doesn't matter. I swing my legs off the bed and head towards the shower. Man I smell. I hop in and start cleaning myself. I got out and put on a clean set of clothes that I had in my backpack. Apparently Hecate put some extra clothes in a storage seal. I guess she knew something like this was going to happen. I say a quick thanks in my head, hoping it would reach her. I check on all of the other teammates. Kiba was doing ok and Choji and Neji were stable, but both were unconscious. I headed over to Naruto's room and knocked on the door. I walked in and said, "Hey Naruto, how ya feelin'?"

He turns to me with a sad smile, "Eh, I could be doing better. I wasn't able to save Sasuke."

I sat next to him and put a hand on his shoulder, "I know. I saw you lying on the ground after the fight. Don't beat yourself up about it. We'll get him back."

I grin remembering something. This might cheer him up, "Hey Naruto? Do you know what Kakashi is afraid of?"

His face lights up at the prospect, "What! How'd you find something like that out?"

I laugh, "We had to get somewhere fast so I asked him to get on Toothless with me. You should have seen him! He was screaming and holding on for dear life!"

We both start hysterically laughing. I spent some time with Naruto, trying to cheer him up about Sasuke. I told him once he gets out I'll take him to get ramen. He told me that Ero-Sennin came by and told him that he's taking Naruto on a three year training trip. I congratulated him and told him to bother the old pervert for me. I said my goodbyes, not knowing if I'd see him again before he left. Afterwards, I made my way down to where Toothless was. I hope he is doing well. I walked into the door and saw him eating the fish that I left him yesterday, "Hey bud, you feeling better?"

He makes a sound of agreement and starts to eat some more fish. I pulled up a chair and took a look at his back leg, "What did Shizune say about this?"

He grunts, "I see you need more bed rest then. Try to enjoy yourself. Will you?"

I spent some more time with him, scratching his head. I heard the door open and saw a man standing there with bandages that covered half of his face and an arm in his robe. I look at him warily, "Can I help you?"

He replies flatly, "Yes. You will come with me."

I raise an eyebrow at that, "Sorry, I was told to never follow strangers, even if they had candy."

He grunts, "Then I will take you by force."

Two men appear out of nowhere with swords out. I create a Rasengan and pull my sword out. Toothless hops off the table and stands protectively behind me, growling. Just what do these people want? We're in a standstill, waiting for the other to make the first move. All of a sudden, a familiar silver-haired man appeared in front of me, "Danzo, leave the kid alone. Hokage-sama will not allow you to have him."

He scowls, "He is a threat to the village. He must be contained."

Kakashi replies harshly, "He has done more for the village already than some have in their entire life. Tsuande-sama has strictly ordered you to not touch a hair on this boy. Now leave, before things get ugly."

He glares and disappears with a flicker. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding, "Thanks for that Kakashi. Those guys were freaky."

He turns around, "Don't mention it. What did Danzo want with you?"

"He said that he wanted me to come with him. He didn't elaborate any further."

"This is quite troubling. Listen Tamotsu, whatever you do, never listen to that man and never do what he says."