Back To The Future

Chapter 10: BONDS

Tsunade narrows her eyes at the scroll that she had been holding on for quite a time. Gaara already left with Kankuro a few days ago since he can't leave Sunagakure without a Kage. He let Temari stay in Konoha to have more time with her future son (and his future nie- I mean nephew). He knows he can trust Temari with Shikamaru.

Back to Tsunade who is currently having a staring contest with the scroll. It had been a few minutes since it began, and Shizune, who was watching her, sweatdropped at the sight.

"Uh, Tsunade-sama... is there... um, a problem with... that scroll...?"

Tsunade heaved out a sigh and spreads the scroll on her desk, occupying all the once available space (the paperworks are all stacked on the floor, not on the desk).

The last part of the scroll, which turned out to be a signature, was a name that surprised- no, wait- shocked Shizune.

From,
Nanadaime Hokage of Konohagakure,
Uzumaki Naruto

"What in the world...?"

* * *

In the forest across the village of Konoha-

[A/N: That came out wrong. Let me start again. This is my favorite chapter.]

At the forest that surrounds Konohagakure, hooded figures emerged from a swirl of red and orange light.

"We're here. What's the first step, Captain?" - Ino

"Ino, stop calling me Captain, it's freaking me out." - Sakura

"Seriously, Sakura... the Hokage appointed you to be the Captain." - Ino

"Why me of all people? Why not Hinata?" - Sakura

"Uh... Naruto assigned me to be the scout - with my Byakugan." - Hinata

"Make sense. He did assigned me to be the front line in battle with barrages of attacks." - Tenten

"Because that's your specialty, Tenten." - Temari

"Then, what about you, Temari?" - Tenten

"Gaara appointed me to be the strategist." - Temari

"And as for me... using my Mind Transfer Jutsu, I will be the connection." - Ino

"Why am I the Captain...?"

"Sakura, don't be a gloom over it!" Ino yelled at her friend. "Stand up straight and be an Uchiha!"

"Don't expect me to speak just one word!"

"Oh, be quiet, both of you. We'll attract attention if you keep that up." The red head female of the group snapped

"That reminds me..." Sakura returned to her normal state, "Not that I'm complaining or anything but... why are you here, Karin?"

Karin sighed, "I'm here in Orochimaru's stead and I'm also here for Mitsuki."

"Eh?"

"Don't be that surprised, Sakura. Ever since Mitsuki was born, Orochimaru and the three of us (Her, Suigetsu, and Jugo) had been the ones raising him. And of course, being the only female there, I stand as his surrogate mother. And... he's like a son to me..." Karin whispered the last part.