Intel Division

"-and then, Orochimaru forced me into hard labor. I'm a victim too!" Karin cried as she sat before Ibiki and his colleagues. Some of which stared at the woman with pity.

Ibiki glared at his colleague to the side of him who had tears rolling down his cheeks "I see. It must have been hard on you" He said.

Ibiki sighed "Jeez..."

Karin glanced up at Ibiki, seeing her tactic wasn't working on the man.

"We're not asking about your personal history. We are asking for intel on the Akatsuki, Sasuke, Naruto, and Kabuto" He stated before glancing at his colleague "And don't get emotionally involved" he glared at the man who tensed up "What good will it do if you get swayed?"

"F-Forgive me" He stuttered.

Karin straightened up with a bored expression "Why do you want intel on Sasuke and Naruto? aren't they shinobi of the leaf?" She muttered in question.

"You traveled with them for a bit, did you not?" Ibiki questioned with a frown.

"So what?" She raised a brow.

"So nothing. Your only purpose right now is to answer my questions" Ibiki glared.

Karin shifted in her seat "What exactly do you want to know about Sasuke and Naruto?" She questioned again.

"Yes, what information are you wanting to know, Ibiki?" Another voice suddenly joined the group as everyone shifted to see Tsunade stepping into the room with a glare on her features.

"Hokage-Sama" Ibiki greeted calmly and unflinching at being caught.

"Well?"

"Forgive me, Lady Hokage, but it is my job to make sure no harm comes to this village. The actions of Team 7 haven't put anyone at ease" Ibiki grumbled.

Tsunade was silent for a moment before sighing "I understand, Ibiki, but they are still Konoha Shinobi and will be treated as such until otherwise" Tsunade stated with authority.

"Yes, Lady Hokage" Ibiki, defeated, glared at the table before him.

Tsunade then turned to Karin, who had been watching with curious eyes "Is she cleared?"

Ibiki glanced up at the red-headed woman "Hai. She doesn't know anything we don't already. Looks like she's been kept in the dark about Orochimaru's plans" He smirked causing an irk mark to appear on Karin's forehead.

"Very well. Come with me, Karin" Tsunade stepped aside and gestured for her to follow her.

Karin's eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"What? Lady Hokage, you can't possibly mean you're setting her free?" Ibiki questioned, as surprised as Karin felt.

Tsunade nodded her head "If she's been cleared and doesn't know anything of value, we can use her abilities in the war. She's also an Uzumaki which, as you know, there aren't many left. Naruto and Sasuke vouched for her" She explained.

Karin's eyebrows shot up at hearing the boys vouched for her. Her cheeks grew red at the thought of Sasuke pleading her case.

"And you'll take their word for it?" Ibiki grumbled yet again.

"That's enough, Ibiki" Tsunade firmly reprimanded the man who, once again, backed down "Come on, Karin" Tsunade ordered the girl who was quick to jump up and follow the Hokage out of the Interrogation room.

The two walked in silence for a while, Karin had no idea where they were heading but didn't care as she looked around the village. Even after the destruction of the village, the citizens seemed to be in high spirits as laughter and chatter could be heard all around them.

Tsunade watched her appreciate the sights and wondered if she'd never experienced this atmosphere before.

"When did you join Orochimaru, Karin?" Tsunade suddenly questioned as they continued to walk.

Karin brought her attention to the older woman with curious eyes "I've been with him since I was a child. I was an orphan before that and living on the streets" She muttered.

Of course, it was important to remember neither of the women nor the occupants of Konoha, except a select few, knew Orochimaru had been dead for some time now.

Tsunade hummed to herself "Why did you help Naruto and Sasuke?"

Karin's cheeks brightened "I'll always help Sasuke-kun" She muttered, causing Tsunade to believe the woman had feelings for the Uchiha which would explain her infatuation with him.

"And Naruto?"

Karin straightened with a bright smile, catching Tsunade off-guard "He's from my clan! He's the first Uzumaki I've met and he treated me kindly even before he found out" The red-haired woman stated.

Tsunade smiled softly "I see"

They continued walking until they came upon a training ground that had been used over the years.

"Why are we here?" Karin questioned with a confused expression.

"What? You don't want to see us?" Another voice joined the two as Karin spun around to see Naruto and Sasuke standing behind her. Naruto grinned at her as Sasuke kept his stoic expression.

"Naruto-kun, Sasuke-kun" Karin muttered in surprise before turning to Tsunade who smiled at her.

"Karin, you helped us and left Orochimaru to come with us. We'd like you to become an official kunoichi of the leaf...If you want" Naruto announced with a kind smile.

Karin's mouth opened at the offer. The opportunity of hope to start anew. 

"Whether you join is your choice but know that if you betray us, I will personally kill you" Sasuke stated with a glare, constantly acting as a pillar of light to team 7.

Karin noticed how Naruto didn't change his expression meaning he agreed with the Uchiha. 

The red-haired woman gulped at the threat, not daring to glance at the look Tsunade might be giving her as well.

"I-I understand and I accept. I want to join you!" Karin grinned, letting the threat wash away as she envisioned her new life in the village.

Naruto's smile grew into a grin as he cheered with her. 

"Hn" Sasuke let go of his glare and looked off to the side, satisfied with her answer.

Tsunade suddenly clapped her hands once, gaining everyone's attention "Very well, I'll make the preparations. Karin, you'll still be monitored for now until we can be certain you're to be trusted. Otherwise, you will be placed on a team and start your duty as a Kunoichi of the Leaf" Tsunade smiled.

Karin bowed in respect to the Hokage "Arigatou, Hokage-sama" 

"Let's go, I'll show you where you'll be living" Tsunade nodded as she walked off.

Karin straightened, grinning at the boys, before rushing after the Hokage.

Sasuke watched her go for a moment with skeptical eyes as Naruto noticed.

He good-heartedly shoved the Uchiha's shoulder, gaining a glare "You're worrying too much. I've got a good feeling about her" He smiled.

"Hn. Sure it's not because she's a relative of yours?" Sasuke walked off with Naruto quickly catching up.

The blonde shook his head "I know where my clan resides and I know there are still members that live. You don't see me rushing after them, do you?" Naruto scratched the back of his head before a fond expression replaced his goofy features "It's not only blood that makes a family. Bonds do too" He glanced at Sasuke who watched him closely.

As Sasuke noticed Naruto looking at him, he turned away with an understanding expression "You're an idiot" He stated.

Naruto deadpanned as he, once again, ruined the atmosphere with his Uchiha-ness. 

___

Sakura stood next to Kakashi from the Hokage stone faces as they watched shinobi entering and leaving the village to join up with their assigned districts.

"Ready for this?" Kakashi softly questioned with his usual laid-back stance.

Sakura stared at the vast amounts of shinobi below them and lightly gulped before straightening up "Hai. I won't let you down, sensei" She glared with determination.

Kakashi didn't bother looking at her, already knowing the expression she held on her features "Tell me again, what are your orders?"

"I'll be leading the United Nations medical district and spreading our resources where needed most...I...still don't understand why Tsunade-Sama couldn't be-"

"Because she is still the Hokage and her efforts are needed elsewhere. You are second only to her, Sakura. Don't forget that" Kalashi now looked at his student who had grown into a strong and fierce woman.

Sakura inhaled as she gave a firm nod of reassurance.

"Good. Sasuke and I won't be far so don't worry"

Sakura eyed her sensei with a frown "It's not me I'm worried about" she muttered.

Kakashi glanced at her "You're like a nagging mother, you know that?" He playfully smiled.

Sakura shook her head at the man "Well if being the only woman on the team has taught me anything-" She paused as she glanced back at the village "-It's that you men need someone to be the sense of logic and reason" She smirked.

Kakashi tilted his head "I thought that was supposed to be me?" He muttered. He shook his head before casually handing her a small wrapped parcel.

Sakura stared at it for a moment in confusion.

"Go on, take it." Kakashi ushered.

She glanced at him before slowly taking the package and opening the wrapping. As if the skies of heaven opened up to her, the gift shone with piercing light as the pinkette's expression changed to one of awe.

"It's...how...he finished the next one already?" She stuttered as she held Jiraiya's latest edition of icha icha paradise in her hands.

Kakashi smiled "Apparently he needed something to do while healing in the hospital" he had already read the new book as soon as Jiraiya had finished it.

"Thank you, sensei" Sakura teared up as she hoped with all their being team 7 would make it back alive.

"What's going on?" Sasuke's voice suddenly cut through Sakura's emotional ride.

Kakashi glanced at him before looking back at the village.

"N-Nothing" Sakura stuttered as she wiped her eyes.

"Why are you cryi-" Naruto interrupted himself as he caught sight of the book in her hands and sweatdropped "Really, Ra?" He chuckled.

Sasuke also caught sight of the book and shook his head.

"Urusai! You don't know how amazing this series is, okay!" Sakura defended herself.

Naruto smirked mischievously at the woman "Oh? I guess writing half of it doesn't count for much then, huh" The blonde snickered as Kakashi and Sakura snapped their heads toward him.

"What?" The two muttered in confusion and shock.

"Didn't pervy-sage tell you? I spent three years with him. You didn't think I'd pick up some of his research tactics in that time? The guy has writer's block a lot!" He chuckled.

Kakashi hummed to himself as accepted the fact that his students were dead to him for taking over the only thing he cared about in this world.

Sakura, on the other hand, grew hearts in her eyes as she clutched the book. It confused Naruto and Sasuke, who watched on.

"So then you could change some things because that scene with Izumi and Cho really should have been with Izumi and Aya-"

"Sakura"

Said woman looked over to her sensei who had called her and retracted back a step at the harsh glare on his features.

"There is nothing to be changed" He muttered.

Sakura vigorously nodded as Naruto stifled his laughter.

Sasuke sighed "I hate this team" He muttered.

"Anyway, Naruto" Kakashi called his blonde student "You should get going. Bee would have arrived by now"

"Oh...right" Naruto muttered with a frown. He had been informed by Kakashi that the two Jichuuriki were to be hidden away until the right moment and though the blonde wholeheartedly disagreed with the plan, he knew it wasn't about them. They were simply the keys to ending the world. The Ten Tailed Beast was the lock.

Sakura smiled sadly at the blonde "It'll be okay, To. This is what we've been training for" She stated.

"Enjoy it while you can. You'll be joining us soon enough" Sasuke stated in his own way of reassurance.

Naruto eyed each of them with a troubled expression before hesitantly nodding "I'll see you guys soon" He tried to smile but they could all see how fake it was.

Sakura hugged the blonde tightly whilst Kakashi and Sasuke gave him a reassuring nod.

"Stay alive" Naruto muttered before disappearing. He would make another stop to say goodbye to Hinata before leaving with Bee.

Sakura turned to Sasuke as he did the same, the two feeling the seriousness of the situation finally setting in.

Kakashi watched them, lightly smiling "I'll see you two at the gates, there are still some things I need to prepare" Kakashi stated before disappearing in a whirlwind of leaves.

Sakura and Sasuke didn't seem to notice his departure as they continued staring at the other. 

"Sasuke..." Sakura muttered as she took a step closer, a look of vulnerability on her features.

Sasuke watched her with his own version of vulnerability on his face, all those moments of flaring emotions coming back to him as he remembered what he wanted to tell her from the moment they reunited. What he felt for her...

"I-" Sakura cut herself off as she thought back to their departing kiss when they'd left to train as kids. He hadn't once brought it up since then. It had festered in her mind and his lack of mention grew doubts in her mind that made her second guess everything she thought she understood about their relationship. 

Perhaps this wasn't such a good idea? Perhaps she was simply feeling the dread of war and needed something emotional to fight for, someone to fight for, someone that held her heart. Perhaps she misread the situation between them and if both of them survived the war, how awkward would it be then? Would it be better to leave it alone until after the war?

Sakura looked up at Sasuke who stared at her with an unreadable look in his eyes. She couldn't tell what he was thinking at that moment. Did she want to know? Was it worth the risk of rejection? 

"I-" She stared into his eyes, falling further into the abyss of emotions "I..." She whispered.

Would she do it?