Konoha Children's Crusade Chapter 16 Part 1

Chapter 16: Preparations and Goodbyes

"Are you sure you have everything?" asked Sasuke anxiously. He counted the bags piled high by the door once again.

"Yes! I'm sure," said Sakura. "I'm not going on an expedition. I'm going to spend a few days with my Master in a retirement condominium at a beach resort. What could possibly go wrong?"

Sasuke exhaled and took a calming breath. "I know. I just want to make sure that you're prepared for every eventuality." He gently placed a hand on her stomach. "It's not just you who's going away you know."

Sakura smiled and gave him a quick kiss. "I appreciate your concern for me and little Uchiha number six here, but in case you've forgotten, I gave birth to Mibuki and Chyrio, all by myself in our little exile house."

"Hey! I was there!" Sasuke protested.

"Yes, you were there, but let's be honest, being a midwife is not your forte." Sakura smiled. "At least you didn't faint when Chyrio was born." She gave Sasuke a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "If I do need help, I'll be staying with Tsunade-sama. She's forgotten more medical ninjutsu than I'll ever know." She looked casually at her baggage. "Did you check it for stowaways again?"

Sasuke grunted an affirmative. "I only found three of the chipmunks this time, two sailors and one pirate."

"And Fugawari?" asked Sakura quietly.

"Well, he stopped bawling about twenty minutes ago, after I took him out of your suitcase. He's been in his room doing something."

Sakura sighed. "Should I be suspicious?"

Sasuke shrugged. "Whatever it is, I can handle it." He stared into her eyes. His lips curled up into a smile. "I'll miss you."

Sakura leaned forward and kissed him again. "I'll miss you too, but it will only be for a little while."

There was a jingling bell outside the main gate to the house. Both Sasuke and Sakura turned and watched the wheelhouse pull up short. The driver waved to them and Sakura waved back. Then she slipped her arm around Sasuke's waist.

Sasuke grinned and stole one more kiss, and then he turned. "Everyone!" he bellowed, "You mother is leaving! Come and say good bye!"

Thunderous footsteps shook the house as everyone ran down from upstairs. "I really wish he wouldn't do that," muttered Sakura. Her grumble changed to a smile as her children gathered in the hallway. First came Ichisui, looking stiffly formal as always. Then Chyrio arrived, vibrating with barely contained glee, clutching a chipmunk in each fist. Next was Mibuki looking worriedly behind him, closely followed by Hana. Hana had the hood of her cloak pulled over her head and was giving her brother an evil glare. Mibuki stood in line and tried to look innocent, but Hana gave him a surreptitious shove. Sakura sighed and forced herself to ignore it. "I have to let Sasuke handle this, or I'll be late," she thought to herself. Lastly coming down from upstairs was Fugawari. He was hauling a bucket behind him.

"Mommy! Mommy!" Fugawari cried out happily. "Look! I am sick! I threw up in this bucket! You have to stay home and be with me!" He proudly held out the bucket for her. All the other children in the line gave him a horrified look and took a step away.

Sakura sighed and stepped forward. "Oh dear honey, I'd better take a look." She reached out and inspected the plastic pail. "Hmmm," she said thoughtfully, "Fugawari, this really came out of your tummy?" Fugawari nodded, grinning. Sakura inspected the bucket once more. "Are you sure now, Fugawari?"

Fugawari's grin slipped a little. "I'm pretty sure Mommy."

"I don't think you are sick Fugawari."

"But I am sick Mommy. My tummy hurts!" Fugawari whined. "I think I'm going to throw up again!"

Sakura nodded and tipped the bucket over. Everyone took a step back to avoid whatever was going to spill out. "Well, it is my professional medical opinion that there is no vomit in this pail. Someone just colored it in with magic marker."

Fugawari's lip trembled. "I was sick… Really I was."

Sakura knelt down and have him a hug while he cried. "It's okay to be sad. I'll miss you too. But I'll be back soon okay?" She gave him a kiss on his forehead, and rocked him back and forth. "I need you to be brave little one," Sakura said calmly, "You are an Uchiha, and the Uchiha are always brave." She smiled down at him. "Can you do that for me?" Fugawari sniffled, but he nodded.

"Now I want everyone to say proper goodbyes to your mother," said Sasuke sternly. "She's only going to be gone for a few days, but I'm sure you'll miss her very much, and she will miss you." He cleared his throat and glared at Mibuki who was trying to elbow Hana. "Mibuki?" he said in a warning tone.

"Dad! She keeps stomping on my foot! Make her stop!" he whined.

"Hana?" asked Sasuke, his voice getting dangerously quiet.

"He started it!" grumped Hana. "I found three of his stupid "fart tags" hidden in my bed."

"That's because it was you who put Chyrio's stupid chipmunks in the box where I keep my blank sealing tags!" snapped Mibuki, his voice getting louder.

"Hmph… Well maybe next time you'll remember that if you don't use your tags to put spiders in my room, you won't find stupid chipmunks where you keep your sealing tags, " said Hana calmly.

"MISTER WHISKERS IS NOT STUPID!!!" screamed Chyrio at ear splitting volume. Everyone flinched and covered their ears. "He is simply adorable," she continued in a normal voice. "Look Mommy!" she proudly held him up for her inspection. Mister Whiskers had on a blue naval coat with gold tassels, and an enormous tricorner hat. He looked absolutely miserable. "Doesn't he look just dashing?" gushed Chyrio.

There was a squeak that almost sounded like a laugh that came from her other hand. "Here Mommy! I want to show you the nefarious Pirate Fluffy as well!" She held out her other hand for inspection. Fluffy was larger than Mister whiskers. His snout was more stretched out and his hair was bushier, giving him a more feral appearance. He was wearing fancy white dress shirt with puffy sleeves covered by a little black vest. At his waist he wore a purple sash with a wicked looking cutlass. Fluffy puffed out his chest upon inspection.

"Squeak," he said proudly.

"Why Chyrio, these are wonderful!" said Sakura proudly. "Were you working on these costumes all morning?"

Chyrio gave her mother an exasperated look. "Mommy don't you recognize the costumes? I used them six months ago in my princess wedding! See! this is the coat that the handsome prince was wearing, and the shirt and vest were part of the ensemble of the jealous duke who tried to ruin everything!"

Sakura looked close and squinted. "Oh, yes... now I see it," she said placatingly. "So if you weren't working on the costumes what were you doing?"

"I was making the pirate treasure Mommy!" said Chyrio beaming with pride. She held up a small wooden chest and popped open the lid. Tiny gold coins and jewels sparkled.

Sakura peered down into the box. "That's amazing Chyrio, it almost looks real!"

"That's because it is! I made them myself!"

Sakura giggled and kissed her on the forehead. "Of course you did sweetie. I'm so very proud of you and I can't wait to see your pirate battle when I get home." She gave Chyrio a gentle pat and moved to Ichisui.

"It took me forever to set up the forge," grumbled Chyrio.

As she approached him, Ichisui bowed and held it. She smiled and nudged him. "Please Ichi, enough with the formality, I'm your mother." She patted his cheek are he straightened. "I know I don't have to say this, but help your father if he needs it?" Ichisui nodded and again went into his formal bow. She pulled him up and gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"Mother," he said, blushing.

Sakura smiled again. "Take care of yourself." She walked back to the other side of the line.  Mibuki was fidgeting and looking over nervously at his older sister. "Mibuki, I need you to leave your sister alone while I'm gone. Do you think you can do that for me, please?"

"But Mom she started it when..."

"I don't care who started it. But I want it to end now." Sakura glared at the pair of them. "Do you both understand me?"

Mibuki looked down. "I understand Mom," he muttered.

Sakura smiled. "Thank you Mibuki." She leaned forward and hugged him. "I want you to be a big help as well. Keep an eye on Chyrio and Fugawari."

She turned to Hana and eyed her daughter critically. "Hana please try to be patient with everyone while I'm gone, and no fighting with your brother. Okay?"

Hana sighed and folded her cloak around herself tighter. "Sure Mom, whatever."

"I mean it," said Sakura sternly. "When I get back, I do not want to hear about any trouble in this house from your father. Am I clear?" Hana shrugged. Sakura stared at her daughter and then hugged her.

Hana squirmed, but Sakura pulled back the hood on Hana's cloak and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Ugh! Mom! Was that necessary?"

Sakura smiled. "Absolutely. Oh, one more thing, please try to dress appropriately while I'm away."

Hana rolled her eyes. "Jeez Mom, you are so old fashioned."

Sakura went back to Fugawari and gave him another hug. "You know that I'll be back soon right?" she asked quietly. "There is nothing that could keep me from coming back to you." Fugawari bit his lip and looked down. Sakura squeezed him tighter. "You are being so brave right now. I am so very very proud of you." She picked him up and wiped his cheeks with her sleeve. She kissed him once and then handed him off to Sasuke. She stepped closer and gave Sasuke one last lingering kiss, then she stepped back and smiled. "So which of my strong children want to help me load the wheelhouse?"

There was a brief scramble as Ichisui and Chyrio leapt forward and seized a suitcase. Mibuki walked up and tugged one from the pile, while Hana stood there and sighed. Finally she took a smallish shoulder bag and shuffled off to the wheelhouse. Sasuke put Fugawari down. "Do you think that you could carry this one?" he asked brightly, handing him a very small sack. "It's a very important one. This has Mommy's lunch."

"Does it have cookies in it? Can I have one Mommy?" Fugawari asked.

Sasuke smiled at him. "If you do a good job putting the lunch in the cart, I'll let you have a cookie after Mommy leaves, how about that?" Fugawari nodded and scampered off.

Sasuke stepped forward and gave her another kiss. They turned and watched the children swarm the wheelhouse. Sakura smiled and leaned her head on his shoulder. "I never get bored of watching them," she said happily.

"Oh? Not even that time when Hana tried to stuff Mibuki in the trash?"

Sakura chuckled. "I never said it was always enjoyable, just that I never get bored." She watched as Ichisui strained to put one of her cases on the cart. "Why are my bags so heavy?" she asked suspiciously. "I didn't think I packed that much." She glanced sideways at her husband. "Sasuke?"

He coughed and looked down nervously. "I may have put in a few extra things that I thought you might need."

Sakura sighed. "How much this time?"

Sasuke put an arm around her. "I tried to be reasonable this time. You've got two standard sets of ninja tools, plus your combat medic kit."

Sakura smiled and shook her head. "Well thank you for not going completely overboard this time. You do realize that this isn't a mission right? This is more of a vacation?"

Sasuke shrugged. "It never hurts to be prepared." Sakura laughed. Sasuke looked at her and smiled. "Look, just humor me okay? Life has taught me that the world is an untrustworthy place where the unexpected happens all the time. I'll sleep better at night if I knew that you and little number six here, had your gear along with you."

Sakura kissed his cheek. "We thank you for looking out for our well being." She tugged on his hand. "Come on, I have to get going."

They walked down the path and out the gate to the waiting wheelhouse. Sasuke helped Sakura up the steps into the interior. She leaned out the window and gave him one last kiss. Sasuke and the rest of the clan all stood there and waved as the wheelhouse drove off and turned the corner. When it was out of sight most of the Uchiha clan headed back to the house. Sasuke and Fugawari stood there for a moment and watched.

"I miss Mommy already," sniffled Fugawari, "I hope she comes back soon."

Sasuke scooped up his son and headed back to the house. "Me too kid. Me too."

*******

"Sasuko, you've got to let go of Mommy's leg. Aunt Sakura is going to be here any minute with the wheelhouse," Naruto gave Sasuko a little tug, but he held on fast.

"No. I changed my mind. I'm going to miss you too much," said Sasuko burying his face.

Naruto sighed. "You do want to make this fort, don't you? I promised that we could do it after Mommy left."

"I can still help right?" asked Sasuko in a muffled voice.

"Mmm-Hmm," Naruto nodded. "I'm going to need your help for this, especially if we are going to make this a proper hideout."

Sasuko looked up. "Proper how?"

Naruto looked thoughtful. "Well we have to decide what kind of fort we are going to make don't we?"

"What do you mean what kind?" Sasuko asked, starting to get excited.

"Well we can make a traditional castle, or a hidden mountain base, or we could even paint it so it looks exactly like a part of your room!" Excitement started to creep into Naruto's voice as well.

"Really?"

"Yeah!" said Naruto enthusiastically, "Think how cool that would be! It would be a perfectly disguised little hiding spot!"

"Wow!" whispered Sasuko with awe, letting go of Hinata's leg. "Can we start making it right now?"

Naruto smiled and put a hand on his shoulder. "We have to say goodbye to Mommy first, remember?"

Sasuko spun around and re-attached himself to Hinata's leg. "But I'll miss Mommy!" he wailed.

Naruto sighed and dropped his head. He looked up at Hinata and grinned sheepishly. "Sorry."

Hinata reached down and picked up Sasuko. "I'm sorry Sasuko," she said firmly, "but I have to go to the clan meeting."

"I want to come too!" he said wiping his eyes.

Hinata smiled at him. "The clan meeting is not really that much fun. The last time we took you, you kept telling Daddy how bored you were. Wouldn't you rather stay here and play with your cousins?" Sasuko shook his head.

"The Uchiha's are coming by tonight as well," Naruto spoke up, "you can play with Fugawari and Chyrio." Sasuko looked thoughtful for a moment. "If you are good, maybe we can all have some ice cream?"

Sasuko nodded with a serious look on his face. "Okay Daddy. I'll try." Grumbling like Sisyphus, Jiraiya entered the house to get another suitcase.

"Good," said Naruto, swinging him down from Hinata's arms to the floor, "Why don't you help your sisters and brother with Mommy's luggage."

"Oh yes," said Jiraiya, cracking his back, "I was just thinking that the exact thing I needed right now was help from a three year old."

"Jiraiya!" said Hinata in a warning tone.

"I can carry stuff! I'm strong!" insisted Sasuko. Both Naruto and Hinata gave Jiraiya a stern look.

Jiraiya sighed. "Here," he said holding up a medium sized suitcase. "If you want to help that bad you can give me a hand with this one I guess."

"Okay!" chirped Sasuko. He ran over and staggered around holding one end.

"Thanks Sasuko. I really needed your help." Jiraiya said dryly, casually lifting the other side with one hand. "I don't think I could have lifted this extremely heavy suitcase without you."

Naruto leaned against Hinata and put an arm around her. Together they watched Jiraiya and Sasuko head out to the front of the house where Kusumina and Hishyota were waiting for the wheel house with a small pile of suitcases. "I'm going to miss you," Naruto sighed. He leaned over to kiss her, but Hinata was staring off into space. "Hey," he said giving her a little squeeze. "What's wrong?"

Hinata slowly leaned her head against him. "You are going to think I'm crazy, but…" she hesitated.

"Popular opinion already thinks you're crazy for wanting to marry me," Naruto said grinning. "You can tell me."

"I'm wondering if I shouldn't go to the clan gathering. I have the feeling that you might need me more here." Hinata looked up at Naruto. "Sasuko's dream has me feeling… a little nervous."

Naruto frowned. "He really dreamed about the Kurokaze?"

Hinata sighed. "It sounded like it." She looked up at him. "It was more than a little nerve wracking, last night. Sasuko waking up from his nightmare like that, right after you tell me that they might not be destroyed after all."

Naruto pulled her a little closer. "Hey it's alright," he said quietly. "I'll admit it's a little weird that Sasuko has this bad dream right after we hear that the Black wind may not be destroyed after all." Naruto looked up at the ceiling and sighed. Then he looked back down at Hinata. "Sasuko's a very smart kid, and he was with me all day yesterday. He probably just overheard us talking about it and it all came out as a nightmare that's all." Hinata kept looking down. Naruto smiled and lifted her chin. "I know it's scary," he said trying to comfort her. "But look at it this way. We already know that there is something weird going on. This time we know what to expect. We know that they can be beaten, and if they try anything while you're off at the clan gathering, this time we'll have both me and Sasuke ready and waiting to take the down. I'll have nothing to distract me this time." Hinata closed her eyes and jerked her head away. Naruto sighed and kissed her cheek. "I'm sorry," he said. "I'm saying stupid things again. I didn't mean it like that."

"I know," whispered Hinata. "I just feel like I let you down. I feel like I was such a failure."

"Failure?" said Naruto raising his eyebrows. "Hinata, you stood your own against some of the fiercest foes I have ever seen. You led a ragtag group of shinobi against a vastly superior foe. You were outnumbered and outclassed, and you still managed to hold them off until help arrived." He held her tighter. "You were willing to die to protect our children and those genin. No one has any right to expect anything more from you."

Hinata looked up at Naruto. "I want you to promise me something," she asked quietly.

"Anything," said Naruto smiling.

"I want you to promise that if you ever have to chose between me and the village again, that you will pick the village."

Naruto's face froze. "No." he said simply.

"Naruto you must realize how large an issue your actions were during the Kurokaze attack. That decision of yours severely damaged your position as Hokage. "

Naruto brushed a strand of hair back from her face. "Hinata, I'm not going to stand by and watch you get hurt. I don't care what the price is."

"Even if you were forced to choose between me and the safety of everyone in the village?" asked Hinata quietly.

"Even then," said Naruto with finality. "I refuse to believe that there wouldn't be some way to save you both." He smiled, leaned in and kissed her. "Besides, wasn't it you who tried so hard to convince me that I didn't have to handle everything on my own?" He smiled. "I'd delegate the village saving to everyone else."

Hinata smiled and shook her head. "Unfortunately, politics isn't always logical. What if your actions cost you your job as the Hokage?"

Naruto smiled mischievously and shrugged. "Well, being the Hokage isn't all that it's advertised up to be. It's a lot of paperwork and meetings, and more paperwork and making polite chit-chat with annoying people." He sighed. "Some days I dream of just walking up to Konohamaru and saying 'Here you go kid!' and dumping it all in his lap." Naruto grinned. "You being my damsel in distress might be all the excuse I need." He waggled his eyebrows and started to kiss her neck. "Especially if I get a hero's reward," he said slyly.

Hinata giggled, but gave his head a shove. "Stop it, Naruto. I'm serious."

Naruto stood back a little and looked at her. "So am I. When was the last time we had a vacation, just you and me?" He shrugged. "Heck, even you, me and the kids? There is always something going on, demanding my attention or your attention." He smiled and pulled Hinata closer. "Maybe it's time we spent some time together?"

Hinata looked up at him and smiled. "Naruto, I know you hate the political side of things, but you need to listen to me. Your position as Hokage is…"

"I know," said Naruto. "It's tenuous. People don't like me. They give funny looks when I walk around. So what? I spent my whole youth like that. I'd much rather do what I feel is the right thing than try to do what is politically expedient." He leaned in and touched his forehead to hers. "I didn't get to be Hokage by bowing and scraping." Naruto sighed. "The last time I gave in to the pressure of the job, Sasuke, Sakura, and their family were banished to the outskirts of the Village. I really regret that."

"Naruto, that banishment was as much for their protection as it was to placate the council. Even after they were gone, you were still able to do so much for them because you were the Hokage."

Naruto looked away. "They resented me for it."

Hinata reached out and grasped his hand. "And they forgave you for it. On some level, I think they are even thankful for your help."

Naruto looked back and grinned. "Yeah? Well, never again. I say that I'm going to do this my way. I refuse to bow to politics when my friends and family are on the line."

Hinata touched his cheek. "I love that you are so noble, so confident. But I do worry sometimes. I have heard... things. Please, do you think you could promise me that you will try to put more effort into maintaining your position?"

There was a jangling bell outside, followed by the squeaking of wheels. "I think your ride is here," Naruto said.

Hinata shook her head, dismissing it. "Promise me?" she asked.

Naruto sighed and smiled faintly. "I promise to do a better job at being the Hokage. I promise to shake more hands and kiss more babies and flatter the council and rub elbows with the political types." He brought in his face closer to Hinata's. "But I have things in my life that are much more important to me now. I want to be the Hokage. I want to be a great Hokage. But I want to be a husband and a father more." He brought his lips down to hers.

"Hey Mom! What's taking so long? The wheelhouse is..." Jiraiya barged into the house, and froze. "Oh god, not again!" he exclaimed. "Can't I leave the pair of you alone for five minutes?"

Naruto turned. "Hey, I'm trying to say goodbye to my wife here! Do I get to kiss her or don't I?"

Jiraiya sighed. "If you must, but at least wait long enough for me to get outside before you start sucking face." Jiraiya shot his parents a look of contempt and haughtily headed outside.

Naruto sighed. "Some days, I just want to smack that kid."

Hinata giggled. "He's a lot like you were, when you were younger."

"I was never that obnoxious."

"You were twice as obnoxious," said Hinata smiling. "I remember all the pranks you pulled." She gently pulled Naruto's face downward. "Now hurry up and kiss me some more, I have to leave."