Without Warning (Naruto Fanfiction)

Chapter 6: Homecoming

Konohagakure loomed in the distance as the Uzumaki and the Uchiha walked on the dirt path. Karin had regained her consciousness somewhere along the way and had a glazed look in her eyes as she stared off but she seemed in control of her body as she walked a little way behind the two young men.

Before they could see the gate, the three ninja sensed two chakra signatures approaching them and they stopped to wait. Kakashi and Ibiki appeared before them. The used-to-be-copy nin standing in a slouched, lazy manner and the man beside him the complete opposite.

Ibiki had been a proctor for the first part of the Chuunin exams when the three young shinobi had been mere genins. And the way he had always held himself, just as he currently is, was one with an air of authority - a kind of authority that was both demanding and imposing, powerful and calculated. He stood with his arms at his sides, loose but the muscles on his arms were always tense as if he often expected violence wherever he went. He had every right to do so. The man had many enemies - most created out of their fear toward him.

"Welcome back, you two," Kakashi broke the silence that had enveloped the five upon their arrival.

"Hn,"

"Kakashi-sensei! What's up?"

Karin looked from the silver-haired ninja to the one wearing a bandana, she eyed them both warily unsure which one was more dangerous than the other but knowing both should be avoided.

"Come with me," Ibiki spoke before Kakashi could address the Kyuubi vessel, and he directed it at Karin who stood motionless, fixing him with a neutral gaze while she remained behind Sasuke's solid form.

Kakashi sighed when no one complied, particularly the female in question. "Tsunade-sama's orders, Naruto. This is where your group parts. Ibiki will take Karin, and you two will come with me."

"Hn," Sasuke started walking toward the space between the two men before them. He didn't like wasting time and wanted to get their mission over with by submitting their report in person. His plans for rebuilding the Uchiha compound had been halted because of this mission and he didn't revel in the thought that his arrangements were messed up.

"S-sasu-" Karin started to reach out toward the long-time object of her affections, but stopped in her tracks when the young man in question cut her off.

"Go with Ibiki." Sasuke muttered, his voice emotionless and detached, not even bothering to look back at his former Hawk teammate. "Let's go Naruto, Kakashi," he continued walking and hadn't even bothered mentioning his sensei's name with its rightful honorific.

Kakashi sighed, stuck his hands in his pockets and started following the walking Uchiha and Naruto followed suit, his hands now placed on the back of his head in a relaxed pose. Before he got far, he turned again with his signature smile.

"By the way Karin, you don't have to worry about Ibiki, he won't hurt you. No one's gonna hurt you here."

"Wait, Naruto," she called out before he could turn his back on her again. "You never told me why I was summoned by the Hokage, and now I'm not even going to see her?"

"I'll explain that when we get to our destination." Ibiki answered for Naruto, seeing as he knew more than the blonde.

"I asked him, not you!" Karin retorted, she didn't like the treatment Sasuke had given her from the moment he had used the hilt of his sword to strike her abdomen, then rendered her unconscious with an electric current to the back of the head (how ever he learned that she didn't want to know but she was immensely amazed at the man of her desires), and now he just left her to another man just because the latter said so?! Uchiha Sasuke, when I get my hands on you...