Two Paths (Sequel to Why Me)

Team 7, finally together

"Everyone! Get near me!" Mariah shouted.

Those who were close enough huddled around Mariah who activated her shield which protected them from an explosion that the Juubi caused. Once the dirt cleared everyone found themselves in a hug crater. Mariah looked over at Naruto seeing that his nine tails mode has vanished along with the chakra he gave everyone. Tadashi appeared next to Mariah.

"Are you alright Mariah?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Let's help Naruto."

Everyone appeared in front of Naruto protecting him as Sakura started to heal him.

"Now it's our turn to protect you, Naruto." Mariah said.

Another screech was heard. Everyone looked towards the Juubi seeing it transform; it now looked like a type of flower. A giant black ball started to form from its mouth.

"It's getting bigger and bigger.." Shikamaru said.

"Is it going after Naruto?!" Choji questioned.

"What can we do against it without Naruto's chakra?" Someone asked.

"We can't just rely on Naruto." Mariah said.

"We can't just hesitate now after all that's happened! Naruto is doing everything he can! It was clear from his words!" Sakura shouted.

"Yeah....he's doing his best to protect simple shinobi like us."

"I don't mean that! He's making us realize that he considers all of us his comrades! I'm going to make Naruto have a full recovery! Every one of us must do what's in their power! If we're gonna die anyway...then it's better to die fighting than to do nothing!"

"Well spoken Sakura," Mariah smirked.

"Ino! There's someone I want you to link to me!" Shikamaru said.

"Did you come up with something?!" Ino shouted in glee.

She put her hand up to Shikamaru's head as he communicated with someone.

"Ino, now link me to all the shinobi on this battlefield. Can you do it?"

"I just will,"

The beast then shot off his bomb towards everyone. Before it could hit, all the earth users summoned a huge wall but it vanished just as it broke through the wall.

"It vanished!"

When the smoke cleared the Fourth Hokage was kneeling in front of Naruto.

"Was I late?" He questioned.

"No..you were right on time, Dad!"

"Who's he?" Sakura questioned.

"I'm Minato Namikaze. Get ready for the blast."

From behind the aftershock from the bomb knocked everyone off balance.

"What was that?!"

"I sent the Kyuubi's attack to the sea."

"Yo-you are.." Sakura started.

"Don't worry, I'm on your side. Thank you for helping Naruto recover. Are you Naruto's girlfriend?"

"Uhm? Yeah! Well, that's more or less it.." Naruto mumbled.

"Shut up! Save your energy!" Sakura yelled hitting Naruto's head.

"You look like you already knew about this."

"I felt his chakra when I was in Kyuubi mode. The  others are coming too."