I'm only Human

**NEWLY UPDATED**

AN: Hey guys! Well..I was slightly disheartened with the last amount of reviews from the last chapter, and I had been soooo excited about that chapter to. But anyway, i got talking with my muse finally and she kicked my butt to finish up this chapter, so you will have to thank her.


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The sake container came flying across the room smashing into the wall the contents spilling down it. The green eyes blazed at the information that the two geniuses had just shared with her.

“What?!” she roared. Shikamaru winced though neither him or Neji had moved (much less nin would probably would had high-tailed it out of there).

“We think that our focus shouldn’t be on Akatsuki,” Neji repeated. “Since the sighting and warning from Jiraiya there has been no trace of anyone from the group. And we know it has everything to do with Naruto and the fact—”

“I will not allow half my forces on a wild goose chase—even… even for Naruto,” she said, calming down a bit from her earlier rage. She dropped a hand down to the desk and sighed.

“To know he used jutsu forbidden for use puts him in even more danger of being stripped of his rank and standing within the shinobi community.”

“If I may interject, Naruto’s in more danger of dying… this thing that he did was done to save Konoha from being ripped apart,” Neji said, stepping forward and raising his voice. Tsunade glanced at him.

“I know. The council won’t agree to anyone who was close to Naruto to go after him; they think it is a liability to the cause of the mission,” she responded coolly.

“They sent black ops after Naruto, but I’ve only heard word from the Kakashi-Sai group of their whereabouts and actions, the others are reporting directly to the head of council,” she paused and looked to Shikamaru then Neji. “I think, however that a mere recon mission with a select number of high leveled shinobi to the west to interject and gather information will be sufficient excuse for you.”

Neji’s eyes widened and he glanced at Shikamaru before nodding.

“How many?” Shikamaru asked.

“As many you need to complete the mission, I received word from the Kazekage-sama this morning and he will be sending help in case there is an attack here. Leave as soon as you can. Dismissed.”

Neji and Shikamaru bowed lowly in respect and they were gone within seconds. Two brown eyes widened at the information he heard, he knew there had to be a reason Jiraiya was sulking around the Hokage tower. He disappeared swiftly after the two young geniuses.

The Hokage clenched her fingers together staring at the stain the sake left on the wall and floor.

“So... tell me about what mess Yondaime Minato left his son in,” she whispered her eyes turning to the window as Jiraiya slipped in. His eyes were lowered as he slipped the scroll from his pocket and handed it to her.

“I..hate to admit it but like father like son,” he grunted, “Minato didn’t finish what he started… Naruto did.”


The sun was low, the orange and red rays making the usually green of the forest look like fire. Cerulean eyes stared out the Hokage window, lost in thought, his one hand that held a brush hovered over a scroll, one drop of black ink slowly fell from the brush tip landing on the scroll. At the sound the Hokage glanced downward, his eyes widening.

“Damn it!” he cursed to himself. He would have to start all over again, for the third time that day! Sighing heavily he leaned forward dipping the brush in the ink jar before letting his hands flatten on the table pushing himself upward. He should have time to do that later.

“Working hard as ever aren’t you,” a gruff voice stated; the sound was filled with amusement. The blue eyes twisted around and widened at the familiar voice.

“Jiraiya-sensei!” he said, turning completely to greet the older man, a wide grin on his face. His former squad leader had his leg dangling outside the window as he crouched on the sill.

“I keep telling you to pay better attention, Minato,” the white-haired Sannin said with a large laugh. Minato gave him a half-amused stare before running his hand through his hair.

“Sorry, my mind’s been…on something else,” he replied smiling. His Sensei squinted slightly before nudging his head out the window.

“Let’s get you out of this stuffy office,” the toad Sannin said. Minato blinked, his eyes going back to the ruined scroll.

“But I…” he trailed off before nodding slipping after his mentor and good friend.

A swirl of wind fluttered through the window, the ruined scroll rolled across the table falling on the ground. It rolled towards the door which opened, a young woman stepping through heavy with child.

“Minato….oh damn it he’s gone!” she exclaimed huffing as she attempted to pick up the half done scroll only to kick it across the room instead. She grunted and huffed heavily the door slamming behind her as she shuffled out of the Hokage’s office.
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“So tell me, is it Kushina?” Jiraiya asked. “Her hormones got you on your last thread?” he continued, grinning. Minato raised a brow before laughing softly.

“Hardly…” he replied softly before stopping. They had travelled up one of the less used paths that led up to an overhang that one could look over the entire village.

“Danger…is headed this direction,” Minato whispered softly, his eyes taking in the darkening village. Jiraiya stopped beside him his arms a crossed his chest.

“Do you think it has to do with him?” the Sannin asked, his voice had lost all of its previous amusement and his lips were set in a firm frown. Minato shook back his shaggy blond locks a soft sigh escaping his lips.

“I can’t tell,” he replied.

“Well… then all we can do is start preparing for the worst…” Jiraiya said quietly staring beyond the village where numerous training grounds resided where many teams were still hard at work.

“I am preparing,” Minato replied, his voice hardening. The Toad Sannin’s eyes glanced at the Hokage as the wind whipped around them from the south.

“What are you doing Minato?” Jiraiya asked knowing the look of pure will that had set on the Hokage’s face.

“I’m developing a jutsu,” Minato said, “So that I can face this danger…”

“You don’t even know what’s coming, how can you develop something that will counteract it? Are you even listening to yourself!?” Jiraiya said cutting Minato off hurriedly, one hand grabbing a robed shoulder and squeezing. The Hokage glanced at him.

“I have a duty to protect my people. I was put in this position for just that. At any cost,” Minato said raising his voice.

“Yes, protect the people,” the Sannin replied, “But train. You are the most powerful man in any village. Your strength alone will ward off most; the strength you give this village is spoken about in almost every corner of the world.” He shook his head and dropped the hand from Minato’s shoulder.

“Tell me, what you are developing,” he said.

“Something not even Orochimaru would attempt,” Minato said, his hard blue eyes turned and stared at Jiraiya at the mention of his former comrade.

“It was never supposed to be for practical use…but the closer this danger comes..The more I realize I might have to use it.”

“What. Is. It?” the Sannin asked through clenched teeth, turning and grabbing both of Minato’s shoulders firmly.

“It’s Kokoronokinsen-heki.”

Jiraiya’s eyes widened and he took a shocked step back before his eyes hardened.

“Stop developing it. It will never work. You’ll kill yourself just trying. And then what?! You’ll leave this a Hokage-less village just because you think you can split your soul to face this danger. It will accomplish nothing!!”

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Kiba stared at Neji in front of him, his dark slitted eyes widening in shock at the request and news that the white-eyed ninja just said to him.

“We’re going after him?!” he asked in disbelief. He was shoved to the side, Shino beside him; the young man pushed the dark glasses up the bridge of his nose,

“I dearly hope I’m on this mission,” he spoke in the same flat voice, the simple sentence seeming more of a threat then a request. Neji nodded once.

“We only have a short amount of time, get what you both need and meet us by the west gate,” he ordered before disappearing onto the rooftops going towards his next targets. Kiba mouth split in a wolfish grin and backed up into the house, one high pitched whistle escaping his lips.

“You have everything here, don’t you?” Kiba asked before turning to the bug-controlling nin. Shino nodded once.

“I did move in, didn’t I?” Shino deadpanned, earning a nervous laugh from Kiba. The ground shook when Akamaru landed outside their shared house, the large dog barking in agreement with Kiba’s excitement.
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Neji dropped down in the middle of a field, ducking and catching a yellow clad ankle, he twisted. A fist came up and Neji barely dodged it, one hand blocking the forearm from finishing the job. Lee’s thick eyebrows furrowed in focus and then confusion.

“Mission Uzumaki,” he said, the round eyes widened and Lee’s firm frown that his training had been interrupted had turned into a smile and he flipped from Neji’s grip.

“Get what you need and meet us by the West Gate.” Neji ordered.

“Yes!” Lee shouted and in a green blur he was gone.

Neji just hoped Shikamaru was getting who he needed just as quickly as he was. He had already gotten into contact with Sakura and Ino. He headed towards the West gate. One by one his conrades came to his side, their number increasing the closer they got to the West Gate. He saw Shikamaru was already there leaning against the dark wood of the large gate his arms a crossed over his chest. Chouji was next to him, crossed legged on the ground, the beady eyes closed in concentration.

“Good,” the Nara said looking as they all dropped down in front of them, “You’re all here.” Chouji stood up as soon as the last person came.

“We have another coming,” he said, and just as he did another landed before the group of young ninja’s.

“Wait,” he said firmly. Neji turned meeting hardened dark brown eyes, and a scarred nose. The white eyes widened a fraction.

“I’m coming with you,” Iruka said. Neji looked at Shikamaru.

“But... teach… you’re only a chuunin… no disrespect or anythi—” Iruka had Kiba on the ground, a foot shoving the dog-nins face in the ground, his knee keeping Kiba pinned completely, a kunai at Kiba’s throat, his hands twisted so he couldn’t perform any jutsu.

“I’m coming with you,” Iruka hissed looking at Neji before Shikamaru. He wouldn’t take ‘No’ for an answer. The Nara sighed heavily in annoyance.

“We don’t have time for this, just let him come. He could be useful after all, he’s known Naruto the longest of course,” he said with a little amused smile. Kiba huffed underneath their previous teacher.

“Alright—Alright… get off…” he grunted, Akamaru licked Iruka’s face and Kiba glared at his dog,

“Great help you are…” he grumbled. Iruka stood, the kunai sliding back into the pouch at his side. Neji stared at him his eyes narrowed slightly knowing Kiba should have easily been able to dodge or counteract the attack. Perhaps he would be useful.

“Fine. As you all known this is a mission to get Naruto back. We will have to keep our senses sharp and our minds clear of anything happening here. Keep your wits about you; I’m sure there is more than one Akatsuki member after Naruto right now.”

“You don’t need to lecture us Neji,” Sakura said. “We all know the risks, and we’re all willing to take them if it means getting Naruto back.” The murmur of agreement went through the gathering of highly skilled ninja and the Hyuuga grimaced knowing none of them knew the most recent information.

“Then we will explain the current developments on the way,” he said. And soon eleven black blurs disappeared into as the rays of sunlight just started to peek above the horizon.
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The desert rolled before the silent figures eyes, those who he followed weren’t that far ahead but keeping his distant was the only way to track them efficiently. He slid the mask from his face and surveyed the land, his Sharingan eyes narrowed. Everything was working well. The two he followed were moving faster than before and would probably intercept the target before too long, and even if they didn’t it would be too late. He closed his eyes, the darkness swallowing him and he stood before Itachi. The other sharingan wielders face was blank waiting to report back to him. The elder Uchiha nodded once.

He’s moving. The lure’s have all been destroyed and he has information imperative to the mission. The younger Uchiha said, his mouth in a firm line.

The orange mask fell back down across the elders face, but the scowl had been quite evident.

Make sure he does what he needs to do. He hissed angrily.

Itachi bowed his head and he faded from the dark recesses of his mind. Grimacing, the man pulled back from the dark place in his mind his eyes slitting as the Suna wind picked up around him. The sand shot up behind him as the chakra built at his feet and he was a black blur against the white sands. The moon was high and cold against the dark skies. It was time to detain some nuisances.

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“So we’re going to do it?” Kisame asked as he crouched down on a hill overlooking the dense forest before them. His partner stayed silent for a moment as his red eyes took in the thick foliage.

“Yes,” he finally said. “We will not engage yet with the Jinchuuriki.” They both could feel the overwhelming pulses from Naruto start to fade the farther the other moved to the north.

“And if he loses all control?” Kisame inquired shifting his large weapon on his back. What they were going to do, what Itachi wanted to do, would be against everything Akatsuki stood for. His dark eyes narrowed slightly.

“If you wish not to cooperate then leave,” Itachi spoke softly. Kisame grunted before a smirk pulled across his mouth revealing the rows of sharp teeth

“If you want me to leave you should kill me first,” he replied. Itachi turned his head before nodding.

“Lets go,” he said firmly. Kisame nodded and followed him as they moved towards their goal.

“And if he loses control we’ll destroy him,” Itachi said as they moved through the thick woods, darting soundlessly through the tree tops. Kisame glanced at his partner landing on a large branch before easily pushing off of it.

“Destroy it you mean?” he corrected. Itachi moved forward not bothering to look at the shark nin.

“I say what I mean,” said the Uchiha firmly. “The boy will be killed as well,” he continued coldly. Kisame shrugged.

“It’s not like I have sympathy for him. It’s just your little brother is more than likely on his way… A Jinchuuriki doesn’t snap like that for nothing, something’s happened to make him lose control.” The shark nin replied his voice lacking interest his sword shifting on his back as he moved steadily through the forest following Naruto at a safe distance.

“My brother is on his way,” Itachi replied softly. “Perhaps this time we will meet on different terms then we have in the past.”

Kisame glanced at Itachi his dark beady eyes squinting curiously at his partner and the words he spoke. Not questioning them, he nodded and moved ahead, the first sun’s rays shooting up from the horizon chasing the nights shadows away for the new day.

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TBC


AN: Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeell....I know, more of the other characters in this one!! Sooo? Any Ideas? Thoughts? Please don't tell me some of you are getting bored -tears up-....I would ope not..it WAS really discouraging from the last chapter cuz I had been really excited about it, and where this story was going, I hope i don't disappoint with this one ^^.

ANYWAY, onto the AWESOME REVIEWS I DID GET -loves on you all-




AngelicChaos: LOL...i'm sorry that the drama is killing you!!! Did I answer a few more questions? Maybe? XDDD Yes..and No about him devolping and finishing Minato's version. But I can't say any more then that!! Well..thats exactly the problem, nothing more to Naruto to save..and with Itachi after him...things will be getting ugly!!


demona: *does happy dance with* hehehe....thanks, I'm glad your were excited enough for a happy dance...that no one else saw...of course...XDDD. Good? yes? Maybe?


lokivsanubis: Maaaaaaaaaaaaaybe...really good theory!!!! There's a reason Minato didn't finish it..which I can't disclose, Any more theories??? Hm? Hm? Don't forget how painful it was for Naruto to re-merge with his other half even when they were apart mere minutes...soooooo....


spanish74: Thank you very much!!! Hope this is good too!!!


Sa-Chan: You really make me happy, thank you so much!! Lots of things are going on, and even more next chapter!!Soon more questions will be answered!! Promise promise!! XD I'm really happy I'm keeping you on your toes, and that you still love my story!! I hope I don't disappoint with this chapter!!

airhead622: lol, yeah I'm back!! Hehe...I hope this was what you were hoping for too!!


peeps: Thank you so much! There's lots of things i'm hoping to do in this story! Lots of thing...so i would hope I can keep you on your toes...I hope i still am!!!

morixharuhi4eva: LOL...oh yes LOTS of Drama....It won't be getting better anytime soon, buuuuut...well..yeah..not getting better anytime soon lol. Thank you so much! ^____________________________^

sageryan25: Thanx..who would ever think you'd be on here XDDDDDD but thats only cuz I forced you to read it ,and hey you love it! -laughs- I wish they made this into an OVA...I'd be....really really really excited....XDDD


Well thats it!!! I'm a review whore!!! Please Please Please tell me what you think!! You're reivews help me stay positive about my story..and me staying positive makes sure nobody dies!!!!! (well..can't promise anything.....)