20 Ch. 20

--Tsunade POV--

It's day two on our journey to get Karin and her mother. We've swapped driving a couple of times in order for neither of us to be too low on chakra. That part is getting pretty annoying, I think once we get back I'll have Zach change it to where the passengers can share in the mana. If there are enough people putting power in, we could run this thing all day and night!

As we reached the Village Hidden in the Grass it was almost midnight. Stopping the vehicle at a distance where they couldn't notice it. I was sitting in the driver's seat and turned to look at Shizune.

Tsunade: "Shizune, I need you to locate them then come back and we'll go together. If there are any guards neutralize them with non-lethal."

Shizune nodded and disappeared. She's getting better and must be training. I haven't been a good mentor to her lately, maybe I'll share my present from Zach.

--Shizune POV--

I'm glad I started to seriously train in my free time for this last month. Zach is mainly the one who takes care of Tsunade nowadays which leaves me with a lot more free time. She has matured a lot since meeting him which I don't know if I like. Having her rely on me gave me purpose, now I'm starting to feel a bit lost.

Snap out of it Shizune, you're sneaking into a hostile village. Focus on the task at hand. Running up and over the wall was easier than I expected. The quality of ninjas in this village must not be that high. Now from what I remember from the anime and show, was that Karin's mother healed the wounded. So their house must be around the hospital.

Scanning around the village for a second I spotted where the hospital was. Making my way over there jumping across buildings and dodging patrolling ninjas was a cakewalk. Reaching the building outside of the hospital I stopped and started to observe the surroundings.

After about 20 minutes of observing, looking for clues for their whereabouts. Tonight was my lucky night, walking out of the front of the hospital was a gaunt woman who's hair looked like a faded red. Seeing her condition made my heart sink, how can they do this to her? What kind of animals are these people!?

Clenching my hands hard enough that my fingernails dug into my palms enough to make them bleed. I silently followed the woman back to her house where when she opened the door I saw the 12-year-old Karin run and hug her mom. We need to get them out of here. With that thought

I went back to meet up with Tsunade.

--Tsunade POV--

It's been almost an hour since Shizune left, and I'm starting to get nervous. As I started to get out of the truck to go search for her, she showed up. I could see she was visibly pissed off, guessing what it could be is the condition of the two.

Tsunade: "Report."

Shizune: "I've found their house, they are near the hospital. We're going to have to carry both of them out. The mother looks very malnourished, and Karin even though she is a ninja, she won't be as skilled at sneaking out then we would be."

I nodded my head at the information and started to plan. First thing, first I need to store the truck. Pulling out an empty storage scroll I poof the truck into it. Turning to Shizune I nodded for her to lead the way.

Sneaking in was a cinch, this village's standard is garbage. Making our way to the Uzumaki household I started to think of what I would say to the two. We arrived at the doorsteps before I could figure anything out and decide to just wing it.

I motioned Shizune to knock on the door. She replied with a nod and gave a gentle knock on the door. It took a minute before we heard shuffling around and someone walking to the door. Opening the door we saw 12-year-old Karin answering.

Karin: "Hello how can I help you?"

Tsunade: "Hello Karin, may we come inside, we're looking for your mother."

Karin looked us over giving a suspicious look. Before she could reply Karin's mother called from within the house.

Karin's Mother: "Let them in Karin, they must need healing. You know the agreement with the village means I have to treat everyone they send."

Karin had a frown on her face and opened the door wider to let us in. As we walked inside passing her she closed the door behind us.

Karin: "I'm watching you, don't try anything fun you hear. I'm a kunoichi of this village and we can defend ourselves!"

With a chuckle, I ruffled her hair and walked to the room where I heard the voice. Shizune followed behind me because it was my time to shine. Entering the room I saw a gaunt woman with faded red hair who was laying in her bed. As she turned to look at who had come her eyes widened at the sight of me. Tears started to roll out of her eyes, and she started to get up out of the bed.

I was an emotional wreck right now. How could we, Konohagakure, not send out shinobi to find the Uzumaki's that managed to escape the destruction of their village? How could I be so blind, as a Senju and the granddaughter of Mito Uzumaki could I have let this happen to my Cousins? To my family!? Tears were now flowing unconditionally as the woman in front of me struggled to stand up, being used for healing when it was killing her. I could see bite marks covering her arms. She was nothing but cattle to this filthy place!

Karin's Mother: "T-T-Tsunade-hime? Is that really you?"

I walked quickly in front of her and got down on my knees in a dogeza. Leaning over as much as I could with my belly being this big.

Tsunade: "Please forgive me for being so late."

Karin's Mother had gotten to her feet by now and was in shock at what I was doing. She had limped over to me and grabbed my arms trying to pull me up.

Karin's Mother: "Please Tsunade-hime stand up, I wasn't that high up in the clan."

I shook my head no.

Tsunade: "I have so much to repay you and your daughter. If Koh... No, if I would have searched for surviving Uzumaki's earlier you wouldn't be in this position!"

Karin's Mother: "Tsunade-hime, you're here now that's all that matters. Now please get up. It's not healthy for someone pregnant to be sitting like that."

That little bit, that's all I could ask for. I got up with the help of Shizune, while Karin's Mother went back to the bed to sit on it and Karin looked on with curiosity. I wiped my eyes and tried to be as presentable as possible.

Tsunade: "I'm sorry, I had heard a rumor of two Uzumaki's living in this village and came here to see if it was true. I'm afraid I do not know your names."

Karin's mother smiled at me, it was a comforting smile letting me know it was going to be ok.

Karin's Mother: "My name is Kayla Uzumaki, and the young kunoichi over there is my daughter Karin Uzumaki."

I bowed in greeting to the two of them.

Tsunade: "I will officially introduce myself. I am Tsunade Senju, granddaughter of Hashirama Senju and Mito Uzumaki, Sannin of The Village of the Hidden Leaf. This is my apprentice and sister in all but blood Shizune Kato."

Shizune gave a little bow after hearing what I said.

Kayla just smiled, knowing most of that from stories she's heard when she was living in the village.

--Karin's POV--

I was skeptical when I first let these two women in. But when the pretty blonde lady entered the room and I saw my mother's look I became confused. My mind was blown when the blonde was in a dogeza, crying, and apologizing to my mother. But wait there's more! When she introduced herself, oh man this was a bombshell. She said she was the granddaughter of Mito Uzumaki! The best fuinjutsu master known to date! Not to mention that she is the Legendary Female Sannin! Hearing stories about her from the other shinobi, made me idolize her and what to be just as powerful! BUT HERE SHE IS IN MY HOUSE!

BANG BANG BANG

What the heck could it be now? Can't they tell that we're busy?

BANG BANG BANG

??: Kayla we have wounded that need healing!

Facepalming I turned to leave and get the door.

Kayla: "Try to get them to go away, we can't let them know Tsunade-hime and Shizune are here."

Nodding my head letting mom know I got the message I went to the door. Cracking it open I saw Zōsui the Jounin in charge of watching us holding another man that looked in extremely bad shape.

Karin: "Mom, is not doing well. I don't think she can heal anyone for the rest of the night."

BANG

Zōsui had slammed the door open and sent me flying backward. I was staring at him like he was crazy.

Zōsui: "I didn't ask for healing. He's going to get healing, that is the deal your mother made with the village!"

I watched in horror as he walked back to my mother's room where everyone was at. When they approached the doorway to the room I saw a group of senbons puncture both men. Within seconds they dropped to the floor and looked like they're sleeping.

Karin: "SO COOL!"

Getting up I ran and closed the front door so that hopefully we won't get any more visitors. Then ran back to mom's room to listen to more of the conversation.