The next few days were hectic for everybody in Wave. Tazuna had started working harder than ever to finish the bridge, now that he no longer had to fear Gato or his thugs. For the rest of Wave they had spent a day celebrating and then got to work on rebuilding. They would celebrate more once the country recovered. When they either found their Daimyo or installed a new one they would be sure to celebrate the date of Gato's death as their day of freedom.
Naruko and Hinata were both bedridden for several days. Naruko was suffering an odd form of chakra exhaustion that Kurenai can only assume comes from using the Demon's power. Hinata on the other hand was abusing her new found injury to have an excuse to stay in bed and cuddle with Naruko. Of course she was quietly mulling over how she could continue to be a ninja like this. The Jyuken was a style that relied incredibly heavily on the user's hands. So missing one hand, more or less, ended her ability to use it. Of course she had already been trying to incorporate the use of kicks to close tenketsu so now she'd just have to make it work for real.
The elders will be annoying though. They could try any number of things, none of which bode well for her. She'd have to come up with a plan to rebuff them.
Hinata looks down at her still passed out girlfriend. Why is she still passed out? Last time she used the demon's chakra she had woken up within 24 hours. This time it has been three days and she was still asleep. Hinata gently strokes one of the strands of hair from the sleeping redhead's face, she may have been nearly crippled because of it, she refused to consider losing her arm as being actually crippled, but she would gladly protect her once more.
Sasuke was feeling miserable. He had nearly lost both his friends in that fight. And more to the point it was because he was protected, he was too weak to help either of them. He was somewhat having doubts in his prior interest in medical Jutsu. He hadn't been able to use it to save his friend's hand, so was it truly worth pursuing? No it was. He wasn't good enough to save the hand but he had at least been able to stop her from dying. He had heard Senju Tsunade was the greatest medic nin to ever live. It sounds fitting for an Uchiha to take that title from her. He'll learn to do what she can't, he'll learn to heal all injuries. But first he needs to learn more.
Kurenai had been training. She wasn't fast enough in defeating Fuu, she only stabbed her because the woman seemed to detect the bubbles, she needed to be stronger. So that she can make sure her genin would be able to go on missions without fear of injury. So she trained, her Kenjutsu was getting close to S-rank. She wasn't afraid of bandits, the few that remained alive had been run out so she held no fear.
***
Naruko found herself in the temple again. She was lying down on a soft pillow. Looking up, she realizes it's not a pillow, but Kaguya's lap. The white eyed woman was gently stroking her head. "Why am I here?"
"You used the Juubi's chakra."
"I thought it's yours?"
"It is, but the distinction is mine doesn't bear any hatred in it." She held no capacity for hatred, she was apathetic towards everything save perhaps a slight fondness for her children and grandchildren. Well once upon a time she held a capacity for emotion, but she had banished it all into the Juubi.
"So then why did using it bring me here?"
"Because I wanted to bring you here."
"Why?"
"I wanted to see how you've changed."
"What do you mean by that?"
"I wanted to see if you would grow to resemble Uzume more."
"Do I?"
"Yes, you seem to remind me of her more with each passing day." She doesn't look too much like her, but the resemblance was there nonetheless.
"Can you tell me about her?"
"What would you like to know?"
"Anything really."
"Well she was the youngest of three siblings."
"Who were her siblings?"
"The older brother was Indra and the younger one was Asura. I believe they're known as the progenitors of the Uchiha and Senju clan respectively."
"Did Uzume start any clan?"
"Yes, she created the Uzumaki clan, the very same one you hail from."
"So what were the siblings like?"
"The older brother was written with talent, but he was an arrogant child. Perhaps because his father and I spoiled him too much when he was an only child." She had an odd look of fondness on her face. It seemed out of place on the normally cool beauty.
"The younger brother was the least talented in the family. At least as a child he was. As he grew his talent did with him and he grew to be just as powerful as his older brother. They were equals by the time they were teens, even if Indra never wanted to acknowledge that fact."
"Uzume was a sweet child. She was adored by both of her siblings. She was a lot younger than the brothers. Indra was only two years older than Asura but he was nearly eight years older than Uzume."
Kaguya looked down and found the redhead sleeping again. She sighs. "She also had a short attention span like you. You know, she was always my favorite grandchild. I hope you can live a good life, because when I escape you will die. And I will escape. Or Zetsu will free me. I hope you can at least enjoy what little time you have left, Uzume. Or I suppose you go by Naruko this time." She gives a soft smile as her shadow starts to split onto the statues once more. "It would seem we're out of time, I'll return you now. Until we meet again."