"No need to worry her until we know whether or not Naruto's at the hospital." The pinkette answered before running out again. Ino groaned and followed again.
Ironically, when they turned a corner, they saw Hinata out heading towards the hokage tower. "Hinata?" Sakura called out.
The Hyuuga heiress turned to face the other two girls but didn't stop moving. "Sakura? Ino? What are you two doing?"
"The same thing you likely are. Looking for Naruto." Sakura answered.
Hinata nodded, and now Sakura and Ino could see her byakugan was active. "I'm concerned too. A clone of his came by to warn me, but I couldn't stay away knowing he'd be in danger. Right now he's heading towards the hokage and there's a woman I've never seen before accompanying him."
"So Hinata, is it true you and Naruto are-?" Ino started.
"Now's not the time Ino." Sakura cut her off.
Kakashi went out to find Naruto and bring him to Tsunade. Fortunately, Naruto ended up inadvertently coming to him. "Kakashi-sensei!"
The cycloptic jounin stopped in front of his student. "Naruto, Hokage-sama needs-" He stopped when he saw the woman behind the whiskered blonde. "Ku-Kushina? Is that really you?"
"Hey Kakashi, it's been a while." The red-haired woman told her husband's student.
"So you really did contact Naruto earlier when he said you did?"
Kushina nodded. "I would have been here sooner, but I misjudged the distance to Konoha. Also I found something that briefly tied me up. Anyway, wasn't there something you were trying to tell my son?"
"Kakashi-sensei, is she really my mom?" Naruto asked, sounding desperate for an answer.
Kakashi looked at Kushina, looking for any indication that she was not the real deal. Kushina smiled. "I caught you kissing Rin-chan without your mask in the alley behind the theater one night in the summer while you two were still chuunin."
"Ok, you're the real Kushina." Kakashi stated. "So Naruto, that means that she really is your mother." Naruto looked up at the woman in wonder and uncertainly, like he didn't know what really to feel right now. "But we've cover that later. Naruto, Hokage-sama really needs to see you now. Are you the real Naruto?" The blonde nodded. "Good. Follow me back to her. Kushina, please come along."
Kushina and Naruto then followed Kakashi, but he wasn't taking them to the hokage tower.
"Hey Kakashi-sensei where are you going?" Naruto asked.
"I'm taking you to the hokage Naruto. I never said where she was, did I?"
Hinata suddenly changed directions. "Now he's going this way. This is good. We can catch up to him sooner like this."
This direction took them to outside the Forest of Death, where Tsunade, Shizune, and Tonton were waiting. Standing back being covered in the foliage, they saw Naruto, Kakashi, and a woman they never saw before appear before them.
Tsunade faltered when she saw the redhead. "Kushina? Impossible."
"Hi you old bat. The years have not been kind to you." Kushina greeted with a grin and teasing tone but a friendly wave.
Tsunade got mad and reflexively threw a punch. Completely calm, Kushina kept her waving hand up and blocked the hit, looking and acting like she was catching a ball being tossed to her. Naruto and Shizune dropped their jaws at this sight.
Tsunade pulled her fist back. "Only one person has ever been able to block me like that. You are Kushina. Where have you been you teasing tomboy?"
"I've been fighting a war just to gain the right to come back here, among other reasons. But more on that later. What's going on here tonight?"
"A war?" Tsunade repeated, then frowned. "You're lying. Such news could not possibly be kept secret. Tell me the truth Kushina."
"I'm not lying. I was in a war. Just not here in the Elemental Nations. I was in another kingdom fighting to get the tyrant out of power. I'm only able to be here now because the fighting is over and I want to see my son." Kushina defended.
"Well fighting just started up here and we better get Naruto out of the danger zone." The slug sannin told her.
"What? But I can help out." Naruto stated.
"Naruto, the best way you can help out is to not get involved." Shizune told the young boy. Tonton oinked in agreement.
"You will have to explain yourself Kushina, but for now, Kakashi, go find Sakura and bring her here if you want her to be a part of this." Tsunade said.
Before Kakashi could move, Sakura emerged from her hiding spot. "I'm here! What do you need me for?" She called out.
"Sakura? What are you doing here? And how did you find us?" Kakashi asked.
"I was concerned about what Naruto was getting involved in." Sakura answered.
Hinata stepped out too. "M-me too. And I... I led her to Naruto-kun." She looked like she was expecting to be punished for this.
"Anyone else with you?" Kakashi asked, eyeing the bushes.
Ino came out. "Just me. I tagged along."
"You and Hinata should go home right now." Kakashi ordered.
"Why?" Ino asked.
"Because you wouldn't have any role here." The cycloptic jounin told the blonde mindwalker.
"You girls better say goodbye to Naruto now because this will be the last time you'll see him for a long time." Tsunade told the two heiresses, trying to be considerate.
Hinata looked shocked. "No!" She shouted as she lunged at Naruto, engulfing him in a hug. "I just got him! You can't take him away so soon like this!"
"Hinata-chan-" Naruto started, but stopped when she tearfully gazed at him.
"Take me with you Naruto-kun. Please?" She asked in a way that would break most people's resolve and with eyes that would even make the Puppy Eye Jutsu cave in.
Naruto looked at Tsunade, who sighed. "Hinata, I haven't even told Naruto about this mission. Sakura can go because of certain circumstances, but those don't apply to you." She looked at Ino. "Ino Yamanaka, please return home."
Ino left, albeit reluctantly, but Hinata refused to budge. Kushina smiled and stepped up to the bluenette. "Hi there little lady. Are you my future daughter-in-law?" Hinata blushed so much you'd swear every drop of blood in her body was in her face. Kushina laughed lightly as the Hyuuga fainted in Naruto's arms. "She must really like you to react like that son. Most girls would deny it."
Sakura turned to Tsunade. "Hokage-sama, what's going on?"