"Oro-kun!" Akebara cried, sitting straight up in the hospital bed.

"Easy, now..." Tsunade began.

"...Where am I...what's happened...?" she sighed.

"You're in the hospital...Sarutobi-sensei found you passed out on the floor" Jaraiya spoke softly.

"...Izanami..."

"Sarutobi-sensei's watching over her in the other room" Tsunade continued.

"Where's Oro-kun...is he with Izanami?" Akebara asked, the room became uncomfortable.

"Jaraiya-kun? Tsu-chan?"

"...Orochimaru's...left Konoha..." Jaraiya murmured. Akebara's eyes went wide.

"...what...?!"

"He was behind all those disappearances...he kidnapped those shinobi so he could experiment on them to improve his jutsu" Tsunade added.

"...I...don't beleive you...I can't...!" she began. Crimson colored tears ran down her face.

"Oh my god!" Tsunade began.

"I'll get a nurse!" Jaraiya called. Akebara grasped his wrist staring desperately into his face.

"...Please, Jaraiya...you've got to bring him back! You're his best friend...he'll listen to you. Please bring my husband back to me!" she begged. Jaraiya stared at her, unsure what to say. Her grip went slack as her eyes rolled up, she fell limply to the bed.

"What's happened?!"

"She just passed out..." Tsunade sighed in releif. Jaraiya gazed at her prone form for a moment before flouncing towards the door.

"Don't be foolish!" Tsunade called. "You know all that awaits him here is death"

He paused saying nothing.

"I know how you feel about Ake-chan, but please don't let your feelings get in the way like Sarutobi-sensei..." she sighed.

"I know what I'm doing, Tsunade" he said, closing the door behind him.

"Tsunade-sama...Naruto's team has returned" Shizune informed.

"Were they successful?" Tsunade asked.

"...Unfortunately, no...Akebara-sama...killed herself..."

"What?!"

"Jaraiya-sama said she stabbed herself in the chest with a kunai right before their eyes..."

Tsunade lowered her gaze.

"...How is Izanami-chan taking this?"

"I'm not sure, she returned to her home with Kakashi-san shortly after returning. She's also requested time off from her Anbu duties"

"...Good...being with her family is just what she needs after this ordeal..."

"Mommy!" Kanaye cheered, barreling into her arms.

"I missed you both, SO much" Izanami sighed. Kakashi smiled as he watched.

"Where's Akiko-chan?" she asked.

"Aki-ki-tan wouldn't leave her room this whole time..."Kanaye replied.

"Why not?" Kakashi asked.

"She missed mama too much"

"I'll go check on her..." Izanami said.

"What about me?" Kakashi began.

"Nope!" Kanaye chirped.

"...Not even a little...?" Kakashi whimpered.