Title: The Loss of Innocence

Author: Ashley

Summary: Kakashi and his friends have done everything they can to protect his daughter from the harsher reality of being a Shinobi. But not even Kakashi and Naruto could have stopped the loss of her innocence. No one could have known it would happen in their own backyard. Now Emiko is missing, and they don't have the slightest idea who took the small Chuunin or why. Can Naruto, Kakashi, and the rest find Emiko before it's too late?

Genre: Tragedy/Hurt/Comfort

Disclaimer: I don't own the sandbox, I am just playing in it.

Warning: Unbeta'd, Yaoi, super angsty.

Pairing/Characters: Iruka/Kakashi, Naru/Hina, SaiSaku, Hatake Emiko, Tsunade, Konoha 11, Sasuke, and maybe some others. (My usual crew, I guess)

Rating: T (May change at a later date!)

Author's notes: So, I know I have so much that I am supposed to be posting/updating. I'm suffering a really bad case of writers block, and real life is kinda kicking my butt! I don't know what I am doing starting a new story, but I think this story is why I'm having such a hard time with my others. I am making no promises about the update speed of this story, it's going to be pretty sporadic. Still looking for a beta, and hopefully I will have a picture of Emiko soon! I commissioned some fanart of her, I'm just waiting for it to be finished. Please enjoy! Let me know what you think.

Hatake Kakashi sat in front of the Hokage's desk with his head in his hands. The masked Nin was silent, as was Naruto who sat beside him, in a position very similar to that of his former Sensei's

Tsunade could feel the killing intent rolling off the two men in front of her, and she really couldn't blame them. She'd felt the same way a couple days prior, but unlike them she had already had the time to deal with her pain and frustration. Naruto's body started to shake, and a growl started bubbling up in his chest. Tsunade debated offering him some form of comfort, but the young Jounin stood abruptly, kicked the chair he'd been sitting in across the room and stormed out. Her sad golden eyes followed him, and she silently motioned for the ANBU standing in the corner to follow him. Feline nodded, and slunk quietly from the room.

Kakashi raised his head and met the eyes of his leader. His visible eye was set and steely cold, the blonde had to force down a shiver at the sight, there was no sign of life on the man's face at all. His fist clenched on top of his thigh and he leaned forward menacingly.

"Where's my daughter now, Hokage-sama?" She could hear his teeth grind together behind the mask. "Where is Emiko?"

Tsunade frowned and shook her head sadly, knowing that if there was anything left to be broken in one of her best Shinobi, she was going to break it. "I don't know, Kakashi."

Naruto let out a grunt as he destroyed the training post in front of him with several well placed taijutsu moves. ANBU had changed the young man, but not in a bad way. More quiet and focused, he was no longer the hyperactive little boy that had once painted graffiti all over the Hokage monument. He was a man that the villagers would proudly follow when the time came. True, having Emiko in his life looking up to him, had changed him as well. The blonde moved to the next training post, beginning the same Kata he had used to destroy its twin.

A hand on his shoulder stopped him, and he whirled around, grabbing the hand and twisting the arm. Neji didn't even fight him off or try and get free, he simply looked at the blonde with a pained expression on his face. He could feel Felines concern from the shadow, and knew the Hokage had sent his team mate to look after him.

"What do you want, Neji?" He muttered, still not letting go of the older man's wrist.

"This won't bring Emi back, Naruto." Neji told him sadly, the pained expression on his face deepening. Life had changed the Hyuuga Jounin sensei as well, especially taking on a team of Genin two years ago. They were all Chuunin now, but a certain silver haired little girl was never far from her Sensei. Emiko idolized them all, but as far as she was concerned, Naruto and Neji hung the moon and the stars. The eight year old was a genius, crafty, swift, vicious, and beautiful. "I know how you feel, Naruto. I do, but right now we need to focus on getting her back. Not venting our frustrations."

Naruto gave Neji a sardonic smile, and nodded. He released the older man and motioned his team mate forward. Feline dropped by his side immediately. Naruto finally noticed that Neji's face, neck, and arm were bandaged.

"Tell us everything, Neji."

Emiko groaned as she came too, her head pounding. It only took a fraction of a second for her training to kick in when she noticed the blindfold tied tightly around her eyes. She forced her breathing to even out and squashed the rising panic in her chest. Her hair tickled her cheeks, and she wished desperately that she could pull it back from her face so she could think.

"The last thing I remember was Neji-Sensei screaming my name." Emiko thought to herself. "Damn, why can't I remember what happened? We were on our way to see Tsunade-Sama for a mission, and to ask about Otosan and Naruto-Niisan."

Emiko tried to lift her hand to brush her hair from her face, but her body felt like lead and her arms were folded over each other behind her back. Her wrists were bound tightly to her forearms. "So I can't use any seals. No jutsu. They obviously weren't prepared for a fully-fledged Shinobi, or I would probably be in Chakra suppression bindings." While she tried to categorize the aches and pains that permeated her body, she heard soft footfalls approaching her. She stopped testing the bonds at her wrists and ankles and feigned sleep.

Her father and her sensei had always told her in the event of capture, the first encounter could be detrimental to a plan. It was always best to make the captors think you were still incapacitated, as they often said things that revealed their plan when they thought their captive was still unaware. They were right.

A rough hand tangled in her hair and dragged her up. She could hear the breathing of two people with her, and if the weight belied in their steps was any indication it was two men. "Is she still unconscious?" Definitely a man's voice, unfortunately it wasn't familiar to her so she still had no idea who it was. The hand in her hair tightened and gave her a shake. She barely suppressed a wince of pain that threatened to escape.

"Yup," the owner of the hand in her long hair spoke. A deep voice that sounded somewhat familiar, but it was a distant foggy memory. She couldn't call the name of its owner to mind, and she couldn't picture his face either. She was dropped to the ground with no warning, but still she made no move to belie the fact she was awake.

"Do you really think this is going to work?" the first man asked. She heard a snort from man number two, and she frantically wracked her brain to try and remember why that voice sounded familiar.

"Of course it will. Hatake will come for his child, and I'm sure that Jinchuriki brat will be with him as well. They are always with her, she call's the demon 'brother,' and Hatake will not allow his daughter to be killed in place of him." The second man scoffed again and nudged Emiko's still form with his toe. "He's soft for a Shinobi. It's pathetic." Emiko barely controlled the rising panic in her chest.

"These men are after Otosan and Naruto!" She thought, the anxiety and panic rising again when she realized every word the second man said was true. Her father and Naruto would come for her. They wouldn't realize in time it was a trap to get to them.

"Agreed," the first man chimed.

"Well, I should be getting back to Konoha. It wouldn't do for my family to become suspicious. My daughter and nephew will be joining in the search for this brat, and I should keep up appearances as well. The Hokage will be asking the council for help. If I am missing, they will wonder." Emiko's eye's widened as she realized who the second man was.

"Oh, this is bad…" Emiko heard the footfalls of the two men walking away, and she breathed out slowly when she heard a door clang shut and a lock slide in to place. She fought the urge to vomit, and drew in slow breaths through her nose. "What the hell does Hyuuga Hiashi want with my 'tosan and Naruto?"

Ja ne for now! Please drop a line and let me know what you think :) I look forward to hearing from you.