Author's note: There you go! A week has passed, and I couldn't wait to give it to you! Have fun reading the third chapter!

I want to thank you Dog for the review! I had not seen it. It took me a year writing this story - well, it's not done, I still have two or three chapters to go - but I was not going to let you starve on the end I made for Broken Souls! ;)

Anyhoo, let's get to this!

Chapter 3

She had wondered. Wondered days and months what to do with it. If she wanted to keep it. The product of the hate they had against her kind. And staying in Konoha, as she had nowhere else to go, the only people that wanted to take care of her and help her face the purge Mist was doing against shinobis and their families showing sign of blood limit, she did not know what was better.

But as she was going to do something against it, ready to do what she should have done in months – finally killing it – she felt for the first time a little foot kicking her. And then she knew that it was not what she had to do. It was a sign, she felt it. She felt him. Because it was a little boy, a little boy that seemed to tell her that he was not the product of the hate against her family, a dreaded presence that should be eliminated, but something that maybe was better than she thought of.

Given the time, she found out that killing the little boy would be like acting the same as the men that had killed so many of them. On the contrary, she worked hard to teach her little boy that ninjas were to act out of love to protect the one they loved. And she hoped, as she died on the pavement against the Kyuubi, that she had done everything she could to show him how to be a good shinobi.

He had been able to escape their sight and hide. Though he had not been able to make all three of them pursue him, only had tangled one in his chakra wire for such little time that he had not been able to kill him, yet he had their attention. He hoped Raidou would be alright to kill the samurai following him.

Somehow, he had not been found yet, crouched in front of one of his enemy – the second one was still not too far – hidden under a big bush and giving out a mixed pulse of chakra from every direction with the help of his clones. He waited, watching the samurai calculating where he truly was. He just needed him to turn around for a second, just a little moment was all he needed. If only –

There! Three Iruka jumped from their spot at the same momentum, chakra wire in hands toward him. But the black haired man was fast and ducked, yet was not wise enough to know Iruka had made a web of chakra wire around this place, slowing him down. Acting fast, the three of them simply wired him even more, pulling strategically on some of the ropes, choking him.

Umino ignored the fact that the young man was still able to let out strangled cries, sounding like a dying animal. He had to, or he was the one going to become the dying animal. "Never take pity on your enemy, unless you felt they are not dangerous," he had learn the hard way with his sensei.

He felt the second samurai already behind him. Damn, he was fast! Trying to hide his surprise – which surely did not work as he felt the sword wielder gain assurance – he focused on dodging the katana. He had to get enough distance from him, and yet keep him there. Working with his clone, one throwing kunai, the other attacking directly – he had no other choice, they were going to be killed fast.

Gritting his teeth, he made the hand seals and closed his eyes. The blast was powerful, letting out a bark of pain as he felt his body fall wrongly on the ground, a cracking sound coming from his right leg. But he had no time to waste, and it was with a dizzy vision, a hammering headache and deaf ears that he tried to limp farther away from the bloody trap he had set up.

Maybe that guy had a wife or kids waiting at home, were thoughts that were at the edge of his mind. He was stronger than this, he was. He had to stop thinking. After, damn it! After, he told himself. Act logically! He could barely feel three presences coming their way to were he was, and trying to stand up on his right leg made the pain unbearable, sending the world spin dangerously, before his eyes shut from their own accord.

If Raidou had known taking another decision would maybe have made everything better, he would have chosen otherwise. But he knew that, anyway, someone would have had to die for this. He had known from the beginning. Yet, maybe he could have spared one more. Because he knew Izumo would not survive this, and he somehow wondered how Iruka would make it.

A grim chuckle was let out as he evaluated how he was going to get back to Konoha like this. "Fuck." Struggling with his hands to bandage up the cuts on his arms, he knew that the vial of antidote he had taken would slow down the poison in his system, but certainly not take it out. This, and he had lost his friend.

As much as he had wanted, he had not been able to hid Izumo before the samurai caught up on him, his friend partially hidden under dirt and rotten leaves. The fight had been short, the samurai he had faced clearly wanted to cut things short when an explosion had detonated. He had pursue him a few meters, until he felt the first sign of poison, losing his balance, the world spinning on itself.

First things first, the coded scroll. To stop his mind from yelling to save Izumo and Iruka had been hard, but he was a shinobi of the leaf, and he had to face priorities. From the way the fight has gone, those guys were not soldiers from the place where they had stole the Intel, therefore he had a better chance to bring back what they almost died for.

If he could only reach the extraction point, it would be good. From the way the poison was affecting his body, he hoped he had at least a week.

He had done everything he could. He knew that. And he terribly felt it as he was thrown harshly to the ground, waking him up with white spots in his eyes, grunting. He simply closed them back to diminish the nausea he felt coming. Still, he had killed one of them. He had not thought that samurai could be so resourceful.

"You, piece of shit!" His eyes shot up in pain as he was kicked in the stomach, air leaving his lungs and not able to bring any back in.

"Hey, back off, Katashi," someone said. He hissed as he was pulled by his hair, feeling studied. From the way he was tied up and the way his head was hold up he could only see samurai armors moving and arguing.

"He killed my brother! He has to die!"

His head was released when he heard someone hit the man holding him, a short sword falling not too far from his nose. It was better playing dead for now. "Calm down. Your bother knew that there were risks doing this job. Kyoshi will take you back to your dormitory."

"Come on," said a calming voice to the vengeful guy.

Iruka heard more than he saw feet moving, some leaving, others coming toward him. "He's going to be a good piece of meat for the doctor, that's for sure. It's hard to find good shinobis to put fights with lately."

"It's not as if there should be any. Those lands are ours, they don't belong here. They don't belong at all, bringing wars on men, thinking that they are better than everyone."

Somehow everyone stopped talking. Surely the leader. Someone crouched in front of his tied form. It had taken off his helm, and it was dark green eyes that met his. He was smiling, not a smile of joy, but a smile of resignation. It talked of pain and torture. "You have seen things, shinobi." By his voice, it was the one that had send back the other vengeful samurai. "We're both in the same game, then. Everything will go well if you listen to me. Understood?"

Iruka did nothing to show that he had understood. He simply stared at him without emotion, counting the beating of his heart to control his headache and the pain that was shooting up his leg. Who he thought was the leader simply sigh before making a gesture with his hands. Blackness met him again as they pulled a bag on his head.

"Let's go."

Kotetsu was pacing in front of the Hokage office, waiting for the doors to open, trying to keep himself from simply barging into the room to tell a piece of his mind. Things had moved, not that it showed. He knew because he had contacts, just as Kakashi – who was leaning against the wall, again, reading one of his, unsurprisingly, orange books.

The rescue team was back and he just wanted to have news from his lover's team. For two hours now they were waiting for the Hokage to finally meet with them.

"Have you heard anything?" he finally asked the silver haired man.

Bored gray eyes took a look at him. "No."

Such a helpful answer, as usual. He had a hard time understanding what Iruka had found out in Sharingan no Kakashi. He was surely a good man, he was an incredible shinobi, but certainly not a good friend for him. Nevertheless, he knew Iruka to be happy.

He finally heard movements on the other side of the door, before it cracked open, revealing two ANBU nodding at them to enter.

"Finally," muttered Kotetsu, Kakashi following behind him. If the tension was already palpable between everyone reunited in the office, Kotetsu could swear it felt worse when Kakashi closed the door behind him.

"Where are they?" the silver haired jounin asked even before Kotetsu was able to greet the Hokage. His narrowed eyes and aloof stance – yet aggressive, the chuunin was not sure how the man was able to do that – made everyone stand uneasy.

Soft blue eyes finally looked up from the ground. "I'm sorry, Kakashi-sensei, Kotetsu, but Iruka-sensei and Kamizuki Izumo could not be found by the rescue team."

He did not flinch, nor did Kakashi. They had known, already. And from the pain that could be seen and felt from Naruto and Sakura, he knew it was not going to be better. "Has Raidou been able to tell where he last saw them?" Kotetsu simply followed on, ignoring the fear that was crawling in his stomach.

"Namiashi Raidou was not able to say anything," started Sakura, slowly. "When they got him back he was barely conscious; he is now in a comatose state. I don't expect him to wake up anytime soon."

"Damn."

Kakashi stared at Sasuke. "And is there another team going back to look for them?" The placid tone that was used did not show all the venom that were in his eyes when Kotetsu shot him a glance.

"No, it's too risky," replied the Hokage on the same tone. By the staring contest each of them gave to the other, they all felt out of place. The dark haired chuunin could tell that the tension that had built up instantly as he had entered the office was because of those two. Definitely, it was not something he felt the need to know.

Kakashi finally scoffed. "You send a team of chuunin in a mission that could have been easily classified as a S-Rank; sure, they are easily forgettable." The frown Sasuke gave him back had been worth it.

"Kakashi-sensei! That's not what Sasuke meant! He cares for Iruka-sensei."

"Don't worry, Sakura, I clearly know what he means."

Naruto shot up between the two, "Please, stop, both of you. It's not by blaming each other that we will find Iruka-sensei's team. I agree with Kakashi-sensei, Sasuke. We should send a second rescue team."

"Do you understand what you're saying? If we're found out in the Land of Iron, we are clearly starting another war, and it will make things worse for everyone!"

Sakura unconsciously made a step toward Naruto, turning to Sasuke. "I agree with him, Sasuke. We should at least try again."

As Sasuke sighed, Kotetsu knew they were gaining a chance. "I want to be in the team, this time."

"I'm in too," instantly said Kakashi, followed by Naruto.

Sasuke closed his eyes, grunting. "It's against the protocol to send close relatives for this kind of mission, you all know that." He kept silent for a moment, looking at Kotetsu. "But I could let one of you two go, meaning that you fill the necessary documents, though."

Kakashi narrowed his eyes. He would not let this pass. "It would be better if you sent me in; I've been doing rescue missions for years now, and my nindogs are made for this."

"What!" Kotetsu turned to Kakashi, aghast. "But I know how they work! I know how they would have escaped or find a way to survive!" he breathed out. "I've worked with them for years!"

"Exactly. I'm the most objective of us two in this case, and I've been ANBU for many years. This a S-Ranked mission gone wrong; I have the experience to find them."

Kotetsu stared dead in those gray eyes. "You are not doing this to me," he whispered with such a low voice that he wondered himself if the silver haired jounin had heard him. But he had. One grey eyebrow imperceptibly rose.

That was it. Kotetsu hated this man.

Sasuke closed his eyes a mere moment, before nodding to himself. "Kakashi is right. I'm sorry Hagane, but as much as I want the team to find them, a three-man cell composed of Naruto, Kakashi and Shiranui Genma will work better."

Kotetsu fists slammed down on the desk. "You can't be serious! I have been the one asking for a rescue team. I have been asking to go look for them, and you," an accusing finger pointed Kakashi, "you have barely asked or even made a move to know how they were, or even where they were. How can you push me out of this?"

"Kotetsu," warned Naruto, his percing blue eyes narrowing slightly. "The decision has been made."

"I agree", softly said Sakura. She saw the shoulders slump slowly. She could feel the pain of the raging shinobi. But she had to: a desperate Hagane Kotetsu sent out for his long time friends could be more dangerous than anything. Even if she felt that Kakashi was not going to be easy to reign back.

The chuunin's arms fell to his side. "I see. This is how it works. It was already all decided." The tone was bitter, and his eyes talked of betrayal. He scoffed. "At least, I'm happy to know that my doubts about you were founded, Uchiha."

Sasuke held his hand to stop anyone from speaking more. It was enough, now. "Owl, escort this shinobi back to his home. Mouse, please go seek tokubetsu jounin Shiranui Genma." He nodded at the two ANBU leaving the office, Kotetsu taking his distances fast enough once the door opened.

He knew right away that this meeting would be disagreements after disagreements. Partly because of Kakashi, but also because those were two strong headed shinobis. "Hatake, I have granted you this chance to be in this rescue team because of the facts you pointed out."

"Don't worry, Sasuke, we all know that most of us aren't following you."

Sakura sighed. "Guys, cut it out."

"Yeah, we have more important matters at hands, Kakashi-sensei. Genma will be leading the team," explained Naruto. "We are to meet here at dawn before leaving."

Kakashi stiffened for a moment. The way they were presenting this, he could see his old team. Even if he had never gave credit again to Sasuke for the choices he had made, he knew he could not blame Naruto and Sakura for still believing in the Uchiha. They were team seven after all, and just as he had forgiven Obito for his choices, they had forgiven Sasuke.

He sighed. "There's no problem, Naruto."

"Be here on time, though."

"Sure." He saw Naruto grinned. "I know when to be on times," he whispered, glancing at Sasuke before making the hand seals to teleport himself.

When he finally could breath right, he had a hard time discerning where he was. There were barely any source of light, an old system tirelessly buzzing into his ears weakly lighting up the place. He knew he was only standing up because he was tied to what he thought to be a surgical table, his bare feet touching the cold damp soil. He wished that they had not stripped him off his clothes, the cold metal biting his skin. It was bad. It was just like the last time. Just like the last time.

No, don't get there, he could barely tell himself. Breath in, breath out, study your surrounding. They were three samurais, all armored, two of them wearing their helmet. The last one was not the leader, but a blond guy laughing at one of his partner. He recognized the voice, it was the one who had been given the task to bring back the vengeful guy, Katashi, to the dormitory. Yeah, the one opening forcefully the door, throwing at one of the armored samurai – Izumo?

"Fuck," he whispered to himself. What did it means if his friend was here. Had Raidou made it out? Calm down, calm down. Analyze.

"Hey, what's your problem?" But the sword wielder was ignored.

Iruka was the object of attention, and as the black eyes would have killed him if possible, he was surprised that Katashi did not move toward him. He still felt the kick that had been given to his stomach, and the throbbing pain from his leg helped nothing to clear his head.

He felt chills as he saw the others strapping Izumo to a second surgical table he had not seen not too far from him. A click of tongue. "That's what I thought," Katashi spat out. "Watch your friend die." Iruka gritted his teeth to contain his emotions, but he knew that his face showed his anger.

"Shut up, asshole," the blond samurai – Kyoshi, Iruka recalled – snapped at his black haired companion. "Who told you you could come here?"

"You, shut up." He turned to Iruka, "I hope for you and your friend that you won't survive this."

"Wouldn't it be better if we interrogate them first?" asked another one. "As much as I know, those can't be simple missing nins. We never had that strong missing nins in our lands."

A moment of hesitation fell on them. They judged each other for a small moment. "I know, that's what I said," Katashi muttered. "But the doctor said it's the protocol. Inoculate him first," mentioning Izumo with a shake of his head.

All of this, it was not going as he was used to. Something bigger was happening. "Stop," breathed out Iruka. But only a side glance was given to him as the syringe entered Izumo's skin. "Stop!"

"Don't worry, we'll come back for you." As they snickered, walking through the door, he was left alone. And in the buzzing silence, he took some deep breath again. He was trembling, he felt a deep pressure on his chest and the pain was unbearable. He had to find a way to get out of here, even if his leg would be a problem.

Working through the straps, he heard Izumo grunting. "Izumo! Izumo! Shit. Come on!" There, he was able to at least move one arm. "Izumo, can you hear me?"

His friend was shaking, sweating and gritting his teeth. Also naked, Iruka could see the extent of his injuries, and Katashi was right. Izumo would die if his wounds were left untreated. Untying his second arm, he worked on his legs. It was not long before he finally tried moving, limping, jumping weirdly on one leg, biting the inside of his cheeks to forget the pain. He had to reach him. He could probably do something. It was his fault afterward!

"What do you think you're doing, shinobi!" Iruka had no time to make another movement before he was thrown to the ground, a shout of pain escaping his lips.

"Let me... treat his wounds! Let me..." He was ignored, tied up and shove back on the surgical table, straps hurting his wrists.

"Why is that one roaming free in here?" The voice was gravely but strong, such as the man wielding it. Iruka felt studied as if he was cattle by the steel gray eyes hidden behind glasses. "Have he been inoculated like I asked you hours ago?"

"We're sorry, sir. It'll be done right away," Iruka heard Katashi say in a low voice, seeing him bow lowly.

Everything was going fast, lights he had not seen opened and blinded him, some woman examining his broken leg and touching it unceremoniously, people in white clothes plugging him on different machines that he knew he had seen in hospital rooms.

Katashi appeared beside him, syringe in hand. "Get away from me!" yelled Iruka. Yet, not even looking at him, the samurai simply did his job without question, injecting some yellow mixture in his bloodstream.

"From my first exam, his leg seems broken, Osamu-sensei," the lady said, scribbling on her notepad. "However, his condition is much stable than One-o-five here."

"Hm. As I said, there will be no waste, the body will still be useful to see how the new sample affected his physiology. Is everything recorded? Good. Now, we wait."

And as fast as everyone had appeared, as much as he yelled for them to come back and give him answers, the room became empty, the now beeping machine and the buzzing lights perturbing the silence, Izumo gasping and and crying.

"Hold on, Izumo. We can make it." Still, even he did not believe in his words. It was bad.

Just what were they doing to them?