A/N: Don't worry. This fic couldn't possibly go on without Tamotsu because this is not a circus and yeah.

"When something feels off, it is."

- Abraham Hicks

Chapter 10: So Close

The shrill scream of a frightened young girl echoed throughout the village.

And somewhere, on an island long forgotten, in a village that had fallen to its knees, something stirred.

"Fuck!" A deep, unknown voice yelled. "Hurry up and wake up already, you lazy fuck!"

Eyelids flickered but remained shut.

"Shodai's balls!" The voice screamed in frustration. "We were so close that time."

Awkward Page Break Hi

The horrifying realization that no one was going to come after her settled into the genin's heart as the Kumo ninjas escorted her through the dense forest. Her steps became more sluggish as she was numbly lead like a lamb to the slaughterhouse.

Who knows what they'd do to her? Sure, she knew she was valuable not only as a jinchuuriki but as the last known Uzumaki alive. And the clan's ex-heiress and holder of it's most coveted Kekkai Genkai to boot. Plus she was a girl. A bad taste found it's way into her mouth and her stomach twisted at the horrifying images her brain conjured. Kushina wasn't stupid or naive. She knew the stories, to what happened to the kunoichis who were captured. But the worst part, more disheartening than the inevitable torture and confinement, was that no one was looking for her

But the worst part, more disheartening than the inevitable torture and confinement, was that no one was looking for her. Sure the old man had probably sent a team to investigate her disappearance by now, but they would be looking for a jinchuuriki. They weren't looking for her. She was just another tool in the village's eyes.

"No matter what trials await you in the future just remember that we are Uzumakis and Uzumakis never give up, 'ttebaru!"

The kunoichi's eyes widened. Okay. That was weird. Sure, she sometimes heard the voices and even saw the images of her dead clansmen, but it's been a while since she last heard that soft voice. Her lips twitched in an effort to smile as she trudged on. Not even death could keep her cousin from reaching out to her. With renewed determination, she began subtly dropping strands of her hair onto the floor. Hope. She would not give up so long as she had hope. Maybe, maybe someone would find her.

She blinked away the tears. She really missed Tamotsu. He'd promised he would always protect her. Why had he broken his promise? Why did he have to die? She missed everyone so much. Her mother, her father, everyone in the village, even Tamotsu's crazy grandmother. It's been a few years and she'd already graduated from the academy, but the pain and grief was all too fresh.

"I won't give up," Kushina whispered. Her mother would have smacked her to kingdom come for even thinking of giving up. No, she was Uzumaki Kushina, and she will never give up, 'ttebane!