Toshiro Uzumaki sat silently in his office as he read the latest reports about the actions of the clan as he contemplated their current situation. The clan itself was still the strongest in Uzushio, but it had clearly seen better times. Years of war had cost them many good men and women, people he now missed dearly. It was a critical time for the entire clan now. A new way for the future had to be found or else this war would soon lead to the extinction of their old and revered bloodline.
He remembered the days when his father helped founding this village only months after he had returned from Konoha. Toshiro was still a small child when his father was finally appointed as the first Uzukage of Uzushio. It was a glorious time for the entire Uzumaki Clan. A time when it filled them with pride to be part of this village. But now... it was their home, but this village also slowly became their grave. Toshiro knew that he couldn't allow that.
His family had lead the clan since time immemorial. They had lead the clan proudly through good and bad times, always with dignity and honor as great values of their clan. Until a few days ago he had dreaded the day he would have to step down, the day that his family would loose the leadership position due to the lack of heirs. But at least that problem had been solved now. With the appearance of his granddaughter Akahana, he could at least guarantee that the future leaders of the clan would come from his direct family.
Her arrival was almost too good to be true. She appeared at the most convenient time, something that caused much distrust. He still had some doubts about the girl, that had made such a big impression on the village, only days after her arrival. But he knew at least that she had not come with any ill intentions towards the clan. But the aura of mystery was still around her, her unknown past and unclear intentions were still a cause for worry. But he would just have to keep an eye on her, with time every mystery can be solved.
He had seen during the dinner that evening, that Akahana at least seemed to greatly cherish her family. Especially Kushina was dear to her for some reason. He couldn't help but smirk as he wondered what Arashi would have to do to convince his betrothed to feel the same way about him. It would definitely be amusing to watch his attempts at winning her over.
It was moments later that an explosion could be heard and small tremors traveled through the ground beneath him. His first thought was that someone must attack the village, but their enemies had never been bold enough to try such a thing. As he rushed out of his office he could only hope that there was another explanation for this, little did he know what trouble would await him soon.
Akahana watched in horror as Misaki sunk to the ground, unmoving, the sword still running through her chest. It was happening again, she had hoped that she would finally be strong enough, quick enough to prevent anyone close to her from being killed. Once more it seemed that Tobi's plots had cost the life of someone important to her.
Of all the people Akahana had met in Uzushio, Misaki had been the most understanding and genuinely helpful person. She was the first person that tried to fill a parental role in her life without having any hidden agendas for her. And now... now she lay there.
"Such a pity. I really had expected more from a member of the Uzumaki's main family." The Uzukage said with a condescending tone as he looked at his fallen opponent. "I truly hope that you will not disappoint me like this, Akahana-san."
Akahana could barely react as he engaged her once more in close combat, his limbs moving at an inhuman speed as he unleashed a flurry of attacks against her. She was quickly pushed on the defensive, but even there she was hard pressed to parry or evade every attack that rained down on her.
Knowing that she could not overcome the enemies speed in close combat Akahana jumped a few feet back to increase their distance before she tried to beat her enemy in mid range combat. "Futon: Kazekiri no Jutsu." Akahana exclaimed several times as she launched one attack after another against the Kage before her.
He evaded her Jutsu's, the first missed his head barely, the second went into the empty space where the Uzukage had stood moments before. A third attack followed, but again the man moved to fast. Momentarily he was back in close range, causing Akahana many cuts as he resumed his relentless attack.
"Futon: Daitoppa." Her desperate attack hit the enemy dead on as he was to close to evade and it blew him over the field, far away from Akahana. "Futon: Shinkugyoku." She exhaled several wind bullets that quickly followed the Uzukage as he was blown back, hitting him several times, ripping his Kagerobes to reveal the person underneath.
But what she saw came as a shock to Akahana, her opponent was not a human. No, under the robes were the wooden limbs of a puppet, its dead eyes staring mockingly at her.
"He he he, so the little vixen has finally revealed me. Good, good. The master already predicted that you would be a more challenging target." The puppet exclaimed with a mocking laugh, a raspy sound that made it sound even more taunting then usual.
"Where is your master, where is that coward that hides in the shadows instead of fighting me head on?" Akahana exclaimed in cold anger. She had no time to waste, she had to defeat this person if she wanted any chance to possibly help Misaki. Her time was running out.
"So impatient. My master will not join you at the moment, he has the best seats in the house and enjoys the show." Again the puppet laughed tauntingly at Akahana. "But you want to play with fancy Jutsu, well be my guest. Suiton: Suishoha!"
Suddenly a vortex of water appeared before Akahana, coming closer with frightening speed before it started to crash down on her like a wave. There was no escape, the water was everywhere, all around her.
"Futon: Daitoppa." Akahana exclaimed hastily as she tried to push the wave back or at least open a path out of that vortex. It succeed shortly, but before Akahana could escape the puppet used the created rift to enter the vortex around her.
"Not so fast, little Uzumaki. You won't escape this easily."
Again the puppet attacked her in close combat, but this time his movements were sluggish at first before it returned to its earlier speed. Akahana quickly realized that the water vortex did not just keep her trapped inside, but it also blocked the puppeteers view. He would have to change his position so he could see what is going one through the only opening. The rift she had created. Now she had to stall him until she could see the man that was hiding behind this puppet.
"Why, why are you doing this? Why were you impersonating the Uzukage?" Akahana asked wearily in an attempt to stop the enemies attacks for a short moment.
"He he he. Wouldn't you want to know. This man was so unbelievably foolish, so trusting. All of this village can be fooled so easily."
Akahana ignored the mocking nature of the statement and instead concentrated on the rift and what she could see outside. "Are you from Kiri? Kumo? No, neither of them use puppeteers. They have no need for grown up men playing with dolls." She couldn't help but taunt her enemy, especially after all he had said before.
"Those fools are too weak. They can't even beat this pathetic village though they outnumber you almost three to one by now. I would be ashamed to hail from those weaklings."
"Brave words from a man that hides behind his doll." Akahana mocked loudly before she saw a glimpse of blue chakra going from the puppet back to the nearby buildings. "Got you." She mumbled inaudibly too herself.
She quickly feinted an attack on the puppets body before she ducked to the side and escaped the vortex. In mere seconds she had reached buildings where she had seen the chakra thread going to. "There you are. Futon: Daitoppa." Another strong squall blew away a small run down hut near the field, debris crashed down all around her before she saw a person jump away from the place.
"Stop running you damn coward!" Akahana yelled angrily.
"Pah. So you found me. Congratulations, not many have come this far. But none of them returned to tell the tale of their achievement either." The words came from a lanky man who now stood near the puppet on the wet grass of the field where the water vortex had collapsed. A nasty smile was visible on his face as he looked at Akahana.
"We will see about that. Now that I have you out in the open you won't stand a chance against me." Akahana grinned maliciously at the man before she mumbled some words. With a small poof there were suddenly six copies of her, surrounding her on both sides.
"Shadow Clones won't help you, vixen. I've seen your earlier fights and knew that you would resort to this faulty tactic." He commanded his puppet to attack and it immediately shot towards Akahana while he only moved one finger of his hand.
Akahana, too, charged at her enemy, ready to finally end this fight in her favor. It had already taken enough of her time. The puppet started to attack one of the clones, planning on dispelling them quickly one after another. But his attack went right through his target.
"Normal clones then. As if mere illusions could harm me." The puppeteer exclaimed in almost childish glee before his features turned murderous again. "Now it is time for you to die!"
The puppet charged through the rest of the clones, ignoring them, passing another two illusions before suddenly a clone grabbed the puppet from behind.
"What the..." The puppeteer said wonderingly as he saw this, but what confused him more then the suddenly solid clone was the bright smirk on Akahana's face.
"It's over. Jibaku Bunshin." As the final words left her mouth the clone blew up in a giant explosion that rocked the ground and left a deep crater. The puppet though was no more.
"You damn bitch. That was my favorite puppet. You will pay for this!"
"No. Dead men should be quiet." Akahana replied coldly before she suddenly dispelled, revealing herself as another clone. For some moments the puppeteers looked around searchingly for the girl; too late did he realized that she was behind him, her sword in hand. He only felt his world go black as the sword was rammed through his heart from behind.
Akahana exhaled a sigh of relief as she saw her enemies dead body on the ground before her. She needed some moments to catch her breath after the fight. But then the memory of what had happened to Misaki rushed back into her mind and she quickly ran over to the woman, worried that she might be too late.
"Misaki-san! Please don't be dead. Oh please don't..." She crouched down next to Misaki and quickly removed the blade from the woman's chest. To her relief she could still feel a weak pulse and saw her shallow breathing.
"Akahana?" Misaki said with a strained voice as she opened her eyes to see who was standing next to her.
"Yes, Misaki-san. It's me."
"The Uzukage?" Misaki asked weakly.
"Long dead. He was impersonated by a puppet. Don't worry, the puppet and puppeteer are defeated." Akahana said in a soothing manner, not willing to cause Misaki any distress in her current state. "But now I must quickly get you to a hospital before..."
Akahana's voice suddenly stopped as she felt something else. Another of her clones had dispelled moments ago. And the only clone left was the one guarding Honoka... Alerted by this Akahana quickly stood up, gripping her own sword tightly as she waited for the arrival of another enemy.
And she did not have to wait long, seconds later Akihiro appeared before her, flanked by two clones of himself, holding a Kunai to the throat of a shaking Honoka. The seven year old girl looked pale and for the first time since Akahana had seen the girl she looked frightened.
"You... I should have known after the ordeal with that false Uzukage!" Akahana hissed at Akihiro.
"Ah, my dear Akahana, you do me so much injustice. I am not such a crude being like poor Ishikawa over there." At this he nodded towards the dead puppeteer. "Such a waste, he was sometimes helpful as a teammate."
"Damn you, Akihiro. Release Honoka at once or I'll..."
"Or what? You are in no position to make any demands. I on the other hand..." He left the sentence hanging as he pushed the Kunai closer to Honoka's throat, causing a shallow cut that bled.
"What do you want, you damn traitor?"
"You, my dear. My master wants you and I must comply. So lay down your weapon and stop resisting, else this girl and that woman over there will die before you can even lift a finger against me." A cruel smirk shone on Akihiro's face as he told her his demands.
"Just what does Tobi want from me? I have no interest in that bastard, only in his death."
"Such a nasty temper. I do not know nor do I care why my master wants you. But you will surrender now, or else..."
Akahana looked helplessly at the frightened child in Akihiro's grip, then at the semi conscious Misaki near her. She knew she couldn't let them die. But what would happen should she surrender herself to Tobi's pawns? What had that man planned for her?
"My patience is running out, Akahana."
She hesitated, she looked for an escape, for a chance, for anything. She desperately hoped that someone would come to help, that aid would arrive in the nick of time. For the first time she even wished that Arashi would show up to help her. But she was alone and Akihiro had the life of two others in his hand.
"I'm counting to three, if you don't surrender by then then you leave me with no choice but to kill these two and take you by force, Akahana." Akihiro said with false compassion in his voice, mockingly sounding as if he regretted the situation they were currently in. "One... two..."
Knowing the helplessness of her situation Akahana's grip on her sword lessened before it finally fell out of her hands and stuck in the ground before her. She couldn't fight on, not when it would cost the lives of two others. She didn't want to harm Honoka and Misaki, not two persons that she had formed some sort of connection with. And then there was the clan, no one would trust her again if she let those two die just to save herself... the situation was desperate. She had to resign herself to her fate for now, at least she would get close enough to Tobi that way. Maybe she could get a shot at killing him like this.
"Now that's a good girl." Akihiro spoke gleefully as his clones slowly moved towards Akahana, still watching her wearily for any sign of aggression from the girl. But there was none.
"Akahana! Don't..." Misaki said weakly from her place on the ground as she saw what was happening.
"I'm sorry... but I can't let others die for me... not again." Akahana whispered sadly before a punch from one of the clones knocked her unconscious.
"Finally I can leave this dreaded village. Send my regards to Toshiro, Misaki. If you live long enough that is." Akihiro said with a laugh before he grabbed Honoka tighter and started to run towards the walls with her, his clones that were carrying Akahana closely behind him.
At first Toshiro was worried. Worried that the village might be under attack and that their enemies had finally dared to openly challenge the village itself. But he was wrong. It wasn't an attack from the outside. No, once more it was an attack happening inside the village, an incident orchestrated by traitors from their own ranks.
When he arrived at the scene the battle had already ended, leaving only a devastated field, a dead man and a nearly dead Misaki behind.
"Search the area. If there are any more enemies in the immediate vicinity I want them found and eliminated asap." Toshiro barked at the shinobi around him. Not all of them were Uzumaki, but all listened to his orders none the less.
He quickly walked over to Misaki, a medic that had accompanied the investigation team already tending to her wounds at that moment.
"Uzumaki-sama, though I can seal the wound here and now, your daughter will have to be brought to the hospital quickly. I simply cannot say what inner wounds she might have received during her fight." The medic spoke quickly, his eyes never leaving his patient as he used a healing Jutsu on the wound in Misaki's chest.
"Hurry, don't waste any time. Misaki must not die!" Toshiro bellowed imperiously.
The medic signaled another shinobi to bring a stretcher so they could move Misaki without any risk of inflicting more damage to her. But the moment they tried to heave her onto it Misaki stopped them.
"Wait..." She said almost breathlessly as she looked towards Toshiro. "Tou-san..."
"Misaki, safe your strength now, we will talk later." Toshiro said soothingly as he crouched down next to her.
"No... you don't understand. He has them..."
"Who are you talking about?" Toshiro asked with a confused frown.
"That traitor Akihiro... he has Honoka and Akahana... the Uzukage was a fake, a puppet in the traitor's service..."
"What?" Toshiro exclaimed enraged. This just couldn't be happening right now. He was hard pressed to believe it, but he knew that Misaki has no reason to lie.
"It is my fault... I was careless and because of that the coward could capture Honoka and threaten Akahana..." Misaki said as some tears escaped her eyes.
"Calm now. We will get them back. I swear we will find them, Misaki. You will rest now and heal up and before you leave the hospital Akahana and Honoka will be back with us." Toshiro said honestly.
"Yes... tou-san..." Without further protest Misaki finally allowed the medic to take her away to the hospital, leaving a worried and angry Toshiro behind.
"Toshiro-sama!" Came a loud exclamation from a man not far from Toshiro's position. It was easy to recognize him, to Toshiro this man always stood out from the rest.
"Arashi, get here this instant!" Toshiro bellowed furiously. The man did not hesitate a moment and quickly ran to his leader's side.
"Yes, Toshiro-sama? How may I be of service? Can I help somewhere?"
"YOU! Just where have you been you idiot? Why were you not with your fiance?" Though he knew that it was wrong to vent his anger on Arashi, Toshiro couldn't help himself but to feel angry at the young man.
"Me? Well... I was at home... thinking... and..."
"Because no one was there to help them, my daughter nearly died and my granddaughter got kidnapped by those fucking traitors!" Toshiro yelled at Arashi loudly. Everyone around them heard what the Uzumaki Clan head had said and most of them were shocked to hear about Akahana's capture.
"They have Akahana?" Arashi asked with a look of worry on his face. "But how? She is really strong, just what has happened that caused her to be kidnapped?"
"That doesn't matter. They have my granddaughter. And they have little Honoka as well." Toshiro continued in his angry rage. "Get your team ready, Arashi. I want all of you out of this village before the hour ends. Bring back Akahana and Honoka." Toshiro ordered sternly, leaving no room for objection. "And bring me the head of that traitor Akihiro. I want his damn head on a pike!"
"As you command, Toshiro-sama." Arashi knew better then to argue with Toshiro when he was like this. No instead he quickly rushed to find all members of his team to retrieve those that had been taken from them. And to Arashi this was also a personal matter. No matter how he felt about it at the moment, Akahana was his fiance and he would be damned if he allowed anyone to kidnap her under his nose.