Disclaimer: NO RIGHTS TO NARUTO
Just as the sun rose over Sunagakure, The Kazekage and his older brother arrived exhausted from traveling all night in remarkable speed.
The two shinobis guards spotted them in time to ready a bow, "Lord Kazekage, Lord Kankuro. It is so great to have you both back."
Gaara cut right to the chase, "What has happened here? Inform IMMEDIATELY."
One of the guards was afraid to because he was scared of Gaara's retort but he tried to do so professionally, "Lord Kazekage, from some days ago; Lady Yue attempted to murder Shikamaru Nara in order to get her hands on a precious relic he was delivering. That is why she is remanded at the Sunagakure correctional facility."
"That is ridiculous. There is no possible way that Yue would try to kill anyone!" Gaara nearly shouted and would have furthered defended his wife but Kankuro placed a hand on his shoulder; cautioning him.
Kankuro questioned the shinobis, "Where is Temari?"
"Lady Temari is at the infirmary with Shikamaru. He has been in a state of constant sleep; she has not left his side since."
The Kazekage glared at the small ranking guard, "With all of this occurring, why didn't anyone try to contact me at the Leaf Village?"
The level and anger in his voice frightened the shinobi guard, "W-We did L-Lord Kazekage. We must have sent twenty reports and requests…"
"You should have tried harder, you useless pawn." Gaara disregard him and started his way to the infirmary with Kankuro following beside him.
The constant beeping of the life monitor kept Temari company as she sat like a zombie next to the unconscious Shikamaru. Her hands clutched onto his; fearing that if she were to let go, he might actually slip away.
"Please wake up Shikamaru… Please… Wake up and bicker with me like you always do…." She tiredly said to his sleeping body.
A numbered of days had passed and he had yet to wake up. Temari hadn't gotten much sleep or had the appetite to eat so she naturally looked like a mess.
The door to the hospital room opened suddenly and loudly by her little brother. She broke her attention away from her dormant lover and glanced at Gaara and Kankuro as they entered.
"Where have you been…? Why did it take you two so long to return!" Temari said upsettingly as she stood up in front of them when they came close to her.
The first words out of Gaara's mouth didn't consist of an answer but a serious question, "What have you all done with Yue? H-How could you possibly think she could have killed Shikamaru?"
Temari snapped back, "That is all you can say? Who cares about that stupid trader! Gaara, she tried to kill Shikamaru and she is thief!"
Kankuro put himself in between his two fighting brother and sister, "Now you guys STOP THIS. Gaara calm down and let Temari explain."
The Kazekage glowered at Temari but nonetheless remained silent just like his brother instructed.
"Four days ago, your witch of a wife tried to kill Shikamaru and take the Konohagakure ruby. It's that simple! What else don't you get?" Temari said while feeling redundant.
Gaara let out an aggravated sigh with clenched teeth, "Did you actually see her do it? You can't just jump to conclusions without investigating the facts!"
"YES IN FACT I DID SEE HER! SHE WAS BLOODIED AND STANDING OVER SHIKAMARU! She, Shikamaru, and I were the only ones that knew of the Ruby's existence in Sunagakure because it was supposed to be top secret. She wanted it! That is the fact!"
Kazekage Gaara was taken away at hearing the first sentence. He stepped back but caught himself. Even though he was nearly unsure now, he still defended Yue, "You're wrong. She would never!"
"How long have you known her Gaara? May I remind you that you and that wench were arranged to be married! How dare you believe her over me? I'm your sister!"
Gaara stepped to her threateningly, "Because you're judgment is covered by your dull romantic feelings and anger! If you give it some thought, she didn't even fight back when she first fought with you and Kankuro. How would she be possible of attempted murder?"
"People don't show there true colors until later! You defend her over me? I'm your family Gaara!"
"So is she." Gaara told her with a glare, "I asked her to marry me; I forced her by my side. I may not feel strongly for her as you do for Shikamaru but I know what it is like to be abandoned and betrayed."
This time Temari almost stumbled back at Gaara's words.
Gaara knew that he was wasting his time standing there arguing with his sister. He turned away from Temari and started for the door.
"Where are you going Gaara?" Temari asked. "Don't tell me you're going to bring her home. Y-YOU! You're the Kazekage, how can you go against your people!"
Even Kankuro knew that she went too far and grasped her shoulder, "Temari calm down!"
Gaara answered as composed as he could, "If being a Kazekage is all about deceit and disloyalty than I rather choose to not be the Kazekage."
Both his siblings were taken at his statement as Gaara stalked out of the room. Kankuro faced Temari, "You have gone too far! How could you say that to our little brother?"
"How can he trust that murderer instead of me!" Temari argued back, "I saw her with my own eyes! She's guilty!"
The puppet master looked away from her and sighed, "I'm not asking you to trust Yue, Temari. I'm asking you to trust Gaara."
Kankuro left his sister with that and walked out the door too to help Gaara in anyways possible.
The Sunagakure Correctional Facility was rather an immense gloomy resident deep within the windy gold desert. The walls of the buildings were grey shades and black. There were several watch towers that overlooked the area for any attempts at escaping.
"There it is!" Sakura pointed out loudly.
They almost sped right through it but they forced themselves to cease abruptly.
The two Guards looked at the four Leaf Shinobis along with their enormous dog, Akamaru. They found it odd to be seeing Konohagakure ninjas at their prison in the middle of the desert.
One of the guards questioned them in utter sarcasm, "What are Konohagakure Shinobis doing here? What do we owe this fine visit?"
Naruto stepped forward and answered seriously, "We're here for Lady Kazekage Yue. Take us to her now."
The two Sand Shinobis retreated in shock but one managed to say, "You cannot possibly think to show up and expect us to do what we tell you. Besides how can we take you to see someone who is convicted of attempted murder. There are rules."
Sakura glared as she argued, "THE HECK WITH YOUR RULES! Yue is innocent! We're here to save her!"
The man argued back. "Then I believe you all have failed your mission before it even started because you will not see that Kumogakure trash!"
Sakura stood still with determination, "I will not leave here without my friend!"
The other guard finally burst out with frustration, "LEAVE OR I WILL MAKE YOU LEAVE!" He reached a hand over to shove Sakura but Naruto caught it before it touched her.
Uzamaki punched him square in the face with enough force that he fell back onto his comrade, "How dare you try to touch her!"
As touched as Sakura was of Naruto trying to defend her, she thought logically and took command briefly, "They aren't going to listen, let's just go in and find Yue!"
As fast as she could, she ignored the two fallen guards and used her massive strength to punch through gate. She sprinted into the facility without waiting for his friends.
Naruto agreed with the approach, "She's right, c'mon guys!"
Neji and Kiba nodded and followed right away.
Kiba turned to his massive dog for a moment and commanded, "Akamaru take care of the guards, SIT ON THEM! Be on alert to hear me if I need you!"
The loyal dog barked and growled angrily at the reinforcements that would arrive immediately.
He didn't necessarily sit on them but he used his tail and knocked them aside; clearing the path for his master and friends.
The four barged into the facility like a tornado. It was dim lighting because of the faint lit lanterns that they use for a source of light.
Everything looked like reddish blood color. There were plenty of halls, doors, and cells; it looked like a maze!
Not a moment too soon, a loud alarm started ringing which caused more adrenaline and tension in the atmosphere.
Naruto and his friends found it hard to see but they manage to sense and hear the commotion of more guards coming from all around.
The Blonde Ninja growled irritably, "We're never going to find Yue this way!" He signaled his hands together, "MULTI SHADOW CLONE JUTSU!"
Thousands, if not millions of Narutos appeared in a quick shroud of smoke. A majority of the clones fought off the oncoming guards while the extra ones ran through the halls calling for Yue like the real Naruto and his friends were doing.
"Yue! Yue can you hear me! It's me Sakura! If you can hear me, please answer me!" Sakura yelled as she ran passed cells doors.
Naruto yelled even louder, "Yue! Where are you! We're here to help you!"
"Lady Yue!" Kiba and Neji shouted. "Lady Yue, where are you?"
The more they yelled and shouted, the more they were hearing their own voices because of the constant echoing.
To further more the confusion, it seemed like they were running around in circles. Everything looked like they passed it already.
Gaara and Kankuro ran their fastest from Sunagakure to The Correctional Facility. When they got there, they could hear the disarray and commotion coming from inside.
Without any hesitation, the two Sand brothers barged into the prison where many Narutos were fighting off the enemy. They could see the real Naruto and the others defending themselves in the middle of everything.
"STOP THIS AT ONCE!" Gaara shouted at full volume which got everyone's attention. They stopped their actions and stared at him.
The Sand Ninjas stood in order and bowed to greet him, "Lord Kazekage, Lord Kankuro."
The Lady Official Mifune who was in the midst of the fight started to panic at where she stood. Surely The Kazekage was there to retrieve his wife but what would happen if there was nothing left to rescue…
Gaara didn't want to hear anymore explanation or stall anymore time, "Where is my wife?"
Mifune could see the wrath and aggravation in Gaara's face but she tried to stall anyway. She stepped out of the crowd toward him and bowed, "Lord Kazekage, I am in charge of this Facility and I cannot in good conscious let you see a dangerous killer."
That was an abhorrent excuse which served nothing more than to further irritate Gaara further. His eyes glowered at the woman, "You WILL show me where my wife is or so help me I will skin you alive."
"BUT L-Lord Kazekage…"
He stepped dangerously into her space, "Bring me to her at once, THIS IS AN ORDER. Are you going to not listen to your Kazekage? You pathetic excuse for human."
Her heart started to beat faster but she relented, "Y-Yes… Lord Kazekage, right this way…"
Maybe she's dead by now…
As Mifune showed the way to Yue's cell, The Konohagakure ninjas walked behind Gaara and Kankuro with strict alert.
It seemed like the Lady Official was walking to her own torture for her feet were heavy. She stopped at Yue's cell door after a flight of stairs and several turns.
Once more, she tried to persuade Gaara to her own benefit, "Lord Kazekage, I urge you to think twice."
THAT WAS IT. . .
Gaara clutched at her neck by his sand from his gourd and held her up against the steel cell door, "OPEN THE DOOR OR I WILL BE FORCED TO DO SOMETHING I REGRET."
His brother and The Leaf Village allies flinched at his sudden actions but they were so close to saving Yue that they didn't do anything to interfere.
The sand around her neck tightened slowly. "Y-Yes L-Lord Kazekage!"
Gaara dropped her onto the floor where she quickly scrambled to her feet while searching for the key among the variety. Once she found the right one, she unlocked and opened it.
She uncertainly moved aside and let them entered. The light was even weaker in the cell but Gaara concentrated his eyes harder as he searched for Yue.
He could faintly see a figure lying back against the wall. It looked like a puppet because the head was slumped over to the side lifelessly. "Yue…?"
There was no answer from the corpse like girl. Quickly, he went to her and knelt down to examine her state. Hesitantly, he started to fear the worse as he held her face upright gently.
There didn't appear to be much life. Her eyes were dilated darkly and she didn't react to Gaara's touch.
What…What did they do to you…?" Even in the poor lighting, The Kazekage could see the blood, scars, and torment on the girl's body.
Sakura noticed in seconds and hurried to her side as well. She took Yue's wrist so she could check her pulse. A gasp escaped from her lips, "Oh no, she has less than a low pulse! We have to get her to an infirmary soon so I can operate."
"Yue, Yue can you hear me?" Gaara shook her face gently but when she still didn't reply or give any reaction, he gave her face small slaps on her cheek, "Yue…?"
Finally, the little bit left of her soul reacted. She heavily moved her eyes upwards to look weakly at Gaara.
Her vision was poor and blurry but she could see the unclear picture of her husband, "Gaara... Is..that you?"
No! She's still alive…! The scary thought screamed into the evil official's head. Her heart almost busted out of her chest. It was getting hard to breathe for her. What if she tells them that it was me that injected her!
Mifune took out a kunai and charged at Yue despite the obvious fact that The Kazekage and others were there.
SHE CAN'T TELL ANYONE UNLESS SHE IS DEAD!
She was out of her mind for sure because she couldn't stop even when she realized what she was doing.
"Look out!" Naruto loudly warned.
Sakura acted at once and shielded Yue while Gaara protrude his sand to counter attack. His strong sand hurled Mifune to the opposite wall.
A deafening thud was heard when she collided into the wall and followed by a thump on the ground when she fell.
Blood slipped from her lips as her limp body remained there without moving. Neji knelt to her to check, "She's dead."
Kiba scoffed, "Good riddance anyways."
Gaara couldn't disagree. He turned his attention to Yue again; her zombie state was frightening him more than anything.
"Lord Kazekage, we need to get her help and hurry!" Sakura urged as she check Yue's pulse again.
Gaara reached for Yue's body in Sakura's care and lifted her up into his arms without further delay.
"It won't be long Yue. Hold on …"
Waiting in the infirmary of Sunagakure seemed like an eternity to Gaara and the others.
As Sakura helped treat Yue with the other doctors, all the others could do was worry.
On the outside, Gaara might have appeared calm and collected but he was filled with worry on the inside.
Be all right… Be all right… He repeated over and over again.
His thoughts clouded his mind and worsened his apprehension when finally Sakura came out.
Gaara practically jumped up from his seat as she approached him but was able to compose himself, "How is Yue? Is she all right?"
Naruto, Neji, Kiba, and Kankuro stood up abruptly too.
Everyone could see the bothered face on Sakura, "There is good news and bad news…"
"Well please, just inform me on everything." Gaara rushed anxiously.
The pink haired medic decided to start with the good news, "There were horrible wounds of torture all over Yue's body but along with some broken bone the doctors and I have managed to treat them. They should heal in time…."
"But…?"
"But… There is something else wrong with Yue that we couldn't find a solution too." Sakura found it difficult to continue but she took in a breath and started again, "It would seem like… When she was at the prison she was instilled with some kind of agent."
Gaara stiffened with wide eyes, "What kind of an agent? Is it serious? What is to happen to her?"
"We don't know… We drew her blood and tested it. We have never seen this before. Whatever that was put into her, its weakening her body. Her immune system is deteriorating along with her strength… The doctors and I have created antidotes with strong medicinal herbs to help slow down the process. We're working hard to figure it out what it is but…"
Her voice started to break while tears formed in her eyes, "But it appears as though… She will have a short amount of time until… Perhaps a little over a week…?"
"What? How is that possible!" Naruto exclaimed questionably. "How could they do that to a Lady Kazekage?"
Commotion and further questions erupted but Gaara drowned them out as he stared at the door of Yue's hospital room. He ignored the loudness of the others and walked inside.
His wife was sleeping on the hospital bed with an IV dripping into her veins. Her hands folded gracefully on her stomach.
Gaara sat on the bed beside her. It was like Yue could sense that Gaara was with her because it brought her out from her sleep. Slowly, she opened her weighted tired eyes, "Gaara…?"
He tried to smile but couldn't do it, "You're awake. How do you feel…?"
"Gaara?" She seemed worried about something else rather than her own health. He listened attentively to what she wanted to ask. "Are you going to divorce me now?"
Her husband's eyes spread in genuine shock, "What? Why would you think that Yue?"
Yue began faintly, "Because Temari said she would make sure I wouldn't be a part of the family anymore. They said you hate me now."
Gaara picked up her hand and held it firmly, "No, I wouldn't do that. I could never do that."
She grinned lightly; tears of satisfactory welling in her eyes.
Seeing that he was able to lighten her spirits, he took the chance to ask her, "Yue… When you were at the facility, did someone inject you or feed you any serum or poison…?"
Her thoughts were all jumbled but she thought carefully, "Last night… Some lady official called Mifune…"
The name hit Gaara like a ton of bricks.
"She came into my cell and injected something in me… To be honest, I thought I was dreaming because of how scared I was… Why do you ask…?"
No… I killed the one person that has the cure to whatever it is in Yue…
I killed the one who could save her.
