The Art of Family

Chapter Ten: The Temple and the Cave

Day Two Without Naruto

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Obviously.

Info: Naruto is eighteen. Sasuke has left the village and is roaming the country with his new little troop. Sakura-chan is still in Leaf, working for Tsunade. No real manga plot will be involved, beyond what I just told you. ...So far as I know, anyway.

- - -

Tsunade's office was quiet. Iruka sat on the floor, with Shizune-san at his side. He stared up at the Yondaime Hokage; who was standing before him, smiling gently down at him. Iruka felt childlike before this great man. Not for the first time since meeting the legendary Hokage, he wondered if choosing him for a host had been a mistake.

He had always looked up to the Fourth. One of his best memories was of actually meeting the man; though he'd been too nervous to say anything. He had literally bumped into the Hokage one day on the street and dropped his school books. The Yondaime had smiled, collected the books, and given them back with a simple, "Here you go. Have fun at school."

It was the happiest moment of young Iruka's life.

The Kyuubi had attacked less than a week later, taking away every bit of happiness Iruka had. He had nearly forgotten the memory amongst his grief, but now, with Kazama Arashi smiling down at him, he couldn't help but replay it.

Surely someone else was a better choice. A strong, brave ANBU. A jounin. Anyone other than simple, school teacher Umino Iruka.

But Arashi-sama had chosen him. The greatest man to ever live in Konoha had chosen him to carry his soul.

Iruka was honored, and more than a bit terrified.

Beside him, Shizune-san was staring serenely up at Ayaka-sama, who was smiling down at her. Iruka didn't understand how Shizune-san could be so composed. She felt his gaze upon her, and turned to smile at him. Her small, soft hand lay atop his a moment, squeezing his fingers, before she returned it to her lap, smiling once again at Ayaka-sama.

Arashi-sama knelt slowly before him, his knees brushing against Iruka's. Iruka felt a blush coming to his cheeks, and found it hard to look up at the man. Arashi-sama gave him a broad smile, his strong hands cupping Iruka's cheeks.

This was terribly embarrassing.

Beside him, Ayaka-sama and Shizune-san were in similar positions. He glanced at them from the corner of his eye, envying Shizune-san's calm composure.

Arashi-sama's hands began to glow, as did his knees. Iruka supposed that it was the fact those were the parts contacting him. Ayaka-sama was glowing as well; that faint, white light slowly moving down her arms and up her thighs. Arashi-sama's shoulders were glowing now as well. Iruka's eyes widened, watching in wonder as the man's entire being was enveloped in this soft light.

He was so incredibly warm. It made him feel sleepy. Iruka suppressed a yawn, suddenly at ease with the whole ordeal. He knew it would be all right. He knew that he would be safe with the Fourth residing inside of him. He knew that together, they would save Naruto.

His eyes drooped. He tried his best to keep them open, but the comfortable warmth was too much. He began to slump forward, his forehead resting against Arashi-sama's chest. Arashi-sama's hands slide from his face, down onto his shoulders. A second later, Iruka was being embraced.

He smiled, and drifted off into a peaceful, gentle slumber.

- - -

Arashi opened his eyes, yawning loudly as he stretched. He felt as though he'd just woken from a very peaceful, satisfying sleep. He smiled a bit, rolling his shoulders.

It felt good to have a real body again. Even if it wasn't his own.

He looked to his left, smiling gently at his wife. He'd been unsure how they would look – would they remain looking like Iruka and Shizune; or would the soul transfer change their bodies to their more familiar figures? The answer stared back at him in the form of Ayaka's peaceful face, her plaited hair falling gracefully over her shoulder.

Arashi looked down at his hands – his hands; not Iruka's – and flexed his fingers. It was odd. He had almost expected it to...hurt, or at least be a bit unpleasant.

Ayaka stood slowly, testing her new body as she moved, looking herself over. At the Hokage's desk, Tsunade was staring wide-eyed at them, her jaw slack. Shiro-kun was rubbing his eyes, a look of mild confusion on his face. Arashi snickered, rising to his feet as he smiled at the current Hokage.

Tsunade seemed to wake from her stupor, her cheeks coloring a bit. He wondered exactly what just the two of them saw during their...transformations. He would have to ask Shiro-kun later.

"When will you be leaving?" Tsunade asked, clearing her throat.

Arashi's eyebrow rose. Her reaction was most interesting. "As soon as we're steady."

Ayaka stumbled a bit, her eyebrows disappearing into her hairline. "This feels weird," she admitted sheepishly, smiling at him.

Arashi agreed, taking an unsteady step towards the Hokage's desk. He faltered, Shiro-kun suddenly at his side, taking his arm. He grinned at his old friend, winking. "I'll get the hang of it."

Shiro-kun smiled slightly at him, releasing his arm, before moving on to check on Ayaka.

In the back of his mind, Iruka-kun was stirring a bit. He was mildly surprised at this, as he was only a moment before certain his host would remain sleeping.

You all right back there? He asked.

Yes, Hokage-sama, Iruka yawned in reply. Arashi chuckled, letting the younger man fall back asleep.

Ayaka looked surprised, then stilled. He supposed she was having a similar conversation with Shizune-san. He smiled, taking his wife's hand. Ayaka smiled back at him, and together they looked at Tsunade.

"Right. We're going now."

Tsunade nodded, her brow furrowed. "Are you...sure you don't want me to call for Jiraiya?"

Arashi smiled, though his heart panged a bit. "It's better if he doesn't get involved. The less people in this, the better.

"But if you run into trouble, call for him. Not for us; but for Konoha." Arashi narrowed his eyes and Ayaka squeezed his hand. "I have a feeling something will start here if we are unsuccessful."

Tsunade nodded, her grave face telling him she'd had similar thoughts.

Shiro-kun fell into step beside him as they walked out of the Hokage's office. Tsunade wished them well, and Arashi waved at her over his shoulder.

"Take care, Tsunade-hime," he called, smiling at her. She smiled back, giving him a little wave.

"Save my little brother," she called in response.

The term warmed him, and his smile grew. Ayaka was smiling a bit as well, though he could see the trace of bitterness in it. As they rounded the corner, he leaned in to her; "She had her reasons for picking Naruto."

"I know," Ayaka said a bit coolly, "but I'm still angry."

Arashi wondered if the mothers' of all the shinobi he sent out on missions that went wrong felt this way about him. He sighed, sure in that moment that they did.

"This is why you would have made a bad Hokage, Ayaka," he said, squeezing her hand.

Ayaka smiled gently up at him. "I know."

Beside them, Shiro-kun remained silent.

- - -

Kakashi stood with his team at the base of the temple. It had taken them some time to recover from their experience with the creatures; the recovery had lost them precious hours. He looked up at the sky, watching it lighten with the coming dawn. He prayed Naruto was all right up there.

Takuma was with them, her old weapons pouch at her side, a giant scroll strapped to her hunched back. Her face was hard, with a bead of sweat rolling down her cheek. Kakashi did not know what help she could be, but she had insisted that she could assist them. Mai-san stood beside her mother, wearing her old chuunin uniform, her hair pulled off her forehead by the familiar Konoha protector. Utsuro Go was there as well, dressed in his civilian clothes – for he had never been a ninja – wielding his father's sword. He was there to stand watch, and stand watch he would.

Kakashi sighed, wondering if bringing such a large group into this place was really such a good idea. But looking at them, he knew he had no choice.

Sakura was getting impatient. He could see it ticking behind her eyes. Her brow was furrowed, her body tense. The kunai in her hand was gripped so hard, he was afraid she may shatter it.

Sai seemed well enough, staring blandly up the stairs. His dark eyes darted here and there, studying the terrain. Kakashi wondered what was going through the boy's mind.

"It has been many years since anyone went up to the temple," Takuma said suddenly, her voice breaking the tense silence. "I can tell you only the basics of what we will find.

"The temple is large, and very open. Go's father went down below it once, and said there was a maze of catacombs. Not even he dared to go down too far into them. I'm sure that is where we will find the boy. The children – assuming they are alive – may also be there.

"There is a courtyard with many hiding places. We may be attacked on our way in. There is a cave to the right of the temple, carved into the mountain side. Enemies may wait there as well. It is also possible the boy and the children are being held there. I suspect that cave may join with the catacombs.

"We must watch the forest. As you well know, the enemy moves in the tree line. We have not seen them during the day, but that does not mean they are not there. There is also an old well at the temple. It was sealed by a priest long before Tsukene Mura was built.

"This is all I know," she concluded, never once turning her gaze from the temple.

Kakashi nodded slightly, scanning the horizon. It was a start. Any information was better than none. He took a step, watching the woods around them as his troop followed close behind.

Their trip up the stairs was made in silence. No one spoke, and all tried to move as quietly as possible. Nothing stirred in the wood – not an enemy, not a squirrel, not a bird. Kakashi had never experienced a silence as complete as this.

When they reached the arch of the temple, Kakashi felt it. A dark, oppressive heaviness that made him want to shiver. The light of dawn was trickling over the temple's roof, sending pale beams down onto the stone walkway leading to the temple door. There were statues of Buddhas here and there, with shrines mixed in, and a few, dead bushes. Some of the statues were rather large; giving an enemy ample places to hide. Kakashi activated his Sharingan and looked around.

All was quiet, and nothing moved. The light grew and cast shadows at their feet. Even the sun was cold here. Kakashi licked his lips and continued his surveillance, finding nothing. He took a step forward and waited.

The silence remained unbroken. He nodded to his team, who followed obediently. Takuma's eyes were darting here and there, the sweat beading down her temple. Mai-san remained close to her mother, her bad leg dragging only slightly.

They were liabilities, yet he had let them come. Why? Kakashi sighed internally. There was no way to send them back safely now.

Something moved in the shadows. Kakashi froze, his hand drawing a kunai instantly. He turned towards the shadow, narrowing his eyes at the cave. Sakura and the others had done the same. It was then he understood his mistake.

Behind them, a presence loomed. Sai yelped. Kakashi turned just in time to see his student being dragged away by some invisible source. Sakura was after him in a flash, throwing kunai around him in hopes of striking whatever it was that held him captive.

Kakashi started towards them, only to turn back in horror as he realized he'd made yet another mistake. Takuma and Mai stood unprotected, both with weapons drawn and eyes wide. He made the decision instantly and started back to them, only to be grabbed by the same force that took Sai.

Mai-san yelled out his name, running towards him. Her kunai flew past him, trying as Sakura had to stop the whatever it was that had him. He was being dragged towards the cave, while Sai was being dragged towards the temple.

They were being separated. He struggled against it, only to feel the vice-like grip around his middle tighten. He coughed hard, tasting blood as his ribs cracked. The darkness of the cave encompassed him. The last thing he saw was Mai-san's hand reaching out to him before he was dragged too fast and too far from her aid.

He could heart Mai-san calling out his name. "Don't come in!" he yelled, hoping she would heed him.

It was too late. He could hear her footsteps on the cave floor. Kakashi was thrown against a wall, the wind knocked out of him. He could see a pinpoint of light some way off that was the exit. He got to his feet, lunging out towards the light, only have it closed off with a snap. He heard Mai-san yelp in surprise, then, silence.

They were trapped.

- - -

A/N: I know. It's been ages since I updated. I'll be honest, October has not been kind to me. I've had some bad stuff go on that shuttered my creativity. It's getting better (I think), but updates may be a bit all of the place for awhile.