Okay all, here's the next chapter. I hope you all like it.
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The Boy in The Orange Jumpsuit.
Chapter Fourteen – Arrangements Are Made, The Journey Starts.
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When Mikoto arrived at the house that evening, she was frightened. She knew that if Fugaku had decided to trick her then her first born child, Rin and herself would die. Sasuke would be the only survivor, with no one to take care of him. Mikoto walked in with Rin, Itachi and Sasuke, all were frightened. Fugaku was waiting for them.
"Did you have a good day in town?" Fugaku stated loudly. Mikoto saw a soldier standing near the study. Fugaku was trying to protect them.
"Yes, Sasuke made some friends. I'm thinking about having a play date for him in a couple of days." Mikoto replied. Fugaku nodded.
"Dinner will be served in a few minutes." Fugaku stated, he was acting as he normally would for the benefit of the soldier in their company. The family walked into the dining room, hoping that the soldier would leave soon.
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"So Fugaku Uchiha knows what we're up to." Kakashi commented.
"No. He still thinks we're completing a trade route. He just thinks we're taking Mikoto, Sasuke, Itachi and Rin with us to save them. Telling him about the escaped prisoners is a bad idea. I don't want to risk what might happen if he were to know what we're really doing." Madara replied. Kakashi nodded and he worked with Obito to figure out how they would set up the train and how many carriages they needed.
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Mikoto sat on the bed in the room she'd shared with her husband.
"You have something to say, so say it." Mikoto said softly.
"I'm sorry." Fugaku replied. Mikoto felt saddened then. Now, in this moment that they knew they would be separated, Fugaku was once again the man she married.
"I'm sorry too." Mikoto replied.
"If it helps, I'll always love you and the boys." Fugaku said. Mikoto smiled.
"It does help." Mikoto said.
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The next day, Sasuke and Itachi spent time with their father. He had the day off, which was a rarity, made all the more rare, by the fact that Itachi and Sasuke both knew this would most likely be the last time they spent with him.
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Madara had arranged everything. It had taken him only a day to get together the trains needed to transport his 'cargo' into Fire Country and straight to Konoha once they crossed the border. With Fugaku's permission permits, allowing Madara to access whatever he needed, Madara's plans were sailing along without a problem. But still, Madara was worried. If something did go wrong, if Fugaku changed his mind, the game was up. Madara made all the arrangements, and tomorrow night they would leave under the cover of darkness. They were sneaking people on board the train this very night. The ones that couldn't walk were the priority to move. They couldn't run, there would be no way for them to hide in the daylight. Madara helped Kakashi load his van with a few people. Tsunade was coming with them to keep an eye on the injured people in the train carriage they were to be stuffed into. There were only five carriages, two were filled with meat, to cover them if someone wanted to check their cargo. Three of the carriages were devoted to the escapees and one of those was devoted to those who were unconscious, or unable to look after themselves. The trains had ice packed around the inside, but it was summer, and very warm outside. The train being made of metal became naturally warm, and even if they were a little cold this night, tomorrow when they were on their journey, they would be grateful for the ice. Tsunade knew from experience, when they had been carted by freight trains to the camps. When she had finally been allowed to get off, she was so hot and exhausted she thought she might die then. Everyone had been crammed in so tightly there was barely enough room for each person to stand. It made Tsunade think of a can of sardines, and the thought, even now made her shudder. Yes, she was grateful there was ice packed around the inside of the train.
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Fugaku went to see Sasuke. This would be the last time he tucked his son into bed. Fugaku was almost positive of this. He knew he would most likely never see his sons again. He sat on the end of the bed, as Sasuke looked at him.
"I'm going to miss you Sasuke. I know I don't say it often enough, but I love you very much and I'm very proud of you." Fugaku told Sasuke.
"I love you too father." Sasuke replied. Fugaku kissed his younger son on top of his head and left the room to find Itachi.
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Mikoto had packed only some of the most important things to her, and some necessary clothing. She knew that this would be a new start. She had to do whatever she could to make it work. Her children's lives depended on it.
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Fugaku found Itachi in the study, looking at a book.
"You always were a boy who stood up for what he believed in." Fugaku said. Itachi looked at his father carefully.
"I only try to do what I think is right." Itachi replied.
"I told Sasuke, and now I'm telling you, I know I never said it enough, never showed it enough, but I'm proud of you and I love you. No matter what has happened, I hope you never forget that." Fugaku told his son seriously. Itachi nodded.
"I won't father. Believe it or not, I love you too. I won't lie and say I'm proud. This work you're doing... it's not right. But I'm proud of the man you are, not the soldier." Itachi said honestly. Fugaku gave Itachi a wry smile and pulled him into a hug.
"Take care of your mother and brother Itachi. You never know how precious something is until it's gone." Fugaku said. Itachi nodded his understanding as the pair stood together, both wondered if they would see each other again.
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The next evening, the train was ready to leave, Madara had gotten Obito to go and get Mikoto, Itachi, Sasuke and Rin. Obito had made his intentions to stay in Konoha very clear, and Madara didn't begrudge him that. He knew his son was in love with Rin, and such a close call had made Obito think about protecting the woman he loved. Madara couldn't blame him for that. Madara saw Obito's car pull up, and Mikoto got out of the car with Rin and Itachi, who was carrying Sasuke. Sasuke seemed sleepy, but that wasn't surprising given the time.
"We'll be leaving in a few minutes. Just get on and find somewhere to sit. There are sleeping bags on the ground. The journey won't be fun Mikoto, but once it's over, you'll be safe." Madara said. Mikoto nodded as she set Sasuke down on his feet and Itachi helped his little brother up the steep steps onto the freight carriage.
"That's all I want now Madara. For my children to be safe." Mikoto replied as she climbed on after Rin and her sons.
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Naruto opened his eyes when he heard the sounds of footsteps. He looked to see Sasuke, Itachi, Mikoto and Rin get on to the train.
"Sasuke! Over here!" Naruto called quietly. Sasuke smiled and ran over, to sit down next to Naruto.
"It's cold in here." Sasuke said.
"It's not so bad. It's summer, when the train starts moving, it will heat up and we'll be glad there's ice in here. Tsunade Baa-Chan said these trains are really hot when they go on long journeys." Naruto whispered. Mikoto, Itachi and Rin settled on the ground near Sasuke, and a few minutes later, the train lurched forward. The two boys clasped hands nervously as the train hurtled towards their new lives. Both children hoping for a better future.
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Okay that's the end of this chapter. I know it's a short chapter, but I wanted to update before my exams and I haven't updated for ages. So here it is. I hope you all enjoyed it. Please R&R and let me know what you think.