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Chapter 14: Decisions

Her heart hurt, it felt as if somebody had ripped it out of her chest and crushed it in their palm before they put it back. It ached for the past, when things were easier and not so damned complicated. She loved Sasuke and would do anything for him, however the adult in her also understood what Gaara had been trying to tell her, she was fighting an internal conflict within herself. Sasuke left the village and was declared a missing shinobi, he attacked and seriously tried to kill her several times along with numerous other Konoha shinobi, and he joined forces with Orochimaru, and who knows what crimes he committed while under his tutelage. Gaara was right, Sasuke's punishment didn't fit his crimes. As a potential future kage she shouldn't and couldn't let her emotions run rampant, but she so desperately wanted to scream and yell as she stamped her feet on the ground as if she were a spoiled child because this whole situation was completely and utterly screwed up. She couldn't control herself when her breaths had started to come faster and faster, and when her legs buckled she didn't even care enough to brace herself for impact. Instead she let herself become lost in the darkness that had quickly started to consume her, and the darkness had welcomed her with open arms and sweet whispers of nothingness.

When she regained consciousness she was back in the inn that her, Kakashi, and Yamato were staying at, and she sat up quickly once she realized what had happened.

"You finally awake?" Yamato asked as he casually put the book he was reading down beside him. "Feeling better? You really had us all worried."

"Where is Kakashi-sensei?"

"He went ahead to the village to fill them in on what happened at the summit, especially since we have no idea where Danzo is right now, time is of the essence. And now that you are awake we should get moving too, that is if you are feeling well enough?"

"Yeah…" was the only thing she said as she stood from her pallet and prepared to leave.

She still felt terrible and an invisible weight sat on her chest, her skin was paler which made the dark rings stand out even more under her eyes, which had lost their sparkle. She looked as though she were a mere ghost of her former self. But still she pressed on to Konoha because Sasuke needed her and her village needed her, even if that meant shouldering all the pain and sorrows herself. She would do it if that meant she could save everyone. Though first she would have to find Sasuke and that would prove a problem all itself. Danzo would have hidden him away some place where only a select few would know the location and he would make sure that Sasuke's chakra was completely concealed. She really hated Danzo…

OoOoOo

The moment Madara had materialized, Danzo knew it was the perfect chance to slip out unnoticed with his two guards. Everything had been going accordingly, but then the Mizukage's bothersome bodyguard had to ruin everything with his stolen byakugan. Nevertheless he would still ensure his plans would be carried out. He would return to Konoha and seal away the kyuubi brat and to make sure she would cooperate and he would use her precious Sasuke as bait.

While he and his party were traveling to the Land of Iron, he had received a message relaying that Naruko had left without permission in order to try to convince the Raikage to spare the Uchiha. The conditions wouldn't be ideal, however he had to enact his plan before the proceedings of the Kage summit reached the village. Surely after what happened got out, the elder council would no longer sanction him being Hokage…

"Fu, use your sensory skills to find the kyuubi's jinchuriki." Danzo demanded as they took a moment's reprieve from travel.

"Yes my lord," a young man with auburn hair and amber eyes who wore the standard Root Anbu uniform replied respectively. Doing as he was instructed, Fu closed his eyes and concentrated his chakra by forming what looked like a half-tiger seal and after several minutes of silence, Fu reopened his eyes. "The kyuubi's jinchuriki is not too far from our current position. She is only traveling with one other person, and from my initial assessment her chakra seems weak somehow."

"Lead us to her."

"Sir, what is the plan once we reach them?" Danzo's other body guard, a tall man named Torune whose eyes were covered with a black mask, asked.

"For the safety of the village and for the safety of the world, we are going to seal the kyuubi's jinchuriki and take her to a place where Madara will not be able to find her. As Hokage you have my permission to attack and subdue the other person she is traveling with. It is most likely either Kakashi Hatake or the wood style user Yamato. I will deal with the jinchuriki."

"Yes sir!" both Fu and Torune replied back in unison before Fu took point and led them towards Naruko.

OoOoOo

She followed Yamato silently as they walked through the snow covered forest. Yamato wanted to return to Konoha as soon as possible, but Naruko couldn't find the energy to keep up, so instead they walked. Her heart still ached, and it seemed that with each step she took, the ache intensified. She could see the concerned glances Yamato would throw her way out of the corner of his eye, he was probably afraid she would have another panic attack. But she didn't care, she was too concerned about how she was going to fix everything, which was why she didn't sense the kunai that whizzed by her head and embedded itself into a nearby tree. Yamato was the first to react as he quickly grabbed Naruko and entered into a defensive position.

"Show yourselves!" Yamato demanded as he drew a kunai himself from one of his many weapon's pouches.

"Tenzo," Danzo said menacingly as he and his team stepped from the shadows. "Forgive me, its Yamato now isn't it?"

"Danzo! What do you want? We know what happened at the summit and soon your treachery will be known to everyone!" Yamato threatened.

"So it would seem by Kakashi Hatake's absence. He no doubt went on ahead to inform the village of what happened. But the question is why did you two stay behind? My dear little jinchuriki, you aren't looking so well. Tell me, did something happen?" Danzo asked with a slight smirk.

"Just shut up," Naruko mumbled just loud enough to be heard. "Tell me where Sasuke is!"

"Ah, yes. I was wondering how long it would take for you to bring that up. I'll make a deal with you jinchuriki, come with me and do as I say and I will release your precious Sasuke unharmed. Don't cooperate and I will make sure that by the time somebody does manage to find him, all they will find are his bones."

"Naruko don't listen to him! He is nothing but a traitor and a coward! By the time we return to the village he will no longer be Hokage anymore and Sasuke will be freed. We will find a way to save him!" Yamato insisted.

"Enough of this idle chatter. Fu, Torune do as you were instructed," Danzo commanded. "Leave the jinchuriki to me."

"I won't let you get anywhere near Naruko!" Yamato proclaimed as he prepared for the onslaught that was to come. "Naruko you need to snap out of whatever funk you are in. If we don't escape then we are both going to be in a world of trouble."

"Right," Naruko growled out, her fire seemingly have returned, and just in time because all three charged simultaneously.

Fu and Torune both concentrated their attacks at Yamato, working to separate him from Naruko. Torune first threw several kunai that had explosive tags attached to the ends that quickly ignited, the smoke created an effective screen for Fu to flank Yamato. However, when Fu attempted to use his mind transfer jutsu it came up short when what they thought was Yamato disintegrated into a pile of wood. Even though the mind transfer jutsu was unsuccessful, the two bodyguards were successful in having separated Naruko from Yamato.

OoOoOo

Even though they had only exchanged light blows with their kunai, Naruko was panting and sweat coated her still pale and sickly looking skin.

"What's wrong jinchuriki, not feeling well? Should we take a break?" Danzo sneered.

"What do you want? Why are you attacking shinobi from your own village?"

"Yamato is nothing but a traitor to Root, therefore a traitor to the village. And you my dear are a jinchuriki, therefore you are nothing but a tool. As hokage it is my right to use such a tool as I see fit. Madara has just declared war on us all, and it is because of you he has done so. Thus you must be protected. Madara cannot get his hands on you and I will see to it that that will not happen."

"And what if I don't go with you? You're nothing but a pompous aristocrat who cares nothing about those under him, and you had no right to be Hokage! You soiled the proud and honorable title of Hokage! I will never go willingly with you! I will fight Madara with every breath that I have in my body and I will protect my friends and those that cannot fight!" Naruko exclaimed as she regained the fire in her eyes once again.

"Such pretty and inspiring words. But I wasn't bluffing when I said that if you did not cooperate, that by the time you would find of Sasuke, the only things you would find would be his bones. I am the only one who knows Sasuke's true location, cooperate with me and I will free him."

"Say I cooperate with you, how do I know you will keep your word?"

"You don't. But I am the Uchiha's only chance. Do you want to risk that?"

"What would I have to do?" Naruko questioned nervously.

"Fu, Torune!" Danzo called out suddenly as he and Naruko appeared on a tree branch, well above the battle that was taking place below them. "Withdraw, we are done here." Obediently the two Root members sheathed their weapons and joined the Danzo and Naruko on the branch.

"Naruko! What are you doing?" Yamato immediately questioned when he saw her with Danzo.

"Captain Yamato, you need to get back to Konoha and help Kakashi. Here," Naruko said as she threw him a small scroll. "These are directions to Sasuke, everything is going to be okay. Don't try to follow us, please," Naruko whispered as a tear escaped her eye as she turned and left and was soon followed by the others. Of course Yamato tried to follow too, regardless of what Naruko had said, but it was too late, they were nowhere to be found.

OoOoOo

Per Danzo's instructions, the four of them travelled to a hidden base located somewhere in the Land of Fire. She wasn't exactly sure what awaited her there, but until she was sure Sasuke was safe she would play the obedient pawn.

"You made the right choice Naruko," Danzo said as the four of them finally reached their destination.

"Let's just get this over with," Naruko growled.

"Very well, follow me. Fu, Torune, stand guard and make sure we are not disturbed."

Danzo led her down a dark tunnel that eventually opened up into a large room that was filled various medical instruments, control panels, and empty human sized capsules amongst other things.

"This hideout belonged to Orochimaru!" Naruko accused angrily.

"At one point, though it hasn't been used for a long time, even before the Uchiha killed Orochimaru. Now if you'll be so kind as to lay down on that table over there and we will get started," Danzo instructed as he gestured to a dusty medical table that was outfitted with thick metal bands made to secure the occupants neck, hands, waist, and ankles. Hesitantly Naruko climbed onto the table and positioned herself accordingly. As if they had a mind of their own, the metal bands clamped tightly shut.

"These are a little unnecessary don't you think?" Naruko complained. The bands, especially the one restraining her neck, were tight and uncomfortable and made it hard for her to breathe. However Danzo ignored her complaints and continued to gather the materials he needed. Once he was done he walked over to her carrying a bowl that contained a thick black liquid and a brush. "Wh-what are you going to do?" Again Danzo ignored her as he dipped the brush into the thick liquid before he started painting strange symbols onto Naruko's exposed skin. The moment the peculiar liquid touched her skin it sent agonizing sensations through her body. At first she resisted the urge to scream, but the longer Danzo worked the more painful it became. Soon her screams echoed off the stone walls and by the time Danzo had finished, Naruko was on the verge of passing out. "What are you going to do now?" Naruko asked breathlessly.

"Don't worry that pretty little head of yours. I'm going to seal you away so that Madara cannot find you and to protect the village. I will not let Konoha fall because other people have failed to act."

"So it was your idea to seal me away if I didn't cooperate and marry Sasuke!" Naruko accused as she yelled out and fought against her restraints.

"None of that matters now, but yes it was I who proposed the idea. Now enough squabbling. Goodbye Naruko Uzumaki," Danzo smirked as he formed several hand seals which made the markings on Naruko's skin begin to glow a crimson color. Naruko tried to protest, but she didn't get the chance because she soon found herself falling into an endless pit of darkness.

Sorry this chapter is a little short! Next chapter will hopefully be about Sasuke, but we will see what happens!

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