Disclaimer: I do not own the song I used in this chapter...(yosh, another one)…
Love & Truth
21. Sincerity, Trust
(Third Person's POV)
After hearing all the information from Sasuke the group of rescuers decided to depart immediately.
To say that they were worried would be a heavy understatement, as all of them knew just what would be done to their friend, along with the other captured Jinchuuriki. It was a horrible idea. And it was not only that.
As Neji filled them on what he knew about Kirai, from Ayame's speech, knowing that the man was aware about Naruto's condition, they were heavily worried about the safety of babies also. They were not sure whether Naruto's pretty-much-constant henge fooled them enough to make them believe that he miscarried.
They hoped that they were not to check it, hoped that Naruto or the others did not tell anything that would raise their suspicions, by an accident.
They hoped that they will get to all of them in time.
L&T
(Naruto's POV)
I knew teme and others were on their way, however knowing that there is a possibility that they won't make it in time terrified me.
I was afraid for Haku, who seemed to take it the worst out of us.
I was afraid for Hitomi, who's grown attached to Mamoru, adoring him as a brother.
I was afraid for Mamoru who tried his hardest to ease Hitomi's worries, yet I could see how many of his own he has.
I was afraid for Amaya also. Since she was there the longest. She has been the most stressed ,pretty much accepting that she's going to be killed, though our talks seemed to ease the mental pain a bit…
I was afraid for our little boys… - I was convinced that they were boys, besides, Sasuke agreed with me… -I was afraid that they won't live enough to even take their first breaths.
And for first time in a long, long time I was afraid for myself. I was afraid that I'm going to die, taking my poor children with me.
As I recapitulated all that was on at the time I could only sigh.
'I'm a wreck… really.'
L&T
(Neji's POV)
I ran by Gaara, casting fleeting glances at the Uchiha who seemed as if on needles. I did not blame him for it. I knew just how worried he was. Though I was not sure whether I could really comprehend the depth of his suffering. I was not in his position after all, I had Gaara right beside me, while Uchiha…
I sighed, which did not go unnoticed by Gaara.
„It's disturbing, isn't it? To see the Uchiha like this…" He said quietly, making sure that it did not reach the said man's ears.
„You can't even imagine… he's always the one who manages to get through the situation with stone like façade, but…"
„I know… but then again… we just have to see to completing this successfully and he'll once again be the cold-hearted fella we all know and Naruto loves." Gaara said, grinning, which was kind of not usual for him. It made me ease up, actually. Knowing that if Gaara of all people sees it like this then we should also…
„You're right." I nodded. „We just have to make sure we don't mess this up."
L&T
(Tsunade's POV)
I heard the conversation Neji and the Kazekage had.
It was nothing hard, considering I was running just before them.
I was thankful for the Kazekage's posture about it. The way he put it reeked of confidence in reaching our goal successfully.
I glanced at the raven-haired man in question.
He really looked awful. Exhausted, worn out, depressed... I doubted he slept lately.
His skin once again took the ghastly look it had at the time Naruto was away.
This time however I dared to say it looked even worse, as there really was no guarantee that we'll get to the place in time… not knowing where exactly the place they were held at was did not help at all.
At least Naruto filled us on information Sanbi's Jinchuuriki told us, being the only of the captors that was brought to the cave while still conscious.
'There still is no definite place.' I mused to myself.
I did not let my worries be shown on my face, though.
I was well aware that it would not help any.
L&T
(Amaya's POV)
'Two days… How scary can a definite time span be?'
I sincerely did not believe that we were to get rescued anymore.
Yeah, Naruto did fill us on news from the group, but… It was as if it was not real…
'I just am not the type to believe what I don't see.' I thought to myself. 'Why is it so hard to trust Naruto's words?'
I looked at Naruto who once again hummed some song to crying Haku.
I was envious of Naruto's willpower. He seemed the most at ease out of all of us. He acted as if he knew that everything will be all right, however I did not miss those flickers of uncertainty as the time mercilessly passed. Flicker of pain, flicker of panic, flicker of worry… yet he never seemed to lose hope.
'Once I don't see hope, we're doomed.' I thought to myself bitterly. As I looked through the bars that kept us from escaping.
„Are you okay?" I heard from the cell suddenly.
„Yeah, don't worry." I answered to Naruto who approached me once he lulled Haku to sleep.
„Are you sure?" He asked, quirking an eyebrow, as if hearing all the thoughts in my head till now.
„How okay can I be in this situation?" I asked after giving it some though.
He looked at me sadly, then shook his head.
„Just don't lose the hope, okay? Once we lose the hope, there is no help. Hope is what should stay to the very end."
„How can you be so certain?"
„Years of experience."
At that the one to tilt his head was me. „How come?" I asked. He never seemed too at ease when talking about past.
„You know, when I was a child I did not know happiness means… I hoped though… I hoped that if I endure the cold glares, the badmouthing, and the loneliness it brought… that there will be a better future for me.
I hoped like crazy and at one point I got to know a person who treated me as a son. That was when I started to believe… that there is a better ending for me… and see… I soon had friends… once I had them all these bad things around me seemed to be pushed aside…
And even if they returned all my friends stood by me and so I never stopped to hope that one day they'll accept me also… That they'll see me not as a demon, but as a human being, as Uzumaki Naruto…"
„That sounded… deep indeed." I commented.
„Ha ha, you think? I was never good at this." He started to laugh, scratching the back of his head.
'You're better than you think.'
L&T
(Sakura's POV)
I punched the last guys standing hard, exhaling sharply.
As we were getting closer and closer to our supposed destination we were getting attacked more and more often. It was nothing deathly, but it was wearing us out quite a lot.
„How many was it this time?" I heard Tsunade-hime ask.
„Twenty." I heard someone answer.
'It's increasing.' I thought immediately, knowing that others were having the very same thought.
„There even was a masked one, this time." I heard Neji say, as he took a mask from one of the dead men. „Number ten, Kogata [small]." He said, tossing the mask to Tsunade–hime. She then examined it quickly and put it in her bag. With the appearance of rthe "numbered" ones we were likely to be more battered. I only hoped the replacements of those would only be a few and in-between.
„We need to take a break for a while." Sasuke said, to surprise of everyone.
I was surprised also, at first, but then I realized that Sasuke still had to think clearly, after all, if all of us got to the Jinchuuriki dead-tired we would be there for nothing.
Probably coming to the same conclusion all started to unpack things, whether it was food, or blankets.
As I saw Sasuke approach me, I was not sure what he wanted… until he spoke.
„I'm going to try contacting Naruto… It might take some time, so I hope you'll try to get some strength also." He said, before sitting under the closest tree, closing his eyes and falling asleep in a moment.
„Okay…" I mumbled to myself as he did not give me a chance to answer.
I took one of blankets, covering Sasuke with it.
„Sleep well."
L&T
(Sasuke's POV)
When I got to our meeting place Naruto was waiting for me already.
„Teme…" He said softly, hugging me as tightly as possible.
„It's good to see you're okay." I mumbled into his golden hair, returning the embrace. „Let's sit."
Naruto nodded as we seated ourselves under the ever-blooming tree.
„How does it look so far?" I asked once I helped Naruto to sit down comfortably, on my lap of course.
„I'm not really sure, the meeting is to be held in the afternoon… The others are getting really stressed." He sighed, cradling his belly with his arms. I added my arms to his, enjoying the energetic movement.
„We'll get to you soon."
„I know you will." He replied softly, leaning closer for a kiss, which was a silent request I happily granted.
„I can't wait to do this to tangible you." I had to chuckle, as I saw Naruto's cheeks tint with red.
„I can't wait for that also." He said shyly, whispering.
We decided not to talk for the rest of our stay, I had to disappear in a moment anyway.
L&T
(Mamoru's POV)
I had a lot of trouble calming Hitomi down, however Naruto-san seemed to have a lot more trouble in calming Haku.
The boy seemed inconsolable. He was crying from the moment he woke up, till… well, till then.
It was when I just considered helping him, when he skipped to his last resort, singing.
Even Hitomi stopped shivering when Naruto's soft voice started to echo in the cell.
Kiss me sweet
I'm sleeping in silence
all alone
in ice and snow
In my dream
I'm calling your name
you are my love
In your eyes
I search for my memory
lost in vain
so far in the scenery
hold me tight,
and swear again and again
we'll never be apart
If you could touch my feathers softly
I'll give you my love
we set sail in the darkness of the night
out to the sea
to find me there
to find you there
love me now
if you dare...
Kiss me sweet
I'm sleeping in sorrow
all alone
to see you tomorrow
In my dream
I'm calling your name
you are my love...
My love...
["You are my love" from Tsubasa Chronicles, English version.. I like the Japanese more, but it seems kind of scrappy when translated *sigh*]
As Naruto-san closed his mouth all of us had to stare at him once again. He did not sing out loud from the first time, he usually only hummed something to Haku, this however, preceded expectations.
„For the Uchiha, I suppose." Amaya said softly, noticing the somehow distant look in Naruto-san's eyes also.
He did not confirm, nor deny it. He smiled though, which said the answer itself.
L&T
(Gaara's POV)
As we approached the cave we saw the heavily guarded entrance. This could only mean that we found the right place.
„Any idea?" I asked, as we gathered to think of something.
I saw Shikamaru look at the entrance then back at us, then back at entrance…
„I would offer you one."
L&T
(Amaya's POV)
As the day went on and on we began to get more and more worried.
'Will someone really come?' Everyone except for Naruto doubted that.
When we heard that the meeting was called we were getting even more anxious. Naruto took his role in calming Haku; Mamoru did the same for Hitomi as she broke down in tears. I decided to watch the corridor.
When I the guards coming nearer I knew something was going to get bad, as they usually were messengers with bad news only.
„The meeting has just ended." One of the guards said. „They decided that you five should be enough… Meaning GET UP!" The man yelled as he opened the door to the cell.
If not for the bound limbs I would have loved to punch the man straight into his face.
I saw the other guy bound Mamoru's, Hitomi's, Naruto's and Haku's bounds together, knowing that I'm to be bound to the chain also.
Like that the five of us went where the guards were pulling us. I saw Naruto stumble quite a few times, which meant that he pretty much fell onto one of the walls in the narrow path we were led on. I was worried about whether I underestimated his condition, but was soon distracted by a yelling guard.
We were dragged as prisoners walking to their execution, which I realized, not really shocked, was exactly what we were doing.
We were lead before four men who seemed to lead the kidnappers. I saw Naruto study one of them, specifically number four, which was a sign he had on a chair he sat on.
„Kirai..." I heard Naruto hiss.
'What a fitting name.' I had to think sarcastically even under the weight of situation.
„Jinchuuriki, you were brought here for the reason of creating a better world..." The highest ranking man said. „A world without the likes of you."
'Being melodramatic?'
„All of us share that passion. And our hate is strong. The likes of you should be eradicated." Said the man number two.
„No one is coming to save you. No one will hear your scream." Added the third man, the one Naruto called Kirai, smirking cruelly.
„That is the will of four. The will of world." another unknown man said, motioning his head toward the further end of the room.
As we were pushed toward the creepy looking statue that "prettied" the wall I heard Naruto wince in pain.
„Are you okay?" I whispered, for which I earned a whip from one of the guards.
Naruto shook his head. Truthfully, I did not expect him to admit it. However as I saw him clutch the shirt over his thanks-to-henge flat stomach my eyes widened in horror.
„No way." I mouthed, not really being eager to get another whip.
Naruto only hung his head, not saying anything, however I could see him shivering...
I could see his hope starting to shatter.
And that was a devastating sight.
L&T
(Sasuke's POV)
We were running through the labyrinth of caves, being thankful for the information the Sanbi's Jinchuuriki managed to transfer to us. As we took yet another turn to left we were well aware that we would have to split within a blink of eye and thus our chances of reaching Naruto and others would be horribly lessened.
However the fact that we had to take out quite a lot of guards along the way was strengthening our belief in going the right way.
„We have to hurry up." I heard hag say.
'As if I don't know that.'
„We've passed the time the meeting was supposed to start about an hour and half ago... It's more than probably that it has ended already." Sakura said, worried as we ran.
'I know that.'
„The cells are just around the corner." Someone said as we run into a vast space turning to the right immediately. As we reached the cell we knew that we came later than we hoped to.
„They must have taken them already." Gaara said.
„But where to?" Neji continued, looking for a hint.
I looked around when something caught my eye.
Orange.
I immediately ran to the piece of fabric which had the colour only one person I knew he's been wearing.
„Does this look familiar to you?" I shouted back at the searching team who turned to me immediately.
They only nodded briefly then came closer.
„So it's this way, I suppose." Said Tsunade, heading off first.
I ran just behind her, seeing a similar piece of fabric, along with some blood later, struck on the wall, every now and then.
'It better be.'
L&T
(Third Person's POV)
The five Jinchuuriki stood before the statue that was carved into eternal scream.
It was painfully familiar to Naruto.
„The Hell Statue." [as you may have noticed I always call such, I don't really remember its name] He whispered.
„I see that you're familiar with our little friend, Jinchuuriki." The number one man stated, looking down at the group from the position he took on one of the fingers of the statue.
Soon another five fingers were occupied.
„We'll take it number-wise, ne Ou [king]?" Kirai asked addressing the leader, already eyeing Haku who was crying all the way.
„NO!" Naruto opposed immediately. Making Ou turn his head.
„Shall we take it backwards then?" Ou asked, narrowing his eyes.
„So be it."
The man seemed taken off guard by Naruto's firm response. He then decided to speak to the rest about it.
„Are you mad?" Amaya hissed, causing the blonde to turn her way.
„Not really... Amaya-san, if they take Haku, he won't survive it, he won't last until they come..."
„You still think someone is coming?" She said helplessly. „What if they don't come today what if not even tomorrow?"
„Then they'll come the day after... Amaya-san... In six people it would get them about two days to extract Nibi, and that would be if the person was at least our age, in full strength [I made the time up, but it really depends on tails, the person, and the number of the people "on the fingers" as far as I could tell from manga]... with Haku, being child and not properly taken care of, especially as of lately, it would take up to tomorrow's noon at most... Believe me, having Kyuubi makes me the most probable to last till they come... or at least for them..." He brushed his flat stomach lightly. „...to last."
„Is there a way to talk you out of this?" Amaya asked sadly.
Naruto only shook his head.
„Any last words?"
„Makoto [sincerity] and Yori [trust]."
„What?"
„Names... If Sasuke likes them, that is."
„Why these?"
„I want them to have these for each other." Naruto whispered, hanging his head.
Amaya wanted to say something, to somehow stop him from doing what he was about to, but she did not know what nor how... on a top of it a voice rang through the room.
„Kyuubi's Jinchuuriki, you are now awarded with an honor of being the first to be devoured." Kirai said, motioning to the guards.
The guards cut Naruto's ropes off, pushing him before themselves.
As soon as he was before the statue one of the guards stuck his head with fist, knocking him unconscious.
„Nah, that was unnecessary..." Ou muttered as Naruto had been engulfed in a blue light.
Once he was brought on the statue mouth's level his eyes went wide open and his mouth opened in ear-tearing scream.
Amaya covered her ears, as did the rest of Jinchuuriki, not being able to bear it.
The ritual has begun.
L&T
(Sasuke's POV)
We were running for about five minutes when a scream reached our ears.
„No..." I only managed to say, knowing full-well whose voice it was. „NO!"
All of us sped up immediately, knowing that whatever was happening to Naruto it was not pleasant.
I did not really care whether others followed me, as I ran past Tsunade and took over in leading the group.
There was only one thought, torturing my mind.
'Did we come too late?'
Done~
Cliffie - sorta :p
Hope you liked the chapter – more like the way it was written than content, ne? New one should be up in a week or so, like usual. ;)
See ya~ ( "-.-)/