Disclaimer: I do not own the Naruto series, nor any of the character that belong to it.

(has now been edited after I re-read it, was was shocked at how bad it was!)

Chapter Twenty-One:

Cold and vital air was entering Inare's lungs at a rapid rate. There was still a heavy weigh pressing into her whole upper body, and it was making it slightly difficult to deeply breath and open up the full capacity of her lungs, but Inare felt like she was taking her very first breaths. It wasn't the weight that was disturbing Inare, but more the wet warmth that seemed to be spreading over her shoulder, although everything was a blur so her mind didn't focus on it for long.

She sighed out in relief she the burdening weight was suddenly lifted.

It was very quick that burden had left her, and Inare was grateful for whatever force had moved it.

She was alive.

Of that Inare was sure of. Maybe it was the tumping of her heart that she could hear in her ears, or the sudden chill that was rapidly spreading though her bones. But she knew she had lived.

For the mean time.

From her position lying face up on a cold surface, which she had forgotten was a table, she could see was a dark figure hover above her. She wasn't too sure if this figure was the man who had attacked her or maybe her potential saviour, but she was beyond caring. She figured that she was alive right then for some reason, and being in no position or condition to attempt at protecting herself, she was fine with letting what ever fate happen to her.

She felt cold fingers gently thread through her hair, and to the base of her neck, and then lift her form the table.

A groan came out of her mouth when white pain flashed right through her sight and skull, having some force lift her head was making it worse. The figure didn't seem to get the hint at her pain, and Inare began to hear something coming, from where she assumed, was this slowly clearing figure.

Again, she was struggling to comprehend what was going on, but as her darkened vision began to clear up, Inare was able to see the featured on the figures face.

When Inare first saw noticed dark eyes and pale skin, she feared for the worse. But he the rest of his face began to make more sense, all she could do was smile at the relief that his presence brought not her.

"I told you not to look." He whispered regretfully, she could tell from his face that was what he was feeling.

Laughing weakly, Inare managed to croak out a cracked sentence with a horse voice. "Sorry…" she breathed in slowly. "I don't think… I heard you… Isshin-san". Another feeble laugh followed.

"Are you ok, Inare?" he asked with concern.

"No" she answered slowly, not even having the energy to reduce any concern of his. She felt horrible, and she wanted some sympathy. "Isshin…" she mumbled out, her throat burning with every word. "I think Kami-sama… wants me to die by…" she took a beef breath to get the following long word out "asphyxiation".

Laughing at her dry humour, despite her current condition, Isshin replied with a little less worry. "I doubt that. I think you just manage to get yourself into some very… ridiculous situations." Using the same word that had bee used earlier to describe her.

"That's true… but I get you to save me" she mumbled, becoming quite difficult to understand. "Isshin… my head hurts" she whined to him.

"I would expect it to" he murmured, face coloured slightly.

A great deal of happiness was overwhelming Inare right then. She knew that Isshin wont let any harm come to her, and if he was here helping her, then her suspicions where confirmed.

That man was dead.

Again.

Isshin, however was full of deep concern for her and was fully concentrated on the dark purple bruise forming on her neck, enhancing the one she already had form Inare's first encounter with the man. Although what stood out most was the wide stain on her right shoulder, of darkening red. Looking at her face, Isshin frowned at the sight of four spots of the same red. Using the hand that wasn't supporting her head, he lightly wiped way the drops of blood from her face. Clearing her off the sticky substance that was unwelcome sight on her skin. Cleaning his finger on his shirt, he noticed that Inare's eyes had become drowsy and she appeared to be fighting off unconsciousness.

Uncertain on whether or not that was a particularly good idea after what she had been through, Isshin carefully touched her face to bring her too. After a few light slaps to her face, Inare's eyes where open, albeit dazed. "Inare" he called to her. "Are you injured anywhere?". The question hadn't been out of his mouth more than a second before he notices that red pool that was surrounding a section under her arm, just bellow her elbow.

Eyes widening in alarm, he quickly grabbed for the arm with his free hand. No having the dexterity to be able to exam it with only one arm, he gently put Inare's head onto the table so that he could get a better look.

Clearing some of the blood, Isshin saw that the cut ran from just under her elbow, and halfway down to her wrist. The cut curved inwards slightly, dangerously close to one of her veins. It was relatively narrow, but appeared deep enough to require stitches or healing. From the shape and depth, Isshin deducted that it was possibly caused by a kunai.

Looking way from Inare, Isshin briefly looked around the direct area. It took him no time to spot the abandoned kunai on the floor with the quick use of his sharingan. As his gaze returned, he stopped briefly to look upon the dead body he had just pulled off of Inare.

The memory of entering the room to find that intruder strangling Inare against the table, drifted back to him with a slight shiver. Isshin's gladness was inconceivably, even to himself, as he proudly glared at the man's distorted face, while a small tanto stuck right through his neck. An appropriate ending for such a man, Isshin ignored that arrogance that came with such a thought.

Returning his focus to what was more important, he put down the arm and prepared to tend as best as he could to the wound. Taking one of his own kunai's from a pouch at his thigh, Isshin meticulously cut a long shred of cloth form the base his own shirt, and the used it to tightly wrap the newly promoted material around Inare's injury. The shred wasn't enough, and Isshin had to cut a new one, considerably reducing the length of his shirt, which previously hung bellow his waistline, and was now well above it.

Confident that his handiwork would reduce the blood flow, Isshin then surveyed Inare's entire body from where he stood. There appeared to be no more injuries, much to Isshins reassurance.

The whole time, Inare had been intently watching Isshin as he cared to her, mostly because she still wasn't altogether sure what was going on. Everything seemed to be rushing by her at a rapid speed, and her rate of comprehension was not enough. Isshin was the only thing that made sense at that moment, as he cared to her injury. She found it interesting how his face expressed a multitude of emotions, few of which she could properly identify.

Her thoughts quickly drifted back to the intruder.

She needed to see him.

Inare couldn't explain why that desire was overcoming her, and making her body hurt with the incompletion of that desire. It seemed important, even if her mind was unable to rationalise why.

With her breathing more stable, Inare felt that she might be able to speak more clearly. "Isshin…" she began, her throat hurting with more speaking.

"Inare, relax. There is no need to speak. I'm going to get you out of here right now" Isshin quickly interrupted.

"No…" she wheezed. "Isshin. I need to stand up" she didn't dare say to him, 'Let me see the dead body', who knew what he would think of her then?

"I don't think that's such a good idea Inare" Isshin replied, only now becoming aware that both of them had suddenly dropped all formality with their names.

"No" she repeated, and began sitting up for herself.

Inare did regret it, as soon as she tried, her head felt like it weighed thrice as much as it use to when she lifted it up. She felt slight pain in her lower back, but that was insignificant to the pain in her head. She was vaguely mindful of the deep cut in her arm, but she didn't have the energy to bother with it, as it too was insignificant to her head, besides, after Isshin had tightly wrapped it Inare felt the small drop in the pain.

Inare raised her good arm to her head, and began to summon some of her chakra to it, when Isshin placed a calloused hand on it and moved it away. "I wouldn't do that Inare-san" he spoke, reverting back to using the formality "You're not in the right sate of mind to be using chakra on your head, it won't have a good result" He explained to her.

Inare paused to consider that equation.

Dazed medic + chakra to the head = bad results…

"Makes sense" she said. With that sorted in her mind, she let her raised hand fall to the table with an audible thump.

"Inare-san, are you ok to be lifted?" he asked, itching to get her out of there and to a medic. She feebly shook her head.

"I want to stand" she grumbled out, seemingly very stubborn.

"Inare" he cautioned, warning her not to be so reckless.

"I'm fine" with that she tried again to lift herself, her face twisted in pain, as from where Isshin wasn't too sure, but she kept strong and continued to further sit up. Seeing that she wasn't going to take the easy route, Isshin helped her in her task.

One up, Inare held her head with a good hand, and let the other just dangle where it was. Worrying Isshin at the lack of expression she was showing for it.

"I'm fine" she spoke with a very strained voice. "I'll be fine", already returning to her normal way of diverting concern.

"I don't think so" he spoke to himself, although out loud.

Ignoring him, Inare then recalled her reasons for putting herself through such pain, which was still evident in the throbbing of her head, and grew her gaze towards that of where she suspected him to be.

Noticing the direction she was beginning to look in, Isshin took the initiative and placed a hand on her cheek and turning her face away from that dead intruder. Moving his hand around her head, followed by his arm, he weaved it around her neck, before doing the same to her legs that where dangling off the edge of the table. Easily, Isshin lifted her off the table, and firmly into his hold.

Seeing what he had done, Inare began to cry out to him "Isshin! I'm fine, put me down" her head spinning with the sudden lifting of her body, strain of using her voice so loudly, and wanting to stay on the ground. She continued to protest to him, but then gave up when she realised it was falling on death ears.

She tried to gaze around to the body, but all that she could make out was the dark material of Isshin's shirt. Isshin then adjusted her to a position he imagined she would be comfortable in, and Inare closed her eyes when the movements began, feeling as if there was someone inside her head attacking her from the inside out.

Shifting his thoughts to the dead body on the ground, Isshin hopped that no one squeamish was going to enter the room after he had left. He doubted they would find it to their liking to see a dead man with his small tanto knife embedded deeply in the said mans neck. His first priority was to get Inare some medical attention, the second would be to inform Madara that the intruder had been take care of.

Isshin wouldn't admit it to anyone, but he found a great deal of satisfaction in being the one to have dealt with that man, and having been able to been there for Inare. Walking around the large cernter table, he began to make for the door. Walking out of the dark room, Isshin blinked a few times when his eyes adjusted to the brighter corridor, lit my many flames. He looked down on Inare to check on her, she had her eyes closed.

Sympathy for the young woman stung at Isshin. She didn't deserve all of this. And yet he still held such admiration that she could continue to live, smiling and having clear joy for life.

Walking down the hall, Isshin passed an older shinobi, who of which gave him a curious look at the sight of him and her. Ignoring it, Isshin continued down the corridors that he had long ago become familiar with.

He knew that Inare was in no serious condition, he suspected that she might have hit her head quite badly and was suffering form a slight concussion, for that could be the only fact that Isshin could come up with to explain why she had been drawn to the dead man. That or morbid curiosity, something he never thought Inare to have. Her arm wasn't going to bleed her to death, but would make her docile.

He knew that hurrying might be to her advantage, and so his pace sped up a slight bit.

Insistent mumbling drew Isshin's attention down to his luggage, he was of the idea that Inare had temporarily passed out a few moments ago, but was now coming to. She seemed to be in a daze, he sincerely hoped that it wasn't shock. Isshin slightly berated himself for not being quick enough to get to her, but he could find no basis of argument upon that thought.

"Isshin" Inare mumbled. He looked down at her, preferring the way she had now started calling him, even if she was not entirely 'with it'. "How did you find me?" she asked, her brown eyes glazed over with the aforementioned drowsiness.

"I felt your chakra" he replied easily. It had been quite a large leap, since what he had felt had only been for a brief moment, and incredibly weak. In different circumstance, he would have ignored it, but in this one, feeling chakra that had even the slightest resemblance to Inare's sent him running in that direction. It wasn't like he had much else to go on, other than 'war council room', which was very indistinct.

"Ooo…but…" she stopped, and thought for a brief moment. "…why where you looking for me? Zombie man said that no one would".

"An we probably wouldn't have. It was a lucky coincident, for you at least. Madara had just finished business with the clan elders, and we where on our way to the training fields to… um… relieve some tension… and Madara needed to collect his fan" He finished, and small giggles combines with slight snorting followed.

Slightly irritated and confused by her response, he looked down at her searchingly for an answer.

Inare managed to get out some questions despite her laughter. "Why a fan?" increased sniggers came after that particular question "And what where you planning on doing…?" she asked, leaving the end very open to interpretation.

Isshin initial thought was that she defiantly was still lacking oxygen in the brain region, and then moved on to answering her silly questions. "Because it is a war fan… and we where going to spar" Madara had not been in the best of temperaments after dealing with the elders, and Isshin had the misfortune of being present when the man declared he needed to lay off some anger.

Isshin had no delusions, and knew that he could never defeat Madara, he might be able to hold his own for a short while, but he would eventually be defeated, and hence was somewhat relieved when they arrived to find that Inare was gone. After the initial relief then came the worry for Inare's wellbeing.

"Spar…" Inare pondered on the word. "You mean fight?"

"In a sense" he replied quietly.

A short pause followed.

"Idonlikfiting" came a quiet mumble that Isshin didn't understand.

"Pardon?" he inquired.

"I said… I don't like fighting… its not right" she went quiet.

"I see… however it is not really fighting, just two shinobi advancing their skills by fighting one another" he responded, pleasing her in the process.

"Really?" she asked with wonder. "I wouldn't mind seeing you train… I think it would be fun… to just get out" she went quiet again, and her head rested against his chest heavily.

Shaking her a bit, Isshin woke her up form the beginnings of another slumber. "Inare… what went on in that room?" he asked, his personal interest getting the better of him.

"I don't know… that man was crazy, kept going on about some ridiculous idea he had, made no sense… then he made to kill me, but he was really horrid before that. Said some nasty things… I don't want to talk about it" she muttered.

"That's fine" Isshin said, however unsatisfied with the little she had told him.

He continued to walk holding Inare in his arms, until Inare became restless, and asked that she be put down. "I don't think that is such a good idea Inare"

"Don't worry Isshin" she looked up to him with a small comforting smile, "I'll be fine. I just want to walk on my own".

"No" he replied, becoming firmer with her. "I may not be a medic Inare, but even I know that you aren't in the right state to be walking, and so should you".

She went quiet, but she accepted his words.

"We're not going to the infirmary are we?" she inquire after some time, while she knew that it might be what was best for her (as she figured Isshin was going to momentarily tell her), Inare didn't want to cause a disturbance.

"Yes" was the obvious response.

"I don't need to"

"It doesn't matter, I'm still taking you there" his tone becoming annoyed.

"I can heal myself" she raised her injured arm.

"I don't care"

Seeing that he wasn't going to give into and of her ideas, Inare didn't suggesting them further, but took another approach. "You can take me to my room, and I'll teach you how to heal someone so you can heal me" she said, looking up at Isshin with pleading eyes. She didn't want to be in a huge room full of people. She needed someone alone, or with someone she was close with. "It's very basic" she added, hoping it would be enough to convince him.

Peering into her brown eyes, Isshin was highly tempted to give into her request. She seemed not to want to go there, but he knew that was where she would receive the best treatment, and he certainly didn't want to heal her while being taught by her in such a state. "No Inare" he regretfully informed her, "It wont be such a good idea".

"Please Isshin" Inare weakly whimpered, playing it up a bit.

"No" Isshin replied, while struggling to remain calm, and knowing that the next one would make him shout at her. Something that he did not want to do.

Fortunately, she didn't as push for it again, so he let it be.

Her thoughts where full of Zombie-san, the newly deceased. She didn't know how to think about him, or his words that where still echoing in her mind.

With a clearer head, Inare eagerly began to consider all that had been told to her in those few minutes in that room with the very dangerous man.

The major questions that confused her where the 'whys?'. Why did he go for her? Why was her asking about immortality? Why, of all topic, immortality? Why would some clan, which she assumed it was, send a man into an enemy fortress to question the said enemies about such a stupid idea? Why? Why? Why!

The list was endless.

Another question that plagued her was, in relation to the others: Did he really believe what he had talking about? And if so, did that mean there could possibly be some element of truth behind it all?

Inare didn't want to think so, it was too much of a scary concept.

Following a somewhat realistic trail of thoughts, Inare didn't think that the clan or shinobi group Zombie-san belonged to would just blindly send a shinobi, who was likely to have been one of their best, into the home of an enemy. At least that was what Inare reasoned, as it seemed like common sense.

If, in theory, someone in the Uchiha Clan was looking for some… cure to aging, disgusted at using the word immortality, then why did he impersonate Madara? Does he have something to do with it?… she followed through with that thought. Zombie-san seemed convinced of it, she concluded upon reflecting over their short conversation.

But why me? Inare almost snorted at the times she had asked herself that since she came here. I really have no connections to Madara other th… Oooo. She paused, coming to some realisation. I… basically live with him… a dark blush followed, and she tried to control in the desire to continue with her thought process. So… it's not… entirely… unreasonable to assume that I am kept close to him because I'm doing something extremely important for him… like researching immortality?

Inare's thoughts came out quicker form her, as she began to link some possible facts. As when he realised that I wasn't doing anything of the sort… he asked who would be… just in a different way to seem unsuspicious. Inare ignored the little voice that insisted that the man was pretty suspicious to begin with. And then…O dear… I sold Ebisu out…. Zombie san would have likely gone for him next… although he would have been more likely to be able to defend himself. Slight shame came at that image, but Inare moved, feeling like her through process was actually getting somewhere.

In all, that condensed down into one question. Is Madara really searching immortality? Inare didn't know what to think about that, and she knew that she was taking some huge leaps in the thought process, and was potentially over analysing it.

What if he found out hat I knew? What would he do? Panic creped into Inare, but she wouldn't let it take over.

She just had to be insightful, thats all. Not mention her suspicions to any one, despite how farfetched they where, and carry on as normal.

Those thoughts stopped, when she realised that she was likely to be questioned about her second encounter with Zombie-san, similar the first one. And like before, Madara probably going to be there. Not good. As when they asked what happened in that room, she wasn't going to be able to brush it off like she had with Isshin. Inare's body had stiffened with her thoughts, thought as not to raise questioned, she forced it to relax.

Pushing all the spine-chilling thoughts away from her delicate head I attempt to relax, Inare looked closely at the relaxed face of Isshin. Hoping to gain some inspiration from his obvious ease.

That idea not having worked, Inare began a conversation to take her mind away.

"Susumu-san said that you where part of a group… called Division A, I think… is it true?" hey brown eyes looking up to him with innocent curiosity that was covering the remnants of her panic.

Swallowing, Isshin replied carefully, not having expected her to ask such a question directly after she had been pestering him with her selfless requests. He contemplated briefly not answering her, but then decided to just give her as little knowledge as possible. "Yes" His voice with a tone of finality.

Inare, missing the hint entirely, continued on with her questioning not having been distracted enough. "What…" she thought for the word when it didn't initially come to her "What position… do you have?"

"Why the sudden curiosity about my life?"

"I don't know…" she said no more, under the impression that he didn't want to answer and not wanting to push him, if only for her own benefit.

He surprised her with a reply.

"I am the vice-captain of Division A" he said with a sensible amount of pride in his voice.

"Wow!" Inare exclaimed, honestly surprised with the position. "That must mean you're pretty strong".

Isshin didn't reply to it, and Inare asked no more questions.

Although, she did have a statement or two she needed to share with him.

"I don't think I got a chance to thank you. For saving me" she told him genuinely, feeling a lot of gratitude towards him, for a lot of other things too.

"Its nothing" he brushed it off.

"No it's not" she protested, not liking his blaze reply to it. "And it's not just for what you did today, but for other things as well… like… being so kind to me… even thought you never had any need to… I am… and will forever be grateful for all that you have done for me". After she had finished, Inare momentarily wondered where any embarrassment at such a statement had gone.

Warmed by her kind words, Isshin was momentarily sunned, and didn't know how to reply to her. A distinct part of him felt undeserving of such gratitude from her, since he was no better than Madara, just another obstacle that kept her captive in this fortress, and yet she thanked him. While another part of him liked being the hero he always saw himself being as a young boy. "Umm… it's fine", he replied weakly, no knowing how else to.

Irritation strangely followed, irritation at how Inare could place such blind faith and trust in him. How the girl would willingly open up to him, on many occasions, and yet the whole time he never shared anything about himself. Then the first time she does ask about him, he is instantly reluctant to tell her anything. The combined guilt then made mim hake the following decision, one he could easily picture himself regretting later. He decided to indulge her.

"I began training as a shinobi when I was nine. Relatively late for someone from this clan, I believe it was because I was a pretty unhealthy as a child. My father taught me all the basic skills, then presented me in front of the clan leader at the time, when I was ten… I think. I then did some more... training, away form my father… well… away from my family in general. I was there for… four years… I can't remember it too well… and then I finished my learning and was put on duty within Division A. Very low in rank thought… but I just worked… and before I knew it I was being promoted to the rank of vice-captain. Can't say I expected it, but I very much welcomed it. I think my father was proud."

Inare didn't know what had gone on in Isshin's mind to encourage this sudden urge to tell her about his life, but she wasn't going to stop him. His gentle and unrushed voice calmed Inare's troubled mind, drawing her into his words that quickly smoothed her into a relatively calm state. "I imagine he would have been" she told him with a smile, feeling happy at his achievements. "How long ago was that?" Talking to him was helping her forget her earlier thoughts, something she was greatly glad of.

Isshin thought briefly before replying "Two years ago… I think" his face showing the truth of his words as she struggled to remember. "I was 18… so yes, two years ago".

"Really!" Inare exclaimed, very shocked at this discovery. "You where so young?" A new thought came to her shortly after. "That means your 20, and only three years older than me!" For some reason that data made Inare pleased, that there was someone close to her age in this place.

Unsure on how to reply, Isshin just nodded his head, but then considered her words and became suddenly surprised that Inare was only 17. He never really considered her age, but now that he did there was a great deal of remorse accompanied with it.

The conversation didn't resume after Inares comment, but the silence was somewhat of a welcome to the two of them. Isshin for the gut feeling he had about having spoken too much, and Inare for happiness that her friendship with Isshin was advancing somewhat.

It was Isshin to speak up first. "I'll take you back to your room… so you can change"

"Why? What is wrong with what I have on now?" she asked, bordering slight offence at what he had just suggested.

"Umm…" he stalled, not thinking of the best way to tell her that she was covered in quite a bit of blood. "Your clothes seem to have gotten a bit stained"

"Ooo" she sounded, while wondering what he was referring to. Unaware to Inare, the bloodstain on her kimono was now becoming a dark brown as it dried out. Trying to discover what Isshin was referring to, she looked down her front but didn't see anything stained, when she noticed her arm, she then realised what he was referring to, but didn't consider it too unusual.

Isshin slowed down, as he approached the door, feeling that he was slightly giving into Inare's earlier demands he quickly spoke up on the fact that he was going to take her to the infirmary once she had changed. Inare didn't argue this time.

Opening the unlocked door led him into a library, speeding up his pace slightly he strode out to the staircase. Taking her up the stair to her room, Isshin became aware of how inappropriate this might seem to some but he didn't let that bother him.

Not wanting to intrude upon her privacy, Isshin carefully placed her onto her feel and told her to change quickly. Inare nodded and entered the room, just as she was closing the door, Isshin stopped her, "Call out if you have any problems" he told her seriously.

Smiling at his care, Inare agreed and then closed the door. Being as quick as she could, but not pushing the chances of having her head spin, Inare went over to the dresser and opened it up. Uncaringly she pulled off the obi and let it pool on the floor along with the multiple layers of her kimono that followed, it was only then that she notices the large stain that had been on her shoulder, running down the back, and along the neckline.

Her initial thought was on how they had got there, but then felt a shiver go up her spine at realisation. She didn't want to think about that.

Now only clad in the undershirt that served as the first layer, Inare looked at the damage done to her arm. Wincing as he brought it up to her face, she looked over the dark material that was once Isshin shirt. It probably wasn't very hygienic as a bandage, but for the mean time Inare figured it was suitable.

Sneakily looking up at the door, she made a quick decision to heal some of the damage done to her arm to reduce the pain. Bringing her good arm to the wounded one, she rapidly healed the worst of the damage. It was deep, likely to be the deepest wound Inare had ever had and would undoubtedly leave a small amount of scaring, even if she was to use chakra to heal it entirely.

"Inare-san" came Isshin's concerned call from the other side of the door, having sense the change in her chakra.

"I'm fine Isshin-san" she called back. "I'll be out shortly" not wanting to risk him having to stop her, Inare stopped where she was.

She dressed into a dark kimono, which she knew wasn't entirely flattering, but she had little care, her body had become cold in the short while since she had taken off the majority of her clothing.

Walking out of the door and back to Isshin, she told him that she had healed the worst of it and it should be fine to heal naturally. She was a medic after all, and her word should have been taken as truth. However Isshin seemed to believe otherwise and insisted on taking her to Ebisu-sensei.

With then led to the two of them having a small argument in the narrow corridor on Inare's health. Isshin was unsuccessful in persuading the young female, and decided that that taking her to Ebisu was the easiest strategy.

Taking hold of her small shoulders, Isshin turned and then steered her in the direction of the door.

"Isshin!" she dropped formalities, hoping that it would lead him away from his idea. "I'm fine" turning to face him, she gave him a smile that didn't even reach her eyes. "I really am".

She didn't believe it though.

The remaining sickness from the fear only intensified with the guilt of lying to Isshin. She wasn't fine. She wanted nothing more than to crawl under the covers of her bed and just hide from everything. Her mind was too confused and she needed to time to sort through her thoughts.

Noticing small details that he wouldn't normally on Inare, Isshin knew that she wasn't being honest with him. Thinking realistically, he knew why. She had to be traumatised in some form or another after what had just passed. With one hadn't still on her shoulder, he made a rash move and pulled her into his chest. Loosly wrapping the other arm about her back. Her didn't quite fit under his chin, but her small figure was easily enclosed by his arms.

Isshin didn't entirelt think about what he had just done until after he had done it. The crridor was dead silent, and he knew that something must be said. She hadn't moved or said anything, expect a small sound of shock when he initially pulled her in. Hesitantly her arms did eventually more to wrap around his middle, it wasn't a loose grip, mostly due to the fact that her arm span didn't quite make it all the way.

Suddenly warmed by her positive reaction, Isshin suppressed a smile. Unfortunately it dawned upon him again that something needed to be said, or at least explained, putting an end to the little spark of happiness. He debated on comforting her about what had just happened. Or on how she didn't have to hide things. But none of it seemed right to Isshin, if not a little too emotional, and area he wasn't entirely comfortable with going into.

He finally opted to stay quite, believing that nothing could go wrong with that.

When the two finaly broke apart, Inare fumblingly agreed to go see Ebisu. With that the two left the corridor, neither of them saying another word.

As they descended the stairs a loud bang resonated through the room, shortly followed by another one, sounding distinctly like a door being slammed open and then closed.

Isshin instantly was aware of who had just entered and slowed his pace, where as Inare's curiosity caused her to speed up. Rounding the corner of the last towering bookshelf she came to the large open spaced area and saw someone she hadn't for a pleasantly long time.

"I see she's not dead. What a relief!" he said, sounding openly insincere.

"I'm glad that her well-being puts you in good spirits. Izuna-sama" Isshin replied dryly, trying not to sound too sarcastic.

Isshin's superior didn't seem to mind the comment, as he went on to giving her a quick look over. "Nothing too serious, I hope?" He said with a small smile.

His attitude was beginning to agitate Inare to the point of snapping at him. Did this man really want her dead? The thought was severely discomforting to Inare. If it wasn't enough that an impersonator of Izunas brother attempted on her life, he had to be the next in line.

She was half tempted to ask him is he really was Izune, but resisted the urge on the basis that Isshin would know, and protect her.

That thought almost made her blush.

"She will be fine, you have no reason to worry"

"It hadn't crossed my mind to do so"

Even Isshin's words where irritating. She had a name, and they all knew it. Was there a sudden indifference to names? She wondered if all Uchiha's were naturally rude to their own clan members and others. Their spitefulness had her questioning if they could really all considered themselves family.

The mood fo the room suddenly dropped, when Izunas gaze on Isshin hardend. "Well?" Izina asked expectantly.

"Disposed of" The exchange was curt and spoken as if Inare wasn't even in the room. The hard atmosphere made Inare shiver, feeling very awkward at being I the room at that moment.

"More importantly" Izuna began, turning to face Inare directly, and in an instant the room returned to the way it was before. "Since you are alive, and well." he took a moment to glance at Isshin "You need to see Madara immediately. There are explanations required and… identifications to be done."

Inare's stomach sank. She knew that the arrival of the questions was inevitable, but hearing him say it out loud made it all the worse. As for the identification, she didn't understand. She didn't want to for any of it.

She had just got comfortable, calmed, and now it was to be shattered.

Inare was under the fain impression that this day was going to extend to a very long time.

After all that had happened to her, Inare was envisioned that it would be very late. And was very disappointed to discover that it was only the early afternoon. Very disappointed.

With all that had happened she believed she deserved a little slack.

To be standing in the large hall that she remembered being brought into months ago. When she was first dragged to this prison of hers.

The cold waft of wind seemd to run right through layers of clothes and skin, to the very core of her bones, making Inare struggle to stop the numerous shivers that wanted to escape her. The pain in her injured arm had only worsened with the cold temperatures and slight dampness, making Inare consciously aware of the throbbing.

That wasn't the only discomforting factor. It was the fifty pairs of eyes – to Inares estimation – that had her disturbed and unhappy.

Wrapping her arms around herself, Inare repressed another shiver that threatened to momentarily take over her body.

Somewhere to her side, she knew Isshin was standing there among the other darkly dressed shinobi.

Up on a small podium sat Madara, looking just as cold as the room. Inare could honestly never recall his looking so powerful in the time that she had known him. Looking up at him reclined in the large stone throne Inare felt a tinge of admiration run through her.

Clothed in dark blue kimono with hakama, along with the vibrant red armour that covered his arms and chest. At that moment, Inare believed she was seeing Madara as the great clan leader of the Uchiha's. A true leader.

Inare figured that the only reason she had that slight feeling was entirely due to the fact that she was standing directly in front of him, while everyone else in the hall where surrounding her in a large circle a good few meters away, as if she carried some form of disease.

Low murmurs where carries across the small crowd, all anticipating what was to happens next.

Heavy footsteps where heard to the right. Instinctively, Inare turned in the direction in time to see the gathered crowd part allowing Izuna through. Tailing behind him in a slow limped walk was a familiar man blindfolded.

His hands where tiered behind his back, and a long rope was held by a Division A member.

With the blindfold on, Inare didn't instantly recognise the man. When Inare did recognise him, she felt as if every organ in her body had just dropped hundreds of feet down. Realisation came with a sick feeling.

A trial.

It was that man, someone who in any other scenario she would have probably forgotten, but not him, and definitely not now.

"Akiran Uchiha!" a deep voice spoke loudly from the podium a head of her.

Izuna moved to Inare's side, before taking a hold of her arms and leading her to take a few steps backwards. She willingly followed his lead, before he returned to stand by the side of the captive.

The heavily armed shinobi and his captive moved in to occupy the new space, blocking her view of Madara.

"You have been changed with treason. Do you deny this?"

No audible reply came from the man as a collective gasp and whispers filled the room with astonished voices. "Silence!" she heard Madara shout, and the room obeyed instantly.

One woman's desperate voice cried out from the crowd. "Where is the proof?" Murmurs of approval followed. "Our law states that-"

"That there must be three witnesses or more to the crime!" Madara more domineering voice spoke to the clansmen. "I am well aware of the laws. Susumu!"

"Madara-sama"

Inares heart raced as her head snapped in the direction of the voice, surprised to see that Susumu had been among the crown and was now approaching the three shinobi standing ahead of her. He moved to stand directly ahead of the captive, before Susumu made a quiet request to have the blindfold removed.

It was a harsh and careless move on Izuna's behalf as he ripped the blindfold off the man, making the captive hiss with slight pain.

Susumu looked for a second or two before he turned to Madara. "Madara-sama, I confirm this is the man that presented me with falsified documentations that subsequently almost led to the death of a medic."

"Thank you" and with a nod, Susumu returned and instantly merged into the crowd. "Inare!"

Her body froze, and she hated the knowledge of what was to happen next.

"Can you confirm that this is the man who was operating with an intruder with intent of murdering clansmen?" Madara asked her, his tone never changing.

What is with his questions? They… there too…

With that, the captive was brutally pushed around to face Inare. She wasn't prepared for what she saw next.

Smooth white skin that she swore this Akiran man had when she first saw him was now replaced with red, swollen, puffiness that spread over a good majority of his face. Angry gashed ran down his cheeks and across his forehead, while the skin around one eye was a nasty blue. "Well?" she was demanded, when Inare didn't instantly reply.

The sick feeling that had been growing in her stomach until now worsened to a point of her just wanting to run away. Her throat was choked up with her emotions, and she was physically too frozen to do anything.

What happens if I say yes?

It was strange how she found herself knowing the answer to that… Inare tore her eyes away from the beaten captives one when she notice his one good eye begin to well up. As if it was almost natural, her eyes found Madara.

Red eyes where swirling and she couldn't hold the contact for more than a second, but she had understood enough.

She had to agree. What will happen to him?

She couldn't think about that. For once, she was at a complete loss.

"Yes" Inare choked out, her voice sounding pathetically traumatised while she looked at anywhere but his beaten face.

"Are we just going to trust the words of an outsider!" screamed some man and Inare flinched at hearing the word. Loud voices rose to back up the previous one.

She hadn't realised her eyes had began welling up.

"Enough!" She heard the quick rustling of fabric as Madara stood up, demanding order from the crowd. "The evidence will be give. Bring it in"

Entirely lost, Inare could only watch as the scene unfolded.

If she thought that she had been unprepared for the captives face, all Inare wanted to do next when presented with the body of the traitor was vomit.

He was dumped unceremoniously to the side of the circle, open for all to see the dead mans blond hair and lightly tanned skin.

Inare gagged when she saw the small sharp knife jutting out of his neck, turning away from the sight instantly to seek comfort in the stone flooring.

"Isshin-san" Was Madara's next witness, but Inare didn't look.

Madara slowly stepped down form the podium and strode across to the body. He reached down and ruthlessly drew out the tanto. "Is this your weapon?"

"Hai, Madara-sama" Isshin confirmed, his face void of anything distinct.

"Do you confirm to killing this man?"

"I do"

"And before that?" a slight drop in Madara's tone.

"I interrogated him"

Inare head snapped straight to where she heard Isshin speaking. What?

"What did that reveal to you?"

"He admitted to collaborating with a Uchiha shinobi"

"Where names mentioned?"

"It was difficult, but he said Akiran"

NO! Inare screamed in her head furiously, knowing that it would be her death if she spoke aloud. That's not how it happened! What… what is he doing? A small tear fell from Inare's eye. This isn't right.

There where no longer any outbreaks from the crown, they had no more to say.

"There is your evidence" Madara twirled the bloody tanto in his hand, Madara stood direct before the captive and tilted hi head to the side. "Three stikes" he whispered tauntingly, face bearing a sinister smile.

Turning to his people, Madara looked on with a face of professionalism.

"Akiran Uchiha is a traitor, and shall he treated as one" Nodding to the armoured guard, Madara walked over to Isshin and handed him back the tanto. "This belongs to you"

Isshin stiffly accepted the weapon, holding the grip tightly in his hand.

Izuna and the guard pulled the man around Inare and out of the pane of her vision. She saw the Uchiha clansmen begin to follow in the same direction, all of them pooling around her and some bumping into her as well.

Too frozen to move, all she could do was watch as Madara sat back on his thrown.

Above her in so many ways. Her superior, her captive.

She was weak and hopeless before him, and nothing but a coward to a system of lies and deceit.

Inare's eyes rose to meet his, and she knew that he had something to say.

Never before has the urge to run away form everything been so large in Inare heart. She felt sick and cold.

The hall was empty, and Inare knew it deep in her mind.

She obeyed the unspoken words and walked up to Madara.

"What happened between you and him?" he made a casual nod towards where she knew the body was.

"It would appear that you seem to already know. So there is no reason to ask me"

"Inare" he growled. "This is not the time for your arrogance"

Inare wanted to retaliate, but she felt too resigned to do so. "What will happen to him?"

"Execution. Of course".

"O" was all she could manage, her knowledge sinking in, and making all that she was feeling weigh her down, knowing that she had played the part of an executioner.

"Tell me" Madara returned straight back onto topic, uninterested in more idle questions.

"He tried to kill me. Isshin saved me. That is all" She lied, that wasn't all. The intruders words still haunted her, but they where too dangerous to repeat to anyone.

"That's it?" Madara asked, his head tiling to the side questioningly, doubt shining in eyes.

She wanted to drop something in, to let him know she might have something against him. To give herself some form of hold over him, for her own selfishness.

But she wasn't in any position to be acting as such.

Inare knew. She needed to keep her mouth shut, keep her head down. She had to live, so that she could get out of here.

"That is all" she lied, all to convincingly.

AN: Nothing much to say, other im sorry for the delay, I was traveling for the summer and only recently got back!

Thank you or all the reviews, I only recently realised that I had achieved over a hundred! I very happy about that!

This chapter marks my 21st one! So there is reason to celebrate with having passed the 20ch border mark and still not having given up :) !

I hope you enjoyed it!