A/N: aaaand that took entirely too long! Aaaand I don't think I got back to everyone (especially sorry, M-R!). My apologies. I'm applying to programs that will make my life semi-tolerable for the next three years of my life (in that I'll make $$). I'll be travelin' all over this country for the next couple of months, perhaps somewhere near you (scary, huh)? Anyhow, here's the next chapter. A continuation of darkness. Don't say I didn't warn you! And no complain', got it? Good!
Much thanks to everyone, your encouragement makes me continue the story! We're getting closer! Promise. Please RxR, as usual. A big hello to my new adds! :D
PS: Can I say that I looove Konan. And why can't Kishi just outright make people admit their feelings? I was feelin' some KonanxYahiko!
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, just OCs
~OoOoO~
Kushina slipped in an out of consciousness. Her mind spun with each jerking movement of her body as it was carried against her will. Words were being spoken, but she couldn't understand them. They sounded like scattered whispers lost in a tornado. She could hear low murmurs as they slowly grew louder in intensity. A woman's voice, sharp and shrill. Promises of love and soothing words were softly offered, cutting of the harsh yells. Sometime after, low moans of ecstasy replaced the stinging words. Kushina slipped back into the darkness, allowing the chilling emptiness to swallow her. Her body was no longer her own; she had no control of her limbs or bodily functions. She could barely form a thought. She was a fading mind in an useless body and her life was at the mercy of her captors.
Darkness. Emptiness. Haunting depths of nothingness...
Kushina! Wake up, my darling girl!
Kushina's lids fluttered open, the room moving with her. The voice sounded as if it were nearby, its familiarity stinging her. She tried to lift her head, but its weight forced her chin to drop against her chest as her crimson hair cascaded over her shoulders. Her eyes rolled back into her head, the light searing her vision. She was developing a splitting headache, but she refused to let it hinder her from searching for that voice. She blinked a few times, tears of past memories stinging her eyes. Quick movements made her nauseous. Slowly but surely, the room came into view.
She felt heavy, her wrists twisting in pain. She felt her toes skim the floor, her ears catching the gentle clinking of chains as she dangled from her shackled wrists. Her arms were numb from the position, the blood long ago leaving her hands and rushing to her feet. Kushina tried to wriggle her toes, willing her legs to move, but the attempt proved unsuccessful. She stared at her feet as she dangled in her confinement. Her swollen and bruised feet skimmed the tiled floor. Tiny hemorrhages sprinkled her lower legs from the pressure. She blinked again, focusing on the unfamiliar shackles clamped around the the slender curve of her ankles, similar to the ones she wore on her wrists. Daijiro had learned from their earlier encounter, obviously.
Shit! she silently cursed as she swayed.
The room was beginning to spin, and her stomach lurched. Her mouth tasted bitter. She thought about her situation, wanting to laugh at the predicament she had gotten herself into. She had no worries regarding her safety at the moment. She truly could care less about what was going to happen to her in the hands of her captors. Perhaps that was the poison coursing through her veins, speaking these depressing thoughts. But, still, Kushina didn't care about anything.
She began to feel more lethargic and her eyes slowly closed as they rolled up into her head. She once again welcomed the impending darkness that was beckoning to her. She resigned herself to whatever fate was awaiting her, no matter how vile it would be. She collapsed into the nothingness that enveloped her.
My Kushina! My daughter! Came the soft, singing voice. Kushina stirred a little. Who was that?
M-Mom? she silently called out in the vastness of her empty mind.
Close, the smiling voice replied.
Kushina sobered in her lonely prison. It could only be her! W-Where are you?
I'm here, where I have always been, my child, she replied. But, right now, you need to wake up!
I'm too tired, Kushina replied weakly, I don't care.
Then maybe someone else can encourage you, my daughter, the voice of Lady Sarutobi—the one she had heard earlier—faded.
Kushina! No daughter of mine is going to be lazy! the stern, yet warm, voice chastised her. This time, it was her mother. The woman who gave birth to her.
Imaginary tears stung her eyes. In her mind, she reached out to touch her. Her fingers swiped through the misty blurriness. Mom.
None other! She could hear the smile of the invisible speaker.
Is she shirking her responsibility? a man asked.
If she is, she gets it from you. An amused response, though loving.
Hey now, no blaming! the warm voice argued, as laughter rang out.
I've missed you all so much, Kushina smiled through the darkness, her body feeling more tangible.
Well, as Lady Sarutobi told you, we're always here. Right here. But that's not what's important, the voice reprimanded her. What's important is that you stay focused on the mission. You are a shinobi of the Whirlpool.
What can I do? Kushina asked, wanting to stay with the people she loved. Their voices brought so many emotions, she could barely contain them. She didn't care if this was all a dream...
One, don't forget about us. Well, me, at least, came her father's familiar, laughing voice. And two...Honey? What's two?
Two? she replied as if she were thinking, Oh, yes, two is that you need to WAKE UP, NOW UZUMAKI KUSHINA!
Kushina's head shot up, her mind reeling from the dizziness that enshrouded her. The light blinded her, and she blinked furiously against it. She instinctively tried to pull against her shackles to block the light with her hands. The movement proved to be impossible.
"Hmmm...you're awake? That was sooner than...I anticipated," came the purring, smooth baritone.
She yelped, her eyes darting toward the speaker, finding him watching her from the corner. He was perched on the bed, his upper torso bare. She saw his shirt strewn across the floor in a crumpled heap. His straight teeth instantly sobered Kushina as she remembered the danger she was facing. She felt her limbs tingle from the numbness; they were still weak from the poison. With the chakra-suppressing seals on her hands and feet, she would have a difficult time getting out of this trap.
"Where is she?" Kushina croaked, her voice cracking.
"Momo?" Daijiro asked, raising an eyebrow tauntingly, an eerie smile on his face, "Or do you mean Nana?"
The realization that Momo was long dead still stung Kushina. Her forgotten rage bubbled suddenly to the surface. She felt her fury win the best of her as she pulled against the cold, metal shackles.
"You bastard!" she sneered at him, her blue eyes blazing.
His smile grew as he sighed thoughtfully, "If you really must know...she's, well, she's you at the moment."
Kushina's eyes grew round in realization, the room softly tilting. She shook away the nauseating feeling, "Me?"
"Right now, your comrades are taking her back to Konohagakure, where your Hokage will find his treasured person. There, she will kill him. If she's feeling merciful, that is," he carefully watched her reaction, his eyes widening slightly at her unexpected answer.
Kushina chuckled softly, her hair hiding half of her face as she bared her teeth, "He'll never fall for that, you idiot! He's the Hokage!"
"Oh he will," Daijiro promised, "When one's family is in danger, one forgets all pretenses. He will fall for it, that I don't doubt. Nana may have mercy and keep him alive, but I highly doubt it."
Kushina said nothing, unconvinced that Hiruzen would fall for Nana's deception. She knew that the title of Hokage did not mean that a shinobi was the strongest or smartest of his village, but it definitely gave him an advantage, did it not?
"You are not so sure, see?" the man concluded, "Let me assure you that her transformations are flawless. She can mimic voices, mannerisms, and abilities—all from simply coming in contact with her victim for long enough to absorb their chakra type as a sample for her body to imitate. I have been lucky to have discovered her...talent, wouldn't you agree? Gods know that her looks don't get her far."
He pulled a dagger from his waist, his eyes never leaving her face, "I'm not from Takumi, you see. I was once a member of a village in Whirlpool. Before it was ravaged by Konoha, that is. I just happened upon that shithole of a town."
"Lies!" Kushina hissed her argument, "No. It's not true. Konoha is a peaceful country."
Konoha would do no such thing! She didn't care that he was from the same country as her. She felt no kinship with this man. He deserved none. She shook her head, refusing to believe that it was Konoha that had been responsible for the destruction of her childhood home. Her family. Her life.
"Hmmph!" he threw his head back and laughed, his voice throaty, "It was difficult for me to digest, as well, especially given the strong ties between our villages. The First Hokage's wife was from my village, and it brought great pride to my people. We were renowned for our ability to use sealing techniques, and were respected greatly by Konoha. Or so we thought."
"That is my home too-"
"Was your home," he interrupted, correcting her, partly out of surprise, "I thought you were from Konoha, but I can honestly say that I'm not entirely surprised at your confession. Hair the color of fire was was a common and unique trait in my people. Perhaps my appreciation for such a color hails from my heritage, after all."
"It's not true," she hissed between gritted teeth, the air whistling as it passed over her lips.
"Denial? Not so unwarranted, I suppose," her captor replied, poking his outstretched palm with the dagger tip. "I would not have believed it had I not see the hitai'ites or recognized the renowned ANBU masks."
His gaze remained steady on her face, his expression filled with the utmost sincerity as he continued, "I had a difficult time believing as well, but I saw with my own eyes. They slaughtered women, children, and the elderly, having no mercy."
Kushina said nothing out of her disbelief. She refused to take this man's words at face value. It was most likely a ploy to have her drop her guard. She struggled against her shackles.
"Won't do," he replied softly, "I made sure to bind your ankles. Won't make that mistake twice."
"You will never get away with this!" she swore.
"Won't I?" he mused, bringing the clean blade to his lips. "Then why is my little lapdog on her way to Konoha? Why is your elite fooled?"
"They'll realize it if they haven't already!" she spat, her lids narrowed in anger.
He shrugged his slender shoulders, "Such false hopes! But, I've already succeeded in getting away with so much." He waved his hand around the room, "Everything you see..."
Kushina looked around wildly, her mind racing for a way to free herself. His voice interrupted her thoughts.
"You see, I bided my time carefully. I was lucky enough to find that gullible village, toying with their insecurities. Soon, an entire village was at my disposal. I started trafficking as way to cover my real operation. And Nana...well, she is merely a tool. A very useful tool at that. Good for few other things aside from her transformation abilities," he smiled at his lewd inference.
He licked the blade, watching Kushina's reaction. "She has no idea that all those girls...that it was me. Right under her plain little nose."
Kushina's eyes widened at his words. He was the one who had killed those girls? "But, the man from earlier—he was the one—"
Again Daijiro laughed. This time, however, it was deep and haughty, "Oh, he was harmless! He only wanted to paint. Such a weird creature! I was the one that had my way with those girls when he was done! And Nana never once suspected it! I was almost caught with that last one...Momo, was that the one who you became attached to?"
Kushina felt as if she were going to vomit. She hissed, baring her teeth, "Animal!"
"She was a screamer, that was certain," he smiled, licking his lips and walking toward her. Kushina felt her heart race as his gaze filled with lust. His eyes wandered over her body, lingering where they shouldn't.
"So beautiful...such a shame I'll have to dispose of you," he murmured as he closed the distance.
"Get away from me! I'll kill you, I swear!" Kushina screamed, struggling against her restraints.
"It's futile," he sneered, touching the tip of the dagger to her sternum. He lightly traced it down her breastbone, stopping at the deep blue fabric of her dress as it resisted his descent to the creamy flesh of her breasts.
His eyes were wild with excitement, "You will be delicious, I'm sure. Probably a virgin? I can smell your innocence from a mile away, having yet to be...broken. Opened."
Kushina said nothing, her cheeks burning as he chuckled softly, the dagger tearing through the fabric covering her breasts. He leaned down, nuzzling the pale skin between them, moaning as he inhaled.
"You smell divine," he told her, raising his lips to trail over her collarbone and brushing them over the nape of her neck.
"When I free myself, I'm going to kill you," she grunted through clenched teeth, confused by the sensations coursing through her.
"You won't free yourself," he replied huskily, sniffing a handful of red hair as he pressed against her. Kushina could feel the revolting firmness against her thigh. The fabric did very little to provide a barrier against that.
"When I free myself, asshole, I will make you pay," she vehemently promised, squeezing her eyes shut as he pulled her against him, his hand slipping under the slit of her dress and cupping her buttocks.
She heard the chains tinkling as he roughly handled her, his skin grazing over hers. She silently prayed that, whatever he would do to her, it would be over quickly. If it were the last thing she did, this man would pay.
"Mmmm," he moaned, roughly grabbing her chin between her thumb and forefinger, pulling it toward him. He covered her mouth with his, pressing firmly against her lips. Kushina turned her head in resistance, but he caught her chin again.
"Comply, bitch!" he hissed, taking her lower lip between his teeth and biting hard.
She did not react to the pain, tasting the blood as it filled her mouth. Its metallic taste was making her sick as she fought against swallowing the thick fluid now mixed with her saliva. He pulled back, looking at her in satisfaction. She sneered, spitting on his face. The blood stained his cheek as it mingled with her spittle. He wiped his eye, glaring at her angrily after a momentary hesitation. He pulled his arm back, punching her squarely in the face. Kushina did not cry out as the searing pain blinded her, momentarily. She felt her lip split more and the blood drip from her nostril. Her cheekbone throbbed from the impact.
"You hit like a little whiny bitch," she goaded him. Perhaps if she could get him to make a mistake. To hesitate, she could think of a way to free herself...
"You stupid whore!" he yelled, holding the dagger at her neck, his grip trembling,"I'll make this as painful as possible! You'll be begging for death when I'm finished with you."
His eyes were wild; his pupils dilated at he stared at her in fury. Kushina could feel the vulnerable flesh of her neck tear under the dagger's pressure. Daijiro's eyes trailed down her bosom, as blood dripped from her mouth, splashing her collarbone. He reached out and dabbed at the dark fluid, licking it from his fingertip, sucking loudly as he watched her. Kushina felt her stomach wrench. This man was far more twisted than she had thought.
"Such a beautiful contrast," he murmured, dragging the dagger through her skin down to her collar bone.
Kushina felt the blood beading as the stinging pain worsened. She grimaced as he pulled the blade through her skin, leaving a terrible mark. With a primal groan, the man leaned down and covered her fresh wound with his mouth, sucking on the blood. She gasped as she felt his tongue running over the angry flesh. His pressed his body against her, shuddering violently as he groaned, his hands clenching the fabric at her waist. Kushina could feel a sticky wetness through the dress, and her mind screamed at the revolting sensations coursing through her.
Daijiro stepped back, smiling with his teeth covered in her blood. His eyes searched her face as he reached out and cupped her cheek. Kushina pulled away, but he raised another hand, dropping the dagger to hold her head with both hands. He crushed her mouth with his, and Kushina could taste the salty metallic blood on his lips. He shoved his tongue in her mouth, nearly gagging her as his teeth scraped against her split lip. He moaned again, his hands reaching to pull down the top of her dress. Kushina pulled against he metal shackles, her helplessness growing. This was not her willingly giving herself up for the sake of her village. No, this was her being taken against her will. She would fight it tooth and nail, no matter how bound and weak she may be.
Her body was slowly recovering from the toxin that she had unknowingly contracted earlier. He squeezed firmly, causing Kushina to cry out in pain, against her better judgment. It only served to arouse him more, as he quickly fumbled to pull her dress up her thighs. Kushina attempted to kick, but it did no good. She tried to lift her legs to prevent his fervent hands, but she was still too weak. He pushed her thighs open, thrusting his hips against her. She could only hang there and take whatever cruel punishment the man would deal out. She clenched her eyes shut, praying for a miracle as he fumbled with his belt.
She was answered by the sound of shattering glass. Daijiro jumped away from her as Kushina's eyes snapped open to spot the familiar presence. Slitted pupils examined the man before they met Kushina's blue gaze.
"Well, looks like I made it in time!" Tsume commented, her lids narrowed as she looked over the wounds on Kushina's face. Her eyes were full of anger. Her voice matched her gaze, "Kushina, you alright?"
Kushina nodded, smiling slightly. She swallowed the blood pooling in her mouth, "'Bout time."
"Yeah, I'd say so," Tsume replied, baring her sharp incisors as she looked at Daijiro, "I knew that wasn't you they brought back. Smelled foul!"
"Just get me out of here, will ya," Kushina pleaded as she tried to pull herself free to no avail. She was still too weak.
Daijiro quickly recovered from the shock of an unwelcome intruder. He wiped the blood from his mouth, "Smelled her?"
Tsume pointed to her nose, "Yeah, I could smell that rotten imposter, though I didn't want to tell the others, in case she could alert ya. So, I followed Kushina's scent here. That's how I found ya."
"Interesting," Daijiro replied calmly, "So she can't mimic scent, what a pity. I had held her to too high of standards. Her death is not my concern, it appears."
"You're gonna let your girlfriend die?" Tsume raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms over her chest.
"She's disposable to me, I'm not one for attachments," he replied casually.
"Hmmph," Tsume grunted, "Too bad you're the enemy, I kinda like your outlook."
Daijiro said nothing, watching the Inuzuka heiress with curiosity. After a moment he replied, "Not my type, too ugly."
Tsume hissed in anger, shaking her head and crouching down. Her finger nails elongated, growing claw-like, "Let's get this over with! I gotta get Kushina back. Someone's been worried 'bout her!"
Kushina wondered what Tsume's comment meant, but she pushed it aside. Her friend couldn't have come at a better time, and Kushina was thankful for her ability to sniff her out. Literally.
"This should pay me back for the Chuunin Exams, no?" Tsume's narrowed gaze remained on Daijiro as she spoke to Kushina from the corner of her mouth.
"Definitely, and I'll throw in my first-born child! Just hurry up, my hands are numb!" Kushina answered, her throat raw.
"You think I'll be that easy, do you?" Daijiro mused, quickly reaching for his dropped dagger. He quickly pulled out a second one, "We Whirlpool shinobi don't die that easily! Fūjutsu Kyūin!"
After a flurry of movements, a bright light shot outward, creating a shield in front of him. His face was lit up by the sealing technique as he haughtily scrutinized his new opponent.
"What the hell?" Tsume raised an eyebrow, somewhat taken aback by the foreign jutsu.
"It's an absorption seal!" Kushina breathed, instantly recognizing the technique. "It'll absorb your ninjutsu."
"Gotcha," Tsume smirked, her smile lopsided at the irony, "Only that, huh?"
Daijiro watched the exchange with mild curiosity as he prepared for Tsume's attack. She didn't give him time to respond as she quickly began to spin.
"Piercing Fang Attack!" she screeched as she used her signature attack.
Kushina realized that Kuromaru was nowhere to be found, an odd situation for Tsume, as her Dual Piercing Fang was more powerful with her nin-dog's presence. She said a silent prayer as Tsume spun with such speed that her movements became almost invisible. Kushina could see Daijiro trying to track Tsume, hiding behind his absorption technique. She had to admit that she was surprised he was capable of such an ability, given his earlier lack of knowledge about different techniques and jutsu styles. It was apparent that he still didn't grasp it as well as he pretended, or he would know that Tsume's taijustu could easily penetrate his barrier. In a flurry of movement, the floor ripped up around Tsume as she barreled toward Daijiro with unbelievable speed. He tried to dodge her attacks the best he could but she was too quick. He was bodily flung across the room, and Tsume stood, staring at him and breathing heavily. Two daggers scattered across the floor, quickly kicked away by Tsume, who dropped down on all fours as if it were perfectly natural.
"Enough for ya?" she hissed as the bright light once again appeared in front of him.
Daijiro swayed on his feet, nursing his now-broken arm as his eye swelled. He said nothing, watching Tsume through narrowed lids. She arched her back, snarling as she began to spin once again, picking up speed. He watched her carefully, dancing away from her first attack, though even Kushina could barely see it. Tsume attacked a second time, which was once again dodged. The third time, Kushina could see Tsume slowing from exhaustion. The technique was rough on her to do alone, and the effectiveness halved. Daijiro must have been anticipating this, as he quickly dove in and grabbed her, the barrier enshrouding her as well. His hand clamped around Tsume's neck, as her eyes bulged from her head. She opened her mouth and croaked, unable to speak due to his constricting grip. Her surprise was evident on her face as she was lifted from the ground, her feet dangling.
"Tsume!" Kushina screamed, as she realized what was happening.
"This is why women should not become ninja," Daijiro sneered, "You may have a few cards up your sleeve, but you will never have a man's endurance. To think you could defeat me! I'll take your chakra and replete my own."
He squeezed harder, and Tsume's fingers tried to claw his grip loose from her neck. Kushina yelled again, and Tsume's eyes slid toward her. A slight smile crept across her face as Kushina's fear grew. She watched the glow of Daijiro's arm as he sucked Tsume's chakra from her body. His ability to suppress and absorb chakra was unexpected, even to Kushina. Tsume's lips were growing blue as she tried, in one last attempt, to tear his fingers away. Her face was red as the blood was unable to leave her head and her eyes began to roll up in her head.
"Tsume!" Kushina screamed once again as Daijiro squeezed more tightly, his eyes wild and teeth bared. Tsume raised her brows, her eyes fluttering open.
"Oh...yeah," she muttered, using what little air she could gather from her lungs and whistling as loudly as she could.
Daijiro was so absorbed in what he was doing that he didn't take notice to Tsume's whistle. Even Kushina was baffled, though it was short-lived. She hadn't heard Kuromaru running down the hall, only the sound of the door shattering as he crashed through it. Daijiro only had a few moments to react. In that short period of time, he reflexively released Tsume and held up his arms to protect his face. Kuromaru snarled, his teeth bared as he lunged at the former Whirlpool shinobi, his jaws clamping around the man's neck. Both man and beast collapsed onto the floor, as the giant dog dragged Daijiro's body with him. Kushina watched with a mixture of horror and relief as the wolf shook his head violently, instantly breaking Daijiro's neck. The man's body quivered a few times before going limp, as his blood spurted over the floor. Tsume reached for her neck, quickly recovering, though somewhat shaken. She stood on unsteady feet, walking over to Kuromaru, who immediately sat on his haunches, his tongue lagging from his mouth and his fur soaked in fresh blood. Tsume patted his head, staring down at the shinobi. She kicked the limp body and it responded with another twitch. She smirked to herself. Kushina couldn't deny that she, too, would have liked to kick the dead bastard's body. She had reason to.
"Asshole!" Tsume hissed. She stared for a few more minutes, before turning to look at Kushina, "You OK?"
"Yeah," Kushina nodded, licking her lips, "Don't think I can walk, though."
"Not a problem, I brought back up," Tsume jerked a thumb toward Kuromaru, who yipped happily. "I got a scroll, I'm gonna seal that body in it to take back with us. He may be dead, but Inoichi can still get stuff from him."
"Better death than he deserved," Kushina agreed, remembering Momo.
"Let's get you freed up," Tsume glanced over the shackles.
Kushina rubbed her biting hands and sore wrists, the blood returning to them as Tsume unlatched the anklets. The canine-like kunoichi stood, looking over Kushina as she rubbed the angry bruise on her neck, "You sure you're alright?"
"I'm fine," Kushina replied, touched by her friend's worry. She quickly stumbled forward, throwing arms around Tsume, who's eyes widened in surprise. "Thanks!"
Tsume awkwardly patted Kushina's back, "Uh...consider it a debt repaid...OK? But I don't want your first-born. Knowing your luck, you'll get stuck with a son!" Kushina smiled as Tsume pointed at Kuromaru. "You ride, I'll run. We gotta get back to the camp. That smelly bitch is there."
"Right!" Kushina agreed, settling on Kuromaru's back and gripping the fur on the scruff of his neck. It as still damp with blood, but Kushina had other worries at the moment.
The thought of Nana fooling her friends, intending to kill the Hokage, willingly allowing young girls to be killed...it all angered Kushina. The anger began to give her strength as Tsume sealed Daijiro's body in a seal, rolling it up and shoving it in her pack. She looked around the mansion.
"Nice digs, but creepy at the same time. Let's go!" she nodded, waving for her friends, "Kuromaru, you know where to go!"
The canine barked, and Kushina cast one last look over her shoulder as she said a silent goodbye to the Momo she never knew. She had a death to avenge. Nana was going to pay.
~OoOoO~
Minato sat there, watching Kushina's chest rise and fall with each labored breath. The fire flickered and the light cast shadows across her face. She looked peaceful as she rested, though what horrors she was dreaming of, Minato could not fathom. They would be in Konoha by tomorrow at noon, and were only taking a few hours to rest at the moment. He was on guard duty while the others slept, though he would have remained awake purely to stare at Kushina's face. She moaned in her sleep every so often, and he wished he could alleviate whatever horrible dreams she was encountering.
He didn't know how long he had been staring at her as she rested on his sleeping bags, but he nearly screamed out of shock and excitement when her eyes fluttered open suddenly. He was staring into a pair of deep blue eyes, much darker than he remembered, but just as beautiful. She said nothing, staring at him for some time, and he was unsure if she were awake or if this was an effect of the poison.
"You..." she whispered, watching Minato for some time before blinking. She smiled weakly, and Minato could feel his heart skip a beat.
"Uzumaki...er, Kushina? You're awake!" he whispered frantically, his eyes darting across fire to the others. Should he wake them?
"Yeah..." she whispered in response. He crouched closer, examining her.
"H-How do you feel?" he asked, concern in his voice. She tried to push herself upright, and he instinctively reached out to help her, his hand resting on her shoulder, "You should take it easy!"
"I'll be alright, thanks," she replied sweetly, an innocence to her voice that he had never heard.
Her smile made his heard skip a beat as she looked up at him, the fire softening her features. She reached out and placed a hand on his knee. He looked down at it, confused by her movement. He said nothing.
"You were worried about me, weren't you?" she asked, studying him carefully, her smile still on her lips, "Sweet boy."
"I was on duty, and it was my duty to ensure that you did not have any, er, complications of the, uh, poison," he explained, avoiding her adoring looks.
"Poison?" she gasped, her fingers reaching up to touch her lips. The move was breaking Minato's heart. He said nothing as her eyes grew wide. "And you...were watching over me?"
He nodded, not trusting himself to speak.
"Thank you, you are very...kind," she whispered, her tongue darting out to brush over her lips.
He felt his own breath hitch in his throat. She inched closer to him, propping herself up on her knees and looking into his eyes. She reached out and squeezed his hand. What was happening? This was unlike the Kushina he knew, though he had dreamed about this for years.
"Thank you...er," she blushed, "For taking care of me. I appreciate everything you've done."
He wanted to brush the strand of red hair from her face, but he was frozen in place. She raised herself up, planting both hands on his shoulders as she looked into his eyes, "At least let me repay the favor?"
It was innocent enough. He realized he had stopped breathing as she watched him, her lips inching closer to his. He said nothing, not resisting as her breath caressed his cheeks and she softly brushed her lips against his. The feeling was tantalizing and he was glad that he was already on the ground. The sweet innocence she had been displaying quickly diminished as she wrapped her arms around his neck, hungrily pressing her lips to his and prying his mouth open with her tongue. He had kissed other girls before, though not like this. He had never wanted anything so much in his life. And, right now, his dreams were coming true. He could barely breathe, and he tried to pull away for air, but her grip prevented him from doing so. Something was setting off an internal alarm, and he tried to pry her hands from his neck, but she only tightened her grip, straddling his lap. He put his hands on her waist, trying to push her away.
"Kushina!" he mumbled into her lips.
"Stop talking!" she groaned.
Her grip was hurting him and something was telling him this was not right. Perhaps it was an after effect of the poison. Perhaps she didn't know what was going on...
"Well, looks like we made it just in time. I'm getting' good a this, no?" came Tsume's voice. Minato and the fake Kushina quickly pulled apart as Tsume glared at both of them. "I leave you two alone for how long and you try to screw like rabbits? Shame!"
"Tsume!" Minato breathed, catching the movement around them as his comrades were stirring, "It's not-"
"Yeah, whatever," Tsume growled, rolling her eyes, "But, I hate to break it to you, you're making out with an imposter."
"Huh?" Minato quickly stood, as the girl took a few steps back. "What are you talking about? Explain, Inuzuka!"
Tsume tsked, shaking her head, "That's not Kushina, moron!"
The imposter laughed nervously, "Tsume, now you know it's me!"
Tsume pointed to her nose, "It never lies, bitch. And neither does ugly, because it puts off one hell of a rancid odor."
Minato peered at the Kushina look-alike in front of him, suddenly wary. She stared at him, pleadingly-as if asking him to stop this nonsensical conversation.
"How can you be sure?" he asked Tsume, his eyes narrowed as his fingers traced over the kunai at his waist. Could have have been blind? Or was this some cruel trick?
"Because I'm the real Uzumaki Kushina, Whirlpool Kunoichi Extraordinaire," someone answered from behind Tsume as a large ninken carried her forward. Deep azure eyes stared at the imposter, her jaw set in anger as her crimson hair blew about. "We meet again, Nana."