A/N: Welcome back, dear readers and lurkers. I hope you enjoyed the last chapter. This next chapter continues to be one of my favorites. I hope it meets your expectations!

Chapter Twenty-five: Unexpected Complications

Kakashi leaned back. "Convincing you was easier than I thought."

"Shut up. You obviously have a plan, so let's hear it." Yamato brushed some forgotten crumbs off the table. "It'd better be good."

"All my plans are good," Kakashi replied and continued over Yamato's snort. "We need to sweet-talk the guard schedule out of Shizune, then pick a shift and pose as the relieving ANBU, or if you're in a hurry, use a transformation jutsu to disguise yourself as the Fifth while I distract the guards."

"Both those ideas sound too simple and definitely suicidal."

"You have any better ideas?"

Yamato sighed. "I guess we should get it over with."

"You're acting like you're not one of the best ANBU soldiers. If you don't have the stomach for it, now's the time."

Yamato chose to pin Kakashi with a cool glare, under which Kakashi shrugged, and he knew Kakashi was off-handedly trying to flatter him. He didn't like that it worked, and he especially didn't like that he was using his Konoha-trained abilities to participate in treachery against Konoha. Oh, God. His head was rolling for this one, but there wasn't another choice for him. Together, he and Kakashi moved to the hall closet, slipped into their flak jackets, and left the house without further conversation.

If Yamato remembered correctly, the Vault was located in a sub-level underneath the Hokage Tower. A secret stairway led to the sub-level, and the Vault itself was closely guarded by two ANBU. The Vault's door was flush against the floor of the sub-level and opened up like a hatch. Yamato had not gone inside the Vault, but the Third had revealed that the walls of it were secure. The only way in or out of the Vault was through the hatch. Attempts to break into the Vault without the proper procedure would activate a lockdown, but Yamato was unsure of the lockdown procedure. The Third hadn't educated him in that aspect.

When the Hokage Tower came within sight, Kakashi slowed and came to a stop on a residential rooftop. Then he turned to Yamato.

"You sure you want to go through with this?" Kakashi asked, reaching into his hip-pouch. Yamato half-expected for an orange book to appear in his hand, but Kakashi pulled out a pair of ear-pieces. "Once you do, there's no turning back."

"Kakashi. Stop reminding me." Yamato took an ear-piece, adjusted it around his neck and into his ear cavity. A bit of feedback whined when he thumbed on the power, but the channel clicked on and tested clear. "I'm not changing my mind."

"I know. You usually don't," Kakashi replied. He leapt off the roof, angling toward the Tower.

Yamato frowned. "What's that even mean?"

But Kakashi didn't answer his question. Instead they moved as a unit closer and closer to the tall, slimly-designed cylindrical building with the Hokage crest hanging from the top. Nerves twanged, adrenaline spiked Yamato's system, pumping his blood and his heart harder, but he breathed in a steadying pattern to keep calm. He'd been in more dangerous, lethal situations before and hadn't had the same tangle of nerves he now experienced. Probably because his morality kept giving him glares of disgust and disappointment.

"How do you want to approach?" Kakashi asked over his shoulder.

"The less visible we are, the better. I don't want people making connections to me if the break-in is discovered." He considered a moment as they pressed closer to the building. "Let's go in from the top. The upper-levels are less populated, and we can take the stairwell down."

"Roger that."

They spiraled inwards, using the cover of residences and businesses to close in to the roof of their target building. Even then, the next tallest building fell short by a woeful measure of the Tower's height, so Yamato used a Wood Release technique to elevate them to the roof. They landed noiselessly, and they separated. Yamato ducked into cover behind some sort of ventilation system as Kakashi went ahead to scout the area, because if he was seen, no one would connect him to the crime they were about to commit.

Yamato's ear-piece clicked. Kakashi's voice was quiet. "No one's up here. You're clear."

Yamato rounded the system, weaving through cover to Kakashi, who'd opened a door that went into a darkened stairwell. They shared a glance- -Ready- -and with Kakashi as point, began their descent. They did not encounter anyone on the stairwell, though Yamato readied on each level to use jutsu to sink into the floors. His nerves were strung tight enough without convincing himself that they'd be caught and interrogated with each step closer they took to the Vault.

"Where's the secret entrance?" Kakashi whispered over the ear-piece. He was leading by a couple floors. "Not in the actual office, is it?"

"No. Keep going until you can't go any further."

Several minutes eked by. They were moving quickly, but at the same time, they were moving carefully. They were too good of soldiers to rush into a mistake. At last, Kakashi came to the end of the stairwell and relayed the message to Yamato, who met up with him a few seconds later. A pair of double doors led out into the reception area of the Office of the Hokage directly at the foot of the stairs. Through the small windows, Yamato could see the hustle and bustle of the ground floor. However, there was space that encircled the thick base of the stairs, and it was opposite the doors behind the stairs that Yamato led Kakashi.

"What now?"

Yamato glanced over. "Just watch."

Cinder block supported the stairs, with a few feet between the base and the wall of the building. Yamato charged chakra to his hands, murmured a string of key words that he hoped were correct as it had been nearly a lifetime since he'd last heard those words, and as a section of the cinder block glowed blue with intricate seals and calligraphy, a deep grating prefaced a small, four foot by four foot area sinking backwards a several feet. The chakra began unfurling in glowing curly-cues and lines in the pitch-black hole, illuminated another staircase that curved around into the depths of the Tower.

Yamato took the moment of hushed awe to transform into Lady Hokage. "How do I look?"

"Good enough," Kakashi replied. "You ready?"

An even glance was all Yamato spared Kakashi before stepping into the dimly lit corridor. The spiral steps had been cast with jutsu to display the footsteps of the shinobi descending, and it hadn't occurred to Yamato until now that their footsteps could be analyzed. It was too late. The further they continued, the cooler and more oppressed the air became, indicating their depth in the ground. The walls and stairs were hewn from the rock itself and seemingly smoothed…by fast-moving water? Yamato couldn't tell.

Down, down, down. How long would it be? The chakra he used to move the secret entrance had poured down the cracks in the walls, and the designs became murals that showed historic battles and clashes between legends, and Yamato was entranced, as he'd been when the Third had led him down here prior. The expanse of time allowed Yamato's nerves to cool. He hadn't remembered the intricate details, how at some points the walls became blank to showcase the ceiling and the important constellations marking time.

Running water interrupted the interminable silence, the soft breaths and footsteps, and the glow of chakra intensified, brightened, spilling into a round bubble of a room. The antechamber for the Vault. The rock was worked here, as well, but not solely as conduits for chakra. Large statues encased the circumference of the circular room, warriors standing at attention with swords, spears, and other deadly weapons.

All their eyes were blindfolded, and in the moment of hesitation on the final step, Yamato noticed two figures sitting in the center, flanking an upraised base. They too were blindfolded, and in the bluish light, Yamato noticed their hair was white and their faces sagging with the wrinkles and ravages of time. Dark robes flowed off their bony shoulders, pooling around them and disappearing into the shadows of the room. Where were the two ANBU guards he'd seen all those years ago? Had there been a change? Yamato's morality had itself a good, dark laugh at the sinking feeling.

"It's been a long time since we've felt this chakra, hasn't it, Number One Brother?" said the man sitting on the left.

Number One Brother inclined his head. "It has, indeed, Number Two Brother. But this chakra speaks of a different story than our honored First Hokage."

As they cackled drily, Kakashi leaned to whisper in Yamato's ear, "I think we're caught."

"Well, come forth, young man, and let's hear your reasons," said Number One Brother, after briefly coughing. "No need to be shy. Your companion can remain with you, if you prefer."

"As he has for many, many years," added Number Two Brother. And echoing whispers around the room rose goosebumps on Yamato's skin. He felt like the statues were speaking as well.

Yamato, too stunned to move off the last step, was helped on with a push from Kakashi. He stumbled into the room and the transformation jutsu dissipated when his foot came in contact with the lowered floor of the antechamber. Tingles burst under his skin, not an unpleasant sensation, but not one he liked. He had to pry his tongue from the roof of his mouth, as it had dried and stuck like glue.

"I'm…Yamato." Brilliant. "And this is Hatake Kakashi."

"Oh, haha, yes, now I remember," said Number One Brother. He completely disregarded Kakashi. "Our honorable Third Hokage brought this one in for a visit. You were just a youngster then, weren't you? Ah, no matter. How time passes. You've grown so much, and yet…you have more growing to do."

Number Two Brother leaned to the side, drawing Yamato's attention. "Hm. He's got traces of another shinobi's chakra in him. It was poured into him, filling him like a cup. And…familiar. More interesting that he'd be so accepting of it after-"

"Now, now, Number Two Brother," interrupted Number One Brother, "don't scare him into fluttering away. So then," he continued, conversationally, "explain your presence, Oh Child of the Trees."

"I, ah"- -where the hell to begin?- -"have to view a file."

Both the brothers cackled themselves into coughing fits, and he heard Kakashi sigh in exasperation behind him. Number Two Brother wiped a tear from between wrinkles and said, "Well, of course you do. But what brings you into the depths of the Hokage Tower without our honorable Fifth Hokage? Surely you realize your coming here, if discovered, could result in execution? But you are an excellent soldier, loyal to Konoha and her king, and you know the consequences. You arrive here regardless of them. Why, One Who is Unchanging yet Changes?"

Yamato crossed his arms. The chill had gotten to him. "It has to do with…my ANBU partner and Orochimaru." The name buzzed and echoed around the antechamber, stirring the hairs on Yamato's body. He swallowed, waiting, and when the noise calmed, he continued. "I'm concerned that Orochimaru"- -he hesitated when the whispers started up again- -"is after her. I want her file to see what she has that he wants."

"Hm," grunted Number One Brother, "why risk your life and career for the information you seek, you, who are worthy of greatness?"

Yamato scowled, not ready to answer the question, but Kakashi put a hand on his shoulder and said, "The truth."

Fine, but it didn't mean he had to like it. "Lady Hokage wouldn't give me the information, probably because of a choice I made." That was the bare minimum. "I know I made a mistake and I want to correct it."

Number One Brother said, "Aah. Redemption!" the same time Number Two Brother said, "A second chance!"

Together they said, "Who is she? Whose file do you wish to view?"

"Yamanaka Ino's," Yamato answered.

There was a pause and then a sigh, like air releasing from more bodies than were present, and the two brothers repeated her name. Her name bounced around the antechamber, as Yamato exchanged a look with Kakashi, who shrugged, having no answers.

"What is it?" Yamato asked when a hush settled on them.

Number One Brother gestured to the upraised section he sat beside. "You may enter the Vault, Keeper of Many Secrets."

Grating, of smoothed stone against smoothed stone, rumbled through the chamber. The base rotated slowly and rose from the floor to show a cylinder capsule big enough for a single person. When the grating stopped, a part of the stone cylinder slid apart, revealing a hollow center.

"Only you may enter the Vault," said Number Two Brother. "Hatake Kakashi, Scarecrow of Konoha, must remain here."

Yamato cracked a smile at Kakashi. "Disappointed?"

"Very," answered Kakashi. "Don't keep me waiting."

Yamato nodded, and pausing enough to inhale, stepped into the enclosed capsule. Immediately the door slid shut, but the blue light traced designs on the inside of the stone. A second later, the door slid open. The ride down had been so quick and so quiet, Yamato had thought something had gone wrong, and he hadn't gotten to the Vault. Inside the Vault, though, were no stone statues, or odd elderly men, nor were there any bookcases or shelves of any kind. Instead, the room was a seamless white, and no shape or texture of any kind. Nearby a glass table and a light-weight, steel-colored chair were positioned. On the table was a blue tattered file, and when Yamato approached, he saw it was labeled as Ino's. Here, two-inches thick, was her life's work.

He stood rooted to the spot, gazing at the file. Nothing crossed his mind, except a feeling of assured trepidation. He was nosing into a background that was none of his business. How hypocritical of him to ignore privacy when privacy was his own obsession. But he hadn't broken the law to leave her file unread. Stiffly, Yamato drew out the chair and sat. Then he opened the file to the first document.

A copy of her birth certificate and medical records when she was a child; she'd been healthy, with no allergies. She'd started training young, had shown an aptitude for kunoichi skills and had passed all her tests with high marks. Her father had taken her on her first mission, a surprisingly dangerous one at that, which required a small, innocent girl to infiltrate and be a distraction. There were a few others similar to that, even as she began Academy.

Based on several reports, her Academy education was supplemented by lessons among the Torture and Interrogation Squad; though she was under orders to keep those honed skills secret. Yamato knew the level of her skills had been left out of his initial report, and felt smug his hunch had been correct. She'd been holding back her true potential for years, then.

Her career after graduating was more interesting. Her father had geared her toward ANBU, and several missions besides her team ones were documented. These side missions continued, as well as low-key lessons from the Interrogation Squad continued until her eighteenth birthday.

At this point, a document, covered with the Lady Hokage's scrawl, interrupted the timeline. The first line stopped Yamato: Yamanaka Ino has surpassed all expectations given to her by the Third Hokage and she is ready to commit to the next stage of her mission.

What mission did he miss? He flipped back, scanning, and discovered another document, written by the Third when Ino was six years old that had been folded over, hence the reason Yamato'd missed it on the first flip-through. The gist of it was that Ino was to excel in secret but publicly withhold her abilities. She was to be an unassuming teenage girl. When her skills were developed satisfactorily, she would be given the opportunity for training and partnership in the ANBU corps with…codename Tenzou?

Yamato stared down at his codename. Why him? Then he saw the next little part of the line: …as per her request. Ino, at six years old, requested him to be her ANBU trainer and partner. How? How could she have known about him? He would've been fourteen and completely out of her world. Had the Third made a mistake? Further reading indicated that, no, the Third had not made a mistake.

Codename Tenzou has the kekkei genkai of Wood Release, the ability injected into his genes from Orochimaru's experiments involving the First Hokage's DNA. As of date, he is the single person to be able to utilize Wood Release techniques. It is my concern that if no action is taken, the Wood Release techniques will disappear into history, should codename Tenzou be terminated.

Yamanaka Ino and Mitarashi Anko are so far the best chances at the Wood Release bloodline sustaining into a new generation, but it is Ino who has suggested this herself. To indulge in a personal opinion, the Yamanaka clan has the unique ability to adapt to the people closest to them and is historically adaptable to bloodline limits, as proven through previous unions with both the Uchiha clan and the Hyuuga clan.

Therefore, I'm sustaining Yamanaka Ino's mission request to train with the goal of conceiving codename Tenzou's offspring and continuing the Wood Release technique to a new generation.

At that, Yamato was physically incapable of movement or breathing or thought for several seconds. He read the lines again, because he wasn't sure he comprehended them, and when he did comprehend them, he couldn't be sure he read them correctly. Then the words kicked him in the chest, expelling the air in his lungs, and somehow made him feel like he couldn't inhale at the same time. Dizziness plus a sense of detachment followed, allowing him to return to the document. He saw that this document had been paper-clipped to what he assumed were related reports and objective sheets.

Lady Hokage's report read like the plot of one of Kakashi's porn novels, including objectives such as Engage in sexual contact with target and Confirm conception. The attached papers were in that slanted, feminine handwriting he recognized as Ino's, and at a glance, he saw they were descriptions of the 'sexual contact', but written in a way totally devoid of emotion. There was a doctor's medical chart, filled out by Lady Hokage, confirming Ino's pregnancy that coincided with the date of her collapse and subsequent four-day leave. She'd been ten weeks pregnant.

And the information hit him like a ton of bricks falling on his head. Ino was pregnant. Is. Is pregnant. His breath came faster and faster until he panted for it. He couldn't fucking breathe. It hurt too much to breathe.

In a dream-like state (nightmare-like state?), Yamato returned his attention to Lady Hokage's report. A few seconds were necessary to focus his eyes into reading words. On a second page, she'd written: Ino has won a favor from me that I disagree with, but have granted her due to her excellent service. Codename Tenzou was given the choice to continue with her on her mission as her partner, but has declined to proceed.

Therefore, Ino's new mission objectives are to: 1) Reintegrate into civilian life to protect the impending birth of codename Tenzou's child; 2) Choose an appropriate codename and identity unknown to civilians and shinobi; 3) Commence with blackout procedures; 4) Birth, raise, and protect the child of codename Tenzou; and 5) Return to Konohagakure at such a time as is safe for her and the child, therein further mission objectives will be implemented.

Those mission objectives gnawed at him. What did Lady Hokage mean 'commence with blackout procedures'? Reintegration meant Ino should have been given an undercover identity, but when Yamato thumbed through the rest of the documents, he couldn't find the papers establishing that identity. Son of a bitch…the second objective wasn't a joke. It meant no one knew who Ino was, and objective number three implied that Ino would not be establishing contact or communication of any sort to the Hidden Leaf. No wonder Lady Hokage hadn't told him of Ino's condition or location- -not that she wouldn't, but that she couldn't.

Ino, pregnant, was out there by herself without any backup or support system of any kind. Alone. Without him. Orochimaru was after her, had sent hundreds of criminals her way. A wave of nausea flooded Yamato enough that he had to put his head on the table. Fuck. Fuck. What Orochimaru wanted was to capture Ino and experiment (or worse, no, don't think of it) on her baby. Yamato'sbaby. Their baby. The rush of blood pulsed in his ears. He thought he saw a flicker of movement, low to the floor, but when he glanced over, nothing was there.

The white space was too big. Yamato went to close the file, and didn't understand why his fingers couldn't grasp the edges of the folder until he realized he was shaking too badly. When he stood, the world rocked and swayed, sweeping from side to side, until he stumbled into the stone transport. Being enclosed for a brief moment gave him no purchase on the tilting floor, so when the capsule opened, he pitched forward and sprawled out on the cold slab of rock at Kakashi's feet.

"Hey, whoa," Kakashi said, his voice muted by ringing in Yamato's ears. He didn't even feel Kakashi heft him to his feet. "You're shaking."

Yamato tried to speak, to say anything, but Orochimaru had robbed him of his identity and his voice. Kakashi said words, but those words were lost in the ringing, and Thirty-six, no, Yamato, no, Tenzou (who was he, really?) couldn't lip-read through a cloth mask. He watched from somewhere far, far back in his head as he floated in a dark tunnel decorated with blue glowing designs. Then there was light and lots of people and movement, and sunlight and the sky, but the world wouldn't hold still, was too enormous for understanding, and so Thirty-six/Tenzou/Yamato (he had another name but what was it?) closed his eyes for the encompassing dark.

But the dark held the writhing bodies of white snakes with burning yellow eyes and purple-dripping fangs, of soft hisses and the scrape of scales over the floor- -be still, be invisible, be stone- -and the constant threat of sudden death, only there was a girl (or was it a woman) with shining white-gold hair and striking blue eyes standing in the middle of all that terrible death and she was reaching for him, speaking to him, but he couldn't hear.

Fire poured down his throat and set him spasmodically coughing, yanking him from the dark, the snakes, and the woman. Kakashi pounded on his back with one hand, the other holding a glass tumbler with some whiskey, if Yamato's scratchy esophagus was any indication. He was home, but how they got there, he had no idea. Kakashi handed him the glass after he finished coughing.

"I figured that might revive you," said Kakashi, his voice loud and clear. The ringing had stopped. "Drink the rest of it."

Yamato did in a single gulp and reveled in the heat crawling up his neck to his cheeks and sloshing down his chest to his stomach, chasing away a chill that had crept into his bones. Kakashi took the glass from him and sat on the couch, and Yamato saw the concern in Kakashi's eye.

"So," Kakashi said, "want to tell me what all that was about?"

A/N: And what will Yamato say to his dearest friend Kakashi? Find out in Aggrieved, out to you on Mar. 10th. See you then! =)