Disclaimer: NO RIGTHS TO NARUTO
Live it up peeps! n.n
XXX
"Ngh!" Ito, Kitai let out when Kankuro punched him clear across the face. The monster coughed up the blood in his mouth and spit it out in another direction.
The interrogation room was gloomy and dark. There was a lantern hanging at the corners of the room; although, it did not help the lighting much.
Kankuro stood before him with a hardened exterior, even though he was secretly tired. He had been interrogating Ito, Kitai for the past two day; however, the prick still didn't break his confidence.
"You sick son-of-a-bitch!" The Puppet Master pulled at Ito, Kitai's prison collar. "What have you been doing to Yue!"
Ito, Kitai laughed sadistically, "Nothing at all. What makes you think I can do anything to that whore while I am in prison?"
"I know you can do projection genjutsu. You have been following my sister-in-law ever since you raped her you prick!"
Kankuro punched him the face again and then socked him in the gut, "Just admit it! You've been hurting her all this time!"
The physical abuse only made Ito, Kitai more amused. He coughed from the pain as he laughed, "I don't know what you're talking about." He straightened himself up, "How can I hurt her when I don't know where she is and I'm stuck in here. But if I could, I would do her better than your precious Kazekage brother ever could."
The Puppet Master's hand clawed his throat tightly, "I swear on all the past Kages that I will kill you. You sick bastard."
"You w-want to commit murder for that slut?" Ito, Kitai choked out. "You can't do this to me. Lady Raikage and The Kumogakure Elders will have your head. I have rights even as a convicted criminal."
He was right.
Kankuro knew he was. He glared at the smug bastard before letting go off his collar.
He went around the table in front of him and flipped open a file. He held up a report to Ito, Kitai, "You were convicted of sexually assaulting Yue, but you plead guilty so you wouldn't have to testify. I want to know why you did what you did."
"Because she deserved it. She betrayed Kumogakure when she married The Kazekage. She sold us out like we were hungry beggars. She disrespected this entire village." Kitai changed his bitter demeanor into a humorous one, "Plus… It was fun."
"You find raping the wife of The Kazekage funny?"
"No." The Bastard smirked again, "I think it's hilarious."
Kankuro became enraged and pulled the chair out from under him. Ito, Kitai dropped onto the concrete floor in a matter of seconds while his hands were cuffed behind his back. He was going to regain his position, but Kankuro kicked him in the gut, causing him to writhe in pain.
"Pathetic piece of crap!" The Puppet master sneered as he yanked him up by a fistful of his shirt so he could start socking him. "You're dead!"
"Kankuro!" Shikamaru shouted just as he entered the room. He instantly tried to restrain him, "Kankuro, get off him! I said get off of him!"
A few guards soon came rushing in once Shikamaru successfully pulled Kankuro away from him. The guards checked the beaten felon on the floor.
"You're dead you hear me! You're dead!" Kankuro threatened as he tried to get out of Shino's bear-hold. "I swear to all that's holy if it wasn't for Shikamaru here, you would be in a grave!"
"Kankuro, calm down! What are you trying to do?" His future brother-in-law finally pulled him out of the interrogation room. He let go of him once they were out in the hall.
Once he was out of the room, Kankuro breathed out with frustration. He simmered down enough for Shikamaru to speak to him. "I know what he did to Yue was repulsive; nevertheless, you cannot lose your temper and go off on him like that. Lady Raikage will have to explain to the elders of how he came to be beaten like that. We cannot make it harder for her than it already is."
Temari had asked Shikamaru to go to Kumogakure to help her brothers. She knew that her fiancé was a lazy genius, so she decided to put him to good use.
The Puppet Master sighed irritably, "I've been grilling him for the past forty two hours and he hasn't confessed yet. I don't know how we're going to get it out of him if we don't use physical force."
"I have an idea."
"What idea?" Kankuro lifted an eyebrow.
Two people stepped into view from behind Shikamaru. One of the two people was a woman in her early thirties. She was beautiful with her styled dark grayish hair and formal, yet young outfit. Her lips were painted a subtle red. Her eyes were the most striking, because they were ruby tinted.
The other person was a man about Kankuro's age. He was wearing an outfit that covered his body entirely. The only part that was not covered was the dark shaded glasses he wore on his eyes.
Kankuro was slightly baffled at the sight of them, "Kurenai-sensei, Shino…" He bowed a little toward the teacher first before asking, "What are you two doing here in Kumogakure?"
"I hear you have a problem with genjutsu." Kurenai-sensei replied.
The Puppet Master understood right away, "Of course… You're practically an expert on genjutsu!"
Shikamaru explained further, "I also asked Shino to come here because he would be able to communicated with Gaara and the others in a more private way. If we were to send scrolls or messages through carriers, it might be too dangerous. He is able to use his bugs to assist in that problem."
Kankuro nodded, "I'm stoked to have you two here helping us. Thank you both."
"It's my pleasure." Kurenai assured and then asked. "Now before I can get to work, I need to know what kind of genjutsu he is using and who is it he is using it on."
"We believe he is using projection genjutsu on my sister-in-law Yue..." He paused as he glanced down for a moment. "Well… She used to be my sister-in-law before my brother and her split up."
"Yes, I am familiar with Lady Kazekage Yue. I was at the wedding. Now, tell me. Why is he using it on her?" The wise teacher asked further. "What did she ever do to him?"
Kankuro glanced at Shikamaru, "You didn't tell her?"
"It is a rather fragile subject to talk about. It was not in my position."
"Perhaps…" Kankuro cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Perhaps it would be best if Lady Raikage were to inform you."
Kurenai understood, "Of course. No matter what Kankuro, I will try my best to help."
Kankuro nodded with a smile, "That is all we could ever ask of you."
XXX
Everyone walked silently on a clear path in the forest. The path was one of the routes that lead back to Kumogakure.
The sun was just about to set after a whole day of traveling, but Gaara and the others didn't feel tired. Yue on the other hand was exhausted, because of what happened in the morning, and from the entire day of traveling.
She dared not say anything, since she did not to slow them down. Instead, she tried to keep up with their pace.
"It's getting dark. Should we rest?" Naruto asked the team.
Kiba shrugged, "I'm not really tired and neither is Akamaru. Is anybody else tired?"
They all stopped and glanced at each other.
"We should rest…" Sakura suggested after looking at Yue. She saw how tired she was.
Naruto glanced at The Kazekage, "How about it Gaara?"
Gaara nodded, "It is not safe to travel in the dark of night."
"All right! That settles it, we'll set up camp somewhere." The Future Hokage touched his stomach in slight embarrassment, "I was getting kind of hungry."
"Kiba." Sakura called to him. "Do you sense a good camp ground anywhere?"
The Dog Master sniffed the air a couple of times, "I smell steam not too far from here. It must be a hot spring nearby somewhere. The ground around the area is warmer. We won't have to be that cold tonight."
It was convenient having Kiba around. His keen senses in scent and hearing were just the thing needed in camping.
"Lead the way then." Gaara said.
Kiba was able to guide them to spot near the hot springs. Naruto knelt on one knee to touch the ground, "You're right. It is a lot warmer."
"The hot spring is just beyond those trees." Kiba pointed toward a direction where trunks of the trees stood in the way.
"That's perfect actually." Sakura continued with her thought. "Yue can soak in the hot spring. The natural minerals and hot water can cleanse her wounds."
Yue didn't want to, but there didn't seem to be away to argue. She couldn't even find the words to speak; let alone, tell them that she didn't want to take off her clothes and bathe; especially where there were men around.
"Yue? How does that sound?" Sakura asked her even though it appeared like Yue wasn't listening. She held Yue's arm, but Yue instantly jolted away. "Yue, it's okay. It's just us. I'm scared that your wounds would infect over night. We still have a lot of traveling to do the next morning."
She just stood there. What could she say? She had no control over anything.
"You guys get started on the campsite. We'll be right back." Sakura held Yue's shoulders so she could lead her toward the hot spring.
"Well then, let's get started." Naruto suggest as he took off his backpack. He knelt down once again to gather some leaves and sticks of wood that were already on the ground. He put them in a bunch and lit them together after putting stones around to keep it in place.
Gaara looked at the girls' direction from his peripheral vision. He had a strange feeling of premonition that something was going to happen, but Sakura was with her so there was no need to worry so much.
He let it go and took off his gourd so he could sit down in front of the fire.
Sakura spotted the hot springs just beyond the trees. It was where Kiba said it would be. Fireflies danced above it while the moon shined down on the water. Steam evaporated into the air, causing it to be most inviting. Even Sakura was thinking about getting in for a soak.
Yue mainly kept her eyes toward the ground in a daze. She looked up at it once. It didn't seem all that great to her.
"It'll help restore your strength a lot Yue once you get in." Sakura took off her backpack so she could retrieve a towel from it. She held the medium size towel in one hand and put her backpack down to the ground in the other. "Let's get you in."
The girl undressed herself slowly, because she was tired. She was uncomfortable, although she didn't appear to show it that much. Sakura gave her the towel so she could cover herself.
Yue wrapped it around her abnormally thin figure before she walked toward the hot spring. She stepped into it, and sat down so the nice warm water could surround her completely.
She closed her eyes, for she was getting nervous. The last time she was around water was that morning and the monster was there.
Sakura stared at the hot spring. She longed to take a hot bath after a long day…
Finally, she could bear it no more and decided to join Yue. She stripped herself down to only just a towel before she stepped in.
The Pink Haired medic sighed to herself in relaxation. It was like taking a bath at home...
Yue hugged herself underneath the water as she huddled toward the edge. She started feeling ashamed for some reason.
Sakura sensed that she was uncomfortable. "Yue… It's only me. Don't worry okay?"
Yes, don't worry… I'll take care of you. Heh. His voice came around again.
Yue held her hands over her ears as she continued to huddle against the edge. She shut her eyes and tried to convince herself that he wasn't there.
"Yue…?" Sakura stared at her suspiciously. "Yue what's wrong? Tell me what's wrong!"
You don't have to tell her my dear. I can show her.
The Medical Ninja was getting nervous. Yue was acting strange. "Yue? Yue, are you hurt? You have to tell me what's wrong or I can't help you!"
Yue could suddenly feel his breath at the base of her neck when he whispered. Only I can help you. Only I can give you what you really want. You want me, don't you."
His presence drove the poor girl to scurry out of the water. She tried desperately to cover herself with the towel, although a lot of her figure still showed.
"Yue! Yue let me help you!" Sakura was about to get out of the hot spring but she felt someone pulled her back down by her hand. She turned around to see the bastard himself. He was in the hot spring with her and without any clothes on.
His head and shoulders were above water just like Sakura. He smirked evilly before hastily pulling the towel away from her body and then grabbing Sakura's neck into his grip.
Sakura tried to fight him off as she clawed at his hand, punched at him, and pushed him off. He still had a clutch at her neck and squeezing tightly.
"N-Naruto! H-Help!" Sakura forced herself to scream, even though she couldn't even breathe. "Y-Yue…! Yue run! Run!"
The girl just stayed there shivering; hoping that it was all a dream.
Naruto's ears caught it for he and the other guys were immediately on the way. He got there with Gaara and Kiba in a blink of an eye, but couldn't understand what he was seeing.
Sakura appeared as though she was struggling in the water like someone was strangling her, although no one was there.
"Sakura? Sakura what's going on?" Naruto plunged into the hot spring to help her. The moment he did, Ito Kitai disappeared and Sakura was free.
She took in a fast breath; consequently choking on it. She coughed roughly until she caught her breath. "N-Naruto!"
He saw her naked body and remembered that Gaara and Kiba were there. For the sake of her virtue, Naruto pulled her into his arms so he could turn around so his back would face them instead of Sakura.
Kiba whistled to the dog next to him before he hopped onto his back, "Akamaru, scan the perimeter with me. Let's go boy!"
Akamaru barked back stridently and took off like a gust of wind.
"W-Where's Y-Yue?" Sakura questioned worriedly while clutching close to Naruto for cover.
Gaara looked all around for Yue. He found her nearby, urgently trying to cover herself. She rocked back and forth as if she was insane.
The Kazekage slowly approached her. He lowered himself onto one knee and hesitantly touched her shoulder. She shrieked out loud at the moment of his touch while backing up against the trunk of the tree.
Gaara looked at her thin railed body that was covered in scars and bruises. He felt all the pity in the world. Nevertheless, he tried to remain apathetic.
"Hey… Stop that. Don't be afraid." He said to her while carefully getting a little closer. "It's me." His hands held her arms gently, but she screamed at his touch. "All right, I won't touch you… Just look at me."
She refused, she kept her eyes closed. She was too scared.
"Look at me." His laid a cautious hand on the side of her face. She slowly opened her eyes and looked up at him.
It really was Gaara. His eyes didn't appear so threatening or full of hatred. They almost looked soft.
"Gaara." Naruto's voice said from behind. Gaara looked back to him. He was helping Sakura out of the hot spring while holding a towel securely around her. He had an extra one in his hand and tossed it over to The Kazekage.
Gaara caught it easily and placed it around Yue before helping her to her feet.
"Sakura what happened?" The Future Hokage questioned worriedly as he inspected her briefly.
The Medic felt her raw neck before answering him, "I-I saw him… I saw Ito, Kitai!"
"What?" Naruto shot a look at Gaara and then back at her, specifically at her neck. There was a handprint there like the one on Yue's neck that morning. He touched it gently with his fingertips which made Sakura winced. "He really was here…"
XXX
"Kurenai-san, please have a seat. It is a pleasure to have you here in Kumogakure." Lady Hokage gestured to the beautiful genjutsu teacher to have a seat before her desk.
Kankuro, Shikamauru, and Shino stood around the room. Kurenai gracefully sat down, "Thank you Lady Hokage. I am happy to help."
"Yes, Kankuro and Shikamaru had informed to why you and Shino are here." The Kumogakure Leader peered down toward her folded hands that were on the desk. "Perhaps you will be able to get justice for Yue."
"Lady Kazekage." Kurenai reminded Yue's previous role again.
"Yes… The former wife of The Kazekage. She happens to also be a dear friend of mine. I think of her like family."
The Genjutsu Expert decided to beat around the bush a little bit more before asking, "She was a kind girl. I had the pleasure of meeting her at their wedding. What happened to her, Lady Raikage?"
"It is a long story Kurenai-san." Lady Raikage exhaled sadly before telling her what had happen; from beginning to the end.
She started from where Matsuri had betrayed Yue and poisoned her, which led her to explain why they had to bring Yue to The Lake of Mist for healing, and then finally informing of how and why Yue came to be brutally raped by Ito, Kitai.
It was difficult for her to tell the story, because she felt guilty from what happened. She looked Kurenai- sensei in the eye, "She left Sunagakure six months ago when she and The Kazekage split up when she found out about the sexual assault."
Lady Raikage flipped opened the file that was in front of her on the desk. She took out the two before and after pictures of Yue to show Kurenai.
They were the same pictures that she showed Gaara and the other ninjas. Kurenai held them up to have a closer look. She saw the drastic change that made her heart sank. "The poor girl…"
"Ito, Kitai has been in prison since his trial; however, we believe that he may have been using projection genjutsu to stalk Yue this entire time."
"Has there been any record of him specializing in projection genjutsu or even in genjutsu in general? Projection Genjutsu is quite difficult to do; it would take a lot of training and perhaps even more of natural born talent."
Lady Raikage shook her head; disappointed. "He hasn't said anything about that. We have him in record of being a Kumogakure Chunin specializing in ninjutsu, but nothing further than that."
"I have interrogated him for two days…. He doesn't appear to be breaking anytime soon." Kankuro told them.
Kurenai hummed to herself shortly before replying, "From my knowledge of genjutsu, it is often a natural born talent, honed skilled, or inspired by generations of family members…" She respectively asked Lady Raikage for a request, "Lady Raikage, may I give out a few orders that might help."
"By all means, Kurenai Sensei."
The Genjutsu expert stood from her seat to turn around to the students. "Shikamaru, I want you to work with Shino in getting a message to The Kazekage and Naruto. Tell them that they need to get Lady Yue here as soon as possible. I will need her."
She then turned to The Puppet Master, "Kankuro, you and I are going to see the felon. I will help you interrogate him."
Kankuro winced, "No offense Kurenai-sensei, but I have done all but kill him in these past two days and he has yet to spill anything."
Kurenai smirked, "Perhaps you didn't ask the right questions. This time it will be different. He has never gone up against a well trained Genjutsu Master before."
XXX
The fire boiled the kettle that was skillfully held over the fireplace. Naruto poured the hot tea into a mug.
"Here." He handed it to Sakura, who held it in her hands for warmth. He sat down next to her and put an arm around her. "Feel a little better?"
"A little better." Sakura took a sip from the mug as Naruto pulled the blanket that was wrapped around her closer. "I just couldn't believe how fast it happened. One second we were alone and the next he was there. I didn't have a chance to fight back before he…" She trailed off when she felt her neck.
Kiba had singled out a scent from the handprint on Sakura's neck; it was exactly like the scent on Yue's neck that morning. He stood in front of the fire with his hands shoved into his jacket pockets, "He's getting confident. He not only attacked Lady Yue but also Sakura."
"That bastard…. He is as good as dead." Naruto growled. "It's not enough that he's torturing Yue but he's coming after Sakura. Are we next as well?" He clenched a fist, "He might as well try it because he will end up in hell."
The Kazekage was nearby the fireplace with Yue. She kept to herself as she continued to shake from the trauma. She desperately tried to stop the trembling, but she had seen him twice in the same day…
Gaara placed a blanket around her, and then lightly brushed the loose strands of hair out of her face. He snapped out of being soft before standing up to face Naruto and the others, "Kiba's right. This is the second time she has seen him. If he is able to attack in reality then no one is safe. We underestimated his abilities."
"So far we know that he seems to appear when we're not around the girls." Naruto brought up. "He finds them the weaker link."
Sakura scoffed, "Excuse me! I for one am not the weaker link. Wait till I get my hands on that bastard!"
"I still don't understand why he went after Sakura if his target was Yue." Kiba reminded. He thought to himself out loud. "When Naruto got there, he didn't see him attacking Sakura either.'
"Yeah…" The Future Hokage remembered what he was talking about. "Why was it that only Yue and Sakura could see him but we couldn't see him."
The Kazekage came up with a logical explanation. "He is able to decide who is able to see him."
"Then that means…. Yue is capable in being in danger at any moment." Sakura stated.
Naruto burrowed his eyebrows disturbingly, "You too Sakura."
Gaara looked back to the girl who was huddled up with herself, "How do we keep her from him?"
