I have no rights to Naruto.

Enjoy.

x-x

x-x

"I thought the Hokage said they were only three days ahead of us." Kiba groused, sniffing the area and grumbling at the jumble of scents.

"They may have sped on without stop." Shino offered, raising his hands to allow the swarm of bug's entry back into his body.

"But so did we." Hinata observed, signalling the arrival of Neji and his teammates to their right, returning from the large mass of bodies and camp they were investigating.

"There are too many scents for me to pinpoint a direction." Rubbing Akamaru Kiba reported to Neji as he landed between Shino and Hinata, TenTen and Lee behind him looking grim.

"Massacre, One Power soldiers, fire engulfed the area nothing is left to tell about the attack."

Kiba frowned at the words, exchanging a look with his teammates before nodding to himself. "That would explain the scents if they all passed through here, the rain washed out a lot of it but for the last few metres it increased overlaying any of our Shinobi. The wind is in the opposite direction so it hasn't covered it yet."

"Did you get anything Shino?"

Pale eyes settled on the overcoat wearing Bug Shinobi while he gratefully accepted the water canteen from TenTen, taking a swig and passing it to Lee, nodding at TenTen's words. "I don't think I've ever seen anything like that, definitely not to that scale."

"Unyouthful though it may be it rids us of some enemies." Lee frowned, suddenly apologising to Shino for interrupting him.

Waving it off Shino looked around the wooded area they were in. "My bugs found evidence of Chakra, levels indicate fighting against a large group but it didn't last too long, an ambush perhaps."

"Unfortunately we have no way to follow the others." Hinata spoke quietly, back straight as she surveyed the area with her Byakagun. "Neji did you see this?"

Following her direction Neji hissed. Before him was a black void. Nothing could be seen and a feeling of caution enveloped him, the void itself exuding darkness and warning. "What is that?"

"Neji?" TenTen stepped forward, hand on her teammates shoulder to get his attention back to them, leaning away as brown hair swung when he turned to look at her.

"I cannot describe it. I see nothing but when we returned we passed several miles from its perimeter and-"

"How did we not see it before?" Hinata queried looking back at Shino who was about to order his bugs out to investigate when a rustling sounded.

"What the hell?" Kiba cursed taking a fighting stance instantly with the others as the bushes parted to reveal a strange but menacing armoured man holding a large armoured horse by the reins behind him.

"Show me you're forehead protectors." Eyes narrowed and with an arrow notched on a large black curved bow held towards the ground the man nodded at them, the reins having been looped over his arm in the blink of an eye.

It was Hinata who held up her Hitai-ate to show the symbol of Konoha, bowing in response when the man lowered his bow and arrow to reveal his medallion with the symbol of Jashin.

"I am to escort you to the castle."

There was no scent of fear or uneasiness that Kiba could find, Shino found no lies or misguidance with his bugs flying around the armoured but all of them knew something was not right.

"What has happened?"

Turning to face Neji the man spoke. "There was an ambush, Hime-sama was taken but retrieved , you saw the evidence of what happened to her captors, the High Priestess ordered a Guard to wait for you, tension is high after what happened to Hime-sama and in temper you could be hurt."

TenTen scrunched her brow in confusion, looking back at Lee who was indignant at the implications that the Hime-sama was hurt, while the other men were straightening their backs in protest that they would be hurt. Only Hinata met her eyes, the conversation in which the lavender haired Kunoichi had explained her Father's theories to ensure they would be prepared just in case, within her scrolls TenTen held gifts for Sakura and those stationed in high positions that would expect gifts of hospitality. And in a rare act of generosity Hyuuga Hiashi had deemed them to all be offered as gifts from Konoha.

"Sakura – Sakura is Hime-sama."

She whispered quietly, catching Neji giving Lee the signal to keep his mouth shut, Hinata grabbing Kiba's sleeve and tugging it twice before squeezing his wrist. Shino folded his hands together, face inscrutable with his collar and dark glasses asking what they feared the moment TenTen had voiced her opinion, the Guards silence affirming it.

"Hime-sama is a friend to us, is she well?"

The clenching jaw went white before the Guard gruffly answered. "As well as can be." Leaving out the impending doom and gloom that tickled at the edges of his mind. "We must hurry to the castle; it is not safe to be so exposed."

Swinging into the saddle the Guard turned without waiting for the Shinobi, pulling out the blessed medallion the High Priestess had given him, it would not allow the group the speed the Guard would have on his own but would help somewhat. Still the Guard would not resist turning to the six Shinobi and saying.

"Try to keep up."

-x-

Nisou knelt beside Hidan and stroked the hair from Sakura's face, tears falling from her eyes as she looked into the black unseeing ones of her Hime. They had called her name, shook her and even sliced her palm to get a reaction, nothing had worked.

Daisaishi handed her a bandage and watched as she cleaned and wrapped the Little Hime's hand, sighing heavily as he stroked the medallion and with saddened eyes took in the devastation upon Hidan's face. He had refused to release her and had not once loosened his grip on her, growling when Nisou had sliced Sakura's palm, gently rubbing her arm in comfort the whole time.

The creaking of the door behind him signalled Deirdre's arrival, the young girl looking at the Hime in horror as she approached Daisaishi, tears instantly pouring down her face and a hand covering her mouth, chest heaving she looked at the High Priest in question and fear. With a small smile he gently squeezed her shoulder meeting her eyes and waiting for her attention.

"You have Jashin's trust Deirdre and I need yours now."

Dumbly Deirdre nodded her head in agreement, the news of Jashin's trust would have sent her into true happiness but now she felt nothing but overwhelming pain and sadness, the sight of Hime-sama nearly knocking her feet out from under her. Shimmering eyes blinked as she visibly collected herself before quietly speaking.

"I entered the Shinobi's chambers just as the High Priestess left, the pain and grief is castle wide – everyone feels it, Commander Kaemon is checking the castle with some of the Guard, Lam-he may have to leave, and Lady Hana stayed with the Shinobi."

Deirdre licked her lips, eyes flickering to Hidan as he stood with Sakura in his arms, Nisou stepping back and looking around, before returning her gaze to Daisaishi. "They know something is wrong Diasiashi-sama, they know something is wrong with Hime-sama." She twisted her hands in her skirt, tears spilling down her cheeks.

"Calm yourself my child, all shall be well." He stroked her cheek, wiping away the tears like the grandfather all saw him to be. "Go tell the Shinobi we will be there as soon as we can, stay with them but do not tell them or any others what you have seen. Can you do that Deirdre?"

She nodded with a gulp, dashing the tears from her eyes and giving the unconscious Sakura a deep bow left the chamber closing the door behind her leaving Daisaishi to meet Nisou's gaze with grave eyes.

"We should move her to her room."

"There was a reason they came here." Daisaishi spoke softly moving closer to look at the Little Hime and Protector, still fallen on the ground clutching her to him, still lifeless and doll like in his arms. "We must speak to the Shinobi, perhaps they will know a way to help and we must plan."

Nisou bit her lip, standing on trembling legs and taking Daisaishi's arm both to steady herself and to support him. It would be chaos and it had to addressed immediately but she did not want to leave Sakura or Hidan for that matter behind, alone within the Sacrificial Chamber.

"They will be safe here Nisou, we will post Guards and no one will disturb them."

Looking at the duo Nisou straightened her back, time for Hidan to hold her, time to think, to plan. Jashin would look over them after all that happened he would let no more happen to them - she hoped. Nisou sighed, there was much a God could do and much they could not, they made their own choices, and some matters could not be interfered with and no matter how much they fought and lived they could still all die.

"If they cannot help her they may perhaps be able to give her the time she needs to recover." She voiced the hope, strength returning to her voice as she inwardly cursed that they had not thought of it before and allowed Sakura the time she had needed instead of allowing her to face the court. She had learned Lady Kagome's lessons too well it seemed. Escorting Daisaishi out of the chamber she gave the forlorn and pale, moonlighted couple a last look, watching until the door closed fully and the Guards took position guarding their Hime to the death and beyond.

Walking down the corridors Daisaishi felt a weariness seep into his very bones as he took note of the dimmed torches on the walls, the flames no longer dancing merrily but burning low and spluttering at times, a cool wind trailing them from the Sacrificial Chamber as they made their way up towards the Shinobi's chambers. The castle's very stones gave off a chill and on every face he passed be it Guard, Priest, Servant or Noble he saw the same dimmed look in their eyes. Grief and pain had taken over the castle as surely as Sakura had descended into the power of Jashin, hiding her mind within his comfort, protecting herself from the pain and sorrow racking her body, numbing herself to the outside world and to her own mind.

Pain engulfed his heart and it was no longer the lingering effects of the poison that had nearly killed him, with a heavy sigh of realisation he patted Nisou's hand in comfort, nodding in thanks to the Guards who opened the doors and met the Shinobi's onslaught.

Daisaishi was strangely surprised to face the quiet room, Deirdre sat in the corner fresh tears rolling down her face as a pale faced Lady Hana consoled her. The Shinobi stood, sat or leaned against the walls all facing and listening to the blonde he had met in the hall and the cold black haired Shinobi who trailed off as he and Nisou entered the room.

With a coiled strength and repressed menace the silver haired Shinobi Kakashi stood, a heavy restraining hand landing on Naruto's shoulder to both calm him down and hold him back and in that instant Daisaishi realised that they had dearly underestimated these Shinobi.

"It's time we had some answers, no more delaying tactics and no more half answers." The hardness in Kakashi's voice was unusual, the Akatsuki taking note and smirking at the sight of this side of Kakashi, Karin and Suigetsu gulping as his Chakra rose and the Konoha Shinobi were once again treated to the rare and deadly side of Kakashi. This was the side that despite his tardiness and perverted tendencies had earned him such a fearsome reputation.

The beloved orange book was nowhere to be seen, the casual slouch gone as Kakashi stood straight and folded his arms as he glared at the High Priest and Priestess.

"We have-"

Nisou stopped as Kakashi lifted the Hitai-ate from his face to rest atop his hair, the lone red eye more intimidating than the two the Uchiha held with Kakashi stepping forward, eyes narrowing and his anger nearly visibly radiating off him. No longer slouching his full height put him well over the blonde priestess looking down at her as he spoke, the controlled anger audible in his voice.

"You have- no- we have. We may have rushed this alliance hoping to defeat the bastards that are attacking and killing all of us but the reason we did this was because of Sakura, who despite keeping secrets only kept those necessary. I can understand that, all Shinobi do we don't like it but we get it."

Swaying on his feet Kakashi folded his arms and leaned back his mask hiding the unfriendly smirk on his face as he felt the Shinobi behind him move slightly, not one was threatening those before them or any in the room, but the scowls on their faces and narrowed eyes spoke for themselves.

"Sakura had promised to explain everything, even Hidan had and for all their powers and abilities they treated us as equals." At this Kakashi looked over at Karin, Sasuke and the younger Shinobi with slight eye crease the only thing to show his humor as he muttered "When it was deserved." Only to look at the Guards, Lady Hana, Deirdre and two before him.

"Let me remind you that you went looking for an alliance." Kakashi spoke harshly neglecting to mention that they knew Sakura had done so without permission. "That you are the ones with the big targets on your backs and the ones with the most to lose. Shinobi can vanish, we can hide and we can leave you on your own while the Shinobi countries bind together to destroy the One Power. We are here for Sakura and Sakura alone, no one else."

"And we do not appreciate being told lies and that it does not concern us when Sakura is our only concern."

Kakashi's voice rose, Naruto frowning and quickly looking at his teammates old and new and his fellow Shinobi. Yamato stood and signalled for his younger teammates to wait, catching the spinning of the red tomoes in Kakashi's eye and took a step forward uncertain what would happen.

"I watched her grow, despite everything, my own stupidity and blindness while she was a Genin she became strong, a valuable teammate, Shinobi, friend and family. So you are going to tell us the truth, you will answer our questions and you will treat us as equals not just idiots that you send a child to lie to or placate." Kakashi hissed, turning his head sharply to glare at Daisaishi who sighed once again.

"Let me sit down."

Taking a step back, Kakashi's anger rolled off of him allowing the two to sit before he spoke again.

"We were discussing differing tactics with your men, and I'm sure I don't have to describe what happened to us only that we were suddenly children ordered to stay in our rooms, even if it was Sakura that was hurt, our friend and precious person- the person who we spent the last five years searching for. Lady Hana was left to babysit, the Guards refusing to allow us to leave, the child came and went, coming back filled with lies that Hana supported but sadly for her the gig was up when Naruto and Sasuke arrived."

Kakashi looked over the Shinobi catching the nods from the older and clever ones those that realised where he was heading and giving him leeway. "We know what happened in the stables, we know how Hidan reacted so now you are going to answer our questions and tell us what the hell is really going on."

Nisou sat down heavily beside Diasaishi, casting him a worried glance as he rested his head on the back of the chair and closed his eyes, his face pale and haggard. Looking around the room she briefly met Itachi's eyes and inclined her head to him in apology for her abrupt departure, raising her hand and running it through her hair she nodded her head towards the door and waited for Lady Hana to leave with Deirdre before she spoke.

"It was not our intention to slight you though it may have appeared that way. In truth we are not used to dealing with others from outside of our lands." Nisou admitted resting her elbows on the arms of the chair as she looked up at Kakashi.

"At this moment Sakura-Hime is with Hidan in the Sacrifical Chamber, but she . . . she. " Nisou shook her head and glared at the floor pulling herself together before gritting her teeth and voicing the awfulness of the situation.

"At the moment she is lost to us, she is using Jashin's power to hide herself away from reality, from the pain she is going through."

"She's numbing herself, a type of depression, but unlike ordinary people it won't be as easy to get her out of it?" Ino voiced, not even bothering to mention how hard it was to help ordinary people let alone Shinobi and someone with Sakura's powers.

"It will be virtually impossible." Nisou admitted, the grumblings before her stopping as soon as they started as Kakashi ordered them all to be quiet. "I called her, shook her, I cut her hand, I pleaded and she did not answer. She has cut herself off from the pain within herself. Hidan is with her, perhaps in the morning you can take a look at her, you may be able to help."

Blonde hair swinging Ino nodded, quickly cataloguing all she could remember of these types of situations.

"Her eyes were totally black; you could feel the power coming off her before it disappeared." Naruto stated watching the blonde haired woman close her eyes in pain for a moment before opening them again, remembering he added. "She said something strange as well - Taken and stolen the story is twisted, hiding and fleeing, taken and twisted, solider to pawn, it was the mother not the father."

Nisou frowned, the shrugs and looks of confusion on the faces before her slightly easing her but also worrying her. "I have no idea what that means."

"What was happening as she said that?"

All eyes turned to Daisaishi who seemed to sleep despite his words.

"Nothing." Sasuke grunted. "Her horse went mad and air started to go cold, her eyes turned black, I tried to shake her out of it but . . . she said that and then Hidan came and took her."

Daisaishi shook his head leaving Nisou to carry on.

"Only time will tell, Sakura is the daughter of Jashin, privy to more than we. But she has Hidan and he will not leave her, he will move heaven and earth to save her. He would defy Jashin himself for her."

The Konoha and Taka Shinobi noted that this was important but it was Kisame, Itachi and Deidara who realised the significance of this the trio looking at the weary Priestess but said not a word.

"What happens now?" Yamato asked folding his own arms.

"I would ask for your help and only wish I had thought of this sooner, it may have helped prevent this." Nisou sighed.

"It shall depend." Itachi spoke, his words soft but not holding any venom speaking before Kakashi or any of Sakura's friends could deny the Priestess.

"Sakura once told me about Shinobi abilities, the ability to look like someone else."

"Troublesome but smart." Shikamaru begrudgingly admitted. "Ino would be best."

"Agreed."

Caught up in her own thoughts Ino's head snapped up to look at those around her nodding their heads in agreement with Nisou. "Wait a minute, explain."

"Sakura dismissed the court so none of the nobles will look for her but if there is no sign of her rumours will grow, if you take Sakura's face and are seen passing through the corridors and going to the war meetings none will be the wiser. It will buy us some time."

Kisame leaned forward in his seat at the table. "Not much, Hime-gime will be needed and when those bastards come we'll need her, the real Sakura."

"Every bit counts, yeah." Diedara spoke softly moulding clay in his hands trying to examine why the hell he was worried about the silver haired young woman. After a moment he shrugged, life had been slightly dull lately and the last few weeks had been more exciting and strangely enough Deidara found himself wanting to help Sakura.

"What about the actual meetings, I don't know anything about your society, strengths or weakness." Ino admitted with worry. "And what if they find out I'm not Sakura?"

"The Guards , Diasaishi-sama, Commander Kaemon, Lady Kagome, Sergeant Lam and I would be the ones in the meetings we will of course liaison with the Shinobi therefore they will be present as well. The only ones that will know are the ones that would be in the meetings."

"Messengers, reports?" Chouji asked pushing away the plate of food he had been playing with.

"I can handle them if they're quick." Ino said slowly thinking of how quickly they reported to Tsunade when she was drunk, dodging sake bottles.

"If they are passed to one of us we can pass it to Ino as Sakura intercepting any possible detection." Sai commented speaking for the first time since Naruto and Sasuke had told them the disturbing news.

"We have some time to prepare; we can at least all get a good night's sleep." Nisou stood resisting the urge to rub her lower back and neck holding a hand out to Daisaishi pausing as Kisame called out.

"How's Hidan doing?"

"The Protector is not taking it well but even now protects his Hime with a viciousness that would send many a denizen of hell scurrying." Daisaishi spoke standing and taking Nisou's hand, the expected creaking sounds never coming as he slowly walked with Nisou to the door. With a Guard opening the door and offering Daisaishi his arm Naruto asked a question that had not only been bugging him but all of them from the moment they were told.

"Why was Sakura-chan's Chakra taken?"

Nisou stopped at the door, shoulders drooping as she wondered how Sakura would have fared if she had had her Chakra. "She needed to learn to rely on Jashin, to embrace her life and learn the powers she held as the Daughter of Jashin, to understand, to lead. It was not a decision taken lightly or gleefully, but it was necessary.

The room was quiet as the door closed behind her, the Shinobi slumping into chairs and against the table. Rubbing the back of his neck Kakashi replaced his Hi-ate to its original position, lone eye creasing as he asked cheerfully.

"How was I?"

Falling into old habits Naruto gaped at his Genin-Sensei sticking up his finger and pointing before shaking his head and heading to his room to sleep, Sasuke rolling his eyes only to fall on the unnaturally silent forms of Karin and Suigetsu, eyebrow raising he smirked as Shikamaru raised his hands and spoke 'Kai' muttering "Troublesome" before he too stood and headed off to sleep for the night with a salute to his teammates and the elder Shinobi.

One by one the Shinobi went to bed, Suigetsu and Karin for once arguing about Shikamaru and not with each other until Itachi and Sasuke were left facing each other across the large table in the main chamber of their quarters.

"I swore to kill you." Sasuke whispered the words barely reaching Itachi who did nothing. "For everything you did and everything you took from me."

Dark eyes rose to meet Itachi's. "But you are nothing, at this point in time and for as long as we are here you are nothing to me. There are more important things to worry about."

Turning sharply on his heel Sasuke strode to his chamber the door clicking closed behind him leaving Itachi to wander slowly to his, marvelling in the fact and thankful that Sasuke still cared for his teammates.

x-x

x-x

Dia Duit,

So the usual things I get when I haven't updated in a while is – it's so long; well sorry life has a habit of getting in the way and being important , and it's too short; this update is over 4000 words not short.

Besides that I hope you enjoyed the chapter and hopefully the next chapter will be out sooner than this one was.

Looking forward to seeing what you thought.

Lots of love,

The Rose and the Dagger x x x