It had been two hours since they arrived outside of HQ.

Nobody had received any word from inside, save one man who was supposed to be in there – a Samurai by the name of Akechi Taira – who'd intentionally left his post and followed behind a different group of Samurai, headed out for patrol. According to him, he'd done this after seeing a Prefect accompanied by ten-plus Vanguard inside.

His word was the only clue they had, and the rest of the Samurai, who knew their schedules, confirmed it – Taira was not supposed to be out on patrol today at all.

"Where did you see the Prefect?" The Kazekage decided to speak with this person, once word had gotten to him. "By the northeastern section, first floor, just beyond our main entry hall. It was just past quarter to ten." So nearly three hours ago – it was just past noon now, and heading into the latter half of that hour. "What were they doing? What did you hear?"

Taira shuffled slightly where he was sitting, the man hadn't been too cooperative even among his Samurai brothers – but, they were upset with him for breaking conduct. The rules existed for a reason. That and, he'd been repeating the same story.

"I didn't hear anything specific, only pieces of sentences. I may be wrong, but it seemed that the Prefect may have ordered this lockdown and was speaking to Tsuchikage-sama. I could tell by her voice though, that she seemed upset."

The samurai continued, "I couldn't see much of the Prefect, and I couldn't see the Tsuchikage at all. I was to continue fifteen paces down the hall, and take a left to continue interior patrols at the time. Instead, I turned left after five paces and followed two of my brothers up a flight of stairs and outside, at exit B-2." Akechi had been speaking as if reciting rote memorization, but now allowed himself a small sigh. "I know it was wrong, I risked the Prefect's safety and that of the Vanguard – there were three or four down the hall that I could see plainly, another two who were further back." He raised his head, unable to stand or come to Gaara due to the fact that the others had bound him. "I accept full responsibility for my actions," he spoke as if Gaara had come under the wrong pretense. And more than that, he was trying to show the questioner that this could, perhaps, be used against him in the political setting due to the mere fact of the Kazekage's presence – essentially, Akechi was subtly agreeing to take the fall if need be.

The Kazekage took a moment before finishing with one more question, "Is there anything else?" Taichi's head lowered, "No, sir."


Earlier that day, in the hours before sunrise, a pair made their way through the snowy forests south of Union HQ. They stayed off main roads, taking their time in moving but still keeping up a decent pace – their destination, Kohohagakure, would be reached just two to three hours after the first beams of sunlight painted the land.

'Wait,' one signaled to the other, each crouching low in the tree branches while scanning their surroundings. A few moments passed, and they continued on – never more than a few meters from the other.


The situation was ridiculous.

Kurotsuchi had been furious, and rightly so, that their asset was to be snatched away just when they were beginning to get a hold on things. Ever since Eien's identity was revealed, they'd been working with her – cautiously – to try and figure out why now, of all time, the Corallians were revealing themselves and more importantly, to get to the bottom of what Eien's purpose was in their world.

If the Corallians were simply asking for help, or making a move to better their relationship with humanity, it still didn't make sense. For one thing, the timing of everything suggested they were either weakened or unable to accomplish some goal without putting Eien out into the world. It had taken them nearly three years after the war ended to make this move, so why did they wait? Secondly, her behaviors pretty much confirmed there was something wrong with their communication – even omitting the concern of her influence on the bijuu. The fact that Eien did not remember fully, who she was and all the associated implications, and at other times displayed higher levels of awareness, suggested that an exchange of relevant information occurred between her and the Corallians. Essentially, she was a tool to them in this way – and that is where their concern lied.

Eien's own statements made it seem that the Corallians wanted peace, and in truth, Kurotsuchi believed her. Rather, she believed that Eien was right in believing that from her own perspective.

But the control cluster, the Shinju, whatever; may have an ulterior motive. And that too, was evidenced through sudden displays of new abilities in Eien that were only available to her when she needed them, as well as the Shinju's attempt to 'possess' her – though to what end they still hadn't had a chance to try and uncover. After all, everything that happened with Chomei and now this Prefect, the Vanguard, and the White Zetsu prisoner – everything had picked up pace so damn fast.

They hadn't had a chance to respond… and that was precisely why it was all the more irritating that the Caucus was going to steal her away, at this crucial moment.

"I understand your concern," Sheiichi spoke as they travelled down one of the side hallways near the main room, "but the Vanguard are prepared to handle her, we have prepared a facility for this purpose." The Tsuchikage resisted questioning him about the facility, and how it could be better equipped than Union HQ. "Even so, my concern is that she-" The Prefect turned, stopping their pace through the hallway as he spoke, "Is there a problem with the Caucus' decision?" There it was – she knew he was going to play that card eventually, and it is what Kurotsuchi planned for. "Of course not, I'm just expressing my concern that Eien is not in a state fit for relocation at this time." The Prefect eyed her, trying to gain insight to the Tsuchikage's motives. As suddenly as he'd stopped them, he turned again, the Vanguard picking up pace too. "Be that as it may, the Caucus' decision has been made." The dark-haired woman spoke no more of it as she continued down the halls, before reaching a room to prepare and go over some legal matters.


A slight rush of wind brushed past some bushes, before turning in the air and spreading itself over the grass on the forest floor. Sasuke signaled his wife and halted just next to her, they'd been making excellent time but now had to begin slowing down as even Sakura's medical jutsu and incredible resilience were not enough to cope with the long journey alone – that and, neither of them wanted to strain themselves too much through mere travelling. It was better to reserve energy, in the case that they reach home without expending it, and in the case that they would have to defend themselves.

Her head ducked, whether it was due to pain or just movement in her womb, he couldn't be sure. The Uchiha placed a hand on her shoulder, and her cherry-topped face rose again, mint eyes glancing towards him with a meek smile, reassurance that she was still fine.

The wind blew again, something about it was off – no other movement was occurring in the forest, and despite their training as shinobi which would allow them to know when wind was due to natural occurrence, a jutsu, or a person or animal's movements – for some reason, Sasuke couldn't be sure that this was natural wind. It most certainly wasn't being caused by someone's physical movements, and of course there was the chance that it was part of a jutsu, but that was just it – this wind, if it was part of a jutsu, seemed to be imitating natural wind. And that would be stupid, to reveal someone's presence… unless, they were trying to slow them down.

He had a few options – some of which the Uchiha crossed off right away, such as rushing to find the source of this 'fake wind'. Instead, he was left with either waiting it out a little longer, and risking their position being found out if it wasn't already, or continuing on their way, while Sakura's chakra reserve for this kind of travel was already weakened. As a last resort, he could always use Susanoo to pick her up and move them over a greater distance and at greater speed, but that too would attract attention and be a little difficult to approach Konoha with. He continued scanning his surroundings, gauging their position relative to any local landmarks or possible cover. There was one place, but he'd much sooner risk freaking out Konoha's guard than heading slightly west. He moved, and Sakura moved with him, the pair staying side-by-side now.

It wasn't long before the first one appeared – a Secret, whizzing past them in a bladed-disc form and barely missing their heads as Sasuke ducked and pushed Sakura as she moved, they quickly regained themselves – though Sasuke, being unencumbered, did so more quickly than his counterpart. Without hesitation, he moved towards Sakura while calling upon Susanoo to pick her up, and they were airborne. The Secrets came after them without hesitation, fortunately these were the smaller ones and not the massive being that had escaped from a pillar of light near the beginning of his wife's pregnancy, so many months ago. Even so, their energy attacks and sheer numbers, as well as the speed and agility with which they moved, proved difficult for anyone to handle.

But he was an Uchiha – and several of them were blasted and cut into oblivion as Sasuke did his best to speed towards Konoha, only more and more of them began appearing – in larger sizes and numbers, attempting to at least block his path and slow him down.

He realized they were sitting ducks up in the air – it was too easy to spot Susanoo, and despite his marksmanship, sword skills, cunning, and agility; he could not break past their barriers effectively without wasting large reserves of chakra. 'They're trying to tire us out, and keep us from Konoha,' it wasn't hard to realize. And so, with some disgust, Sasuke turned suddenly, maneuvering and speeding towards the ground, headed west.


"Captain!" One of the ANBU, a younger shinobi, called as the masked leader approached. They'd spotted Susanoo in the distance, fighting and trying to head towards Konoha – but to no avail. "Those things…" the younger one didn't finish his sentence, it was a question. The leader took his time in answering, "Sir?" Another, more experienced member turned to him. Yamato did not take his eyes off the scene, "They know we're here," was all he said.

It wasn't worth risking attracting the enemy's attention, if Sasuke wasn't going to come after all.

Moments later, the massive energy-being did turn and rush towards them, Yamato called out orders among his team and the rest of the ANBU guard. They rushed into position, ready to open the gateway into the hidden complex.


The turbulence pushed against him, as he held Sakura close by before pulling up at the last second. As Susanoo set down its feet, before fully dissipating, a strained voice escaped the mother-to-be's lips, "Sasuke," her form had hunched over a bit, an expression of pain mixed with fear and some other emotion he didn't fully grasp plastered on her face – he didn't say anything, he knew. It was time.

Several members of ANBU rushed to meet and defend them as the flurry of Secrets pursued them, Susanoo dissipated only after they had reached a hidden latch leading inside to Orochimaru's primary research station. He felt sick to his stomach, that Sakura would have to bear their child here…

Once inside, they were greeted by some of the 'ex' mad scientist's assistants, who moved to help Sakura lay onto a cot. Of course, Sasuke's sudden movement had them back off a bit, until a familiar voice called out. "Figures you'd bring trouble and something good, after all," a woman with blood-red hair approached from one of the corridors, and she motioned to the assistants to continue their work. "It's fine, they're mine anyway," she meant that they could be trusted – at least to help someone lay down. The Uchiha's eyes narrowed at her, he wasn't sure about letting Karin in so close as to help with something like this.

Instead of addressing him, she went right to checking in on Sakura, "How are you feeling?" The pink-haired one grimaced slightly, "My water broke, three minutes ago," that was enough. She motioned again to her helpers, and for Sasuke to follow. "Let's go," they didn't have much of a choice, anyway, and the noise of battle could still be heard from outside.

Besides, the Uchiha would rather follow to ensure their safety, and be present, than to risk having to confront his old 'master'. It wasn't out of fear, or concern for himself, but really, somehow Orochimaru was even more annoying to him now than ever before.