If Only I could have spent a little more time with you.

I do not own Naruto.

Fugaku locks up from his work as he hears his wife's footsteps approaching his office. He also recognizes her chakra signature. She knocks on the door.

''Come in.''

She closes the door behind her. Fugaku is a little bit surprised that she comes to his office. Normally she only comes to bring tea or say that dinner is ready. From the expression on her face he can see that this is serious. She walks into the office and takes a chair to sit in front of him. He puts the paper he was working on away and gives her all his attention.

''I heard from Naruto and Sasuke that rumours exists that there are children being abducted, especially from orphanages.''

Fugaku meets her eyes. ''Similar rumours were brought to the police force's attentions by some worried civilians. I myself already had heard rumours before but no one really went to the police station for them.''

''Are they just rumours?'' She knows her husband, she knows this tone.

''A few years ago there were also abductions in the village and in the end it was found out that it was Orochimaru. But he has not been seen around the village for a long time.''

''Is he back?''

''He could have spies in the villages but why abduct people form Konoha if he can abduct people from all around the world where ever he is? Except if he is after clan people.''

''You suspect someone else don't you?'' She says.

''...Yes. We have always suspected that Orochimaru never worked alone. He just didn't have the resources at the time. But after he escaped we were not allowed to research anymore. When we got wind of new abductions we tried investigating but the council worked against us and said we shouldn't see something there were there was nothing. Our budget got cut and we got more ''useless'' tasks we had to do.''

''What did the hokage do when you brought your concerns to him?''

''He did what he always does, nothing.''

''But now that some civilians have reported it we can use it to have a legal reason to research it. We already talked with some orphanages and looked through different paperwork and something is definitely amiss.''

''Do you think it is Danzo?''

''Knowing that man? It would not surprise me.''

''He has been watching Sasuke and Naruto.'' There is a fire roaring in Mikoto's eyes.

'' I will put more people on the case and we will have someone watching over them.''

''Who? Sishui and Itachi are the only two I trust and they are so often away on missions. Or are you planning on pulling them from anbu?''

''They have a too important role in the clan's plan for that. But there is a capable kunoichi in front of me that I trust with my life.''

''But I have my duties as the wife of the clan head.''

''The clan will understand once we tell them.''

''You plan on telling them?''

''The more eyes that keep an eye out the better.''

Author's note

Not yet sure where I wanted to go with this chapter but I feel it was needed to let you know chapter 22,23 and 24 did lead to something.

This story will not have long chapters (see summary). I am not a writer that writes that much. I don't enjoy writing over 1000 words because I will feel forced to come up with extra stuff. Sometimes I can write longer chapters but not always. I write for fun. If you want to read a lot fo words in one go it might be better if you return to this story when it is finished.