"Guilty Until Innocent"
By: Shadow and Janime
"You sure can eat a lot of ramen," Taka removed the bowl from Naruto's lap.
The blonde leaned back against the pillows with a content sigh. "It's my favorite food."
"So I see. I don't suppose any fruits or vegetables are on your menu?"
Naruto made a face.
"You know you do have to put something akin to healthy in your eating habits," Taka moved the rolling tray against the wall.
"I hate vegetables," he said.
"So does everyone else but we need them." She looked him over. "How do you feel?"
"A lot better. Teijo said I should be outta here soon."
"Great but the training won't start until he gives the OK. So, tell me about yourself." Taking on of the chair she sat down on it backwards, resting her arms on the back and her chin on her arms.
"Um well you already know my name and I'm a chuunin for Konoha, the Village Hidden in the Leaf. One day I'm gonna be hokage too! Nothing's gonna stop in my way!"
Taka couldn't help smiling. "You sound like someone I knew a long time ago. He was very ambitious." Her smile faded.
"Something wrong?" Naruto asked.
"Oh, it's nothing," Taka forced a smile this time, her hand going up to touch underneath her left eye.
The blonde noticed this immediately. She kinda reminds me of the old hag, he thought to himself then decided to change the subject. "What kind of jutsus are you gonna teach me?"
She was only too glad for the chance in topic. "What do you already know?" she asked herself.
"Um well I know how to do a lot of jutsus, I even created some of my own." From his tone of voice he seemed very proud of himself. Taka could tell he was bragging but she also knew he could back it up if told to. Holding up his good hand he named off the numerous jutsus he learned from his past mentors and the several he had created himself.
"Impressive… and you learned all these skills in a rather short amount of time."
"Yeah I know. And one day I'm gonna be hokage and then everyone will respect me!"
If only it were that easy. "I'm not sure what I can teach you but you'll find out but-" she held up a finger when he opened his mouth, "once you get the OK from Teijo."
"But-"
"No buts. Deal?"
Naruto pouted and made to cross his arms over his chest but quickly stopped when he tried to move his injured arm too fast. "Fine you got a deal." He finally took a look around the room. "How come I haven't seen Temari or Kankurou around? And where's Gaara?"
"The kazekage is in a meeting with his council right now. Kinda boring if you ask me but it's required. Temari and Kankurou went on a mission so they should be back soon."
"Oh, that's okay I guess." I wonder where they are right now? The blonde asked.
--
Hidama paused once more, keeping her balance easily on a tree branch. She was breathing calmly but she saw the Sand siblings slowly catching up with her. Once they reached her they nearly doubled over, trying to catch their breathes. She didn't seem the least bit winded but they were breathing hard and heavy, sweat coursing down their aching bodies.
"You two have to pick up the pace," she told them coolly.
"Easy… for you… to say!" the puppet master panted, dropping to his knee but made sure to keep one hand on the tree for added support. "My charka… is almost… gone…"
"We can't keep… this pace… up for… for much longer…" the blonde added, trying hard not to fall over with her heavy metal fan. "Once we reach Suna… we'll need the rest of our charka… to keep us from sinking."
"And your point?" Both of them just stared at her. "You children are so weak." Before they could retaliate she reached out and rested her hands on each side of their faces. Somehow she was able to lock on both of their eyes so they watched as her pale blue eyes began to glow softly. They had no idea what she was doing but they could feel their once depleted charka levels rise. A powerful and almost pure energy spread through every pore of their bodies-
The pale hands were removed. The woman turned and looked into the direction they were heading. "We're running a little behind schedule but we can still make it." She looked at them over her shoulder. "Use that energy I just gave you properly for once you use it up I won't be giving any more."
"Right." They were off once more but the two siblings were amazed at how fast they were moving. They had touched into this new energy and found this to be stronger and more powerful than their own. When they began the journey back to Suna they had asked what she had learned. At first the woman was quiet but she said that there was defiantly a murder in the village but she wouldn't say who or what. All they did know was it was vital information and they had to tell Gaara as soon as possible.
--
Gaara left the meeting hall and if were a regular man, he would have sighed in extreme relief that the meeting was over. But since he was not a regular man, the kazekage did not do this. He walked down the street, finding it a little odd that it was rather deserted--very few people were out but mostly hung in the doorways.
Not far ahead, Gaara saw Taka walking towards him. She finally noticed the kazekage and waved.
"How's Naruto?" Gaara asked after she fell into step with him.
"He certainly can put away a lot of ramen," she smiled. "But he seems to be doing fine, aside of being a little impatient for me to teach him. For now I gave him a scroll to read so he'll have some inkling of what to expect."
Gaara raised his eyebrow at her. "You're not going to have him do anything to strenuous are you?"
"And have Teijo after my hide? Heavens, no!" Taka laughed.
"Good." He tried to smirk but it wasn't in him. "The village is quiet."
She nodded. "They know something is happening."
"Naruto is not a danger to anyone here. There's no way his attacker could get here without me knowing."
"I know. Call it a woman's intuition but something big is going to happen." She looked at him from the corner of her eye. "And it's going to hit all of us hard."
The red-head frowned. Something big... a war? A new enemy? He stopped when he felt the sand around his feet shift. Someone was coming and fast. He knew who they were. "They're back."
The young woman didn't say anything as she followed him to the village gates. They waited but they didn't have to wait very long. One of the guards bowed and said he could see figures running through the sands. Gaara didn't say anything but he already knew. It didn't take long but he saw Hidama running easily atop the sand, but what did surprise him were his older siblings keeping up. They weren't sinking the least bit. Once they reached the gates they lightly skidded to a stop.
He nodded to them. "You've made it back faster than I expected."
"Important news. I know the ones behind the murders."
Gaara looked around the street. "It would be best if we discussed this in a more private setting."
"I'll take my leave then," Taka started to turn.
"No, I want you to hear everything, Taka," Gaara looked at her. "If you're going to watch after Naruto, then you must know what is going on Konoha."
Once all five were in Gaara's room, Hidama went on about Iruka and all that happened prior to Naruto's lynching.
"So who is responsible for all of this?" Gaara asked.
Hidama looked straight into his eyes. "The Shadow of the Fallen Moon Clan."
"That can't be!" Taka blurted out, causing everyone to look at her. "They were destroyed fifty years ago."
"And how do you know this?" Hidama demanded.
"… My grandfather told me."
"May I speak with him?"
"He's dead," Taka looked away from her, "just like the rest of my family."
Hidama looked at Gaara and he nodded to say that he would explain about Taka later.
"So they're back but do you have proof?" Kankurou asked.
"I saw the shuriken and held it. Seven points."
"Why go after Naruto? What is their plan in all of this?" Temari asked.
"I don't know. But I believe it has something to do with Kyuubi and his power."
Everyone was silent for a moment. "What do we do? Do we tell Naruto or not?" the blonde asked once more.
"He has a right to know... according to Teijo his healing is almost finished," Gaara stated. "But as for Konoha-"
"We have to return." Everyone watched as Hidama stood. "He won't give up on that village even if every last person turns his back on them. He has a dream and he'll do all he can to achieve it." Her head was lowered, her bangs shadowing her eyes. "Damn fools. They don't deserve his kindness." She left.
The group made to follow but Gaara told them not to. "She's going to see Naruto and I think we should let them have some time together. Taka, what can you tell us about this clan?"
"Only from what my grandfather told me," the tall brunette started. "At one time they were called the Seventh Moon Clan--almost everything revolved around the number seven."
"That explains the shuriken," Kankurou spoke then quieted when Gaara looked at him.
"A small group within the clan wanted to become stronger," Taka went on. "They started dabbling into darker arts, performing rituals that had become outlawed centuries ago, attacking other clans and taking captives for sacrifices--mostly children."
Temari shuddered.
"Fifty years the other clans met and decided that the Shadow of the Fallen Moon Clan must be eliminated. And they were."
"... and someone is trying to bring the clan back?" Temari whispered.
"Not so much the clan but whatever they were giving the sacrifices for."
"'For?'" Kankurou frowned. "They were trying to summon something? What, a demon?"
"We never found out. All I know is for the first time in history all the villages in all the countries came together, sending their most powerful elites, and attacked the Shadow of the Fallen Moon Clan together. They made sure to burn anything dealing with them, leaving nothing behind. Those that had nothing to do with the dark arts left the clan, joined different villages to start a new life for themselves. But if they're back..." Her hands closed into tight fists.
"If they're still around, then we'll destroy them all once and for all."
--
The pale woman looked at the closed door. She knew her kit was in there but she couldn't bring herself to open it and go in. Taking a deep breathe she wrapped her hand around the knob, turned it and pushed the door open. She slowly looked up. Pale blue eyes meet and locked with darker blue depths. Her breathe caught in her throat.
Naruto looked up from the scroll when he heard the door creek open. The scroll slipped from his hands to his lap as pale blue eyes found his.
Hidama closed the door behind her and silently walked over to his bed. His wounds had healed rather quickly--the bandage over his right eye had been removed. He could open his eye fully but the discoloration from the bruise remained. She reached out, gently touching the mark around his eye.
Naruto closed his eyes but that didn't stop the tears. Hidama wrapped her arms around him and slowly rocked him back and forth. Slowly his arms wrapped around her, holding onto her tightly. It was true, he wasn't imagining it!
"Mother," he managed to choke out. "You're back, you're finally back."
"That's right, kit. Forgive me, if I had known I would have never left and be damned with the consequences."
"That doesn't matter just don't leave me alone."
"I swear on my soul." She kissed the top of his head, glad to have him once more in her arms like this.
So warm. So inviting. So loved. Yes, this was what was missing. Iruka was a great father-figure, his classmates and teammates were great friends. Even Kakashi and Jiraya were okay people but this; this was what he wanted more than anything. He breathed in her scent of the moon and pure rain. After what seemed like an eternity he slowly pulled back to look up at her. "You still look the same," he said softly.
She smiled and gently wiped the tears back with her thumbs, tracing the whisker marks on his cheeks and the fading cut marring his face. "You've grown up so much. Iruka and the others have been taking good care of you."
He blinked at this. "Others?"
"Yes. I've meet your mentors and classmates. They're good people, kit."
"Heh yeah they're cool. But when did you go to Konoha?"
She sighed and carefully sat on the side of the bed. Still within reach to embrace him she held his hands in her own. "I was here when you came to see Gaara, seeking help. I wanted answers so Kankurou, Temari and I went to the village. I saw what happened to Iruka but he is alive. He's weak but he will live." She could see the immense relief on his face, making her smile a bit. "We learned who your attacker is but not their motives just yet. The sand siblings and I raced back here as fast as we could."
Naruto looked down at their hands; his sun-tanned skin so much darker than her milky-white hands. She was even paler than Hinata or Neji. "More than once I wanted to write to you, to ask you to come home. Iruka didn't know how to reach you. I thought... I thought you left because of me."
"Kit-"
"But I knew it wasn't true! I knew you were on some really important mission but I still missed you." He looked up at her, giving her a crooked smile. "Some reunion, ne?"
Hidama smiled and ruffled his hair. "Naruto... kit... you will make one fine leader one day."
"You really think so?"
"I know so." She was rewarded with a large grin that seemed to shine like the sun itself. Yes Kazuo-kun, your son will most defiantly follow in your footsteps one day.
--
"Found him."
"Where?"
"The Village Hidden in the Sand, my lord."
"Suna, eh? Isn't that the village where you took that boy's blood?"
"It appears that the demon the kazekage, Gaara, once held is no longer within him. This is why his blood didn't react the way Naruto's did."
"Isn't Kyuubi the most powerful out of all the Tailed Beasts?"
"So it is said, my dear."
"My lord, there is something else you should know."
"…"
"She is there in Suna."
"Is that so? This is an unexpected surprise. Although, I have to admit I do like it."
"What shall we do about her?"
"Nothing, for now. But keep an eye on that other village."
"But they are in Suna. Should we not watch the sand village?"
"He'll return despite what has happened. After all," the leader smirked, "his loved ones are there."
"Yes my lord."
--
Jiraya sighed as he heard everything that had happened while he was gone. No wonder his old teammate was trying so hard to look for him. He looked at the seven-pointed shuriken with distaste. "Of all the things to come back and bite us in the ass," he mumbled. "Are you sure Naruto is safe?"
Tsunade nodded. "Hidama said as long as he was with her he would be safe. I believe her."
"Well that answered that question I've had on my mind for quite some time."
"There's something familiar about her though," Tsunade said quietly that Jiraya barely heard her.
"Familiar?" the white-haired man asked.
Tsunade looked surprised that he heard her. "When the Shadow of the Fallen Moon clan attacked Konoha--I know we were just over being toddlers… but do you remember a woman dressed in blue and wearing a fox mask?"
"Wearing a fox mask?" He scratched his head. "Maybe." He closed his eyes, trying to think back but it was hard. All he could really remember from that night so long ago was that it was unnaturally dark, as if all light just died out. Even touches couldn't pierce the darkness. But he remembered someone shouting something and the darkness over the village dispatched, revealing the moon. He tried to find the person but the only thing he was able to see was a streak of silver and blue.
"I think, maybe I did see someone. But I didn't get a good look."
The blonde sighed and sat back, resisting the urge to rub at the scar on her leg. "I've never been afraid of anyone before, but she's not like us. I think she could even beat you Jiraya."
The man wanted to scoff but she seemed dead serious. "Well, looks like I'll be staying in town for a while then."
--
Late that night, Taka sat on the rooftop of her apartment. She stared at the sky, mapping the constellations and the position of the half-moon. Her left hand came up, stopping just under her left eye, which she could now see clearly through. It was odd that it was only at nighttime that she could see perfectly. Daylight caused her eye to lose its sight.
Sighing, Taka climbed down to her window into her bedroom. She walked over to the small mirror above her dresser and stared at her reflection. The discoloration was still there in her left eye, bringing back too many bad memories.
The blonde boy--Naruto--reminded her so much of her family. Even remembering them now brought painful memories. She could never forget what happened to them. She could never forget how her family was killed in one night. She could never forget the pain she went through. Slowly she let her eyes close but it wouldn't change the past. What was done, was done.
I wish I could have saved them all, but it wasn't enough, she thought to herself.
Turning away from the mirror, Taka walked over to her bed and knelt beside it. She reached under and pulled out a small ornate wooden box. It was gift from her grandfather on her seventeenth birthday--the only item she managed to save before escaping the tragedy that destroyed her life. She placed the box on her bed, admiring the details of craftsmanship her grandfather had no doubt painstakingly done to ensure that it would be perfect.
Taka ran her fingers over the intricate pattern of lines and circles, then traced over the engraving of her name on the lid. She opened the lid, hearing the faint squeak of the small hinges. She reached inside and pulled out a small cloth bag that fit within her palm. Taka untied the string and removed the single item the bag contained.
A seven pointed shuriken.
"Almost fifty years ago, we were betrayed by our own people," her grandfather had told her. "Those who did not support the regent were imprisoned or used for sacrifices. The other clans took matters into their own hands and attacked. After what had become of the ones taken from their clans, I don't blame them. It was our sin."
"But we're still alive," Taka protested.
"Those who joined the other clans to destroy the ones who fell to darkness were spared. We are all that is left of the Seventh Moon Clan, Taka," he stared into her eyes, "no matter what; you are never to let anyone you met outside our home know who you are. We are clan-less."
"I am clan-less," she repeated. She ran her fingertips over the throwing star. It was all she had left of a once proud clan. Sighing she put the item back in the bag and placed that in the box, slowly closing the lid. But with her family gone she was the last. She sat on the bed and held the box on her lap, idly tracing the designs. But the dark sins have resurfaced.
She put the box under the bed and silently changed. No one knew the truth, all they knew was her family was gone but no one knew she was from the Seventh Moon. She pulled the covers back and lay in her bed but she couldn't sleep. Naruto was in danger and she would have to teach him everything she knew. She refused to lose another person to past sins.
Never again.
--
"What can you tell me about Taka?"
Gaara looked at Hidama as the two walked along the darkened streets. Thanks to Shukaku, the kazekage retained insomnia.
"Not much," he started, "she was found roughly five years ago by a patrol unit. She was covered in blood and had a lot of bruises--her left eye was damaged so that's why it's discolored. I remember that she kept screaming 'why' over and over."
"Any explanations as to what happened?" she asked.
"None. The patrol searched but all they could find was the remains of a home. It looked like there was a surprise attack, everything having been burnt down." He paused. "She's the last of her kind."
"How nice. But something feels like its missing. What else do you know?"
"That's it. She's refused to speak about her family or what's happened. I've never pushed her for answers."
"Sounds fair." They were quiet for a moment as they continued walking. "I want her to come with us when we return to Konoha."
"I was thinking along the same lines. She's one of the few people I trust and-" He slowed to a stop. Even with the raccoon dog gone some of the older citizens of the village feared him.
Hidama looked at him and reached up to gently tilt his face up to meet hers. "Whether you realize it or not, you were never a monster and neither was Shukaku. But even with him gone you still retained some of his powers so that's something." She let her hand drop but blinked when he wrapped his hand around hers.
"... I wish I had met you earlier in life." She just smiled and squeezed his hand back. Regardless of whom they were born to this young man and the blonde ninja were both her sons and like any mother she would protect them with her life. Hopefully together, they would get through this ordeal alive and unharmed.