"Guilty Until Innocent"
By: Shadow and Janime
"Beef."
"Ramen…"
"Spices."
"Ramen…"
"Onions."
"Ramen…"
"Shrimp."
"Ramen…"
"Cabbage."
"Ramen…"
"Stop that!" Gaara hissed.
Naruto ducked his head behind the bag he was carrying. "Sorry," he whispered.
Rolling his eyes, the kazekage grabbed Naruto's arm and dragged him away from the ramen stand they had unknowingly stopped next to go over the ingredients Taka needed for sukiyaki.
Sighing he looked into the bag, murmuring the ingredients to himself. "I think we have it all," he said in a low voice.
"I think you're right. Let's head back," the redhead replied, deciding to head back to their rooms. But the silence between the two was more than Naruto could take. He sighed heavily a few times before Gaara asked "What's wrong?"
"I never knew how much I missed her until she was gone," he said quietly.
"Mother."
"And my father. She always talks about him but not once has she showed me a photo or anything. I never could ask her."
"Be thankful you had a parent who cared about you, who didn't try to kill you just because you were unstable." Pale green eyes closed tightly before opening. "I'm sorry."
"So right. Guess we really are cut from the same mold." His sharp blue gaze caught the sight of a stand and he couldn't help but smile. "I know what'll cheer you up." Holding the bag of groceries he nudged his brother to the ice cream stand. Ice cream made everything better. Well, next to ramen.
--
Taka looked through the cabinets trying to find a decent sized pot to cook enough sukiyaki to feed seven people (she decided to triple Naruto's appetite after seeing him eat).
"This should do," Taka removed the large pot from the bottom cabinet and placed it on the stove. She then went about the kitchen grabbing a cutting board, knives, and several soup bowls and placed them on the table.
"Towels," she said and grabbed three green kitchen towels from the rack near the sink.
A searing pain shot through her left eye causing Taka to gasp and she dropped the towels as both hands covered the left side of her face. It soon faded but Taka still kept her hands over her eye. She turned toward the metal pot on the stove and slowly walked towards it. Lowering her hands, Taka looked at her reflection.
"No…"
--
"Not bad," Gaara said before putting another spoonful of vanilla ice cream in his mouth. "But shouldn't we have waited until after supper for this?"
"I tell that to the kids all the time when they show up just before suppertime without their parents," said the vendor. "Especially to Naruto. Poor kid."
Naruto paused at the mention of his name; fortunately he had his spoon in his mouth so it looked like he was just really enjoying his ice cream.
"Why do you say that?" Gaara decided to ask.
The vendor shook his head sadly. "Most of the adults here never really liked him because of Kyuubi. Me, I feel sorry for what happened to him. It wasn't his choice. No one should be robbed of that."
"Not many people would agree with you," the redhead said slowly.
"They didn't know him the way I did. They didn't give the poor kid a chance just immediately thought him to be the nine-tailed fox but in human form." The vendor sighed deeply. "That boy would come in here and tell me about his dream to be hokage. Kinda reminds me of the 4th hokage somewhat. Good man."
The disguised blonde smiled as he slowly took another spoonful. Not everyone hates me. He, understands me, he thought to himself. This man and his store was another reason to protect this village. Gaara looked at him and smiled ever so lightly. There were decent people here after all.
A loud rumble was heard just outside the ice cream shop. Just about everyone inside quickly rushed to the windows and even outside, including the two boys and vendor but what they saw shocked them.
Kakashi didn't have time as the largest of his ninja dogs slammed into him, knocking him to the ground. Pushing the animal off he watched as the rest tried attacking her. Hidama growled and snarled at the dogs, making some stop dead in their tracks with tails curling between their legs but those that ignored her growls were kicked or found their capes pinned to the ground with shurikens.
"This fight is between you and me, Copycat," she said coldly. "Leave your dogs out of it."
He merely held his kunai ready. "You said any means necessary," he countered.
"I did. I just don't like dogs," she smirked. Several poofs were seen as the nin-dogs vanished but standing in her place was the scroll he had used to summon them, a kunai piercing it. But if that was his scroll they why hadn't the largest of his dogs vanished like the others? The answer came when the transformation jutsu was released to reveal Hidama. Moving in the blink of an eye she had his arm twisted far up behind his back, her other arm around his neck, and was already forcing him down on his knees.
"But it doesn't mean I won't use them to my advantage."
"What the hell?" The vendor couldn't believe his eyes.
"He really must have pissed her off," Naruto whispered to Gaara.
The red-head nodded. "I'm curious as to what he did but I think we should take advantage of this distraction and get back."
Agreeing with the kazekage, Naruto slid off the stool as Gaara left enough money for the ice cream. They picked up the bags and started back to their lodgings. A dark chill went through both of them and they dropped the bags, turning towards the east wall.
At the same moment, Hidama released Kakashi. As the jounin caught his breath, he looked at the pale woman. Noticing the expression on her face, Kakashi knew that something was wrong.
"What is it?" he asked, temporarily forgetting their bet.
"They're here," said Hidama.
There was no need to ask who they were. "Where?" he asked.
"East. Not enough time to run and warn that idiot woman." Growling she bit the tip of her index finger and quickly drew a symbol he had never seen before on the ground. Slapping her hand on it the image glowed. In a swirl of energy a form began to take shape of a silver fox about the size of miniature pony with three lush tails. "Warn Iruka and stay with him no matter what. If he goes to the school make sure you help him protect the children as well."
"Right." It bowed its head and ran off, almost flying on four legs. Normally Kakashi would have loved to have learned that move but now was not the time for new techniques. Both ninjas ran to the east border, moving as fast as they could.
The war was already beginning.
--
It all seemed to happen so fast and so slow at the same time. Ninjas wearing brown and black outfits with a seven-pointed star embroided on the upper right sleeves jumped over the east wall. They attacked anyone they crossed; man, woman, child--ages didn't matter.
Taka fought to keep her breathing under control and not to freak. It was them. The ones who attacked her home and destroyed her life. The same ones who now hunted for Kyuubi's holder.
Naruto!
Taka immediately bolted from her hiding spot and started running through the streets. She ran the places that Naruto and Gaara might have passed to get the ingredients through her mind. It didn't take too long as she arrived near the ice cream shop and found both Naruto and Gaara directing people away from the oncoming attackers.
"Gaara! Naruto!" she called out to them. She knew she had used Naruto's real name but with the current situation on hand, it was doubtful that anyone caught it.
"Taka!" Naruto went over to her and stopped. Her eye…it's all red and just the pupil…
Knowing what had caused his sudden pause, Taka turned her head slightly to the left. "Nevermind it, I'll explain later. You two have to get out of here!"
"But we need to help the villagers!" he protested.
"I'll help them just go now!"
Gaara felt something and summoned a wall of sand before them. He winced as he felt the weapons bury deep in his barrier.
"Gaara-"
"Get out of here now!" he growled at him. He dropped the sand but thrust his hands out, the sand beneath their feet rumbling as they tried to suck up the invading ninjas. "Take Taka and go! Now!"
The young man shook his head, trying to keep himself from crying. "I'm not letting you fight these jerks alone! Family sticks together!"
"Family also protects one another." Pale green eyes meet sapphire blue and an understanding passed between them. The kazekage watched as the two of them took off. He quickly summoned more sand barriers to protect the villages of Konoha, putting his own life on the line for them.
--
"Pathetic; how did father and the others fail to eliminate them fifty years ago?"
"You tell me. Any sign of them?"
"Gaara is defending people close to the wall. There's no doubt that he sent Naruto off to protect him."
"Find Naruto. And while you're at it, find her as well."
--
Naruto and Taka sprinted through the alleyways, avoiding the main streets as much as possible. They quickly ducked into a deep doorway just as the enemy ninjas ran past their path.
"Stay down for a bit," Taka whispered, keeping her sight on the entrance to the street.
"Taka," Naruto whispered, "your eye…"
She reached up, her fingertips touching just below her left eye. "From the attack five years ago," Taka began, "it was just after my seventeenth birthday. I was the only survivor."
"Because we wanted you to live, pet."
Gasping, the hiding duo looked up and saw a person standing on top of the building. Taka grabbed Naruto's arm and bolted from the alley, which only led them into a waiting trap of over twenty members dressed in the dark clothing of the Shadow of the Fallen Moon Clan.
The one who had spoken to them landed on the ground and emerged from the alley. She looked to be in her thirties, had short black and green streaked hair, her dark eyes seem to smolder with the thrill of what was happening in the village. Taka continued to hold onto Naruto's hand and he could feel the fear in her grip.
"We finally found you, pet," the woman smiled, "and with Kyuubi's holder. What a wonderful day this is for us."
So much for disguises, he thought bitterly. "Why are you attacking my village?" he asked angrily.
"Why for you of course," the woman smirked. "But it was such a plus to find that she was here with you this entire time."
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"You mean she hasn't told you?" the woman blinked then laughed but it was a chilling laughter that raced down his spine. "Taka, keeping secrets from your new friends? For shame!"
"I've had enough of this!" The young man pulled his hand from Taka's, performing the seals from memory but he never noticed his shadow twisting behind him. "Shadow Clone-" His body froze as he felt something sharp dig into the back of his shoulders. It hurt and he felt nearly all feeling go out of his arms.
No Face laughed as he pulled his weapons out, letting the boy fall to the ground. "Silly fox. You were much too slow. Don't worry; you won't lose your arms or your life--yet."
"Leave him alone!" Taka yelled.
"I'd watch that tone of yours, girl," No-Face snapped.
"No, Sovan, let her temper flare," the woman smirked. "I want to see what if she's still capable of what she did five years ago."
"Not funny, Diavna," No-Face snarled.
Diavna smiled at Taka. "You don't remember, do you? Allow me to remind you then!" She charged at Taka, slamming her right elbow into Taka's left eye.
Taka let out a blood-curtailing scream and dropped to her knees, her breath now hard gasps and both hands covered her face.
"Taka!" Naruto cried out. He felt so helpless.
After a few moments, Taka's breathing steadied and she lowered her hands.
"Taka…" Naruto whispered. He could still see her face and to his horror, Taka's right eye mirrored her left.
Kyuubi shifted.
"Stand up, pet," Diavna ordered, "and destroy those who destroyed your family. Take revenge on those in Konoha."
Slowly, Taka rose to her feet and looked at Diavna with a blank expression. She lashed out at the older woman, grabbing her right wrist and squeezed until the somewhat muffled snap of the bones breaking was heard. Taka released the screaming woman and turned to No-Face.
"What are you doing!" he shouted, the other ninjas slowly backing away.
Taka remained silent but she lunged at him. Her eyes took on the intent to destroy.
"T-Taka! Stop!" Naruto shouted, trying to pull himself up but he couldn't use his arms.
No Face, otherwise known as Sovan, cursed and turned to run but he never got the chance. His eyes went wide as he looked down at the fist protruding from his chest. He coughed, blood slipping over his invisible lips even as the fist withdrew. "Why..." he asked with his dying breathe.
"I. Am. Clanless."
The demon fox strained against the barrier, wanting to be set free. Naruto could feel it and tried to hold it in but he couldn't. No please stop! He cried out but he couldn't stop the change. His wounds felt like there were on fire as they healed over with the fox's charka, his blue eyes turn crimson, pupils going slitted. Diavna watched in horror as the boy lunged at her, nails turned into claws dug themselves into her shoulders but her eyes widen as his sharp fangs tore out her throat.
Over the entire village twin howls of rage pierced the night sky.
--
Hidama and Kakashi stood back to back as more Fallen Moon ninjas continued to attack them.
"You sure know how to make quick work of them," Kakashi said as his hounds charged.
"I've done this before," Hidama answered.
Everyone paused as two howls rang throughout Konoha.
Kakashi's eye widened. "Kyuubi… but that other one-"
"It can't be…" Hidama whispered. "They didn't…"
After the howling stopped came the bellow of a deep horn. One by one and very quickly, the Shadow of the Fallen Moon disappeared from whence they came.
Hidama immediately took off over the rooftops in the direction of the howls with Kakashi trailing behind her. She dropped down into an alley and peeked out just as Kakashi landed and joined her.
Naruto and Taka were kneeling in the middle of a ring of dead bodies, facing each other. Kakashi saw their eyes and panic surged through his body.
Kyuubi is loose, he thought, but what happened to Taka?
His shock only escalated as Taka then slowly licked Naruto's jaw. The former blond closed his eyes and let out a groan of satisfaction as he gripped her upper arms.
Quietly, Hidama removed two darts from her sleeve and threw them. The darts hit Naruto and Taka's upper arms causing them to hiss and glare at Hidama. It was only for a brief moment, and then they fell to the ground.
Kakashi followed Hidama as she walked over to the unconscious forms. He looked at Naruto, and then to Taka. "What is she?"
Hidama just continued to look at the sleeping woman. "A failed experiment."
--
Tsunande couldn't believe what had happened to her village. So many innocent people dead and all because of that damn Fallen Moon clan. She looked back at her two patients. When Hidama and Kakashi returned with Taka and Naruto she went to help them but was nearly assaulted when the pale woman snapped at her to stay away. She wouldn't allow anyone near them despite them being medics. All she knew was that that seal on the blonde's stomach was glowing, as if almost breaking.
Gaara looked at his brother but Hidama refused for him to get any closer. "Mother, what happened? Why do they reek of blood?" he asked in a strained voice.
"Kyuubi was released, pup. But this time, it was triggered."
"What do you mean?"
"Taka has the blood of Kyuubi flowing in her veins." She silently looked at the sleeping pair. "If I hadn't stopped them-"
"There wouldn't be a village left to protect," Kakashi said quietly. He walked over to the woman and looked her in the eyes before grabbing her shoulders tightly. For a moment, he saw a look of fear flash in her eyes but it was replaced with anger at being touched. "Hidama," he said softly, startling her by the almost gentle tone, "tell us, what's happening to them?"
"How old is Taka?" Hidama asked.
"Twenty-two, I think," Gaara answered. "She never told me when her birthday is."
"And Naruto?"
"He'll be nineteen in a few weeks," said Tsunade.
Hidama looked at Kakashi. "Remember how they were acting in the street, and think of your book I burned."
Kakashi frowned for a moment then his eye widened with a slightly disturbed expression. "You mean they were… in the street!"
Hidama nodded.
"Ew," Tsunade wrinkled her nose.
"And the reason they almost did is because?" Gaara looked disturbed himself at the revelation.
"Kyuubi connects them," Hidama sighed. "His blood is within Taka while his soul is inside Naruto. By every right, Taka is Naruto's mate."
"But how did Kyuubi's blood get inside Taka?" Tsunade asked.
Kakashi looked at Hidama. "You called her 'a failed experiment'. What exactly did you mean by that?"
"It was something the Fallen Moon Clan had been planning for a while," Hidama started. "They wanted to become more powerful so they decided to use the blood of the demons to strengthen the clan. Taka must be the child of the experiment. We'll ask her when she wakes up."
Gaara slowly shook his head, eyes closing tightly. "How could I have not known this? I should have been able to sense Kyuubi out."
"No, you couldn't. I can barely feel his powers within her so apparently this was done not too long ago. Even if you still retained all of badger's powers you still wouldn't have known," she looked at him. "They thought they would have an edge on containing the lord of all the tailed beasts."
"It failed then," the blonde frowned.
"Of course it failed! You want to know the reason he attacked your precious village in the first place? Because one of your damn shinobi tried to trap him to steal his power and status," Hidama snarled angrily. The smell of blood was beginning to get a bit much. "I know all about Orochimaru and his attempts at immortality but answer me this, of all the countries and all the villages, who would a fox--demon or not--attack Konoha? Why attack a hidden village of elite ninjas?"
The big busted woman blinked and backed off, swallowing the fear at what she saw in the other woman's eyes. "How… how do you know what you know?" Tsunade asked softly.
Slowly the pale beauty reached into her hip pouch and held out a small leather bound book. She wordlessly opened it and revealed old photos but on several pages were the very photos of the four previous hokages, each one seeming casual and at ease, as if they were an ordinary person. Hidama was also in the photos, looking just as casual. She hadn't aged a single day.
"I've been with this village since before the beginning," she whispered, "I swore my allegiance to each of them when they became hokage and made a pact with each of them but I am not part of this village or any other village." Her eyes darted to her adopted son. "Except through my kit." She looked up at he kazekage and smiled at him tenderly. "And my pup." But her motherly demeanor dropped when she whirled at Tsunande. "But I will never swear my allegiance to an old bitch who refuses to accept her age with grace and dignity like everyone else, even if you are one of the best medics around."
Tsunande's face turned red with anger. "You know nothing about me, about why I chose to do this."
Hidama scoffed and turned to Gaara. "We leave the moment they wake up." She focused her gaze on Kakashi, who had moved to the other side of the room. "And you're coming as well."
Kakashi looked surprised--more at the fact that he was going with them rather than being ordered. "As you say."
"Clean the blood off Naruto," Hidama pulled the curtains around Taka's bed. "I'll take care of Taka."
"Listen you-" Tsunande made to give the woman a piece of her mind but nearly hit the floor when she felt her feet become rooted to the ground. Sand was wrapped tightly around her ankles, keeping her firmly on one spot.
"I suggest you leave," Gaara said calmly but in the same tone his 'mother' used. Frowning, she left with a huff.
--
Iruka sighed as he eased himself onto his chair. When the attack came he ignored the doctors and was heading to the school but by the time he reached the doors he was intercepted by a large animal. He made to attack but something about it made him stop. Now he was glad. He sighed and rubbed at the scar that crossed over his nose. "At least the children are safe," he said softly.
"You are not fully healed yet you helped protect the next generation," the fox replied as she sat next to him. "You are a true hero among your kind, Iruka-san."
He smiled at her a bit sheepishly. It wasn't everyday one was given praise from an animal. "Glad you think so but I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I just sat back. It's just the way I am."
The fox studied him and gently rested her head on his knee. "Mother was right to leave the kit with you." She seemed to purr when she felt his hand gently scratch behind her ears, liking the feel of his fingers running through her fur. When they had heard the howls Iruka had thought the worse. He thought that Kyuubi had come to extract revenge against the village but the silver fox kept him from running off. She helped him and the other teachers to protect the children but she refused to leave his side.
Something doesn't feel right, he thought to himself, still absently petting the large animal at his side. Why attack then leave so suddenly? Is Naruto okay?
The fox raised her head and quirked her ears. "Mother calls me. I must leave."
"Naruto? Is he alright?" Iruka asked. Ever since he heard the howling, the teacher's heart had sunk.
"He is asleep right now but fairing well despite Kyuubi's release." The fox paused. "Interesting."
"What's interesting?"
"It seems that Kyuubi has given Naruto a gift."
Iruka frowned and was about to ask what she meant but the fox took off out the window.
The fox moved silently, her footfalls landing silently on the ground. No one noticed her but those that did could only see a flash of white. She arrived at the Hokage's Tower but she didn't stop. She jumped onto a windowsill and began to leap from one sill to another, gaining altitude until she came to an open window and landed easily. Gaara and Kakashi looked at her in surprise but Hidama didn't notice as she washed her hands clean. The fox silently sat behind her, her three tails swishing silently.
"Mother." The ninja finally turned and looked down at her. "Iruka-san and the children are safe."
"Good girl. Return." Nodding the fox glowed and vanished like mist.
Taka groaned and slowly placed her hands over her face. "Ow…"
The kazekage walked over to her bed. "Taka."
"Gaara?" she asked hoarsely and lowered her hands. The young woman frowned for a moment as she continued to stare at the ceiling. Then her face relaxed into a depressed expression.
Gaara slowly waved his hand above her and his eyes widened as he noticed that both of Taka's eyes were discolored.
She's blind…
Authors' Notes:
Janime: Hello again! Nice chapter wasn't it?
Shadow: Indeedy. Man, I can't believe that you had Naruto and Taka-
Janime: Hidama stopped them.
Shadow: True. Good thing Jiraiya wasn't around. He'd be there with a sketchbook.
Janime: Or a bag of popcorn.
Shadow: As you can see, this chapter had more action in it.
Janime: We're finally getting into the thick plot of this fic.
Shadow: And I bet you're all wondering how Taka has the blood of Kyuubi in her views.
Janime: You'll find out soon enough but trust us; the Shadow of the Fallen Moon clan has more coming.
Shadow: See you next chapter!