"Guilty Until Innocent"
By: Shadow and Janime
Hidama wasn't happy. Of all her years no one had ever beaten her--not even Kazuo--but the Copy Hound achieved that feat. Using the same trick she had used on him back in Konoha he had transformed into her kit and asked if he could talk to her in private. With her guard down he held his kunai at her throat and released the jutsu, smiling behind his mask. She was mildly thankful that they had been alone so no one could see her humiliation. As for the bet, he asked who she was. They stood atop the cliff under the shade of a tree, the same tree she and her two young students had used when they had been studying the boys down below.
"Hidama isn't my real name, it was given to me by a monk who saved my life," she began without looking at him. "To make the long story short, I was once captured and forced to work in a slave ring. Every second I was there I was raped physically, mentally, and emotionally. I had hoped for a long time that my lover would come and save me, that the nightmare would end but he never came. When I heard that bastard had died something inside just snapped. The slave traders couldn't control me any longer and so, they decided to eliminate me. In that instant I knew what death felt like and I welcomed it with open arms."
"However, my hatred for those that used me forced me to continue living so I made a promise that I would never rest until each and every one of those bastards was dead; but I was too weak to support myself much less extract my vengeance. Imagine my sheer surprise when a monk found me, and offered to help me. I didn't trust him, I didn't trust anyone but he made a blood oath to never harm me. I accepted."
"I stayed with him for a long time, letting my body heal but also learning every fighting technique I could get my hands on. The monk taught me to meditate, to focus my mind and calm my rage. I was stubborn but I learned so I wouldn't be ruled by my emotions yet it wasn't enough. He introduced me to two brothers to help me further my skills. As with the monk I refused to trust them but they only wanted to help. Finally, after several long and tiring months--almost years--I was ready. I hunted the slave ring down and made sure it would never surface again." She paused as she leaned against the tree, closing her eyes for a moment. What she didn't mention was she had help in bringing the slave ring down but she didn't have to tell him that.
Kakashi listened silently and patiently, slowly putting the pieces together. "What led you to Konoha?" he asked.
"The brothers I mentioned, were the 1st and 2nd hokages of Konoha," she answered simply. His uncovered eye went wide.
"Are you serious?"
"You were there when I went to pay my respect to them several days ago. It's also where I got this." She held up her right arm, the bright sunlight reflecting off the arm guard. "Through them I learned about jutsus, charka, and seals."
"I see… but why do you continue to wear it? Sentimental value?"
"No." Looking at him she slowly undid the strap and held her arm out to him. The skin was much paler than the rest of her body but what made the elite jounin ill was the deformity of the area which it covered. The skin was pulled taunt, ugly scars marring the flesh. He slowly approached her and took her wrist into his hands. She jerked and made to pull her arm back but he held it firmly yet gently. Lightly he ran his fingers over the wrist's joints, tracing the deformed bones and noticing that with even the lightest of touches she flinched. He looked into her eyes, noting that there was pain and fear in the pale depths.
"Your wrist was shattered," he stated. She could only nod.
"I was caught so easily because I had fallen into a steel bear-trap. Of course the slavers didn't care to treat it. I tried to set the bones but each time they wanted to 'play' (she seemed to growl over the word) they used this as a means to make me submit. Infection quickly set in, making it worse and before I knew it, my hand was useless. How could I possibly fight with a stump for a hand?"
"You can still feel though," he pointed out, gently turning her wrist over to trace the ugly scars and puncture marks. He grasped her forearm when she tried to pull away from him once more.
"The nerves managed to stay alive just don't ask me how," she hissed in slight pain. "Even with the infection gone and my bones finally beginning to knit, the damage was done. There's no way to reset the bones and any possible surgery to fix it was pointless. My nerves were warped as well, making them highly sensitive to even the lightest of touches. The guard was made with a seal engraved into the metal. As long as I wear it the seal blocks the nerves, letting me use my hand like normal but if the guard is ever removed or damaged-"
"It becomes useless, a dead weight," he finished and pulled the wrist guard on but even so he didn't release her hand. "You stayed here in Konoha, sometimes leaving to complete missions but not once did you ever apply for citizenship or join the ranks of the elite. When Kyuubi attacked you were there and when no one wanted Naruto you took him in." He looked up at her and stepped closer. He saw the fear increase in her eyes but before she could push him away with her other hand he caught it. Now she was trapped. He smiled behind his mask.
She frowned at him, not liking the look he was giving her. "What are you thinking?" she asked coolly.
"I beat you again. We still have our bet, you know," he grinned.
Hidama growled but sighed, looking to the side. "Fine. Ask your question already."
"It's not a question. More like a request." He released her hands but didn't move back, slowly reaching up to pull down his mask.
"What are you-" When she turned to face him she had a very brief glimpse of his face, noticing a scar running from his covered eye to stop at the top of his cheek before he leaned forward and kissed her directly on the lips. Her eyes went wide and she quickly made to punch him but his hands caught hers once more, pressing her into the tree with his body. This, was something she would have never expected!
Kakashi slowly pulled away, and Hidama was shocked to feel disappointment at the loss.
"I am a hound, after all," he smiled.
"So you can tell when a bitch is in heat?"
"You are not a bitch, Hidama," Kakashi released her hands and set his palms flat against the tree trunk on either side of her head.
Hidama looked at his face, finding the same sincerity and compassion the monk and the two hokages' had given her. "So you've beaten me again. Your next question."
"I don't suppose it would be too much to ask if you could teach me the 'pointers' you said you'd show Jiraiya."
Hidama raised a slim, pale eyebrow and for a moment, Kakashi wasn't sure if he would live to see supper until she grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled his lips down onto hers for a searing kiss. He gave in, letting Hidama have the control over him and to be truthful, Kakashi was thoroughly enjoying it.
When they broke apart, Hidama smiled seductively at him. "That was the prerequisite," she said, "Do you think you can make it through the first class?"
"Teach me, sensei," Kakashi answered.
She just continued smiling as she pulled him down for another searing kiss. He removed his hands only to have one stroke the back of her neck, burying his fingers in her silky hair, the other wrapping around her slim waist to hold her tightly to his lean body. He echoed her moan of pleasure as her arms wrapped around him just as tightly. As much as they wanted to continue the lesson here and now it would be too much of a risk in being found out.
Ninjutsu: Konoha Shunshin no Jutsu, the silver haired sharingan user whispered in his mind and concentrated. Normally for this kind of jutsu (and many others) to work he would have had to have said it out loud but he didn't want to interrupt the lesson.
A wind began to pick up around them, taking the form of leaves. He felt the woman in his arms shift but didn't push him away. His tightened his arms as he felt the jutsu working. Had anyone been watching all they would have seen a swirl of leaves surrounding the two, moving faster and faster until they stopped. The two ninjas vanished from the spot only to appear in Hidama's loft, silently falling onto the large bed.
--
Kankurou sighed as he looked out the window, scratching his head. The black hood he normally wore was down but he continued to wear the red face paint. It was a habit for him to put it on each time we woke up. "I don't like this. The Fallen Moon obviously want that nine-tailed fox so why haven't they tried to attack us?" he asked.
Temari frowned at him from her spot. "It sounds like you want them to attack Suna," she said tensely.
"You know I don't mean that," he snapped. "These guys are smart, they're not gonna rush in headfirst like those we've gone against in the past. All this waiting is making me--jumpy."
Gaara knew what he meant because he could feel it as well. Something felt very wrong but he wasn't sure what exactly it could be. He didn't like waiting either but right now they had no choice.
"Lord Gaara! Lord Gaara!"
The kazekage looked at the doorway as Minoru raced into the room.
"Forgive me, kazekage," he panted, "but I found a man unconscious just outside the village. His forehead protector had the same symbol Naruto's did."
Gaara's eyes widened slightly. "Where is he?"
"I brought him to the hospital. Teijo is taking care of him."
"I'll be there shortly. Kankurou, come with me. Temari, go find Kakashi and Hidama. See if you can find Naruto and Taka as well."
Minoru wanted to laugh at that, but gave the kazekage a somewhat tired expression from the running he did from the hospital to the tower after dragging Iruka into the village.
The two young adults didn't question their younger brother. Right now he was the kazekage and the village and those within and even outside the walls came first. The blonde woman jumped out the window, unfolding her large fan and easily glided on the air currents, heading in the direction of Hidama's loft. Even when the woman left Gaara refused to let anyone else move in and made sure it was at least cleaned once in a while. Temari couldn't help but feel a bit jealous.
Gaara is more open and relaxed around her then me and Kankurou even now, she thought as she raced down the street. Shaking her head she located the building and landed only to run up the stairs. Coming to the door she pounded on it, hoping she was inside. "Hidama! It's me, Temari!" Without warning she slammed the front door open and raced to the bedroom, throwing that door open as well. "We have trou-"
She immediately slammed it shut and backed away, her face turning an interesting bright red. Did I just see-!
The door opened slowly, revealing Hidama as she buttoned a hastily thrown on shirt. She didn't seem embarrassed but she did seem a bit miffed at being interrupted. "What's wrong?" she asked.
"Uh-" Blinking Temari quickly shook her head and took a deep breathe. "Minoru found a man outside the village. He said that he's unconscious but his forehead protector says he's from Konoha." She nodded as Hidama's eyes went wide. "Gaara and Kankurou went to the hospital; I was sent to get you. I have to look for Naruto and Taka next."
"Go on then, we'll meet you at the hospital." Watching the blonde kunoichi leave she closed the door and looked at her lover. "You heard?"
Kakashi nodded as he pulled his pants on, followed by the rest of his clothes. "And I can think of only one person right now who would come all the way out here. I'm just surprised Tsunade let him come alone," he answered.
"She needs every available ANBU to guard Konoha in case the Fallen Moon decide to do another invasion." They dressed quickly, not caring that their clothes were slightly wrinkled but as Hidama grabbed her sword she felt Kakashi pull her close. "We have to go now."
"I know a faster way. Ninjutsu: Konoha Shunshin no Jutsu!" As before a swirl of leaves surrounded them and in a blink of an eye, found themselves in the hospital room, startling more than one person in the room. It wasn't just the sudden entrance but their appearance as well that surprised everyone: Hidama's snow white hair was in a loose wave hitting the floor instead of it's usual braid, and Kakashi was pulling his mask over the lower part of his face, adjusting his forehead protector so it hide his left eye.
"Iruka!" Said teacher was lying on the bed, breathing shallow as Teijo tried to clean the sand from the still healing wounds.
"He's alright," said Teijo. "His wounds have mostly healed so there wasn't too much damage. His left side took a huge blow--which may take a while to heal again. Good thing you found him when you did, Minoru."
The apprentice nodded as he handed Teijo fresh linen.
Iruka groaned and slowly opened his eyes, keeping up with the ruse he started.
Kakashi stepped closer. "Iruka."
"… Kakashi…" came the weak reply.
"Do you know where you are?" the Copy Hound asked.
"Suna…I left Konoha…to find Naruto…"
At that moment, Temari raced into the room. "I can't find Naruto," she gasped out, "or Taka. No one has seen either of them."
Teijo finished bandaging Iruka's side. "Wasn't Taka still here after Naruto left, Minoru?"
"For a little bit," he answered, "but she left a little while later."
Iruka raised his head and dropped the act. "Are you certain of that, Daaku?"
"Yes, I'm pos-" Minoru's eyes widened at his mistake and immediately bolted for the door. He didn't get far as a wall of sand blocked his path, and then closed around him, keeping only his face visible. It turned him around and the traitor now faced an angry kazekage.
"Where are they?" Gaara demanded.
Minoru chuckled. "You're too late, oh great kazekage. They're back where they belong--with their rightful family."
"Naruto was born from Konoha blood!" Iruka snapped, nearly jumping out of bed but was quickly restrained by Kakashi and Teijo.
"Where are they?" Gaara repeated.
Minoru smirked. "Kill me. Go ahead. You won't gain anything."
Gaara also began to smirk but this sent a dark feeling go through the traitorous boy. He stepped to the side and let Hidama take his place. Hidama said nothing as she reached out, placing her right hand over the boy's eyes.
Minoru's mouth opened in a silent scream. A few moments later, Hidama removed her hand and everyone saw the horrified look on Minoru's face. Hidama just looked at him. "Start talking."
"Naruto's mother… was a newborn when the Shadow of the Fallen Moon Clan was attacked by the other clans," Minoru began. "She was taken back to Konoha, and through the years the ones that knew kept watch over her. That is how we learned about how Kyuubi was sealed inside Naruto."
"And Taka?" Hidama asked. "How did Kyuubi's blood get into her?"
"Her grandmother's brother is our lord. He was the one who injected Kyuubi's blood into Taka's mother when she was still in gestation. Our dream…" Minoru looked at them with a psychotic smile, "is to have Kyuubi born as a human."
Everyone's eyes went wide at this bit of information. Gaara couldn't believe they would use his friends like that but if Kyuubi was removed then it would more than likely kill the hyperactive blonde. Hidama narrowed her eyes but her hand was clenched tightly. "Where is the Fallen Moon located?" she asked coldly.
His gaze shifted to her but he continued smirking. "Even if you torture me I'll never tell you anything." However, he didn't like the smirk that appeared on her face as she reached up to hold his chin in her hand.
"I have no problem with the torture part." She held his eyes, watching the fear build rapidly and let her true self slowly take over. Her pupils became slitted, the icy depths nearly glowing, nails growing longer so they pierced his skin but that wasn't her main intent. Minoru began to tremble and blinked but he found himself in a dark room, all alone.
"W-What is this?" he asked, his question echoing loudly all around him.
"You betrayed my pup's trust. You kidnapped my kit. You betrayed and kidnapped my friend. You also plan on forcing Kyuubi to be reborn as a mortal," the woman's voice echoed but with it carried a blast of cold air. He shivered and looked around but soon found himself unable to move. Looking down he found what looked like tentacles wrapped around his legs, keeping him in place. He found pale blue eyes looking at him, a vicious growl piercing the darkness.
"You should die but first, I'll make you beg for death!" The last thing he saw was a sleek white fox lunging at him, multiple tails fluttering behind her, fangs bared as her claws tore into him. He screamed in pain and terror.
The young man silently fell to the floor, his eyes glassy and his mouth slightly open but he was still alive by the shallow breathing. Hidama squeezed her eyes shut and backed up, pinching the bridge of her nose. She actually lost her balance but felt sand support her followed by arms.
Gaara quickly caught her and held onto her even after she regained her footing, worry evident in his eyes. He saw the Konoha jounin also move to help her but stopped. "Mother?" he asked softly.
"I'm fine, but he'll never harm anyone again," she explained, squeezing his shoulder to show she was alright. It was a reckless thing to do but no one harmed her family and got away without paying the price. "We have to stop them though. If their plan succeeds, more than one person will die."
--
Naruto sat in the cell he had been thrown in. Fortunately, the bindings had been removed and he was glad for the circulation to his hands again. He sighed, looking through the bars that separated his cell and Taka's. She hadn't moved an inch since the guard placed her on the floor. Naruto didn't like the way the guard had looked at her either, and only backed off when Naruto growled at him.
The Shadow of the Fallen Moon Clan lived inside a mountain. Naruto couldn't believe it when they arrived. There was a small village (if it could be called that) before the hidden entrance to the village itself.
When the leader of the group announced the capture of Naruto and Taka, the people were cheering and howling. Naruto had caught a quick look at two men standing on a ridge that had been cut out in the mountain side. They were wearing very decorative outfits--the bald one's outfit was more elaborate so Naruto guessed that he was the leader of the clan. The other man was probably something along the lines of an elite, judging by the sword and the scars on his face.
Naruto's stomach growled and he sighed. There weren't any windows so he could only assume it was suppertime. Groaning from the next cell caught his ears, and the occupant moved slightly. Naruto crawled over to the bars. "Taka?"
"Naruto…?" she raised herself slightly. "What's the sun's position?"
"I don't know. I'm guessing it's gonna be evening soon--I'm hungry."
"Heh, I'm not surprised." Taka slowly dragged herself over to Naruto.
"Watch for the bars," he said and gently too her hand. "You okay?"
Taka remained silent for a bit. "Minoru betrayed us."
"I know," Naruto said quietly. "Iruka came to Suna. They must have caught him right outside the village. They used him and you to get to me."
"Naruto," Taka shut her eyes, "I'm so sorry."
"It's not your fault," Naruto touched her cheek. "I'm just glad you're okay." And when I see Minoru, he's dead.
She reached up and held his hand, gracing him with a small smile. We have to get out of here. Whatever they're planning I know for a fact that neither of us will like it.
Smiling the blonde slowly withdrew his hand and looked around. "I think I can break us out of here."
She blinked. "Are you positive? I mean I know Kyuubi resides inside you but..." He chuckled and she had the impression he was grinning at her.
"Trust me. I can get us out and we can head back to Suna and tell everyone where these bastards are located!"
"Sounds like a plan but I think we should wait." She lifted her head sharply when she heard something. "Shh I think I hear someone coming!" she whispered, hoping that whoever it was hadn't heard anything.
Naruto remained on guard as he watched four men arrive: two guards each carrying a covered tray, and the two men Naruto had seen on the ridge.
"Uzumaki Naruto and Mori Taka," the bald man said with a smile. "Welcome-"
"Up yours," Naruto snapped.
"Watch your tongue!" the other man narrowed his eyes.
The bald man chuckled. "Now, now, Goro, I'm certain it's just the recent events getting the better of him." He turned to Taka. "Ah, Taka, you look exactly like Komeko."
Taka froze. My grandmother…
"Yes, you are indeed the spitting image of my little sister."
Great gods of jutsu! Naruto thought. Taka's related to this guy!
"Hmph," Taka shifted her sitting position, "so you're the one who injected Kyuubi's blood into my mother when she was still in the womb." Her face darkened and she sent a look of hatred to her so-called great-uncle. "How could you do such a thing to an unborn child--let alone your own niece?"
"You should be pleased, my dear child. Do you realize how many have failed our experiments? We were quite pleased to find out that your mother survived the full term instead of coming out a still born and for you to survive, well that it another success," he grinned.
"She died giving birth to me!" Taka couldn't help but yell at him. "She died just like my grandmother died! You killed my family!" He chuckled as if it didn't matter. "What's so funny?"
"I wasn't the only that killed your family five years ago," he said, throwing it in her face. He smirked when she went pale and looked away. "What is your excuse, Taka?"
"Shut the hell up, you asshole!" Naruto yelled at him, his arms shaking as he grabbed the bars in an unyielding grip. "I know you want Kyuubi but there is no way I'm giving him up to you or anyone else! Better people like you have tried and guess what?" He gave them a grin that would have sent the strongest of men begging for their lives as he felt the fox's power practically begging to be released. "They're all dead. And I can already promise that you and everyone in this mountain will be dead before the week is out."
Goro moved up the cage and with a well-placed punch, managed to send the blonde back a few feet. He looked at him with disgust in his eyes but he couldn't help but notice how the skin surrounding his knuckles has been nearly burned away. "To think, I'm related to such a brat."
All the rage left him like water in a bottom less jug before filling up once more. "What the hell are you talking about? I'm from Konoha!"
"Your parents never told you? Oh yes, your mother died in childbirth." He chuckled as he stepped back. "I always knew my daughter was too weak to do anything right."
"That's enough, Goro. Relax, enjoy your meals and our quaint hospitality for you two will be here for a while." Laughing the bald man turned and left, followed by Goro and the ninjas that had brought their food. The heavy door slammed shut followed by the click of the lock. Neither said anything, ignoring the food set before their cells but their words resounded through their minds.
That asshole... he knew about mom... he said that, she was his daughter... does that mean, she came from this clan? the young man asked himself but quickly shook his head. I don't care where she came from I know she was a good woman; she gave up her life so I could be born! I'm a ninja from Konoha and one day, I'll become hokage!
"Naruto?"
He looked at Taka.
"If what they said is true and we are from the same clan," she turned to face him, "then we are from the Seventh Moon Clan. They are the ones who destroyed our family."
Naruto walked over to the bars and knelt down. "The Seventh Moon."
They reached through the bars and despite the uncomfortable feeling from the vertical metal rods, hugged each other. Naruto breathed in her scent--Taka smelled like the river that ran near Konoha mixed with the morning sunlight.
His stomach growled and they both chuckled. "Is that all you can think about?" Taka asked, and then her stomach also made a noise.
"You were saying?" Naruto grinned. He looked over at the two trays. "I think I can get yours."
"As long as you promise not to eat them both," she teased.
He gave her a mock growl as he reached. Just a bit out of his reach but he managed and dragged the trays towards them. He looked at the food questionably. "I don't think they'd poison us so soon," he spoke up.
"If we're going to escape tonight we need to eat to regain our energy," she replied, managed to pull the plate between the bars without spilling too much. "At least it's edible."
"Still wish it was ramen." He followed suit. Both were quiet as they ate, sensing nothing out of the ordinary.
After they finished their meal, they put the trays outside the cells.
"Sun's going down," Taka whispered.
"We'll make our move soon," Naruto said in the some level. "Do we really have any idea what we're gonna do once we get out of here?"
"Just make it up as we go," Taka answered.
More time passed and soon Taka was able to see again. She had to be careful if anyone came to visit them. So far it seemed they believed she was blind completely. Minoru hadn't been in the room when she told Gaara she was able to see at night, but still there was always a chance.
Footsteps echoed towards them, and the guard who had placed Taka in her cell appeared. "Nice to see you again," he smirked at Taka.
"I think just this one time I'll consider myself lucky to be blind," she replied and Naruto snickered.
The guard snorted then unlocked Taka's cell. "Maybe you shouldn't," he said and closed the metal door behind him.
"Hey! Get out of there!" Naruto shouted. Taka may have regained her sight but he still didn't want this creep anywhere near her.
The guard only smiled and silently walked towards Taka, who had now braced herself against the wall across from the bars separating the two cells. She kept her eyes staring straight ahead, not focusing on anything as if she was still blind.
When the guard came close and reached out to grab hold of her arm, Taka immediately spun and kicked the guard into the adjacent wall. He hit the stone wall hard, and staggered as he tried to shake the daze, but Taka ran up behind him and put him in a chokehold.
"Makes you wonder what being blind is," she said, and jerked tightened her arms until she heard the snap of his neck breaking. Dropping the corpse, Taka then retrieved the keys and opened her cell door.
Naruto sighed in relief as Taka opened his cell. "Oh man, I started freaking when he went into your cell."
"I won't like but I was getting nervous as well." Tossing the keys down she gave him a weak smile. "But there's no way I was going to just sit back and be violated by the likes of him."
The brunette grinned but grew serious. They had to act fast. "Stand back. I'm gonna make us a door." Facing the rocky wall he concentrated, tapping into Kyuubi's chakra. It was going to take a while to build up the energy to perform the Rasengan but he didn't want to give away what they were doing if he summoned a clone to help out. The energy swirled, growing between his palms but the more chakra he threw into it the faster it swirled. The winds grew, being sucked into the swirling vortex. Faster and faster, he felt the power begin to tear up the skin of his hands and fingers but he didn't care. With a deep growl he launched it at the wall.
Taka could only stare wide-eyed, watching as the swirling sphere grew faster even once it was unleashed. She almost expected it to faded away once it hit the wall but it continued swirling, burying itself into the wall. She had expected a explosion but the attack was actually growing! The attack tore a hole, expanding it until finally they could see right through the wall. The sphere finally faded and Naruto fell to his knees. "Naruto!" she went to his side, seeing that he was panting heavily. "Are you okay?"
"Y-Yeah... I had to keep my focus, to make the Rasengan grow and bury through the wall." He grinned at her as she helped him stand; he took her hand and squeezed tightly. "Let's go back to Suna. Back to our friends and family." She just nodded and crawled through the hole. escaping their prison and hopefully, their fate.
--
Ninjas had been spread out but there was still nothing. Kakashi's hounds couldn't find any scents either. Hawks specially trained had been released but so far nothing was found. Hidama growled, her hands forming into tight fists. She wanted to make those bastards pay but first they would have to find them. She ignored the stifling winds of the country, the way the strands of her hair came lose from its hastily done tail. Sighing, she once more pinched the bridge of her nose as another wave of dizziness hit her.
Maybe I should have listened to the pup and gotten their location from that traitor, she thought to herself. She could count on one hand how many times she had used that attack but since it had been an extremely long time since she last did it, it left her distorted. At least this time I didn't need to wash my clothes free from blood.
"Iruka is very pissed off," Kakashi said as he approached Hidama.
"I'm not surprised," she said.
The jounin reached out, gently catching one of the loose locks of pale hair between his fingers. "He also said that no matter what he's coming with us to find Naruto and Taka."
Hidama smiled. "He loves that boy a lot."
"As much as you."
"I should have seen this coming, but I didn't even know that Naruto's birth mother had been brought back to Konoha."
"What would you have done if you did know?" Kakashi asked.
"Probably the same thing. Sometimes I wonder what it would have been like if I had obeyed Kazuo-kun's request before he died."
"Which was?" She slowly turned to look at him, her expression unreadable.
"Take his son away from Konoha. But I couldn't; he had a right to know about his birthplace. About his parents."
Releasing her silky hair he gently pulled her into his arms and held her close, feeling her relax. "You did the right thing."
Hidama just nodded and closed her eyes as she wrapped her arms around him. She hadn't felt this safe for an extremely long time. If she had been with him that day long ago, would he have come to rescue her despite the odds? "He's lucky to have a mentor like you."
He smiled. "Even if I read trashy books?"
She looked up and returned his hidden smile. "As long as he doesn't worship them like you do."
"Read thoroughly, yes," Kakashi touched noses with her, "but I'd rather worship you."
Unknown to the couple, they were being watched. Gaara narrowed his eyes at the sight. He was standing off in the shadows of one of the buildings, thankfully unnoticed. Ever since Hidama and Kakashi had appeared in Iruka's hospital room looking more than disheveled (and Hidama wearing Kakashi's shirt), the kazekage became suspicious.
Plus Temari turning red when either Hidama or Kakashi spoke directly to her, and had a hard time looking at them directly in the face was another signal.
The redhead had never liked the jounin elite, not then and not now. His fox brother often spoke ill of his bad habits such as arriving several hours late to meet his team or reading those perverted books instead of training them. Now he was taking his mother away from him. His hand closed into a fist, feeling the sand react to his anger but he quickly quelled it down so not to draw attention.
He's not worthy, he growled softly. His anger grew when he saw the Hound's hands wrap around Hidama's waist, pulling her close. She didn't protest and even reached up to slowly pull his mask down. He smiled and pressed his lips against hers, running his hand through her hair, letting her wrap her arms around his neck.
Gaara pressed his back against the building, closing his eyes tightly yet he could still picture the two of them holding, kissing, showing affection to one another. I knew I couldn't trust him! he thought angrily, feeling a powerful urge to kill. I will not lose my mother to some dog, elite or not! The sands will turn red if he takes her away.
Authors' Notes:
Shadow: Gaara's not taking this well.
Janime: He better not do anything too drastic.
Shadow: Well... considering his past?
Janime: ...
Shadow: ...
Janime: ... right. Well Taka and Naruto have escaped the Fallen Moon and learned more about their past.
Shadow: Now this means that Taka and Naruto are no longer clan-less.
Janime: True, they have each other.
Shadow: And Kakashi got lucky!
Janime: I'll say! Poor Temari.
Shadow: Better than the Super Pervert himself. Doesn't he have anything better to do?
Janime: Apparently not. I think the only reason Jiraiya wanders around is to peek in the women's public baths.
Shadow: One of these days he's gonna get it.
Janime: Wouldn't that be a sight. Well we have more to come but you know the drill. If you want to find out how this is going to end you have to stay tuned.
Shadow: Tootles!