A/N: Good day/ evening to all of you! I hope you are all doing well! I apologize for the late update, work takes a lot of me and I couldn't find the time to update. I only finished writing and somewhat editing this, so forgive me for my mistakes.

I haven't been up to date with Naruto, so Kabuto might end up a lot ooc here hahah, I hope you guys like him as I did writing him.

this fic is also uploaded to Ao3, same title but under a different username

Many thanks to all of you guys, you are all so awesome I am so grateful and just so happy XD

Chapter vii: Orenda

Orenda (n.) a mystical force present in all people that empowers them to affect the world, or to effect change in their own lives

An hour before Naruto left the Nara Compound…

Orochimaru was able to reach Konoha before the arranged time they were supposed to arrive. At that same moment Kabuto was leading the rats that Danzo had sent their way and feeding them false information about his current whereabouts. As they have previously discussed with the Hokage, Orochimaru headed towards his office to plan about what they should do against Danzo.

Once he stepped inside the Hokage's office, he was faced with three Anbu's whose masks he identified as a Dog, a Cat and a Fox. A very interesting combination indeed as his smile grew evident on his features.

"It seems you have already prepared for the worst, Sensei.", Orochimaru grinned as he leaned on his right foot while he placed his right hand to his hips. However, that did not dispel the grim look on his Sensei's face, with a slight quirk of his eyebrow and the question he had been meaning to ask was answered by the Hokage.

"I could not contact Jiraiya.", Orochimaru snorted, it was typical of him. He wasn't expecting much from his former teammate but he was hoping he would heed their Sensei's call since the matter at hand was regarding his Goddaughter. He shook his head in disappointment and his eyes met with the Hokage as if no longer needing to voice out his question.

'What are you planning to do now?', his thoughts echoed within his mind and his Sensei who knew him too well answered his inquiry.

"I would have to do what it takes to protect Konoha.", Orochimaru stared at his Sensei before he tilted his head towards the three masked Anbu's direction.

"With these three's capabilities, I guess eliminating the Uchiha wouldn't be that difficult.", he eyed the three Anbu's standing still in the corner of the office. He noticed the glare that was headed his way so easily but what truly caught his attention was the Hokage's words.

"I wasn't planning on such a thing.", Orochimaru couldn't hide his shocked expression but soon enough replaced it with a smile.

"Hoo, are you finally putting an end to his hold within Konoha?", the Hokage released a heavy sigh as he nodded his head and when his eyes met with Orochimaru's golden eyes, he thought that it had been too long since he had last seen his Sensei looked at him with eyes burning with determination.

"Yes.", Orochimaru's eyes widened at this. He almost laughed out loud but he held it in.

"Are you prepared to face the Representatives and the other Clan about this?"

"Yes, Shikaku and I have already prepared for it. The Uchiha who was approached by Danzo and the truth about the isolation of the Clan. If the Council still won't approve of his removal from the Council, then I also have a living proof of the assassin who he had sent out to kill me years ago.", Orochimaru's eyebrow rose at the mention of an assassin before his eyes landed on one of the Anbu's by the corner. He realized just how vital the roles of the three Anbu's standing inside his office were at this moment.

"Cutting off his power in the Council and keeping him in check.", the Hokage nodded, there was a flash of sadness in his eyes, perhaps feeling pity for what has become between him and his oldest friend. However, Orochimaru could see the determination within his eyes to protect Konoha.

"You do know that this wouldn't stop him from trying to obtain the Jinchuuriki right?", the Hokage nodded his expression grimly.

"I know and finding evidence about the children you reported to me about years ago had been for naught.", Orochimaru's eyebrows rose at this, he never expected his Sensei to heed his words about the children that he had reported to him years ago. He felt something akin to relief at this thus, he made up his mind.

"I will try to find what I can. What of the Jinchuuriki?"

"She will be placed under the Nara Clan's care until further notice.", Orochimaru nodded at this and clearly pointed out the gaping hole in the Hokage's decision.

"Meaning until we eliminate Danzo. The other Clan's would not stand having the Jinchuuriki under a single Clan.", the Hokage sighed knowing what kind of problems are about to arise due to the discussion upon which and where the Jinchuuriki would be relocated. Then, his eyes landed on Orochimaru and at that moment the Sage wanted to flee.

"I could leave her under—"

"No.", Orochimaru didn't want him to finish that sentence. He already has Kabuto and he doesn't need another child under his care.

"It will be only until Jiraiya comes for her.", Orochimaru stared at his Sensei and they both knew the advantages it would bring if he were to take in the child for a while. The Clan's wouldn't be arguing and she would be protected from Danzo.

Orochimaru thought about it but decided to instead spread out his snakes to search for that damned toad to take care of his Goddaughter. He is busy and he isn't trained to care for a child, much less the Jinchuuriki. Then, his eyes landed on one of the people who he remembered should have a say as to where the Jinchuuriki would be relocated.

"Aren't you going to say anything, Inu?", the Anbu with the dog mask just stared at him with detached, unreadable eyes. Orochimaru knows he was still trying to hide who he really is behind that mask but he could see through him clearly.

Before their conversation was about to come to a close or start depending if Inu was about to say something, a loud bang from one of the windows in the office caught all of their attention. All of them stood their ground ready to attack but they halted when they saw the familiar spike of hair from the Head of the Nara Clan.

As soon as he entered with light wounds, panting, and slightly rumpled clothes, Orochimaru knew the night's festivities weren't about to come to a close.

No—it was just beginning.

Shikamaru could feel Mizuki's eyes on him. The sheer pressure of a fully-fledged ninja on his person was something he never thought he would experience at such a young age. During that moment none of them moved. It was as if they were both waiting for a moment, a chance, but as Mizuki's eyes flickered towards Naruto he knew that he wouldn't just casually aim for him.

The situation was troublesome. Truly it was, but if he were given the choice to change anything about this moment, it was to make sure that Naruto would never have gone out to meet him. He couldn't bear to see her as broken as she was before he tackled her away from him.

He couldn't bear to watch to see the girl whose smile was so bright, the personification of the sun herself drew herself close. It was like watching a fire that burns so brightly amidst the chaos finally allowing itself to be extinguished. To be engulfed by the darkness that spurred him into motion without a single plan nor thought in mind.

He released a breath that he was holding, he could feel the slight tremble of Naruto's hands behind him. He inwardly cursed, knowing full well that the circumstances were stacked against them. His eyes flicked towards the other ninja who stood away from them, watching from a distance with emotionless bored eyes.

Shikamaru had no idea what his deal was, but that nin didn't stop him when Shikamaru rushed towards Naruto. At that moment Shikamaru decided to just focus on the man in front of them. He knew they had to get away from here, he knew that Mizuki wouldn't just outwardly and fully kill him knowing that the rage of the Nara Clan would without a single doubt haunt him for all his remaining days.

But it doesn't change the fact that he would most definitely hurt him to take Naruto away from him. There was only one way he and Naruto would get out of his radar, he knew the consequences that it would bring but he couldn't allow this man to take Naruto.

"Naruto, hold onto me.", Shikamaru whispered, he felt the small trembling hands of Naruto clutching onto his clothes. He plucked the hidden shuriken hidden on his clothes and before he could even change his mind, he threw it towards Mizuki as accurately as he could.

He heard the clashing of metal as Mizuki easily deflected them, as soon as the shirukens were out of his hands he began to form the katas on a jutsu he had read about but was banned from using due to the backlash it brings to an untrained body.

'Please work', he inwardly prayed as he whispered the name of the jutsu before slamming his hands to the ground. He inwardly apologized to his Father and Mother for using it. Mizuki's eyes slightly widened in their direction as he watched as the shadows all around them began to engulf the two of them.

Shikamaru watched as the nin behind Mizuki began to move as well, his hands moving swiftly forming a jutsu he was unfamiliar with. When it was completed, he planted his hands to the ground as well. The ground shook and Shikamaru knew all too well that if they didn't leave right at that moment, they would both be captured.

He then pushed his body further into sending more chakra towards his jutsu to work faster than it had before. He could feel the drain catching up with him due to his small body and the small amount of chakra it contains. He focused on the location he wanted them to land in and he knew full well this would only give them some sort of a head start but that would be enough for Naruto to get away.

Swiftly, the shadows moved to consume them, Shikamaru watched as Mizuki then began to rush towards them and before the shadows could fully contain them, Mizuki threw a shuriken towards them.

The last thing Shikamaru felt when they were whisked away from their current location was the pain that bloomed within him and along with the stabbing pain that engulfed his shoulder.

When the darkness cleared and Naruto could see the sky and hear the silence of the forest, it was when she realized that they were in a different forest than where they were moments ago. She marveled at the brilliance of it, she then tugged on Shikamaru to ask him how he managed it when the boy who saved her collapsed.

She gasped and before Shikamaru would plummet towards the ground she moved her body to support him in a sitting position. That was when she was faced with how grave his injuries were, she could not help but call out his name.

"Shikamaru!", a hacking noise erupted from Shikamaru who just opted to lean his forehead towards her shoulder as he began to cough up blood. He seemed to curl in on himself and Naruto's eyes froze as she saw the shuriken lodged at his shoulder.

"No", her voice sounded so defeated even in her own ears as the tears began to form in her eyes. Her eyes trembled, fully staring at the red stain on the ground, on his clothes, then his hand and then dripping blood from his chin. She needed to get some help, to call someone. She would do whatever just, she needed someone to fix him up back to the lazy usual Shikamaru that she knows.

There was too much blood.

Where did it all go wrong? Was it the moment she didn't take Mizuki-sensei's hand? When she didn't heed his voice and advice? Was it truly misfortune all she brought to the people who held out their hands to her?

The sounds of Shikamaru's coughing brought her back to her senses. She shook her head. She has no time to be thinking about those things right now. Right now, she has to bring Shikamaru somewhere safe, somewhere they could fix him.

Somewhere far away from her.

She couldn't hear anything but the horrible coughing sounds coming from Shikamaru and the blood that won't stop flowing out. Her hands trembled as she held both of his arms to hold him up in his sitting position. He looked terrible, extremely pale, his eyes bloodshot and dark circles around his eyes, a sight she had never seen on him.

'I can't move him. What do I do?', her eyes were pooling with tears, as she thought of anything that could help him. "Shika, please hold on, dattebayo!", her head snapped near her right, the direction fastest to take to reach the streets of the Village.

She tugged on one of his arms towards her shoulder as she clutched his waist tightly before she stood up. They both wobbled and she watched as his coughing fit slowly subsided and before she knew it his weight became too much for her to hold on.

She turned her head to glance at him only to realize that he had passed out. His breathing had turned shallow and heavy, she gritted her teeth, all her previous thoughts, doubts, shock of the truth faded, only a single thought remained in her—to save Shikamaru.

She grunted as she moved them both slowly, too slowly, Mizuki-sensei and the other guy with him could catch up with them. She slapped both of her hands towards her cheeks to stop herself from crying, she had to help him. Her footsteps were heavy as she dragged Shikamaru through the forest. She could feel the exhaustion deep in her bones but she knew this was nothing compared to what Shikamaru is currently experiencing right now.

Naruto could feel his warmth seeping to her, but she could also feel it seeping away from his body. The dread she could feel in the pit of her stomach was worse than when Mizuki-sensei told her of what she truly is. This was nothing compared to all the days she had felt alone, abandoned and lonely. No, this would be something she would always carry with her as a reminder of her weakness and her inability to protect the people she cares about.

Before she knew it, she was facing the ground, her knees having collapsed on her. She immediately checked on Shikamaru to see if he was alright. He started breathing shallowly and heavily when Naruto turned him on his back to the ground.

"Shikamaru, please. You have to hold on.", her voice was quivering, she no longer had the strength to carry him towards the village. Both of her hands clutched and grasped the soil near his head as her tears fell on his cheeks.

"This is my fault. You shouldn't have been there. You shouldn't have gotten hurt because of me. I will fix this, I have to fix this.", she cried. "We are not far from where we escaped from Mizuki-sensei.", She clutched his hand making her decision, squeezing it before she voiced out.

"I'll ask him to help you so please hang in there. Even if it meant that I would never see you again, it's okay nanodayo.", her lips quivered as she tried to smile at Shikamaru's sleeping face hoping she could hear her. Right at that moment she was ready to give up anything if it meant that he would be fine.

"You don't have to worry about me, besides, even if Mizuki-sensei said those mean words, he is still the first person who held out his hand towards me.", she stood up from where she crouched near Shikamaru's unconscious body, taking note of which direction they were previously for she planned on coming back for him.

"I promise, I will come back with help. So, please hang on Shika.", she rubbed her eyes of the tears she shed and as she began to stand up and start to run but before she could she felt another presence right behind her.

On instinct he crouched near Shikamaru using her body as a shield, her eyes wary of the nin who stood in front of them. She swallowed. She eyed the person in front of her warily. Seeing the familiar hitai-ate with the symbol of Konoha carved on it, she released the breath she had been holding onto.

The stranger's eyes slightly widened at the sight of her with blood on her clothes and Shikamaru heavily breathing behind her. Naruto watched him for a second before she made up her mind. Not knowing who this person was, or if they were friend or enemy no longer mattered to her as she pleaded.

"Please.", her voice trembled.

"Save him, please."

It was the first time that Kabuto had stepped into Konoha for quite a long while. After shaking the rats that Danzo sent to shadow them, he was merely expecting to stay put within the eastern forest of Konoha and to wait for Orochimaru-sama's decision. He planned on lounging around the forest and catching his breath from the exhaustion of the trip.

Suddenly a surge of chakra emanated deep in the woods made him rush towards the source bursting with curiosity. He was expecting perhaps a chuunin or a jounin practicing their jutsu in the night, but not this, never this. Especially not within the very walls of Konoha.

What he found instead were two children in the woods in the dead of the night. What they were doing in the forest he had no idea. He was planning on questioning them thoroughly and scaring them from wandering the woods during the night.

He jumped down to the ground and the instant he did, the blonde-haired kid snapped right towards his direction, her small body covering the other kid. His eyes widened, in front of him stood the village Jinchuuriki, and if he looked closely behind her small body was the familiar heir of the Nara. His brain froze, these kids weren't just any kids you would see wandering about. In fact, these particular two children out during this time of night—in the forest—all by themselves—raises a lot of red and messy flags.

Some of which Kabuto has zero plans on getting himself involved in. Not when he and Orochimaru-sama were supposed to arrive a few days later and not earlier to fool Danzo. He was about to ask but as soon as he gained his faculties due to the slight shock of seeing two children, but he smelled it. The smell is all so familiar to a child like him born into war. The tangy smell of copper, metal—blood. His eyes assessed the situation they were in, he knew he was already involved in whatever this situation was.

For a while he stood frozen not knowing what to do or who would have the balls to attack these kids, more importantly why were they left on their own. However, the pleading voice of Uzumaki Naruto called him swiftly back into reality.

As soon as those words were out of her mouth his body rushed into motion. He crouched in front of his patient, he saw the shuriken plunged on the young Nara heir's shoulder, but that wouldn't just cause the extreme amount of blood he seemed to have coughed out. Then he recalled the sudden chakra that he felt a while back.

'What a crazy kid.', he thought as he realized it was the Nara kid who caused the previous flare of chakra that called his curious ass. He calmed himself down, fixed his glasses and began to assess his patient.

His eyes widened as the internal injury of Shikamaru Nara was quite dire. His Chakra was almost depleted and due to his body still underdeveloped the toll was heavier, how he was still able to breathe right now was a feat in itself. He could begin the healing process. However, something as delicate as this still needed to be taken over by his Sensei. Had Kabuto not found them and the injury left for any moment longer the boy might have trouble accessing his Chakra in the future or worse, he would've died.

Making a quick decision, he formed the hand seals and summoned one of the snakes he was allied to, giving his order of finding his Sensei before he gets to work. He started the healing process almost forgetting to ask the girl in front of him watching as he healed the boy if she retained any injuries. But seeing as she was only focused on the sight in front of her, he decided to focus on the boy instead.

Kabuto's eyes suddenly snapped to his right as he inwardly cursed. Two nins were coming from that direction, both seemingly strong. Strong even to defeat him, he stared at the Shikamaru, in his current state if he stops healing him, he might go badly for him. Moving him would also pose risks. His eyes snapped towards the Jinchuuriki whose eyes were looking in the same direction as he was.

Her eyes were trembling, with what? He didn't want to find out. Because he knew all too well that the people who injured Shikamaru were surely not after him, but her. Only one person would be brash enough, would be brave enough to execute such an order.

The one and only Danzo—the bastard. He could understand why though, Jinchuurikis as young as they are able are trained to do one thing and one thing only. To become a living breathing weapon, loyal only to the village, to live and die for it, no matter how wrong or cruel it is.

Right at that moment, Kabuto could almost hear the thoughts running within the young Jinchuuriki's mind. The situation they are in isn't something that they could easily evade. And if the reports that Anko had been supplying them, this child would be just like her parents were before. Willing to sacrifice and self-less, how she grew up to be that way despite being treated like shit, Kabuto has freakishly no idea.

"Naruto.", she snapped her head towards him and those blue crystalline eyes stared at him and he felt utterly exposed. He swallowed before he spoke calmly and surely.

"Whatever you were thinking of doing, don't.", she blinked as if wondering how he knew what was on her head. She was about to argue against him but he spoke before she could.

"Don't believe the people who are loyal to Shimura Danzo.", He huffed out, no matter who was coming, he would just have to buy time till Orochimaru-sama comes.

"Yakushi Kabuto.", Kabuto and Naruto's head snapped towards the direction of the voice. He almost chuckled at who he saw. Really, he knew that this one was particularly odd but he never expected him to be one of Danzo's rats.

"Mizuki.", the man chuckled as he tilted his head to look down on them. There was another ninja in their surroundings, but Kabuto could not pinpoint their exact location. He kept his calm as he smiled at the Sensei.

"Fooled the Root agents, you would be arriving late, huh?", Kabuto noted how Mizuki looked calm, however, he could also note the tension he has on his shoulders. He remained wary as he signaled to the other nin in the forest something. Kabuto then felt the other nin's presence disappear, probably went to tattle to Danzo, now they have arrived in Konoha.

"So, where is your Master?", Kabuto shrugged his shoulders as much as he could in the situation, they were in.

"Wouldn't you like to know?", he replied coolly, he watched as Mizuki's eyes narrowed as looked around them a bit then his expression changed as he began to chuckle.

"He isn't around, isn't he?"

"Do you really want to try your luck?", Mizuki shook his head before he replied.

"It isn't luck, Kabuto, it's a fact.", Kabuto's eyes hardened, his chakra slightly wavered. He would fight if he would have to, but choosing between continuing to heal the young Nara heir or stopping him from capturing the Jinchuuriki was a hard choice.

However, it isn't a choice he was freely given a change to choose from. He lifted his hands slightly above Shikamaru's and formed the katas he had longed practiced. This allowed him to use the Mystical Palm Technique from a short distance from his patient. Hopefully with this he would still be able to defend from whatever attacks Mizuki is planning. Readying both his shurikens and scalpels he stood in front of the two kids facing Mizuki. He wondered why the rest of the Root wasn't here to join the fray but it worked out in his favor. especially since Mizuki's companion seemed to have left the vicinity.

"You talk a lot.", Kabuto retorted before he threw his shurikens Mizuki's way. From the movements of Mizuki, it seemed as if he has no designs to seriously fight him. He kept on evading his attacks, then as soon as he realized it the ground behind him shook.

'That's-shit!', his mind supplied as he was about to push away at Mizuki to grab both kids, Mizuki darted towards his way, blocking him. He watched as a technique he had only heard about sprung to life. He had thought that the Mizuki's accomplice was no longer present but it turned out wrong.

'No wonder his presence disappeared, he hid within the trees.', Kabuto never thought he would experience nor see first-hand the power that was said to have long been lost. The Jutsu that made the bijuus kneel.

'Orochimaru-sama, better get here as fast as he can.', The wood release that was only known to belong to the Senju Clan began to dart towards the two kids.

"Naruto!", his scream was muted as the wood began to envelop the two children.

He was prepared to just let Mizuki stab him to get towards the two children but something stopped him in his tracks. The world seemed to stop, a sudden chill ran down Kabuto's spine as his instincts screamed at him to run, but he stood his ground.

He watched as the wood release that certainly aimed for the two kids now splintered to pieces. A red glow of chakra enveloping four chains with sharp shuriken like edges floated, Kabuto's eyes followed where they originated from, only to see them emerging from the small torso of Uzumaki Naruto.

'Really, what crazy kids.', his mind supplied as he chuckled.