Hi

"Alright, is everyone ready?"Shikamaru asked. Ino and Shikamaru came by early to pick through Kato's mind, so I decided to join in as well so I could get some details about the stone.

"Yeah."

"Kato?"

"Hai."

"Alright, Ino let's go."

We all closed our eyes for the second time, however, it was only Shikamaru, Ino, and I in the room. Sasuke was still out and about in the village, it was brought to our attention that Tezo was near the border again today. Now we have to keep Kato safe, after this Naruto is going to take him to the Nara forest, it's one of the safest places to be. The deer there would attack anyone who wasn't allowed and they'd notify them if an intruder comes.

*In Kato's mind*

"What's your name?" An older gentleman who was torturing asked Kato, he was hovering over him with a metal bar in his hands. Kato was strapped down to a hospital bed.

He laid there breathless, his face was disfigured you could barely see that it was actually Kato. His feet and hands were completely purple, with red patches of blood on them as well. The older man who was his father hit him in the stomach, making him cough up blood. A murmur of words fell from his lips, we could barely understand what he was saying. His eyes rolled in the back of his head, he was laying there motionless again.

"What was that?" The older man chuckled, he grabbed one of Kato's hands and placed it on his knee. He then took the metal pole striking him in his hand. Kato's eyes shot open, screams left his mouth as his dad struck him over and over with the wrench. "You were starting to lose consciousness on me. I had to wake you back up." His dad walked around to where his head was, he looked down at him with a sinister facial expression. "What's your name?"

Kato's chest was rising and falling, it seemed like he was on the verge of a panic attack. His dad smacked him in the face with the metal pole, he asked him again, Kato finally answered, his voice piercing off stone walls, "Kato! My name is Kato!"

"Why are you getting tortured, Kato?"

"Because, Because I didn't fi-' Kato couldn't finish his sentence, he began to say nonsense. A sign that his body was going into shock, his head was swaying from left to right. He was completely going in and out of consciousness, his dad didn't care though. He took a bucket of water and tossed it on him, Kato gasps of air could be heard. He was struggling to get the water out of his mouth and nose, he was strapped down to the table so he was limited to movement. His body began to shake violently, he was now drowning in the water that was thrown at him.

"Can't breathe huh? That's how I feel. You're always fucking up and it's me who has to clean up your mess." His dad mocked, with one foot on the table he kicked it over. The reddish-colored water came flowing out of his mouth and nose, his eyes were in a daze. Foam soon followed out of his mouth.

"Don't you think that's enough Kuzo? The kid is basically dead."

Tezo walked through the door, however, he was a bit younger. His hand was in his pockets, he walked over to the terrorizing scene, Kato on the floor heaving. Ruzu tossed the bar on the floor, he left the room making sure to make contact with Tezo's shoulder.

"What a prick am I right?" Tezo jokingly said, he bent down to unstrap Kato from the table. Kato fell onto the ground, his head was in a puddle of how to own blood. "Alright, you almost drowned once, let's not do it again." Tezo readjusted his head so he wasn't smothering himself.

"Food." That was the only thing Kato could say, Tezo sucked in his breath. He stood over Kato contemplating whether or not he should get him some food.

"Tell me this." Tezo picked Kato's limp body up from the ground, placing him against the wall. Kato was now at eye level with his uncle. "Why do you think your dad is always torturing you?

Kato slowly shrugged his shoulders.

"Well I'll tell you, he wants you to be strong. You're not a normal kid plus you hold the stone of Moirai, he's only trying to prepare you."

"I did nothing wrong."

Tezo chuckled, "That's the point, you're supposed to do things wrong. Do you want me to help you?"

"Yes please," Kato said eagerly, a flash of spirit surged through his body.

"Okay, first off we're going to kill your brother, I bet your dad would be proud of you then?"Tezo got straight to the point, there was no hesitation in his answer at all. He was clearly manipulating Kato, from the outside looking in you could see it. However Kato was only 4, he didn't know any better. All he wanted to do was please his family.

"But, But isn't that wrong?"

"Kato, what did I just say?"

"Doing wrong is good." Kato slowly said, he looked up to Tezo for acknowledgement. His hands were in his hands, he was playing with them. It was a sign of anxiousness or panic. Kato was not in his right mind, Tezo was smart about this. He picked this time because he knew Kato would be disorientated.

"Exactly, plus your dad can heal your brother and make him come alive. Your dad is always favoring your brother right? Well if you take him down then he'll stop touting you." Lies, Lies, and Lies,

"Oh, okay, but why do I have the stone?"

"Your body is the only one that hasn't rejected it, Kato. That's why you're so special, when we're done with you you're going to be a killing machine."

"Okay, if I do that tou-chan will stop hitting me?"

"Mhm, he told me that himself."

Tezo was completely lying but in Kato's defense, he didn't know any better. He was only four years old, he was completely manipulated into killing his family. Tezo thought this plan would work but it backfired in his face, he wasn't strong enough to kill Kato after he wiped out his dad and brother. Kato became stronger than he expected him to be.

*Leaving his mind*

Kato was still in a trance, Ino was not finished picking through his head. I couldn't take it, that was too gruesome to watch. It was the fact that I felt like I was there but there was nothing I could do about it.

Shikamaru tapped his pencil against his head, he was in deep thought just like I was. "So that's why Tezo wants the stone, if he gets the stone he'll be able to take out Kato and gain his powers."

Shikamaru pointed his pencil towards me, "That's what we don't need."

"This surgery is going to be risky." He didn't sound confident, in all honesty, he sounded a bit nervous.

"That's why we need to get the stone and destroy it as fast as we can. We can't give Tezo a window to come in and swoop in to take it."

"Sakura we're going to have to work fast, You and I both know that Tezo is still around out here."

"Okay."

I left the room leaving Kato with the Nara's. My mind was all over the place, never in my 6 years of medical practice had I ever been this nervous. Not only that but today will be the first day I'll be without Shinachiku, I was entrusting my mom with him. She and my father were on the way, they haven't seen him yet. Today will be the first day they get to meet their grandchild. That was the only thing I was actually happy about.

He was lying on our bed, Naruto had pillows around him so he wouldn't move. I didn't want to let him go, I wanted him right next to me in the surgery room. Naruto was against the idea, he was right so I didn't put up a fight. I trusted my parents but I know he would be safer in my arms, I could protect him if something were to happen.

"Alright Shina, let's get you ready for your grandparents."

Naruto POV

While Sakura and Shikamaru were preparing for the surgery it was my duty to keep Kato out of harm's way. Technically it was Sasuke's as well but he was on a break, he missed his afternoon nap so now he's cranky. They replaced me with him in Sakura-chan's escort group, they didn't want his negativity to affect Kato. Sasuke should be back shortly, I wanted to wait for him. Maybe the deers would make him happy.

"How's your process coming along?" I asked, it was a touchy topic. Sakura-chan told me most of the things she witnessed, she said it was the most gruesome thing she's ever seen. I'm glad I wasn't in the room, I probably would've flipped the shit.

"Things are becoming more clear by the day." He said dryly, he wasn't looking at me either. His eyes were fixated on the woods ahead of us. We were sitting on a bench not too far away from the Nara forest. I thought Kato would love to see the deers but turns out he actually hates them.

"That's good!," I said a bit more enthusiastically. It was so weird to talk to him now, it was like someone came in and swapped him out with another human being. He's more mature now, he barely does childish things anymore. His conversation levels are like an adult, he's now using bigger words. Things like ice cream and chips don't excite him anymore, he is as stoic as ever. I haven't seen an ounce of emotion from him in days.

"Umm, would you like some food before the surgery?"

He looked back at me, his eyes were as bland as ever. It was like looking at a dead little boy. "You're not supposed to eat before surgery, even I know that Naruto-nii chan."

You smartass, Nothing irritated me more than know it all.

"Well okay then. I guess we'll sit here in silence."

That's what we did, Kato didn't say another word. I was the one initiating all of the conversations, it was a bit boring if you'd ask me. I missed the old Kato, there was never a dry moment with him. I guess when his memories came back it brought back the way he was raised.

"So, do you like any deers out here?"

"They're cool I guess."

"Silence it is."

Like earlier he wasn't looking at me, Kato's eyes were locked on the same area for the past 15 minutes. At first, I thought he was zoning out but in reality, he was concentrating on something."What are you looking at?"

"My mom."

"What?" I looked around, there were only trees. No sign of his mom, I wouldn't put it past him if he was delusional now. After all of those treacherous memories coming back, I'd be delusional too.

"My mom! She's here, I can feel her, I can smell her!"" Kato jumped up from his seat, it was the most emotion I have gotten out of him today. He looked around the area like a dog, he then took off into the Forest of Death.

"Kato wait up, that's not the Nara forest!"

Fuck, He was a fast boy to be six years old, his little legs were moving. It was easier for him to maneuver through the small trees on the ground while I kept getting smacked in the face.

"Kato stop, this place is dangerous."

"My mom is here!" He snarled back, something within him snapped. He looked more aggressive, his tone was blunt and straightforward.

"Kato!" I shouted back, I picked up my speed, running after him, he would pick up sticks and rocks to throw at me. I started to lose my patience with him.

"Ka-" I ran into the back of his small body, tripping over him, he stood tall. He didn't move once, his face was pale with a shocked expression. He pointed his finger up to the trees where I saw what he was seeing, it was his mom dead hanging from the tree.

A gut-wrenching scream left his small mouth. He tried to run to the tree but I stopped him. I wanted to feel sympathy for him but I couldn't. There was something deeper than this, we walked ourselves into a fucking trap.

A few claps came from the distance, I looked up to see Tezo smiling and laughing at Kato and I. Instantly I felt rage, I've been waiting patiently to snap his neck in and now I can finally do it.

"Wow, that was a beautiful scream Kato, maybe you should join the opera." Tezo mocked, he jumped down from the trees walking slowly to us. I held Kato against me, he was heaving, a bit of foam was falling from his mouth. It felt like holding a dog from attacking someone. I could feel the rage radiating from his small body. He was in kill mode, I knew this for a fact. I could basically smell the blood in the air.

"Fuck you!" Kato shouted, he tried to get out of my grasp, I held him tighter. I couldn't have him attacking someone like Tezo. We have to escape him unscathed, if Tezo got ahold of Kato and the stone we'd be through.

"Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?" Tezo turned to the side pointing to his dead mom, "Hey Akane do you hear this? Oh, wait she can't" He let out a hearty laugh, my temper was about to flare out of control, I could feel my canines begin to sharpen. I wanted to suppress the feeling but it felt so good. The feeling of Kurama's chakra flowing through my veins was so warm.

I dropped Kato so the side of me, I charged forward at him. Tezo smiled, motioning me to run faster and I did. I've never felt more alive than I have done before.

"Dobe, stop it!" Sasuke's voice ranged through my head, he was standing back beside Kato who looked more enraged than I did. "Get the brat to the surgery then we can fight."

"Mind if I join?" Tezo sung, we all looked at him disgustedly. Kato raised his middle finger so smoothly in the air.

"Come on Kato." I brushed past Sasuke making sure to connect my shoulder with his. Kato stood firmly by his side, I grabbed him by his shirt pulling him along with me.

"Do you guys think I'd let you actually walk away without a fight?" Tezo commented, turning back I saw an army of those dead fuckers that burned my back. There was no way Sasuke and I could fight them with Kato here.

"Naruto go!"

"Are you crazy!"

"Go!" He grumbled, "Get the fuck out of here."

Tezo raised his hand like a student, he laughed heartily at Sasuke, "Even if he goes I know where the surgery will take place. Ha! I bet you didn't know that I knew that, did you?"

"How the fuck! How did you know that?"

"Umm it's called having a spy duh, Let me ask you a question."

"What's your question?" Kato spat.

"Did you know that once you take that stone out of him it's a possibility he won't be able to move anymore? His dad planted right in between C2 and C3 vertebrae, if you remove it his neck will either snap in half or he'll be paralyzed for his entire life. Shouldn't the pink-haired bitch know this?"

"You're lying!" Kato shouted.

I kept my head to the ground. I knew if I looked at him I would fuck him up."Don't talk about my girl like that or I'll rip your head off of your body and shove it up your ass," I said dangerously low.

"If I was lying I would have the stone by now, the night they placed it in his neck I would have taken it out but I didn't. So I tried to manipulate him, it was working until his mom got in the way."

"There's a way around it! Sakura-chan isn't stupid, she knows what she's doing. I know for a fact that she has thought of a million ways to prevent this."

Tezo, "Who's to say she's not gone already?"

"I will fucking kill you." My voice grew raspy, I was trying to contain Kurama's anger but he was slowly starting to get the best of me. If he talks down on my girl one more time I will personally have him sleeping with the fish.

"What can I say, it's a doggy dog's world. You better catch up Naruto."

"Sasuke! Where was Sakura-chan the last time you saw here."

"At home, Shikamaru and a few others were escorting her, Shikamaru, Choji, Lee, and Kiba."

"Kiba!" Fuck, why now! Since the birthday bash, Sakura-chan and I haven't spoken to Kiba. Actually, none of our friends have, I haven't seen him in months. I vowed if I saw him I would punch him in the face and now this gives me a reason. The fucking mutt turned his back on our village.

"Bingo! See I knew you were smarter than that."

"You son of a bitch! It was him all along! He was the one letting you in the village, wasn't he! He was the one giving Kato the letter! All of the shit that has to lead up to now was him!"

"I clearly said it's a doggy dog's world, I gave you a hint lover boy."

I took a step forward, almost lunging at him. If it weren't for Sasuke's death grip around me, Tezo would be dead."Oh, I could just rip that smile off your face."

Sasuke released me, he pushed me towards the entrance of the forest,"No, Naruto go find Sakura, leave Kato alone with me."

"What?"

"Go! Kato and I have been training, haven't we?" He looked down at Kato, Kato looked back up to Sasuke with a smirk on his face, "We have."

Sakura POV

Earlier that day

I wasn't too fond of having Kiba as one of my guards but I couldn't complain. Nothing bad would happen, Sasuke was near or somewhere around here. I couldn't complain, he was in the back while Lee and Choji were in the front. The place of the surgery was in the tunnel underneath the Hokage monument, Tsunade recommended that place. She also sent over some notes for the surgery which I was grateful for.

"Does everything look fine, Sakura?" Choji asked, I was observing the area. It looked like an actual hospital room, it reminds me of one of Orochimaru's labs.

"Everything looks fine."

"Alright, we'll be heading out now. I'll notify Shikamaru...one more thing. There will be anbu surrounding you so you have nothing to worry about."

"Thanks, Choji."

He smiled then left me alone to observe my tools. So far everything was going smoothly, all I needed was for Naruto to bring Kato and we'd be fine. It is a simple process for Kato and I.

Kiba walked back in, he stood by the entrance with his arms crossed over his chest."Hey Sakura, there's someone out there who needs to speak to you."

"Who is it?"

He smiled, opening the door further, "I'm not sure, he said his name was Ruzu."

Sorry for the wait!