Forgotten
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Naruto (Shippuden). This is a story inspired by the original made up for entertainment purposes only. - Krystal
Chapter 26: Into the dark
"Congratulations of becoming the Hokage, Tsunade." he told her in a condescending way. "You were born for this job after all."
"Danzo, I prefer to think of my inauguration as deserving rather than something that was handed to me on a silver platter, but thank you." replied Tsunade sarcastically.
"Of course. I should remind you, Tsunade, that the Root will always be present to assist you. However, to do so, I do require your help to recruit new people for the branch."
"We are already short on shinobis and, yet, you want me to hand over people to you?"
Tsunade took a sip of her tea. She didn't like where this was heading. She had a feeling he already had his eyes set on some people and that he wouldn't let it go until he got what he wanted. Danzo was that kind of man. She remembered him from when she used to be the Third's student. He was unpleasantly cunning.
"I don't need much."
Someone, then, knocked on the door. Shizune headed over and opened the door. Yuki was there and so was Shikamaru.
"Oh, come in." said Tsunade. "I called you both here because I went over the Chunnin's exam data and you both were recommended to be promoted."
"Funny how they were noticed." then said Danzo. "I was going to ask for that girl."
Yuki turned towards and gave him a glare. She still had unfinished business with him. How lucky was it that he was here? However, she didn't know why he asked for her. He certainly wouldn't cause a scene, because she was the one who trespassed into the Root at the time, would he?
"You want Yuki as a new recruit for the Root?" asked Tsunade, slightly surprised as she knew that Yuki was pretty much the Third's family.
"I saw her during the exam and thought that she would be perfect for the Root."
"I don't want to join the Root." said Yuki firmly. Her disgust for the organization still hadn't dissipated from that day.
"I can train you to hone the skills that you already possess."
"I don't want to work for you."
"You don't work for me, you work for the village... the village your grandfather died protecting." he said.
"I heard the Root didn't lend a hand to the village when it was being attacked."
"I was away. I wasn't made aware that day."
"Why must you be made aware for the Root to help the village if they work for the village? Such poor logic..."
Shikamaru smirked at that comment. He didn't know Yuki well, but he could appreciate a bright mind. She was one of the rare kunoichi he had met that could think clearly and ahead of time. She wasn't hot-headed like many, however, she wasn't passive like he was either. There was no doubt, in his mind, that she was admirable.
"If that is what you believe, please accept my apology."
"Not accepted."
"Yuki, don't be rude." said Tsunade, trying to appease Danzo. "He is an elder after all. Danzo, I think that this just all too sudden for her. Why don't you let me talk to her first before we answer to you."
Danzo stood up, gave her a dirty smile and nodded before leaving the Hokage's office to Yuki's relief. Shizune escorted him out, leaving only Shikamaru and Yuki in the office with Tsunade. The Hokage sighed and leaned against the back of her chair.
"I didn't even get to congratulate you both because of that old geezer. He gives me such headache."
"Tsunade-sama," said Shikamaru. "do you really think I should become a chunnin? I understand why Yuki is, but I think that..."
"Your intelligence and composure impressed everyone. More than the need to be strong, we need someone who can plan and lead with his brain. You both were above the rest because of that."
"This is so troublesome though." Shikamaru said as he sighed deeply.
"Tsunade-sama... about the Root..." Yuki started, glancing over at Shikamaru.
"I'll take my leave now." he announced tactfully.
As he left, Tsunade told Yuki to come closer and said:
"I don't want you there either, but... it would be nice to have someone I can trust within the Root so that some of its activity can be monitored and controlled."
"You could send one of your ANBU."
"Then he would know and be wary of that person. He wasn't aware of the fact that you've been trained as an ANBU, right?"
"I doubt it."
"Good."
"But, the reason why I think he wants me in the Root is because of my eyes."
"What do you mean?"
"Kakashi-senpai once told me that Danzo ordered the Root ANBUs to steal his sharingan. However, they failed and since then haven't tried again as to not reveal themselves. If I were to be in the Root, they would have access to my eyes at all times. I don't know why they are interested in the sharingan, but something tells me he is up to no good with that information."
"Does he know though?"
"Maybe. I assumed he did because of the amount of spies that he has. I accidentally revealed them when Itachi and Kisame trespassed into the village."
Tsunade said nothing else. She was obviously worried. Her eyebrows grew closer together as she gave it more thoughts. She bit her lip like she always did and rested her forehead on her hands that were holding each other as if she was praying. She closed her eyes. So many things went through her mind at that moment.
"What should I tell him? I'm going to have to talk to each of the big families and see if they can let..."
"Tsunade-sama, I gave it some thoughts. Why don't I just go? We are basing off this decision over many maybes. Tell Danzo that you've convinced me to go."
"Yuki, no. It is too dangerous. I didn't realize such things were happening. Knowing it now, I can't allow you to take such risks. Besides, you are my teacher's granddaughter. I really can't..."
"You said it would be nice to have an insider."
"It can be somebody else."
"I have more experience in infiltration than anybody else you could potentially suggest to Danzo. He won't agree to it anyway."
"But..." started Tsunade.
"And you have been convinced. Should I head over to Danzo's then?"
Tsunade clenched her teeth together and simply gave her nod. Had she known, she would not even have suggested for Yuki to be part of the Root.
"I can't believe I got promoted twice in one day." Yuki said, winking as she left the Hokage's office.
Before settling into the depth of the Root, Yuki paid one last visit to Lee in the hospital. She wasn't planning on saying goodbye to everyone, but luckily, the majority of the people were gathered in Lee's room, including Shikamaru who, most likely, would have known by now where she would be going. They were in the midst of congratulating Shikamaru on his promotion. He bashfully accepted them before noticing that Yuki had joined them.
"Knew you would eventually show up." Shikamaru murmured as she got closer.
"Congratulations Yuki!" said Lee brightly. "And thank you. I don't think I got to thank you in person for finding a way to allow me to pursue my dreams."
"No thanks necessary. I just hope all goes well."
"What took you so long to come here and share the good news with us?" asked Tenten as wrapped her arm around Yuki's neck.
"I was assigned a mission upon my promotion, therefore I had to stay back." Yuki replied. "It's bound to be a long one... So I actually came to say goodbye."
"Where are you going?" asked Neji, surprised and seemingly a little upset.
"A little bit everywhere, really."
"So you agreed in the end." said Shikamaru as he yawned. "That sounded like quite a troublesome job."
Yuki gave him a glare. If he uttered another word, Yuki would really have to hit him to shut him up.
"Is it dangerous?" Neji asked again.
"When was there a mission that wasn't dangerous?" Yuki said jokingly.
Neji did take that well. He left the room.
"I'll go talk to him."
"Oh, on your way, you should check on Naruto and Sasuke! They just had a huge fight on the rooftop!" yelled out Ino as Yuki was leaving.
"I was told to care less!" answered Yuki as she waved goodbye to everyone.
Yuki rushed after Neji in the streets of Konoha as he took large angry steps. It was the first time that Yuki saw Neji lose control of his emotions. They were close to his house when he abruptly stopped and turned around.
"Hey..." said Yuki hesitantly. "I'm just, you know... I'm just completing another mission."
"Right."
"I'm not saying that your question was idiotic. I just... I mean..."
"You don't owe me an explanation."
"Right."
"Right."
It became silent. Neji sighed and then went off on her:
"I asked because I cared. I'm upset because I cared. Yet you, you carelessly gave out the most apathetic answer you could possibly think of. You know, people always say how smart you are, but, sometimes, I really wonder if that's true. I'm not saying you are stupid. No, you are smart. However, you just can't seem to read people."
Yuki raised her eyebrow and replied in a cold tone:
"Right. I am the most apathetic person here."
"Yuki, that's not what I meant."
"No, no, you are very right. It would have been better if I just went off on my mission without saying anything. At least, that would have been a little more empathetic."
Yuki turned around and started walking away. She assumed that he would get her. She didn't expect him to call her cold. She always thought that he was a friend that understood her, despite her lack of expressive words. She never felt more misunderstood. Neji walked after her. He tried to apologize. She simply ignored him. It went on for a bit. She finally arrived close enough to the Foundation entrance. She stopped. It was already night time.
"You should head home." she told him.
"When are you leaving?"
"Just leave me alone."
Before he could add anything else, Shikamaru, along with Naruto, Choji & Kiba, arrived on scene. They all had a dark expression on their face, as if something terrible had just happened.
"Neji, I'm going to need you."
"What's wrong?" he asked them.
"Sasuke just deserted the village." Shikamaru answered. "Tsunade-sama just asked to take a team with me to bring him back."
"He what?" asked Yuki, shocked.
"Deserted, you know left the village, unauthorized, without leaving any message behind..." started Kiba.
"I know what that means, thank you."
"Let's head out as soon as possible then." said Neji.
"Kiba will find his tracks with Akamaru. You should go get ready." Shikamaru told him. "I will debrief you on everything as we are on the way."
Neji nodded as he rushed home without saying anything else.
"I will come too." said Yuki.
"You can't." said Shikamaru. "Tsunade knew this was going to happen. She said that you should focus on your own mission. Have a little faith in us, will you?"
Faith. It was all she had and all that she had lost. As they disappeared into the darkness of the night despite the moon being full that night, she descended into the darkness of the Foundation. Her heart felt heavy. She was fighting back tears. As she arrived to the center of the Root headquarter, she was once again greeted by the ANBU that stopped her during her last visit. He was not wearing his mask today. He smiled without a hint of emotion behind his eyes:
"Welcome."
End of Chapter 26
Thank you for making it this far into the story.
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xox
Krystal