The Web of Friends is the Rigging of the Ship of the World
Takaki looked at the sideline of the chair of creepy old perverts. She had danced her way through the door apparently they didn't care that she had changed styles from her cover's. In this training camp, the trainees were to service a wealthy man or woman, advance grading. Takaki shuddered as she looked for the spy Anko was sending among the wealthy. Because Takaki, Shiinu and Shinji needed to move around, they needed someone partnered with her that didn't mind her abscence or the abscence of the nighttime activities they were supposed to be engaged in. Shiinu and Shinji would catch up with her after she had found Anko's spy. The first dance was the choosing, the wealthy slim chose the slave for the night. The secpond dance was practically vertical foreplay.
She gazed at the line-up until one popped out at her. Actually it hit her like a freakin two by four. He wasn't in disguise in that he was actually a wealthy aristocrat, the exact type of customers they were looking for. She felt a little sick. Her last thought before she entered the dance floor was the she was going to kill Anko!
000
Sakura barely remembered to catch herself before she prevented her stumbling into the room. The entire week, she had been lectured with six other girls and two guys above their purpose here. They were to learn to please and pleasure. When they demonstrated proficiency on it, they would be set free to spread the learning. They were very convincing, but Sakura was more inclined to believe the girls from earlier. She stumbled her way thorugh the tea ceremony, the dancing, the eating. At night they were led back to their rooms and locked in, with the exception of eight people. There were over 50 people going through this training, most had already been there. Sakura heard stories about how when you completed your training you left. She never heard of someone returning though, or sending a letter or anything. When the girls were not taken to their room for the night, she didn't know where they did sleep. She did know that afterwards, they were more subdued.
She tried to talk to one of them, but it was odd. The girl acted like she barely remembered last night, only that she was happy. When she asked the girl a question regarding something before they were captured, the girl just looked at her blankly. Slightly frightened, Sakura asked her her name. She remembered her first name, but her family name, siblings, even parents were gone from her memory. She was top of their classes. Slowly Sakura saw that as they became better at what they were doing, they started vanishing more and more at night. Sakura made all the mistakes she could get away with. She received her share of humiliation, glares, hits, kicks, and whips. Finally she was snared by the annoyed angry man. he had dragged her through the hallways, growling about her ability to perform the most basic of tasks. He wondered at her even being a true shinobi. Was Konoha weaker now then in the past or did her teachers and mates simply finally take pity on her. She gritted her teeth through it all. After he had thrown her in the dirty room, she grunted upon impact with two steps, she was left to fall to the floor.
"You will join the working servants. Your coloring makes you too distinct to sell anyway." The slam of the door was the last she saw of him.
Several hands helped her to stand and the four women from the bath came forward out of the eight total. The young one knelt in front of her and held a cloth to her bleeding face. The double black also knelt nearby.
"Are you alright?" Sakura nodded slightly. "I am Miketsu. This is Datsuko. We are called the unworthy ones." Sakura glanced as Datsuko, who looked away in shame. In confusion, she looked at Miketsu, but the elder came forward.
"Many people are brought here to become the perfect slaves. They train and learn and are promised to return home if they desire when they have completed their learning. What they arn't told is that they will not remember that they even have a home to go to. As someone becomes more proficient they begin to erase more memories. Pretty soon family, faces, even their own name is completely forgotten in the training into complacency. They call us unworthy because we are not worthy for one reason or another to become slaves. I am too old, Datsuko-chan was too young and now too calloused, Miketsu is too trained in the arts, we all have our parts that do not suit their profits. They weed most of us out in the initial catch, but sometimes unusual circumstances take their toll and we end up here anyway. We are the custodians, cooks, anything they require of us that is not performed by the students." She smiled sadly at Sakura. "You may still hate it here. But you will remain yourself, child." Sakura just looked down, stunned. Then her face firmed up as she remembered Naruto. She could feel him encouraging her to stay strong.
"My friends will come soon."
000
She swirled for a moment before meeting her contact's eyes and sending her signal. A few moments later he signaled his attraction to the guard. She smiled sweetly and led him out of the room. She guided him stately down the hallway. Splitting off from him, the guard directed him to the next room, she changed in a side room into a maze of gauze scarves that barely covered enough to be decent. Shinji met up with her as she changed.
"Neji and Lee are in position. Shiinu and Ten Ten are working forward. Sakura-chan is down and front. I will wait for you in the rafters with Hoshi. Inumaru is locating Anko with the news." Takaki nodded as she put the finishing touch on her outfit.
"Send Hoshi out ahead of us." Shinji nodded, accepting her decision, knowing she would explain it later.
"Do you want a personality breakdown of your partner before I leave?" Takaki shook her head.
"No, despite who I am, or rather because of who I am, I do understand the method to use on this person. Remind me to fillet Anko." She walked out, missing the dry chuckle as the blind shinobi identified her partner before he melted into the wall. His little friends in the wood guided him back to the meeting spot.
000
Naruto dropped down off the cliff next to his sensei. Haruka was crouched on the ground holding a stick. Kneeling next to her, Naruto looked at the ground in curiosity as Haruka made deep rivets in the dirt. They were in the mountains to the far north. Naruto had been pestering Haruka for information since she said they were going to his mother's home, but she had refused to say more on the topic. He wanted to know more about his parents. She would discuss his parents as people, but no real facts. He would hear about missions or training, but birthdays, names, relatives, she was pretty closed-mouthed about. He got the feeling she was even less liked in Konoha then he, which was saying something. He also got the feeling she was being vague on purpose. He was excited to meet more people who knew his mother.
"Naruto, you will need to follow direction from either myself or the person on your left for the duration of this ceremony, understand?" Naruto nodded after a thought. Haruka knelt and drew a spiral on the ground. Naruto watched as she filled in one part with dirt, and another with wood. She, then poured water from her bottle in a third part and lit the wood on fire. Naruto recognized the familiar hand signs as she formed a sloppy version of Kakashi's chidori. The second the crackling lightening touched the edge of the spiral the entire spiral lit with chakra, red and blue in the combination of Haruka's, then it spun brighter until it was blinding white. The five elements had connected in the spiral, Water, Earth, Fire, Air and Lightening made up the spiral that was as bright as the sun and twice as white. A wave of Chakra washed over Naruto.
As Naruto blinked the spots from his eyes, he saw a group of people surrounding them. Immediately, ignoring the spots still dancing in his vision, he leaped into a defensive position. He held it for all of a moment before Haruka grabbed his elbow and pulled him behind her as she faced a man and woman at one end of the trail. The people wore masks with bright designs in a tribal fashion. Otherwise their clothing was unremarkable for civilians, though he saw a shinobi vest here and there. They carried a variety of weapons ranging from shinobi swords and kunai to woodsmen's axes and hunter's arrows. Haruka was standing straight and looking at the man with respect, after a quick nod to the woman. The man stepped forward.
"Uzimaki Haruka, holder of Byaka, child of Konoha, sister of Kushina you have returned to our home." She smiled and nodded gently. He had held his arms out in welcome as he said this. Now he closed them and pointed.
"You bring one who is not family and have shown him our home." Naruto looked at the leader in anger but followed Haruka's request to remain silent. Haruka bowed slightly.
"I have brought Uzimaki Naruto, son of Kushina, child of Konoha. I bring him home." Naruto felt everyone's attention for a moment as the leaders eyes widened slightly before schooling his expression.
"You would have us accept this stranger?"
000
Takaki entered the room an located her partner. Hyuuga Hiashi was talking blandly with another wealth magnet. He was a little creeped out despite himself.
"Ah, Here are our flowers for the night." Hiashi looked away from the pathetic adulterer as the kunoichi and another young girl came over. The other man's choice looked close to Hanabi's age.
He really felt sick now. In the middle of Hinata's mission, a plot to destroy the main family of the Hyuuga by two members of the family's council was uncovered. The council members had Anbu connections so Tsunade found an excuse to get hiashi and Hanabi out of the village for a few days while she arrested the problems and their minions. She said Hinata should be fine, but Hiashi still worried about his daughter since as heir, she was the best target. He was newly able to talk to his daughter and he found that the more he got to know the person, the more he came to care for his already loved daughter, and the more proud he became. He hated his role in her life while he kept the council off her back and the fact that it worked as well with his daughter shamed him. he should have been able to protect her better then that. He hoped that he was repairing their relationship.
Now his sick feeling was enhanced by the woman-child who was to service the fat pig he had been talking to. Smiling in his psuedo-cover, he approached Usagi-chan. Anko said she was Takaki, he smiled wider, she wasn't identifiable in the least. He started watching her dance near him. He had seen her dancing before in Konoha, but now her style was different. Last time he watched her dance, she twirled in a provocative, demure, and vulnerable fashion, inviting dominance. Now her dance was different somehow. Accommodating and assured without losing the vulnerable quality. It wasn't just erotic, it was personal. She had read Hiashi's personality and designed a dance that made his blood sing.
Knowing in the back of his mind that he needed to play along anyway, he found himself placing his hands on her twisting waist. The second he did that, however, he felt odd, like his ears were ringing. Something about her skin was not arousing to him. Not quite the texture, for it was silky as it should be, but the chakra and emotion under it was off. He felt like a cold water had splashed his face. He pulled her close in acting, but his ardor was completely cooled.
"We have another 10 minutes before we can leave safely, but if the others aren't ready we need to remain. Are you fine with that?" Her breath whispered into his ear, perfectly gauged. He, however, kept his mind on the content of her whispers.
"Let me know when." He watched her spin away then pulled her back. "Good job on your homework. You almost had me going." She smirked, keeping any expression but her cover from spreading beyond her eyes.
"Almost?" He smiled appreciatively.
"This is work. Without the relationship, it doesn't work as well on me. It did work for a while." Hiashi blushed slightly as she pushed herself at him provocatively. He was staying in control, barely. She was good, no doubt.
"Nice to see my personality matters to the head of the Hyuuga clan. Care to explain why you were chosen for this?" Hiashi regarded her a moment. Tsunade and said that Takaki and her group of six would protect him until it was safe to return to Konoha. She needed to know this as mission leader.
"We had to get me out of Konoha in a hurry due to family troubles. I'm to stay with you until Tsunade-sama deems it safe." Takaki tripped and he caught her waist in character. She giggled and wrapped her arms around his neck. He lifted her up and she continued to dance for a moment before they were interrupted by one of the guards and wished to speak with her.
"Excuse me, my Lord, I will speak with her. She needn't be so clumsy." Hiashi didn't have the chance to protest before she was whisked away and another girl was trying to please him. It didn't work. For a few minutes, he was worried that their cover was blown, but Takaki returned minutes later. She smiled and continued to dance as if without interruption. When next they were close enough, she asked her next question.
"Did your daughter-daughters make it out alright?" Hiashi smiled softly.
"Hinata was already on a mission. Tsunade-sama said someone would tell her in time. Hanabi was sent to visit Suna for a few weeks." Takaki sighed in relief. On her next spin, she glided against him.
"It's Time"
000
Sakura sat down with a whoosh. It was her fifth day on the job and it was hard work. Sousuki came over. The elder was just as tired as Sakura. Sakura smiled softly and helped the lady to a seat before returned to her own.
"Sakura-chan, you are keeping up your spirits."
"My friends will come." The woman looked at the younger kunoichi. She seemed sure.
"You are from Konoha, hmm?" Sakura nodded, a looked of question crossing her face. "You carry their spirit." Sakura looked even more confused. "When you get out, please make sure that Dotsuko and Miketsu go with you. They really do belong in Konoha." Sakura reached for the old woman.
"Suki-Oba-"
"I'm getting too old for this." She "omph"ed as she rose. She walked away, stopping once to glance at the young kunoichi.
"I too believe that your friends are here."
000
Hiashi had led her out of the room, giggling, towards where she directed, hopefully in the same general direction of the bedrooms as to not arouse suspicion.
They caught up with her two teammates along with Team Gai. All five sported bruises and cuts, though Shiinu and Neji were the worst by far. Neji started when he saw his Uncle before looking at Takaki in question. She sent him a hard look that had him glance away in confusion, before seeming to put it aside for now.
Takaki drew them all together.
"Basic mission parameters. Find and protect Haruno Sakura, let our forces in, escape without Hyuuga Hiashi-dono being seen, collect evidence papers before they are destroyed." She looked at her team. "Lee, you will find and watch over Haruno. A single person has a heck of a lot more luck staying out of sight. She should be relatively safe until the fighting starts, but once the chaos descends, she may not be in a position to defend herself. Shinji, since you signaled, I am assuming the path for our allies is open. "The blind shinobi nodded. "you, Inumaru, and Neji double check this and pick up all evidence. We will meet you at the lower levels. Ten Ten, you, myself, Shiinu and Hiashi-dono will activate the traps we've hidden in this complex. I expect everyone at the meeting point in the lower levels in 15 minutes, and in one piece." She clapped her hands and they all split.
000
"Sister of Kushina, you bring us the son of Kushina. Who among us shall stand with you?" Haruka's eyes remained firmly on the leader. The others came out further from their hiding places. Naruto spot counted a few dozen.
"I shall stand with my sister's sister." A young woman with flaming hair strode past the leader. She didn't acknowledge anyone until she drew up to Haruka. They stared at each other before grasping each other's shoulders into a fierce embrace.
"Good to see you Sister."
"And you, My sister." The woman turned her piercing green eyes on Naruto. The leader cleared his throat.
"You speak for them, Katsukata, Daughter of Kiyuu?" She smiled and placed her hand on Naruto's shoulder.
"I will." He nodded.
"Let those who shall test the heart and mind of this request step forward." Two lines formed, one of three and one of four. He frowned. "Eight must test for this to proceed. Now I ask who shall test?" Haruka was staring ahead resolutely. Naruto looked at her before glancing over at Katsukata. She was also solemn. Until she saw him looking at her. Then she leaned over.
"You were not officially born into the tribe so you have to be accepted in by two members to speak for you. Then one member must prove that they truly believe in you, usually the originally supporter." Naruto looked at her.
"How do they do that?" She was cut off from answering as the leader spoke again.
"Haruka, of Konoha. You have given your place here on the belief in this person. Do you understand this?" Haruka stepped forward.
"I understand. I will forsake my knowledge of this home. I will refuse to call upon its members for aid and I shall never speak of its existence again." He nodded.
"If you are ready to begin the test for Naruto of Konoha step forward and give us your faith." She moved forward between the two lines, back straight, eyes ahead, never wavering from the headman's gaze.
"I ask that you embrace his body with your limbs." A knife flew from the hands of those in line. And another, then an arrow. Still Haruka walked resolutely forward.
"I request that you seek him with your senses." One knife left a shallow gash on her thigh. She hissed slightly, but kept her eyes on the leader as she came forward.
"I beg you to explore his flavor." Naruto was fighting to stay still as one axe came close to her throat. She didn't even flinch.
"I plead you to hear his mind as it seeks life." Katakatsu placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder to remind him to stay put.
"I need you to notice his heart as your gaze understands friendship." She had the last two to pass at this point, still with only that one injury on her thigh.
"I demand you accept his soul as not just kindred but unique and all the joys that go with it." The last person threw a kunai that sunk into her shoulder. While she did falter n her steps, her eyes did not.
"With touch
feel him
with scent
find him
with taste
explore him
with sound
understand him
with sight
recognize him
with soul
accept him!"
She was standing in front of the leader now, panting from the exertion of walking with her injuries. She looked up at the leader. He looked down at her, no sympathy in his eyes, though Naruto thought there was a hint of pride if he cared to look. As it was he just wanted to run to his teacher who had blood running down her arm.
"Haruka, you stand by your word, you bring honor to your name. Uzimaki Naruto, come forward." Naruto was gently pushed forward by Katsukata. She kept him from running as he passed the two lines. Katsukata held his hand up and pressed it against the wound on Haruka's arm. She winced but did not look at him. He frowned when the leader held up his arms.
"I, Uzimaki Tadashi, welcome Naruto in with Haruka and Katsukata." He looked at Haruka and Naruto as he stepped towards them smiling, "And I, Tadashi welcome my great grandson into my home." Naruto just stood stunned as cheering went up around him.
000
Shiinu paced as he waited for the last group . Neji and Shinji were late. Takaki was perched in a corner. She couldn't give them much more time. Staying in one place was asking to be found. She sighed in relief at Inumaru's soft yip.
The pup came into the corridor with two boxes and two bodies on his back. She motioned everyone to follow her, hoping her two friends were all right.
She stopped them further in the lower deck and scanned the Hyuuga and blind shinobi. Neither had life-threatening injuries. Shiinu picked up Shinji and Hiashi picked up Neji to take the weight off of Inumaru, who while a good-sized dog, was still barely above everyone's knees.
A series of explosions told them that the attack had begun. It also sounded as if their escape route was blocked. They raced along the hallway as Hiashi warned them of their pursuers.
Takaki had her hidden kekkei genkai active as she looked for a plausible way out. She could see more pursuers ahead of them. They were trapped. She had to get them all out. They couldn't wait on the rescue forces, not with Hiashi with them. They wouldn't get here in time. She glanced at Neji, riding on Hiashi's back, unconscious. He had been working with her some, but she didn't know if she was ready to hold anyone, much less this many people in her new ability. She really didn't have much choice though. She glanced around again, looking through the walls.
"Shiinu, next left, go all the way down." Hiashi hesitated at this. She was taking them away from the surface and away from reinforcements. Also, he could see that this path led to a basement with no exits.
Inumaru plowed into him when he tried to stop. He tried to halt, but the dog was determined. All the people here except Hiashi knew Takaki and trusted her unconditionally.
They came to a stop in the underground room, Hiashi saw only one other old exit that had been sealed by a cave-in some time ago.
"People are coming behind us." Shiinu cursed at the blocked path. Hiashi turned to Takaki.
"Why did you lead us here?!?" She ignored him. Takaki was frantically looking at the ground. Apparently, she found what she was looking for, for she smiled briefly before calling everyone over.
"Stand near me and don't move your feet." She frowned in concentration. Shiinu placed a hand on her shoulder in support.
"You can do this!" His fierce whisper was honest and loyal. He believed in her. She felt warmth and resolve flood her being as Naruto's chakra flooded her being as well. She smiled in a fashion so resembling her bondmate that for a moment Shiinu forgot that this was Takaki and not Hinata. Then she focused in. In a determined voice.
"No, I WILL do this!" She pulled hard as water erupted from the ground around them. She glanced back at Neji, still unconscious on Hiashi's back, despite the noise. "I wish he were watching." Shiinu smirked dryly.
"Serves him right for being injured." She smiled, appreciating the light-heartedness. Nodding she closed her eye to focus on the task at hand. Slowly she began to spin in a way that greatly resembled Hakkeshou Kaiten. The water swirled up around the Konoha-jin as five enemy shinobi entered the room. No one had a chance to budge as the water formed a wall around them, Takaki spinning like a top in the middle.
Ready, Mui?
Ready
Takaki let the water lift her off the ground as she began to spin faster and in two dimensions. Slowly, she curled into a ball, increasing her speed as she did so, rotating on all three axis. It was making Hishi's head hurt. How she kept any sense of direction, he didn't know. He felt the chakra circling them. It was strong but slightly unsteady. She hadn't completely mastered this yet, in fact, she hadn't seemed very convinced this would work before. Not the best thing to stake their lives on, but there was little he could do.
"I knew she could do it." Hiashi looked at Neji, who was rousing. Glancing over at Shinji, he saw that the boy had also awakened on Shiinu's back. Neither said a word, not wanting to distract Takaki as she ceased her spinning and was simply floating in a ball in the middle of their sphere, arms crossed, palms out on both sides, conscious controlling the chakra and water swirling around her. He turned his attention to Shiinu and Shinji when both of them jerked. They glanced at Takaki with concern, but firmed their faces and closed their eyes.
This continued for another ten minutes before something changed. Takaki slowly started to spin again. Once up to speed, she gradually uncurled and spread her limbs. As she slowed this time, her feet landed lightly on the ground, spinning into Ten Ten crazily. Ten Ten seemed prepared for this and caught the likely dizzy kunoichi. The chakra holding the water dropped as she struggled to keep her balance.
Amazing! Of course without her chakra holding the water, it dropped, soaking all the shinobi within the sphere. Inumaru was the exception, he jumped out of the sphere before she loist control and thus was relatively dry, which was good since he was carrying papers. Hiashi shook his head as he set Neji down. He looked around in surprise. They were in a forest now, not in that fortress, or even close to it. There was green, lush grass and soft dirt. behind him he saw a bubbling stream. Looking up river and he saw that this was probably a tributary of a larger river as the river further upstream was deeper then his height. Looking at the marks on the ground on the bank, he came to a startling, and rather unbelievable realization. The water sphere and been a bubble that she had been using to travel under water in the stream! he looked back at her in amazement as Ten Ten helped her sit without falling over. She looked a bit green around the gils. He could understand after the amount of spinning she just did.
Inumaru dropped off the boxes behind a bush and went over to his master as Shinji was set on a stone near Neji. Both boys were panting and trying to remain conscious. Takaki stood, swaying a bit before coming over to the two boys. She placed a hand over each of them before sighing.
"Ten Ten, could you give them small amounts of water. When the world stops spinning so much I'll do what I can." She looked over at Shiinu as he placed all the papers Inumaru had been carrying into packs. She was about to suggest lunch when a shinobi landed in the area. He bowed to Hiashi and spoke.
"Hiashi-sama, I bring word from Anko-san. Good work on your mission. The raid went according to plan." Hiashi nodded his head. The spy went on. "I was sent to pick up the evidence that your group found for Anko-san." Hiashi was about to speak when Takaki spoke first.
"Unfortunately we don't have the evidence. It had been cleaned out before we got there." Hiashi glanced at her, careful to keep his face neutral. Shiinu spoke up.
"We heard one of the guards complain about moving papers to another building. They're probably at another hideout." The spy nodded.
"I shall inform Anko-san. We will simply have to keep looking. It isn't your fault." He nodded to Hiashi and was gone before Hiashi could say anything. He stared at the spot the shinobi disappeared before looking at Takaki.
"What was that about?!?" Takaki looked at him with slightly unfocused, but firm.
"I beg your pardon, Hiashi-dono?" Her voice was chilling. Her eyes may still be dizzy, but her resolve was firm. Before Hiashi could respond, Anko landed in the clearing.
"Yo, Hiashi-san, Takaki-chan. How are you doing?" Hiashi was staring at her as Takaki gave her a bright smile. "Takaki-chan, I came by to pick up the evidence." Takaki nodded to Inumaru and the dog brought her the bag of papers. She smiled and picked them up. Hiashi just stared dumb founded.
"You have a leak." Anko looked at her for clarification. "We had someone stop by to pick that up for you already. You have a leak." Anko nodded seriously.
"You have a tough mission." Takaki nodded and waited. "Tsunade-dono has sent word that all dangers to the Hyuuga main are gone from Konoha, but not destroyed. They are hunting for their targets. Meaning we need Hiashi, Neji and Hinata back in Konoha, pronto. Hanabi-chan will remain hidden for a while yet." Hiashi sighed in relief.
"She's all right then?" Anko nodded to him.
"She's not in Suna, but she is all right. That was just a ruse to move her out of Konoha." Hiashi nodded. Anko turned back to Takaki.
"Also, you remember the Strong Eight, right?" Takaki rolled her eyes.
"How could I ever forget them?" Her sarcastic voice seemed to calm Anko as she grinned.
"Two escaped our nets and are looking for the six of you." Takaki chuckled.
"Maybe they'll all find us at the same time and duke it out over who gets to kill us and kill each other." Anko gave her a wry smile.
"If only. More likely they'll join forces." Takaki nodded in agreement.
"We'll get as close to Konoha as we can before we turn it over to Hinata, Kiba and Shino. We'll probably leave in twenty minutes or so." Anko cocked her head.
"Why wait?" Takaki gestured to Neji and Shinji.
"I have them to heal and -" A bush drew her attention and Hoshi popped out with a scroll in her mouth. Takaki smiled "I was waiting for this." Anko smiled slightly and nodded.
"Gotcha, just don't get killed okay. I doubt you father would be very happy about that." Takaki chuckled.
"No, I would guess not." Then she frowned.
"Oh and couldn't you have found some other way to get Hiashi-dono to us?!?" Anko chuckled quietly.
"Whatever do you mean?" Takaki glared at her good-natuedly.
"I had twenty minutes of erotic dancing with my partner, him. Do you have any idea how awkward that was?!?" Anko chuckled.
"Awwwww, did you want more time?" her sing-song voice was echoing slightly as she vanished, saving herself from Takaki's swing.
"Remember, don't die!" She was gone.
000
Naruto ducked his head as people crowded towards him. He heard many hellos, though most of the comments were directed towards Haruka.
"Welcome Back!"
We've Missed ya!"
"How long are you staying?"
"I'm glad you're okay!"
"What has been happening with everyone else?"
"Why were you gone so long?"
"When did you return?"
"How is everyone?"
Tadashi started laughing. His boisterous roar was infectious and soon everyone was laughing and smiling, even Naruto, though he hadn't the foggiest idea as to what was happening.
"Back home! Haru-chan can tell us everything over the fire!" Naruto thought he understood why this man was leader, he could raise his booming voice over everyone. There was a chorus of cheers at this announcement and everyone picked up their things and started marching. They had only been walking for a moment or two, when Naruto felt Hinata pulling at the bond, needing more chakra and stability. He frowned and sent a feeler in her direction, opening the bond. She was worried, unsure of herself. He sent reassurance, echoed by Youko and the idea that he could maintain her chakra supply if Mui couldn't. Hinata still seemed a bit on edge, but at least she thought she had a chance now. Naruto firmed himself. He didn't send reassurance this time but denial.
Not you can do it!
You will!
He felt her voice the same thought as he did. Pulling back, he found that Haruka had taken his shoulder in hand and was directing him while talking. He smiled in her direction and turned his attention back to the people around him. When they realized he was back, their questions turned to him and he fielded many questions about Konoha, himself, Haruka, places he's gone, people he's met, sights he's seen. They chattered all the way to a small village.
000
Takaki knelt in front of Neji. Shinji was walking around some so he had asked that she look at the Hyuuga first. Hiashi was over talking with Shiinu. Takaki leaned close enough that the two could talk without being heard.
"He doesn't know?"
"No, but he will before we reach Konoha. I must change before then."
"It'll be fine." Takaki looked uncertain, an odd look for her. This personality didn't allow for showing uncertainty.
"It'll have to be." Neji winced at a wound pulling but looked at her, placing an uninjured hand on her shoulder.
"He was...is a shinobi as well. He knows what it means." She looked at her cousin. "I'll stand by you regardless. I swore, remember?" She did remember. She asked for him as her second in her clan and he swore to be her second in life if she needed him. That wasn't fair and she wouldn't ask it of him, but that it was being offered was comforting. Naruto's good mood, along with his reassurance helped to settle her nerves. She stood up.
"Yosh! Lets get back. Shinji, if you're sure you're all right then I"ll tend to your injuries at another time. Hoshi, please stick to Neji." She leaned towards the fox, "I think you're most comfortable with him anyway." She glanced over at Hiashi, who was looking at the fox with concern. "Let's go!"
000
Sakura was just finishing up the floor when the walls crumbled in.
"Mou, we just washed there!" Sakura smiled at Dotsuko's annoyance as she pulled the younger girl out the way of the fighting. She recognized Lee and knew everything was fine. Miketsu rushed over to them and watched with fearful eyes as one shinobi battled a growing number of opponents.
"Don't worry, Miketsu-san. Lee-san is one of the best!"
"But..."
"Miketsu-san," The double black looked at Sakura. The younger kunoichi gave her a thumbs-up. "He has the Will of Fire!" She smiled and nodded. She looked over at the fray and frowned slightly. She couldn't stand it. She just could just stand and watch. She saw a kunai heading for his back and without even thinking about it, she leaped.
Sousuki came down to the ruckus just in time to see Miketsu leap into battle, eyes hard and ready. She hurried over to Sakura and grabbed her just in time to keep her from joining in.
"Let them go at it, Sakura-chan." Sakura looked up at Sousuki in concern, Miketsu wasn't trained for this.
"But."
"She'll be fine. They can erase memory all they want, but true training never vanishes completely." Sakura looked back at the fight and saw that Miketsu was actually doing really well. She was even melding into a style, including Lee and moving with him as a partner. She wasn't just trained, she had to have been an expert before she lost her memories.
They turned at a loud noise. One of the main guards entered the room.
"You! This is your fault! You will never get away with this!" He brought his hands together as Anko came towards him to tackle. She tackled just as the ceiling crashed down on Sakura, Dotsuko and Sousuki.
000
Takaki crouched behind a boulder. They were pinned down. The enemy didn't know they were there yet, but they had to pass to get closer to Konoha. Virtually any motion now would alert them to their presence. Takaki glanced over at Neji and Hiashi. The three of them were the target. She looked at Shinji. Closing her eyes, she thought back to earlier.
-------------------Flashback-------------------
The chakra was spinning around her faster and faster. She was carrying them, but she was becoming disoriented. She had never done this without Neji on the outside feeding her stable telemetry. Neji was unconscious right now though. She needed help, she was getting too dizzy to control the sphere. She needed help! Kiba-kun! Please Help! Shino-kun! I can't! Please help!
We're here!She gasped at the force of their combined thought. They were just as startled, something they put behind them and went with it. They were used to weird things, sort of. For the moment they acepted that Hinata needed them to help her now!
---------------End Flashback------------
She had connected with her teammates, finally. She had believed it would happen eventually. Although they didn't understand the bond yet, they were being patient. She looked in Shinji's and Shiinu's direction and forcefully transmitted her idea to them. They really didn't have time for guessing games. Her teammates looked at her and nodded. They got ready for her signal. She transmitted her message to Neji. Her cousin looked at her in utter panic before shakily nodding. He wasn't liking this at all.
She nodded as he gripped Ten Ten's arm and Shinji gripped Hiashi's arm in preparation. Ten Ten trusted Neji absolutely, but Shinji had a bit of a staring match with Hiashi before the elder nodded to show that he could follow orders. Takaki nodded to Shiinu as the two of them leaped out with Inumaru, the two transforming into Hiashi and Neji. They took off with Takaki in one direction. The chase began.
Shinji led the others quietly in a different direction. Until they couldn't hear the battle any more. They kept going. Neji just gritted his teeth. They were getting further and further away.
"I have to help her!" Shinji was next to him in a flash.
"No, you won't! Her orders, her decision!" Neji clenched his teeth in frustration, but before he could go any further, Ten Ten knocked him over and out of the air.
Two opponents just landed in front of them.
000
Sakura gasped as she looked up. The ceiling stopped a few feet from her head as she crouched over Dotsuko. She looked over at Sousuki. The elder was grimacing in pain as she held the seal onthe psuedo-ceiling.
"Suki-obaa-san!" Sakura hurried over to her. She tried to scan the elder woman, but found her chakra was completely out of her reach. Sousuki smiled wryly.
"No one can access their chakra once they've been here long. A few days and it is already too sealed. Even for a seasoned relic like me." She fell to her knees as Dotsuko caught her.
"Obaa-san!" Sousuki smiled and looked at Sakura.
"I hadn't forgotten the Will of Fire, but thank you, Sakura-chan. Its nice to know it still burns strongly in the young of Konoha." Sakura looked at the woman, this sounded strangely like a goodbye speech. "I need you to tell your Hokage something for me. Tell your Hokage that this child is the Daughter of Namikaze Nijikou." Dotsuko looked at the woman in amazement.
"I'm sorry Dotsuko. I never told you because I thought that it wouldn't help." She turned to Sakura. "Let her be a Kunoichi like her parents. Such kind and gentle people. So misunderstood." She closed her eyes. Sakura looked up as the stone above them shifted and broke open to reveal Lee's head.
"We're okay, we're free! Obaa-san!" Dotsuko shook her grandmother figure as she cried. "We're free." The elder's eyes didn't twitch open, her chest didn't heave with air, her smile didn't waver on her pale face. Sousuki didn't respond to the calls of the living
Sakura gently gathered the elder woman and stopped.
ba-dump.....ba-dump.....badump
She looked up at Anko frantically.
"Medic! we need a medic, now!"
000
Takaki panted as she fought hard, drawing strength from Naruto as she, Shiinu, and Inumaru fought. They were doing better then she thought they should be when a thread of panic came from Neji. Naruto heard it too and The panic struck straight to her core. They were clones!
She leaped over them yelling at Shiinu the fact as she dashed towards her family in danger.
She could feel the desperation from both Shinji and Neji as they were fighting their hardest. She reached behind her. Bouncing backwards to land on Inumaru, she opened the scroll Hoshi had brought. Shiinu jumped on Inumaru as she opened it with her blood and opened the summoning scroll.
000
Sakura was walking the first year medic through the procedure to save Sousuki. She was pulling on everyonce of her knowledge to help while trying to revive her own chakra in the process. Anko was helping as she could, but this was more of a race against time. Sakura could feel tears coming as the first-year medic also broke down. She had tears streaming down her cheeks. She wasn't good enough yet to help. Dotsuko was crying in a corner.
Suddenly arms encircled Sakura.
"I'll help." Sakura looked up into her best friends aqua eyes. Ino smiled and sat next to Sousuki and formed her seal. She may not be a mednin, but her family's style made the type of task easier. Sakura slowly walked Ino through step by step how to keep a heart beating, improve blood flow, and restart a chakra system that failed. Ino broke out into sweat as she strained her chakra to its limits. She could feel this person slip. She had used some of her life's chakra to save the lives of her friend, now Ino will save her life.
A shuttering breath, then another, then a deeper one as Sousuki started to breathe again. Dotsuko sat up, holding her own breath in hope as Sakura continued to give instruction in a low, steady and calm voice to Ino. Their trust in each other and their understanding of each other allowed for a relaxed and efficient atmosphere that almosst seemed like a trance.
Sakura began to instinctively added her recovering chakra to Ino's as together they fanned the fire that was Sousuki's life. Fanned it until it burst into a flame. It was tiny and weak, but stable and determined. Sakura smiled. That was the determination that allowed this woman to raise a beautiful child in such an environment.
Sakura looked at Ino, tears in both their eyes with happiness. They pulled each other into a hug of relief. Behind them Miketsu slid down the rock wall in relief and Sotsuko hugged the nearest person in joy, who happened to be Lee, who was mildly startled, but not too annoyed. Ibiki smiled from the entrance to the tent, glad he and his apprentice had gotten here in time.
Sakura gave Dotsuko and Miketsu a hug as they smiled. Sakura stepped back as everyone let out a breath of relief. That was when the day caught up to her and she smiled as she lost herself to darkness.
Outside a presence settled down for a wait. His red eyes focused on the tent where his red-headed cherry was. He had seen the woman enter. A woman that looked so familiar it was frightening. She was so pale and hunched over. So malnurished and in-tidy, but he knew her from somewhere. She knew his little Cherry. He knew he wasn't budging until he knew that she was alright.
000
Youko wasn't surprised to be summoned, what with the utter panic his host had been undergoing. He burst up, taking the two humans and pup with him as he leaped the distance between Hinata and Neji. The ground shook as he landed and started attacking those attacking the family of his mate's jinhcuuriki.
Hiashi froze. He was here! The last time he saw Him was when he lost Haruka. That night, they lost both of them. The giant red fox was saving their lives. this was no chakra manifestation like before with Naruto, this was the real fox. Takaki landed on one side with Inumaru and Shiinu as they rushed forward. Hiashi shook himself as he tried to brush teh past back where it belonged. For what ever reason, Kyuubi was helping, so lets finish this fight!
He attacked with vengence, Kyuubi evening everything out as did the arrival of Takaki and her other teammate. He thought they were doing okay when a shout caught his attention. A solid object collided with him, sending him flying. He turned back to see a swirl on fire had engulfed the person in the spot he had been standing. When he heard Takaki scream was when he identified the person who had shoved him out of harm's way.
"NEJI!!!!" He looked over at Takaki, recognizing that voice as his daughter's for a moment. A blue hawk swirled over the battle field, encompassing Neji, cooling the flames immediately. She gently laid him on his back as Takaki landed at his side. Hiashi stared at this kunoichi. The blue hawk took off and helped Kyuubi finish the last of the enemies before returning to Takaki. One its way past the great fox, it nuzzled him with its beak.
The Hyuuga heir was attemping to heal Neji. Her healing ability with burns was limited, however and she was crying as she felt his chakra slip away. She could feel Naruto offer all the support he could, but she couldn't do enough. The water hawk she was controlling landed over her and splashed on the entire group, soaking them all. Hinata, who was tied to Neji at the time, felt his wounds heal in the water. His acceptance of her chakra was healing his injuries. She poured more chakra, blanketing him in it as he continued to heal.
"Wait! You don't have that much chakra! If you continue yo-" He was stopped by Shiinu. The glare he recieved from the diguised chunnin was enough to make his blood run cold.
"I think you should keep your opinions to yourself." His harsh low voice was accented by a growl from the canine of the group. Hiashi stared at them, mind starting to make connections.
Slowly Neji and Takaki lessoned the amount of chakra surrounding them and Neji opened his eyes. He looked at his cousin and smiled slightly as he sat up with Ten Ten's help. Takaki placed her hand behind his back to support him.
"Easy, Itoko, you still have bad burns all over your body." Neji heaved a pained sigh as he took stock in his injuries and glanced around, noting the large red fox and the dead bodies.
"I take it we won?" His laugh was shaky as his eyes landed on his uncle. Hiashi looked to be in a slight state of shock. Takaki smiled and nodded. She looked at him a moment longer, before standing.
"Shiinu, Shinji, I believe its time for Hinata, Kiba and Shino to take over so we can get back to Konoha. Ten Ten could you please help Neji towards the spring over that hill. I'll help Inumaru." She gestured to them as they nodded. They sat around the spring as hiashi came over.
"Where is Hinata and her teammates?" Takaki looked at him and sighed.
"I'll explain soon." She started to take her top off to bathe and stopped, and gave him a look, arching her eyebrow. He turned away and started talking to Ten Ten.
000
Ino sat on one side of the tent. There were two cots, one with Sakura and one with Sakura's friend, Sousuki. Sousuki was in a coma. No one knew when she'd wake up. Ino was watching Sakura when she was joined by Miketsu and Dotsuko. They glanced at Sakura and Sousuki before coming over to where Ino was sitting.
"Hi." Dotsuko's greeting was the barest whisper, the young girl was cowed by the events of the day. "Thank you for helping Sakura-chan." Ino nodded and smiled gently at the girl. She was only a few years younger then her and Sakura.
"I'm Ino." Dotsuko sat down.
"I'm Dotsuko. Sousuki said it honored my parents. This Miketsu. She doesn't actually rememeber her past. But she liked Miketsu when Suki-obaa-san asked about it." Ino cocked her head in curiosity but Dotsuko just shrugged.
"So you don't know anything about your history?" Dotsuko just shook her head.
"Before she fainted, Suki-Obaa-san told us my Mother's name from Konoha. I want to find her." Ino nodded.
"We'll help." Dotsuko looked at Ino.
"Would you help me become a kunoichi as well?" Ino looked at her with curiosity. "Suki-obaa-san trained me when They weren't watching but I wouldlove to be a kunoichi like Obaa-san and not have to hide it anymore." Ino stared at the excited youth.
"Have you ever lived away from those bastards?" Dotsuko looked confused but shook her head.
"Suki-obaa-san was captured when I was an infant. She raised me. We visit the nearby villages quite a bit. I can't wait to live in one." Ino just stared at her before smiling.
"You are going to love Konoha."
000
Hiashi jumped as a spray of water hit him in the dark clearing. He turned to glare at Inumaru only to have the words catch in his mouth.
"Akamaru, get back over here and stop soaking the dry people!" Kiba's jovial call prompted a yip of acknowledgement from the pup.
"Akamaru-kun, come on and I'll dry you off some more." Hinata soft voice shook Hiashi as the large puppy flounced over to the Hyuuga Heir. Hiashi looked at Neji with wide eyes.
"Takaki? Hinata?" Neji just smiled uncertainly. "You knew?" Neji nodded affirmative. "She... but she... earlier she... all that chakra... and Mui!...Wow..." Neji chuckled slightly.
"That is kind of what I thought at the time." Hiashi looked at his nephew in question. Neji smiled. "Dancing." Hiashi paled as he remembered the dancing they did. He liked her dancing. It was beautiful. It was perfect. It was erotic. It was Erotic! To...him...
"I need to sit down."
000
Naruto sighed as he let Hinata work with her family. He shifted his attention to sakura to find her still sleep, healing. Both of his bonds panicking so much in so short a time was exhausting. he looekd around as they finally made it to the village. Haruka led him around to the table that already had food on it. he eyed it hungrily. he hadn't eaten in a while and it had been a long evening and this group seemed like the type to party.
"We will sit here." He glanced at his sensei.
"Shouldn't you get that shoulder seen to?" Haruka shook her head slightly as Katsukata leaned close.
"It is a symbol of her honor and pride and faith in you. She will wear it proudly until bedtime as you should of your hand." He looked at his hand and thanked the lord for chopsticks.
000
Hinata sat on the boulder. She had finished washing Akamaru. Afterwards, leaving the overgrown puppy to play in the water, she walked over to her father. he seemed lost in thought.
"Father." Hiashi seemed ot come out of his trance. he looked at his daughter, a bit frazzled and lost. "Daijoubu ka?"
"Aa, I'm fine." Hinata just sat and waited. "I'm not fine. Hinata how long have you... Has Takaki... Well..." HInata smiled, taking pity on her father.
"Since that month-long mission." Hiashi loioked at Kiba, who was splashing Akamaru.
"Your teammates know...understand?" hinata frowned slightly.
"They are still a bit over protective, but we understand each other, we are best friends. No, more then that, we complete each other in a way no one else ever could." Hiashi looked at them and smiled.
"Teammates can be like that." Then he shivered. hinata gave him an inquisitive look. hiashi blanched.
"How did you know what to do to arouse me?" Hinata turned red at his bleak question. Hiashi was determined to get an answer to this, even though he did't like admitting to something so base.
"Mother." Hiashi's eyes widened. "You loved Mother. I-I remember that. I remember her dance was slightly different then mine. She told me it was Okaa-san's dance. She only did it and it was only for you. I tried to imitate that." Hiashi looked at his daughter, stunned. He didn't think she remembered her mother that well. He hoped to spare her the pain of that love lost. Hinata was looking at the stars.
"I know you don't like to talk about Mother, but I miss her, Father." Her voice was careless, unguarded. Hiashi didn't think he had ever heard that voice from her before. "I remember her so vividly. Especially her smile. She liked to smile at everything." HIashi felt his hand fist as the memories returned to him with a vengence.
"A-Aa, Aya loved to smile." His shaky voice drew her attention. She looked down.
"I guess we should stay in the present though." She looked sad as she moved to rise from her boulder.
"Maybe-" HInata looked at her father, "Maybe the past is not best to be forgotten. You never know what lessons are there." Hinata smiled slightly, unsure of what her father was getting at.
"Maybe, we shouldn't forget poeple who mean so much to us, even when it hurts." Hinata felt tears surge behind her eyes.
"I miss her too." Hinata smiled. She wasn't sure she would ever hear her father say that. Hiashi leaned against his hands.
"Your mother brought such beauty to the house. She was always dancing and gliding along." Hinata smiled.
"Aa, with her vases and flowers." Hiashi smiled through his own sadness.
"She liked to sing to them. She would say that they need music to grow into beautiful blossoms." Hinata nodded slightly.
"I remember this one time, she had a full hand of lilies. She said they were for you. I wanted some to give you too. She smiled and handed me one." HIashi was looking at his daughter as she struggled throught he memory. "I told her that I wanted to give you more than just one. She smiled." Hinata shook her head. "She told me...She just said that one flower, unique and strong is beautiful for its uniqueness, not its quantity." HInata giggled nervously. Hiashi smiled.
"She liked uniqueness. She called it the spice of life." Hinata nodded.
"You used to respond that you liked her spice and my spice."
"Aa, I liked them bestest." Hinata nodded, feeling her tears coming as her father pulled her into a hug for the first time practically since her mother's death.
"Otome..." He held his daughter close to him, letting himself greive for his wife for the first time in years.
"Tou-san" That name was her's to her father. Hiashi smiled as he squeezed her and let her go.
"We'll talk at home." She nodded when they were interrputed by Kiba.
"Ano, Hina-chan, we have company."
000
Miketsu smiled at the sight of Dotsuko asleep next to Sousuki's cot. Ino was watching from Sakura's cot.
"She fell asleep."
"Aa" She placed a blanket over the girl and moved and sat next to Ino. Ino looked at her with interest.
"Ano, Miketsu-san, do you really not remember any of your past?" Miketsu gazed at Dotsuko.
"No, no memories. Though, every now and then something will seem familiar." Ino cocked her head.
"Like what?" Miketsu brought out a Hitae. "Isn't that Sakura's?" She nodded.
"I took when they brought Sakura-chan in so it wouldn't get destroyed." She turned it over. "I know this symbol." Ino looked at it.
"That's the Uchiha fan. One of Sakura's teammates is an Uchiha. You know that symbol?" Miketsu nodded.
"I can't explain it. it just feels important." Ino looked at Sakura before speaking again.
"Miketsu-san, I would like your help, if you are willing." Miketsu looked at her curiously. "I am studying the memory loss these bastards use, hoping to reverse it someday. My clan has mental abilities that make me uniquely qualified. However I have very few willing subjects. The subject has to believe there is somethingto remember. Would you be willing to help me?" Miketsu looked at Dotsuko in thought.
"The Uchiha are in Konoha?" Ino looked at her, confused. She just smiled softly.
"What the hell, someone has to watch over her. Sure, I'll help you." Ino smiled and started explaining what they were doing.
000
Naruto was feeling a bit overwhelmed. First, Hinata's fights were tiring, though he obeyed her and block her out, he couldn't help but check up on her to see that she was alright. She mentioned having a heart to heart with her father. He wished her lusk and returned to the real world where the craziness couldn't increase much.
Haruka and himself had been sat to dinner, followed by storytime, which was interesting to say the least, though he knew everything she related, their reactions and conversation was fun. he also had a full day the next day as haruka had procured teachers for him. he was settling into his cot for the night, sending a sleepy good night to his mate.
Her wishes for good dreams whisked him to dreamland.
000
Hinata was at the water's edge in a moment, but relaxed when the identity of the person was established. Yuuki glided out of the water.
"Hinata-dono, are you well?" Hinata smiled and nodded. "May we talk?"
As one makes friends
They go out into the world to make more
Like ships out into the sea
This will have one more chapter i think. Thank you to Rena the pirate jedi wizard for telling me know people are still reading my stories even after my low absence.
Katsukata-the kanji for this mean gouken or sturdy, vigor in reverse. a combination of sturdy(Kata) and healthy(katsu).
Kiyuu-bravery
Tadashi-righteousness
Sousuki-seal/lock and wise, I liked the kanji for these
Nijikou-rainbow twice