Chapter 24

"I guess this is what people mean when they say 'the footsteps of doom."

This sudden thought slipped through Sasuke's mind as he continued the futile struggle against his bonds; the sound of approaching footsteps becoming increasingly louder. Luka watched him wordlessly, his dark eyelashes hiding the turmoil in his deep green eyes.

Sasuke's heart raced alarmingly as adrenaline coursed through his body. As his limbs began to shake from the sudden energy and pain, Sasuke's eyes once again darted to the window, his mind a mess of thoughts and emotions as he struggled to form an escape plan. He closed his eyes, his muscles screaming in protest as he violently fought his chains.

Never in his life had he felt so utterly helpless. Every other time that he had found himself bound and without chakra, he had always been consoled by the knowledge that Naruto was close by.

"Naruto." A moment of clarity made Sasuke freeze. "Naruto must be looking for me. I have to calm down. No matter what they throw at me, I will endure. For the sake of my pride, and his, I will remain calm even when I face the leader: the original Kou."

A small smile found Sasuke's lips as he exhaled slowly, lifting his head confidently. When he glanced up to meet the gazes of the advisors, attendants, and high-ranking shinobi who were filing into the room, he was his usual, proudly glacial self.

Several sets of stony green eyes stared down at him, unmoved even as Sasuke examined them closely with venomous eyes. As soon as the last of their party had entered the room, they arranged themselves into an orderly grouping. Anticipation filled the air as they stood together silently, returning Sasuke's gaze as they waited. Although these people were important figures in the Kou Clan, none of them looked a day over thirty, their skin soft and unmarred. They looked like a collection of sheltered heirs and heiresses, with their shiny black hair and flowing clothing that rippled in even the slightest breeze.

Sasuke almost laughed. Even though he was bound and powerless, he still perceived himself as a greater threat than these people.

When the silence had stretched out awkwardly, Sasuke cast a quick glance towards Luka. He regretted the look immediately when a cold shock of fear rattle through his body. Luka's face had gone impossibly white, his eyes wide and staring with unshakable contempt. Sasuke followed his gaze, peering past the assembled Kou and out into the hallway.

The sound of a single set of footsteps permeated the silence.

Immediately, the group of Kou began to buzz with excitement. Sasuke cast a disbelieving glance towards them, his face expressionless as he thought, "Is it normal for people to react to their leader this way?"

Even Naruto, who was still more of an idol than a leader, was treated primarily with respect or fear. But when Sasuke glanced back at the hallway and examined the approaching man more closely, he suddenly felt that he understood.

The leader of the Kou Clan wore large black boots, shiny and pointed, which were heavy on the ancient stone floors. His pants were made of dark leather, which fit his long legs like a glove. Like the other people in his clan, he wore a shirt of fine flowing fabric which revealed a large portion of his chest. His skin was tanned from the harsh mountain sunlight, so even from a distance Sasuke could see the many scars that covered his body.

He entered the room, ignoring the simpering of his guests and heading straight towards Sasuke. Pausing a few feet away, he reached up to run a hand through his unruly, dark hair. Although he too didn't look a day over thirty, there was a hardness about him which eluded to his vast age and experience. His green eyes shone from beneath his dark eyebrows, cavernously deep and filled with an unfathomable wealth of knowledge.

Sasuke swallowed hard, suddenly feeling nervous again.

The man stared at him silently for a while, seeming content to observe him in his discomfort. Finally, his gaze drifted towards the side. Luka lowered his head to acknowledge the gaze, his shoulders stiffening.

"Why are his eyes not covered?" Kou asked, frowning as he noticed Sasuke's blindfold still draped over Luka's shoulder. "Surely you aren't trying to get me killed again?"

"Of course not, sir." Luka replied immediately, his tone even and void of emotion. "I simply thought you would prefer to see him properly."

The man hummed disinterestedly before turning back to Sasuke, a smirk creeping onto his lips. "An amusing thought." He said, practically glowing with satisfaction as he crouched down, so that his eyes were level with his captives. "But truly, this is an excellent specimen of Uchiha blood. Even Madara Uchiha himself would admit that this is a true Uchiha: proud and cool even in dire circumstances."

Sasuke returned the smirk, his eyes hardening. "What do you know about the Uchiha?" He scoffed, his tone burning with disgust.

"What do I know? I know things that could make your skin crawl, boy." Came the scathing response. "The Uchiha were a bunch of bloody-eyed babies, crying about their hardships while parading their enormous power. Even though they were wealthy and respected they did little else but war mongering. Congratulations on your legacy, Sasuke Uchiha, the last of your accursed clan."

The group behind them giggled amongst themselves, inching closer to get a better view. Sasuke's eyes narrowed as he fought with his rage, his lips pinched tightly in an attempt to keep himself from responding. Just as he was about to blurt out a heated retort, a sudden voice echoed in his memories.

"I think it's best if you forget your pride for now." Came Naruto's voice, thick as honey and warm as the summer sun. "But don't worry; I'll protect your pride until this is over."

Sasuke shut his eyes, inhaling slowly. He would never forget the day he had returned to Konoha, when Naruto promised to protect him. The day when he noticed, for the first time, how infuriatingly handsome the blond had become.

A loud sigh pulled Sasuke back to the present. Kou pouted, frowning deeply as he said, "That's no fun, Uchiha. I was hoping you would get upset."

When Sasuke did nothing but glare in response, the man turned back to Luka. "By the way, Luka, your sister still hasn't returned. Since I received word that Naruto Uzumaki was seen returning to his village alone, it's safe to assume that she has been killed."

"Lila." Luka whispered, his eyes widening in fear. "Father, please allow me to go and search for her! It's possible that she is still alive, yet has been delayed by injury!"

"Father?" Sasuke thought, his eyes darting back to the scarred man.

"Certainly not." Kou responded harshly. "She may be my daughter, but she failed in her task. If she is dead, then she died because she was too weak."

Sasuke snorted. Every eye in the room flicked over to him. "What a blatant lie." He said, his voice cracking like a whip. "If you sent her to face Naruto, you sent her knowing that she wouldn't be coming back."

After a moment of tense silence, Kou laughed. "You're pretty sharp, boy!" He praised, rising to his feet. "It's true, I sent my daughter to him knowing that I would never see her again. But do not think me cruel, Uchiha. I did it out of mercy."

"Mercy?" Luka repeated, his low voice trembling. "You sent my dearest sister to her doom and you call it mercy? Why, father? She was beloved by our people, and powerful enough to be welcomed at your side! How can you call her murder an act of mercy?"

"My daughter," Kou began, turning to face his firstborn son. "Had grown tired of living. It was an act of mercy because I allowed her to die at the hands of a savior: Konoha's Guardian Deity. The man she had once praised as being 'a real live angel of death'."

Luka lowered his head, wavy hair shielding his face from view. "I cannot accept that answer." He cried lowly. "Is there no compassion left in your heart, Father? Not even for your own children?"

"Compassion?" Kou repeated, his voice rising in anger. "Speak not of compassion, my son. Such feeble emotions have no place among us. If I entertained such a thing as compassion, do you think I would have lived for this long?"

After a moment of tense silence, Luka shook his head. "No, my lord."

"Good." Kou replied, still bristling with anger. "As punishment for your rudeness, my foolish son, you shall remain locked in here with the Uchiha until we are done with him. He will be in your care from this moment onwards."

Luka's eyes darted to Sasuke.

"But, Father, I have duties elsewhere!" He exclaimed, his eyes widening as if the very thought of being left with the Uchiha offended him.

Sasuke blinked in surprise. "What is he doing? Is he trying to buy me some time?" He wondered, dumbfounded.

"Your duty is wherever I say it is!" The Lord of the Kou suddenly screamed, a vein in his forehead popping as he bore down on his son, shoving him roughly to his knees. "You would be wise to remember who I am, boy! I am your Lord and master!"

Luka looked up slowly, his eyelids red from tears. "But you are also my father."

For the briefest moment, Kou's eyes seemed to soften. But just as quickly as that gentleness had appeared, it was chased away by an even darker anger. The group of attendants flinched as Kou suddenly turned, throwing them from his path as he made for the door.

"My mood is now ruined by my ungrateful son!" He yelled as he stormed into the hallway. "I shall revisit the Uchiha in the morning, when I can make better sport of him."

The attendants and advisors rushed after him, the last one pulling the door shut with a resounding boom. As silence fell once more, Sasuke yanked hard at his chains in anger.

"Make 'sport' of me?" He hissed, his dark eyes narrowing to angry slits. "I'd like to see him try."

Luka remained silent, still kneeling in place. Outside, the thick clouds of winter drifted and combined on the winds, blocking out the sun. As the light that came in through the small window slowly faded, the room was plunged into darkness. It wasn't until much later that Luka finally stirred.

"It's so dark." He muttered hoarsely. "There isn't a single candle in this room."

Sasuke closed his eyes, groaning slightly as he leaned back. Pain shot into his limbs, burning like fire beneath his skin. "Are you afraid of a little darkness?" He asked, the chill of his tone softened by tiredness.

"Yes." Luka gently admitted, sighing as he lay down on the cold stone floor. "I fear the dark."

"Why?" Sasuke whispered, his focus slipping as sleep crept into the corners of his mind. The pain, and the excessive use of his already limited chakra, had exhausted him.

"Because every day, for as long as I can remember, I have stood bound in place, watching as the darkness slowly consumes everything around me."

Sasuke smirked half-heartedly. "I hate to have to be the one to break this to you, but people stopped speaking like that a couple hundred years ago. You better pass the memo along to your old man."

Luka managed a faint laugh in response. "Like I said, we are bound in place. Such is the fate of all who live past their time."

"That's stupid," Sasuke mumbled, his head lolling to the side. "If you want to die, then die."

Silence fell then. Sasuke inhaled slowly, the cool air clearing his head and helping to sooth the pain. Every so often, the faint sounds of activity reached them, but other than that they were undisturbed. As the high winds continued to stir the clouds, the afternoon sunlight found its way into the dark room.

Sasuke cracked an eye open, examining his fellow captive who lay motionless on the stone floor. Even as he watched, Luka's shoulders trembled slightly. Sasuke sighed, cursing Naruto for making him pay attention to his conscience.

"That woman your father mentioned, Lila, she was your sister?"

Luka turned his head, his eyes remaining shadowed even as the thin shafts of sunlight danced across his face. "Yes," He replied, his tone soft and distant. "My twin sister."

His voice took on a nostalgic quality as he continued. "She was the first female warrior in our clan. Lila hated the idea of being weak and powerless, doomed to spend her life tending to our father, like my mother did. She told me that she would use her beauty as her weapon, and become strong enough to escape from the shadow of our clan. But I suppose, in the end, she still died as a servant to our father's will."

Glad of the darkness, Sasuke closed his eyes with a frown. He was painfully aware of what it felt like to lose a sibling, having lost Itachi many different times, and in every sense of the word "loss". He swallowed hard before saying, "Although I'm glad she didn't beat Naruto, I'm still sorry. If it's any condolence, Naruto is such an idiot that he doesn't see anyone as an enemy. He will have treated her fairly, and no doubt forgiven her in the end."

Luka seemed to think for a minute before answering. "Lila had desperately wanted to meet your Naruto Uzumaki." He whispered, his voice shaking with sorrow. "He's a legend, after all. But more than that, I think she felt that he would understand her."

Sasuke smiled to himself as he thought about Naruto's unnerving ability to see through anyone. "Yeah," He muttered. "He probably understood her completely."

When Luka didn't respond for a while, Sasuke decided to humor the nagging question in the back of his mind. Turning slightly towards the Kou, he asked nonchalantly, "So, what's the big plan for me?"

Luka managed a weak smile, although the gesture was unconvincing and dull. "Do you really expect me to just tell you?"

"Not at all." Sasuke replied edgily. "But I think I've already figured it out."

Luka tilted his head curiously, encouraging Sasuke to continue. Sasuke nodded, flipping some of his dirty and tangled hair away from his face.

"Well, the first part of the plan is simple enough to figure out." He began matter-of-factly. "Using the boy as bait, you lured Naruto out of the village where he could be ambushed by Kou ninja. While he was out of the way, a second group was sent to capture me. It was a basic diversionary tactic, but an effective one."

"The second part of the plan is much more interesting." Sasuke continued, his eyes gleaming as his sharp mind calculated. "With me in enemy hands, Konoha would automatically assume that the aim is to possess me and use me as a weapon. Of course, that would send them into chaos, thinning out their numbers as teams were sent out in search of me. However, as long as Naruto defends Konoha, it would be impossible to win. Even if it was me attacking."

Luka nodded, his bloodshot eyes wide. "I'm impressed." He said, "You really are a genius."

"I'm not finished yet." Sasuke sniffed. "Since you don't intend to use me as a weapon, my only use then is a tool for bargaining. A hostage. I think the aim this entire time has been to acquire Naruto by any means necessary. The Kou, or more likely your father alone, intends to turn Naruto into a weapon by taking advantage of his idiotic heroism."

"Well, that's more or less-"

"It's not going to work." Sasuke interjected sharply. "Naruto is going to find me. He's probably already on his way here. And when he comes, I suggest you find some place to hide."

The clouds drifted over the sun again, casting the room into darkness.

"It is quite possible that even he will not be able to find you here." Luka admitted, his voice eerie in the dark. "But if you take comfort in anything, let it be in the knowledge that as long as you are in his thoughts, you will not be alone, no matter what cruelty my father throws your way. Take it from a man who has now lost the last person he cared for in this world: there is no suffering greater than the pain of living on while enduring the loss of those you love."

"Don't speak to me of loss and loneliness." Sasuke replied coldly, anger glinting in his eyes. "Your family is still alive. Your clan thrives and you still have a place to call home. Until you have lost these things, don't you dare speak about your pain in front of me."

Luka laughed, a choking sound that caught in the back of his throat. Sasuke glanced over at the Kou, only to see a single tear sliding down his high-boned cheek.

"You are a child in this world, Sasuke Uchiha." Luka turned, meeting Sasuke's gaze with eyes that burned with sorrow. "I have heard your story, but you have yet to hear mine. You may not be able to see it yet, but my family and my clan died long ago. I have long since forgotten any pride or purpose that we may have had."

Sasuke sneered sleepily. "I don't want to hear your sad story. Your clan is nothing but a thorn in my side. If you want things to change, change them. It isn't that hard."

Luka laughed nervously. "I seems so simple when you say it like that." He waited for Sasuke's reply, but when none was offered, he let out a sigh and whispered, "I'm not very good at sealing jutsu. That chakra restraint will be pretty weak in the morning."

"Is that so?" Sasuke muttered. "In that case, things might actually get interesting tomorrow."

With that said, Sasuke slipped into unconsciousness, leaving his companion alone with his grief.

"How can he sleep through this?" Sakura wondered aloud, staring down at the man whose head rested on her lap.

Ever since Naruto had returned, the activity in the village had somehow doubled in speed, the floors of the Hokage's mansion vibrating from the many hurried feet. But no matter how many people rushed in and out of Tsunade's office, the blond did not stir. He slept as soundly and trustingly as a small child, content in his mother's arms.

Blushing slightly, Sakura lifted a tentative hand and brushed her fingers through Naruto's bloody, tangled bangs.

Two blue eyes snapped open at the exact moment that Naruto's hand flew up, catching Sakura's wrist in a vice-like grip. She let out a small scream in surprise, her blush deepening as she returned Naruto's stare.

He blinked in surprise. "Oh, it's just you, Sakura-chan."

She inhaled deeply as she tugged her wrist free, crossing her arms over her chest as she turned away from him. Although her heart was beating frantically, she managed to say in a harsh tone, "What do you mean just me? I just spent the whole morning healing your injuries, you moron!"

Naruto blinked at her again before examining the arm that was still raised. With a deep sigh, he sat up and quickly checked his legs. "Thanks a lot, Sakura-chan." He said softly, his voice strangely hollow.

His lack of emotion only made Sakura more nervous. She had assumed that, as soon as he woke up, Naruto would immediately start rushing about with a single-minded desire to find Sasuke. But instead, he continued to sit there with his shoulders slumped, as if a terrible weight rested upon him.

Feeling the need to liven things up, Sakura jumped to her feet, casting a nervous glance towards Tsunade. The Hokage ignored both of them, her pen moving furiously across a stack of papers.

"Geez, my legs are totally numb!" Sakura complained loudly, rubbing at her thighs. "All because you were curled up on my lap like a cat! You're heavy you know!"

Naruto turned slightly, one eye examining the area above her knees. Some of the dirt and blood from his hair had rubbed off on her rosy skin. Strangely unaffected, Naruto turned his attention to his thoughts.

"Cat…" He mumbled. "Caterpillars."

Standing up slowly, he stretched the stiffness out of his body before addressing the Hokage. "Hey Granny, the Kou that I fought could possess birds and stuff."

Tsunade's hand stopped moving, her eyes widening in shock as both she and Sakura exclaimed in unison, "What?"

"Yeah," Naruto said, his voice apathetic. "So, if those caterpillars were being controlled by the Kou, they could have killed off my clone with poison or something. It was actually a really smart plan. Like, they knew I wouldn't react because I'm so used to animals climbing on me or landing on me while I'm meditating, you know?"

"Don't you think you should have mentioned the fact that they can possess animals sooner?" Sakura yelled, holding up a threatening fist. "Shikamaru did mention something like that, but when he said there was a woman who could possess things just by looking them in the eye, I thought he meant people!"

Naruto ignored her threat, turning to stare out the window absently. "Not really. I mean, I thought it was obvious that they'd be able to do stuff like that. After all, Ino can get her mind into birds and stuff, so I had always assumed that the Kou'd be able to as well."

"E-even so, Naruto," Tsunade said, flustered. "Are you really that vulnerable when you're meditating?"

"Not usually," Naruto replied with a shrug. "But that's because you can always sense a real threat, you know? The fact that I didn't feel anything must mean that the person controlling those things had no real killing intent, right?"

"So what are you suggesting?" Sakura asked. "That there's a traitor, or a weak link among the Kou?"

Naruto didn't answer, his eyes unfocused as he walked over to the window. With an air of exhaustion, he leaned his forearm on the glass and rested his head on it. "Sasuke asked me not to go." He thought miserably. "He knew it was a trap. He knew something would go wrong. But I was so stubborn and conceited, so sure of my own strength, that I thought everything would be fine. And now look what's happened."

"How long do you plan to dwell on that, Naruto?" Kurama demanded, his tails swishing in irritation. "If you've made a mistake, just accept it and move on! We can't fix anything if you're pouting like a child."

Naruto stared at his reflection in the window, his sapphire eyes flat and empty. "I can't move on. I can't forgive myself for not protecting Sasuke. More than the house, more than the village, Sasuke is my home. And now he's gone."

"Not gone." The fox replied, the conflict obvious in his voice as he forced himself to reassure his Jinchuuriki host. "Only lost."

Their conversation was interrupted as the door burst open for what seemed the hundredth time that day. Naruto didn't need to turn to see who it was, looking at the reflections in the glass. Shikamaru came in first, looking completely drained and flustered. Hinata was close behind him, nervous and forlorn as her violet eyes immediately darted to Naruto's broad back.

"We found were the tunnels lead." Shikamaru said as he strode towards Tsunade's desk, his hands in his pockets. "They all come out in construction sites were various digging was going on."

"Yes," Hinata confirmed softly, her concerned eyes still resting on Naruto. "Some of the entrances had already been covered up by the foundations of the buildings, which means they have been digging these tunnels since the summer."

"That long?" Sakura exclaimed. "How did nobody notice?"

"Exactly," Shikamaru nodded, fuming. He seemed furious at the thought of being outwitted by anyone, let alone the Kou. "Have we heard back from the labs about those caterpillars yet?"

"Right, about that," Tsunade said, her warm brown eyes drifting in Naruto's direction. "Naruto suspects that they were poisoned and being controlled by the enemy."

Shikamaru's dark eyes widened fractionally before he squeezed them shut, rubbing at his eyebrows. He sighed deeply, trying to will away his pounding headache. "I thought as much." He said. "Now all we have to figure out is how they hell they got out of here so fast after grabbing Sasuke. The way I see it, it was either a teleportation jutsu, or a summoning or reverse-summoning."

"It wasn't Teleportation." Naruto said gruffly, finally turning to face the room. "I'm the only person alive who knows that jutsu. Not because it was passed down by my Dad, but because it's a lost jutsu. There's only one scroll on that subject, and that scroll is safely sealed away." He reached up, stabbing at his stomach with one dirty thumb. "In here."

After a long pause, Shikamaru continued. "So then it must have been a reverse-summoning. But if that's the case, it will be nearly impossible for us to track them down."

"We won't need to track them down." Tsunade said assuredly. "I think they will definitely contact us soon."

She glanced over at Naruto, and he nodded to show that he agreed.

Shikamaru stared at them in disbelief. "So what should we do? Just sit around and wait for them to declare their price for Sasuke's freedom? Which, we all know will be Naruto, by the way."

"Don't be stupid, Nara." Tsunade barked. "We will, of course, double our efforts to find the Kou's location in the meantime."

Hinata immediately protested. "Isn't thinning out our numbers and sending our shinobi out to unfamiliar places exactly what the Kou want? What if they attack the village while our forces are so thinned out?"

"They won't." Naruto said suddenly, his voice low and strong. "They won't attack the village."

"How can you be so sure?" Sakura asked, her willingness to trust him conflicting with her doubt.

Naruto managed to smile as a gesture of reassurance. "Everything they've done in Konoha until now has been with the aim of kidnapping Sasuke. Now that they have him as a hostage, what purpose would they have for coming back here?"

"Exactly." Shikamaru stated. "And besides, Konoha has a famous Guardian who would be totally troublesome to go up against."

As the four shinobi turned to smile at him, Naruto looked away. He didn't want to see their trusting, expectant eyes. In that moment, he still couldn't find the Naruto they were looking for. The Naruto who was wild, driven, unpredictable and passionate. As of now, his entire being was chilled by the emptiness in his heart, and the anger that he directed towards himself.

"I should go back to the house and see if I can find any clothes." He suddenly muttered.

As he took a step towards the door, Sakura barred his way.

"Hey, Naruto, let me do that." She said with a nervous, earnest smile.

The blond returned the smile weakly, shaking his head. "It's alright, Sakura-chan, I'll-"

"Naruto!" Sakura suddenly burst out. "Please! Let me help you! I know I can't do much for you or Sasuke anymore, but please let me help you in the ways I know how."

"Sakura-chan…"

The kunoichi shook her head furiously, her eyes watering. "Sasuke was so worried about you, Naruto." She whispered. "When I went to see him, all he talked about the whole time was you. He needs you, Naruto. And so do I. We all do."

Naruto glanced up shyly as Hinata and Shikamaru nodded in agreement.

"So don't shut us out." Sakura continued. "Don't let yourself get broken down. You have to keep fighting, or else who will Sasuke come home to? What will happen to team seven if our knuckle-headed blond disappears?"

Naruto sighed, smiling in relief. It seemed that, all of a sudden, a huge weight had been lifted from his chest. "I get it, Sakura-chan." He said gently. "I'm not going to give up, you know?"

Sakura's eyes shone as she said, "You better not, idiot Naruto."

As the kunoichi turned to leave, the swishing of Kurama's tails caught Naruto's attention again. Naruto rolled his shoulders uncomfortably when he noticed the overwhelming and slightly sadistic joy that was radiating from the fox.

"What are you so happy about?" He asked suspiciously.

Kurama grinned, displaying his massive fangs. "I can't help but feel happy every time I remember that the mighty Naruto was killed by a few insects."

"It's not funny." Naruto mumbled aloud. "Stupid fox."

Turning back towards the windows, Naruto frowned at the menacingly dark clouds that were approaching the village. They blocked out the sun, casting a shadow across the land like sudden nightfall.

"I am a Guardian." Naruto thought, squaring his shoulders as he glared at the dark sky. "And that means that I can never give in to despair."

No matter what, sunshine will always find a way through the clouds. No matter how long the night, the sun will rise each morning.

Hello friends, it's been a while since the last update! Firstly, I'd like to offer my deepest condolences to everyone who is returning to school this week. Secondly, I'd like to ask for your opinion. I've been tossing around the idea of making a blog for Guardian of the Moon, were I could post updates, Naruto stuff, and communicate with my lovely readers? Please let me know what you think! And as always, thanks for reading!