Here's chapter thirteen and i have a confession...for some dumb reason my computer still hates me even after i got it fixed :( it didn't save my edited version that i just spent an HOUR ON! *sighs* So this is probably a tad bit...awkward and it's 1:20 in the morning and i'm going to the lake later today so i'm going to bed. But when i get more time...again...i'll hopefully repost the edited version. So SORRY IN ADVANCE! But i'm sleepy...
Autumn, probably the most beautiful time of year in the Land of Fire. Of course some of the border cities and towns probably adapted to a different climate this time of year but in Konoha, it's perfect. They had cool winter nights with small breezes just light enough to shake the changing leaves on their branches without blowing them off. The sky was a clear bright blue the same color as the beautiful lake next to a large waterfall.
Sakura breathed in, this place was officially her new favorite area. It was so peaceful, so calming here next to the large never ending waterfall Captain Yamato, or Tenzou as she found out after becoming a Jonin, created. Her fingers started playing with her new necklace and she smiled. Yesterday had been one of the happiest days of her life, although she was certain that her wedding day standing next the man she loved to be joined as man and wife would definitely take the top billing. But as her life stood now, yesterday was the best.
She looked down at the dark red rubies complimented with the brilliantly clear diamonds and ran a soft padded finger over them. So beautiful and so sparkly she wanted to giggle like a little school thinking about her hot crush. But then again, Itachi was anything but a hot crush, and she was anything but a giddy school girl. Still though, the feeling was there.
"I was wondering when he would give that to you," Sasuke walked up and stood by her shoulder, "Nii-san showed it to me before he left on his mission. He must have gotten it while we were away."
"He has good taste," Sakura smiled at him.
"Hn, I guess," he shrugged it off but Sakura could detect his own muted happiness, "So is it official?"
"Is what official?" she winked at him.
"Tsk, are you officially going to be my sister or not?" he asked happily irked.
Sakura just giggled at his lame attempt to sound irritated, "Not officially but I think you could say it's something of a promise necklace, you know instead of a ring."
"I'm happy for you guys." Sakura was pleasantly surprised to see him smile instead of smirk.
"You know, you Uchiha's look so damned sexy when you smile. Your smirk is legendary but those smiles, you should definitely do that more often."
"Hn," he replied…with his typical smirk.
Sakura just rolled her eyes and continued playing with her necklace.
"TingTing, pay attention," she chided her student.
The brunette squeaked at being caught and turned her attention back to her task. She had been caught ogling at Sasuke's apprentice instead of concentrating on her chakra lesson Sakura had set up for her and Reiko. But she couldn't help herself, the way he handle that katana, she could honestly stare at him all day.
"Udon," Sasuke growled, "Watch your form, if you're too stiff you can't respond appropriately."
"Hai shishou!" A light tenor responded as he clashed against the clone of his master. Sasuke usually handled most of their training this way so he could watch and critique his apprentice from the sidelines.
Sakura smiled at the young teenager, such a change he'd undergone since Sasuke took him under his wing. She still remembered the day he asked Sasuke with perfect clarity.
Konohamaru and Moegi literally dragged him to Team Seven's training grounds where they were just finishing their own team training. Udon was a wreck a nerves when his two teammates pushed him in front of the three of the Fourth War's heroes. Needless to say the new Sannins were quite shocked when the young ninja managed to spit out his request from his knees. Sasuke looked on unimpressed by the young boy, he couldn't believe someone like him would actually want to ask this of him. Why him anyway? There were plenty of other people who would be willing to train this…shinobi. But then he really looked at him…analyzed him and something stuck out.
"Stand up," Sasuke ordered in a stoic voice that still commanded obedience.
Udon got to his feet but didn't look up to meet his eyes.
"I don't take on students, I train only for myself. Find someone else," without another word the Uchiha of Team Seven turned and began walking away.
"B-but wait!" Udon called out making Sasuke stop and look at him over his shoulder, "I-I…why not me?"
"Do I need to answer?" Sasuke asked rhetorically.
Udon's face fell, "I just wanted to be stronger…I wanted to…to get better like my team. Since our sensei died in the war...I need the help, I'm clumsy, slow, and…I thought you could help…"
Sakura and Naruto just stood and watched their teammate's back, waiting to see what he would do, what he would say. His first blatant rejection almost caused Sakura to sock him across the river but Naruto's look stopped her. He apparently saw something that she missed and now that she was studying him, since his face was concealed to the young students, she saw that signature smirk cross his face. He was going to do it.
"If I accept," Sasuke said not turning around, "You cannot be a sniveling little child anymore. I won't go easy on you, I'll curse you, I'll hate you, but it will make you stronger. If you can't accept that then my answer is no."
Udon't eyes were wide and he stood up straight and tall adjusting his glasses, "I'll do anything Sasuke-sensei."
The proud Uchiha turned around and was a little startled, even if he didn't show it, to see Udon meet his gaze without hesitation, "Wipe that snot off your nose. If I see it again I'll gut you myself."
Udon obeyed immediately then waited for his next command, his insides lighting up with excitement.
"We need to get rid of those glasses," Sasuke narrowed his eyes, "They remind me too much of someone else."
"I-I'll get new ones tomorrow then sensei," Udon replied fingering the outside of glasses.
"Get some today and stop stuttering it shows a lack of confidence," he continued, "If you're going to speak then speak what's on your mind. If I don't like it I'll let you know."
"Hai!"
"One last thing, I'll be your shishou not your sensei," he stalked up to the short young boy hand on his kusanagi, "Sensei's can coddle and encourage and teach. As your shishou I'll break you over and over and not let up nor soften my blows. Remember that Udon."
Sasuke was pleased to see that he clearly intimidated the boy and that was his intention. But what really intrigued him was the fact that underneath Udon's scared exterior he was very, very excited.
"Hn, we will meet tomorrow morning 9 am, if you're late by even a minute I'll forget I ever agreed to train you," Sasuke turned then and strode off the training field making his way through the forest.
Sakura and Naruto smiled at the young Genin team before following their own teammate off the training field.
"He's gotten better Sasuke," Sakura smiled watching Udon switch from attacking Sasuke's clone to swiping at Konohamaru.
"Hey Udon don't interrupt my training!" the Sarutobi yelled at his teammate.
"What's the matter Konohamaru, think you can't beat me?" Udon stood at the ready his katana raised.
"I can beat you any day of the week!" Konohamaru yelled charging at his longtime friend.
Naruto smiled and walked over to his two teammates, "Kinda remind you of us huh Sasuke."
"Hn," the Uchiha replied.
"I wouldn't be surprised if Sasuke has filled innocent Udon's brain with delusions of grandeur," Sakura laughed at Sasuke's disgruntled face.
"Yeah you're right Sakura-chan," Naruto crossed his arms watching the spar, "I guess we will have to wait and see."
"Don't hold your breath dobe, Konohamaru is an unfit match against a katana," Sasuke stared at the match not letting his gaze wander.
"Hidden Shadow Snakes!" Udon yelled launching the snakes from his sleeve.
Konohamaru instantly reacted creating another shadow clone then shouting, "Rasengan!"
The snakes collided with the blue ball severing the bodies like a blender and scattering over the field.
"Eeeeeeahhhh!" Konohamaru yelled as snake parts hit his face.
Before he could officially react there was a cool press of metal under his chin.
"You got distracted Konohamaru," Udon smiled at his friend's disbelieving face.
"Naruto nii-saaaaaaaaaaan!" Konohamaru yelled at his teacher, "I need more training!"
"Hn, your student is as retarded as you," Sasuke smirked at his best friend.
"Hai, Konohamaru!" Naruto answered then turned on his best friend, "I'm not retarded teme!"
Sasuke ignored the comment and walked up to his student and conversed while Naruto dodged the fists of his own student as they got into a mini arguing match.
"How's it going Moegi?" Sakura asked looking over her student's shoulder.
"Fine shishou," she replied her hands glowing over a fish, "This is the last one that you've given me."
"Excellent," Sakura replied then walked over to her other students, "TingTing…"
The brunette squeaked again, "Sorry shishou…"
"No you're not TingTing, you are just distracted by your secret crush," Reiko winked at her.
TingTing's face turned bright red, "Reiko-chan! That…that's just…mean!"
"But no less true eh TingTing?" Moegi looked up to smile at the young girl.
"Moegi nee-chan!" TingTing completely lost focus on her chakra while trying to fight down her blush.
"Calm down TingTing, you have an audience," Sakura motioned to the boys who were staring in her direction.
TingTing just squeaked as she made eye contact with her crush, Udon…he was looking at her with a slightly confused expression but it was obvious that the slight blush on his cheeks told her that he'd heard part of the conversation. Especially since he really wasn't standing that far away…maybe twenty feet.
"Shishou," TingTing continued to stare at Udon her blush turning a dark red, "May…may I be excused?"
"Hai TingTing," Sakura answered then watched the senbon styled brunette leap away into the trees.
Sakura continued to snicker along with her other two students. Every once in a while Sasuke and Naruto would bring their two apprentices along for a huge group training. Today was one of those days. Sakura would set up chakra training exercises for Reiko and TingTing while Team Ebisu would go through their team training under the supervision of their respective masters. These trainings were always intense, the New Sannins against their protégés, so intense that before they started Sakura and Moegi would set up a barrier around the other students nearby so that their training wouldn't be affected by their all-out brawl. Afterward the Sannins would put the all medics through dodging exercises. Sakura would instruct her team that they were not to use weapons or jutsu they were to only simply dodge. Every once in a while she would chakra chain their feet to the ground where they were only allowed minimal movement. This training was for their small muscle movements if they were mainly focused on an intense healing session to stabilize a patient in the field and weren't available for large movements. They hand to anticipate the projectile, concentrate on their muscles, and move. Needless to say this training usually ended up with the girls covered in numerous bloody scratches. But the training was paying off, each time they went through it they were getting better and better.
And these trainings were probably the main reason for TingTing's little crush. Sakura couldn't blame her though Udon's new square frames really brought out those dark brown eyes and dressed in a typical Chunin uniform with his katana at his waist…well TingTing was a sucker for long pointy objects just like her sister Tenten. The attraction was probably inevitable.
"Udon and TingTing, sitting in a tree," Konohamaru starting singing, "K-I-S-S-I-N-G…"
Udon groaned, "Shut up Konohamaru."
Naruto just laughed at his student's teasing, "What's the matter Udon? She's cute."
"Leave him alone dobe," Sasuke glared at the blonde.
"Hey Sakura-chan look at that, Sasuke sticking up for someone other than himself," Naruto laughed again.
"Take a picture Naruto, this isn't going to happen again," Sakura smiled at the dark haired duo.
Udon just scratched his head fighting another blush, "Well…she is kiiiinda…cute."
"Ooooooooooooo," the girl's all sing-songed at the blushing boy.
"Udon," Sakura walked up to him, "A word of advice, take her out to lunch. Ichiraku's would be just fine."
"She-she would go?" Udon looked up a little hesitant.
"Did you not see her face Udon?" Moegi asked looking up at him while her fish jumped into the nearby lake.
"Stand up Udon," Sasuke commanded him making the boy jump to attention, "Hold out your hand."
Brown eyes scrunched in confusion but he obeyed none-the-less. Sasuke reached into his pocket and pushed a few bills into his apprentice's hand.
Udon's eyes widened, "Sh-shishou?"
"Don't stutter and take that girl out to lunch," Sasuke growled at him sensing the other brunette reentering the clearing. Udon pocketed the money trying not to look overly grateful or happy that his master just gave him money to take a girl out to lunch…it was odd, but nice at the same time.
Sakura tuned into her student's chakra and watched as she walked back up to their group.
"I'm ready to finish training now shishou," TingTing kept her head bowed.
Sakura fought a giggle, "That won't be necessary TingTing. You have another engagement to attend to."
Her head shot up and Sakura could tell she was trying very hard not to look at anyone else but her. Sakura just winked at her and TingTing suddenly felt another presence behind her.
"Hey…TingTing," Udon spoke trying really hard not to stutter, especially with everyone around, "I was wondering if…if you would…well I'm kinda hungry, are you?"
"Hungry?" she asked turning around meeting his obviously terrified gaze.
"Yeah, ummm." He promptly received a smack on his shoulder from his master, "I wanted to ask you out to lunch!" Udon's mouth promptly smacked shut as he looked away from her.
TingTing's hands flew up to her mouth…Udon just asked her out to lunch. It was like a dream come true!
"I'd love to eat lunch with you Udon," TingTing answered hiding a wide smile behind her hands.
The brunette boy looked up with a small smile, "Yeah? Ok, where you wanna go?"
TingTing shrugged with a high pitched giggle, "Anywhere you want."
Snickering and giggling started erupting around them.
"Ummm, let's decide on the way," Udon scratched his arm even though it wasn't itchy.
"OK!" she replied and followed him out of the clearing.
Sakura approached Sasuke and leaned in to whisper in his ear, "This wouldn't have anything to do with that conversation that we had on our mission would it? Living vicariously through your apprentice tsk tsk."
Sasuke's mouth twitched betraying the answer Sakura knew he wouldn't give.
"All things considered though, I think that was very sweet of you Sasuke," she smiled at him.
He just grunted fighting hard to keep up his nonchalant appearance. Sakura laughed at his disgruntled expression, schooled her expression, failed, then erupted into another fit of giggles.
"Alright time to spy on the love birds!" Naruto fist pumped into the air.
"Leave my apprentice alone dobe," Sasuke glared at him, "Besides don't you have a meeting with Hokage-sama soon."
"All the more reason to hurry!" the blonde winked taking off into the trees. Sasuke followed him to either actually participate in the spying or to prevent something embarrassing against his apprentice…he hadn't quite decided yet.
"Hey Moegi, you done?" Konohamaru asked walking up to his girlfriend.
"I think so, shishou?" Big black eyes looked up at her.
"Yeah we're done for today, go enjoy yourself Moegi," Sakura smiled accepting the scrolls from her apprentice.
"Let's go it's important to eat ramen after every training!" Konohamaru adjusted his long teal scarf.
"Konohamaru," Sakura eyed her best friend's apprentice, "Don't go picking up bad habits from Naruto."
"Don't worry shishou, I've got him wrapped around my little finger," Moegi winked at her master.
"Is that so?" Sakura smirked at the Sarutobi.
"It is not!" Konohamaru glared at his girl.
"He just doesn't know it yet," Moegi staged whispered to Sakura and Reiko both giggling at the flustered look on the brunette.
Konohamaru a little upset at her teasing turned away and folded his arm huffing to himself. Moegi smiled behind his back then walked up and lightly caressed his arm.
"Konohamaru-kun, weren't we going to get some ramen?" Moegi asked a little too innocently.
As easily distracted as his own master, the grumbling boy instantly turned excited at the mention of ramen. They left the clearing quickly leaving Sakura and Reiko alone.
"Shishou? Why are we doing this chakra training?" Reiko asked staring that the hole in the boulder that she made.
"It's to sharpen your chakra scalpel. If you can cut through the density of a boulder then a single touch can severe all the muscles in your opponent's body during a fight," Sakura looked at the Uchiha, "Why do you ask?"
Reiko looked down, "I…" she sighed, "I'm graduating soon and then I'll get put on a Genin team…and I can't help but feel like I'll be out of place. That they won't like me."
Sakura smiled at her. Leave it to Reiko to ask a question, like about training, that had nothing to do with what she's really feeling, leaving Sakura' tutelage to join her permanent team.
"Reiko, this program was designed so that you as the medic will be able to protect your new team," Sakura explained, "It's why these techniques are so important for you to learn now. It's also why we aren't teaching elemental jutsu to you medics. That's a job for your sensei and something you need to learn with your Genin team. You will be older, you will already have perfected chakra control so while your new team is climbing up trees you can work more on medical jutsu making sure you're staying sharp in case your team gets injured. That is your role first and foremost as the team's medic, you have to heal them and to heal them you have to keep practicing. Did that answer your question?"
Reiko rubbed her arms then looked up at her master, "So it's not going to matter that I'll be a year and a half older than them?"
Sakura shrugged, "I'm sure they won't mind the first time you heal them from some type of life threatening injuries." One emerald eye winked at her onyx.
Reiko chuckled, "I guess that's true."
"You will also have your sensei to lean on you know," Sakura pulled her into a hug, "And you will always have me to turn to if needed."
Reiko squeezed her tighter, this was exactly what she wanted to know. That her master wouldn't just leave her or forget about her, "Thank you shishou."
"Anytime Reiko," Sakura replied giving her one final squeeze.
Slow purposeful clapping echoed in the clearing startling both kunoichi at its sudden appearance. Sakura whipped her head around quickly taking immediate notice that they were completely surrounded and at the northern part of the circle walked the man who was the spitting image of her father…Tetsu.
How the hell did they slip past her guard, she didn't even sense any chakra signatures nearby. How long have they been near here? Why choose to show up now? Why here in Konoha where she was only ten minutes…she was ten minutes away from her village and except for Reiko…she was alone. It was perfect, she should have known! She was being watched like a hawk and she still had the…
"I couldn't have imagined a better parting scene," Tetsu's baritone voice all but destroyed the quiet serenity of this place.
But Sakura couldn't concentrate on that now, she had to get Reiko out of here and to warn the village. That was her priority.
"Who said anything about this being a parting scene, Tetsu?" Sakura spat at the man while holding onto Reiko's arm tightly conveying her not to do anything rash or sudden.
"Did the twenty shinobi surrounding you not convey that message?" Tetsu asked lightly, "There is no escaping my little blossom. I'm ready for you no., It's time to finish your training."
Sakura's entire body froze, her mind went blank, and she just stood there staring. Laughter erupted all around her from the twenty shinobi men in the circle.
"See there boys," Tetsu gestured to the two kunoichi in the center of the circle, "Kunoichi, doesn't matter where they are born, they are always weak creatures. They need men like us to show them where the true power lies."
That struck a chord deep inside Sakura's psyche, she was not weak, and she sure as hell didn't need any man to "show her where true power lies." Sakura was instantly brought back to her senses with that declaration.
"Reiko," she whispered barely moving her lips, "Listen to me very carefully. Save the Princess."
Reiko stood absolutely still and her eyes widened at the meaning. There were plenty of phrases that Sakura drilled into them when they first became a team. "Save Konoha" meant to find her Jonin team and tell them about the situation. "Run Home" meant get any available shinobi to back of their location. "Save the Princess" meant run directly to Hokage tower and tell Tsuande-sama everything that had transpired.
"Hai, but shishou…"
"Do not argue with me Reiko," Sakura cut her off with a hard whisper, "Do as I say, I will cover your escape."
"Hai," the Uchiha replied although she didn't feel the least bit ok about it. But she knew that if her shishou would have thought they would win she would have her stay here and fight or she would have at least given her a different command. But she said Save the Princess, and she would do exactly as commanded.
"Don't try to plan anything little blossom, we won't let you get away from us," Tetsu motioned for all the men to begin closing in.
His first mistake, Sakura thought, apparently he's a little ignorant of my abilities.
"I'm going to create a big distraction, you escape in the confusion and don't look back," Sakura let go of Reiko's arm.
"Hai…" Reiko replied feeling more useless than ever. Her shishou was going to lose, it would be twenty against one…even if they were low level shinobi it would still be an unfit match. But judging by their character, their aura's rolling off their persons, they were anything but low level shinobi.
"You know I was hoping for a bit of resistance but if you're willing to come without a fight I guess I can't blame you," Tetsu continued to stride forward slowly but confidently, "Probably better this way anyway."
"This girl goes free and I'll come with you willingly," Sakura started to bargain.
"Let me think about that…no," Tetsu smiled wickedly, "Couldn't hurt to have an Uchiha to add into our mix, can't you boys imagine the type of children combined with our chakra control. Simply magnificent specimens to be yielded that's for sure."
Reiko started trembling…these men's faces changed from intimidating to lecherous in a matter of seconds. They were looking at her like…oh Kami, they were going to hurt her and there was nothing she could do about it.
"Reiko on my mark," Sakura nudged the girl out of her stupor, "NOW!"
Sakura slammed her fist into the ground completely upturning the environment. Some of the men were caught while the others evading by the skin on their teeth. Sakura used that moment to shadow Reiko's retreat while she stayed, making sure that they only took one kunoichi and not two. She wouldn't be able to live with herself if anyone she loved got caught up in this, especially knowing exactly what was going to happen to her.
Reiko was brought back to reality quickly and she sprinted through the falling debris quickly activating her sharingan to help her avoid the projectiles. She could feel her master hot on her heals and she deflected most of the attacks coming near her. She didn't want to leave…but she had to. Just as the Uchiha was about to sprint to freedom a man stopped right in front of her. He looked younger than the leader but he also looked a lot like him. Her frozen stance let the man shoot his hand out and clamp it around her neck. Reiko instantly choked but then she noticed something else…her chakra was being sucked into the other man.
In another instant Sakura jumped into view and the man broke his hold to avoid her chakra empowered punch. The tree next to them shattered at the impact of Sakura's fist. Reiko was immediately relieved then yanked to her feet by the only person she trusted in that clearing.
"RUN!" Sakura yelled as she deflected a large volley of kunai thrown at their location.
Reiko stood for just another second in time to see Sakura run head first the mass of shinobi yelling a fierce battle cry. With a heavy heart but determined to succeed in the last order her master gave her Reiko ran for her life straight towards her village.
Hold on shishou!
Sakura knew she was caught. These men were good all of them at least Jonin level shinobi. The ones that had first been caught in her initial crash had escaped but not unscathed; scratches and bruises and if their favored legs were any indication a few broken bones as well.
Lighting her hands up with chakra then ran forward after rescuing Reiko from another assailant intent on injuring and killing as many as she could. She could either hold them off until help came, which even she knew was unlikely with how far away the location was, or she could inhibit them enough to slow down their travel. With Kakashi's dogs, or Kiba's nose, they would be able to track the scent of blood easily in the slow moving group and a rescue would be probable.
She whirled around in a flurry desperate for her chakra scalpel to hit as many men as she could. She had to keep them occupied so Reiko could make a clean escape. Three shinobi jumped into her immediate view all weaving signs as she lurched forward shoving two hands into their chests and slamming her foot into another one. All three erupted into smoke…clones.
Before she could turn around a hand clamp down behind her neck and she gasped as chakra immediately started leaving her body. This was very similar too…her father's…
With a burst of energy her hands grasped the one behind her severing the muscles making the man howled in pain. She hated Kabuto…but he had developed one amazing medical jutsu and she was using it to its fullest extent right now.
The pink haired Jonin shot up only to wobble, that man had taken more chakra out of her than she initially realized. That was bad. But before she could counter attack unbelievable pain shot through her system dropping her to her knees as she yelped. It only took a second until she recognized it was her poison. First is went through her chakra network to render her useless and now it was spreading through her body and attaching to her internal organs. Her breathing was starting to become irregular and her heart beat was faster trying to counteract the poison.
"Did you really think that you could escape?" Tetsu knelt down next to her, "Did you really think you had a chance?"
He waited studying her features with a strange curiosity, almost as if he was expecting her to answer.
"Where's the Uchiha?" Tetsu asked not taking his eyes off his prize.
Nobody answer for a few seconds then a low voice told him, "She got away."
Tetsu's aura immediately darkened as he stood up eyeing the man who spoke, "What?" he asked darkly.
"She crossed the line, the one you stated not to cross during this operation because it was too close to Konoha. She got away," the man answered then averted his eyes.
Sakura sighed in relief, she did it. Reiko was safe and she would deliver her message.
"Don't look too relieved little blossom, since this is all your fault, I'm going to make sure you pay for that," Tetsu glared at her, "You deprived me of a prize."
"Bite me Tetsu," Sakura spat out.
In the blink of an eye two kunai were slammed into her thighs making her cry in pain. Oh…Kami…her body, it had never been through so much pain. Everywhere hurt, even Tsunade-shishou's training wasn't this terrible. The Hokage never ruptured her internal organs she only beat her apprentice half to death not completely immobilize her and let her flirt with death as she was now. Her chakra was drained, she body was battered from the fight, and now she couldn't move because of the poison, anything she did was sheer torture.
"Let's move out, Konoha shinobi will be here soon," Tetsu ordered, "Prepare the jump site."
Two men hauled Sakura to her feet making her groan with the movement.
"What's this?" She heard Tetsu ask then he started to touch her chest…right where her necklace was.
"No," she whispered fiercely trying to jump away from his damning touch.
Tetsu just smiled at her, "Oh…this is important to you." He ran his fingers over the necklace before yanking it off her neck. "Your Uchiha has mighty fine taste, but you won't need this where we're going."
He promptly threw the necklace down on the ground and into the pool of blood, her blood from the wounds they inflicted on her legs. She was then dragged through the forest, they didn't even care if they injured her further and she tried with everything in her not to make a sound. She didn't want to show indulge their ego over her wounds.
They entered a small clearing and landed next to a large seal. Sakura was able to notate the intricate design and some specific characters but in her weakened state, her mind just didn't function properly. The poison was probably now affecting her nervous system, it would explain her lack of focus.
"Shinta! Is everyone accounted for?" Tetsu barked.
"Hai, Tou-san, we're all here," he answered obediently nursing his injured right hand.
Sakura immediately put two and two together; Shinta was the chakra sucking shinobi from earlier, she had severed the muscles in his right wrist, and he was Tetsu's son.
"Good," liquid silver eyes turned to look at Sakura, "Knock her out, I don't want her to learn the pattern even if she is half dead."
One well-placed hit and Sakura knew no more.
She had never run so hard in her life. After that glance at her master she took off like the wind, hair whipping behind her as she hurtled through the trees. About a minute into her retreat she sensed two chakra signatures behind her.
Run…run…don't stop…don't look back…just run…
The small Uchiha followed her mantra, pushing her exhausted body faster and harder than she ever had in her life. Her shishou's life was in danger and she was the only one who knew…the only one who could help.
And she would not fail.
Her sharingan glowed brightly in her eyes with fierce determination. Her master needed her and she was protecting her with everything she had. Two pursuers would not deter her from her mission.
Suddenly the green gates of her village came into view and Reiko stumbled, tripping on a branch landing hard onto the ground. Spitting the dirt out of her mouth Reiko promptly stood back up and began another slow run toward the gates. Expecting some type of attack because of her weakened state she turned around and couldn't find the chakra signatures anywhere, but that didn't mean they weren't there. They snuck up on her and Sakura in the clearing they could just be concealing their presence.
Finally at the gates she stumbled through only to be caught by Izumo.
"Whoa Reiko, what the hell happened to you?" he asked eyes radiating concern.
"I need…" she gasped in air, "I need to see…Hokage." With another burst of energy she broke away from the Chunin and began running through the village again.
"TSUNADE-SAMA!" she screamed running through the village, "TSUNADE-SAMA!"
Many of the villagers looked startled at the young girl wondering why she was running and screaming the Hokage's name in the middle of the village. But Reiko paid them no mind, she only had one goal to accomplish and that was getting to Hokage Tower and tell her master's master what happened to her apprentice.
"Reiko!" Someone called out to her but she didn't listen, she just had to get…get to the tower.
"Reiko stop!" Another voice yelled at her but she still didn't listen. She only pumped her legs faster, she couldn't be stopped…not by anybody.
"Reiko, stop right there!"
"NO!" She screamed and kept running. She was vaguely aware that she was attracting a crowd but she continued on her way screaming the Hokage's name at the top of her lungs. She barely noticed someone try to grab her making her shriek and attacked out of self-defense.
Someone hissed and swore under their breath, the person got hit by her chakra scalpel slicing a small amount of muscle.
"TSUNADE-SAMA!" her voice echoed on the streets as the large red tower came into view. She was here, she had made it. Bursting through the double doors the small Uchiha took the stairs two at a time before she stood in front of the Hokage's office door. But instead of the Hokage, her assistant and other apprentice Shizune and two ANBU guards stood in her way.
"Please," Reiko gasped, "I need to see the Hokage!"
"What's the matter Reiko?" Shizune asked alarmed at the girl's state, "Why were you running crazy through the village screaming at the top of your lungs?"
"I need to see her!" Reiko demanded her sharingan flickering due to chakra exhaustion, "Right now please!"
"She's in a meeting right now Reiko, with ANBU," Shizune approached the girl to check her condition.
"NO!" she shrieked and lunged at the door, "TSUNADE-SAMA!"
The two ANBU guards easily restrained the Uchiha as she continued to thrash around trying to break free.
"Please!" she begged with tear filled eyes, "I have to see her, it's about Sakura-shishou!"
Shizune paused slightly taken aback by the claim but she didn't get time to react before the office door slammed open revealing the buxom and obviously irritated Hokage.
"Uchiha Reiko," her amber eyes narrowed dangerously at the young girl, "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't have your whipped and thrown into prison for your embarrassing display throughout the entire village!"
"Sakura-shishou, they took her Hokage-sama!" Reiko gasped out in tears and fatigue, "I tried to help but she told me to run. She told me to come to you and tell you what happened! I left her alone!"
Reiko immediately collapsed in the ANBU's grip as she burst into tears, "I failed her…shishou…" she groaned in sadness, her heart slowly breaking.
Tsunade stood frozen in shock and she could feel the tension rolling out of her office in waves. Naruto, Shikamaru, Kakashi, Ibiki, and Itachi were currently in her office having a meeting about the new ANBU formations and missions. Sasuke and Shisui were waiting in the hallway with Sasuke clutching his right wrist, obviously injured. They must have followed Reiko through the village and tried talking to her. With Reiko's news though…one thing needed to be confirmed.
"Reiko, listen to me and answer simply and plainly," Tsunade waited for the black haired Uchiha to acknowledge her, "Who took her?"
"Twenty shinobi all way out of my class, Sakura-shishou called one man, Tetsu," Reiko answered more tears streaking down her face.
The Hokage's eyes widened in shock and Shizune gasped next to her. This couldn't…really…be happening. No, she was here in the village, she was safe…and still that bastard Tetsu snuck right in and took Sakura from right under her nose.
Naruto burst from the room and grabbed Reiko holding her up to eye level, "Where is she Reiko? Where did they take her from?"
"The-the training ground. He showed up after everyone left," Reiko answered, "We didn't even feel them, one second it was us…then we were surrounded by twenty shinobi. Shishou called the leader Tetsu and she said she would cover my escape and that I had to come up here and tell the Hokage no matter what. She-she fought Naruto-san, she ran right into the middle of their force and…and…" she succumbed again to tears and the ANBU released her into her brother's care.
Naruto tensed in suppressed rage, "Hokage-sama…I'm going."
"We're all going, move out!" Tsuande ordered as everyone sprinted from the building.
Naruto and Sasuke were in the lead and they waved at Sai and the other Konoha 12 to follow and they did. It wasn't everyday you'd see the Hokage and a hoard of shinobi all mobilize and take off through the village at a break neck pace. Curious bystanders stayed, they all couldn't leave the village undefended in case whatever they were rushing towards was a diversion. The only other shinobi who joined in the brigade were the ones who were waved at.
Itachi spotted a group of Uchiha and with a quick motion they fell in beside their clan heir awaiting orders from either him or the Hokage. Ten minutes later the group of thirty shinobi arrived at the clearing…or whatever was left of the clearing. It was painfully obvious Sakura had caused this destruction. The ground was completely upturned with boulders large and small sticking up at odd angles. The waterfall poured water down the misshapen falls in a sad hum as it bore witness to the destruction that was once a beautiful landscape.
"Over here!" Kiba's voice called out to the group as they congregated, "Sakura's blood." The Inuzuka pointed to the two puddles near the tree line. He then reached down and pulled out a bloody necklace.
"Was this hers?" he asked looking at the group of Uchiha's while holding out the necklace.
Itachi stepped forward his face carefully blank as he took the bloody necklace from Kiba's hand. He carefully wiped the blood from the jewels using every ounce of self-control not to display his grief and anger for everyone to see.
"Itachi-san, I'm so sorry…I ran as fast as I could," Reiko's small voice came from his left as he turned his head to look at her. She was on her brother's back looking absolutely terrible. He just nodded at her apology not trusting himself to speak.
"Kiba!" Tsunade yelled angrily, "Where does that damn trail lead!"
"This way Hokage-sama," Kiba and Akamaru took off through the trees.
Rage. Unbridled rage unlike anything he had ever felt was coursing through his veins. She was his and he didn't protect her. She trusted him and he failed her. She had promised, just yesterday, to be his bride…and he let another man take her from him. There was now only one objective…
He would kill her kidnapper.
This man would be hunted down like a beast and slaughtered by his own hand. No one touches what belongs to Uchiha Itachi, the pride, the prodigy of the Uchiha clan, one of the most noble and powerful clans in the world. That kunoichi was precious to him and to his clan, and he would find her and bring her home where he could protect her properly this time. She would be kept within the Uchiha Compound surrounded by his kin. Safe…he would make certain that she was safe, even if that meant assigning her a shadow.
The group stopped at another smaller clearing and his eyes narrowed…a seal. It was confirmed now and it explained how and why Tetsu got so close without being noticed. And it would also explain the lack of scent from this area when the Hokage would order an immediately search of the area.
"Kakashi, Kiba, Hana find out if there's a lingering scent around the area!" the Hokage's voice echoed around the clearing as the three shinobi did their job. "Hinata, Neji, Ko, Ryo, and Hitoru use those damn eyes and find her!"
The Hyuugas immediately began their own search.
Tsunade continued to stare at the large seal before turning to Naruto's military advisor, "Shikamaru, I hope you are brushed up on your seals."
The Nara just stared fixatedly at the seal, "I could use a small refresher but…I don't know if we can learn anything from it."
"Why's that?"
"That symbol here," he pointed to a specific character, "It means dead or cease, meaning this seal can never again be activated. But if we could predict what character used to be here then we can begin that trace you were talking about. These cease characters only show up after the seal is used, so there was something here before then."
Tsunade just nodded then turned to the large group of Uchiha's. She was almost angry seeing Itachi's stoic face staring at seemingly nothing. Didn't he love her apprentice? Didn't he…her inner rant was cut off. Her gaze lowered to the Uchiha heir's fist, his knuckles were white and it looked as though he was fighting off the shakes. His eyes that at first glance might have been seen as uncaring, but if you studying the tightening corners and the fact that he hadn't stopped staring at the same location without blinking definitely indicated a strong internal focus. He was about to burst at the seams and anyone who really bothered could see how painful this situation really was for him.
"We shouldn't have left her," Naruto walked up to Sasuke with sad eyes.
Sasuke glared, "If you hadn't gotten it into your mind to go and spy on my apprentice."
"Don't you dare try to make this my fault you self-centered-!"
"I don't want to hear it out of either of you!" Tsunade turned sharply at the two members of Team Seven, "Remain focused before I make you leave!"
Naruto bit off the rest of his words then stormed over to Hinata. He wanted to be close to her, this situation had really shaken him, and the blonde didn't know what he would do if he lost her too.
Sasuke turned away from his blonde best friend and stared at the rest of the shinobi. The entire Konoha 12 were present and each had a solemn look on their faces. One of their own…Konoha's strongest graduating group in years…was gone. It was like a piece of themselves went with her, she was an integral part of the group and she had just been ripped out of their lives without a second glance. None of them had been prepared and the ease at which this was done made Sasuke want to murder everything in sight.
Instead of fulfilling his dark thoughts he turned to his brother and immediately he wanted to comfort him. Stress lines were present across Itachi's dignified brow and Sasuke knew he was fighting with everything in him not to just run in search of her. That would be a foolish decision and irrational for a person such as his older brother. His aniki was calculated, logical, refined and it would be through those methods that they would find her. After all they knew who took her and they now had a lead to go on…the seal. If Shikamaru's hypothesis proved to be true then he guessed many of his comrades were going to be pouring over everything that had to do about seals in order to figure out the intricate design.
"Uchiha's," Tsunade turned to the group of raven haired men and women, "Memorize this seal then recreated multiple copies so that we can study it."
The group nodded and activated their three tomoe sharingan and memorized the target capturing every curve of every character in order to recreate the design perfectly should nature's elements chose to erase the original copy. Once they finished they each produced a blank scroll and copied their drawing onto the paper before handing them over to the Hokage.
Kiba walked up to the buxom blonde his head hanging low, "Nothing Hokage-sama…Sakura's scent ends here at the seal."
"Same report," Neji walked up next, "We've checked the surrounding vicinity up to 15 miles, no sign of her or a large platoon of shinobi."
Tsunade sighed, she didn't think they'd actually find her but…she just had to be sure, "Everyone who is not my personal guard, a member of Team Kakashi, or an Uchiha leave and return to the village. Don't speak of these events, I will announce our course of action in due time."
Some of the more emotional members of the Konoha 12, namely Ino, had to be forcefully escorted from the area. Soon only the appointed people remained.
Tsunade turned and assessed the remaining crowd. Sai was somber and she could only see the agitation by the scrunch of his eyebrows. Kakashi surprisingly didn't have that damned orange book around, while she was grateful, it was also abnormal and a very telling sign of his own anger and distress. Naruto looked fit to be tied with a mix of sadness and severe irritation. Sasuke looked like his typical brooding self, but she now knew enough about the boy that his brooding moods had decreased significantly after his return from Orochimaru. Itachi…she couldn't read anything but that wasn't anything new. The Uchiha heir had always been a difficult man to read. He was born a warrior and always had the strictest of warrior personalities; no emotion, no weakness, no indulgence. But Sakura had slowly started changing that man into a more…personable individual. He relaxed around others he was familiar with, he became more sociable, and most importantly more approachable. While he was still Uchiha Itachi, pride and prodigy of the clan, fierce warrior, dreaded wielder of the Magenkyo Sharingan alongside his brother and cousin, an S-class shinobi with a flee on sight order…he was still just a man. And said man had just lost the woman he loved. With all the more personable traits that Sakura had brought out in him, it was obvious that he was hurting because once again he had withdrawn back inside, hiding from his friends and comrades.
"Where do you want to start Itachi?" Tsunade walked up to the ANBU Captain folding her arms, "You have been studying the information more than most."
Changing his gaze from the distant tree line to his leader Itachi nodded curtly to his superior then turned to his brethren, "Kusabana, Kuroyhou, go to the compound and tell the Elders I'm calling an assembly. Get everyone at the meetinghouse, the Uchiha clan has officially taken a personal interest in this event."
The female and male Uchiha nodded and disappeared to fulfill their orders. Sasuke smirked at his brother, Itachi was acting and if his hunch was right…he might end up the unofficial Uchiha Clan Head by the time that meeting was over. Sasuke couldn't wait to see those soggy old Elders thrown to the side.
"You have seal masters on hand correct?" Itachi asked looking back at Tsunade while fingering the necklace in his hand.
"Hai, three total, who else do you want working on it?" Amber eyes glittered with eagerness. She divined that Itachi was about to pull rank within his own clan over this. So why not let him call more of the shots considering he was going to be utilizing the Uchiha's most brilliant minds on this situation. She couldn't be more pleased, if anything, she was just given a confirmation that this man loved his apprentice more than just a girlfriend. Her eyes shot down quickly to the necklace he held in his hand, yep things were moving along nicely between them.
"I'll assemble some teams for your approval, for now I need to deal with the matter concerning my clan," his fist folded around broken and bloodied necklace in a silent vow.
Tsunade just nodded happy that she wasn't going to have to worry about those details. She had other, more Alliance, issues that needed to be dealt with. Naruto and Bee could only do so much in the end if Tetsu did steal the Gobi and he has been watching, waiting, and finally captured her apprentice during such a time…
Coincidence? She was beginning to think not. Sakura could very well be the person he intended to seal from the start. And if they couldn't find her in time and her pink haired apprentice was sealed, that meant Konoha would now have two jinchurikki which wasn't allowed according to the peace treaty. This matter had to be rectified now before everything blew out of proportion. Konoha was the first to bring to light that rebel forces were infiltrating smaller villages to gain a bijuu and if they found out after the fact that Sakura, one of Konoha's prized kunoichi's, became a jinchurikki under suspicious circumstances there would be hell to pay. It wouldn't matter that she was kidnapped and held against her will and maybe even sealed against her will as well…she was a shinobi of Konoha. This problem needed to be solved before it even began.
"I'm leaving this to you, I'll have politics coming out my ears because of this incident and I'll need to concentrate on that," Tsunade nodded to the Uchiha who reciprocated, "Go and deal with your clan but report to me when you're finished, I need to know what's going on."
Itachi nodded again then motioned for his Uchiha clan members to follow.
"Sasuke wait for a moment," Tsunade waved the other raven haired men and women off. Team Kakashi stood and waited to be addressed, "As of this moment each of you are all grounded."
"What? WHY!" Naruto yelled in anger.
"It's not what you think," the Hokage scowled at her successor, "If we receive any hints as to her whereabouts your team will be the first one out of the gates. I need you all together because when you are, your team is unbeatable."
The blonde returned a solemn nod in understanding.
"But I'll need you all studying and helping figure out this mess. I won't have you sitting idly by with nothing to do but train, just be ready to leave at a moment's notice. Understood?"
"Hai," the men nodded at their Hokage.
"Good. Sasuke go to your clan meeting and make sure Itachi gets his way. We will need the best of the best working on this. Consult with your father, I want all Haruno spies brought in for interrogation. You may not be the clan heir but if anything happened to Itachi it would be your duty to take over for him. So act like the son you are."
"Hai, Hokage-sama," Sasuke smirked wryly at his leader before vanishing.
Sasuke shushined into the village right in front of his family's manor just as his mother was leaving the house.
"Sasuke-kun," she walked up giving him a hug, "I just heard from Itachi. Is she really gone?"
Sasuke just nodded as his mother gripped his arm…sometimes he forgot she was a kunoichi. She always treated her sons with a gentle firmness, adhering to her husband in all manners like a true Uchiha woman. But she wasn't the Uchiha Matriarch for nothing, in order to be chosen she would have had to be strong in her own individual skills. A small thought flittered into his head…in an odd yet similar way, Sakura reminded him of his mother in many ways. She was always a caring person, he noticed ever since she was placed on his team. But at the same time, she was a Sannin, just like him. Gentle…strong…a true Uchiha Matriarch…he now understood Itachi's attraction fully. Being born to bear such responsibility from such a young age, he turned into a comparable replica of his father. It now made sense why he would fall in love with someone who was similar to his mother. Now their Matriarch was missing, and the new Clan Head was going to do everything in his power to find her.
"We will find her mother," he promised.
Mikoto looked up at her youngest and smiled, "Your brother needs you Sasuke, promise me you'll stay by his side."
Sasuke smiled…a smile only his mother was allowed to see, "I promise Kaa-san."
"Thank you my son," she kissed his cheek, "Now let's go, he will need us in this meeting."
They followed the rest of the crowd to the large meetinghouse, the roof now repaired, and made their way to the front where seats were reserved for their family. Sasuke nodded to various cousins and clan members as he and his mother, arm in arm, made their way to the front. Two large thumps of a gavel and the meetinghouse silenced to hear the proceedings.
"Itachi," Rook spoke out leaning forward in his chair, "I trust you have a good reason to call the entire clan here for a meeting."
He nodded, "I have. Earlier this afternoon Reiko stormed into Hokage Tower reporting that Sannin Haruno Sakura has been kidnapped. An immediate investigation was conducted and confirmed her report. I'm here to inform the Elders of the council that the Uchiha will be giving their full support to capture the perpetrators behind this incident."
A low murmur echoed through the large house all in varying states of worry and anger. Sasuke smirked, the clan was already behind his brother this was basically a formality and it didn't matter whether the Elders supported it or not, they will follow Itachi's command before theirs.
"Haruno Sakura is a kunoichi of the Leaf," Akemi answered, "We will do whatever the Hokage commands."
Itachi shook his head, "We will do more. She is of great importance to this village yes, but she is of greater importance to my person."
"I was not aware that this council had given their consent for your continued relationship," Rook glared at the young man.
"I no longer need your consent," Itachi stated in a hard voice, "She is mine, Sakura has consented to marriage. She will be the next Uchiha Matriarch."
Louds gasps followed his statement as he struck the population dumb. Mikoto's eyes glittered with happiness at her son's statement. Sasuke merely smirked, it wasn't the complete truth but according to Sakura's earlier statement to him, the necklace he gave her was a promise. They were as good as engaged in his book.
"Silence!" Fugaku's voice echoed through the hall silencing the growing excitement from his eldest's announcement, "Itachi…why didn't you tell us this information before you approached the woman?"
"You wouldn't listen in the past so I had no reason to believe you would listen now. I acted as I saw fit," the prodigy answered curtly.
"No doubt it is because of your infidelity," Rook bit back at him, "We know about your night with her yesterday. How dare you break another rule of your heritage and one of a degrading manner!"
Itachi's eyes narrowed dangerously, "I would never defile a woman."
"Regardless after you have engaged in a premarital relation with one Haruno Sakura we will never consent for her to taint our noble blood. She's as good as dead in our eyes and nothing more than a common kunoichi whore found in shinobi villages," Akemi answered.
Itachi moved in the blink of an eye as did Sasuke. Both had drawn kunai and held them against the two Elder's throats and ribcages.
"Breath another foul word against my teammate and soon to be sister and I'll gut you where you sit!" Sasuke pushed the kunai against Rook's throat breaking skin. Itachi's menacing aura fell heavily on the Uchiha Elders seated nearby. They all unconsciously shook under the weight of his dark and foreboding presence.
"Itachi and Sasuke stand down!" Their mother's voice rang over the cries of their shocked clansmen. Both boys looked up to meet their mother's matching crimson eyes but they didn't lower their weapons. She knew they would wait for her to give an order.
Mikoto stared at her sons, her heart sad for the both of them and it was time, for her, to stop being the obedient house wife and remind her husband of who he married and why.
"Fugaku," her cold eyes turned on her husband, "How can you be so blind? This world has changed since the Fourth Great War ended but you have turned a blind eye to it. We are Uchiha's one of the founding clans of Konohagakure and as such we are rooted in tradition. Tradition that has defined us for generations and with these traditions that we hold dear we have neglected the other clans in this village. But that has now changed! Just recently our noble clan joined together with the other clans of this world and together we defeated Akatuski. Together we assisted in the downfall of our predecessor Uchiha Madara. We, the Uchiha clan, are not above the others, we are not gods as Madara tried and failed to prove. So now what are we to do, go back to our old traditions and remain ignorant of others, or are we going to rise above and not be left behind."
Fugaku could only stare at his wife. Could only watch as she berated him, accused him, and dishonored him in front of the entire clan. He was shocked to say the least, this behavior was very abnormal for his wife. She had always known never to question his authority except in the privacy of their bedroom but still, it was never anything to this regard. Her blatant disrespect shocked him silent and at the end of her speech he felt…humbled. For his beautiful, loving wife to openly critique him in front of the clan that he was the leader of…then the only reasonable conclusion was that he must have done something wrong. Somewhere…
"Itachi, Sasuke," Mikoto held her hands out, "Come to me my sons."
Slowly her sons released their hold over the two Elders and stood by her side facing their father, the Clan Head, together, as one.
"Fugaku," Mikoto continued in a quieter but no less imploring voice, "Do not look at us as the Uchiha Matriarch, the prodigy, or the new Sannin. Look at us as your wife and your two sons. Your eldest is in love with a beautiful, gentle and powerful kunoichi. She makes him happy, she gives him back his humanity, something that was denied to him at a young age. And I, his mother, did not question you then. He was brilliant and had great potential and we were in the middle of the Third Shinobi War and our village needed warriors. I did as only a mother could do; I loved him, I supported him, and I encouraged his rapid growth with you. But now my husband, I beg of you please…please don't make your son chose love over the clan because I will make him leave. I will let him chose love."
Fugaku closed his eyes in deep contemplation. Was he really everything she accused him of? Had the world really changed after this last war? What was he missing, what did his eyes not see that was so clear to not just his wife, but his sons, his nieces, his nephews, and the clan? He took a deep breath thinking over her words.
"Mikoto-sama, your words were very…" Rook started being careful with his wording.
"My words were not for you, they were for my husband," she sharply cut off any claim he was going to make, "You will wait and be silent for his decision, counselors."
Sasuke fought a wicked smirk at his mother's attitude, there was that powerful kunoichi spirit coming back to life. It seems his father wasn't the only man to remember who she was before she married. The soggy old Elders heeded her words and waited for their leader to make his decision.
She was right, Fugaku concluded, things were different after the last war. The village felt different, there was more of a close-knit tie to the shinobi who survived than there was prior. Namikaze Minato's son, Naruto, had changed the world. His way of ninja had changed many people; people who the world thought could never be changed. His youngest was one of them. Fugaku may not have spent as much time with Sasuke when he was younger, preferring to pay closer attention to his son the prodigy, he completely ignored Sasuke. And such neglect made his youngest very jealous of the elder brother…and so Sasuke left. He ordered no action to be taken in search of his younger son, at the time he didn't care. He ran off to join an S-class psychopath, he would either be killed by Orochimaru or by hunter nins.
Then Naruto entered the picture with his declaration of undying friendship and brotherhood. His youngest returned…a stronger, better man…and Fugaku couldn't even claim credit for it. He hid his shame from the clan and played it off like he knew this would be the outcome all along. Only his dear wife, who broke down when she heard the news of Sasuke's defection, knew of his own pain. And now here she was calling him out again…he was about to lose another son and he understood that as much as she was calling him out on his faults, she was also, in her own way, protecting him and his heart.
A small ghost of a smile crept it way onto his lips but faded quickly as he lifted his head and addressed his family, "Mikoto…you are right. I have been blind but no more." Fugaku rose regally from his chair and walked up to his eldest son, "Itachi, can you forgive an old man's lack of vision? Sakura…she is a fine woman indeed and I am happy for you."
The two men stood together, eye to eye, waiting for…something.
"Itachi-kun," Mikoto nudged her eldest in the shoulder, "Give your father a proper hug."
He stiffened momentarily at the thought but another nudge to the shoulder and father and son clasped hands pulling each other into a slightly hesitant hug. It ended a moment later in order to decrease the awkwardness of the situation in front of hundreds of eyes.
"Whatever you need to find her Itachi, you have our full support," Fugaku proclaimed, "After all with your engagement she is now of prime importance to our clan. And I have learned from the past that when one of our own goes missing…we should stop at nothing to find them."
Sasuke smirked at his father's statement, no doubt he was referring to him and the Orochimaru incident. Apparently his father still held some resentment at his own inaction and that secretly made Sasuke thrilled.
"Thank you Otou-san," Itachi whispered, "It is relieving to finally have your approval."
"Fugaku-sama…" Akemi stood to begin a protest.
"Elders I have made my decision, as your Matriarch has stated my word is law as Head of this Clan. Your assistance in this matter is no longer required, or desired," Fugaku stated not even turning around to look at the old men.
Turning his attention back to his son, he placed a firm hand on his shoulder, "Now Itachi…tell me what you need to find her."
Again i apologize for the stupidity of my computer and it's rebellion to not save anything *growls* i promise to change it as soon as our argument is over. As always please read and review!