"Speaking current tense"

"Speaking past tense"

'Thinking current tense'

This is fanfic. I don't own Naruto.

Chapter 2: Time is Running Out – Part 1

Closing the door to the examination room behind him, Xander sighed as he flicked on the light switch to illuminate the small room. The room was situated between the room his current patient, Namikaze Naruto, was in, and the hallway which was just outside the door behind him. The room was used by other doctors to watch as a patient was examined by the attending doctor. There was a glass window nearly the size of the wall to peer through, and it was one way.

Xander stood silently as Naruto moved slightly on the examination table, his body language revealing to the aging ninja what he was thinking. 'He remembers more now. Pretty soon the drug won't work at all.' The thought was galling. The drug he had invented was designed to leave its victim without coherent thoughts or memory for several days on one dose, making it perfect for interrogation, torture and experimentation. The target would experience several days of confusion, then would become a willing puppet to whatever was asked of him.

As it stood, for seven days now Naruto had been subjected to regular doses. The first dose had lasted for only two days, Naruto waking in the middle of an examination. Xander had jumped from the sudden movement, then quickly sought to put Naruto under again. And since then each day required a new dose. Yesterday had been the worse though.

Running through the corridors of the building, a piercing scream tore through the walls. A nurse was running alongside him, desperate for the noise to stop. There was only one room it could be coming from. Opening the door to the room, Xander was hoping the scream was a trick. Instead he was greeted by the sight of blood. The entire floor was covered in blood, the red liquid pouring from wounds at Naruto's neck, wrists and ankles. Running to the table, his sandals sloshing through the thin layer of blood, each step causing a spray that coated the bottom of his overcoat, Xander quickly administered first-aid. Luckily the bleeding had only just started and Naruto was unconscious, so minimal blood was lost. At least minimal when considering Naruto.

'No doubt the Kyuubi saved him from bleeding out.' That thought alone had given Xander relief to begin with, but now he knew better than to thank the fox. The Kyuubi was speeding up Naruto's metabolism and enhancing his body's immune system, rendering the drug Xander administered useless. Each day he upped the dose he gave Naruto, seeking to hold off the Kyuubi's powers for one more day, yet it was futile. One, maybe two more doses of the drug would be administered before its effectiveness was gone.

His employer had told him to create a new drug. Xander had told him flatly that the drug he was giving him was the strongest he knew of, and it would take months, if not years to create something more powerful, and even then it might not work given the Kyuubi's powers. His employer was not pleased, but was glad to hear it would last for at least a few more days, more than enough time he said to get things ready. Xander was about to ask his employer what he was getting ready, but quickly stopped as he looked at the man's face. He didn't need to know what was to happen. Xander knew he was better off being in the dark about this one.

This one boy had dented his pride. Granted this boy had the powers of the Kyuubi behind him, but Xander prided himself on his knowledge of drugs and poisons. After all, he had initially been a healer by trade, his young life filled with books and plants. He journey from healer to ninja had been swift and painful. His family and friends had died. His love was taken. His life sold. His life had been filled with banishment, then slavery. Now it was filled with death and decay. The Kyuubi had taken his powerful drug, his work of three years, and devoured it. He knew this was a once off aberration, and the drug could still be used quite effectively on anyone else. But Xander knew that every time he used it, he would think back to this one moment - this one moment where his drug was defeated.

Naruto finally fell asleep on the examination table, so Xander took out his note pad to jot down the new time his patient succumbed to sleep. As he finished, a presence appeared behind him in the small room, the door never opening, indicating it was his employer.

"How goes it Xander?"

Turning to face the man, Xander pocketed his notepad and pen. "He's showing increased resistance, indicated by the shorter times between sleep. He also takes longer to succumb to sleep. However, he still has confusion as to what is happening, but I can see him remembering, slowly. Pretty soon the drug won't work at all."

"So another two days at least?" His employer stared at body on the table. Uchiha Madara was by no means a tall man, but to Xander he seemed a giant. The Akatsuki cloak hid his body and its movements well, while the spiral shaped mask he wore only gave away his intent through his eye, which was indecipherable due to the Sharingan.

"I'd work on the drug only lasting one more day. Two if we're lucky." Even after working for the man for five years, Xander still found his presence intimidating, but had worked on hiding his unease. "He remembers nothing of yesterday, but I can see that he knows something is wrong with the Kyuubi. His connection is slowly returning."

Moving towards the glass, Madara kept his eye on Naruto. "We'll need to prep him for the procedure. I'll come back tomorrow and apply the seals. Then we'll move him to the chamber. Once there it won't matter if he's drugged or not." As Madara turned to face him, Xander could swear if not for the mask that Madara was smiling. "Not long now Xander and my plan will be complete and you will be given all that you need." Turning around, Madara proceeded to the door.

"Thank you. I will have everything ready for you tomorrow." Watching his employer, Xander was more confused about the man as ever. He appears out of thin air in a tiny room, then leaves said room by the door. Theatrics followed by the mundane. 'No doubt he did it to throw me off, but once he saw that I was unfazed, he must have thought his trick was wasted. Or maybe the whole exercise was a trick?' Xander gave up on that train of thought right away.

Years ago the Uchiha had caused him to run around in circles, chasing complex puzzles followed by conundrums. It was part of his game, and Xander had long ago mastered the ability to dodge it completely. Yet every so often he would have to remind himself that it was part of who his employer was. 'A manipulative man who sees everyone as his pawn, no doubt an effect of being immortal.' Pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose with his pinky finger, Xander turned off the light in the room and decided to exit the same was as his employer. The normal way.

Sasuke was angry. As he leapt through treetops as fast as he could, he sought out his target, extending his senses in every direction hoping to catch a sign of her.

For two days he had rested in Konoha hospital, Tsunade and Sakura attending to his various wounds and injuries. For a moment he had thought that it was because they cared for him. Then reality struck. They had sectioned him off in a deserted ward, far away from other civilians and ninjas in case he tried anything. They were the only people he saw, no doubt because they were the best in medicine, and they could also handle him if he got out of control.

So he endured the humiliation. The cold stares, tense atmosphere, rough handling. He took it all, because he knew that his pride could take it now. What his pride couldn't take was the mess he caused. That was why he was in the current mess he was, leaping through trees. Hinata had proposed such a simple plan. Place his life in her hands and all would be forgiven. At the time it seemed the right thing to do. And yet, it was the only thing he could do to atone for his crimes. His sins.

Even now the thought of being tied to Naruto caused him grief, and now he was tied to Hinata, Naruto's fiancé. The similarities between the two now were shocking to Sasuke. He had been shocked when he first saw her. Never had he thought the shy, timid girl who would hide herself away from the world would become such a beauty. But it was not just her outside appearance. She was now confident, strong, and devious. 'Perfect for Naruto.' The grim thought caused Sasuke to smirk.

She had captured Sasuke with her plan. His life was hers, he was told. Why shouldn't he then be put to good use? Had this happened several years ago, he would have rallied against the thought of it, fighting with all his strength to escape the situation. Now, with hindsight, he knew that arrogance had caused his problems, the list long and varied throughout the years. Gone now was thoughts of revenge. Gone was the need to shun everyone who ever cared for him. He would make it up to everyone. He would start with Naruto. He would save Naruto even if he had to give his life in exchange. This would be his first atonement, and maybe his last should it be decided.

Up ahead, a flash of light reflected off a thrown kunai as it whizzed towards him. Landing on the next tree branch, a kunai was already in Sasuke's hand as he moved to parry the projectile, the clank of metal on metal sounding in the area. Dropping to the ground, Sasuke hid himself from sight, and sure that he was hidden, started to move around the position of his objective, hoping to flank his attacker.

Pain registered in his limbs from the exercise, and once again anger flared. After two days of fixing him up, Tsunade had proposed that he be left to rest for at least a week so that he was recovered enough to assist Hinata. What hadn't been said was that the rest was to give him time to regain his strength so he could fight, and possibly die, for her. Hinata had stood close to the door in his small hospital room, watching Tsunade silently as she explained everything. Not one word was spoken. Not one expression given. Her body was as still as a statue.

As Tsunade finished, Hinata transferred her gaze from the Hokage to Sasuke, the cold look in her eyes, magnified by the white colour of her pupil-less irises, froze Sasuke. Then she asked to see the Hokage outside. Both women left the room and for several minutes Sasuke listened intently. There was no yelling, no screams, just a light muffled sound caused by the walls blocking the sound.

Tsunade re-entered the room followed by Hinata. Tsunade looked tired, and her voice was irritated. "It has been decided that you will get only three days rest, not a week. Sakura and I will help you recover as fast as possible. Then you will be out of here so that you can useful." She then turned to the door and walked out. Shocked, Sasuke stared after her for a minute, then turned to Hinata who was regarding him coolly. The room grew tense, and Sasuke needed to know what would happen next.

"You will be of use. We go in three days." Her words had interrupted him so quickly that he stared at her in shock. The hair on the back of his neck rose at her words. She left the room silently, the last he would see of her for three days.

The cocktail of exercise and drugs that Tsunade was putting him through gave him back his strength, though the cost was never mentioned, except that he would trade fast recovery now for pain later. Five days after returning to Konoha, he was back at the gates again, the early morning sun rising in the sky, the colour jubilant – a complete contrast to how he felt.

In front of him stood Hinata and five Anbu, their blank, expressionless masks regarding him silently. Moving toward Hinata, he knew what he must do. Kneeling on one leg before her, he bowed his head in servitude. "Lady Hyuuga, I am here as requested in order to fulfil my oath. I am yours to command."

Ordering him to rise, Hinata had proceeded to lay out the plan to her squad. The target was obviously not known to all, because as Naruto's name was mentioned, two Anbu tensed, while another glanced at Sasuke, obviously becoming aware of his purpose for being there. The other two Anbu already knew the mission judging by their body language, though Sasuke was not sure whether it was knowledge that influenced them, or training that made them appear as one thing and be another.

Then they were off. They had run straight all day, their target at least another two. Sasuke was second in formation just behind the scout, his knowledge of the area used to plot the course of least resistance.

Coming around behind his target, Sasuke now knew things would only get worse, if only because everything he thought he knew was false. His knowledge of the area was worthless, if this attack was anything to go by. He saw the two bodies lying dead on the ground, not one drop of blood in the clearing. One was sprawled out on the ground like it was hit by a tremendous blow. The other laid in a crumpled heap at the feet of his target. She was standing there, her back to him, her gaze on the body before her.

"You can come out now Uchiha." Hinata turned to face Sasuke, her Byakugan enhanced eyes on him. Stepping from concealment, Sasuke watched as Hinata readjusted a glove on her right hand, the other five Anbu landing in a semi-circle behind her. She was dressed in standard Anbu gear, save for her mask which was attached to her belt. As the other Anbu disposed of the bodies, Sasuke moved towards Hinata.

"Should we be worried about any more patrols in the area?" Hinata asked the question as she checked a compass.

"No, Lady Hyuuga. The patrols cover a large area, and only criss-cross at certain points. The absence of these guards should go unnoticed for at least another 2-3 hours. However, we will cross more patrols as we get closer to the base."

Regarding him, Hinata smirked. "Yes I'm sure the patrols will increase. After all it is their main base." Turning she moved over to the other Anbu. "Come Uchiha, we have much ground to cover and I don't plan to rest til tonight, whether you keep up or not." With that she launched into the trees, Sasuke and the other Anbu following. Taking up his position, Sasuke felt fatigue start to set in.

She had mocked him, openly, about the ambush, no doubt annoyed that his knowledge didn't pertain to new patrol routes. Now she was punishing him, pushing him past what he could take. Sasuke felt his anger return. Hinata would use him to rescue Naruto, and in return he would begin his path to redemption. Cold reality touched him at that thought.

She would be the death of him. And he would welcome it.

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