A/N: Woot! Finals are over!! I can update more often now...or at least write more often. Me and Sis are going to NC for a family reunion, so we will be writing, but most likely not posting until we get back up here...unless we can finagle our relatives into steeping forward into the 21st century and actually getting wireless! Anyways, I don't own Naruto, only this awesome plot. LATERZ!!
Chapter 34: Pre-emptive Strike
Temari was furious. Someone was hurting innocent children and she couldn't find them to kick their asses. She stroked the child's white hair while his head was in her lap. She noticed Sai was sitting up in his bed, watching the child intently. She cocked her head at him and smiled. "Sai…what's wrong?" she asked gently. Sai looked up at her, his eyes troubled.
"Will the boy be alright?" he looked worried and that warmed Temari, knowing Sai was worried about the child. It meant his emotions had been unlocked. She looked down at the child, and then back up at the older boy.
"I'm sure he'll be fine. Sakura-chan will be here soon, hopefully, and can look the boy over." Sai nodded and rested his head on his pillow again. He sighed and instantly Shino was by his side. They whispered to each other, exchanging gentle touches and even a few chuckles. Temari watched as Shino kissed the young boy, and then told the youth to sleep. The young artist did, and was soon out cold.
Temari watched Shino carefully. There was something almost feral about the man when it came to Sai. She smiled and continued to run her fingers through the child's hair. She felt the child shift and the sudden tension in his small body. She looked down to see wide, red eyes staring up at her. She smiled at him and she noticed he blushed redder than her brother's hair.
She felt him tense, as if waiting for a blow, and she gently ran her fingers through his hair again. She looked over at her lover and cleared her throat. Everyone looked over at them and the child looked terrified. He struggled to get away, but Temari held him easily. She pulled the child into her lap and cradled him to her. He stiffened and, just as abruptly as he started struggling, he calmed.
Temari rocked him, cooing into his ear, brushing the hair from his face and nuzzling his head reassuringly. Shikamaru watched her calm the little boy and couldn't help but think of how good a mother she would make. He shook his head to be rid of these thoughts and turned to everyone else.
"We have to contact Haruno-sama as soon as we can. Has anyone got any idea how to contact her?" Everyone looked around and found that the only person who would know was asleep. Shino growled when everyone turned their heads towards Sai.
"You are not waking him up for that. She's on her way, we just have to be patient. Gaara-san will bring her back and you can have her trace the path back to the dream weaver." Neji arched a brow at the over-protective male.
"It may be too late for her to track him by the time-" no sooner had he started the sentence than they all felt Sakura's power fill the house. Shino gave Neji a blank look as if to say 'You were saying?' Neji sighed and shook his head, looking at everyone else. "We have to let her know about the dream weaver and the boy. She'll know what to do with him."
Temari felt the child stiffen at Neji's cold tone and she gave the silver eyed youth a cold glare. "You keep that tone and we'll see who does what to whom. You may enjoy having everyone around you fear you, but this child is innocent and if you so much as lookat him wrong, you'll find yourself thirty-seven feet in the air and falling fast." she growled and went back to calming the boy.
Everyone stared at her, and then looked over at Kankuro, who was chuckling. It was Choji that asked him what was so amusing. Kankuro outright laughed then and gave his sister a warm smile. "She said the same thing to our foster father when we found Gaara and brought him back. After our dad died, we were sent to live with a family. Gaara had been sent away not long after he was born, but we kept tabs on him. When Temari turned eighteen, we went and took Gaara from the assholes that were using him as a free meal ticket." Kankuro smirked as Temari glared up at him.
"They treated him like shit and you know it. He would have died of starvation had we left him. They spent all the money the government gave them for Gaara on alcohol." she growled and went back to rocking the child, who had stiffened at the growl in her voice. She soothed him with gentle murmurs.
Kankuro shook his head and laughed once more. "When we brought Gaara in, he was half dead, dirty, and withdrawn. We fed him, Temari gave him a bath, and he slept with Temari. He was still quite young at the time, so he needed some semblance of normalcy. Temari was his only link to this world. When our foster father found out, he was pissed. He told Temari to get rid of Gaara, but she told him if he lay on hand on her little brother, they'd never find his body." Everyone looked over at Temari, who looked rather feral for someone taking care of a child.
Naruto didn't say anything, but Kiba whistled lowly and looked at Temari in a whole new light. He made a comment, he was so impressed. "Wish I had had someone like her. My mother was borderline dominatrix, so I was abused as the only male in the house after my father died. My sister was taken by The Center and she came after me, the same dominant nature bred into her that was bred into my mom. She was merciless and had it not been for Sakura-chan, I would either be dead or locked up somewhere in The Center." Ino whimpered and curled up against him to comfort him. He smiled at her and allowed Akamaru to nuzzle him. Everyone felt awkward since people were sharing things now.
"It's obvious to everyone what happened to Cheela. It was all over the news for several months. I don't know of anyone that didn't hear about the attempted kidnapping." Choji put his hand on top of Cheela's hair. The young girl smiled up at her brother, who in turn smiled down at her. She latched onto Eto's arm, who sighed and resigned himself to being squeezed to death.
Lacey kept quiet, not wanting to share anything about herself after having confided in Lee. Lee looked at her, his eyes understanding. He went to her side and put his hand on her shoulder, giving it a comforting squeeze. Lee also kept his past a secret. There was no need for them to know that he had, indeed, been captured by the Center and had been rescued by Sakura before they could do anything to him. The Center had thought his lack of chakra had been an anomaly and had killed his parents and older sister to get him.
Neji looked at Hinata, who looked away, knowing that he had suffered what no one should have. Neji sighed and turned his back on everyone, not willing to share his painful past. Hinata wanted everyone to know he wasn't the cold, selfish bastard he appeared to be, so she spoke for him.
"Neji-oniisan left the clan to ensure that my father would leave the family business to me. Our fathers were twin brothers, his was the younger, mine the older. My father had inherited the family business upon his eighteenth birthday and his child would inherit the business, but my uncle wanted a male heir to inherit the business...my father agreed. When Neji was born, my father panicked, as he had no heir yet." She looked at Naruto, who already knew the story.
"I was born not long after and it was determined that Neji would be the next heir. My father was outraged that he could not have a male heir and continued to try and produce a son. He ended up with me and my younger sister Hinabi. He never produced a male heir. Four months before Neji's eighteenth birthday, his father told him that he would inherit the company and that Hinabi and I would be banished from the clan, as that was what his father wanted. He didn't want either of us to protest the particulars of the unofficial contract, as my father was dead and a written agreement was never made, so it would not hold up with the council of elders." Hinata smiled at her cousin, who blushed lightly.
"Neji refused to do that to either of us. His father told him if he did not, that he would make sure that Neji would not be heir and that he would be banished from the clan. Neji left the clan to prove to his father that he wasn't afraid and that he would not betray his family's pride, as his father had done. When the ceremony came and there was no Neji to take over, my mother took over. She was older than Neji's father and, as my father's wife, the proctor for the true heir…me." Her eyes dimmed as memories assailed her. Harsh words, glares, sick satisfaction…that was what had met her when her family found out about her disgrace.
Naruto noticed and put his arms around her waist. He murmured loving words to her, telling her everything would be alright. She smiled at him, and turned sad eyes to their friends. "After" she cleared her throat so she could talk, "after the…incident…with Sasuke, my family turned on me. My mother could not protect me or protest my innocence. My uncle had poisoned the minds of the council, telling them I was a whore; that I had willingly slept with someone to destroy any chance they had at marrying me off to another wealthy clan." Tears dripped down her face. Her agony reached out to everyone there, and they sympathized for her.
Naruto wrapped his arms around her and dragged her into his lap. He let her cry into his shoulder, his eyes glazed with a red sheen. He turned those red tinted eyes to Neji. "Your father destroyed her reputation so that she could not take her place as heir. Hinabi is still too young, and her mother is too ill to be proctor. Your fatheris proctor until Hinabi is eighteen." Neji's eyes went wide and you could see the surprise that flashed on his face, followed by confusion, and finally anger.
"So…since I wouldn't take over for him, he found a way to make himself head of the family." he hissed angrily and looked at Hinata. Her sadness made his eyes soften. He went to her and put his hand on her shoulder. "I will restore your reputation Hinata-chan. I promise you…my father will pay for messing with my beloved cousin." Hinata smiled half-heartedly up at him. He wiped her tears away and looked at Naruto, who had started growling at his close proximity.
Neji narrowed his eyes on the blonde, but he offered his hand. Naruto's growling was cut off by the confused noise that came from his throat. Naruto looked Neji in the eyes for a while, and then grasped his hand. They nodded at each other and were about to speak when the doors burst open, waking everyone up. The child made a startled noise and tried to get away from Temari, who held him close…protectively. Everyone stared at the doorway and sighed in relief…it was Sakura.
Sakura felt the confusion and tension in the house as soon as she got there. Gaara laid her on the bed and they curled up together. She needed at least a few minutes of rest. She hadn't slept all that much lately and she really needed it. She closed her eyes and was about to drift off, but something pushed at her mind. Her eyes snapped open, glowing sterling. Gaara sensed her anger and opened his eyes. He hadn't been sleeping like her, so he hadn't felt the push.
"What's wrong Mitsukai-chan?" he asked quietly when he noticed her sterling eyes. He looked around and saw nothing that would have alarmed her, so he reached out with his other senses and noticed that there was something trying to get through his barrier. He curled his lip and looked at his mate. "You feel that…don't you?" he asked quietly. She growled and was out of bed so fast that he had to run to keep up with her. He watched as she stormed out of their bedroom and straight to her grandmother's.
She threw open the doors and found everyone gathered there, talking. She looked around and noticed she had woken several people up and startled a young boy that Temari held protectively. Sakura blinked several times as she looked at the boy. He looked terrified, but he was blushing up a storm. She arched a brow and looked down to see her bed sheet hanging loosely around her form. One of her tails was keeping it up, much to her dismay. She hadn't even thought about clothing…
Sakura blushed and sent Gaara a message to put clothes on before he followed her. He walked up behind her a few moments later in a pair of black lounging pants and a red tank top. He had a hand full of clothing for her as well. He handed her the clothes and held the sheet up so she could change. When she emerged from behind the sheet, she was wearing a pale pink tank top and a white 'rag' skirt. The 'rag' strips of her skirt hung down to her ankles, giving glimpses of her legs.
She blew her long hair out of her face, rubbing her eyes of the sleep that had gathered the little while she had been sleeping. When she opened her eyes again, they were the normal gentle green. They reminded Gaara of a meadow in the spring, they were so warm. She smiled at the youth, her eyes looking tired. She walked over to the boy and both Sakura and Gaara noticed the way Temari curled around the child protectively. Sakura put her hand on Temari's shoulder. "Easy, sister. I merely want to figure out who hurt the boy. His mind is scarred…he is vulnerable. I need to erect a barrier so that whoever hurt him can't hurt him again."
Sakura noticed the boy cling to Temari when she lowered her defenses and allowed Sakura to see him. Sakura smiled and leaned down so she was looking the boy in the eyes. "It's alright, little one. I won't hurt you." she cooed at him. She went down to her knees, sitting on her feet so that she was on his level. He looked more comfortable when she did that. She smiled at him and offered him her hand. She noticed he sniffed her hand and she giggled. She reached out and brushed her hand along his face. When she did, make up came off on her hand. There were two needle thin blue marks that went from his brows, over his eyes, down his cheeks, and ending at his chin.
"You're an ookami…like Kiba's an inu." she said quietly. The boy buried his face in Temari's chest, scared. Temari gave Sakura a warning glance, telling her that she'd best be nice to the boy. Sakura smiled and put her hand on Temari's forehead, showing her what she had managed to get from the boy. Temari gasped and tears formed in her eyes. She looked up at Sakura, who looked sad.
"I can't help him if he doesn't let me. You are the only one he seems to trust. Tell him I can help him…that I can take the pain away." Temari nodded and pulled the child so that he looked up at her. He looked so scared that it made her ache. She smiled at him, and then pointed at Sakura.
"She can make the headache you have go away. She can make all the pain go away and make sure it never comes back. But you have to let her. She can only help you if you let her. Do you want the pain to stop?" she asked him in a gentle voice…the voice of a mother. The boy perked at the prospect of no pain. He looked at Sakura's kind eyes and seemed to be contemplating.
Finally, the boy nodded and reached one small, trembling hand out to the neko. He could smell her demon and that was what had scared him. He still had fear in his eyes, but he wanted the pain gone. Temari felt her heart ache for the child. She felt hands on her shoulders and she looked up, and slightly back, and saw Shikamaru. Tears slid down her cheeks.
"He's barely thirteen and they have hurt him so much…" Shikamaru wiped her tears as best he could and put a gentle kiss on her lips. He stood back up and smiled down at her.
"Well then, you will just have to help him. He looks at you like his mother, so I guess you have your hands full." Shikamaru looked up at the boy and Sakura then and he noticed that the boy was trembling. He frowned and looked at Sakura, who looked pained.
"Sakura-san…what's wrong?" he asked and turned to Gaara, who had a pained expression on his face as well. Everyone was worried, and rightly so.
Sakura felt pain unlike anything she had ever taken from someone. It was like he was taking on the pain of two. She searched through his mind to find the damage and repair it. She found it, and it made her stomach crawl. She repaired the physical damage, healing the damage done by torture and tampering. She then searched for the source of his enormous pain. When she found it, she was thrown back into her own body.
Sakura looked back at Gaara, who looked exactly how she felt. "You saw that…didn't you?" she asked quietly, noticing the bow was now sleeping in Temari's arms. Gaara nodded and wiped his forehead. He didn't know how Sakura could bear such things. He noticed the curious looks from everyone and knew they wanted to know how he could see what Sakura did, but he didn't have time to explain.
"We have to help…we can't leave things as they are. Can you contact Lotus? Perhaps she knows what to look for…" Gaara knew that this was out of character for him, but after feeling the boy's pain, he couldn't turn his back on him. Temari looked confused and finally asked what everyone was thinking.
"What's going on? What's wrong?" Her voice was slightly hysterical, her body unconsciously shielding the child. Sakura and Gaara exchanged a look and sighed. It was Sakura that answered, stroking the boy's hair with silent promise.
"His name is Tsume…he's from a clan that raises, trains, and lives with wolves…like Kiba's clan does with dogs. He doesn't have a wolf companion yet, but…the center has something that he loves more than his own life…" Sakura trailed off and her gaze landed on Karin. Karin knew then that something very bad was happening.
"Nee-chan…what could matter so much to a thirteen year old boy?" Karin asked with a shaky voice, though she had a good idea. She watched Gaara turn his back to them, his body trembling. Sakura looked back at the unconscious boy with compassion in her eyes.
"His twin sister." she stated quietly. Everyone looked surprised, but some made cries of denial…their hearts hurting for the child. Sakura stood and looked at them.
"There is nothing we can do but go in and get the girl out. Wolves bond later in life than dogs, there is still a chance we can save their companions if we can locate the pack they chose from. We have to get her out." Kiba looked down at Akamaru, who whined in sympathy. Sakura smiled at the boy…this is the youth she had known since she saved him from the Center.
"Kiba, you are better acquainted with the wolves and their movements…what do you think we should do?" Sakura saw the grin on his face and knew that he would do anything in his power to save the kids. She smiled at the thought of having a go at the Center again.
Lotus had just gotten done outlining an elaborate escape plan to Tobi and Obito when she felt a brush at her mind. it was familiar and held power. She immediately grasped at the connection. 'Haruno-sama! Is everything alright? Do you need something?' Lotus inquired. She heard a long sigh, and then the quiet voice of the woman in her mind.
'I need your help, Lotus. I need you to find out if there is a silver haired girl there with blue markings on her face. She smells like a wolf and should have red eyes.' Lotus nodded and looked at Tobi, who was currently Obito.
"Have you seen a silver haired girl with red eyes and blue markings around anywhere? She would be around thirteen…" Lotus winced. That was the age that the scientists usually started raping the girls. Obito curled his lip, for he knew this as well.
"Yeah, actually, I have. I saw one of the scientists eying her today, before I was called before Madara. She was in the neural stripping facility." Lotus nodded and relayed the information to Sakura. She felt the mental wince and wondered what was up.
'Do you need this girl, Haruno-sama?' Lotus realized this was her chance to get Tobi out of here. She smiled at Obito, who arched a brow. "I have an idea and we won't even have to give you away. I have someone that can help us." her eyes sparkled and she reached for Sakura again. 'Haruno-sama…I, too, need help. I need you to get an innocent out. His name is Tobi, but he has a split personality name Obito. I call him Tobito…his family was massacred by Madara, his wife and unborn children sacrificed for the sake of 'science'. If you can get him out when you take the girl, I would be very thankful. He is too innocent to go through this war the Center is scheming.' She could feel the indecision in Sakura and crossed her fingers. Her reply almost made Lotus jump for joy.
'We will take him with us. However, it is imperative that we get the child as soon as we can. We have her brother here with us and he suffers without her. I need you to be conveniently gone so that Madara can not make you fight me. If you wish, I will make it look like this Tobito is slain fighting me. I will not, however, leave a body. Madara knows I would never leave a body there, even one of his own men.' Lotus nodded and looked at Tobi. She was interrupted, however, when Madara entered. Lotus noticed Obito sink back into Tobi, who blinked and looked up at Madara. He cringed from the older Uchiha.
"Tobi is done with cards. Nee-san…you want to color with Tobi?" the innocent smile on the man's face made Lotus smile internally. She did not reflect any of her emotions on her face or in her body language. Tobi, who was brighter than he looked, did not allow Madara to concentrate on Lotus, who was talking to Sakura in her head. "Aniki…Tobi likes nee-san. Can nee-san color with Tobi?" there was such pleading in his eyes that it was hard for anyone to refuse him…even Madara. Slight emotion flickered in Madara's eyes, but then it was gone.
"Tobi…Lotus needs to rest. If you do not allow her to rest, I will have to send her to the safe house." Lotus noticed the sparkle in Tobi's eyes and knew that's what he was counting on. Tobi got a petulant look on his face and crossed his arms over his chest.
"Nee-san plays with Tobi so the others will leave Tobi alone. Tobi wants nee-san to stay and play." Lotus noticed the anger building in Madara. She could tell that no matter how angry Madara got with the man, he would never kill the youth. This was good because Tobi was going to push Madara to his limits today.
"Tobi, Lotus is tired. We should let her go lie down." Madara tried to sound reasonable. However, Tobi wasn't having any of it.
"NO! Tobi wants nee-san to play! Aniki is mean…not letting nee-san play with Tobi!" at that moment, Tobi burst into tears. Lotus stood and turned emotionless eyes on the two.
"That one is too noisy. I would never get to sleep with his wailing and I'm sure he will not stop unless I play with him. I am tired from my fight. I'm going to the safe house." Lotus turned then and walked out. She waited three seconds and suddenly Tobi's wails took on a louder, more uncontrollable pitch. She had to hand it to the man…he could act. What she wondered is how he knew that she needed to be out of the base for Sakura to come in.
Madara looked down at Tobi in disgust. He couldn't believe how idiotic his brother had become since his incarceration here. However, he did want to know if Lotus had displayed any emotion to him…even something as menial as irritation. Madara gave a mock sigh and sat where Lotus had been. He heard Tobi's sobs turn to curious sniffles. Madara looked up at his younger brother to see the youth rubbing red, puffy eyes. He had once been such a proud man…
Madara held in his snort of digust. Wouldn't do to upset him when he held a font of information just waiting to be tapped. Madara picked up the cards and he saw the surprised delight in Tobi's eyes. Tobi picked up his cards and they continued the game. After a few minutes, Madara spoke to Tobi in a nonchalant way.
"Was Lotus nice to you? Did she treat you well, maybe smile for you?" Madara was so busy trying to seem uninterested, he didn't notice the smirk on Tobi's face of the twinkle in his eyes. Obito was out now…but hehid his presence. He was mixing his wit with Tobi's innocence.
Tobi sighed and his shoulders slumped. "Does nee-san hate me? Nee-san was so cold…like ice cream. Only not as sweet. Does nee-san not feel? Nee-san says she don't have emotions…what's that mean aniki?" Tobito could see the disappointment in Madara and hid his smile. Served the rat bastard right. If he couldn't have his family, Madara would never get his. He had been planning to kill Lotus, until she had told him how much she despised his brother. Now he was going to help her destroy his brother.
Obito receded into the farthest reaches of Tobi's mind as Madara looked up, his Sharingan capturing Tobi. Tobi was unaffected by the glare, but he didn't tell Madara this. Madara used the Sharingan to try and force answers. Tobi just started crying and saying/asking the same things he did before. There was nothing that gave Lotus away, much to Madara's displeasure.
Gaara was nervous about their plan. It wasn't that he didn't trust Kiba's plan, but that he did not want to put his mate's life in danger. He knew that Sakura would never allow the others to go into the Center without her, so he could not use that as an argument. They had mated several times, but had he been pregnant he would have smelled it…as would she. That excuse was out as well, along with the excuse that he didn't want her hurt because that would just piss her off.
As it was, there were five of them going in. He did not feel comfortable about Hinata coming with them, and he voiced his opinion. "I do not think Hinata should have to come with us. She has been through enough…we should not take her into a situation that can trigger bad memories." Sakura's eyes met his and they stared at one another.
"It is because of what she has been through that she has to come. If they have put their hands on the girl, Hinata has a better chance of claming her than any of you. I will be the distraction. They want me more than they want to keep her. I will be the one to 'kill' Tobito and Naruto will take him out. Hinata will take Gin out, and we, my love, will create a little havoc…set the Center back a little." her eyes were alight with mischief, but there was also sadness in her eyes.
"Not one of you has seen the Center the way I have…you've never been in there as far as I have gone. You are going to see things that make you sick…things that make you beyond angry…but we have a purpose in going in and if we don't complete that purpose we will jeopardize the rest of the unit. Do not get distracted…get in, get out. That is what SHINOBI do." the other three nodded. Sakura turned to Kiba then. "Kiba, I'll need you and Akamaru there on the outside, hidden. The girl will most likely seek out a canine…she's been away from her pack so long she most likely won't care if it's dog or wolf. That's your job…to keep her calm until Gaara and I come to get you."
Everyone nodded, understand their parts in this. Sakura smirked, her silver eyes shining. "As my favorite airship captain oncestated…'I aim to misbehave'." she smirked as everyone shook their heads. It had been established long ago that Sakura was a huge Serenityfan and Mal was her favorite character, River a very close second. She had the movie, posters, autographed pictures…basically anything a serious fan girl would have. She smirked and they all disappeared.
Things were quiet at Southside Orphanage. The old, brick building looked as innocent as a newborn. However, it hid a very dark secret. Sakura could feel the surprise from her mate and his two friends, who were now hers. Kiba wasn't so surprised however. This is where he had been headed when Sakura had saved him. He winced at the memory, but he shook it off, knowing that if he let his emotions boil, they would be detected.
Sakura made silent hand motions and Kiba nodded. He stopped about fifty yards from the fence that surrounded the property. He jumped into the trees, Akamaru by his side, to wait for his unit's return. He watched the other four make their way to the wrought iron fence. Hinata stared up at the fence with apprehension. She wasn't sure she could do this anymore. He courage was abandoning her. As much as she wanted to help the girl, she could help someone else if she couldn't even control herself. A gentle touch on her shoulder made her look up into the kind blue eyes of her boyfriend. He gave her courage, with that one look. She nodded and waited for the signal.
Sakura held up her hand, her head cocked so that she could hear a little better. She could hear the people in the building, acting like caring, loving providers to anyone that came to adopt a child. The only kids that were there were ones that had no special talent. The money they charged for the adoption helped to fund their underground activities. Since it was an orphanage, they were given a set amount to help feed, cloth and educate the children. That money was used on the cover-up, while all the donations the place got went to their illegal research.
Sakura could sense Madara, his being the most commanding presence in the underground laboratory. She could sense the people in the cages, the frightened children in the basement, waiting for the neural stripping. Sakura clenched her jaw. The children's cages would be the first that she and Gaara would tamper with. Sakura made a signal and the four vaulted the fence effortlessly. Through her merge with Gaara, she could tell he was sensing the people as well, along with Naruto. Seemed that Naruto wasn't handling things too well.
Sakura could feel the beast in him rise and she looked back at him, her silver eyes narrowed. Naruto was trying valiantly to control the Kyuubi, his eyes flashing between red and blue, but he was losing ground. Sakura hissed at Kyuubi inside Naruto's head. 'If you do not behave yourself, Kyuubi, I willbind you. I can make it to where Naruto can draw on you, but you have no freedom at all. Is that what you want?' She noticed the look on Naruto's face and knew she won. Naruto's eyes flashed blue and stayed that way. She heard Kyuubi grumbling, but ignored the kitsune. They stealthily made their way up to the building, having not been spotted by the 'supervisors'. Sakura lead the three to the back, where a small shed was. Sakura herded them into the shed, shut, and locked the door behind them.
They gave her a look and she whispered the answer to their question. "We aren't going out that way. It's too dangerous with the number of people we have and the number of people we are going to be taking out. I know I said that we were only taking two, but Gaara and I are going to rescue the children from the basement. There are about seven of them and they are barely more than toddlers. I don't know where they came from, but I won't leave them there." Gaara nodded and looked around for where they were going. Sakura smirked and point a small room, barely big enough for one person.
All three of her companions looked sick at the thought of going in that room. Hinata more so than the other two. "I-isn't that a b-bathroom?" she asked, her eyes wide and terrified. Sakura nodded and pointed to a string attached to a light bulb. She pulled it and a staircase appeared soundlessly. She smirked at their awed faces.
"Wait…won't they know we're here?" Naruto looked at Sakura, who smiled. Sakura looked at Gaara and he nodded.
"That's what I'm counting on. They've hidden the entrance to their hideout seven times in the last year because of me. They know I can find it if I have a reason to get in…they're counting on it actually." Gaara stiffened at the way she casually talked about this. There wasn't anything casual about what they were about to do. He looked up into her sparkling eyes.
"This isn't me being casual baby. This is me pissed." she said and noticed the look in his eyes. It was the same look most of her operatives gave her when she got pissed over the slightest of things sometimes. She looked away, her eyes staring at the ground. "It's either get pissed or cry, and my tears ran dry a long time ago." she said quietly. She shook her head and made her way down the ladder carefully. She lead them down the corridor that was lined with pipes, wires, and what looked like small lights. The grating below their feet made a quiet, eerie sound.
They could see large pipes, big enough that a baby elephant could walk through with plenty of room, up in the high ceiling. They wondered what the pipes were for. Sakura stopped as she sensed something. She made hand signals and jumped up to the pipes in the ceiling. The other three followed her, settling themselves quietly. A few minutes passed and they heard the sound of voices…angry voices. Pretty soon, two mid-thirties male scientists were standing under them, having a heated argument.
"Shejust turned thirteen, Ieano. You can't jump on someone like that. She hasn't even experienced a mensus yet. It's too dangerous. If you continue to try to bed the girl, I will have you reassigned. Endof discussion!" the older looking doctor walked away while the younger of the two stood where he was and stewed over his boss's warning.
"She may have just turned thirteen, but she's still of breeding age, the good for nothing hypocrite. A mensus only means she can have kids…not having one is even better…no one can track me to the crime if she ever escapes." he snarled to himself. "It's not like she can tell on me…who would believe her anyway?"
"Me." Sakura had dropped down behind him silently. He stiffened at the sound of her voice and whirled to get a look at her. Sakura gave him a maniacal smile and silenced him…permanently. She looked down at the man whose throat she had cut with her sharp nails. She hated killing people, but these men were sadistic and deserved to die. Her companions dropped down beside her and she motioned them the way the doctors had come from, not the way the other doctor had gone.
Sakura came to a halt in the neural stripping facility. There were three kids hooked up, their eyes covered, and needles sticking from their heads like they were pin cushions. One was fighting, tears leaking out from under the bandage that was sealing her sight. Sakura walked to the machine and powered it down. Luckily it had only just started the stripping session.
Hinata and Naruto pulled the kids from the chairs they were strapped to and unhooked the machines. The one that had been crying turned out to be the one they were after. Sakura looked at the kids, who were on the ground moaning in pain, then back at her colleges. "We can't leave the kids here. We have to get them out…get them to Gokuraku…I have people there that can help them adjust to life on the outside." Everyone nodded as the plans changed drastically while they were on the inside.
Hinata was holding the young girl, making her way back to their previous hiding spot. Sakura deposited the two girls there and told Hinata to wait for Naruto to come and get her. Hinata nodded and held the little girl to her. Sakura nodded and the three took off on their next mission: gather up as many of the older kids as possible before being noticed.