A/N: Another sleepless night...another chapter of the story. I'll be glad when my mom gets outta the hospital and comes home...I'll actually sleep then. Anyways, hope you enjoy. I was rather melancholy while writing this chapter. Also, I don't own Naruto.
Chapter 35: Depletion of the Ranks
Sakura knew that what she was doing was against her own rules, but she couldn't leave these children to the devices of the Center. What these scientists were doing was wrong. She watched as Gaara carefully picked up one of the more battered girls, careful not to wake her up. They had gotten most of the older kids out of their cells and up to Hinata and Naruto. Gaara had disposed of Ieano's body, his sand eager to maim.
The kids were hiding in the duct work with Hinata while Naruto was their lookout. Sakura worked on the girl's minds, taking the pain of their memories. As she did, tears ran down her face, but she kept on. Every girl that they found that had been raped, beaten, or in some other way traumatized sexually, she took the pain into herself. Gaara was amazed she could still function.
They had about thirteen kids between twelve and seventeen when they finished. It was time to implement part two of the plan. Sakura went back into the duct work to talk to the kids. They gathered around her like moths to a flame, eager for a way to escape. Sakura and all of her operatives stayed quiet, listening. Sakura searched for the one that she was supposed to help…'Tobito'. She called the name softly, so that only her intended recipient could hear her.
Sakura sensed fear, confusion, and then finally understanding. Sakura could also sense that Madara was with Tobito. It was the perfect opportunity to make Madara believe she had killed Tobito. She reached out and drew him to her. 'Tobito…my name is Haruno Sakura. Lotus sent me to help you escape. I have to make it look like I killed you, so can you go where I tell you to? I will be waiting for you there. Do not be afraid, little one, I will only make it looklike you have died.'She felt his understand and she told him where to go. All the while she was filtering kids through the ventilation shafts, having disabled the alarms without anyone noticing.
She had told Hinata to take the kids through the ventilation, because she was the smallest of them. She told the Hyuuga girl to go to the first intersection and take a left, then go until there was another intersection and take another left. That would lead them to a shaft on the other side of the fence that was hidden by the tree Kiba was in. Hinata had nodded and helped the kids into the shafts with her. They were large and roomy and a little cold. Some of the younger kids shivered, seeking warmth from the older kids. Sakura jumped into the ducts with them and talked to Hinata then.
"When you get on the outside, close your eyes and repeat this: Heto melanugari betohire elekti, Hidan." she repeated it once more for the girl and then showed her the hand signs to say with the chant. "This will allow one of my spies to locate you. Tell him what is going on and that if he needs confirmation, to touch my mind. He knows how and he knows what to do with the kids. If he asks what you want, tell him that Haruno-sama says that he must take the children to Gokuraku and put them in the care of Astair. Only I know her, so he'll know I sent you."
Hinata nodded and led the kids out of the ventilation system. Naruto watched her, pride on his face. Sakura noticed and teased him lightly about it. However, fear from the toddlers soon had her and the two men heading to the basement. As they snuck down, a smell caught her attention…it smelled very much like vanilla flavored vodka. She sniffed and had to suppress a growl. She did, however, murmur one name with hatred…"Leon".
Both men looked at her as she disappeared into the shadows. They took to the ductwork and followed silently. When they came to the basement, they saw a small man with big coke bottle glasses and thin hair that was balding on the top. He was trying to lure the kids to him with candy. The males wondered what was going on. They didn't have to for long, because a rat went to close to the man and something whipped out, killing the rat instantly. The children screamed and pushed as far to the back of their cell as possible. The only thing standing between them and the creepy man were the bars he couldn't seem to touch.
Sakura appeared just out of his sensing distance. The kids saw her, but stayed quiet, wondering if she was there to help them or hurt them. One child slipped and was within the man's range and he was about to grab the child with his unusual ability when he found he couldn't move…couldn't breathe. He had only felt his way one other time. He tried to look behind him to see if the silver light was there. He never got the chance. His face turned purple and he slowly suffocated. The vessels in his eyes popped and his eyes ran bloody red.
Sakura laid him down on the floor and held her finger over her lips so that the children would be quiet. She closed his eyes and made the motion of sleeping hands under her head. The children nodded, thinking the man was merely asleep. Sakura went to the bars and noticed there was a chakra field around them. That had been what had kept Leon from going too close to the bars. Chakra messed with the man's senses…and with his bug-like appendages.
Sakura grabbed the bars and clenched her teeth as the bars shocked her, blistering her hands. She could hear Gaara yelling at her through their mental link to let the bars go. She told him to shut up and sent a surge of chakra into the bars, making them melt. She blew on her hands, then sent some healing chakra into them. They healed with only faint discoloration. Sakura closed her eyes, calmed herself, and then opened her eyes again. They were the warm green eyes she had shown to Tsume and all the other kids trapped here. The seven kids instantly rushed to her, their quiet cries breaking the young adult's hearts.
Clapping was heard behind her and she stiffened. She put herself between the children and their tormentor…Madara. The kids made frightened noises and hid behind her. Tobi walked into with Madara, looking as innocent as he had when she'd destroyed the raiding party outside their barrier. She told Tobi to come to her mentally. Tobi knew that if there were children here, that his brother truly was a monster. He decided to keep up his innocent charade and smiled widely.
"Tobi has people to play with!" he said brightly and started towards the kids. He was out of Madara's reach before the older Uchiha could say anything. Sakura struck swiftly, yet gently. She put Tobi in a death-like trance. He went down hard, but his head was cushioned by sand, thanks to Gaara. Madara stared at his baby brother with horror. He looked back up at her with a rage she had never seen on his face.
"You killed my baby brother!" he hissed black eyes spiking red. He thought to use a genjutsu on her, but she dispelled it before he could even form it. While she distracted Madara, Gaara retrieved Tobi with his sand. When that was done, Naruto used the ventilation to get out. He remembered how to get out, thanks to the map Sakura showed him in his mind.
"No Madara…you did that when you killed your other siblings and your parents. Not to mention you took other people that Tobi loved…like his fiancé and unborn baby." Madara's face turned purple, but there was a nervousness about him that belied what she'd accused him of. She would have to investigate.
Gaara made his presence known as he swirled in, his sand knocking Madara over in his haste to reach his mate. He stood by her side, a frown on his face and his arms crossed over his chest. The kids were wide eyed and he looked back at them. When he saw their terrified faces, his features softened and he smiled gently at them. He looked back at his mate and talked to her.
"We need to get them out. You want me to do it, or do you want to take them and let me have all the fun?" Sakura gave him a contemplative look, and then looked at Madara. His look decided it for her. She would not risk him getting caught. She knew how to escape and she knew her way around.
"You get the little ones to safety. I want a chance to see what Madara has been working on." Gaara nodded and gathered all seven children to him. He kissed her lightly, and then disappeared. This left only the two of them. Madara noticed Sakura smirk before she disappeared. "You better find me before I destroy your entire lab, Madara." She could feel his panic as he ran towards where he knew she would strike first…the neural stripping room.
Hidan was sitting on the balcony of his home in Gokuraku, waiting until Sakura needed him again. Usually he would be at the Center gathering information, but Sakura had told him not to go back. She had everything she needed right now to take down the Center. Instead, she had instructed him to watch after the girl that saw and spoke to ghosts. Sakura had charged him to protect her personally. That really grated on his nerves. But, he had to admit…she was cute.
He was looking out over the 'paradise' that Sakura had created for people like him…people with differences so great, that they could not be in normal society. People who were persecuted like Natalie had been. He couldn't figure out why he kept thinking of that girl. She was a pain in his ass…wasn't she? Before he contemplated more, he felt his prayer beads start to shake, and then they pulsed and glowed. He nodded, heeding the call. He looked down to see Natalie playing with one of the children that Sakura had kept the Center from kidnapping. She looked so happy…
He felt his beads burning his skin and disappeared, intent on ripping whoever was calling him a new one. He appeared beside a tree outside where the Center was located. He hissed and hid behind the tree. A chuckle from the tree drew his attention. He saw the Inuzuka that traveled with Sakura and his big dog. He looked around for the person that could have called him, because it obviously hadn't been the dog man hiding in the tree.
He felt a trembling presence behind him and turned to see the dark haired girl that was friends with his boss. He arched a brow at her, but she just stared up at him in fear. He noticed the kids behind her, the youngest looking maybe twelve, and he cursed. More strays to be taken to Gokuraku. He shook his head and glared. "How many more strays is she going to load on us?" he hissed to himself. The kids looked hurt by his comment and they sank down to the grass. Hinata noticed this and it made her angry. Really angry.
"You've got a lot of nerve talking about these kids like that. You were lucky enough to have Sakura-chan…these kids have suffered unmentionable hurt and you're here, acting like you are better than them?" She hissed, getting up in his face. She pointed her finger at him angrily. "You listen to me, mister hot shot. You are going to take these kids to Astair right now or you won't have to worry about Sakura-chan kicking your ass, because I'll do it myself and trust me when I say that I have years of pent up anger to vent!" By this time, the kids were wide eyed. Hidan was amazed the girl had found a backbone. Kiba fell from his tree he was laughing so hard.
The muttered 'whoa' that came from behind them had both of them whirling towards the orphanage. Naruto was standing by the open air shaft, a man thrown over his shoulder. His eyes were wide and his jaw slack. "Hina-chan…that was just about the hottest thing I've ever seen you do!" he said in an awe filled voice. Most of the kids behind him muttered things like 'gross' or 'get a room', but they were ignored for the time being.
Hinata blushed and looked at the ground. She saw a pair of untied shoe laces and her eyes narrowed again, remembering what Hidan had said about the kids. She turned cold silver eyes on him and it made him stiffen. Only Sakura had ever given him a look that sent chills up his spine, but the way this girl was looking at him was pretty close. He sighed and walked past her.
"Fine…Astair always takes in the kids Sakura-sama sends her. She loves them…it's the least I can do for her." He didn't mention that he was a little afraid the girl with silver eyes would make good on her threat and kick his ass. He had the kids gather around him and was about to pick up Gin, but Hinata stopped him.
"We have her brother at the house. We need her to stay with us." Hidan nodded and prepared himself to flash to Gokuraku when Naruto caught his attention.
"While you're there, send someone to get Tobi. Sakura wants to make sure he is taken care of. Itachi is the only other person that can take him out of his trance." Hidan narrowed his eyes on Tobi, nodded, and then told the kids to close their eyes. Some of the older kids scoffed, making Hidan smile evilly.
"Suit yourself…but when your eyes are bleeding, don't bitch about it to me." he said evilly. All the kids closed their eyes tightly as he gave an evil laugh and disappeared. Hinata blushed ten shades of red as she realized she had stood up to a masochist and hadn't been hurt. She felt the grass next to her bend under the weight of someone and looked over her shoulder to see Naruto putting Tobi on the ground behind them. Naruto looked tense, as did Kiba. Akamaru jumped out of the tree and started growling. Hinata felt it too, but before they could explore the anomaly, sand burst in the middle of all of them.
Gaara felt weird with so many little hands grasping at him. He'd never had kids act like this towards him…they usually screamed or cried when they saw him. Then again…these kids were far from normal and had seen much scarier things that him. When he walked over to Naruto, the kids followed behind closely, clutching his legs. There was one, in particular, that wouldn't let him go.
The kid was about five years old, his arms over his chest as he imitated the older red head, and he stared at Gaara. It unnerved the young man and he just looked away with a grunt. Another thing that bothered him about the kid was that he had green eyes like Sakura, tawny red hair with black fringes, and a rather anti-social disposition compared to the other kids. Gaara looked at the kid again and found him watching the sand that was around Gaara's feet. His eyes were wide and Gaara could tell he wanted to play with the sand.
The boy looked up at him without as much as a smile. "I want to be like you when I grow up…" the kid said in a low, but audible voice. Gaara was surprised that no louder than the kid had said it, everyone heard him. And I mean everyone.
"Why would you want to be like that freakish monster?" a haughty voice came from the location of the gate to the orphanage. Gaara stiffened as he recognized that voice. He turned to see black hair and black eyes staring at them. Hinata shrank back behind Naruto, who held Hinata's hand as she hid behind him. Gaara looked down at the kids and they went over to Hinata to comfort her…all except the one that was enthralled with Gaara's sand.
Gaara growled menacingly at the youth as he stared at the kid. "What are you doing here Sasuke?" Gaara hissed, his sand moving the boy behind him. The boy seemed to notice for the first time what was happening and looked at Sasuke in an odd way, his green eyes suddenly becoming much older than they were.
"Better to be like the freaky monster man than the bird's ass haired rapist." the child said with venom. All the young adults were thrown off by the child's language. The too old look vanished from the kid's eyes and he looked up at Gaara, who noticed the change. He smiled at the kid.
"Kid's got a point. Your hair does look like a chicken's ass…and you are a rapist." Gaara's face was blank when he talked to Sasuke. The black haired youth stared at first the kid, then at Gaara. An evil smirk came over Sasuke's face.
"What a cute kid you have, Gaara. Does Sakura-chan know you have offspring?" Sasuke noticed the shift in both red heads then; the more subtle shift in the child, where his eyes became old again and his face was blank, and the less subtle shift in Gaara, which had him on top of Sasuke, his hands at the man's throat.
"You are not to say her name…ever! She is not yours, will never be yours. She is mine…my mate…my lover…mother of my children! Stay the fuck away from her Uchiha, or so help me I will rip you apart!" for emphasis, he shoved Sasuke's head into the ground and stood to walk back over to the kids, who were scared by everything at this point. Sasuke took a little time getting up. His head hurt and he was a little shaken by the ferocity of the attack. He had been caught off guard.
While he was on the ground, he noticed that his shadow twisted into a gaping mouth, looking like the screaming faces of his many victims. He shook his head and looked up to see the kid's eyes glowing slightly. He looked back at his shadow and noticed it looked like a skull now, with drawn features and sharp teeth. Wanting out of there, he shot up out of the dirt, hopped on his bike and tore out of there as fast as he could.
The kid looked smug, but he suddenly swayed and Gaara found himself scooping the kid up. There was blood coming from the kid's nose. "You okay kid?" He asked gently, knowing through his link with Sakura that the kid had a horrible headache. The kid nodded and curled up in Gaara's arms, falling asleep. Gaara looked back at the other two with a lost expression on his face. They shrugged and had the kids gather around Gin and Tobi.
Clapping and the 'awwwww' of a female voice had Gaara whirling around to look at the two people behind him. Gaara narrowed his eyes and he disappeared, putting himself between the two people and the children. The kids that were still awake huddled to Gaara with frightened whimpers. Gaara noticed the sad look on the woman's face. Gaara did not let this fool him. "Who are you and why are you here?" his voice was cold and he noticed the woman shiver and step closer to the man.
The man whispered to her and she blushed and smiled. Gaara felt awkward, but did not let it distract him. The man looked at him again, his face blank. "Hidan sent us back for Tobi. He said that Tobi needed to see Itachi to have some sort of trance that only the Magenkyo could remove…or see for that matter." Gaara's eyes narrowed as he looked at the young man behind him. Gaara knew Sakura would kill him if anything happened to one of her charges, so he erred on the side of caution.
"How do I know you're not the enemy? That you aren't trying to trick me and take him back to Madara?" The flinch the woman gave at the mention of that name was unmistakable. Gaara thought they looked vaguely familiar, but he couldn't place them. It seemed the man thought the same of him.
"Have we met before? You seem familiar to me…but how?" the man looked at the woman as she pulled on his sleeve. He leaned down and let her whisper in his ear. The man's eyes widened and he made a noise. "You're right…he was the man with Sakura-sama when she and Lotus met to take us to Gokuraku. I'm glad you came with me, Hana-chan." the guy cupped her cheek and smiled at her. That triggered memories in Gaara and he suddenly knew why they were familiar.
"You're two of the Akatsuki members that my mate helped escape Madara…aren't you?" He could see the surprise in their faces when they looked at him. They then nodded, not sure what to say. Gaara grunted and moved away from Tobi. The children followed, except the child that was sleeping in Hinata's arms and the one that was draped over Naruto's lap.
Naruto and Hinata watched carefully as the man picked Tobi up with great care. There was affection on the woman's face as she looked at the young man. The woman looked at the man and whispered barely loud enough to be heard. "Pein…do you think Madara told Tobi that his child is still alive? Megumi is at Gokuraku, but she says she can't remember what happened to the child." Pein shook his head, doubt in his eyes.
"I doubt it…if Tobi had known about Megumi, he would have left and there wouldn't have been anything Madara could have done. Tobi may be younger, but he's more powerful than Madara. Had he known what Madara did with his baby…he would have killed the bastard." With the exchange, they flashed out, taking Tobi with them.
A few moments later and Kiba was alert and restless. He looked over at the kids, most of who had fallen asleep already. Gin had woken up and immediately sought the comfort of Akamaru. Kiba sniffed and knew in that instance it was time for them to leave…and quickly. "Wake up everyone…we have to get out of here, and fast. Sakura-san is making her way up and she's got some really pissed off people behind her. We have to get the kids out of here now!" he frantically went from one to the other, waking them up. Gaara didn't need to be woken…he already knew. He caught Kiba's hand before it could touch him and he made a shush movement. Kiba nodded and waited for orders.
"Gather the kids around me. Naruto, you take Hinata and Kiba, you and Akamaru take Gin. When you see my sand start to rise, flash out. I can protect the kids…I can't protect you guys." Gaara built the power in his sand, making it rise around them like a giant egg. The kids whimpered, but he kept talking to them in a soothing, reassuring voice that was quite at odds with his current mood. He had the three little girls on his left leg, crying softly as they clutched him, and three little boys next to them near the inside of his right leg, clutching at whatever they could hold that was attached to him.
The little red head had a death grip on his right leg, his head resting on Gaara's thigh. For unknown reasons, the kid motioned all the other kids closer to him. Gaara arched a brow and the kid tried to look brave. "The creepy people are going to chase the pretty lady through the emergency exit to the left. She's going to jump on you and you have to get us out of here. If the others stay on that side, one of them will be caught." all the kids were instantly wrapped tightly around the right leg, the red headed kid being squished.
Gaara sensed how close Sakura was and gave the signal for the others to flash out. They did just as Sakura burst through a trapdoor about 6 feet from him. She flew into his arms and he saw people following her, then they were gone.
Sakura could sense Madara's panic as she disappeared. There was something he didn't want her to find and he knew it wasn't Lotus. They had met before. There was something else. Sakura eased into his mind and just sat there, like a shadow. She could hear his thoughts of how he couldn't concentrate on anything because she was psychic and could read his mind, but he also needed to check on it.
Curious, Sakura went ahead to the Neural Stripping area and put her hands on the computers. She hacked into their system, took everything they had monetary wise and sent it to an offshore account that she used for when she did this. The account was untraceable because, for all intents and purposes, it didn't exist. She searched everything, knowing she only had a few more seconds. When she was done transferring all their research money, she put her hands on the computers and sent an electrical shock through them to where the entire room went up in flames.
Automatic sprinklers went off and doused the flames, but the equipment was now destroyed entirely. She smiled and caught Madara's eyes as she disappeared again, going to the next area she would destroy. Madara tried to think of the next place she'd want to destroy…the Cryo tanks. The shattering of glass confirmed his suspicions and he took off after her, though he didn't move nearly as fast as she did. By the time he made it to that area, all but one Cryo tube was broken. He gasped as he saw Sakura's face as she looked at the infant growing inside the tube.
Sakura turned blazing silver eyes on him, hatred and disgust evident in her face. Sakura paid close attention to his body language, as he was determined not to betray himself with his mind. She heard his heartbeat skip, and then speed up. She could smell the salt that signaled he was sweating profusely, and could see the slight tremble in his body. Sakura looked up at the tank and probed the tiny human's mind. A small, dim light touched her mind from the infant. It had cognate thought.
Sakura put her hand to the tube and the infant twitched. Cooing lightly, her hand began glowing, and then the infant was gone. Madara let out a bellow of outrage and slammed his fist into a glass-like plastic box beside him. Everything went black, and then red lights came on. Sakura could see the entire time, though it was obvious Madara didn't know this. While he thought she couldn't see, he took out a controller from his pocket and hit a button.
Sakura heard the cell doors raise and knew he was releasing the more unstable experiments…ones that were considered 'failed'. She heard beings that had once been human shuffling and running out of the cells, intent on being free. Sakura smiled and built the energy around her. All the glass I the room that wasn't shattered, suddenly shattered as she took off past Madara so quickly, he was knocked down.
She went to the training area, where there was blood all over the walls and she could smell death and decay. She started building energy around her. The energy was too much for the walls and they suddenly crumbled. She could hear Madara scrambling to pursue her, so she went to where the scientists lived while here. She knew most of them would be sleeping right now because they had been up all night.
She could tell they knew something was going on, but they hoped if they stayed in their rooms they would be safe. Angry at the men who hurt people so effortlessly, she disintegrated the doors, knowing that at least some of the more carnivorous experiments would follow the smell of human flesh and perhaps eat the scientists. She could think of at least one that would eat every one of the scientists given the chance. She had never been fond of Juugo, but he came in handy with his indiscriminate appetite.
Feeling her mate's anger, she wondered what was going on up on the surface. She looked around her, knowing she had dealt a pretty good blow, and started for the trapdoor she had spotted earlier. She was about to reach for it when she was slammed into the door. She turned to look over her shoulder and looked straight into teal colored eyes. She could see the pale silver hair and noticed the sharp teeth he possessed.
"Look what I've caught…" he purred as he inhaled her scent. Her inner neko hissed at him and her eyes blazed sterling. He chuckled at her and nuzzled her shoulder, grinding his hips against her bottom. The hair on the back of her neck stood up and she moved so quickly it through him off guard. She turned in his arms and punched him so hard that he made a dent in the side of corridor. She hissed at him like a cat before scaling her way up the trapdoor. She heard his chuckle and knew he was coming after her.
She was moving fast…there was something about that man that brought up bad memories. His eyes, his teeth, the way he had curled his arms around her…it all reminded her of a snake. She shook her head and spotted what she was looking for. She moved faster, bursting through the trap door and making a bee line for Gaara. She could see him swirling his sand around, preparing to teleport out of there. She flew into his arms, her pursuers not far behind. She closed her eyes as soon as she was in his arms and felt the shift as they disappeared.
Temari could feel the boy wiggle as he started waking up. He reached for something, or someone, and she felt his panic when he couldn't find it. His red eyes snapped open and it took him a few minutes to realize where he was. He looked around and rubbed his eyes. Temari noticed that he looked surprised and she chuckled. "Sakura-san took the pain away. She told us your name is Tsume. Can you talk Tsume?" the boy made a whining noise, like a canine. Temari smiled sweetly at him.
"It's alright, sweetie. Sakura-san will be back soon and she has a surprise for you. Just go back to sleep and I'll wake you up when she gets back." the boy nodded and put his head on her shoulder, curling up against her. Temari stroked his hair and kissed the top of his head. She could feel Shikamaru looking at her, but she chose to ignore him. She felt a sudden shift and knew that someone was in the house. She reached out and found Hinata and Naruto, a more subtle chakra, and then the 'in your face' chakra Kiba and Akamaru shared.
She felt the boy shift, as if he sensed something as well, but he remained sleeping. She motioned for Tenten, who walked over to her. Quietly, Temari told her to follow the shift to where she was sure their companions were. Before Tenten left, Temari gave one last order. "Make sure the girl gets a bath. I'm sure that she'll want one after everything she's been through." she said quietly. Tenten nodded and took off, using her senses to find her friends.
Temari rubbed the boy's back as he shifted to his stomach in her arms. He sure was small to be thirteen. She wondered if it was like dogs, they were small until they reached a certain age, and then shot up in size. Whatever the case, she hoped Sakura would be back soon.
Tenten could feel the tension in the air the closer she got to where she felt her companions. She passed a mirror and noticed she looked a little scary for someone who was going to help a traumatized girl. She took the buns out and instead braided her hair into two pigtails. She was glad she was wearing soft, fluffy pajama bottoms and a soft tank top. She stopped outside the room she knew they were in and took a deep breath. She then opened the door…and almost fell over laughing.
When she was able to stop laughing, she stood up and took in the sight. Kiba and Naruto were on top of the canopy of the bed to prevent getting attacked. The young girl was on the ground, her hair sticking out as if she were a razorback. Tenten could tell the girl's hackles were raised, and Akamaru was whining from his seat on the floor behind Hinata. Hinata was just standing there looking surprised. Tenten shook her head at them.
"What happened to you two?" she asked through giggles. Both scowled at her, but it was Naruto's slight pout that sent her into another fit of giggles. She watched the two for a while longer until she heard a growl. She looked down at the little girl that was crouched in front of Hinata, growling at the two males. Tenten shook her head and moved over to the little girl. Tenten put a serious look on her face and gave the girl's nose a slight pop. The girl made a strangled growling noise and looked up at Tenten while holding her nose.
Tenten crouched so that she was looking the little girl in the face. She put her finger out in front of her. "If you don't behave and let us do our jobs, it will take longer for us to get you to Tsume." the girl stiffened and sat bolt upright. She made a few growling whimpers and put her head down in submission. Kiba cocked his head and looked at Akamaru.
Kiba chuckled and slowly got off the canopy top. He smiled at the little girl and motioned to Akamaru and started making the growling barks that the girl had used. She perked hopefully and looked back at the large dog. Akamaru stood and led the way to the bathroom. The little girl eagerly followed, making a few idle barking noises that sent Kiba into a laughing fit.
"What did she say? I know you can understand her Kiba!" Naruto whined as he tried to slide down the pole that held the canopy up. Kiba let his laughter die down and he wiped his face where he'd laughed so hard he'd started tearing up.
"I told her that if she wanted to she could take a bath with Akamaru. She seems more comfortable around canines than humans." he took deep breaths to help calm him down. "She then said that a bath would be wonderful since she smelled so bad that her nose was going to run away." Kiba shook his head at the girl's sense of humor despite being kept in a hell hole like the Center.
Tenten cocked her head and giggled. "I take it she has an excellent sense of smell then?" Kiba nodded and his face turned serious.
"Ookami and Inu trainers have heightened senses. It's how they choose their animal counterparts. I knew Akamaru was meant for me because the scent of our companions is imprinted on us, sort of like an insurance policy so that a human male never gets stuck with a canine female, and vice versa." Kiba heard the splashing and the barking and growling coming from the inside of the bathroom. He gave Tenten a look and smirked.
"You'd best get in there. The girl isn't sure what she's supposed to do with all the different things in there. She might eat some of it. She's hungry and we both know it." Tenten's eyes widened and she rushed to the bathroom. She gently opened the door and walked in, shutting the door behind her. She felt the girl watching her carefully, body ready to spring should Tenten prove dangerous. Tenten busied herself with getting a big, fluffy white towel, a brush, and a washcloth. She turned to the girl with a smile.
"Alright little one…time for you to be clean." she said kindly. She put the towel on the toilet next the tub and knelt by the side. She stuck her hand in and yelped. It was freezing cold. She let all the water out and ran some warm water. The girl looked confused and looked at Akamaru, who woofed lightly. The girl cocked her head at Tenten and the brunette smiled at her. "You'll get sick if you use that water…it's too cold for a sweet little girl like you." Tenten then took one of the bottles and poured a little in the tub. The girl jumped when she saw the bubbles in the tub with her.
Tenten giggled and ran her hands through the bubbles. "They can't hurt you. You play with them…like this." Tenten scooped up some bubbles in her hand and blew them, making bubbles fly around the room, shining like little round rainbows. The girl looked mesmerized and reached out for one of the bubbles, only to fall off Akamaru's back into the water. Tenten gasped and pulled the little girl out of the water and into the towel she had. The girl started crying, as the soap was in her eyes.
Tenten wiped her face and made sure the soap was gone. She then smiled at the girl, who looked up at her. "Its okay sweetie…maybe we went to fast with the bubble bath." She emptied the tub again and ran clean, clear water. She put the girl in the water and let her splash. Tenten retrieved a dry towel and sat down beside the tub while the girl continued to swim around in the large tub.
Tenten smiled and grabbed a bottle. This caught the girl's attention and she started growling. Tenten looked at Akamaru, who herded the girl closer to Tenten. The girl squeaked in alarm and tried to climb over Akamaru. Tenten made tickle fingers and caught the girl, scrubbing the shampoo into the child's hair. The girl stiffened, but soon began to relax as Tenten massaged her scalp. A growling purr came from the little girl as she leaned into Tenten's touch. Tenten giggled and told the girl to close her eyes. The girl looked at Akamaru and then closed her eyes. Tenten started cupping water over her head, washing the shampoo out of her hair.
Tenten then got more shampoo, scrubbed her hair again, and cupped water to wash it out again. The girl got used to it and even started to enjoy it. Tenten then put conditioner in her hands, ran it through the girl's thick silver-white hair, and let it sit while she washed the little girl with the bath cloth. The girl was enjoying the bath more than Tenten would have thought, but then again, she had been imprisoned and she doubted they gave the kids baths. Tenten told the little girl to shut her eyes as she washed the conditioner from her hair. She was glad that Ino used natural smelling things. She knew it was because of Kiba's sensitive nose, but the light smell of lavender seemed to keep the girl calm.
When the bath was over, Tenten caught the girl up in the thick, fluffy white towel and started to gently rub her dry. Akamaru got out of the water and went to the shower, where he shook out. Seemed he was accustomed to this. Tenten arched a brow as the little girl imitated the dog, shaking water from her hair. Tenten giggled as her tank top got a little wet. While the little girl was shaking over and over, Tenten went searching for a spare toothbrush. She looked under the sink and found an unopened travel care package. She ripped it open and took out the toothbrush and toothpaste.
She showed the girl what to do with it, but the girl refused to put it in her mouth. She bared her teeth at the thing, showing off slightly lengthened canines. Tenten sighed and tried to brush the girl's teeth herself…that ended in disaster. The girl had run around the bathroom, growling and barking at her, and when Tenten came close to catching her, she slipped out the door, which had been opened by Akamaru.
The girl rushed into the bedroom and hid behind Kiba, growling at Tenten, who still had the toothbrush in her hands. Kiba curled his lip at the brush and looked down at the girl, who looked up at him with pleading eyes. "Uh, Tenten…canines don't use toothbrushes…" Kiba said with an arched brow. Tenten looked grossed out by this, but Kiba pulled out some plant and handed it to the little girl. The girl sniffed it and reached out to take it. She took if from him gingerly and put it in her mouth.
The girl looked surprised and started chewing on it with vigor. Tenten looked surprised and turned questioning eyes to the Inu. Kiba shrugged and looked over at Akamaru, who was busy grooming himself. "You can't put the abrasive bristles of a normal toothbrush into a canine's mouth. It hurts our gums and it doesn't really clean anything. I just gave her spearmint…it cleans teeth and keeps plaque build up to a minimum. The leaves are abrasive enough to clean, but not enough so to irritate her gums. The natural oxidants in them keep her teeth protected and kills bacteria in her mouth." Tenten looked impressed and looked at the toothbrush before throwing it into the trashcan. The girl perked at this and went to investigate, thinking this might be some kind of trick.
Tenten giggled and it startled the girl, who ran behind Kiba again, gripping the hem of his shirt. She was still wrapped in the towel that Tenten had wrapped around her, so Kiba felt mildly uncomfortable. "Hey Tenten, you think you can get Gin some clothes?" Tenten sensed Kiba's discomfort and smiled.
"I'll send Ino back with them, okay?" Kiba nodded and growled something. The girl perked and nodded, running over to the bed and burrowing deep under the soft covers. Tenten giggled again and quietly made her way out of the room. Hinata, as quiet as ever, bid Kiba a farewell and drug her unusually quiet boyfriend out of the room. Kiba sat in the chair to the side of the bed waiting for his girlfriend.
Ino was starting to worry about Kiba. He didn't deal well with assertive women and Tenten was definitely an assertive woman. She was about to get up and see if he needed help when a smiling Tenten came in. She walked right over to Ino and smirked. "Seems that Kiba is rather antsy without you around. He wanted me to ask you to bring clothes for the little girl. They're in your guys' room." Ino thanked Tenten and watched as the brunette walked over to Neji, who arched a brow at her braids.
Ino stood and walked over to Cheela, who looked up as she came over. Ino smiled and crouched down to look at the girl. "Hey, Cheela…we have a little problem. There's a twelve year old girl in my room that has no clothes and she's scared. Do you have any old clothes you wouldn't mind lending to her until we can get her some?" Cheela thought and nodded, smiling sweetly.
Ino smiled and held out her hand. Cheela took her hand and they walked out of the room. Eto noticed and followed not far behind. Ino and Cheela were going through clothes from Cheela's bag when Eto came in, wondering what was going on. Ino explained their situation and Eto pointed out a very good point…Tsume would need a bath and new clothes as well. Eto rummaged through his bag and picked out clothes his sister had bought that he'd never worn before. He held them as he waited for Cheela. Cheela gave Ino a worn pair of comfort fit blue jeans, a tee shirt, and an old worn sweatshirt that had eyes on the back.
Ino nodded and the two teens walked back to the room they'd been in before. Ino made her way to the bedroom she shared with Kiba. When she got there, she noticed Kiba was dozing, obviously waiting for her. She smiled and walked up to him. She noticed his nose was working overtime and she smiled at the fact that even though he was napping, he was keeping alert with his heightened senses. He cracked one eye as she stood there and he smirked at her. "Hey there, beautiful." he whispered, so as not to disturb Gin. Ino smiled and leaned down to look him in the eyes.
Ino kissed him on the head and smiled down at him when she stood back up. Ino was about to speak when she heard growling. She looked at the bed to see the young ookami girl sitting in the midst of covers, growling at her. Kiba knew what this was about and was about to say something when Ino gave the little girl a glare.
The girl leapt at Ino, only to have Ino smack her on the top of her head. She landed on the floor in front of the couple, staring up with shock all over her face. Ino put her hand on her hip and gave the child a haughty look. "Look little miss…you may have been able to get away with that where you were at previously, but in this room, I am the alpha…not you." the girl gave her a wary look and started sniffing. Ino had no hint of fear; no sweat, no nervousness. The girl looked her up and down one more time before cautiously crawling on all fours over to Ino and laying her head on Ino's thigh.
Ino looked a little miffed, but when she looked at Kiba, he looked impressed. She smirked and put her hand on the girl's head and started rubbing. The girl started her purring growl again and nuzzled Ino. Ino smiled and crouched down, showing the girl the clothes. Ino then pointed to herself, then the bathroom, and then at the girl. "I'm taking you into the bathroom to put these clothes on. They're only until we can get you more clothes, understood?" The girl looked at her and paused, as if thinking, and then nodded in understanding.
Ino held out her hand and the girl sniffed it before standing on her feet and taking the offered hand. Ino smiled again and led the girl into the bathroom to change. Kiba sat in his chair, amazed. Ino had never really been around canines that much, but she had established herself as the alpha of their room…alpha female at least. Kiba gave a fanged smile as he looked at the bathroom door. Canines mated for life, and if Ino was the alpha female, and he was the alpha male…well, needless to say he was going to have fun with this.