And here we are at chapter four. Once again I do not own Naruto. And as I stated in the previous chapter i will not be posting a new chapter next Monday. Chatper five will instead be posted on Monday December seventh. Thanks and please review........

Naruto: The Chronicles of the Seventh

Book Two: New Dawn

Chapter Four: Family Remains

Konohagakure – Midday

Sakura was walking down the desolate streets on her way to the medical facility. In her hands she carried several bags full of special herbs and spices that she had gotten from Lady Tsunade. She also had a small vase with a dozen fresh lilies. I think he'll like these, she thought as she walked alone. For a moment, a brief moment she smiled at the thought of him waking to the smell of the flowers she bought. Than again, so long as he woke it would be okay.

Breaking away from her brief daydream, Sakura looked around at the depressing sight before her. Several weeks ago, after the war began, Danzo instituted martial law within the village. Citizens were forced to limit the time they spent outdoors, children were no longer allowed to play, businesses were forced to limit their hours and nearly all trade ceased.

For the first time in her life Sakura saw Konoha not as her home but as a cold empty shell. I guess this is the price of war, she thought as she kept moving. It was then she saw Neji, Lee and Kiba coming towards her. Lee ran up to her smiling and waving in his usual overly energetic way. "Hello Sakura-chan," he said. "You look lovely today as usual! Where are you off to?"

Sakura gave a forced smile and said, "Well, I'm off to the medical center." Saying this brought everyone to silence. It was as if a heavy cloud had descended and threatened to overwhelm them. In an effort to change the subject Sakura asked Neji, "So is this the squad for your mission Neji?"

Neji nodded and replied, "Yes, I think this group will be sufficient for my needs. Our mission is to head out to the outskirts of The Land of Fire and determine the movements of the enemy."

Sakura looked at her three friends and her expression grew grave. "Don't you think you should bring a few more people with you Neji," she said. "This mission could be very dangerous if you're caught."

"Nope," he said. "This mission will require stealth and keeping the numbers low is best. There is a less likelihood of mistakes that way."

Of course Sakura knew he was right and knew that Neji, one of more gifted and experienced of her class, was more than capable of completing the mission. Her concern was more for Ino. It was almost a year now that Ino and Neji had begun dating. Of course this had to be kept secret as the Hyuga clan had strict rules and dating outside the clan was strictly forbidden. In fact Neji had already been promised to another woman within his clan. A woman he neither knew nor cared for.

When Ino told Sakura she made her promise to not utter a word for fear that his family would find out. So since that time she kept this secret as the two of them would meet secretly to be alone or spend time together while around friends.

The night before, while Sakura was at the hospital Ino had come to her and informed her of Neji's upcoming mission. Sakura noted that throughout the time they were together Ino had never come to her like this. She could tell that Ino was extremely bothered by this mission. Sakura could see the fear and emotion in her eyes. She spent the next hour trying to re-assure her and then convinced her to go see him.

For the most part Sakura thought Ino was just being overly cautious. If there was one person capable of navigating a dangerous mission it was Neji, genius child of the Hyuga clan. But now, watching them depart Sakura felt a deep sense of foreboding. "Hey guys," she said which caused them to turn back to her. "Be careful out there ok."

The guys smiled back at her. "Don't worry Sakura-chan," Lee said. "We'll be back in no time." And with that the boys turned around and walked away.

Meanwhile – At the Office of the Hokage

Sitting behind his desk Danzo was going over the most recent reports from the field. Seventeen more ninja dead at the hands of Kumogakure, and now there were signs that Suna was on the move. Danzo had hoped Konoha's defenses would be completely fortified before things really began to heat up but it would seem that that wouldn't happen.

Hopefully the team of Jonin he just sent out would be able to learn valuable information about the enemies' movements in order to counter them. Danzo sighed deeply and set down the reports. He was working on very little sleep and it seemed that all he was doing was reading reports.

It was then he heard a knock on the door. Danzo then looked to Torune who, along with Fu, was standing off to the side. Torune quickly walked over and opened the door where a masked ninja awaited. Slowly the ninja entered the room and as he arrived a few feet in front of Danzo's desk, dropped to one knee. "Lord Danzo," he said, "I've just returned from Kiri and I can confirm that it has indeed fallen. The new Mizukage claims that he is in fact the former third Mizukage. I have been unable to confirm if this is true."

Danzo sat and stared at the ninja and slowly a smug smile crept to his face. "So tell me," he said, "What is the status of Kirigakure now?"

"Well," the Ninja said, "It appears that the new Mizukage has swiftly fortified their territory and is quickly rebuilding. Also it would appear that a large armed force has been dispatched towards Iwagakure."

Danzo immediately sat up and rigid. "What," he said. "They are moving on Iwagakure? Why would they do such a thing?" For a moment there was the look of anger on Danzo's face but he quickly regained his composure. "Is that all," he asked. The ninja answered yes and was immediately ushered out the door and was told to await further instructions.

As soon as the ninja left the room Danzo slammed his fist on the table and rose to his feet. "What the hell is going on here," he said. "Why would they move of Iwagakure!?" Danzo began to pace the floor silently as he considered things.

After a short time Torune spoke up. "Lord Danzo, this does not seem accurate. I mean I was under the impression that…."

Danzo quickly raised his hand to signal Torune to be silent. "This is not the place to discuss such things Torune," he said. Danzo then turned on his heels sharply and addressed Fu. "Fu, I will need you to make the connection. You know what to do." Without a word Fu nodded and disappeared in puff of smoke.

Once Fu had gone Danzo made his way to his desk and sat once more. He was about to say something to Torune when another knock was made on his door. What next, he thought. Danzo signaled Torune to answer. And as he opened the door stood one of Danzo's guards. "Lord Danzo," he said, "You have a visitor. It's Sarutobi Konohamaru."

Danzo, already annoyed, was in no mood to speak with a child barely past the Chunnin exams, especially one who had so miserably failed his most recent mission. Unfortunately Konohamaru was the grandson of the Third and that came with perks. "Send him in," Danzo said.

A few minutes later Konohamaru, on crutches, limped into the room with Moegi in tow. Danzo began to look over the documents on his desk and paid Konohamaru no attention or welcome. Konohamaru didn't expect him to and knew full well that Danzo hated him simply because of his last name. Since he became Hokage, Danzo treated him as little more than a nuisance and seemed to go out of his way to make things difficult for him.

Konohamaru, with Moegi's help, was able to slowly lower himself into the seat facing Danzo. And sat there staring at him for several minutes. By now Konohamaru was well aware of the game Danzo liked to play. Danzo would pay him no attention, read reports and continue his business as if he weren't in the room and only after some time had passed would Danzo acknowledge him.

After about fifteen minutes of watching Danzo suffle papers and sign documents, Konohamaru appeared to be getting restless when Danzo finally looked up at him. "Konohamaru," he said, "As you can see I'm a very busy man and unlike the Third I have little time to play. Hurry up and tell me what you want."

"Sorry to disturb you Hokage-sama," he said. "But there is a favor I must ask of you."

Meanwhile – at an undisclosed location

Karin hugged herself to shelter her body from the bitterly cold wind that assaulted her. She honestly didn't know what annoyed her more; being battered by this cold or watching Juugo as he stood motionless, oblivious to the weather. Karin looked about the dismal place. Despite being on the coastline and the amazing picturesque view she couldn't help but feel the oppressive gloominess this place had.

When she had first come here, years ago, Sasuke had told her that this was once a hidden storage facility of the Uchiha clan. And unlike the others, this location doubled as a small trading village. Sasuke, in his usual matter-of-fact, emotionless way told her of how lively this place once was. That is, until the Uchiha Massacre. Apparently, Itachi had also visited this place shortly after destroying the Uchiha of Konoha.

Sasuke told her that this was a place he would travel to with his parents from time to time. While his father attended to business he and his brother would escort their mother as she shopped or talked to friends. And in the evening he and his brother would go swimming in the sea. Despite the coldness of his voice Karin could still detect the deep sadness as Sasuke spoke. And it was during those times all she wanted to do was hold him.

It was, to this location, that Sasuke brought Itachi to bury after he had died. Sasuke said this was one of the last places where he had nothing but good memories of his brother. And it was here that he would come to since then to think.

Karin stared up the small hill to the top where Sasuke stood silently. As usual Sasuke didn't speak or smile. He didn't cry or show any emotion at all. He merely stood and stared at the grave he had dug alone for his brother. From time to time he would look out to the sea and then eventually back the grave.

Karin died to know what he thought of in these moments. She desperately wanted to know the sadness he held in his heart. Even though Sasuke would, from time to time, confide in her, even after all these years he remained mostly closed off. She knew that if she could only find what would finally open the vault in his heart she could heal him and be with him. But now was not a time for that.

One of the reasons Sasuke would come here was when he was about to undertake a mission that, for whatever reason, bothered him. It was as if he came here to silently ask his brother for guidance. Karin knew this mission held some significance for Sasuke because unlike any other he had yet to even tell them what it was. But that didn't matter, what ever the mission was she wished he didn't have to do it.

Even though several weeks had passed since his fight with Naruto, Sasuke was still not fully recovered. Nothing showed that more than Sasuke's right hand that was now gone. Seeing the space where his hand once was Karin couldn't help but recall that day.

Several Weeks Ago – Akatsuki Lair

"What did you just say," Sasuke said as he sat on the medical bed staring at Karin in disbelief. His body was still in pain and he was on several medications to help alleviate it. The medication gave him a disoriented feeling which made him believe he didn't hear what Karin had just said.

Karin swallowed hard and was sweating lightly. Though she had no fear of Sasuke hurting her she still feared what he might do. Even then she knew she had no choice but to tell him. "I said that your hand has been irreparably damaged. Every bone in it was shattered during your fight with the Nine Tails. No matter what we do at this point your hand will never work properly again. We might be able to get you to a point where you'll have partial mobility but more than likely your hand will never work at all. I…I'm sorry Sasuke-kun."

Sasuke sat quietly for moment as he absorbed what had been told. Slowly Karin watched as Sasuke's look of disbelief became one of anger. Sasuke began to stare at his mangled hand and he summoned all his will all his hate and focused it on one task; forcing his hand to move. He would prove Karin wrong. He would prove everyone wrong. Move damn it, he thought. Move, move, move, MOVE!! Yet nothing happened. He couldn't even move a finger.

"I'm sorry Sasuke," Karin whispered as she rose and turned her back to him to get his some pain killers. Sasuke sat dumbfounded, unwilling to accept what had happened. Nothing can stand in his way. Nothing must stop him from his task. All obstacles have to be overcome and right now, he was his own obstacle. Rising quickly Sasuke picked up a near by knife.

Karin jumped as she heard Sasuke's blood curdling scream. Quickly she turned and saw Sasuke doubled over on the floor clutching his arm and the nub that once was his hand. Blood was gushing out and Sasuke was quickly turning pale.

For a moment Karin stood in shock at what she was witnessing. But quickly she leapt into action and began to disinfect and wrap the wound. It was then she saw it, Sasuke's severed hand, which had fallen under the bed. But it wasn't until she had looked into Sasuke's eyes that a chill ran down her spine.

Sasuke, covered in a thick sheen of sweat and breathing heavily stared at his hand with a hate she couldn't describe. It was as if the hand represented everything he fought against, he stared at it with cold detached eyes as if his hand was nothing but a hindrance that had never been a part of him.

"I'll have to make due with one hand for now," Sasuke said, "Until I can find a replacement."

Undisclosed Location – Now

A brisk cold breeze swept through from the sea and Sasuke pulled his cloak closer to his body. Pulling the hood over his head he turned and made his way down the hill where Karin and Juggo waited. "Ok," he said as he arrived, "As I told you, we have a mission and I'm sorry for waiting so long to tell you what it is. From here the three of us will be heading to Konoha."

Karin and Juugo looked at each other and then Karin said, "So I suppose we're going there to retrieve the Nine Tails' body?"

Walking past them Sasuke responded, "No, Madara is arranging for someone else to do that. We have another target."

Meanwhile – Konoha Hospital

"Oh," Sakura said in surprise as she opened the door to Naruto's private medical room. Sitting next to him in a chair was Hinata holding his hand. "I'm sorry Hinata," Sakura said as she turned to leave. "If I knew you were in here..."

"No, no Sakura-chan," Hinata replied. "It's ok. I just wanted to stop by and visit him while I had some free time. How is he? Is he any better?"

Sakura responded sadly, "No. He barely has a pulse and isn't breathing on his own. I'm sorry but we have no signs that Naruto will come out of this yet."

"He'll find his way back," Hinata said. "I know it. He's stronger than anyone I've ever met and he'll find a way."

Sakura smiled and looked at Naruto. Yeah, she thought. He'll find his way back. He'll overcome this just like Killer Bee said he would. I just hope he does it soon. Naruto, you're running out of time.

Sakura was snapped out of her thoughts by Hinata who was speaking again. "Sakura," she said. "I actually came here to speak to you." Sakura looked at Hinata was confused. "You see," Hinata continued, "I thought this would work itself out. That one way or another Naruto-kun in the end would find happiness, even if it wasn't with me. And believe me I could live with that so long as he was happy. But seeing Naruto-kun like this has made me realize that time is too short to wait for things to work themselves out."

"Hinata," Sakura said as she listened to Hinata. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Hinata what are you trying to say?"

"I'm saying," Hinata said as she rose to her feet and stared Sakura in the eyes. "I'm saying that I'm in love with Naruto-kun. And that I want to be with him, to take care of him and to support him. But, it's always been obvious to me just by the way he looks at you, talks to you and about you that….he loves you. So I need to know how you feel about him. I need to know if you love him too!"

Sakura stood dumbfounded and at the moment felt as if she couldn't breath. She just stared at Hinata who remained silent waiting for her response. Sakura's eyes then traveled to Naruto as he lay unconscious strapped to a machine that was the only thing keeping him alive. Closing her eyes, Sakura thought about everything she and Naruto had been through and all he come to mean to him.

Sakura opened her eyes and saw that Hinata was still waiting silently staring at her. Sakura took a deep breath and then said, "Hinata I….." It was then someone knocked on the door interrupting their talk. Again silence descended upon them. Sakura looked at Hinata and then to the door. "Come in," she said.

The door opened and it was Moegi. "I'm sorry to disturb you Sakura-sama," Moegi said as she stepped into the room.

"It's ok Moegi," Sakura said. "What is it?" Moegi looked to the ground and then back at Sakura. "It's Konohamaru," she said finally.

"Oh no," Sakura responded, "Are his wounds not healing?" Moegi shook her head. "No it's not that," she said. "I swear if I knew what he was going to do I would have stopped him, but….. Sakura-sama Konohamaru has made a terrible mistake."

Meanwhile – In place where time has no meaning

Hours, days, weeks, years, centuries. He has no idea how long he has here in this place surrounded by an all encompassing darkness. He struggles to gain his bearing, to fight the loneliness that threatens to engulf him. And most importantly, he fights to remember himself. But it's getting harder. With every passing moment in this nothing he feels himself losing that which makes him whole. Who am I, he wonders. What am I? Where do I come from? What happened to me? Why can't I remember?

End of Chapter Four

Next Time: Danzo's Ambition