A/N: Hello everyone! I thought I would give everyone a present early. Mostly because I am heading off to a convention this weekend and I will have little to NO time to be writing. Doesn't mean I won't be jotting down a few ideas when I can. Thanks to everyone that reviews. Thanks to those that read. Cookies for those that do both.

Warnings: I don't know how many times I have to say this… And I know you all hate to hear it… But I in no manner, shape, or form own Naruto.

Chapter 77: Children of the Blade

Naruto hated going to the maximum security prison deep under the ANBU Headquarters. This prison was meant for special shinobi prisoners that had to be watched or kept in a chakra depleted state in order to keep them from escaping. Myra had been kept here. They had kept her chakra depleted but it didn't stop her from pestering the guards and giving them a terrible time of it. Naruto let a smile tug at his features with the memory of her playful nature. It was something that had appealed to him in more ways than one. He came to the main desk and asked to see Kisame.

"You are the third person to come see him this week. He must know something important." The ANBU guard pushed a clip board and a small plastic box at Naruto. "Sign here and remove all weaponry."

Naruto did as he was told and didn't argue. He had tried to sneak in a small kunai the first time he was allowed to see Myra. Naruto shook his head. She had taken it from his hiding place just after the ANBU had knocked on the door to tell them the visit was over. She tossed it at the camera that was watching them. There were only a few moments before ANBU rushed the room and forced her back to her cell. But he would never forget that hungry, needy, desperate kiss that had kept him going for so long. It was the last time she had asked him to wait. It was the last time he had gotten to tell her with one word how much he loved her.

Naruto took the clip board, hurriedly scribbling his name and dropped all his weaponry into the plastic bin. Another ANBU appeared and took him down a series of dark corridors. Finally, after enough twists and turns to make anyone dizzy, they came to Kisame's cell. It was small, cold and damp. Naruto felt a little sorry for the guy, but he had done some horrible things to deserve this kind of treatment. Kisame's sentence had been relatively lenient compared to his crimes, but Tsunade had taken into consideration that Kisame had assisted in the rescue of Midoriko from the Madara and he had given them some valuable information that could potentially help in the fight against Madara.

The ANBU guard looked at Naruto. "You have fifteen minutes and don't get to close to the bars or you may pass out."

Naruto nodded and the ANBU vanished. The blonde scanned the small cell and found Kisame sitting against one of the back walls, deep in the shadows. "What do YOU want Fox boy?"

"I want to know more about Midoriko."

Kisame shrugged. "She's about five foot six, black hair, and deceptive brown eyes. How's Noodle?"

"Minato is doing fine. You have my thanks for that. But I need to know more about Midoriko's movements. How often did she sneak out?" Naruto crossed his arms.

"Oh that." The shark man stood up. "I was wondering when someone would get to that. What's in it for me if I tell you?"

Naruto shook his head. "I can't offer you anything worth wild."

Kisame smirked. "Sure you can. Think Fox boy... think..."

"I can't get you out."

"Then I got nothing to say." Kisame turned his back on Naruto.

"I can talk to Lady Tsunade." Naruto grumbled.

"Toss in some of Midoriko's tuna sashimi and I will tell you what I can."

Naruto narrowed his eyes. "How would you know if it was Midoriko's sashimi?"

The shark like man shrugged. "It's the way she cuts the tuna I swear."

Naruto nooded in agreement.

Kisame glanced over his shoulder. "That's a start." Kisame turned to face Naruto. "What do you want to know?"

Naruto took in a deep breath. "Midoriko has mentioned that she's had periods of time that she can't remember. I need to know if you noticed any odd behavior, or know anything more about what Madara's seal is supposed to do."

Kisame thought for a moment. "I wouldn't call it odd behavior. I would call it trying to escape. Midoriko would sneak out of her room any chance she got. It was usually in the dead of night after I had fallen asleep. She would usually come back a few hours and sneak back into her rooms. I didn't even notice until she was caught by Madara the first time. She made it all the way out of the palace and was half way to the border before she was caught. That was the day I had to chase Sasuke out of Mist. The way she tells the story, she doesn't remember much before getting past the last set of sentries at the main gate of the palace. When Midoriko was bandaging my wounds from the beating I took from Madara, she said she had a strong urge to leave.

"She didn't want cause trouble for anyone, so she never ventured outside the palace again. However it didn't stop her from exploring the palace and doing Kami knows what else. Most of the time I would find her in the Library with a book on various jutsu in her lap. There were a few times I would find her slightly confused and heading back to her room. In that last two months before we left Mist, she snuck out on the first, again on the fifteenth and came back confused. But the other times, she was sneaking out to the kitchens fully aware of the world around her."

"Is that all you can think of?" Naruto kept his studious glare.

Kisame shrugged. "That's all there is. Except maybe one other thing, Madara never touched her. He couldn't. After he placed the Kill Seal it was his intention to take her as his, but anytime he got near Midoriko with that intention, she would faint and go into convolutions. I suspected that somehow, Myra was trying to tell him that she would rather die, than let him touch her."

Naruto dropped his fists to his sides. He still didn't want to believe ANYONE would want to hurt Myra like that. But this just confirmed his worst fears. "Did anyone else try?"

"Are you crazy? There were a few guys in the palace that disappeared after getting too chatty with her. I know… I was my job to dispose of them. They probably ended up in Sound for Kabuto to play with." The shark man sighed. "There's another freak I should have killed when I had the chance."

Naruto let a satisfied smirk pass his current stoic exterior. As much as he didn't really like Kisame, he had kept Myra safe from other men with more lecherous intents. The ANBU guard came into sight and signaled that the visit was over. "I will send some sashimi when I have the chance."

"You do that, and say hello to Noodle, will ya?" Kisame walked back to the shadows of his cell.

Naruto nodded and made a beeline to the Hokage's office.

0 - 0 - 0

Kyuubi stood in his cursed human form. His arms were crossed and his jaw was set in a scowl. Two very large ravens were perched before him, their heads bowed. "There is no excuse for this."

Poe sighed. "The decision was Myra's to make. She knew of the dangers and chose to ignore the possibilities. She also did not know she was with child until it was too late."

"Explain."

Poe glanced to Edgar. The larger black bird ruffled his feathers. "Myra is aware of the seal and can not effect Midoriko in a conscience way. Myra is little more than an annoying voice with in her own mind."

"That still does not excuse why the two of you, charged with the protection and guidance of the Ravenheart clan, did not make anyone aware that Myra was still alive." The tall man started to pace around the two ravens. "It is a task given to you long ago and I have been very please with your performance, until now."

Edgar hung his head, knowing that this situation could have been avoided had Myra simply listened to begin with. "Myra is stubborn and did not wish to endanger anyone but herself. When she realized she was pregnant we urged her to allow us to inform Naruto. However, she wished to continue with her plan. We did as we were asked. The pact made was that we would not alert anyone she was alive until she thought she was truly in mortal danger. She knew she was in trouble when Minato said he couldn't wait any longer."

Kyuubi took a deep breath. "I am not concerned with what Myra wanted to do when it comes to this half planned idea of hers. I am most concerned with the two of you failing to the duties of Spirit guides. You should have talked her out of it."

"We did not fail in our duties. We kept watch on her as she instructed. The Laws state that we can not interfere in the path that our mortals take. We warned her of the dangers. We tried to make her see that this was not the path she should take. But it is the path she chose to walk. We performed the final check as Myra insisted. We were a little late, agreed, but the plan was to wait as long as possible so Myra could get as much information as possible." Edgar sighed.

The Ethereal Lord crossed his arms. "Go on."

Poe looked at Edgar before she continued. "Myra knew it was a trap."

"We all knew it was a trap, we just didn't know what kind it was."

"Yes, but Myra set a trap of her own. She figured Hiashi was behind the council, and she knew Madara had killed the councilman. She hadn't figured out why. Hiashi wanting her executed didn't make any sense. So she theorized that it was a way to get her out of the village. Whilst in the walls of Konoha she was safe. Madara no longer has the backing of shinobi powerful enough the pose a challenge to Konoha, let alone a jinchuriki hell bent on Myra's protection. I ask you, who suggested the idea to seal her memories and in the process suppress her chakra?" Edgar seemed to smirk with this knowledge.

"It was just shortly after the second half of the trial. The evidence the Hyuuga bastard was hanging on pertained to the jutsu used to kill the councilman. Naruto mentioned to Myra that everything would be different if she had never learned that jutsu. A few days later, she... SHE..." The Kyuubi blinked for a moment and then slapped his forehead rather hard. "That vixen!"

"Naruto gave Myra the beginning of the idea. When she had completely concocted the plan, Rai-sama was already planning an escape and was ready to break all ties with Konoha. The girl needed that connection with Konoha to continue if her plan was going to have a chance of working. So, Myra did something she had never done before." Poe hung her head. "She used her Sharingan to wipe her father's mind and made him believe that the Memory Seal would be a viable option. If Madara was going to take her after she left the village, Myra would use the personality of Midoriko to infiltrate Madara's base of operations and discover his plans. If Myra made it safely back to the Americas, she would break the Memory Seal from the inside, and go after Madara in secret. Myra could not have foreseen Madara placing the Kill Seal to keep her docile and complacent, but it worked to her advantage."

"I am impressed by how far Myra planned this little intrigue. Please, continue."The Kyuubi smirked.

Edgar lifted his head proudly. "When Midoriko was taken, we had instructions to follow and report back to Tsunade when the time came."

"I don't see why she had to use the guise of Midoriko to infiltrate Madara's safe haven."

"Myra would have been held as a prisoner and not allowed any freedoms. As Midoriko she was allowed the freedoms to roam all over the palace. She was allowed anywhere she wanted to go, including Madara's private study. The last time we were able to speak with Myra, she had information on what Madara was planning, as well as the location of the statue containing the seven sealed Biju. There were two things that Myra mentioned before the final connection was broken. Sound had to be destroyed at all costs and Sasuke HAD to bring Itachi back to Konoha for safety."

The Kyuubi scratched his chin. "I will have to let Naruto know as quickly as possible. Knowledge, have you determined how to remove the Kill Seal yet?"

"The only way for BOTH seals to be removed with out irrevocable damage is for Myra to die." The large raven grinned knowingly.

"I will not kill her, nor will allow her to die in the process of removing the seals."

Poe's soft voice gave no comfort. "Unfortunately Lord, her death will be her salvation."

0 – 0 – 0

Naruto and the Kyuubi nearly ran over each other looking for each other. It was the Kyuubi who decided that a trip to speak with the Tsunade was extremely important. They had both entered the Hokage's office and nearly scared her out of her chair.

"When did you start letting the Kyuubi out?" Tsunade looked at Naruto like he had grown a second head.

Naruto rolled his eyes. "I wanted some time alone in my own head for a change. Is that such a horrible thing?" He had met Kyuubi half way to the Hokage's office. The Kyuubi had quickly explained he had some news, as did Naruto. It was the Kyuubi's idea to go to Tsunade and let their little secret out.

Tsunade stared at the blonde for a few moments in complete shock. She shook her head, clearing it of all the things that could have gone wrong while the Kyuubi was running around free to do as he pleased. "You let the Kyuubi no Kitsune out of the seal for some time alone in your own head. I understand the need for privacy, Naruto, but this is the Kyuubi no Kitsune we're talking about."

"Yes, I would appreciate it if you didn't speak about me as if I weren't in the room. And I would have you know that theoretically I am not out of my cage. I am still very much trapped in that blonde whelp over there."The human Kyuubi pulled his long sleeves back to show the Hokage the large shackles, imprinted with the seal around his wrists. "I am still bound to the Brat. I have merely taken possession of one of his clones. If I were truly flesh and blood, I would have destroyed this office by now simply for spit."He growled.

Naruto grunted his disapproval and glared at the Kyuubi. "Get to the point Fuzz Ball, or I put you back in the sewers were you belong."

The Kyuubi rolled his feral eyes. "Simply put, Myra is aware of what is going on around Midoriko. According to the ravens, Midoriko had unhindered access to Madara's palace. Myra, from her prison with in Midoriko's subconscious, used that access to gain information on Madara's plans for world domination. Myra was unable to convey anything that would be of help. What Myra WAS able to tell the ravens doesn't make any sense, not to me anyway."

Tsunade blinked in confusion at the Kyuubi. "And just what did Myra tell the ravens?"

"Destroy Sound and move Itachi to Konoha."

Naruto stared at the Kyuubi for a moment. "I thought Itachi was dead."

Kyuubi closed his eyes in frustration. "Apparently not, but I would ask the Uchiha bastard that question. And now if you will excuse me… I have something else I would like to be doing… Like continuing my nap." There was a puff of smoke and the small fox ran out of Tsunade's office.

There was a pause as Tsunade processed all the information put before her. She would need to contact Shikamaru to start a strategy in taking out Otogakure. She would need to contact Gaara and the other Kage's, or at lest the Kage's that mattered, to let them know they should NOT be expecting an invasion. She needed to get a list of all the available ninja in the village and get as many volunteers as she possibly could. Tsunade had to make sure the water bill was paid just incase the Kyuubi went on a rampage. The Hokage glared when she realized there was going to be a crap load of paperwork. "YOU LET THE KYUUBI OUT?!"

Naruto shrugged. "I have my reasons." The boy answered flippantly.

"When I went along with the idea that you and the Kyuubi would be getting along and working together, I had no idea that THIS would be the result."

Naruto growled in annoyance. "I don't expect you to understand anything. I expect you to trust me for once. The Kyuubi has a grudge to settle with Madara, just like the rest of us. He has a stake in this fight, just like the rest of us. Be glad he's on our side this time around."

The Hokage sighed and sat back in her chair. "IF... and I stress that word... IF you can control..."

Naruto glared daggers at Tusnade. "I can't control him. I've never been able to control him. I've never WANTED to control him. We have a common enemy and common goals at the moment. That is all we have and that is the only thing keeping him from destroying everything around him."

Tsunade hid the smirk and kept her emotionless stare. "Common goals and common enemies' aside, I can't trust the Kyuubi."

Naruto shook his head and started to walk out of her office. "I didn't ask you to trust him. I asked you to trust me. Let me worry about Fluffles."

Tsunade realized that she would have to trust Naruto with the safety of the village at some point. Now would have to be the time. However, hearing the Nine Tailed Fox named something so silly, she couldn't contain the chuckle. "Fluffles?"

"Midoriko gave Minato the nine tailed fox plushy toy and named it Mr. Fluffles." Naruto smiled with the memory of the day he had won it for Myra. "Kyuubi made such a big deal about being remembered as something cute and fluffy." Naruto stood up straight and did his best to impersonate the Kyuubi. "I should be FEARED! Roar..." He laughed and shook his head. "The Kyuubi agreed to stay small and inconspicuous in the garden. He won't hurt anyone unless they threaten Midoriko or Minato, so don't worry too much."

"Naruto, just keep this between us for now. If it became common knowledge that the Kyuubi was out, even with the limited freedom he has, it could turn ugly, more for anyone trying to attack him, but I don't want to have to explain it to the council."

Naruto let out a sigh. "I know. I didn't want to tell anyone because of that reason." He put his hand on the door.

"Naruto," Tsunade frowned. He turned to give her his full attention. "I will have to have our spy network look into Sound. I can't justify an act of war without provocation. The word of the Kyuubi wouldn't go over very well."

"I understand. I may not like it, but I understand it. We have to know if it's just other one of Madara's traps. I wouldn't want to go into Sound with out some clarification. Just like you say, we can't justify an act of war with provocation. We don't know what's going on over there. There have been a few things I have come to realize in the last month or so. I want to protect my precious people. But I also want to see my precious people grow up and surpass me. Charging in head first without a sensable plan would be suicide. When it was just me I was worrying about, that was fine. No one got hurt but me. I know what it's like to grow up without a family. I'm not going to let that happen to my son. With that said, Teme will be the best person to give us any information on Sound." Naruto had a serious tone to his voice.

Tsunade smirked. "You sound like your father." I know he would be proud of you. She wanted to finish. The blonde boy smiled fondly and started nearly walked out the door. "Oh, Naruto..."

Naruto rolled his eyes and looked back into her office. "What now?"

"I need you to bring Midoroko into the hospital on Monday afternoon. I want to run a few tests. I have an idea."

0 - 0 - 0

Sasuke was reading over his daily reports from ANBU headquarters and the newly re-established Konoha Police Force when there was a blonde annoyance standing at the doorway of his office. "Don't you ever go home?"

"Hn."

"So you're hiding again." Naruto smirked.

"Hn." Sasuke moved some papers aside. He might as well clear the rest of his afternoon. This was going to be one of those days where he got rid himself of a little stress.

Naruto shrugged. "You know that Sakura comes to me when you're acting like an ass."

"What?" Sasuke looked up and glared.

"Well you know how it goes… We do have feeling for each other ya know. Are you sure the baby is yours?" Naruto smirked.

Sasuke's eye twitched in annoyance. "What do you want dobe?"

Naruto thought it would be good to leave it there, but he couldn't help himself. "At least she isn't going to Sai."

Sasuke stood up and intensified his glare at Naruto. "She is shopping dobe." He growled out through clenched teeth. "…with the Crazy Bitch and the little dobe, if I am not mistaken."

The blonde narrowed his eyes. "That's Midoriko and Minato…"

"Good… You've touched my nerve… I've touched your nerve… Can we step outside and get too this?" The Uchiha grinned.

"Absolutely."

0 – 0 – 0

Somewhere in one of the many secret labs of Sound

Madara stood in front of the large vat. A figure floated ominously attached to tubes and other wires in a translucent green liquid. "I see you have solved your maturation problem."

A hooded man walked into the dim glow of the row of monitors situated beside the tube. "It is still taking longer than I would like, but two weeks is as quickly as I can have one grown and programmed for your purposes."

"You have done well Kabuto. When will you have my team ready?"

"This one is ready to be released from stasis Lord Madara. The rest of the team will be ready for animation with in the next day." Kabuto pulled a lever and the chamber in front of Madara began to drain. "I hope she is to your liking."

Madara watched the liquid drain from the tank and the figure slowly sank to the bottom. When the creature touched the bottom, all but one wire disengaged from the body. There was a jolt of electricity and the last wire slipped from its connection at the base of her spine. The woman started to breath. Black soulless eyes blinked open to stare at Madara. She stood on wobbly legs and continued her stare at Madara.

The old man grinned beneath his mask. The glass walls of the cylindrical vat let out a hiss of air releasing the seal before it lifted above the naked woman's form. The old man ogled Kabuto's mastery of genetics. She was perfect. Her build was slender and lean. She had the long black hair and the pale complexion he Madara had requested. Her breasts sat at attention on her chest, not to large to impede her movements, but not so small they were barely there. She was everything the old man wanted, but had the mad scientist managed to remove her stubbornness. "Who do you serve?" He commanded her.

"I serve Madara." Her voice was like silk, though raspy from its first use.

Madara grinned. "What is your purpose?"

"To destroy his enemies." Her eyes were still empty and cold.

"And so you shall… Nakamiko… So you shall." Madara was pleased as punch. "Kabuto… I want the rest of her team training as quickly as possible."

Kabuto gave Madara a curt bow. "Yes, Madara-sama." Kabuto went to wrap the naked girl in a towel as Madara faded into the shadows. Nakamiko was the first of his clones to survive and there were many more in the tubes waiting to be animated. A few of his assistants came from the shadows to take the girl off to her room and get her dressed. Kabuto walked to a large container at the end of his lab and removed his hood, staring at the reflection in the green viscous fluid. One grey human eye and one slitted eye of a snake stared back at him. He lifted his hand to touch the flawless glass of the vat. Soon my Lord Orochimaru… Soon I will not need this fool. I am almost finished and you will be whole once again.

0 – 0 – 0

A/N #2: Had a question… Would it be easier if I reposted the story combining chapters to make them longer? Will have the poll up for a vote.