Okay, here is the thirtieth chapter. To be honest I didn't actually think I'd make it this far with this fic, so I'm a little surprised actually. But we are getting closer to the ending so I hope everyone has enjoyed the ride so far. Thanks to all my reviewers and readers, and all those that added me to their faves and alerts lists. It is much appreciated.
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The Prince and The Slave.
Chapter Thirty.
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(Ten Ten's P.O.V.)
I sat with Sakura, Hinata and Ino. Temari arrived shortly afterwards. It had been more than a few days since the ambush. "I want to send a message to my Father. But I'll discuss it with Sasori and Kankuro first." Temari said softly.
"Did Kankuro get hurt? I haven't seen him at all." Hinata asked. Temari shook her head.
"Gaara protected him. He didn't get hurt. But he says he'll go on this mission too." Temari replied.
"I'm also bringing help." We all looked at Kankuro.
"How?" Temari asked. I wanted to ask the same question.
"Sasori and I, already sent a message to Father. King Fugaku is doing dangerous things. Father has some moles in Fire Country. Apparently, there's no plan for Suna to be attacked yet, but Father says it's only a matter of time. He's sending back up. He's also extremely angry that Gaara got hurt." Kankuro stated.
"I thought your Father and Gaara didn't get on?" I heard myself ask.
"They might not get on, but Gaara is still my Father's son. Our Mother died giving birth to him and my Father does, in his own way, love all of us. He doesn't show it because that's just what he's like. But he does." Kankuro told me.
"So, what did he say?" Temari asked him.
"Father said he's going to send his troops to help us. There isn't a choice in the matter. After all, Suna is an ally of Akatsuki. So, whether or not we interfere, we'll still be annihilated once King Fugaku is done with Akatsuki." Kankuro answered. I wasn't sure if it was a good or bad thing having the Kazekage's troops joining us. But having allies might be a good thing. Nobody asked Kankuro anymore questions.
"Are the maps finished?" Hinata asked.
"Not yet. Mikoto-San is making sure they're perfect. She doesn't want to make any mistakes." Sakura said.
"So, who's definitely going on this mission?" I asked.
"I'm going. Ino and Hinata have insisted. Minato-San and Kyubi are going too. Deidara is a bit of mess. But he's insisting that if he's better that he's going. Shikamaru and his Father, along with Sasori, Kakuzu, Zetsu, Hidan, Kisame, Anko, All the survivors of the ambush insist upon it, including Lee's friends from the Gladiator School and any of the girls who feel they can fight. Konan is going too." Sakura told me. That was when Konan appeared. She looked quite solemn.
"I'm afraid I won't be going on this mission Sakura." Konan stated. We all looked at her, wondering why she would opt out. Sakura stood up and walked off with Konan. I wondered if Sakura would get the answer that we hadn't.
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(Itachi's P.O.V.)
I walked into the throne room, as my Father had summoned me. Sometimes I wondered if my Father just thought I was a well-behaved pet. I stood in front of him as he sat on his throne. Kabuto was kneeling on the ground off to the side. "You called for me Father?" I asked.
"I am going to be sending you out to stop another little rebellion. In one week, maybe two, you will travel to Suna with one quarter of my army, and you will wipe out the place. I don't wish for there to be any prisoners." My Father stated. I felt sick inside. Suna was a very small independent kingdom. It was very like Konoha, but even smaller. A quarter of my Father's army, would definitely wipe the village from the face of the Earth. It wasn't heavily guarded or defended, in fact there were hardly any fighters in Suna. After all, they liked living in peace. I should've realised this was coming. I should've known my Father wouldn't leave that small city in peace for too much longer. Without my Mother's influence, my Father no longer felt hindered in destroying anything that he felt was in the way of his path.
"Two weeks?" I asked.
"Yes. You'll move out after the executions. After all, as my heir, you are to be present at royal executions." My Father said. I wasn't sure what else would happen now. My Father seemed to be losing his sanity, and I wasn't sure if I could keep everything in order for the people, anymore.
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(Sakura's P.O.V.)
I followed Konan to my brother's office. Konan sat down in my brother's usual seat and she looked at me as if she were feeling guilty. "I know there has to be a good reason Konan. You'd never stay back from the mission, if there wasn't." I said. I was hoping to get the truth out of her at least.
"I was speaking to Tsunade this morning. You know she's a medic as well as your trainer, right?" Konan asked. I nodded. "Well it turns out that I'm going to have to take it easy for a while." Konan told me.
"Why? Are you sick?" I asked.
"Not exactly, no. I'm pregnant. Although I'd rather you didn't tell anyone until I get a chance to talk to Pein." Konan told me. I felt a little naïve in that moment. I should really have guessed, but no one thinks about their brother in that way so maybe it's alright for me to be a little naïve.
"Congratulations." I heard myself say. Just barely. Konan smiled at me.
"I know you're capable Sakura. That is more than I could say when you all first got here. You've proven that you know how to deal with this life. Actually, you've done better than I thought you would. I'm proud to think I'll call you my sister in law. Don't think that me staying here changes anything you know. I just..." Konan trailed off. I knew what she was thinking and what she was trying to say to me in that moment. She was proud of me and her not coming wasn't because she didn't trust me, or have any faith in me. She wanted to keep her baby safe. I could understand all of that. I didn't make her say it all though.
"It's okay Konan. I get it. If I was in your shoes I'd be doing the same thing." I told her. Then I left the office as I thought about what I was going to do.
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(Minato's P.O.V.)
I sat in my youngest son's room. I knew Kushina was angry with me. I was angry with myself. I wanted to do something. I picked up one of the scrolls that sat on the bed. Naruto had been looking at something before he left. It was a political scroll. I was always telling him to read them, because he was the one who wanted to take over my job one day. However, I'd never known that Naruto took my advice. The scrolls were tattered and worn, but still legible. "Minato-San?" I looked at Hinata, as she came in to the room and sat down. "He read those all the time. He said even if Kyubi was the eldest, and destined to take over your position, he said the least he could do was learn something so he could become one of Sasuke's advisors." Hinata said softly.
"He wasn't aiming high. I'm surprised he didn't want to be on the royal council." I thought out loud.
"It's because he trusts Sasuke. He'd rather be Sasuke's advisor than anyone else's. He wanted to prove that he could do the right thing." Hinata told me. Then she made to leave.
"Hinata?" I couldn't help calling her back. Hinata looked at me. "Thank you. You were always kind to Naruto. Even when everyone else had their doubts, you never did. That means something." I told the girl. Hinata blushed and then left the room. I was still looking at the political scrolls. I'd already talked to Kyubi earlier today. We were leaving for this mission very soon, and I had hoped I could convince him not to go. But he wouldn't listen. I knew Kushina would try to speak to him as well. I also knew that Kyubi wouldn't back down. He's never been one for that. I just hoped that he could be gentle about it, when Kushina confronted him.
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(Kushina's P.O.V.)
I was facing my eldest child at this moment. Kyubi wasn't happy with what I was asking him. "Mother I can't stay here and just let everyone else fight. If I did that what kind of man would I be?" Kyubi asked me. I knew what he was trying to say. In fact, I probably understood what he meant better then he knew himself. But I'd lost one son, for the moment, and I couldn't lose another son.
"Kyubi. I can't lose you too." I hardly realised that I spoke the words aloud.
"You're not going to lose me, Mother. You haven't lost Naruto either. I'll do whatever I have to do, to get him back. Whatever happens you're going to see Naruto again. I promise you. Have some faith in us Mother." Kyubi told me. I couldn't say no to that. I had to believe in them. If I didn't, who else would? It was as I travelled along the corridor, that I saw the door to Naruto's room open, and I walked in to see Minato. I'd been angry at him and Kyubi for days, blaming them for Naruto being captured, but I knew it wasn't really fair to blame them. I went and sat next to Minato and he put his arms around me as I leaned on him.
"So, you're still angry with me, right?" Minato asked. I couldn't help but laugh.
"No. I'm not angry with you anymore. But I will be if you don't come back." I told my husband. Minato was smiling. I could tell even with my back facing him that he was smiling at me.
"What about Kyubi?" He asked me.
"I've already had promises from Kyubi." I said. Minato laughed.
"Kyubi never makes promises." Minato reminded me, after he'd finished laughing.
"He did this time." I heard myself say.
"Well if Kyubi can promise, I'm sure I can promise too. I'll be sure to come back Kushina." Minato told me. I couldn't help but feel some sense of relief. They'd promised me. It was unlikely they'd ever go back on their words. I just wanted to see my family whole again.
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(Naruto's P.O.V.)
I couldn't help wondering what day it was. It felt like forever since we'd been captured. I didn't ask my interrogators what day it was. I knew as soon as I asked them a question I'd be playing into their hands. I heard my cell door open. I didn't hear the usual footsteps coming into my cell. I opened my eyes to see who it was and I was surprised to see Itachi.
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(Itachi's P.O.V.)
I couldn't believe it, as I looked at Naruto. I remembered when he and Sasuke played together as small children. I remember how Naruto had pulled Sasuke along to ask me to help them train, when they were just small children.
"Naruto! You can't!" Itachi looked to see Sasuke, being pulled along by Naruto, who was heading towards him. The boy's blonde hair glinted in the sun, as his blue eyes shone, with a mischief Itachi had never known Naruto had, until that moment.
"Sure, you can Sasuke! He's your Aniki!" Naruto said, a big smile on his face. They were only five, and Naruto was loud and determined, while Sasuke was quiet and shy.
"Naruto! We can't!" Sasuke exclaimed again. Naruto stopped dead in front of me, with Sasuke's hand still clasped in his own.
"Itachi-Aniki?" Naruto questioned, staring at Itachi, with his wide blue eyes.
"What is it Naruto?" Itachi asked the five-year-old. Naruto grinned.
"Will you help us train? The King wants Sasuke to learn how to throw kunais and use a sword. But he says that we're not learning fast enough." Naruto said. Itachi looked at Sasuke, whose cheeks had turned bright pink.
"Sasuke, do you wish me to help with your training?" Itachi asked. Sasuke looked up at him, then down at the floor. Then he looked at Naruto, who nodded at him. Then he looked back up at Itachi.
"Yes Aniki. I do want you to help us with our training." Sasuke said. Naruto smiled at him, and squeezed his hand. Itachi couldn't help but smile at the two young children.
"Alright. I'll train with you. But you'll have to listen to what I say. We will train every day, at noon, after you've eaten lunch." Itachi said. Naruto and Sasuke both nodded, and threw themselves at Itachi's legs, hugging him around his waist. "Alright, go and play." Itachi told them. They both ran off, and Itachi heard them, as they ran.
"See? I told you! All you have to do is ask! Like how I ask Kyubi-Aniki!" Naruto said.
"Okay Naruto. You were right. For once." Sasuke replied. Naruto huffed irritably.
"I'm right, more than once, Sasuke!" Naruto exclaimed. Itachi found himself smiling at the boys as they ran off to play.
I was always glad that Naruto had been a part of Sasuke's life. Naruto had given Sasuke the confidence to speak for himself. Which was more than my Father could or would ever have done for his youngest son. To see Naruto in such a state, made me angry. I didn't know how to deal with the rage and disgust I felt, seeing the boy suffering. All I could do, was to try and help him.
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(Naruto's P.O.V.)
I looked up at Itachi, wondering exactly what it was that he wanted with me. He looked back at me, and I thought I could see disgust and anger in his eyes. "Has there been a medic to see you Naruto?" Itachi asked me.
"Unless you can call Mizuki or Kabuto medics, then no. I haven't seen one." I replied. My voice sounded raw, even to me. It was probably from all the screaming I'd been doing. Itachi looked away from me for a moment. Then he walked over to me. I wasn't sure what he was going to do, but that wasn't unusual where Itachi was concerned. He grabbed hold of my mangled hand. I barely felt anything in my hand anymore. I bit down on my lip, when Itachi started resetting my fingers. He looked down at me sadly.
"They're supposed to reset these and give some sort of break to interrogation subjects." Itachi told me.
"It was your Father that gave orders for me to be tortured until whoever was interrogating me got fed up and needed a break." I replied. Itachi sighed as he carried on trying to fix the damage that he could. He strapped my fingers together with some cloth that he ripped from his own tunic.
"I'm sorry about all this Naruto." Itachi said. He really seemed sorry. I wasn't sure what to believe. But when I was a child, I trusted Itachi. Now, I knew that whether I did or didn't trust him, wouldn't really matter soon enough. Not to mention that he was helping me of his own free will.
"Thank you Itachi. Is Sasuke alright?" I asked. I knew everyone else must be in a similar situation to me, but I knew nothing about Sasuke. I hadn't heard his screams, like I'd heard the others.
"He wishes that this wasn't happening to you. The only reason my Father has spared him from interrogation is because of the sanctity of royal blood. Execution for betrayal is acceptable, but not interrogation." Itachi told me.
"So… he's just locked up somewhere?" I asked. Itachi nodded. I couldn't help but feel relieved. At least one of us was alright. Sasuke was my closest friend, and I couldn't help being glad that he wasn't being tortured, even though I was. I wasn't sure if I wanted all of this to be over, or if I wanted to hope, but I knew that at least Sasuke was unharmed. That gave me a small amount of hope, and that had to be enough.
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(Itachi's P.O.V.)
It had been a few days, and I wasn't sure what to do. The situation was getting worse, and being my Father's pawn, was becoming untenable. I couldn't carry on doing what I was doing. I wanted to break Sasuke and the others out of the dungeons. I wanted to kill Kabuto and Mizuki. I wanted to find Akatsuki, and somehow let them know what the situation was. I knew that the time was coming. My Father was preparing for the executions, when I walked into the throne room, to see my Father's executioner, who was listening to my Father's orders.
"I want Naruto Uzumaki to be executed first. Then the boy Idate, then his brother Ibiki. I want Ibiki to watch his brother die. Then Pein. He is their leader. He'll watch his subordinates die." My Father said. I dreaded to ask the question, but I had to. Something compelled me to ask.
"Why Naruto first?" I asked. My Father looked up at me, and he smirked, and in that moment, I knew the answer would make me feel sick.
"I told Sasuke long ago, that if he allowed himself to be influenced by the Uzumaki boy, that I would kill him. Sasuke will see that I keep my word. My traitor son, will watch these people, that he helped commit treason, die. He will go last. He'll see them all beheaded, before he hangs by his neck, surrounded by the blood of his comrades. Then no one will ever disobey my rule again. If they think on it, this will serve as a reminder that I do not treat treachery lightly." My Father said. I nodded, not trusting myself to speak in that moment.
"I assume that interrogation is now a pointless endeavour?" I asked, after a few moments, composing my mind. My Father snorted.
"Interrogation hasn't worked. They will be executed in one week. There's no point in interrogating them anymore. It's a waste of time for my interrogators to bother with that group of fools, any longer." My Father said. He looked down at a scroll, and I was about to leave the room, when my Father looked up at me again. "Itachi, do not waste the time of my medics, on those traitors, either. They're to be executed. Why waste medical attention on them?" My Father said. I nodded and left the room. I took a deep breath and then I went down to the dungeons. I needed to make sure that Naruto, Pein, Ibiki and Idate were still alive. I knew that now my Father had decided the prisoners were no longer important, that he wouldn't take note of me visiting them all. I could try to tend their injuries, but I wasn't a medic, and risking my Father's wrath on the medics would be unfair. But I knew I had to think of something, or in one week, my brother would die.
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(Naruto's P.O.V.)
I hadn't been interrogated for the last week. No one was concerned with what happened to me. Itachi came in and out of the cell and made sure that I was given something to eat and drink. He also checked up on my injuries. I wasn't sure if I'd ever feel my hands again properly. Itachi said they were healing quite well all things considering. I just wondered how everyone else was doing.
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(Sasuke's P.O.V.)
I hadn't heard any screaming for the past week. At least, I thought it was a week. I didn't even know how long I'd been in here for. I don't know if not hearing the screams of my comrades, comforted me or scared me. I wished that I knew if they were alive, at the very least. I heard my cell door open and I saw Itachi step in. "I've been trying to help the others as best I can. Father has forbidden any medics to see to them. Pein is such a mess that I'm surprised he even remembers his own name." Itachi said.
"What about Naruto, Ibiki and Idate?" I asked.
"I had Idate seen to ages ago. He's missing three fingers on his left hand and two on his right, but he's as alright as anyone can be in his situation. He didn't catch any infections and I cauterised and wrapped the wounds myself. Ibiki is a mess, but he's a tough bastard. I've never seen, known or heard of anyone with as much guts as Ibiki. Naruto on the other hand..." Itachi trailed off. There was something he didn't want to tell me.
"What about Naruto?" I asked. I wanted him to tell me.
"He has more injuries, then he even realises. I'm surprised that he hasn't talked. The horrible pain he must be in, is unimaginable. If he survives his injuries, it's unlikely that he'll ever have the full use of his right hand again. As for the left, it's looking very hazy Sasuke." Itachi told me. I felt sick. I wanted to vomit but it was like my body was revolting against me. The fact that I had nothing inside it, to empty it, was probably something to do with that. I looked at my older brother, knowing he had more to say. But he didn't speak anymore of Naruto. "Sasuke, if no one comes for you, Father has scheduled your execution in three days' time. I'm going to try and postpone it, but I don't know how much patience Father has left. He seems to be losing his mind." Itachi told me. I nodded my understanding. At least I would be treated the same as my friends and allies in that account.
"How are we supposed to be executed?" I asked. Itachi didn't seem to want to say more, it seemed to take forever, before he spoke.
"He wants to hang you and behead the others." Itachi told me.
"I'll be last, I assume." I said. I didn't need to ask. I knew our Father well. I knew how he thought. Itachi clenched his fists. I could see the anger, the helplessness, that my Father wouldn't allow us to show. We only saw it in each other. But I knew in that moment, that I'd hit the nail on the head. I nodded my understanding. I couldn't help but wonder what Sakura was doing at this moment. I hoped she was alright. "What will happen after our execution?" I asked.
"Father intends me to take one quarter of our army, and wipe Suna out with it." Itachi told me. I felt sick.
"They're mostly innocent women and children there. What kind of insanity would make our Father attack Suna? It's just a tiny kingdom. It has nothing of value, it's just…" I didn't know what else I could say. It was the Kazekage, who had first said he would not allow slavery in his kingdom.
"I've sent them a message. Secretly, of course. The message was anonymous. It tells them that they will be under attack from Fire Country, very soon. The Kazekage is intelligent. He's taken his people into hiding. So hopefully, they will not be found." Itachi said.
"I don't understand. Why would he attack them now?" I couldn't help asking. It was stupid. I knew it was a pointless question. But the words had already left my mouth.
"He's attacking them now, to make an example of them. It's because of Suna's independence and weakness, that our Father wishes it destroyed. He hates those who are against slavery, and Suna is an ally of Akatsuki, and against slavery." Itachi said.
"It is not weak to be against slavery." I said. I was surprised at the anger in my words, and just as surprised that I fully believed what I was saying. I knew that slavery was wrong. I'd always felt it was. But I'd been taught that it was a woman's view, weakness, to feel bad for the situation of a slave. But, being a part of Akatsuki, joining them in their missions, showed me the true evils of slavery, and the strength of those who had, and still did, endure it. Meeting Sakura, had changed my life, my world, and my outlook. I looked at my older brother. I could see something in him. A devastating sadness, that I knew he'd never let anyone see. "Itachi-Aniki, I'm not ashamed of who I am. I know… I know that I am a better boy… a better man, than I ever was before. If I am to die, I'll die proud of who I am. Just…" I looked at Itachi. I felt a lump in my throat, that I could barely swallow. "Itachi, you will be a great King. When Father is dead, you will be able to make right, all the terrible things that our Father made wrong. You can end slavery. You can bring our Mother home, and let her live happily. You can comfort her over my loss." I wasn't sure how I found the nerve to say all this. But I had to.
"Do not speak that way, Sasuke." Itachi snapped.
"I have to. You have to understand, Itachi. You are my brother. You're strong, and despite our Father's best efforts, you're a good man. So, if for no other reason, end slavery in my name. I'll die, but at least… at least my death will mean more, than our Father's twisted notion of weakness and strength." I said. Itachi wrapped his arms around me. He hugged me tightly. I hugged him back.
"I will not let you die." Itachi said.
"You can't stop it, not without dying yourself, Aniki." I said.
"I will stop it." Itachi said.
"Just… promise me. If I should die, at this execution, that you'll end Slavery. You'll find a way." I asked. I knew it wasn't fair. It was a promise that he may not be able to keep, and it was unfair to ask. I knew. But I needed that hope. If I died, I needed to know that Sakura would be safe, at the very least.
"Sasuke, I will stop this!" Itachi exclaimed. I shook my head.
"Just promise me." I pleaded. I felt wetness on top of my head. I heard my brother sob. I'd never heard, nor seen, him cry.
"I promise you, Sasuke." He said. "I promise you, little brother. I will end slavery. If you die, I will find a way. I will do whatever it takes, and I will end slavery. I will make sure that our Mother, that all your friends, their families… that your former slave, will be free, and live in peace. I swear it." Itachi said. With that, I felt a weight lifted from my shoulders. I knew, no matter what happened to me, that Itachi would keep his promise. He'd never broken a promise to me before.
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(Sakura's P.O.V.)
We were on our way now. Mikoto had given us the maps and we knew how to use them. The people of Suna were in hiding. The small kingdom had received word from an anonymous source that Fugaku's army were about to invade, and so the Kazekage, Gaara, Temari and Kankuro's Father, had made sure his people had evacuated. Now the kingdom had been abandoned, and the people were safe, though it was full to bursting within our underground base. The Suna army was now at our disposal. I, however, wasn't the leader. It was Sasori, Minato and Jiraiya, along with Shikaku, who were leading this army. We were going to do the one thing no one thought we could, we were going to invade Fugaku Uchiha's kingdom, and we were going to win.
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Okay all, that's the end of this chapter. I know it was a bit filler. Sorry about that, but I felt that certain things needed to be made clearer. Next chapter, there will be definite action. I promise. Please R&R and let me know what you think. I hope you enjoyed it, despite it's filler'esque nature.