AN: Hello people of Fanfiction! Ahh! I know I know! I posted on my page a few days ago that I was gonna post this chapter then, but my laptop died on me right when I was setting it up in the DoX, soooo, Sorry! {Ducks from flying objects!} Hey hey! Killing me wont do you any good! Just remember that! But now you have your new chapter so be happy! Now enjoy!
Note: Suna Akurei, Hyūga Hisae © Anna Uzumaki
Pairing(s): Naruto/Sasuke With: Neji/Gaara, Shika/Kiba, Sakura/Lee, Kakashi/Iruka, Hinata/Shino, Ino/Choji, Kankuro/Hana, Temari/Tenten, Jiraiya/Tsunade, Itachi/Kimimaru, Suigetsu/Sasori.
Warning(s): Yaoi, lemon(s), sexual content (Duh!), slight nuggets of OOC-ness (bear with me), adult language, blood/gore, angst, drama & slight child abuse.
Disclaimer: Naruto © Masashi Kishimoto
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Chapter Seven
Flashback: Summer Festival- Part IV- Daddy
M.P.O.V.
'I still don't trust that Danzo, he isn't even here yet, and where did that son of his disappear to?' I thought this as I sat beside Kushina and Fugaku. I looked down at my son, who was sitting between Sasuke and Gaara, and even from behind I could see that he was still upset about what the other children told him.
"Minato, maybe we should tell him a little about Danzo?" Kushina asked and pulled me from my thoughts.
"Hmm, I'm not so sure about that, do you think it is truly necessary?" I replied.
"Well, the other children seemed to have told him something and right now he looks as though he is tearing himself up about it." She pointed out, I must admit she had a point, but I was still unsure.
"I know." Was my only reply, I honestly didn't know what else to say, so I just settled for placing my hand on Kushina's and simply stared at her, she was truly a beautiful woman, with fiery red hair and dazzling violet eyes. I turned back to look back at Naruto just as he was being handed a drink from the Suna boy, I then remembered that his uncle had been specifically asked to watch Sai-chan. Now he was nowhere to be seen, just then Yashamaru stepped in front of me with Naruto and Gaara behind him. I completely failed to notice them get up, due to my wandering thoughts.
"Lord Minato, Lady Kushina I am going to escort Naruto and Gaara to the restrooms." He informed me and my wife.
"Oh, alright then." Kushina nodded.
"Very well." I nodded as well, and waved him off.
"Why is he the one taking them to the restrooms?" Fugaku asked from beside me.
"Honey, Karura cannot very well take the boys into the men's room." Mikoto laughed at his answer, which left my long time friend nothing else to do but to sulk. Well, an Uchiha's version of sulking. That family was truly rooted in showing little to no emotion.
"I do not think there is anything particularly wrong with Yashamaru taking them." Kushina said. I knew that if she did have a problem with him, she would've told him so. She is such a tomboy; I was very surprised, however, that she did not have an outburst at all today.
"I suppose, though I have to ask, why do you think Danzo asked him specifically to watch his son?" Mikoto asked.
"Well, my guess is because he knows that we all have a disliking of him. However, I've heard that Yashamaru has done business with him before, so that might factor into it." I told her.
"Hmph, that weasel." Fugaku mumbled, and I just couldn't stop myself from grinning at his remark.
"Hisae was very distraught by him tonight, to think that he would even mention her unborn child!" Tsume joined the conversation from the other side of Kushina, with that wolf of a dog at her feet. It seriously was beyond huge, in fact if you asked me that 'dog' isn't even a dog, more like a wolf or beast from some of the villagers' scary stories.
"I completely agree I honestly still have my doubts about that man. I wonder if Sarutobi has any speculations about him as well." Kushina asked, more to herself and once again tearing me from my thoughts.
As she spoke about Sarutobi, my eyes drifted to where he was sitting, he sat there talking to one of his guards. Of course we had guards as well, but I'd ordered them not to wear their uniforms and to instead wear street clothes. If anyone thought that we would actually leave the castles' without guards, they truly would be lacking some brain cells. Though, as I sat thinking about too many things I heard someone complaining about food, and I immediately knew who it was that said it.
"I swear, these vendors need to set up in the upper arena as well, I'm still hungry!" Choza grumbled to his wife, his families' appetite was insatiable.
"Choza, calm down. We can eat after the show." His wife, Chiharu comforted him. That reminded me of an idea that I had, as surprise for Naruto.
"Kushina, what do you say about asking Teuchi to let his daughter come work at the castle?" I turned to her, surprisingly she wasn't talking her head off, she must be thinking about something more important.
"Hmm, Ayame, why?" She blinked at me.
"For Naruto, you know how much he loves their ramen. I think it would make him very happy if he was able to eat it every day, instead of only having it whenever we come to Konoha." I informed her.
"Ah! That's a wonderful idea, youknowwhatimean!" She exclaimed jumbling her words once again, I swear some of the things that come out of her mouth, are sometimes incomprehensible.
"Hahah, well, now that that's decided, when we arrive back home I'll send him a written request." I chuckled.
"Do you think he'll let her though? She is his only child after all." She said.
"I believe he will want what is best for her, Kushina." I told her.
"I suppose, though I do hope he agrees. Naruto would be so happy." She smiled and looked to where our son was once sitting. He's still gone?
"Shouldn't the boys and that Yashamaru be back by now?" Fugaku shared my thoughts as if I had spoken them aloud.
"There are a lot of people here. I wouldn't be too surprised if there was a line…." Tsume began to say before she trailed off, honestly, she knew better than to actually think that a royal would be made to wait in line for anything. People would gladly let them go ahead of them without batting an eye.
"I will go look for them, the show should be starting any moment as well." I said as I stood up, but as soon as I did, I heard an unwanted voice.
"Ah, Minato, that will not be necessary. I just ran into Yashamaru and the boys on my way up, he was getting them some snacks from one of the vendors' on the lower level." Danzo informed us, "Don't get so wound up, Yashamaru can take care of them." He continued. At that remark all I wanted to do was knock him flat on his back, he must have forgotten that I am a royal, a King for crying out loud! Though I was not one to just throw my title around to get my way, some situations like this called for me to do so.
"Danzo, lest you forget who you are talking to, you will not place such an accusation towards me." I stood there glaring at him slightly to show I was serious.
"Of course not Lord Minato, I was just informing you that your sons' are quite alright and that there is no need to fret." Danzo covered himself and bowed to me.
"See that it does not happen again, Shimura." Fugaku threatened him, he was always very strict and with Danzo he did not care to beat around the bush.
"Yes Lord Fugaku," He bowed to him and then turned back to me, "Yashamaru should be back with the boys shortly." He continued at me, before walking over to where Sarutobi-sama sat.
I sat back down very upset, 'I do not think I can take much more of him.' I thought to myself. If Yashamaru is not back soon, I will go find him and in my current state, I will not be too kind about it. Kushina then put her hand on mine, once again pulling me from my thoughts, maybe I'm doing too much thinking today, I looked over to see her emerald eyes harden with anger.
"Minato, do you honestly believe what he says' to be true?" She questioned me.
"Honestly… No, I do not. Even if what he said is to be true, they still would have been back by now." I sighed to her.
"That Danzo is truly an idiot, and now that I think about it, where did his son run off to?" Tsume questioned and briefly looked around.
"That is a good question, I saw him up until we entered the arena. Maybe he is with some friends?" Mikoto inquired.
"Ha, I doubt it." Fugaku grunted. I had to agree with him to an extent on that subject. Though I am sure he should have at least a few friends, even I could tell that smile he had on his face was not sincere, having a father like Danzo, I do not blame him for faking.
It was already completely dark when we first entered the arena and now the festival workers were turning off the lights, which signaled that the show was going to start very soon. I looked to the seat where my son was, or rather where he should have been. He still was not back yet, now I'm worried, I had wanted to get up and go look for him, but Danzo kept turning to look at me…. Wait, what am I saying? I was behaving like I had to sneak around him, I am a royal for crying out loud!
"Minato, Kushina?" Karura kneeled slightly beside us, I jerked slightly, due to the fact that I was too carried away with my thoughts again to notice that she had walked over to us.
"Yes?" Kushina answered in a hushed voice.
"I'm a little worried, Yashamaru has not come back with the boys yet. Do you know where they might be?" She asked looking at both of us.
"Danzo informed us earlier that he passed the boys' on the way up and that Yashamaru took them to get some snacks from a vendor on the lower level. Though, that was quite a while ago." Kushina told her, and then looked puzzled by what she had said.
"What? But, the boy's already have plenty of snacks at their seats." Karura mentioned. Now, at this point I was ready to bolt from my seat and search for my son, though I knew I couldn't because that would cause the festival goers to panic as well. As I thought this, I did not miss the looks that came across the faces of those parents closest to us.
"What?" I, including Kushina, Mikoto, Fugaku and Tsume questioned at the same time.
"I knew that brother of yours could not be trusted, Karura." Akurei said. He had come to stand beside his wife while my mind went to work.
"Akurei, I am sure there is a simple exclamation to this." Karura said to her husband.
"That's it, Kushina come we are going to look for them." I stood once again and held my hand out for her, as I did I turned my head just in time to see Danzo leering at us. He knew something was wrong, and as soon as I found Naruto and Gaara the better.
"Of course, we will be back as quickly as possible." She said to the others. As we hastily walked towards the upper exit of the arena, that led us to the lower level, one of my undercover guards approached us.
"Lord Minato, is everything alright?" He asked.
"I'm not entirely sure at this point, just follow us 'A'." I instructed him.
"Yes my lord." 'A' said. He was one of my many personal guards. He had chocolate colored skin and short pale blonde hair which contrasted greatly with his skin. He was beyond the term 'well built', he trained during any free time he had and the results showed significantly.
When we reached the lower level, we quickly headed to the bathrooms. As we rounded the corner just down the hall from our destination, we quickly stopped once we saw a group of festival workers surrounding the bathroom. My stomach hit the floor in that moment, 'This is just one of many bathrooms here, what are the odds that they went to that one?' I thought to myself.
"Minato…." Kushina whispered to me.
"I am sure it is nothing, love." I assured her. In my six years of being king I knew that keeping calm was key when one was under pressure, as we walked over to investigate, one of the workers saw us approaching.
"Ah, Lord Namikaze, I'm sorry for the inconvenience. But this bathroom is currently out of order." The middle-aged worker bowed to me and my wife.
"May I ask why?" I said to him.
"Yes, well you see, it seems as if someone has locked the bathroom from the inside. There's an alternate exit inside, but that only leads to under the arena and out the back." He informed me.
"An alternate exit? Well I should think it would be easier to open the door if someone were to come in from said exit and unlocked it." Kushina speculated.
"Yes Lady Uzumaki, we have thought of that and someone is currently making their way through the basement." He assured her.
Just as he told us this we saw the bathroom door open, I calmly made my way over to the crowd. One of the workers was mumbling something to the others, who looked a bit aggravated at what he said. Once I stepped to them I asked if there was another problem.
"Is there another problem gentlemen?" I asked, very grateful that I was able to hide my anxiety.
"Oh, Lord Namikaze, it's nothing too serious. I was just informing them that the basement exit door had been broken open." The worker told me.
"Broken open? May I ask… did anyone perhaps see our son enter this bathroom earlier?" Kushina asked and squeezed my hand.
"Actually, I did see the young sir, along with the young Master Suna and Yashamaru-san was escorting them." A slightly familiar voice said from behind us, I turned to see, once again, that fake smile. I didn't know whether or not to be angry with this young man at the current moment, I did not want to falsely accuse him of anything.
"Sai-chan, where have you been?" I asked and raised one of my eyebrows at him.
"Well, when I got to the arena, my father pulled me aside and said that he wanted me to meet one of his associates. However, once I met them, father instructed that I stay there for a while. Is everything alright?" Sai asked.
"Yes, were just looking for them, as the show is about to begin. You say you saw them right, did they enter this bathroom?" I asked him and silently hoped that he did not, because that would just rise more questions as to why the door was locked.
"I believe they did, however, I don't recall seeing them come out." He said and at that moment Kushina released my hand, and swiftly walked into the men's room.
"Lady Uzumaki!" All the workers exclaimed as she pushed past them into the bathroom, I don't blame them.
"Kushina, wait." I called and followed after her.
As I walked into the bathroom my guard followed close behind me, Kushina was almost in hysterics as she frantically looked and spun around the bathroom, her close fitting light green silk gown swirling around her. She stopped dead in her tracks when she looked towards the sinks, I followed her gaze and my heart lurched painfully. I quickly walked over to the sinks and bent down to reach the small piece of gold under one of the them. It was a cufflink with my family insignia, it was Naruto's, and I had given it to him on his fifth birthday. I turned to see the workers looking at us with puzzled expressions', Sai look at me with his head cocked slightly to the side.
"Sai, what were you and Yashamaru discussing today?" I glared at him. I was dangerously close to losing it.
"Yashamaru-san was telling me about his family, Prince Gaara in particular, but when he talked about him, I noticed that he looked sad." Sai told me, his face displaying no sign of emotion what-so-ever.
"Did he discuss anything else?" Kushina said angrily and sounded as if she were on the brink of crying, I looked over at her and saw a slight fevered blush on her face. She was strong, but if anything ever happened to our son, that strength would falter and turn into something nasty.
"No, he just talked about the Suna family and his business with my father." Sai said quickly. When he mentioned his father, I was enraged and quickly turned to my guard and whispered to him.
"'A', gather the other royal guards and report to behind the arena at the basement door.
"Yes my Lord." He bowed and quickly made his way out.
"Lord Namikaze, is everything alright?" One of the workers asked, as I lead Kushina by the hand out of the restroom. Sai followed behind us, which I was actually grateful for, I had a request for him.
"Yes, my wife is just having a bad night." I told them and continued down the hall, not even bothering to state my leave. Few people were still in the halls as we headed toward the stairs that lead up to the royal section, and as we reached the stairs we heard the first set of fireworks rumble in the air, I turned to see Sai still behind us.
"Sai, I must ask that you do me a favor." I told him.
"Yes, Lord Minato, what is it?" He asked.
"I ask that you gather the adult royals to come to the back of the arena, with the children as well, and meet me by the basement door. I must also ask that you do not inform you father on what I have asked you." I calmly told him.
"Yes, Lord Minato." He nodded and turned to head up the stairs.
"Minato, I want my son." Kushina practically growled as tears filled her eyes, I put my hand on her cheek and pulled her in for a kiss.
"I know love, I will find him." I promised her, then grabbed her hand and walked towards the back exit of the arena.
As we walked out of the back of the arena, we headed towards, what I assumed, was the direction of the arena basement door. I was glad, when we came around the round wall of the arena, to see my guards already waiting for us to arrive. I just hope Sai hurries up with the others.
"Lord Minato, is everything well?" 'A' asked me as I came to a stop in front of him, I looked over at Kushina to see that she had her strong face back on, 'Do not worry Kushina.' I thought and looked back towards him.
"I am not sure, I will inform you all on the matter at hand once the other royals arrive." I told him. Though, thankfully, I did not have to wait long.
"Kushina! What's going on?" Karura said in a strained voice and ran over to her. My wife only shook her head and I knew then that her voice would fail her, were she to speak.
"Minato?" Akurei said towards me.
"We have a problem…." I informed them on the current events that had transpired during Kushina and my leave to look for the boys.
"What is the meaning of this!" Fugaku shouted and turned on Sai, who took a step back.
"Fugaku, the boy had no idea of what has happened here." I said.
"So, where is Naruto?" The youngest Uchiha, Sasuke, asked me. I did not want the children to be caught up in this.
"That is what we are going to find out, Sasuke," I said calmly to him, "Shikaku, I must ask that you, along with the others and a few guards, take the children back to the tent. However, Tsume, Fugaku, Akurei and Karura I ask that you all remain here with Kushina and I." I instructed to them.
"I understand." Shikaku nodded, and then he and the other adults and guards directed the children back to the tent, all of the children had very worried and confused looks upon their faces. I could only imagine, briefly, the look on my son and Gaara's faces, before I quickly banished that thought, I would not dwell on the negatives right now. The most important thing was to find them. Just then another set of fireworks rumbled as I began to speak.
"Alright now, we have to act quickly and I am not jumping to any conclusions, but the sooner we find our boys' the better. Tsume, is your dog trained in tracking?" I said and turned towards her with my question.
"Yes, of course Minato. Do you have something with one of the boys' sent on it?" She asked, I nodded and handed her Naruto's cufflink. I heard a harsh intake of air and looked to Kushina, who looked completely irate. Once again, I don't blame her, I felt the same way.
"Minato how did you…?" Tsume trailed off in a question as I put the item in her hand.
"It was in the restroom." Kushina spoke up.
"Yashamaru, how could he…." Karura asked mainly to herself.
"This is ridiculous, that two faced brother of yours is gone with our sons' and that shifty Danzo is M.I.A. as well!" Akurei exclaimed.
"Danzo was not with Sarutobi-sama?" I asked in disbelief at what he'd just said.
"He was gone when I went to retrieve the other royals. I have no idea where he might've gone though." Sai answered me.
"He left shortly after you two did." Karura said quietly.
"Tsk," I clicked, "'A', find us some horses immediately." I continued and turned to order him.
"Right away." He said and bowed his leave before running around the side of the building. Not much time passed before he was back with the horses as another round of fireworks crackled in the air.
"Tsume, has your dog caught Naruto's scent yet?" Kushina asked. Her voice was slightly covered in anger. She was obviously trying and having trouble with keeping her composure.
"Yes, we are ready when you are Kushina, Minato." She informed us.
"Good, let us hurry." I said and walked to the horses, I mounted the horse that Kushina and I were to ride before she did, and then grabbed her hand as one of the guards helped her to get on behind me. The same was done for Karura and Tsume once Akurei and Fugaku mounted their horses. Once the guards were on their horses, Tsume whistled a command to her dog and it took off into the direction of the forest. We wasted no time as we set the horses into a quick gallop down a narrow trail, I could still heard the remaining rounds of fireworks rumbling and crackling through the night air.
It seemed as though we were on the narrow trail for a while, I began to think that a false trail was laid, until the beast of a dog cut quickly off the path into the thicker part of the forest. This new trail was not suitable for the horses to tread at all, appearing to realize this, Tsume whistled for her dog to turnabout.
"We will have to go on foot from here everyone, the scent leads deeper into the forest." Tsume informed us.
"Understood." I sighed. I was slowly coming undone the longer this went on, 'I just want my son.' I thought, as the guards helped Kushina and the other women down from the horses. I was silently pleased that all the women, like Kushina, decided to wear closer fitting gowns for the festival, because they were able to move swiftly in them.
"Do you know how much further we have to go?" Karura questioned Tsume as we stepped onto a much narrower path into the thick trees'.
"I am sorry, but I cannot say yet. However, my dog will let us know when we are close." She explained.
"If I get my hands on that Yashamaru, I will not have mercy on him." Akurei seethed and glared ahead of him, while Karura walked closely behind him holding his hand.
"Likewise." Kushina and I spoke at the same time, I looked over at her and my blue eyes met with her violet ones and we spoke to each other without words. She then grabbed my hand and laced our fingers together as the fireworks could still be heard quietly in the distance. As we continued down the path, the wind carried an inky sort of smell, which made the dog whine slightly.
"There is an old temple back this way, if I recall correctly." Fugaku said after a while.
"In the forest?" Karura asked in somewhat disbelief.
"Yes, it is a temple dedicated to the two fox spirits Kiroi no Kitsune and Akai no Kitsune, otherwise known as Keaton and Kyuubi. However, the temple is currently abandoned now and has been for the past few years." He informed us, and as soon as he said that everyone picked up their pace slightly.
AN: Okay! How was that? Its Daddy and Mommy to the rescue! Along with a few of their friends, will they get their in time before the ritual is complete, regaurdless if you know that they dont die, things like this have some serious after effects, as you will learn later on- Wait! I dont wanna give away too much info! So, intil next time! Ja ne, And as always, REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!
Please note: Suna Akurei, Hyūga Hisae are mine, well my versions of Neji, Hinata and Gaara's parents names. But mine none the less.
- Anna Uzumaki