Chapter Nineteen
"Ino!" Umi called, her voice coated in sugar but filled with panic. "Wait! It's not what you think, I swear!"
"Forget it Umi," Natsui said. "It's too late. All we can do now is stop her."
"Like how we stopped Hikari? How about Sakura?" Umi viciously shook her head. "I can't do that Natsui, she's my cousin! She's practically my sister!"
Natsui sighed and quickly kissed Umi's temple. "Wait here," he said. "I'll be back."
"Don't hurt her!" Umi said as Natsui disappeared from view.
The sun had already set adding even more difficulty to Ino's escape as she stumbled on the uneven ground. Blood pounded in her ears as she steadied herself and ran once again. She had a good head-start but she was nothing compared to a couple of high class shinobi. She was only just a genin after all.
Thinking fast Ino ducked through an alley way, dodging the overflowing trashcans as she went. The sound of sandals on concrete reached her ears and the blonde girl was nearly lost in panic as she tried to pour on more speed. It couldn't end like this. She had to warn somebody.
"Now really, Ino," Natsui said, suddenly appearing before her; making her scream and grind to a halt. "You're blowing this whole thing out of proportion."
"Like hell I am! You're planning to kill Sasuke-kun! And even Itachi-san!"
"And if I am?" Natsui said. "Do you honestly think anyone will believe you?"
Ino huffed and raised her chin, the confident look she desired spoiled by the dried blood caking her nose and upper lip.
"Naruto will."
The anger hit Natsui like a blow from an Akimichi. Spinning around he cursed as he kicked one of the trashcans hard, spilling the vial garbage across the alley before he turned on Ino once again, his eyes blood red with the sharingan.
"It just had to be you didn't it Ino!" Natsui said, his hand shooting out to painfully grasp her arm. "I'm not even forty-eight hours away and you just had to appear!" He shook her hard. "Didn't you!"
"Let me go!" Ino cried and Natsui laughed.
"Do you really think that will happen? Sorry little girl. You know too much. Just be grateful to Umi. If it weren't for her you'd disappear permanently instead of for just a few days."
Ino snorted, trying her best to appear calm and in control. "Do you really believe I'll go anywhere with you?"
Natsui's grip tightened and he dragged her closer until they were nose to nose. "Do you really believe you have a choice?"
Panic settled into Ino's eyes as she glanced around for an escape. She spotted it with a gasp of relief.
"Sasuke-kun! Naruto!"
It was fear and adrenalin that made Natsui whip around, dropping Ino to the ground as he did so. It only took five seconds for the older nin to realize he'd been had; but that was all Ino needed to accomplish her plan.
"Shintenshin no jutsu!"
The blonde's limp body fell to the ground with a thud but Natsui paid her no mind, to busy worrying about who was currently in control of his mind and body. It was with a sigh that he realized he was safe. So she had missed then? He smirked. That meant her soul was wandering around aimlessly. Perfect.
Scooping her up in a manner of false concern, Natsui sped from the alley in the direction of the hospital. The blood on her face and the bruises on her arm could be easily explained away as a mugging and the unconsciousness…well, she'd be back to normal when her soul finally managed to find her body again. It would only take a few days at most.
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Ichigo arose with the sun, as she always did though it was without her usual vigor. She couldn't believe that it had only been a day since she had awakened to find Hikari outside the front gate and yet it had. It seemed like forever and only a minute had passed all at once. Stretching out her sleep sore limbs, Ichigo slid out of her bed and made her way to the window. Pulling open the heavy curtains, she sighed as the sun poured in.
It took only seconds for Ichigo's eyes to adjust to the new light and once she did she gave a start of shock, horror, and irritation. There was a body stretched out on the street just outside of the estate wall. Passing her palm tiredly over her eyes, Ichigo spun around to grab her robe. Belting it on, she sprinted from her room and down the hall, determined that once this latest crisis was over she would change bedrooms.
Seeing so many almost dead people this early in the day could not be good for her psyche.
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"So who is she?" Ichigo asked Naruto, her voice confused but concerned. "She looks like she's from the academy, but I don't recognize her."
"That's because she's alone and quiet," Naruto said. "Trust me; if her friends were around, and she was awake, you would know exactly who she is."
Ichigo huffed and looked over at the blonde; annoyed. "That still doesn't tell me anything."
"Her name is Moegi," Kyo said unexpectedly. "She is close friends with Konohamaru."
"You mean the Hokage's obnoxious grandson?" Ichigo asked, turning to see Kyo in the doorframe with his youngest son, Kai, against his shoulder. "The one that hangs around with that mushroom kid?"
Naruto snorted but nodded anyway. "Yeah, that Konohamaru."
"Well what the heck is she doing in front of our house at six in the morning?"
"Being unconscious apparently."
Ichigo's eyebrow twitched in annoyance. "Naruto!"
"Calm down Ichigo," Kyo said, shifting Kai who was beginning to fuss. "Yelling at Naruto isn't going to get us answers. We'll just have to wait until she wakes up."
"Hey dad," Naruto said. "Is it alright if Ichigo stays home today and watches her? I'll take the kids to the academy. I have to go to the hospital to see Sakura-chan anyway."
"Just make sure that they take a real lunch Naruto," Kyo said. "You mom still reminds me of that packaged ramen incident."
Naruto blushed. "Give me a break! I was only nine at the time; I didn't know how to make a bento!"
"Well now you're twelve and do know how to make a bento." Kyo said with a smirk. "I'm taking Kai to daycare. You're mother has a meeting after school and I have a mission that will probably last until tomorrow morning so I'd appreciate it if you could pick him up."
"Sure dad." Naruto said. "Have a safe trip."
Kyo smiled. "Always. Have a good day son. And Ichigo, remember not to scare her when she wakes up. She doesn't know who you are."
Ichigo scowled and shooed him away with a flick of her wrist. Kyo just laughed as he disappeared into the hall. Naruto chuckled as well as he stood to find his siblings.
"I'll be back after I've checked on Sakura-chan. You can hold down the fort until then right?"
Ichigo rolled her eyes. "I may not be an official ninja yet Naruto, but I can definitely take care of myself. Besides, it's not like I'm alone. At least thirty other people are still in the complex."
"Just be careful." Naruto said, suddenly serious. "With Hikari and Sakura-chan attacked you are the next logical target."
"I doubt it," she said. "Now hurry up and go or the kids are going to be late."
"Oh shoot!" Naruto said as he ran from the room. "I forgot! Akira! Miyu! Hurry up and get ready for school!"
Ichigo just shook her head and laughed as she listened to her nephew pound through the halls towards the kitchen.
"Those two are totally going to end up with ramen."
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It was close to ten o'clock before any movement from Moegi caused Ichigo to look up from her text book. Grateful for an excuse to avoid any more on the effects of elements in opposition to projectile weapons, Ichigo dropped the giant book to the floor with a thump and crawled over to where the little girl was just opening her eyes.
"W-here am I?" Moegi asked, her voice breaking from disuse.
"You're at the Haruno compound," Ichigo said, trying her best to be sympathetic and encouraging. "My name is Ichigo, I found you outside this morning."
Moegi's eyes suddenly went wide and she sat up with an unexpected force.
"Ichigo!" Moegi said. "I—I have to tell…you…oh, dizzy…"
Ichigo, more then startled by the girl's sudden reaction carefully guided Moegi back down to rest on the futon.
"Careful," Ichigo said. "You don't want to strain yourself."
"I'll be fine," Moegi said, though she remained lying down. "It's just an after effect of being in this body for so long."
Ichigo blinked in confusion. "Huh?"
Carefully turning her head so she was facing Ichigo, Moegi reached out and grasped the redhead's forearm tightly.
"It's me, Ino." Moegi said, and for a moment Ichigo felt she would pass out from shock. "Something terrible is happening and that's why I'm here. Where's Naruto? Or your brother? I have to talk to them right now."
Ichigo just gapped at the girl, open mouthed, trying to process just what it was she had been told. Finally, managing to push back her shock Ichigo responded.
"They're not here. Onii-chan went on a mission and Naruto is probably with Sakura-chan right now. Why, what happened, Ino?" Ignoring the bizarre feeling of calling this little girl Ino, Ichigo continued. "What's wrong?"
Ino's face dropped into a mixed expression of fear and anger.
"Those stupid--!" She broke off with a huff. "Fine, then you'll have to do."
Ichigo gave an indignant sound of insult but Ino ignored her.
"The Uchiha's, and probably a bunch of other people, are planning to over throw the council and Sandaime-sama. We have to warn him!"
Disbelieving, but at the same time not doubting the truth, Ichigo jumped to her feet and ran for the door.
"I'm going to see the Hokage!" Ichigo called. "When Naruto comes tell him the same thing you told me!"
Once Ichigo was out of sight Ino closed her eyes, a sheen of sweat forming on her small brow. She had already been in this body far, far longer then she should have been. There was no way she could stay any longer without it beginning to shut down. With no other choice Ino brought Moegi's small arms up and canceled the jutsu only moments before Naruto pulled open the door to see Moegi's still motionless frame.
End Chapter Nineteen
Kaliea: So what do you all think? In the next chapter Ichigo will go see Sandaime but will he believe her? Who's to say? On a completely unrelated note, I've put up a new pole on my profile. Go and vote because you're opinion will determine whether or not I decide to kill off Arai in Dark and Light (the next chapter of which will be out shortly). Thanks for your continued support and don't forget to review!
