Stand By Me
Chapter Three - Guilty
''There is darkness, I check my habit true. I can't erase it, believing you'll come back to me.
Nami basically ran through the streets, her shirt hanging off of her, small hands holding her orange pants up.
This was NOT what she designed sexy no Jutsu for! For one thing, clothes were never part of it, sexy no jutsu meant...sexy! And naked!. Now Naruto was masquerading around in this form! He wouldve never imagined.
Naruto stopped in front of the Hyuuga compound, they had a guard stationed here, which was a new thing. Since Madara's guys entered the city Hiashi had taken the utmost precautions to ensure his family's protection. Not that it would matter, Naruto knew now that Konoha had no chance.
The guard looked down at him. ''Yes?''
''Im here to see Neji...(ah)-kun.'' That was one of the weirdest things he'd ever had to say.
''Its long after dark, I can't-''
Naruto took a step closer, changing his voice back to normal and saying, ''I have been ordered to see Neji right now.''
The guard's eyes widened and then he nodded and opened the door, ''Go ahead.''
When Naruto entered, he saw Hinata sitting by a small pond, he saw only her side profile, her dark hair was thrown over her shoulder and she seemed deep in thought...hearing what those fuckers had planned for her made him shake to the core with anger.
''Hinata!'' Nami called.
Hinata turned around and once she laid eyes on...her, a small blush appeared on her usually-pale cheeks. She stood up and walked over to the blonde with deliberate steps.
''Nami...-chan.'' she said softly. Hinata had found it much easier to deal with Naruto as a girl, he was less appealing to her in this form and that helped her communicate some.
Naruto spoke to her in low tones. ''I've come to see Neji, Shizune sent me.''
Hinata hesitated for only a second before she began walking and Nami fell into step with her.
''We should hang out tomorrow, when Neji and I get back.'' Nami said lowly.
Hinata tensed, her blush increasing as her step faltered a bit and Nami reached out to steady her. That didn't help at all.
''T-This is his room.''
Naruto began banging on it repeatedly.
''N-No, Nar- Nami-chan, don't do-''
Neji all but ripped the door open. ''What?'' he snapped. Neji had no shirt on, his hair was hanging loosely over his shoulders and he looked extremely annoyed. Naruto couldn't imagine why.
''Neji-kuun,'' Nami teased, ''Won't you let us in?''
Neji moved to close the door but Nami stepped in. Neji let out a frustrated sigh and mentioned for Hinata to follow.
Inside, Naruto couldn't stop the slow, calculating grin the spread across his face. Tenten was sitting on Neji's bed, playing with various weapons.
''Whats going on here?'' Naruto asked, releasing his form and turning back into himself.
Tenten looked up, blinking slowly and then she threw a kunai at Naruto who dodged it with wide eyes.
''Ok ok! Geez Tenten!''
''Hi Naruto.'' she greeted with an innocent smile.
''What do you want, Naruto?'' Neji asked, stepping into his line of sight.
Naruto's grin dropped and he became serious. ''They have Konohamaru.''
The room fell silent, a heavy tense air setting in.
''What happened?'' Neji asked, already getting dressed in dark clothes.
''I was spying on some...meeting they were having. They're here to make sure Konoha gets destroyed, no other reason. What I didn't know was Konohamaru was spying too, they caught him.''
Neji threw some dark pants at Naruto's head. The blonde caught it quickly and began to strip off his orange tracksuit pants, when he realized something - Hinata and Tenten were both in the room too.
When he looked up, Tenten was smiling at Neji but when he turned to Hinata, she was watching him with wide eyes, her cheeks burning red.
Neji rolled his eyes and grabbed Naruto's collar, throwing him into the bathroom.
It took Naruto only a second to emerge in the black pants.
''Shizune said its me, you,'' he nodded at Neji, ''Ino, and Shikamaru.'' Naruto then turned to Tenten.
''If I'm not back in the morning, I want you to look after Hinata, they have plans for her. Stay in the compound, I doubt they'll come after her in here. Don't let them get her.''
Tenten nodded. ''Of course.''
Naruto turned to Neji. Both of them nodded and then disappeared.
''When I say go...run, do you understand?'' Temari asked in a low tone.
''Yes.'' what else could she say? Sakura had no idea what was about to happen but I was something big. Temari grabbed her wrist and Sakura could feel how tense she was, the blonde hadn't taken her eyes off of Hidan.
Sakura was sure they wouldn't make it, whatever it was that was headed for them would make it in a matter of seconds.
''GO!'' Temari yelled and took off for Hidan, Sakura began running too, Hidan passed them in a blur - taking his chance to get away.
Sakura and Temari headed back towards the Valley of the End, but Sakura didn't speak up, it didn't matter, they just needed to get away. Sakura heard many sets of feet behind them but she kept going.
''We're going to...'' Temari yelled but Sakura missed it - the wind blew violently past her ears, ''What?''
''We're going to JUMP!''
It was at that moment that the Valley of the End came back into view, Sakura's eyes widened...she turned to look at Temari, who gave her a determined nod. Sakura took a breath and nodded back.
Neither slowed down, the simply launched themselves off the cliff and spread their arms in a swan dive.
To Sakura - the seconds airborne felt like minutes, the wind rattled her clothes and blew through her hair. The wig flew up and Sakura spun around, gripping her fingers around it as her body hit the water.
There was a moment where there was only noise in her ears, water bubbles flew up her cloak and shirt as she descended rapidly and then there was only silence.
Sakura stopped moving, stopped breathing and just was. She closed her eyes, imagining herself being one with the water, convincing herself that whatever was chasing them couldn't see her.
Something grabbed her wrist and she slowly opened her eyes, begging to Kami-sama that it was Temari.
It was.
Relief flooded Sakura, Temari motioned slowly for Sakura to follow and Sakura gave a slow nod.
Temari pushed off of Sakura's wrist and moved through the water slowly. It was night time so the water was dark, which was a blessing. Temari led Sakura to the waterfall - or more accurately, behind it. There was a small cave.
Sakura was shivering and panting uncontrollably as she fell against the cave wall, her arms going around herself to provide some heat.
''W-We'll stay h-here until...d-d-dawn.'' Temari stuttered through her shivering jaw.
Sakura could only nod as she huddled next to Temari, trying to share some of the blondes body heat. She was still holding the wig in her hands and was proud of herself for not losing it. A fire was, of course, out of the question.
''W-What w-were we r-running from?'' Sakura managed to ask after trying to get it out a few times.
''M-Madara's guard.''
Ino glared at Naruto. ''You sure they have Konohamaru?''
''Yeah, I'm sure.'' he hissed back.
''Calm down, both of you, this isn't helping.'' Neji whispered. Both Ino and Naruto huffed.
''Ino begin with Phase 1 as discussed.''
Ino gave a determined nod. Around the corner a Shadow was approaching. She turned to Naruto who used his nature chakra to sense the area for others, when he gave her the go-ahead she performed her mind-transfer Jutsu and her body collapsed.
Shikamaru hoisted her unconscious body onto his back and Neji gave a nod. ''Phase 1 - complete. Commencing phase 2...''
Naruto's frog-like eyes narrowed and he jumped up onto the nearest roof. Neji and Shikamaru followed. They lowly moved forward, Ino following from the ground as Naruto tracked Konohamaru's chakra.
The moved north-east quickly and Neji cursed. ''You don't think...''
''The Interrogation Center.'' Shikamaru muttered. ''This is gonna be a problem.''
Neji nodded and came to a stop, Naruto and Shikamaru followed his lead and Ino - as a Shadow - circled the parameter.
''We already knew there was a risk,'' Naruto whispered harshly, eager to save Konohamaru.
''We can't follow Ino.'' Neji said solemnly.
Naruto saw Shikamaru tense up but the dark-haired guy said nothing.
''She could die!'' Naruto protested in an angry whisper.
Neji closed his eyes. ''I won't let that happen.'' he said and when he opened his lids, his byakugan activated.
''I'll let her know.'' Shikamaru drawled and jumped from the roof.
Ino stepped into the shadows and met her old teammate.
''Yes?''
''You're going in alone.''
Ino hesitated, not sure she'd heard right. ''What?'' she hissed, suddenly slightly terrified.
''Neji will be watching. We won't let anything happen to you.''
Ino reached up and squeezed his shoulders hard. ''If I die, I'll haunt you forever.''
Shikamaru flinched and Ino grinned beneath the mask.
''Ah, I'll keep that in mind.'' Shikamaru answered.
Ino turned around and walked towards the unguarded doors of the Interrogation Center.
Shikamaru jumped back onto the roof.
They knew once Konohamaru was out they needed to hide him, the Shadows would accuse them of using chakra to get him out. They would, of course, deny it.
The reality was, Konoha's days were numbered. Its been a ticking bomb since the war ended, was lost.
Neji was watching the building intently and Naruto and Shikamaru was in turn, watching him for any sign that they might move.
''Whats happening?'' Naruto whispered impatiently looking back and forth between Ino's body and Neji.
''Shes talking with two of them, they're standing around Konohamaru, who seems to be weak, his chakra's flickering.''
Come on Ino...Naruto was begging, hoping she'd say the right things.
''The other two are...leaving.'' Neji whispered, clearly in shock.
A second later the door opened and said Shadows stepped out, going in separate directions.
''Watch them.'' Neji instructed.
Naruto and Shikamaru got right on it, while Neji went inside to help Ino.
According to his byakugan, the place was empty, save for Ino and Konohamaru. He made his way to them quickly and opened the door.
''Neji!'' she hissed, eyes wide. ''You scared the hell out of me!''
Neji ignored her and pulled out a kunai, slashing Konohamaru's bounds. The kid was out cold.
''Where are we taking him?'' Ino asked.
''My place or yours? Since Hinata and I are both med-nin, it would be best.''
''Your place,'' Neji answered, not wanting to deal with Hiashi.
Ino nodded.
''I'll go ahead and deliver him, while you three finish up here.''
''Ok.''
And then Neji disappeared with Konohamaru.
Ino casually approached the exit when the door opened.
A Shadow.
Her heart began beating faster.
''Where are you going?'' that voice...it was the one from earlier...the one who hit her.
Ino swallowed.
''To find them.'' she said, nodding towards the door she'd just left.
''What?'' he demanded.
''They're gone, the kid too.''
He stormed past her and kicked the door open. The was silence and then a curse.
''Come on! We're going to kill them!''
Ino's heart dropped...she couldn't escape now...
Following him and keeping up with his long strides, due to the long legs of this body.
The Shadow quickly located the two idiots she'd sent away.
They turned around, clearly confused and Ino braced herself.
''Where is the Sarutobi?''
The two idiots looked at each other and then one nodded at Ino.
''He told us to go, and that you gave the order. He informed us it was his turn to watch the kid.''
Ino shook her head. Stay in character. ''No use lying now. Why don't you just tell us where the kid is?''
The Shadow next to her moved so fast that she didn't see it, in a flash he's snapped both their necks, but as Ino looked down at them...they were still alive. Gasping for breath, groaning. She tensed.
The Shadow pulled a katana from his robe and started with the one who spoke. He ripped the robe from the idiot, who was now struggling to breathe, trying to speak but only managing to gurgle.
The katana cut both his wrists, the blood running down slowly.
Ino clenched her hands into fists. The Shadow then stabbed the half-dead one in the chest and Ino was sure he'd be dead...he wasn't...- a soundless scream left his lips and then the Shadow dragged the katana down, separating the torso to the hips, it fell apart with a soft breath and then...one was dead. The Shadow moved to the other repeating the action and once her was done, he turned to Ino. And moved to her using the same speed. She released the Jutsu with a scream in her head just as she felt large hands grab her head.
Back with Naruto and Shikamaru she came awake with a gasp. Naruto noticed the expression on her face and her frowned.
''Ino-'' he began putting a hand on her shoulder.
Ino's eyes whipped from the slowly rising sun to Naruto and when her eyes met his, she threw herself into his chest and cried hysterically, his shirt muffled most of the sound and he stood awkwardly.
He looked at Shikamaru for help but the guy just lifted his shoulders and pulled a pack of smokes from his pocket.
Naruto and Ino had never exactly been friends and for her to cry like this, it had to have been bad.
He awkwardly held her as she cried, patting her back slowly and turning to look at the slowly lighting sky. Time was almost up.
''Shikamaru, take her, I need to report to Shizune while there's still some night left.''
Shikamaru took a long drag and blew out a thick puff of smoke before he nodded and stepped closer.
''Oi, Ino, come on, lets get home.''
Ino pulled in a staggering breath before she nodded and stood up. She gave Naruto a half-hearted a glare before she jumped from the roof.
Shikamaru took another drag, this time blowing it from his nose. ''See you later, right?''
''Yeah.'' Naruto answered, watching Shikamaru go after Ino.
Naruto had a dreadful feeling that something horrible had happened tonight.
Sakura took a deep breath, a musty, mossy smell filling her senses. The heavy sound of rushing water near by, the furry thing in her hand, her clothes-
FURRY THING?
Sakura let out a screech and jumped up, letting *it* go, and began shivering disgustedly. She muttered incoherently as she paced back and forth.
Somewhere behind her someone began laughing and Sakura spun around. It was only Temari.
...Temari. Everything set back in and Sakura looked down at the ground. The wig. She blushed bright red and gave an embarrassed laugh as she picked it up and dusted it off. Only now, looking down at her clothes. The cloak was in the corner, Temari must have taken it off of her. Her torn clothes were hanging off of her body, she'd lost weight in the last two weeks, muscle too.
At least the bloodstains were now washed away.
''We're going to have to stop and get you new clothes. I suppose you don't have an ID with you?''
Sakura felt on top of her head. A Shinobi's identification was his or her forehead protector. Hers was...gone. Maybe Kalika or Elani had taken it off of her.
''No use. No ones allowed to wear one. We need these.'' the blonde produced a small card. There was a photo of her profile on it, her name, age, and affiliation next to it. Profession was left empty.
''They purposefully left the profession open, lets them know who used to be a Shinobi.'' she informed Sakura darkly.
''I...my ID card is at home.''
''That one won't work. We'll have to get you a fake one.''
Sakura nodded. ''H..Haruka Akaya.''
Temari nodded. ''We'll add Suna just in case,'' Temari paused, looking at the falling water. ''Today we make it to Konoha.''
Sakura nodded when Temari looked back at her. ''Today.'' she agreed.
Suddenly, there was a screech from outside and Sakura and Temari both tensed and came to alert, running out of the cave to inspect.
Sakura's green eyes widened. It was the biggest hawk she'd ever seen. Big and brown. It soared up along the waterfall before it flipped in the air and flew away.
''I've never seen a hawk like that,'' Sakura said softly.
''Its pretty big. Almost like a summoning, don't you think?''
Sakura nodded in agreement, watching it disappear on the horizon.
''We should move. Now.''
For the first half of the trip, they traveled swiftly, using the highest and darkest paths to go by undetected. It went by uneventful, until Temari had stopped. It was, or used to be, a lodging and entertainment town. Now...it looked completely run-down and...a little pathetic. Sakura immediately felt guilty and selfish for thinking that...none of this had been their fault.
Temari got some money from her pocket. ''Here, go buy some clothes.''
Sakura's eyes widened. ''Temari, I can't take your money.''
Temari rolled her eyes. ''Its not mine, its Gaara's. Are you going to reject the Kazekage's kind offer.''
Sakura blushed slightly, clearly embarrassed. ''I...- well, no.''
Temari gave a cheeky smile. ''Good.''
''I'll meet you back here in two hours. Then we'll get a room, clean up and get some lunch.''
Sakura nodded a moved to walk away, but Temari grabbed her arm. ''Be careful.''
Sakura smoothed out the blonde wig with her free hand and gave Temari a smile. ''You too.''
And then they split up.
Sakura walked around what seemed to be a street market. It reminded her so much of their mission with Tazuna. Before they'd taken Gatou out, things were also tough, but this...this was so much worse. Sakura bit her lip. Stale breads, too-ripe fruits and vegetables, necessities at break-neck prices.
People were begging, crying for a better price that they could afford but the vendors shook their heads.
Sakura walked up to through first clothing stall, eager to get out quickly.
She browsed around, finding black shorts with a comfortable, stretchy and easily moveable material. She was looking for a top or vest to go with it, but instead all there was, was a black dress, exactly in the same shape as the dress she wore as a genin, except it had a thick pink belt around the middle, that seemed to click shut in the front.
She took both items, since her shoes were fine and took them to pay.
It was expensive, and cost all of her money. Sakura paid the woman and moved out of the crowed, holding her bag to her chest and making her way to where she would meet Temari.
Temari, on the other hand, was feeling extremely annoyed and dirty. She was in a bar, sitting at the table with the most revolting man she'd ever met. He wasn't unattractive - while his mouth was closed. It wasn't just the talking however. The teeth that weren't gold, were completely rotten. His clothes smelled like old mucky blood, his skin dirty, and those beady little eyes...
''What do ya need, sexy?'' he said, his voice hoarse and low as he poked a cigarette from an almost empty packet and lit it, taking a deep drag and blowing it out.
The smoke wafted over Temari and she coughed. It was the strong kind, 100% pure tobacco. The smoke was a thick white cloud.
''ID.'' she said reluctantly.
He smiled slowly and Temari resisted the urge to gag. ''For you?''
''No. For my friend, Haruka Akaya.''
''Right.'' he said as if he knew she was lying. ''Age?''
Temari assumed that Sakura was 17, since she, herself was 18.
''Seventeen.''
''Hmm...Where's she from?''
''Suna.''
He nodded. ''Profession?''
''Leave it open.''
He started at her for a moment before he nodded.
''I'll need a photo, she'll...have to come and see me...''
''She has a pretty generic face.'' Temari said slowly, he must figure that she's important if she needs a fake ID.
''Is that so.''
''Straight, and slightly wavy, shoulder length blonde hair, apple green eyes, large forehead.''
''Laiki!'' he screeched horribly and a young boy with curly brown hair came around the corner, his clothing was tattered and he seemed afraid.
''Y-Yes, Andou-sama?''
''Get me Hali!''
''Y-Yes, Andou-sama.'' and then he disappeared.
Several seconds later, a girl appeared, seemingly the exact description that Temari gave, except her forehead was slightly smaller and her chest was bigger. Luckily the photo was only from the shoulders-up.
The girl, Hali, was wearing a thin robe and it was obvious she was naked beneath it, her eyes were red as if she'd been crying.
''Hali, come here!'' he demanded.
Her eyes grew wide and she nodded, taking hesitant steps towards him.
''Hurry up!'' he spat and she stumbled the last two steps before he grabbed her and kissed her mouth roughly. She didn't fight, she just seemed to become numb and allowed him to do what he wanted. Temari looked away. This was most likely a prostitute. She seemed to have entered this...profession not long after the war ended.
'Andou-sama' shoved her away and muttered curses at her.
''Does she satisfy you?'' he asked, directing the question at Temari.
''She'll...she's fine.''
''Hali, go to Doraku and get your fucking picture taken.''
''H-Hai, Andou-sama.'' she whispered and scurried away.
''Now...for the matter of payment.''
Temari narrowed her eyes and produced a thick wad of bills from her bag.
''Your money is no good here, what I want is a more physical payment.''
Temari's hands clenched the bills. ''Take only the money or leave it, I'm sure I can find someone else to help me.''
For a moment they glared at each other before he let out a grown and grabbed the money from her grasp.
''I'll be back in 10,'' and then he disappeared into the back.
The ten minutes felt like hours to Temari, when he finally came out and dropped the ID on the table.
''Planning to reconsider my offer?'' he asked lowly.
''Not even in hell.''
''Get the fuck out.''
Temari didn't look back as she walked out of the bar and went to find Sakura.
Ino stood over Konohamaru, healing what she could slowly. She couldn't get the images out of her head. Even as a ninja, even when working at the hospital...she'd never seen anything that horrible.
Tears dripped onto Konohamaru's bare chest and Ino lifted a hand to her mouth as she cried.
''Ino-chan?'' came a whisper from below.
Ino swallowed back her tears and looked down at him. ''Oh, Konohamaru-kun, you're awake, how do you feel?''
''Better.'' he whispered again. ''You saved me?''
Ino nodded. ''Me, Shika, Neji and Naruto.''
Konohamaru smiled, even though it seemed to pain him. ''Naruto-nii...''
''He only helped.''
That didn't throw Konohamaru off and Ino rolled her eyes as she continued healing him.
''You'll get in trouble now...everyone will.''
''What?''
''Because I got away...Konoha will be destroyed.''
''Don't be ridiculous. We won't let that happen. Konoha has a lot of strong ninja. And once you're healed, you'll help too.''
''We've lost so many...Hokage-Baa...Kakashi-sama...Sakura-san...''
Ino closed her eyes, she hadn't heard Sakura's name in a while. Her best friend...even if she'd never admit it. Now she'd never get the chance. Another thing to cry about. But she wouldn't.
''We'll win Konohamaru, we have Naruto, don't we?''
That made Konohamaru smile. ''Yeah. We can't lose.''
Sakura had just gotten out of the shower and was freshly dressed in her new clothes. She fitted her wig onto her head and stared excitedly at the clock. Temari had told her that they were in Jigoku! Which was half-an-hour away from Tanzuka Town! Which was an hour walk from Konoha! They'd make it to Konoha by 8pm. This was the first good news that she'd gotten in a while and was anxious to get going. There was a knock at the door and Sakura jumped up and opened it.
''Ready to go?'' Temari asked.
Sakura nodded, ''just one second.'' she said and turned back, using her chakra to set fire to her old clothes in the waste paper basket.
''Here.'' Temari held out what seemed to be her ID.
Sakura looked at it, then looked at it again...and then again.
''This looks nothing like me?''
Temari gave a laugh, ''It'll have to do until we get to Konoha and we can have an official ID issued.''
Sakura sighed and shoved it into her top. ''Lets just go.''
Temari nodded and followed Sakura out.
Right past Tanzuka they were stopped.
''Patrol.'' Temari whispered and Sakura felt her heart speed up.
''Where are you headed?''
''Konoha.'' Temari answered defiantly.
''What business do you have in Konoha?''
''None of your business.'' Temari snapped back.
''Temari...'' Sakura whispered. And here she'd thought they were going to keep a low profile.
''IDs.'' he demanded.
Sakura and Temari both handed him theirs, he checked it and handed them back.
''I suggest you handle your business in Konoha quickly. Old-Shinobi like yourselves could pick up a lot of trouble on your own, and how would you defend yourselves without chakra?'' he asked, handing them the cards back.
''We'll keep that in mind. Lets go Akaya.'' Temari said and Sakura was relieved that Temari had remembered.
They stepped past the guard.
Neither spoke the rest of the way. Meeting one of Madara's men had darkened their moods, but Sakura was more worried about getting home. A home where her best friend...was dead. How would she make it without him? He was always there for her, not judging just supporting her.
A masked man jumped down from a tree, right in front of them and Temari froze, grabbing Sakura's wrist.
Two more landed on each side, and three more at the back, circling them completely.
''Temari...'' Sakura said softly.
''Whats happening?''
Temari said nothing, but she gripped Sakura's wrist tighter.
''I'll handle this.'' said one of the masked faces.
No, please...
Sakura blinked, wait...where did she know that voice from...it was so very familiar.
''Are you sure you can handle this, Copy Ninja?''
...
Copy Ninja...
''Aa.''
Kakashi-sensei...