Colors of Life and Death series
Truth in Dreams
by Songbird21

Chapter 33

By the time the team reached the outer limits of Insei Naruto's stomach was doing back flips. He had used a henge to hide his fangs but he still couldn't help feeling like someone would find him out.

A guard called out to them as they neared the city gate. "Ohayo. What business do you have in Insei?"

Naruto looked to Gai and the older man nodded. "Ohayo. We're shinobi from Konoha. We have an appointment with the Daimyo," Naruto said.

The guard gave Naruto a funny look. Perhaps from surprise that he was not being addressed by the adult of the group. "Give me a moment to get confirmation."

Naruto nodded and the guard sent one of his team mates to deliver the message.

Gai noticed Naruto let out a nervous breath and placed a comforting hand on the teen's shoulder. "Don't worry. You're doing fine," he said with a grin.

A few moments later the messenger returned and said something to the guard. The guard smiled and nodded. "Please follow me."

As the group made their way down the city streets Sakura noted how beautiful the place was. All the buildings had a flow in their design as if they could become liquid at any moment. Most of the colors in the city were ocean themed—tans, blues, grays and greens. Beautiful flowers and other types of landscaping were everywhere. Yes, this was truly the city of a Daimyo.

"I do not mean to be rude, but may I ask why you addressed me and not your sensei?" the guard asked Naruto.

Gai spoke up. "Our group is actually made up of two teams. Naruto here is in charge of the diplomatic mission," he said with a smile in Naruto's direction.

The guard's eyebrows rose in surprise but he smiled. "You must be an accomplished young man for the Hokage to entrust you with such an important mission."

Sasuke snorted and Sakura kicked him in the shin, earning her a venomous glare in return.

Gai came to the rescue once again. "Naruto-kun has done a lot for Konoha. He'll do a fantastic job!" he said with a thumbs up and a sparkling smile.

Naruto's expression was a mixture of a wince and a smile. "Arigato."

All the Konoha shinobi were seated on large pillows in front of a tan-skinned man who's weight rivaled that of Chouji's father. He wore a formal, blue kimono and his long brown hair was pulled back into a braid that reached what little he had of a waist. He wore a polite smile as he spoke to them.

"Greetings my friends. I trust this day finds you well. I am Daimyo Kyoha. Pleased to meet you" he said with a slight bow of his head.

Naruto's mind had gone completely blank. He looked to Hinata with subtle panic in his eyes that only she would recognize. She leaned over and whispered in his ear. Naruto bowed low and spoke. "I am Uzumaki Naruto. I will be negotiating with you for the rights to your salt exports. Pleased to make your acquaintance, Daimyo-sama."

Once Naruto sat back up Gai introduced himself. "I am Maito Gai. I will be leading the team investigating the missing children. It is a pleasure to meet you, Daimyo-sama."

"Very good," Kyoha said with approval. "Now to the unpleasant business ahead of us. Gai-sensei, I assume you've had at least a brief explanation of what has been happening."

Gai nodded. "Hai, Daimyo-sama, but I have yet to hear the full details."

"Over the past three weeks fourteen children have been kidnapped. Two of them were visitors to Insei and the most current one was taken only an hour ago," Kyoha explained. He picked up a file folder and opened it to the last page. "The latest victim is Sakai Inari. He was taken from outside one of our hot springs."

Naruto and Sakura gasped and Sasuke's eyes widened as images of Inari flashed in their memories.

Kyoha looked puzzled. "Am I missing something?"

"We...we know him, Daimyo-sama," Sakura managed as Naruto's expression became angry.

He gritted his teeth and was barely able to stay sitting. The idea that Inari had been taken away from his home after team seven had fought so hard to save his family from Zabuza's employer made Naruto furious.

Hinata noticed Naruto's emotional state and placed her hand on his. He looked at her and got the message. Noticeably calmer he looked back at Kyoha. "I apologize for my reaction. This is a shock and I'm very worried," he said tensely.

Kyoha nodded. "Of course."

"Do you have any idea why the children were taken?" Gai asked.

Kyoha sighed and shook his head. "Not really. The best idea we've come up with so far is a potential slave trade. No one person could have done this. It would take a large group and skilled planning. I can't believe it's something as simple as the average kidnapping."

"I agree. We'll get started immediately," Gai said.

"Very good." Kyoha nodded toward the guard who had lead them to the palace. "Hakuba-san will take you to the place where Inari was last seen."

Gai and his team stood. "We will do our best, Daimyo-sama," he said with a low bow.

"Follow me, please," Hakuba said as he walked toward the door.

Before Gai's team left Neji looked at team seven. "Don't worry. We will find your friend," he said with a determined expression.

"Naruto-san, are you alright to continue today or do you need time to collect your thoughts?" Kyoha offered.

Naruto desperately wanted to take Kyoha up on his offer but he knew that if he was going to be Hokage he couldn't afford to let his emotions take him over so completely anymore. "Thank you for your offer, Daimyo-sama, but we should get on with our mission."

"Very well then. What can you offer our country that the others have not?" Kyoha asked.

Naruto nodded, checked his notes quickly and spoke. "We can offer you four hundred and fifty thousand yen per month and should you require the help of our shinobi they will be available to you at no cost."

Sakura just watched Naruto in amazement. To see him so formal and polite nearly made him seem like a different person all together. Sasuke however wore an approving smirk. Maybe his brother was growing up after all.

Kyoha was quiet for a moment as he considered the offer. "Very interesting. I..." He was cut off as woman with black hair cut to the bottom of her chin walked into the room.

"I am in the middle of an important meeting, Narumi," Kyoha said. "Can this wait?"

"I'm afraid not, Daimyo-sama. It's very important," Narumi said with an urgent tone.

Kyoha frowned and looked back to Naruto. "Please excuse me for a moment. I shouldn't be long," he said with a slight bow of his head.

"Of course, Daimyo-sama," Naruto replied with a low bow.

Kyoha and Narumi walked into an adjoining room and shut the sliding door.

"Is it about Kidomizu?" Kyoha asked tensely.

"Hai," Narumi said in a whisper. "There have been reports of suspicious people near his home."

Kyoha frowned. "Alright. Disguise yourself and move him and his foster family to a safe location. Make it look like they are going on a family outing or it might attract attention."

Narumi bowed quickly. "As you command, Daimyo-sama."

"What do you think they're talking about in there?" Naruto asked Sakura.

Sakura frowned. And just when she thought he was maturing. "It's none of our business, Naruto-kun. Just be patient."

Naruto pouted and leaned his head on Hinata's but quickly sat up again when he heard the door opening.

Kyoha came in with a smile. "I apologize for the interruption. Just a matter of internal affairs," he said as he resumed his place on the rather ornate throne he had occupied earlier.

"It's not a problem, Daimyo-sama," Naruto replied graciously.

Kyoha smiled widely. "Splendid. Now, as for your offer. I believe I will accept."

Naruto's face broke into a grin. "Arigato, Daimyo-sama. You won't regret it," he said as he bent down into a floor-kissing bow.

"And since your business here is completed you may join Gai-sensei's team in their search. I will send the paperwork for our transaction home with you when you leave Insei," Kyoha said.

Naruto bowed again. "Arigato."

"I'm so glad that's over," Naruto said as they emerged from the palace. "Being that formal is exhausting."

Sakura rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Baka."

"I see. Thank you for your help," Gai said to the elderly man he had been questioning.

"Tazuna-san?"

Tazuna turned toward the voice he'd just heard and squinted as though he was trying to place her face. "Do I know you?" His gaze moved to Naruto and then came to rest on his cheek marks. "Hey now! Is that Naruto?!" he asked happily.

Sakura pouted in disappointment that Tazuna hadn't recognized her also. After all—How many pink-haired ninja could there be?

Naruto smiled. "Hey, Tazuna."

"You're here to help look for Inari too?" Tazuna asked hopefully.

Naruto's smile faltered a bit. "Hai. And we'll find him. You can count on it!" he said firmly.

"Arigato, Naruto-kun," Tazuna replied with a respectful bow.

"Unfortunately Tazuna-san didn't see anything so our only option is to split up and search," Gai said. "We'll take the east side near the river. One of the residents said their child disappeared from that area. You might want to start near the salt mines. I've been told there are many other tunnels not in use. It would be a tempting hiding place."

Naruto nodded. "Okay." He looked to his team. "Let's go!"

Neji frowned as Gai's team headed for the river. Something was bothering him. "Gai-sensei?"

"Hm?" Gai said.

"If the river is the most likely starting place why didn't we all start there and then spread out if needed? Why send team seven on such a weak lead?"

Gai smiled. "Naruto is a strong young man, but since it's his first command Tsunade-sama wants him in the lowest risk situation possible."

Neji nodded. "I see."

"Ah. We're here," Gai said as the river came into sight. "Spread out and look for clues. Report back here in twenty minutes."

The cave entrance in front of them was rather wet and a cold wind blew from it making it very uninviting. "Okay, we're here. Umm." Naruto looked around at his team, trying to choose a formation and praying to God he knew what the hell he was doing. "Hina-chan, you take the lead, I'll go after you. Sakura, you're after me. Sasuke, you bring up the rear and keep an eye out for an attack from behind."

Sakura smiled. "That sounds good, Naruto-kun."

Naruto gave her a grateful smile. "Let's get moving then."

Sakura shivered and rubbed her arms. She hadn't anticipated needing warmer clothing. It must be a deep cave for it to be this cold, she thought.

"See anything yet, Hina-chan?" Naruto asked.

"Nothing yet. There are so many tunnels it's hard to keep track of which ones I've already looked at," Hinata said with a tone of apology.

"It's okay, Hina-chan. Just keep looking," Naruto replied encouragingly.

Tenten had been checking the trees for clues when she noticed Gai standing in a small clearing, staring at nothing. She leapt down beside him. "Gai-sensei, are you okay?"

"Hai." Gai answered. "But something is bothering me. It didn't occur to me straight away, but after looking over the list of missing children and talking to the adults in the city I realized that all the children taken were boys around eleven years old."

Tenten's eyes widened a bit. "That can't be a coincidence," she said with a frown.

"Hai. I think we need to speak with the Daimyo again. There's something he's not telling us." Gai turned to Tenten. "Find the others and meet me at the palace. I'm going to retrieve team seven." As Tenten left Gai stared at the afternoon sky in thought for a moment. Just who are the kidnappers looking for?

.........TO BE CONTINUED

Dun dun duuuuuun! Lol. I love cliffies. But this one's not too bad so I think I can safely stay out of the RPB (Reader Proof Bunker).

I was informed by two of my readers that brandiuchiha has posted some of book one under her account and is claiming it as hers. I assure you this person does not have my permission and I am doing everything in my power to have my story removed from her account. So anyways, I have been informed of the situation and thanks to the ones who pointed it out.

Another reader told me about a plot mistake I made last chappy. Hinata's mother couldn't have been killed by the Kyuubi because Hanabi is younger than Hinata and therefore would have to have been born quite a while after the Kyuubi attack. This has been fixed. :)

Next chapter will hopefully be soon since I'll be leaving for vacation next Friday.

Please read and review! :)

Thanks,

Song