Chapter 32: Traitor's Mark

He had to move. He had to get home. It had already been a day since the attack and there was no doubt that traitor lunatic was headed for the ikken'ya. He still couldn't believe he had been so careless about telling them the location. Of course Kakashi did always tell him that he was far to trusting with strangers. It was just his luck that the teme had to be proven right now of all times.

"Rin," Obito said as he struggled to rise. "Shinta…Shigure…"

"Are they your family?" Kaemon said as he gently stroked Mitsu's lifeless hand.

"My wife…and twin boys."

The blood pooling around Obito's head alerted Kaemon to the fact that the other man didn't have much longer to live. Then again, with his broken ribs he couldn't move either, which would ultimately mean death anyway. And with Mitsu gone…well, he didn't really care either way.

"She was…really. Important to you."

Kaemon gave out a single, painful laugh as his fingers moved from Mitsu's hand to her pale and lifeless cheek. "She was my everything. After this mission…I was going to ask her to marry me. I guess it's true what they say. Don't procrastinate. You never know when the good will end."

Obito's eyebrows furrowed. "I've never heard that….Who said it?"

"Kisho, surprisingly enough."

At the name of the man who had done this Obito's struggles to rise increased. "I have…to stop him…My…family…."

Kaemon closed his eyes for a second before they opened once again and scanned the destroyed camp, taking in the mutilated bodies of his long time companions.

"You won't make it."

Obito scowled. "I have…to…try…"

"It won't make a difference. No matter how hard you try."

Obito's vision swam heavily as blackness crawled at the corner of his vision.

"You won't live long enough to make it another two inches."

He could feel his heart slow as his pulse pushed more and more sticky fluid from the wound in his head.

"But don't worry. I'll go for you. Kisho won't get away with this." Kaemon placed a gentle kiss on Mitsu's long dead lips. "I'll take care of your family in your place. Even if it costs me my life."

On the very brink of death and already blinded to the world Obito smiled as best he could as his pale lips uttered his dying gratitude.

"Arigato." He said before the icy grip of death finally solidified its hold and dragged him from the living world.

"Rest well my friend," Kaemon said as he climbed to his feet. "Rest well."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Midori sniffed as she wiped her tears from her bright red eyes. Her silvery white hair stood on end from her interrupted sleep but she knew that she had to be strong. Ever since the day her mommy and daddy and auntie fell asleep she had to take care of the others. She was the oldest after all.

But oh how she wished that her mommy would wake up. She didn't think she was taking care of Kaede-chan right. It didn't matter what Midori did, Kaede-chan just wouldn't stop crying.

Shigure-kun and Shinta-kun tried to help too, but they were two whole years younger then her. They were boys, but they didn't have to act like boys yet. They were still just babies too. At least that's what auntie said.

Something outside rustled in the darkness and Midori cringed, hoping that it wasn't the same scary spider that had made her parents and auntie fall asleep. He didn't actually see her or the others, but she was so scared that he knew they were there. That he was playing a very scary game of hide and seek.

Kaede-chan's stomach growled loudly once again and she screamed out in pain. Midori climbed into the crib next to her and lifted her up into her lap.

"Kade-tan has to be tuiet." Midori said as she tried to give the baby milk from a glass. "The mean spidur is back."

But Kaede-chan didn't stop crying as the warm, and slightly sour milk dripped onto her already soiled clothing. More tears filled Midori's eyes as Shinta-kun and Shigure-kun climbed up next to her and her baby sister.

"Was dat Idowi-tan?" Shigure said.

"Da spidur."

Shinta whimpered and pressed closer to Shigure and Midori.

"I wan ka-tan to wate up."

"Yah." Midori said. "Me too."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Sakura jerked to a stop about half a mile from the ikken'ya. Her body trembling lightly as her eyes went wide in shock.

"Sakura?" Hinata said. "What's wrong?"

"The Ikken'ya," Sakura said. "There's something wrong with our sensei…I can't feel any of them…"

Hinata gasped and her head jerked around. "You don't think…?"

Without answering Sakura just exchanged a glance with the dark haired Hyuuga before the two of them broke out into a heavy sprint.

"Hinata?! Sakura?!" Naruto shouted. "Hey! Where are you going?"

"What's wrong?" Sasuke said as he left his charges to stand at Naruto's side.

"The girls just suddenly took off towards the Ikken'ya…" A pasty pale color crept over Naruto's face. "You don't think that something happened?"

Sasuke cursed and, ignoring Haku and Zabuza who were trailing behind, he and Naruto sprinted after the girls. Hoping that they would be able to make it in time to stop them from seeing something they shouldn't.

Unfortunately they were too late.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Oi sensei. Do you think we have enough food?"

Kyo chuckled and messed Chouji's spiky brown hair. "Yes Chouji. I'm sure we have enough food."

"Just making sure you know," Chouji said with a sheepish grin. "I don't want anyone to go hungry."

"Kyo-sensei," Shibuki said. "Are you sure we all have to evacuate?"

Kyo nodded sadly. "If the traitor is who I believe it is, even your hidden entrance won't do us any good. He already knows how to get here."

"You know who it is brat?" Baki said as he flicked a cigarette to the side.

"No." Kyo's nose wrinkled. "Baki, I've asked you a million times not to smoke around the kids."

"Why do you think I put it out when he showed up?" Baki said as he jerked his thumb in Shibuki's direction.

Kyo just sighed.

"Daddy," Akira said as he tugged on Kyo's pants. "I brought mom. I'm ready to go now."

Kyo crouched down next to his son and gently ran his hand through the boy's downy red hair. Reaching over he took the small locket Akira held out and flipped it open to reveal a small picture of his late wife along with a picture of her holding their son as a baby. Kyo closed his eyes and bit his lip as his hand closed gently around the locket.

Finally his eyes opened and he smiled. "Good boy," he said. "Make sure you take good care of her."

Akira nodded firmly. "I promise daddy. I'll take good care of mom."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Sweat poured down Yume's face as he struggled to complete his final ten pushups. Sure he had kept in shape during his years of captivity but he was no where near the level he had to be to make his escape. Well, not quite near the level anyway.

After making it about a quarter of the way up the wall he realized that his current upper body strength wasn't enough to do what he needed to have done. And so he devised himself a rigorous training schedule. Four thousand pushups every day until it became easier then walking. As far as he could tell though, he was still several weeks, if not months away from that goal.

'Still,' He thought as he finished his final pushup of the day. 'I'm that much closer to escape. After all. I've waited six years already, what's another few months compared to that?'

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Horror. Pure, unadulterated horror is all that Hinata and Sakura felt as they threw open the door to the ikken'ya only to find the mangled and rotting bodies of three of their teachers. Bile rose hot in Hinata's throat and, unable to hold it back, she doubled over and spilled the contents of her stomach onto the already stinking floor. Tears blurred Sakura's vision and she slumped to the floor. She felt nothing. Not even despair. She was just empty.

A sudden piercing cry caused both Hinata and Sakura to jerk their faces to the ceiling. Hope mixed with terror filled their faces as they scrambled to their feet and dodged the bloodied floor in a frantic race to the stairs. Upon reaching the top landing they quickly threw open the door to the nursery. The frightened cries of three toddlers along with the hungry wail of a baby caused the two girls to slump against each other in absolute relief.

"M-Midori-chan?" Sakura said as she slowly entered the room. "Are you alright?"

Midori's trembling slowly stopped and she sat up slowly, her sister's dirty blanket still clutched tightly to the crown of her head.

"S-Sakuwa-tan?"

"Midori!" Sakura's hesitation dropped to the ground like a wet blanket and she raced across the room to lift the trembling four year old from the crib she was sharing with the other three children.

Midori clung to Sakura tightly as she wailed loudly about a "Scawy Spidur" and how "Kade-tan won eat!" and that "Ka-tan falled asweep!" and "Tou-tan won wate up!"

As Sakura tried to calm Midori, Hinata was bombarded by the twins. After about two minutes the sound of a baby crying once again filled the room and Sakura started. Shifting Midori on her hip she rushed to the crib once more.

"Midori-chan!" Sakura said as she set Midori on her feet and lifted the baby. "Is this your sister?"

Midori nodded and rubbed her eyes. "Y-yah. Dat's Kade. S-She won eat. A-an she won stop cwying."

"Kade?" Sakura said as she gently rocked the baby in an attempt to comfort her.

"No KA-de."

"Uhh…Ka..ede?"

Midori nodded.

"Okay. Let's get you and Kaede-chan and the twins cleaned up okay?"

Hinata nodded and relief filled her as she realized that Sakura was trying to get their minds focused on something other then the bodies of their dead teachers. They weren't over it by a long shot, but at least if they had the children to worry about they didn't have to dwell on the sight below.

Sakura shifted Kaede into one arm and lifted Midori into the other. "The stairs are broken so we're going to have to go out the window okay?"

Midori tilted her head in slight confusion but she nodded anyway.

Hinata nodded to Sakura as well, silently complimenting her on her insight. If the children hadn't already seen what was downstairs then they definitely wanted to make sure that they never did.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The funeral was small. No large service or extravagant memorial tablet. Just a few heartfelt words and a quick cremation. Not wanting the kids to watch their parents burn, Sakura and Hinata made sure that Naruto and Sasuke didn't start the fire until well after they had put them to bed. It was a sad affair, but it wasn't something for them to dwell on. After all, the death of their mentors meant that there was someone very powerful nearby who knew of the ikken'ya. It was no longer safe to stay where they were. They had to move on.

Of course moving on would be a bit of a problem as well. While four almost teenagers might be able to get away with traveling on their own, four almost teenagers with three toddlers and a baby would most definitely not. Especially with two very deadly missing nins trailing them.

Sasuke sighed and sat down hard on the log facing their small fire. Something had to be done, but what would that be? The only thing he could think of would be to alter their appearance with henge, but there was no way they would be able to do that for days on end. And even if they did, a more experienced ninja would be able to see right through it.

Suddenly it hit him. In the bags of scrolls that they had brought, there were four of them that were sealed up tightly with a single crest from each clan. When they got them Hikari had warned them that they were highly forbidden techniques that only certain members of their four corner clans had the ability to learn.

"What'cha thinking about Sasuke-teme?" Naruto said as he dropped next to his best friend.

"Those scrolls that were sealed. It is probably impossible. But…what if we were able to use one?"

Naruto's eyes widened. "No way. Are you serious?"

Sasuke sighed and put his palm to his forehead. "No. Forget it. For us to be able to be 'those certain members'…" He shook his head. "It would be far too convenient."

"Hey, hey, hey!" Naruto said. "Don't be that way after saying something like that teme! I mean, if you think about it, we have to be 'those certain members' right?"

"What are you talking about? It would be impossible."

"No way teme!" Naruto said. "It was always like that in those stories back home. A group of ninja heroes are forced to join up together after a terrible bad guy takes over their homes and it just so happens that one of them has a secret ninja scroll that can only be used by two or the certain people and the group of ninja heroes are always those people! It's like, a law or something, right?"

Sasuke blinked. "That has to be the most idiotic, ridiculous, useless crap that you have ever said."

"Hey!" Naruto said with a glare. "You wanna fight?!"

Sasuke just ignored him and stood up.

"Where are you going? I'm not done with you!"

"I'm going to get the scroll bag."

Naruto's anger instantly popped like a balloon and he stared. "Huh? Why?"

Sasuke tossed a smirk over his shoulder. "Because even if what you said was idiotic, ridiculous, useless crap, you somehow always manage to be right when it comes to stuff like that."

"So we're gonna try it!"

Sasuke chuckled and grabbed the bag from his tent. "Yeah dobe. We're going to try it."

End Chapter 32

Kaliea: Hey guys. Sorry about the very late update. I've been in CA with very limited internet access and not much of a writer's spirit. To much work. It made me wayyyy tired. Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and I will do my best to make the next one longer and faster. Ja for now!

Review Answers:

Lumiere Hikari: Well, here's my update. I hope it didn't take so long that it ran you off. Anyway, I hope that you like it. Please drop me a review after you've read it. Enjoy!

HarukoElric-AKA-inufan005-: Nope. Not in this fic anyway. I love a nice Itachi, I just wish he could be nicer under happier circumstances. Oh well. Maybe in my next fic.

-Stained-Cherry-Blosso...: Thank-you very much. I'm glad you liked it!

Hiei-Touya-icedemon: There's going to be a lot more ItaHika coming later as the due date of Hikari's baby comes closer and closer. In fact, I'm thinking of making a whole arch just for them and Kane (the baby). With a bit of Yume appearing too.

sallyluv16: I hope it does too. But I really can't tell you yes or no yet. You'll just have to wait until the next chapter…I think it's the next one anyway…Cough…

Danny-171984: Like I told Dragon Man 180. He isn't jealous so much as he was worried. He was afraid that Haku had threatened her or hurt her in some way. He was just showing his adorable overprotective side is all. Thanks for the well wishes by-the-way.

Princess Ren: I'll do my best.

blackXpinksakura: Well, I didn't update very quickly but I do hope that you enjoyed the chapter anyway.

Suki dah Turdle: Yeah, I figured it was pretty mean of me to just kill her off like that so I gave Kyo some closure.

Tears like Crystals: Thank-you! I'm glad you liked it. Sakura is pretty fun to write and I like to think that, just because she isn't a total groupie in this fic, she still has her thoughts mostly centered on her Sasuke-kun.

ShinkuNoTenshi: Actually, I did mean to but Hikari instead of Sakura. If you remember Hikari was Kyo's student back in Konoha so he knows her better then he knows Sakura. That isn't to say that he doesn't care for Sakura, it's just more natural for his brain to think 'Hikari' when someone says cousin. Especially since he didn't know about Sakura's healing powers.

Dragon Man 180: Not angry so much as concerned. If you walked into a room where your might as well be girlfriend was sitting with a dangerous stranger looking worried you would probably freak out too.

Shinobi Darkbeak: Thank-you! I'll do my best!

Kaliea: Thanks so much for all of your reviews! It's nice to know that I still have support despite my long pauses. You all are awesome! Until next time, ja ne!