Tenshi? Tenshi Yudashi? It can't be!
Yuki's eyes never left the eyes of the Shinobi before her. The last time she'd seen him, had been approximately four years ago. She couldn't believe that he had returned to the village. The arrogance to believe that she would forgive him so easily, caused a vein in her forehead to twitch.
"So? I don't know who that is! And I don't care. I'm gonna rip you limb from limb!" Naruto yelled, dashing forward.
"Naruto, wait!" Anko called.
Yuki didn't hesitate to move, the wind whipping up behind her as she closed the gap, preventing Naruto from attacking his intended target.
"Move Yuki!"
"No," she replied, shaking her head in defiance.
She glanced behind herself and noticed that Tenshi was looking away from her, and to his partner, who was staring back. She returned her gaze back to Naruto, whose rage was so inconsolable he was shaking from head to toe.
"Stop playing around!" Naruto yelled, stepping forward.
"I won't let you hurt him," Yuki replied, moving to counteract his movement.
"Why, Yuki?" Anko asked, her tone curious.
"He is the contact. Tsunade would fail us if he was in less than perfect condition. I assure you that this is nothing personal."
She let her hands fall back to her sides, and turned around to face him. She heard a low rumble emanating from the pair. The sound cut off, as Tenshi fixed a glared at his friend.
What's going on between those two?
She let out a low sigh, before she stepped forward.
"On your knees, hands behind yourself," she commanded, reaching into her pouch for ninja thread. She watched him comply with not a single sound or a single complaint. She stepped forward, kneeling to his level, and started binding his arms tightly with wire. She pulled on the wire, hearing his sharp intake of air, letting him know that she didn't care for his safety.
After only a second, she yanked him to his feet.
"Let's go," Yuki stated, her tone cold.
The procession headed towards the village, their movements silent. Yuki kept her eyes on the person in front of her, her memories returning to the betrayal. It didn't make sense. He came to the village that HE had attacked, to give them information. She shook her head, years old rage rising up the pit of her stomach.
That prick. I should kill him where he stands! I should-
"Yuki."
Naruto's voice snapped her out of her dark fantasy, and returned her to reality.
"Yeah, Naruto-kun?" she asked, unable to find her voice.
"Thanks for stopping me. Maybe the three of us can go get some Ichiraku Ramen, after this," he said, smiling back at her.
Yuki nodded in reply, happy to. Ever since Naruto had become a Chunnin, they had found themselves eating out more and more often. The trio hung out and spent more time together than ever. Tsunade had figured it out one day. It had been awkward talking about the love triangle, but the Hokage had explained it was perfectly natural. She hadn't expected that Kyuubi would be satisfied with just one partner, and personally had been curious as to who she would choose.
Yuki's eyes gazed over the woman that ran only a few feet from her. The sandy blonde hair and young face, instantly made Yuki jealous, though she was more than content in her relationship. The rings of insomnia had grown darker, due to the loss of her kekki genkai.
The seventeen year old let out a low sigh before turning her eyes upward. They had reached the village gate. She recognized the fifty year old Hokage watching them approach, her eyes sparkling with bemusement.
"Alrighty. Good job Squad 19. Everyone to my office. No delay." A poof of smoke signaled her departure.
INSIDE THE HOKAGE'S OFFICE
For the first few minutes, Yuki glared at the shinobi in front of her, as he rubbed the sore skin on his wrists. The moment they had entered the room, the Hokage had freed Tenshi, rubbing his hair affectionately.
"What's going on here?" Naruto demanded starting forward.
Yuki watched Tenshi shrug out of his Akatsuki cloak, and run a hand through his hair.
"It's been awhile since I've felt so free, Hokage-sama. Forgive me, if I do something that might offend you," the girl standing next to Tenshi spoke up. Yuki noticed a look from Tenshi caused the girl to blush.
"Of course, Tenshi-kun. My apologies."
Yuki hadn't heard what he had said, but instinctively knew that her questions would be answered shortly.
"So. What exactly is going on here, Tsunade-sama?" Anko asked, her hands on her hips.
"Four years ago, I after a confrontation between Tenshi and Shinase Yusrai, I pulled Tenshi aside realizing the potential of the current situation. Animosity towards Tenshi had reached an all time high, and at the moment I considered the possibilities. I was well aware that Itachi Uchiha had returned to the village alone, spying on Tenshi. I kept a close watch on his movements and finally decided that after the fight it would be the best time to take advantage of the village's reconstruction to maybe gain some intel from the inside. Everything that Tenshi "did" to the Leaf, was under my instruction. I told him to do whatever need be done to gain the Akatsuki's trust," Tsunade said, her head resting on the fingertips of her hands.
Yuki glanced at Tenshi realizing exactly why he was here. The contact had information on certain individuals, and she could only assume that due to Pain's death, that Tenshi was a little more uninhibited to do as he pleased. Which included breaking free of the Akatsuki's hold.
His life was always in constant danger. He knew the risks and went willingly.
"I never could have hurt a friend, Yuki-chan," he spoke up, his voice soft.
"I'm interested in some of the intel you've included in your report. Eye of the Moon Plan. Is it possible? How close is he to achieving this goal?" Tsunade asked, her eyes returning to him.
Yuki listened with only half a heart, feeling terrible for how cold she had been to him. Surely, he didn't deserve it, right?
"Yuki. I didn't know either. Don't feel too bad," her mother said, patting her shoulder.
"You-WHAT? How did you do that without breaking their trust?" Tsunade demanded, her jaw open in shock.
"I've been one of the most contributional members of the Akatsuki. What I have done, I am not proud of at all. I killed hundreds and sealed bijuu in their name."
Yuki felt her pit roll in disgust, and felt the urge to act, rise up in her chest. Before she could move, someone else's limit broke.
"YOU BASTARD!" Naruto screamed. Yuki could see what his intentions were, by the blood pouring out of his clenched fists. She dashed forward to stop him, reaching for his arm, missing as he pulled out of her reach. She tripped, watching the rest unfold in slow motion. Anko dashed forward, grabbing him around his chest, binding his arms in her hold. Naruto cried his rage out, and broke free, continuing towards his target. Three shinobi moved at once to defend Tenshi, all reaching Naruto in a single instant. Akira grabbed his shoulders, Tsunade placed herself directly in his path, and Tenshi's partner stopped the fist in her palm.
"Get a hold of yourself, Naruto-kun," Akira pleaded, her red eyes wide with emotion. Tsunade started to speak, only to be drowned out by a sorrowful voice.
"Naruto Uzumaki. Do you think that killing didn't have its impact on me? Do you think that I enjoyed what I had to do?" Tenshi said, his voice coming in gasps. Yuki pushed herself to her feet, watching as Tenshi tapped Tsunade and Tenkei aside. He knelt down until Naruto and Tenshi were eye to eye. Yuki's eyes widened in shock, as she took in the expression on his face.
"I've been alone for four years. All my life I've been the subject of hostility, and all I have done is bore a cross for this cursed village. Every time I killed though…the inhumanity of it, tore me to shreds!" Tenshi cried, tears pouring down his face.
"Imagine not being able to express your emotions. Not being able to turn to anyone. Imagine making eye contact with each victim and knowing that what you were about to do was wrong. Knowing it, and being unable to take it back. I did it, to protect you, Naruto. I-I-"
Yuki felt her heart go out for Tenshi, as he turned his back on Naruto, who dashed forward.
"Wait! Nar-"
Her voice died in her throat, as Naruto hugged the younger boy, his eyes sad.
"I-I know. I'm sorry. I didn't think of you. Thank you, Tenshi," Naruto said.
Yuki watched this and a small smile formed on her lips. She understood now, the burden that Tenshi had had to carry for years, and now being home for the first time in years, he was free.
The shinobi returned to their positions, only for Tenshi to stand up, dashing towards Naruto. Yuki's eyes widened and she turned in time to avoid a fist which shot out of nowhere. A swirling in the air before her warned her of an incoming threat. As the orange turned into a mask, and the black into a body, she jumped back, Anko shoving her aside, as a fist sent her flying out of the Hokage's office.
"ANKO-SAMA!" Yuki yelled out, glancing back. She turned back watching the man, who flexed the muscles in his hand.
"Naruto Uzumaki. You are coming with me now," Madara spoke.
"Everyone! Get out of here now! Tenkei, come on!" Tenshi yelled, dashing forward.
"You traitor. Be gone," Madara said, waving his hand once. Yuki watched as an explosion destroyed the exact area where Tenshi had been standing. Yuki straightened herself, dashing forward, forming the hand seals, quickly.
Ox, Hare, Monkey!
"RAIKIRI! (Lightning Blade!)" She got an inch from her target, only to be shoved out of the way. As she fell sideways, she caught sight of Tenshi's partner being absorbed into the mask .
So quick! This isn't good! Already he's taken out three of us. Tenshi, his partner, and Anko-sama. If we continue on, Naruto will be gone before the hours out.
"Hmmm. Genjutsu…Ineffective against my eyes, Tenshi," Madara spoke, throwing a kick behind himself, missing Tenshi by an inch. Tenshi ducked under the attack, barely avoiding the lethal blow.
When did he-?
She rebounded and stopped the technique, turning around, running to Naruto, and shoving him towards the window.
"Wh-what about Tenshi-kun?" Naruto asked. She pushed harder, ignoring the resistance she got. They just needed enough time to get somewhere open, where all of them could defend themselves.
"We have to go. Tsunade, Akira! Come on," Yuki commanded pushing him faster. They jumped together, ignoring the chaos behind them.
Tenshi. Please delay him if only for a minute.