Chapter 46: A Panic Runaway
A/N: I am back with another chapter! I hope everyone enjoys it. Sorry my life got a little busy and I had to do a few things before I was able to get on my computer again. Anyway, please enjoy this chapter! It's a little longer!
As always please leave a comment, follow or message! I enjoy hearing from everyone.
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Sitting from a distance, I smile. Hiding in plain view, waiting for my sweet Tooru to return to me.
Tooru, sweet lost Tooru, your family is waiting.
June 23nd:
Tooru:
"Your family is waiting. Sweet Tooru, come and return to your family."
I sit up, sweat dripping down my face. I feel things tugging at my skin, but I can't focus on them. The dreams… the voice… the sticky sweet voice. Almost like a chocolate fountain, drawing me in, lying to me.
My family is dead.
No one knows where they are. No tombs are there for them, as they no longer exist in the world. The night I escaped they all perished.
Frantically I look around the room.
Alone.
All alone.
I get up, looking at the IVs in my arms I rip them out. Blood begins to come out from my arms as I go to the window, opening it I jump. Only a story down I roll out of the fall and stand up. Wobbling a little.
I shouldn't be here.
When was the last time I saw the Hokage?
No.
NO!
I must have been out for a few days. Meaning… I haven't gone to see Lord Sixth in days. Should I just go straight to punishment? Lord Third always made me go hang upside down by the small cave just for a while until blood was fully in my head.
"TOORU!"
I flinch and run. As fast as I can. I need to punish myself before Lord Sixth finds out. Admit the wrongs and be proactive in punishments. Right? Wasn't that, no isn't that a rule?
Yes I believe it is.
I run out from one of the gates and look, barely taking in my surroundings. Not seeing anyone faces but knowing something is coming for me. Someone is after me. But I don't know who.
"Your family is waiting. Sweet Tooru, come and return to your family."
The words, repeating in my head. Everyone is saying the words to me. Not one person is saying anything different. But it is all behind my back.
Nothing is ever said to my face.
Do I go see Kakashi or straight to punishment?
Either way Lord Third will be disappointed in me. I was taught better than this. I should know better than to have punishments so close together. I am not a little girl.
I am not helpless.
But I am not?
I'm helpless.
No. I cannot let my thoughts spiral out of control. I am always in control. Everything I do, nothing is wasted. Energy is in perfect form with me. But what if it isn't? What if it never ways? Would everything be a lie?
Stop.
I can't stop.
Am I under a justu again?
"RELEASE!"
Screaming. But when I open my eyes, everyone is looking at me. I back away, running in a different direction.
Everyone is looking at me strangely.
I hate it.
No, nothing should be used. No emotions should be used in thoughts. That's a rule, right? Right? It must be or I wouldn't be asking about it. I know my rules, I know them better than I know myself.
Taking a left into an alley, I lean against the wall and take in a deep breath.
I must go train.
I haven't trained in a while.
Training grounds.
No, Hokage. I am already in enough trouble. I have smeared the Hokages name by acting the way that I have.
I look at my clothes.
Seeing a… cloth on me? My arms are bloody as well. I… did I get into a fight? I shouldn't go to Hokage like this. I always must look ready. And I might look like a mess.
Unacceptable.
Punishment.
Yes, one that would be good for this disobedience. Maybe I can still turn this day around, make it a good one for the Hokage.
I must be a good dog.
Pause.
Long pause.
A dog. That is all that I am. A dog to the village. A good one at that. No one could beat how good I listen, how I always stay in line.
Normally.
Today no. I haven't gone to see the Hokage. I need to be punished, I have been bad, I need to get a hold of myself.
Punishment.
I think. No. I know I need the worst one. Lord Third would be upset at me if I missed one day of check in. I am sure Lord Sixth will be beyond upset, even more then Lord Third ever would be.
I need to do this myself. Small cell. No, water dripping. No, living in a nightmare.
Can I combine all three? I should be able to. That would be easy.
I know where to go, a place I dread, but it would be the best place for me. I need to reflect on my actions.
Kakashi:
In the waiting room of the hospital. Yesterday when I came to see Tooru she was still out, which in my opinion is good for her, as she is finally getting some rest. Sakura explained that Tooru was dehydrated and was lacking sugar in her body. Causing her to faint and feel dizzy. I could answer all the questions about her normal eating patterns as they were so fine tuned she was perfect in her diet.
Today though, Sakura believes Tooru will wake up. I can only hope it's when I am in the room. I don't know how she is going to react to anything.
Hell, I don't even know where she stands with the rules.
"Code Gray. Code Gray."
I tilt my head. The intercom system with a code word? I think about what the code words mean, seeing as Sakura and Ino have explained it to me. All the code words in the hospital are there for a reason, and it is a good one. Keep calm even though everyone knows the code color means something is happening.
But it hits me.
Missing person.
I look and I see Sakura spot me and walk over to me.
"Kakashi sensi, I'm sorry but we are in a small lock down."
"Someones missing?" I point up to the intercom system.
Sakura nods. "Yes sir. I personally don't know who yet as I just got back from lunch. But I am sure I wil-" at that moment an intern comes up to Sakura.
"Ma'am, its Kato, shes missing."
Sakura and I lock eyes.
Tooru is missing? How can that be? Who just let her up and leave the hospital.
The intern continues. "I went to go check on her and she wasn't in bed, but there was blood everywhere. I went to the window and she had jumped out of the window. I called the code as soon as I could."
Sakura pinches her nose. "If she isn't in the building then we need to send a search party for her. Get a medical ninja ready, I need 2 others. Kakashi with your permission, I would like to ask Genin to be on the lookout for her." Once she sees I nod she lets out a sigh. "Tell the other two to have tranquilizers on them, as we may need to sedate her. They are to be with two other jonin or higher ninja."
The intern nods and runs off. Sakura turns to me.
"I'll go and search for her myself as well."
"Take Kiba and Shikamaru with you."
Sakura blinks at the statement. "I'm sorry, you want me to take those two?"
I nod. "Yes. That's an order. I don't know what state Tooru is in, but should she be unstable Shikamaru and Kiba can pull her attention for you to give her the shot."
Shikamaru:
What a drag.
I lean back against my chair. Kiba and I have been re-looking over the history of the Katos, hoping to find out anything. Instead of the generation right before Tooru got taken, we have gone back, looking more into the family's history. Right after the first war, the first generation of the Kato's in the village. I get to their justus and the powers that they have. That's when I begin to read something… strange.
"As a Kato, to keep our powers under control, we pledge our lives to the village. As the first generations had mentioned, with no goal in life the Katos will lose their minds. There is a great disconnect between our powers and the ability to focus. Kato with no focus? Good as dead. With too much power, a Kato could wipe out anything, not as well as a tailed beast, but we can get close to it. Being in the village for years, we have a focus, protect the people. While an easy life, it is the life for us."
Tilting my head, I have to sit and think about this one for a moment. The Kato's, it never says how much chakra a family member can have, but from the stories that I have read, it seems like a lot. Possibly 10 or even 20 times the amount I have. It could be 2/3rds of the chakra that Naruto possesses. Either way, keeping that much control must be hard.
That reminds me of the babies being born early and having to be bathed in chakra for weeks while their bodies adjust.
But having to have some form of goal or connection? Is it possible that the Kato's had their own set of rules, something not as restrictive that Tooru has, but was it a deal made and held onto with the Hokages before? Kiba or I would have to find that information. But I have no idea where I would be able to get my hands on that type of information. It would be sealed somewhere.
I turn to look at Kiba, with his head slammed down onto the table. Raising an eyebrow I know he is bored with this. That or there are so many documents to read that it is easy to miss something. These are all public records of the Kato's, and they left nothing out. Maybe this was part of the deal. They journal their thoughts? Or keep a record of everything going on within the family? This is the problem with reading all these documents, I have more questions.
"Kiba, you might want to take a look at this." As his head pops up.
Glaring at me Kiba holds his head. "I'm not smart, why the hell am I the one doing this? All this paperwork is going to take weeks to read and even process." Kiba lets out a sigh. "There is almost nothing useful in these papers. Yes, we looked at the papers around the time Tooru was born, but why are we going back further?!"
"What a drag." I sigh and get up. Putting the paper on the desk Kiba is working on. "Read this section right here and I will explain my thoughts on it."
Kiba groans but looks down at the paper. I lean against the desk as the doors open. Both Kiba and I look to see Sakura in the doorway.
"Sakura? I thought you were-"
"No time Shikamaru. Tooru is missing. She ran away from the hospital."
Tooru:
I make it to the cave. Where my tiny cell is. Lord Sixth would be proud of me. I am doing a punishment all on my own.
A key.
No, I never need a key to get in here.
The Hokage trust me.
Right?
The Hokage should always trust his dog. No one else should ever come between the Hokage and his trusted dog. I would never let that happen. I can't let the Hokage lose faith in me.
It would be a disgrace to my family.
I could never be a disgrace to my family. My family died long ago.
Who I can disgrace?
The Hokage.
I touch part of the low ceiling and water begins to drop from it. I nod my head. Crawling into the cell and closing the door. I would induce the nightmare when I remembered. But for now, being in the small cell and the water dripping will be good for now. I plan on being in here for a whole day, showing and proving my loyalties to the Hokage. And in a way saying sorry.
I was never allowed to verbally apologize.
Actions speak louder than words.
That's what Lord Third and someone else always said to me.
I watch the water, unable to take my eyes off it. I don't remember when I learned to do this, but at some point I learned it and now it is serving well. I am a dog, a tool to show everyone that the Leaf is not to be messed with. And that the Leaf will forever stay in its place. No matter what anyone throws at the village.
The village.
Always have to think about the village. Always have to think about my actions and how they will reflect on the village. No one else has to worry about this. Only I need to. The burden is mine alone. No one else will ever understand the pressures that Lord Third had. No one ever will. It was something he took to the grave with him.
A dog.
I bark when they tell me.
I sit when they tell me.
I do anything they tell me.
That's what makes me a good girl. That is why I have remained at the Hokages sides all these years. It is why they never threw me out of the village. I didn't go off the deep end like Saskue, I never stepped on Narutos toes in becoming the village hero. Though, he was dumb every single time he was in the spot light.
No.
I shouldn't say that about the future Hokage.
But he was and is still an idiot. He was too hyper focused on one thing. And that was getting Saskue back. I never understood why Naruto was so obsessed with him.
Focus.
The Hokage wouldn't be happy with my thoughts going to other people.
I need to reflect on my actions.
How I want to rest. I want to sleep. I want… what a strange thing. To want something. Is this why I am in the cell? I wanted something and the Hokage will find out I want something. The Hokage tells me what to do. Not the other way around. I am to listen and do what is needed. I do not want things. I have never wanted things. I should never want things. That would lead to my own destruction.
Destruction
That is something…
I can't say want.
The water drips.
Slowly the water comes down. Creating the only noise in the cave, even I forgot to breath. Or… am I breathing? There is another noise in the cell. But it's coming… from me? Why is my face wet?
Is there a leak in the roof of the small cell? That would make the punishment more fitting.
But the water isn't in my hair. And I can't use my arms to check where the water is coming from. I am determined to wait out this punishment. I have to make the Hokage proud that I knew what I did wrong right away. No questions.
Not like I can question him.
Not like I can question anyone.
I am supposed to only do what I am told, no matter what is happening I have to go through the protocols. Nothing about saving people. It is always about what is the correct thing to do.
I have to be perfect.
Nothing will change that, I need to be perfect.
Hard to do that when I haven't trained.
I don't even remember the last time I trained. I need to train. Nothing can bring back the amount of days where I have possibly been laying around. I would be no use to the village if I stopped training.
The Hokage would be upset if I didn't train. If I didn't do anything I would lose my way.
"Your family is waiting. Sweet Tooru, come and return to your family."
I shake my head, hitting against the walls of the cell. No… family is dead.
I am the only one.
The wetness on my face returns.
Drip
Drip
Drip
All I can hear.
All I should hear.
Drip
I look around the cell. Suddenly it doesn't feel safe. The words…
"Your family is waiting. Sweet Tooru, come and return to your family."
Are they painted on the wall?
Did someone paint the word?
No one else is allowed in here. Only me and the Hokage. The dog and the master should be the only two in this place. Who wrote the words? What do they mean? I close my eyes
Wait
No
Part of small cell is keeping eyes open.
That's the key.
Key.
What is the Key? I know there is a key somewhere. But I don't know what that key is. Important. I know it is important. Why though? Don't I have everything I need? I have the Hokage and I am important to the village.
Aren't I?
I am a good girl.
Shikamaru:
"You mean to tell me that no one was around her when she woke up?!" Kiba exclaims as we continue to run through the village.
Sakura remains quiet. From what I understand, Tooru could easily rip the village apart should she lose control. If they have to be tied to something… maybe they are bound to the village. And nothing will stop that. I just don't understand what Lord Third and Danzo did to her to make her so dependent on the village that she would break.
"We projected she would wake up today, and the intern left for only a second to grab a new IV bag. Kakashi was already in the hospital." Sakura fires back.
From the looks of it, Sakura is on edge as well.
Which would make sense, seeing as we are about the run into Tooru and her possibly being unstable. We had found a crowd who saw her and from what they said… Tooru might have broken mentally. As it happens to every ninja at some point, everyone has their own way of dealing with it. But with Tooru it's different. She had rules crossed out, years of her life were destroyed within a few moments.
That wouldn't be easy for anyone.
"I'll pull her focus since I am the strongest and might last long enough against her."
"Kiba," I finally chime in, "You and I need to pull her focus. If she has lost it, she might take you out in a second. Hell, she could take all of us out. I didn't finish reading that passage I showed you. I thought we were going to have more time to read it and talk it over."
I shake my head, if only we had more time to really read through the information that we found. I would have liked to mull over the possibilities of what the words mean. The Kato's of the first generations had a way of explaining things that the general public wouldn't understand fully, but when one thinks about it? It could be obvious.
"Right, you a person who does the thinking between us and a medical nin."
"A medical nin who can beat you in a fight if you don't shut your mouth Kiba."
I roll my eyes and stop, causing both the others to stop. "Fighting between us isn't going to help. What we need to do is make a plan. Kiba you go in first, draw her attention so that way Sakura can get close to her. I will be close with my shadow to move either one of you."
Sakura and Kiba look at each other. "Shikamaru, we are treating this girl like a threat?" Sakura asks.
"We have to." I let out a yawn. "If we don't treat her like a threat, we could all get hurt. Think of it like when Naruto was trying to control the nine-tails. When he lost control, many people could have died, or even worse."
Kiba shakes his head. "Ya, but unlike when Naruto lost control, we have no idea what Tooru knows. She could easily throw something at us. You read what her family can do."
"But she isn't trained Kiba. No one bothered to train her how to use her family's power correctly."
"I don't like this. While your plan will work, you are the smartest one here, you should know there are too many unknowns with this situation."
"Kiba don't you think I already know that? It's like any other mission. Listen to me and make sure you don't get hurt."
I run off. Of course, they follow me. There is no choice in it. Tooru is a danger, not only to herself but to everyone around her. We cannot allow her to be roaming around in the streets. And there is a chance she might have even left the village. We don't know. The more time that passes of not finding her, the higher the chance is that Tooru will do something bad.
Ino:
Having finally gotten Choji and TenTen we set off.
"I'm surprised Shikamaru isn't with you guys."
Believe me… I am too. I think to myself.
"Shikamaru is busy with something else. He hasn't gotten a chance to tell us what it's about." Choji answers.
While it is weird that Shikamaru hasn't told us anything, I know whatever it is he can handle it. Though… he has been around Kiba more.
I shake my head.
"So, who are we looking for?" TenTen crosses her arms and waits for me to explain.
"Right." I take a deep breath. "We are on a mission to find someone. Her name is Kato Tooru. She was in the hospital for dehydration and having not eaten in a few days. When she woke up, it was clear she was not well. But she ran away. She is to be found and I am to sedate her and bring her back to the hospital." I look between the two. "Tooru is 152.4 cm in height, green eyes and mint green hair. She was last seen in the hospital gown that is given to patients who need them. She isn't armed but Kakashi warned us that we should be careful when approaching her. As she might try to attack us."
Choji givens me a look. "Wait. Why does that name sound… familiar?"
Choji brings up a good point, the name had been bugging me as well. Just something that is right there. More of the surname that is bugging me. I am sure my father has talked about the Katos when I was younger. But, I can't remember much about who they are.
"Maybe we can look into it later. Right now we need to find her and bring her back to the hospital."
TenTen nods. "What's the plan?"
I take in deep breath. Thinking of how to approach this. "As she is being seen as a danger, Choji will go in for close combat with TenTen providing backup from a distance while keeping me covered. We need to be quick and make sure she doesn't have a chance to fight back."
"She is to be sedated? No trying to talk to her?" Choji still isn't one for straight to the most extreme, but this one we have no choice.
I shake my head. "No choice. Order came from Kakashi."
As we turn to go, we begin searching through the village.
Early on we find nothing. We even have to pause to talk about the next logical place would be to go. Until I hear something.
"She is in the small cell. Let me direct you there."
I freeze. Looking at Choji and TenTen who are deciding on a way to go. It looks as though they clearly didn't hear.
"Guys. I think I have a lead."
Tooru:
Small.
Cramped.
It almost feels like home in a weird way. No one is here and I get to be left alone in my thoughts.
Thoughts.
Jumbled.
I can feel my head hurting.
My whole body is hurting. And… I know I should move… but I can't.
I pause.
What is that noise?
I open my eyes.
"Are you sure this is the place?"
"I don't know! I don't even know who led me here. All I know is this is where that voice said that Tooru is here."
"It could be a trap." 2 female voices. And a Male.
But I don't think I know any of their voices.
"If it is we can take it. If she is here… we have a chance to sedate her."
Sedate me?
Are they part of the group?
Have I failed?
I can't even move. But my eyes are wide. I made a mistake. I should be guarding the Hokage!
I look and see a man walk into the area, long hair and he looks to be too big for a ninja. No, part of a clan… yes… but what clan is he part of?
He looks down and sees me. "Umm… Ino, I think I found her."
A blonde comes into view with another girl. This girl has buns. Who are they?
They wear the Leaf headband, but do I trust them?
"Tooru? My name is Choji, we are just here to take you-"
Before he can even finish speaking I spring. Turning the water that was dripping into icicles they go straight for the guy. He dodges them but I scramble out of my cage. Of my cell.
"Tenten! Make sure she doesn't leave!" The blonde yells.
I need to be faster than them.
The group.
I forgot about the group! I forgot that there are people out there that are trying to do something bad.
What is it?
I have no idea.
I didn't know that much about the group to begin with. And I have been failing the Hokage for months of coming back with no information.
I have nothing to show for all the time I have been spying on the group.
Are these people part of this group?
I try to dart past the guy but he blocks my way with a hand?
Where have I seen this before?
It doesn't matter.
"TenTen!"
The girl with the buns comes out from behind the hand and throws things at me. But I can't tell what they are.
Needles.
They did say something about sedating me.
This place is too small for me.
Weak.
I should be able to fight in any way.
I feel something stick my neck. I turn and throw the blonde against the wall.
"Ino!" The guy yells.
But that fades. I need to get out of here. I pull a wind justu and throw the other two away from the entrance. Running out I take the tunnels that only myself and the Hokage should know.
"Your family is waiting. Sweet Tooru, come and return to your family."
The words again.
Am I making up the words. They don't exist. No family exist in this time. No. Not at all.
Making it out into the sunlight, I squint.
No one is around.
Good, those people cam alone. I should be safe from them. I need to get to the Hokage. I need to make things right.
"Why, you know where the key is."
I freeze. The key.
I shouldn't remember the key. But for some reason, I know about it. It seems like it would help me.
No.
Only the Hokage can help me.