Chapter 26: Alone in Darkness

I worked alongside Lee as we lifted another wood panel for the battle arena taking place tomorrow night for the Blood Moon Festival. I saw Shino and Guy a way away talking to some of the other clan members on the placement of things.

Turning back, I saw Yuri approaching us as he said, "It's looking good, we are ahead of schedule."

"Is it true you're the undefeated champion?" Lee asked as my brother smirked replying, "I am, it's a lot of hard work but I plan on being the next clan leader."

"I wish I could challenge you to a fight in the arena though I wouldn't want to fight to the death." Lee admitted while I kept working hearing Yuri laugh replying, "You sound like my dear little sister, never had the stomach for it."

"There is nothing wrong with not wanting to kill someone for mere sport, it's only used to defend yourself in a real life or death situation… and even then, as a last resort." I said not looking at them hearing Yuri scoff replying, "Sounds like you've become even softer being with these Leaf Shinobi… shame really."

"Our idea of weakness differs greatly but that doesn't matter, after tomorrow night I'll be back where I belong." I said feeling his eyes on me, but I brushed my gloved hands off on my skirt walking off.

I decided to go for a walk around the village, there was still good in the village, and I couldn't deny that. It was beautiful with lush forests around it and lots of wildlife, I began to think what life would have been like if I was from a different clan. Would I have stayed here and made new friends or would I still want to escape for the sake of escaping.

Though if I did, I would have never met Hayner, Reno or Ren making me stop putting my hand on my headband around my neck. My fingers ran along the symbol of the Leaf smiling fondly, no I don't think I would have wanted things to have changed. I realized the sun was beginning to set so I needed to head back to the hotel before it became too late. Hearing rustling from the bushes I turned quickly to see Shino appear out of them relaxing slightly.

"It's getting late we need to head back to the others." he said making me nod walking towards him stopping for a moment seeing him swipe at a bug.

"Shino…?" I said quietly as he turned towards me saying, "Yes Yuna?"

I took my kunai out turning towards him with a glare saying, "You're not Shino."

"What on earth are you talking about Yuna… you're acting paranoid we are friends." he said making me smirk closing my eyes saying, "Funny you've never said that before and Shino wouldn't swipe a bug away they are precious to him."

The Shino impostor smirked saying, "You're right but to bad I was just the distraction."

I went to speak when I felt something hit me in the back of the head seeing the world go black.

Earlier That Evening with Shino…

I had my hands stuffed in my pockets as I stood with Guy and Lee while they talked to some of the villagers about our village. It was all quite boring and Yuna had walked off before I could follow her, at least she was less annoying than these two but only a little though.

"Hey guys!" we heard turning to see Yuna running up to us as she looked at Guy saying, "Would it be okay if I stayed at my clan's house tonight?"

"Of course not." Guy began but I cut him off saying, "Why would you want to do that?"

She smiled sheepishly replying, "My parents wanted to have me over to talk… and apologize it sounds like."

"I don't trust this, why all of a sudden?" I said while Guy hit my back saying, "She doesn't have to explain herself Shino, remember what Lady Tsunade said, you both have to work on trusting one another."

"Fine..." I said deciding there was no use arguing seeing her thank Guy before walking off towards Yuri making my eyes narrow, something was wrong.

Present With Yuna…

I groaned trying to move but my arms and legs were chained making my eyes open quickly trying to break free.

I looked around seeing my mother standing at the doorway as I glared towards her hearing her say, "Glare all you want it can't help you."

"What the hell is going on?" I asked while she replied, "Isn't it obvious… you need to learn obedience, talking about your own clan like you did…"

"My team will find me." I said smirking hearing a dark laugh watching Yuri walk in replying, "Oh trust me once they learn you've made up with your beloved family and decided to stay, they won't wait for you."

Pulling against my chains I said, "They'll never believe you."

"Please… those two creepy guys in the spandex are dense and will believe anything and that other boy well he clearly hates you." my mother said feeling tears begin to fill my eyes saying, "I will get out of here."

"Perhaps but I will break you before that." she said walking to the door while Yuri followed her out saying, "Welcome home Yuna."

I sat in the darkness trying desperately to get out of my restraints, but it was useless since they suppressed my chakra making my blood useless. I growled frustrated deciding to relax my body knowing if I used too much of my chakra it would make it harder later. I closed my eyes, my mother was right Guy and Lee would believe I decided to stay if only to repair a broken family. And Shino… I felt tears fill my eyes, he wouldn't miss me, in fact this would be the perfect opportunity to never have to see me again. I knew he wouldn't fall for their tricks but also knew he wouldn't care either way and that hurt more than anything.

Next Day with Shino…

I stared at the empty bed beside mine, Yuna was still nowhere to be seen as Guy ignored my suspicion chalking it off to family business. I could hear talking next door, so I got up knowing we had to get ready for the festival to begin. Opening my door, I saw a brief flash of red hair before it disappeared out of the hallway as Guy and Lee walked out.

I saw tears in Guy's eyes making me raise my eyebrow saying, "What's going on?"

"Yuna has decided to stay here in the Hidden Grass Village." Guy said wiping the tears away seeing Lee had tears in his eyes too replying, "Her family helped her remember how much she loves them, and she doesn't wish to hurt them again."

"You guys do recall how she talked about them, don't you find any of this out of place?" I asked seeing them look at one another hearing Guy reply, "Well it is a bit strange but who are we to get in the way of it, besides she said so herself. Even told us to give you a hug from her…"

I moved away as Guy advanced towards me saying as I walked by, "I'm going to talk to her myself, I'll meet you at the festival."

I rounded the corner before they could protest feeling my bugs crawl out from under my skin saying softly, "Find her."

Present with Yuna…

A whole day had gone by without anyone coming to see if I was okay noticing it would probably be sundown soon. I had spent most of the day thrashing against my restraints yelling all sorts of insults but to no avail, no one ever came out here. Even if the other clan members heard it, they wouldn't interfere less they feel the wrath of my father.

I began crying now, my team really wasn't even going to try and look for me, did they really care so little despite all I had said about my family. I could hear a light buzzing staring in the center of the room where the small hole was.

"Please… someone… anyone… save me..." I said barely above a whisper before huddling into myself, I was left alone again.

Suddenly I heard footsteps outside glaring towards the door knowing it was probably my brother coming to mock me before the competition. Hearing the door get knocked over I braced myself for the worst trying to control the shaking I was feeling.

"Yuna..." a comforting voice said making my eyes open quickly looking up giving a sad smile, "You saved me..."