-AN-

Kinda liking the idea behind this story so far. Not sure where exactly it'll end up, but I'm hoping I don't turn it into an angsty mess. Drama yes, but not edgy pain just to edgy sake. Well, we'll see what happens.

-Story Start-

Naruto led the way as the group was assisted out of the palanquin they had made the journey from the lower town in. Squinting in the bright sunlight, Naruto took stock of their surroundings. The manor was situated on truly beautiful grounds, well kept and probably had no equal anywhere else short of maybe the Daimyo's palace. That said, as two guards led him, Anko and Tenten forward towards the door of the large mansion, Naruto had to remind himself that it was all for show. Carefully crafted to be appeasing to a wide range of people, a show of wealth, not love. That was Miyamoto's modus operandi.

Thinking of the man, Naruto smiled brightly as the Lord himself swung his doors open, waiting for the group of ladies to come up the short steps to stand before him, but he only had eyes for Naruto at the moment. "Kasumi! Truly I never thought I'd gaze upon your lovely visage again." He stepped in, dragging Naruto into a tight hug before stepping away with a wide smile, "And this, you bring me gifts? You love me, don't lie."

Giggling, Naruto shook his head at the man's antics, "Oh Lord, you know me better than that. How are you? In good health?"

Turning away but taking one of Naruto's arms into his own, Miyamoto led the group into his home with the blonde at his side. Inside was rich hardwood and all manner of bright golden finery and silver trimming. At the center of the entryway, a statue in the shape of a rising dragon, carefully carved wood with eyes of intense jade. "You know I'm always on top here and fit as an ox! Why, just the other day Lord Akito let slip that he envied my choice of gifts for the Daimyo. I've been riding a cloud ever since."

Naruto humored him, leaning into him and running a finger along his chest, "You've always had such wonderful taste, I'm sure the Daimyo loved it."

Grin increasing, Miyamoto increased his grip on the buxom woman at his side, "Of course of course!" Sweeping down a short hallway and coming into a sitting room, the Lord of the house finally released Naruto, strutting away to a table with all manner of treats and sweets, "But enough about the great me. Kasumi, to what do I owe the visit? Finally going to give into my wiles? You know I have room to spare for you." Here the man turns back to her with a grin and wiggling eyebrows.

Smiling demurely and shaking his head, Naruto made a show of looking around while adjusting his glasses. "Actually, I heard some troubling news. Iori, she's unwell?" Probe softly, best not to stir up trouble right away. A twitch from the man had Naruto more than a little worried.

"Dear Iori? Yes yes, she has fallen ill lately. Most likely that jealous Koyoko hoping to find a way back into my good graces. Of course, she's locked herself into her room again, not that I care this time." Smile dipping, Miyamoto dropped himself down into a plush couch to watch the three women quietly. "You'll do me a favor yes? Get rid of that one for me. She's no longer welcome here." There was something in his eyes then, an emotion Naruto couldn't place right away. But it was gone in the next moment.

That sent off all manner of alarm bells in Naruto's mind. Koyoko? The one in love with Miyamoto even if she was supposed to be spying for them? Miyamoto wanted her gone? Just what had happened here? "Well, you know I'll do anything to help, may I ask, just what happened?"

"You may not. Just know she needs to leave, post haste. Sure puts me in the most sour mood lately." Scowl now firmly on his face, Miyamoto took to looking out of one of the many large windows along one wall.

Naruto exchanged a quick glance with Anko, hoping she wouldn't mind what he was about to do. Mission first. "Well, of course my Lord. I think then, as Lady Nanako most likely sent along, I have a few, samples, I thought might tide you over for my visit. So I can have a word with Iori at the least." Naruto did bow deeply to the man as he turned back to them. "And of course, if you wish, I can remove the other if she is no longer to your liking."

"Good, you are always so attentive Kasumi." Here Miyamoto raked his eyes over the two girls behind the blond. The purple haired one was certainly a real looker while the bun haired girl had a certain exotic look to her even if she wasn't as well equipped. Motioning them forward, Miyamoto put his troubles out of his mind. "You're free to roam the manor as you wish, I shall take you up on your offer to…sample these two. Until you are ready to leave."

Naruto bowed as Anko and Tenten made for the couch, each taking a side of the man, "Remember my Lord. As tempting as it is, no rough treatment. I can't have you ruining my girls."

Waving the blonde away, Miyamoto was already offering something sweet to the older Anko, "Oh don't you worry, I prefer a slow romance." Yes, bought or not, he wanted to woo the women properly. He wanted them to be his, and his alone. "You are a blessing Kasumi, I'm sure you'll be taking Nanako's place someday soon."

"You flatter me Lord Miyamoto."

"I know, now go on. I'm sure my dear Iori could use some cheering up and you were always good at that."

Bowing again, Naruto backed out of the large sitting room and made for the hallway. He noted the two guards at the doorway and adjusted his glasses, making for the main stairwell. Iori's room should be close to Miyamoto's own, she was his favorite.

"Ah, Lady Kasumi, hello again!" A maid dressed in black and white bowed to the brightly dressed woman, to which Naruto returned it.

"Hello, Chika right? Have things been well in my absence?" The woman was a mousy sort, dull brown hair pulled back into a ponytail and a slender frame. Shuffling in place and looking up and down the hallway they found themselves in, she almost looked, afraid. Naruto got the feeling that she might know something. "Chika?"

The woman closed the distance between the two, whispering into Naruto's ear quietly and quickly, "It'd be best if you saw Lady Iori quickly. She's fallen deathly ill. All the maids think Lady Ruri is behind it. But please, you didn't hear it from me."

Naruto let the girl pull away, miming zipping up his lips for her peace of mind, "Didn't hear a thing. Take care Chika." Watching the maid bow lightly again before returning to her duties, Naruto turned back to his destination. Hmm, a scandal for sure. He knew Ruri wasn't above some underhanded tricks, but just what had she done now? Navigating by memory, Naruto made it upstairs and past expensive looking paintings and other staff of the house to finally make it to a row of bedrooms. There were five in total at this end of the hallway. Two on each side, with a fifth at the end. The Lord's room to be sure. But, Naruto's destination was the last on the left and decorated with a white lotus. Knocking on the door, he waiting quietly.

"I will not take visitors today." The voice was quiet, and without Naruto's ninja training he might not have even heard it.

"How about a visit from a friend?" There was more silence, the sound of shuffling, and more silence that had Naruto almost ready to force the door open before the woman's voice answered him again.

"You may enter."

Opening the door, Naruto walked into the large single room. A large four post bed dominated the rear wall, while plush and expensive looking furniture lined the wall towards the hallway. Another door to the right most likely led to a private bathroom, while to his left, a large walk in closet. Iori certainly was the favorite, the amount of clothes and jewelry he could say would probably take a few lifetimes worth of pay for him to even come close to affording. But what he laid his eyes on, was the woman sitting at the window's edge in front of him. Iori was truly a beauty, long dark blue almost black hair was braided carefully and ended at her lower back. She was slender, but curvy and soft in a way that would send most men drooling. But Naruto knew from experience, she was a kind soul and intelligent. A wit to her that had him on more than one occasion putting his foot firmly in his mouth.

Today however had Naruto pausing as he closed the door behind him, because this woman was a shell of the woman he had met before. A thin robe hung on her frame, and it couldn't hide that she had lost weight. A lot of weight. "Oh Iori…"

Said woman patted a stood next to her by the window, "It's been some time Kasumi. Welcome back." Watching the blonde come and sit next to her, Iori went back to watching the gardens where some of the staff were working. "You've come then."

"Of course. I told you I'd come running for you if you asked."

Chuckling, Iori absently reached out and took one of Naruto's hands into her own, "You're so warm. Is it because of your own natural heat, or because I am unwell. I wonder."

Naruto refused to think about the cold hands that held his own, "Iori…what has happened?" This close he could tell that the woman had not been sleeping well either, heavy bags under her eyes.

"What makes you think something has happened? Maybe I just missed you." That she was still refusing to look at him, though a finger caressed his knuckles, told Naruto enough.

"You know I don't believe you." Making a show of looking around, though using more of his senses and chakra to tell that no one was nearby, Naruto gripped those thin hands more firmly, "Tell me Iori. Please. What has happened here? It's clear something is up. Do I need to rasengan this place into rubble?"

"What if I don't wish to discuss it?"

"Like that's an option. You know it isn't and know I can't leave until we figure things out."

"Hmm, that doesn't sound so bad. Does that mean you would stay with me forever?"

"Iori…"

Lips tugging into a frown, Iori did in fact feel some guilt, "Apologies. That was, unkind."

"No shit. I get word that one of you needs to leave and I find you here. Sick and wasting away and Koyoko is apparently on Miyamoto's shit list now? What the hell has happened?"

Finally looking at him, turning clear green eyes his way, Iori sighed, "We…" Looking ready to clam up again, a gentle tug of Naruto's hands sets her talking again. "Koyoko is the one who needs to leave. She's learned something important about the royal family."

"I mean, considering nothing short of direct orders would have gotten her to leave, I assumed as much once we got here. But that doesn't explain you and your situation."

Iori turns to look out on the grounds again, and the wall that surrounded them. "Can I ask you something?"

"You know you can."

"What would you do. If you knew someone you loved couldn't be saved?"

Naruto blinked at that, before shrugging, "You know me. I'd fight tooth and nail to save them. No matter what."

"That isn't what I asked." Iori turned back to him, eyeing him directly, "If you couldn't save them. Absolutely no chance no matter what you did? What would you do?"

Naruto clammed up, really taking in the woman before him. Her breathing was shallow, harsh. She was thin, but not from malnutrition, something else then. Something finally clicks, "Koyoko isn't the one who's supposed to be leaving, is she?"

"But she is the one who will be leaving." Iori's eyebrows drew into a frown, "You understand me? She will be leaving this place. That is my one and only condition."

"Iori…"

"No. No honeyed words from you. I know if I listen to you long enough you will convince me. Will talk me out of this as foolish. No. You will do this, or…or…it'll all mean nothing in the end."

Naruto did not like the sound of that, nor did he like how frantic Iori seemed to be getting. "Okay, okay. Koyoko needs to go. I got it." He was a ninja, he'd be back for her later then. Damn the orders.

"No." The silence that passed between them was very loud. "I want your word. I know the weight of it. You will take Koyoko and leave me here. Say it. Promise me."

"I. You know I can't make a promise like that." Naruto was ready to stand and blitz her out of the Manor with a clone. Something wasn't right with all of this. "Why would you give up your chance to leave and come home? I know you and Koyoko are close, friends…but still."

"And yet you will." Iori pulled herself into his lap, embracing him much as a lover would, arms linking around his neck. "You will do this for me. Please. I have my reasons." Pleading, but no tears left to give, Iori waited. "You know you can not refuse me."

"I can sure as hell try Iori."

"But you won't, Naruto. You won't."

Watching her, seeing the determination in her eyes, Naruto finally gave up and nodded. "Okay. I promise. I will take Koyoko from here and leave you behind. But you must tell me what has happened."

Iori did finally give in, drawing her knees to her chest and allowing Naruto to wrap arms around her to hold her close. "We both know that Koyoko has been in love with Miyamoto for so long. Even as a concubine, she really does love him, not the money or fame. Recently, we attended a party. A lower event for one of the Daimyo's court. I had made contact with another agent, an exchange of information." A sigh now, Iori gathering her strength to continue. "Koyoko apparently stumbled upon one of the Daimyo's retainers having an affair with the Daimyo's wife."

Naruto couldn't stop the shudder that worked through him. "Brave man."

"Hmm, some look to the power and influence more than the flesh." Iori would not put on airs that the Daimyo's wife had retained her beauty with age. No. The opulent lifestyle she led had done much damage over the years. "The man, of course, threatened Koyoko. To cut our her tongue if she even considered breathing a word of what she saw to anyone. He knew he couldn't kill her, to many questions would arise. Of course she gave her word not to speak of it." Iori looked up to Naruto, a sad smile on her face, "But you know. Men in power, they always want more…assurance. So, he took what he wanted. Left her to be found by guards and spread rumors of her."

"Got a name of the guy? I'm sure I can sneak around and make sure he get's what he deserves."

"You have talent Naruto, but that is not a fight you should take. No. He is not important."

"You're right he isn't, but-"

"No, Naruto. Let it go."

He wouldn't, but he would let her finish what she needed to say. "Alright. I'll shut up."

Going back to resting into the soft chest under her, Iori continued, "So, Miyamoto got wind of what happened, dragged us home in disgrace and decided then and there he wanted nothing more to do with Koyoko. It was only by my intervention that he did not throw her out on the street. Because of that, I gave my information to her, promised her I would see her somewhere safe, and here you are."

"And here I am." So, Koyoko was the one to leave, they'd get their information, and Iori would be stuck here. "I don't like it."

"Your liking it isn't a concern." Iori's body shuddered and trembled for a moment, before with a sigh she went limp. "So foolish."

Naruto could tell right away that she was talking about herself, not the situation. "So, what happened to you then?"

"Well, with Koyoko leaving and the thought of a new girl maybe coming to the manor, our other concubine sister got some ideas in her mind. Ruri took action against me." Holding up a trembling hand, Iori tried to smile again, "Poison. Something subtle but very effective."

"Well, that's simple enough. I have a good medic here who can fix you up right away. I'm sure I can slip her in here under the cover of night and-" A finger came up and placed itself to his lips, and now Naruto understood why she forced him to make his promise. "You intend to die."

Iori poked and prodded at Naruto's chest, delighting in the soft springy feel of it, "You know Ruri is an Iwa native. She's a spy as well. And think. A poison that the antidote kit provided to me can't cure? She's being backed by Iwa's shinobi forces, much as myself with Konoha."

"So what. I leave you here to die so Iwa can have their win and Konoha get's to have a bargaining chip elsewhere? That's bullshit." This was politics. Something Naruto hated with a passion. And something he didn't agree with.

"There is more, but like I said before. It is, for me to decide on. This was my choice Naruto, and you made a promise."

"I also made a promise to look after you."

Nodding along, Iori could understand fully his frustration. "This information can't get out Naruto. Koyoko needs to leave, and we must insure that I can't leak anything to anyone else." Another poke, though she now hid her eyes from him, "Isn't this better than you having to offer me a ceremony?"

Wanting to say right away that it was not, in fact, better. Naruto gave it up. He was going to end up going in circles with her at this rate. "It still sucks. I'd rather just take you away."

"Miyamoto would never allow me to leave so long as he has breath."

"I still say I could get my medic here. Hell, maybe I can convince Miyamoto to hire her himself, make it his idea."

"And then what?" Reaching up, she pulled Naruto's face down to look at her, "Will you be here for the next poisoning attempt? Or the next? Or the knife to my back? Or the suspicious fall down the stairs? You know this won't be the last attempt. If this one fails."

Frustration still in his mind, Naruto hugs the woman tighter, "This is all such shit Iori. You're being stubborn and I don't understand. Why-" Lips this time made contact with his own. The kiss was soft, gentle, but it shut him up right away.

Iori offered him an impish grin as she pulled away, "I'm no Mai Naruto. I can't keep fighting. Can't keep hoping. I've hit my limit."

Calming his heart, Naruto finally nodded and let it go. She had made her choice and his usual stubbornness would not help her. "Well, in that case, is there anything I can do for you? Name it, and I'll make it happen. Anything at all." The way he was feeling, if she asked for Ruri's head, he would provide it.

Motioning over to the bed, Iori marveled as Naruto picked her up easily and walked her over, arms still around his neck. Feeling like teasing him, as he placed her down, she pulled him down with her even as her robe slipped open, "Want to share a night with me? I've always been curious and no one else has had the chance. I wouldn't mind those bragging rights."

"I-I-I mean…if you really…" Iori shushed him again, another kiss that held a bit more warmth and fire to it, arms tightening around his neck to hold him in place. She pressed herself fully into him for a moment, though her body was thin and a whisper of her former self, Naruto could appreciate the softness there. She truly was a beautiful woman, even withering away as she was.

Pulling away, wondering if the hint of spiciness on her tongue, Iori giggled, at the surprise on his face, "You, you really would, wouldn't you?" Shifting herself, a bit of flesh on display, Iori felt sadness in her heart that her body was not its usual healthy self. If only he truly had those feelings for her. If perhaps she had been the one to capture his eyes first.

"If you truly wished…"

Shaking her head and pushing him away softly, one more soft kiss as a goodbye, Iori gave him a smile, "Oh you poor boy. You know I wouldn't. I know…I'm not Mai after all."

Thoroughly chastened, Naruto stood up straight as she finally released him. Turning to the door as Iori made herself comfortable, Naruto considered things, "And what about yourself, I get the feeling, there are some actual feelings in there for our resident idiot with deeper pockets than sense."

"Hmm, maybe you should get those feelings checked."

Naruto was all grins, even if it didn't reach his eyes, "You love him, don't ya?"

A moment of quiet, before Iori went back to watching the world go bye outside the window. "Goodbye, Kasumi."

Ah, right. "Goodbye Iori. Rest well."

"One can hope."

Turning away and making for the door, Naruto firmly clamped down on whatever feelings were in his chest. He had a mission to complete, and thankfully a method for completing it was laid out right in front of his face. Going back a bit the way he came, he was soon before another door closer to the stairwell. Another knock, firmer this time and he waited.

"Come in." The voice was quiet, but hopeful. Naruto opened the door slowly, taking in the room before him that was nearly a mirror as the one previous, only there was nothing extravagant here. The bed was too large to move yes, but all the adornments, finery, everything, had all been stripped away. And there, on a chair in the corner, a woman with shorter shoulder length black hair down free was looking expectantly towards him. Though with the recognition that it was Naruto and not someone else, the light in her dark eyes dimmed. "Hello again, Kasumi."

"You can call me by my real name, no one's nearby."

"Naruto…so, you've come."

Naruto strode over to her quickly, kneeling down in front of her and taking the woman's hands into his own, "Yeah. And I know." Seeing her nod and look on the verge of tears, Naruto powered through. He couldn't break with her. "I know this is unfair. But you have a chance to finally leave. To come home."

"I had hoped, that this would be my home." Voice quiet, Koyoko refused to look Naruto in the eyes.

"You know, knew, this was always a possibility."

"Yes but-"

"No. Koyoko. Orders first."

"But…I could have come back. Played it off as a family visit, like I have before. This…what's happened. Everything." Voice dipping down once more into silence, the woman drew into herself. Pulling her knees into her chest as the simple yukata bunched up around her. The fancy kimono's and house robes, all gone now. Taken away in her Lord's rage. "Why…did everything go so wrong? I don't want to leave." A wave of nausea washes over her, and a hand goes to her mouth, "And this new sickness has been persisting for months now, even before that retched party."

Naruto nods along, gently running a thumb over her knee in a small show of comfort. "I know you don't. But we have a reality to deal with. I want to see you survive Koyoko. Do you see a way we can turn this around?"

There was silence between them as Koyoko tried to draw in on herself even more, before finally she shook her head, "No. The man I love no longer cares for me. He's no longer the man I know. He's so cold now, so distant. I don't exist to him. Not anymore."

Naruto draws himself up, standing and looking around the empty room. Yeah, he could tell that the Lord's favor had certainly left. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry for. It was my own bad luck and foolishness." A heavy sigh, a half choked off sob, before Koyoko straightened herself out and stood. "I…we can leave when you are ready. I know the Lord of the house wants me gone as soon as I am able." Koyoko walked towards him, hugging him tightly just once, "Will you, make sure Iori is okay?"

"Of course." A lie. Necessary, but it tasted bitter on his tongue. "Com'on, let's get you home." Pulling away from her, Naruto reached up and cleared away a tear. "Come now, hold your head up. You have the scroll?"

Koyoko nodded, pulling it from the folds of her yukata to hand it to him, which was also deftly stashed away into his own clothes. "I will, try."

"I know you will. Let's get out of here." Turning away, Naruto led them out of the room and back down the stairs. It had not been long, but hopefully Miyamoto would be in a better mood and wouldn't demand anything outrageous. Passing a guard on their way, Naruto snagged their attention "Could you warn the front guard, we will be leaving shortly."

"Yes ma'am, right away." The lightly armored samurai was quick to jog back down the way he came, leaving Naruto and Koyoko alone.

"Na…Kasumi. When do you think you will return to check on Iori?" Koyoko's voice was hopeful, even if things did not go well her for, she could make sure her friend would be well.

"A week or two I think. Not long." He'd need to visit once he learned when Iori officially passed after all. His gut wrenched, but he again pushed it away. Leading the way back down to the main sitting room, Naruto was the first to step into the room, to a laughing and happy looking Miyamoto who had an arm around each girl. Tenten had a hand demurely in front of her mouth to hide her giggles, while Anko was refilling his glass with wine.

Seeing Naruto first, Miyamoto extracted himself from the warm flesh and stood, "Ahh my beautiful Kasumi, you have done me a great service today. Perhaps I will visit the Lady soon if these are what I have to look forward too."

Naruto nodded, bowing again as Tenten and Anko stood to come around and join him, "You'd do us a great honor."

"Oh I know, but it's nice to hear it all the same." Chuckling at his own joke, Miyamoto's eyes landed on the quiet Koyoko. His demeanor changed, lips tugging into a frown as his eyes went from her to Naruto and back. "Hmp, and you do me a favor for getting rid of this one. Thank you for this."

"Ah, of course Lord Miyamoto." Naruto turned to motion Tenten and Anko through the doorway, each stepping out into the hallway while Koyoko took a tentative step towards her Lord.

"Lord Miyamoto, if I may-"

"You may NOT!" Miyamoto's hand flashed out, an open backhand striking the woman along the cheek. Crashing to the floor, the Lord didn't notice the tensing of muscle within Naruto's body. "To think I thought I could love a wretch like you. Be happy I do not ask for your head, and leave here in silence. Do not speak to me again. Nor darken my doorstep." Rising to her feet, Koyoko bowed deeply before turning away in silence. Stepping out into the hall, she left Naruto alone with Miyamoto. Said man sighed deeply and seemed to gather himself before he turned suddenly tired eyes to Naruto. "Do this man a favor, Kasumi dear. Do not turn into a woman such as her. Toying with men's hearts is not a joyous pastime."

Naruto clasped his hands together in front of himself, bowing once more, "Of course not Lord Miyamoto. I wouldn't dream of it. We shall take our leave." His knuckles creaked, but the Lord couldn't notice.

"Of course. Give my thanks to Lady Nanako." Waving them away to return to his table, Naruto was privy to the man taking a long drink of wine, straight from the bottle this time.

It was a short trip under guard for the girls plus one fake to the front door. Once more back outside, the group is loaded back into their transport, with Naruto being the last inside. Out of the corner of his eye he can see the last resident of the Manor they hadn't seen. The bright red hair a sure bet, Ruri was there at a window, grinning down on them. Sniffing once, Naruto finally made his way inside as the door was shut behind him. Well, mission accomplished he supposed. Not that he liked it one bit.

-b-

Thoroughly drained and tired of this day, Naruto was already dreading the report he was going to have to make to Tsunade. And the letter he was going to have to send to Jiraiya, wherever that old bastard was. Dragging himself into their shared room in the inn they had stashed Sakura and Hinata, Naruto finally transformed back into his male body before crashing onto a couch. Behind him he could hear Anko giving Sakura a short update and a request to check out Koyoko, before Tenten groaned and stretched out her arms over her head.

"I need a shower, or like ten. I feel gross."

Anko nodded, rotating a shoulder to work out some stiffness. That palanquin was not a comfy ride, "You said it, go ahead and get cleaned up, we'll be making the trip back to Konoha right away."

"Got it, holler if you need me." Tenten made for the attached bathroom, closing the door and leaving Naruto and Anko relatively alone in the front room. They did their best to ignore the quiet voices of Sakura and Hinata questioning Koyoko as they checked her over.

Anko however needed some answers. Mission complete or not, Naruto did not look happy about it, "Wanna clue me in? What happened?" Sitting down in a chair, she watched the boy groan and turn to face her after a moment of mumbling. "That bad?"

"Well." Cutting his eyes to the shut door of the bedroom, Naruto lowered his voice, "Iori's going to die."

"Shit."

"Yeah. Can't stop it. She won't let me. Bunch of bullshit, but yeah. She's going to die. Koyoko has the info we need though, so I guess mission accomplished. We can go home happy."

"There's more, isn't there?"

"Officially? Not much. Unofficially? Potential plot by Iwa to have an in with Miyamoto. Someone in the court is boinking the Daimyo's wife-"

"Really? That ham-planet?"

"I know, right?" Sharing a chuckle with Anko, Naruto sobered up and turn his gaze to the floor. "She's been poisoned, Iori that is. But like I said, nothing to be done about it."

"We literally have a student of the world's best medic with us. And a Hyuuga."

"We also have very strict orders…and I made a promise." Several in fact. None that he would be breaking. Yay for him.

"So, no chance of going back and extracting her anyway? She's one of ours right?"

"On hire. But no, no chance."

Anko could see the pain in his eyes, and decided to let it go. They lost assets just like this all the time. At least with this, there would be few questions. And certainly none of them would point Konoha's way. "She was a friend right? I'm sorry, for your loss Naruto."

"Thanks. I'll probably spend a week getting plastered. Well, as much as I can anyway." His resident was very good about accelerating his metabolism, Naruto had learned. Getting well and truly drunk took about enough saki to knock out Gamabunta.

Anko let a smirk reach her face, "We could always go back and rip that other woman apart. I'm guessing she's the one with the poison?"

"Tempting, really tempting." He would be making an argument about going back for her to Tsunade. Maybe, a small chance. No, he wouldn't give himself hope in this. But revenge? He could live with that.

They both pause in their musings as the door to the bedroom opens, now noting the silence there. Sakura looks at both of them before locking onto Naruto specifically as she closed the door behind her. Walking over and kneeling down next to the couch, she held his gaze, "Koyoko…she was with that Miyamoto guy for a while, yeah?"

Naruto nodded, "Yeah, almost a year, maybe longer I think." Naruto didn't like the look on Sakura's face. She looked worried, concerned. "How is she?"

"Physically? Perfect. I was worried when you said she had a history of illness."

"But she's sick now isn't she? She nearly threw up back in the manor, and on the way back." Naruto had to hold a window open for her, the fresh air helping her somewhat.

Sakura shook her head, voice quiet, "It um…looks like she came back with more than just information."

Blinking and trying to make sense of what Sakura was saying to him, the slow nod and a motion down to her core did clue him in. "Shit…how far along." Was it from the party and that bastard? Naruto really would hunt him down then.

"Two months at least." All three of the ninja in the front room could hear the sobbing that broke out in the bedroom. "I'm guess then, it's the Lord's?"

Naruto dragged himself up into a seated position, arms resting on his knees as he relaxed back into the couch. "Yeah. She really did love the bastard." Enough to stop taking any contraceptive. Damnit. What was she thinking?

Anko chimed in with her own thoughts, "From the looks of things back there, he loved her as well."

Naruto shrugged, deciding this mission was a shit box and a half, "Not enough apparently. Not enough to hear her side of things…All for plots and schemes."

"Yeah, can say that again."

Sakura stood, turning to go back to the bedroom. "Should I sedate her? For a little while at least?"

Naruto turned to Anko, waving a hand her way, "You're team leader, you decide. I'm spent."

Deciding that the kid had done well in all this, Anko did in fact take over. "Yeah, knock her out, we'll be leaving when the bun head gets out of the shower. Naruto, you can carry her back yeah?"

"Yeah."

"Alright, then let's get a move on. I wanna be back in Konoha and away from this town."

Sakura nodded as she opened the bedroom door again, "Copy that." closing the door once more, Naruto and Anko heard quiet voices, before after some time the sobbing trailed off.

Naruto turned to the elder Jonin, "This kind of work. Never gets any easier, does it?"

"Haven't seen it yet."

"Well shit."

"Take it from me Naruto, we're walking away from this one. It could have been a lot worse."

Naruto knew that. Didn't want to acknowledge it, but he knew. Leaning his head back and staring at the ceiling, he closed his eyes finally, "Let me get a quick nap in. My heads all a mess."

Anko stood, going to interrupt Tenten, "You do that. I'll give ya some extra time." She'd have to make a note to check on him again once they got back. Once they were safe back home. Watching a friend die was never fun. Leaving a friend to die was the absolute worst for people like them. For someone like Naruto? She couldn't even imagine.

-Chapter End-