Shikadai lazed from his father's back as he watched the lanterns float up into the night sky. I bet Boruto is probably kissing Sarada senseless about now, he thought, crossing one two-toed foot in front of his knee.
Suddenly, his father rose from his position on the ground, nearly throwing Shikadai off.
He couldn't see from where he was, so he climbed up the black mane and onto the top of his head. Peering off into the distance, he could barely make out a battle at the foot of the castle.
Great, he thought, crouching back down. He got himself in trouble, didn't he?
All of a sudden, his father took off running towards the town. He held on for dear life, back legs struggling to find a grasp on his mane as he flopped around.
They made it to the town square just in time to find Sarada getting dragged off by palace guards. One of them noticed Shikamaru and called out to him, but he was already on his way out, hooves thundering against the cobble.
Where are we going, wondered Shikadai, his brain bouncing off the sides of his skull. I don't know how much more of this I can take...
He felt sick, wanting to throw up the nothing he had eaten for lunch. Bugs, while they looked tasty for some reason, were not something he wanted in his mouth.
Shikamaru didn't stop until he made it to the snuggly duckling. Bursting in on the meeting, every member of the room glared at him. Shikadai adjusted his pattern to blend in with his father's mane.
He cracked open an eye. His father trotted right up to Itachi Uchiha and stared him down.
"What is it," came Itachi's low voice. "What business do you have with me?"
Shikamaru lifted his head, knocking Shikadai off completely. One look was all he needed. His father was trying to enlist Itachi's help to save Sarada. Itachi had been the one who attempted to guide them to safety. From all of their options, he was by far the safest.
Shikadai climbed up Itachi's black cloak and began writing a message on his neck. "Sarada in prison. Boruto with Orochimaru. Need help."
"...What is the gecko saying?"
"Quiet Deidara," mumbled Sasori. "We'll find out in a moment. Itachi. Translate."
"It seems as though Orochimaru has discovered the secret to possessing jutsu in this world, just as Boruto mentioned."
Shikadai's eyes widened. Itachi was smarter than he thought.
"Why would the gecko come all the way here to tell us that," asked Kisame, eyeing Itachi with suspicion.
"Orochimaru currently has Naruto's son in his possession and is using him to gain everlasting life. After all, Boruto is the lost prince."
"The lost prince?"
"I spent a bit of time scouting the town earlier," said Itachi, his eyes trailing towards the ground. "It seems as though there was a festival for the lost prince today. Naruto is the king of this land. His son is the lost prince. Orochimaru must have come here searching for the flower that grants immortality; but as it would happen, that power resides within Boruto's hair."
"...How do we know you're not making this up?"
"Go outside and look. Today's the day they're releasing lanterns for his birthday," said Itachi. "The gecko is telling me that Sarada Uchiha is the key to activating Boruto's power, but she's currently imprisoned. The gecko wishes to work with us to save them from Orochimaru before he can become immortal, and in return, he will grant us the ability to use jutsu again."
"...How did you understand all of that from a gecko that didn't even talk? Do your sharingan let you read the minds of animals, Itachi?" Kisame laughed from next to him.
"No. The gecko can write."
"So? What do you suggest we do," asked Sasori, turning to Pain.
"Hm... It would be bothersome if Orochimaru obtained immortality without the reincarnation jutsu... and he may be targeting the eyes of the Uchiha girl as well. Itachi. Kisame. You go into town and get the girl out of prison. The rest of us will go to the tower where Orochimaru is and attempt to take back Boruto. Once both of those conditions are fulfilled, we will meet back here."
"...How do we beat Orochimaru without jutsu?"
"Simple," said Deidara, a smile on his face. "We bluff. Hm."
. . .
Itachi traveled with Kisame, Shikamaru, and Shikadai to the village, not bothering to keep an eye out for guards. Shikamaru was a trusted horse. As long as they had him, they could waltz into the castle without a problem.
Once they made it inside the dungeons, people started wondering what they were doing in the wee hours of the night.
"We were sent to investigate the appearance of the sorcerer," said Itachi. "Before the accomplice is to be hanged, we would like to ask her a few questions."
Without many more inquires, they were led to Sarada's cell. The second they were outside of it, Itachi knocked out all the guards with a swift chop. The remaining guards were kicked in the stomach by Kisame.
"Sarada," said Itachi, unlocking the door with the keys he had stolen from the prison warden. "We're here to get you out."
. . .
Sarada cracked open her swollen eyes. "...Uncle... Itachi?"
"Hah, look at that! Seems like the kid is pretty attached to you."
Itachi knelt down in front of her and smiled. "Come with us. We're here to get you out and bring you back to Boruto."
Tears welled up in Sarada's eyes again. "...Boruto?" A bit of life returned to her features. Sarada tried to stand to her feet, but she didn't have the energy. "I can't..."
Itachi simply scooped her up and threw her over his shoulder. "That's ok," he whispered, "I'll just carry you."
She barely registered the walls that they passed as tears streamed down her face. She felt herself being thrown over a horse, coming face to face with Shikadai who stared into her bloodshot eyes with concern.
After riding for what felt like a short while, they came back to the snuggly duckling. But this time, there was no one in sight.
"Boruto..." Sarada whimpered. "Where is he?"
"He's with Orochimaru. But don't worry, the rest of the Akatsuki are going to get him and bring him here..."
"Akatsuki..."
"Ha! Not even knowing about the Akatsuki... future Konoha must be really different."
Itachi lifted her off of the horse and set her on the ground. "It's the middle of the night. Rest now while you have the chance."
Sarada rolled onto her side, exhaustion from sobbing and being an emotional wreck heavy on her shoulders. "Mmm..." She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.
. . .
"...Itachi..."
"Hm?"
"Why are you being so nice to the girl?"
"If we seek cooperation with both her and Boruto, we shouldn't treat them roughly."
"Hm. I guess you have more of an understanding about Konoha customs than I do... To me, that just sounds like a pain," said Kisame, staring at Sarada out of the corner of his eye. "That being said... Do you really think the other members of the Akatsuki can win against Orochimaru without jutsu?"
"I guess we'll find out in the morning."