Chapter 31

Locking Eyes With Takako

Jomei has been pushing Takara to where Takako was spotted. As each second passes, Takara's heart skips a beat and beats faster.

Just then, Takara sees something familiar; the secret building she was held at. Takara gasps at the unpleasant sight.

Jomei stops pushing Takara to have her calm down. Neji goes up to her and puts his hand on her shoulder. Without thinking, Takara jumps up and smacks Neji's hand off her.

"Oh...," Takara says. "It's just you, Neji. I'm sorry. I was so focused on that building and all the memories just came back, ya know?"

"Of course," Neji says. "It's okay. I should have asked beforehand."

Takara offers Neji her hand. Neji then holds her hand firm. Neji can feel Takara shaking. Neji then kisses Takara's hand.

"I promise to protect you," Neji says.

"Thank you," Takara says.

"Are you ready Takara?" Jomei asks.

Takara takes a deep breath. "Yeah. Yeah I think so."

Jomei then starts to wheel Takara closer to the building. Takara feels her heart beating so fast.

"My heart is gonna explode. My heart is going to come out of my throat. I'm going to die," Takara mumbles to herself. "Neji and Sakura can protect me if need be. I don't know what father can do. In fact, I don't know much about him at all. Maybe once this is all over him and I can catch up with a bowl of ramen. Oh, there I go... Rambling on and on."

Then, everyone sees Takako going through the rumble of the now destroyed building. Takara looks at the damaged building and smiles. She smiles knowing that everyone did that to protect and save her. All her friends were willing to risk their life for her.

"Wow," Takara says. "Look at that building. I wonder how much of my blood is still scattered there."

Jomei has a tear coming out of one eye. "I have something to say to Takako."

Jomei then pushes Takara towards Takako. Sakura, Jakako and Neji follow.

Takara gets wheeled up to her mother.

"Takako...," Takara says.

Takako looks over at Takara. She looks more sick than ever before. "Takara..." Takako slowly walks towards Takara. "Baby, I was searching for you."

"Enough of the lies. I know the truth," Takara says.

Takako comes closer to Takara. Takara wheels herself backwards to get away from Takako.

"I heard you got kidnapped again. I had to find my baby," Takako says.

"Like how you tried to find me before?" Takara asks.

Takako takes a deep breath. "What do you want Takara?" The poor, sick, helpless act she put on immediately went away.

"I want to know the truth," Takara asks. "The reason you sold me. The reason why I wasn't good enough for you. Why did you lie to the Leaf Village? Why did you lie to father about me? You planned everything out, but you told him that I was kidnapped and dead."

"Honey, you know that isn't true. Hiroshi filled your head with lies," Takako says.

"I never said any name," Takara says. "How did you know the name of the leader?" Takako looks around frantically. "Come on, you know that I know the truth. Start talking."

"My poor Takara was stuck... trapped... malnourished... and scared for so many years in that building. She was right here all along, and I didn't know. You told me she was dead so that I would stop searching for her!" Jomei says.

Jakako looks around not knowing what's going on.

"Jakako, don't believe your sister and father," Takako says. "None of what they are saying is true."

Jakako looks at Jomei and Takara, then back at Takako.

"Jakako, you are such a smart girl," Jomei says. "You know your mother is a liar."

Jakako keeps looking back and forth between Jomei and Takako. Then she starts crying. "I- I don't know who to believe!"

Sakura kneels down and hugs Jakako. Sakura also wipes away Jakako's tears. "Honey, you see my jacket?" Sakura backs up to show Jakako her jacket. "I'm a shinobi, do you know what they do?"

"They save people and beat bad guys, right?" Jakako asks.

"Correct!" Sakura says. "See, me and Neji are wearing these shinobi jackets. We're friends of Takara and Jomei. We saved your big sister from the bad guys. Would your father and sister want to be around bad guys after what they've been through?"

Jakako shakes her head. "I believe that mommy is a bad guy. I believe big sissy and daddy."

Takara smiles. "Thanks Sakura."

Takako then arches her eyebrows and gets angry. "You little bastard..."

"What's a bastard?" Jakako asks.

"We'll tell you when you're older," Takara says with an uncomfortable look.

"Takako! Don't talk to Jakako like that," Jomei says.

Just then, Takako walks fast to Jakako. Takako goes behind Jakako. Takako then grabs a kunai knife and holds it up to Jakako's neck. Jakako gasps and starts to cry.

"Nobody moves or this bastard gets this kunai stuck in her throat!"