Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Closer ❯ Chapter 41

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Naruto sighed, wincing a little as he touched his face. His bruises were fading and the swelling had gone down. That beating he endured from the female Cloud nin caused him a great deal of pain, but if he had to go through it again, to protect Sasuke, he would. Yet beyond his pain, he was happy. Kakashi-sensei said that he would take him to the Raikage so that he could talk to him. Capitan Yamato seemed unsure about their plan, but Kakashi always had a way of talking him into doing things he didn’t want to do.

Thankfully Sai had kept his word and didn’t tell Sakura about what had happened to him. He didn’t wasn’t to stress her out any more than she was right now. When the Cloud Nins confirmed what they heard about Sasuke and the Akatsuki, she had been overcome by grief. It was then that Naruto knew she wasn’t over Sasuke at all. Even though he chose Ino, even though they had a child together, Sakura was still in love with him. It made him sad for her too, thinking that she had kept it all bottled up inside of her. There were times when he thought it was true before now. Like the time they found out Ino was pregnant. Sakura had been so touchy about it and every time Sasuke’s name was brought up, she looked like she was angered by it. When they escorted Ino and Reiko to Earth Temple, he would catch her looking longingly at the baby cradled close to Inoichi’s chest during their travels. Then they had returned to Leaf after failing to get to Sasuke in time and were surprised when they laid eyes on him. He had looked so much like Ino, it was like a punch in the face reiterating the fact that Sasuke and Ino had a child and he was alive and…real.

The kid, Reiko was a pleasant mix of both of them with confidence that could easily be misconstrued as arrogance. He had Ino’s easy smile and Sasuke’s smirk. He soaked up everything everyone taught him and he liked Ramen! If Ino or Inoichi were busy, he was always with Shikamaru or would come and find him. When he was teaching Konohamaru things, Reiko would beg to join. It amused him to see both boys try and beat each other. It was a good natured rivalry that made him so whimsical. But like he and Sasuke, there was always a clear winner in the beginning. Reiko was a true genius, even more so than Sasuke. Maybe even more so than Kakashi or Itachi. His eyes and natural talent was an amazing thing to behold when they worked together. It was dangerous too if people found out about it. Like Danzo. Like Root.

“Feeling better?” Sai came back into the tent with a steaming bowl of instant ramen. Naruto grinned and took it eagerly from him, crossing his legs and letting the warm plastic bowl warm his hands.

“I told you I heal fast.” He said cheerily and blew on some hot noodles before slurping them into his mouth.

Kakashi entered soon after. “We need to hurry and pack. The Cloud nin are finishing in the archive and we have to be ready to follow.”

Naruto finished his meal in four more bites and downed the chicken broth. The hot liquid felt good sliding down his throat and warmed his belly. He was always ready these days. His bag was packed and waiting in the corner of his tent. He quickly changed out of his dirty, blood stained clothes and gently tied his headband back into place, over his bandaged head. Not even ten minutes later, Capitan Yamato came in.

“It’s done.” He still looked uneasy about the whole thing so Naruto offered him a smile of assurance.

“I’m ready.”

“What! You’re making us stay here?!” Reiko’s exploding temper made her wince. He was sure loud. I wonder if I sound like that too…

They were in a small weathered restaurant in a small weathered village. The food here was homey and fulfilling. Just what they needed after their four day travels. The table had a little wobble to it and Juugo was rocking it back and forth with a troubled frown. The others didn’t try and stop him from doing it.

“That place isn’t good for cute kids like you.” Suigetsu admonished playfully and reached out across the table to ruffle Reiko’s hair but the young boy ducked away.

“Mom! You’re just going to let him do that to us?” Reiko turned to her, eyes wide and unbelieving.

Ino shrugged and took a long drink of her warm tea. “I don’t want people to see us at the Kage Summit.” She said dismissively. “Besides, they have to infiltrate that place and a group of five is rather large.”

“This is my choice, my fight. You and Ino are staying out of it.” Sasuke said firmly, seated next to Reiko.

“Besides, if that Danzo guy sees you then he’ll think you and Ino  are working for Akatsuki. He’ll think that you guys have betrayed your village.” Karin told him absently, studying her nails. Karin may not like Ino very much, but she could see that she had a soft spot for Reiko. That made Ino grudgingly begin to like her. Just a little bit.

“Let him think what he wants! He won’t survive long enough to tell anyone!” Reiko protested heatedly and looked to Sasuke with his big green eyes. “Why can’t I come too? You guys never let me do anything! You guys are always saying if for my own good, it’s to protect me. But you can’t keep me a secret from the world the rest of my life!” He ranted and slammed his hands on the table before climbing over Ino’s lap and storming off.

Ino sighed and rubbed her eyes with her fingers. She kept a strict sense of where her son was with her sensor skills and found that he was just outside.

Reiko…she called our softly to him, letting her love and understanding reach him through their minds. It was a new level to their telepathy bonding. She felt him resist and she enveloped him into a mental hug. Let him do this his way…we have to do things our way. She told him.

Despite his hanger, she felt him grow curious. What do you mean our way?

She smiled mentally. I got a delivery late late last night. She teased.

From who? Shikamaru and Choji?

I got one from them too, but that’s not who I mean.

…Itachi? She felt his budding excitement.

While Sasuke is out doing his thing, we’ll be meeting with Itachi.

When?

Ino mentally shrugged. Tomorrow some time. So tell me, do you want to go with your bossy, overbearing, pigheaded father, or meet Itachi with me?

Reiko was thoughtful. Did you tell Sasuke about it?

If I did, do you think that he would be going to the Kage Summit? It’ll be a surprise for him. She thought in a joking manner.

Sasuke’s life is full of surprises these days. Reiko mused. Ino could tell he was feeling better now.

It keeps him on his toes. Came back and finish eating.

She could feel him mentally roll his eyes. Alright.

“Is he coming back?” Ino almost jumped at Sasuke’s question, she had been so lost in her thoughts with Reiko. She turned to him and became engaged by his dark dark eyes. Ahh, such dreamy eyes…if we were alone and back in our room, the things I would do to him to make those eyes burn me…

She flushed, no, no. No distractions. “He’s coming.” She murmured and looked away as she took a calming drink of her warm tea. Later, Reiko had stuffed himself back between her and Sasuke and silently finished his meal, looking subdued and angry still. After, it was late in the afternoon and Sasuke had sent his team to wait for him at the village gate as he ‘escorted’ her and Reiko to the inn they were going to be staying at. Yasuo had recovered in Dirty Snow and vowed vengeance against his men who betrayed him, cautioning her not to come to the border villages between Frost and Lightning for a few months. She was still worried for him though. He looked pale and weak when he had left them but knew if anyone could pull through, it would be Yasuo.

“Be sure you stay here. I’ll find a way to contact you.” Sasuke told them, his posture relaxed with a hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

“I got it jeeze. You told me fifty billion times already!” Ino was annoyed and folded her arms.

“Well I’m telling you one more time.” He poked her forehead. “I know how scatterbrained you can be.”

Ino’s mouth opened in insult. “What? I’m not scatterbrained! You better leave before I smack that smirk off of your pretty-boy face!” She jerked her arm away when he tried to grab it. But he just caught her other one and pushed her hard against the corner of the inn. He held her there for just a second, his knee hitching up, between her legs.

“Stop it! Why do you guys always have to do this kind of stuff in front of me?! I’m a child for gods sake!” Reiko whined, breaking them from their staring contest. Ino giggled at the way he had put his hands over his eyes to stop himself from seeing his young parents in such a compromising position.

“I’ll be back as soon as I can.” Sasuke finally said and Ino leaned into meet him, pressing her lips lightly onto his in a quick kiss to spare Reiko. Sasuke allowed that small show of public affection, but pulled quickly away.

“Be good.” He said in a rather sarcastic tone to Reiko, his lips lifting into a smirk at Reiko’s disgruntled pout.

Ino watched him disappear into the throngs of people before turning to a miffed Reiko. “So now what do we do?”

“It sucks that Itachi is supposed to come tomorrow.” Reiko muttered. “I don’t know what the heck we can do here. It’s not a very big place and it’s too cold to say outside for long.”

Ino looked around. “I know. I’m missing our village right now.” She was gloomy all of the sudden. “I miss how it was before the attack.” She said and opened the wooden door to the inn. “I hate having to do this behind Naruto and Sakura’s backs. They care for Sasuke too and have a long history with him.”

Reiko followed her down the hallways. ”Do you think he misses them too?”

Ino shrugged. “I think he does…a little. But not like those guys miss him.”

“Naruto always tell me stories about them and what they did as a team. Is it true that Sasuke had this book of paws from different cats and had to dress like one to finish his scrap book?”

Ino glanced down at him in surprise. “Naruto told you that? I’ve never heard about it before! What else did he tell you?” She asked eagerly.

Reiko snorted. “Do you ever wonder what’s behind Kakashi’s mask? Naruto said that when they were younger, he Sasuke and Sakura took turns trying to find a way to see under his mask…”

High in the snow topped trees, Ino waited for any sign of a black bird as she lounged against the truck of the massive pine. They kept to the branches as to not leave footprints in the deep snow. Her cheeks were numb and pink and she puffed out little steams of breath to battle her boredom. Soft tuffs of feather light snowfall caught in her hair. She was marveling at the way the sunlight was making the ground glisten like glitter when Reiko’s insistent thoughts filled her head.

Mom! It’s Naruto!

Ino scrambled to her feet and took off to his direction. The winds tore at her hair and the cold cut through her winter clothes as she rushed to meet him. What the hell? Why would Naruto be here?

Who else is with him?

Looks like Kakashi-sensei and Capitan Yamato. There are others coming to, like they’re going to meet or something.

Are you blocking your chakra like I showed you? Be careful, Kakashi-sensei could probably feel you if you’re not.

I am. Hurry.

If Kakashi and Yamato are with him, it must be serious. There would be no way the village could spare two jonin of their caliber at a time like this. Did they find out she was here with Sasuke? If they did, why didn’t they bring Sakura? And who were the others that he was meeting? She wanted to reach out her sensors to see for herself, but knew that wouldn’t be the brightest idea. When she had Reiko in her sights, she stealthily slipped next to him and peeked around the trunk, through the thick pine needles. In the blinding white landscape, she saw them. The trio had stopped in front of the large group of people.

“I can’t hear what they’re saying. We should get closer.” Reiko whispered to her, two tomoe whiling as he narrowed his eyes. “They’re Cloud Ninja.”

Cloud? Why would he want to talk with them? Unless…

She was troubled now. “We can’t get closer or they’ll see us for sure.” She said with a reluctant shake of her head. They were toeing the line as it was. From here, she could see that Naruto was hurt. Did something else happen in the village? Shikamaru and Choji didn’t say write anything about it in their correspondence.

Suddenly, she felt overwhelmed by a presence. Before she could even turn around, someone slipped their hands over her and Reiko’s mouth. Both of them floundered in panic. Ino tried to turn to see who had attacked them, but was only pulled close to their shoulder.

“Shhhh.” His warm breath caressed her ear and she felt a shiver work its way down her limbs to her toes leaving a tingling feeling in its wake. Reiko’s eyes widened and he pulled the hand from his mouth, uncovering a smile.

“Itachi!”

Itachi’s hand slid from her mouth and she was finally able to look at him. He was in a white cloak with a black shirt peeking out and standard dark blue ninja pants. His eyes glowed red and he graced Reiko with a small friendly smile. Gods, she thought that once she and Sasuke were back together, she wouldn’t feel so attracted to the older Uchiha. But her heart was beating a mile a minute like she was ten again and crushing hard on some gorgeous older boy. Her eyes were sticking to him like honey and the cold wasn’t biting at her flesh anymore. Grr, he had the power to distract her too!

He nodded ahead. “Let’s get closer. I’m curious about what Naruto has to say too.”

“But we can’t without getting noticed.” Ino argued.

Three tomoe emerged in his blood red eyes and spun slowly. “They won’t see us. I’ll make sure.”

Ino frowned, not totally convinced. “There are nine well trained ninja down there. What if one of them is a sensor?”

“One of them is. The Raikage is down there too.” He said nonchalantly.

Ino raised a brow. “How long have you been here?” She asked suspiciously.

He smirked that Uchiha smirk that made heat blossom in her tummy. “Long enough.” She watched him smoothly jump to another tree and Reiko gave her a little frown before shrugging and following his uncle. She hesitated, but then growled low in her throat before deciding to follow. She made sure she blotted out her chakra signature for extra precaution.

In the clearing, she saw Naruto’s group stop in front of the other group. Ino scanned them all, taking in their appearance. The Raikage was a huge massive man with steel bracers on his muscular arms. His dark skin was like coffee against the white of the snow. He looked very skilled and intelligent. There was a dark skinned girl with red hair and glittering gold eyes, a lazy looking young adult with silver hair and mocha skin standing next to an older one with the same color hair. In the front, there was a big busted woman, blonde with a sleek haircut and ivory skin with a blonde haired yummy looking man standing shoulder to shoulder with her.

There was a tense stare off between then before the yummy blonde man spoke. “You actually tailed Samui. You guys are pretty good.” He said. The busty blonde’s lips thinned as she stared steadily back at the Leaf trio.

“Y-you!” the younger white haired Cloud nin spoke.

“Damn it Naruto! You tailed us! What’s the big deal?” The golden eyes Cloud nin said heatedly, obviously flustered.

The Raikage’s eyes narrowed and his bulky body stiffened in caution. “Did the Hokage send you Kakashi Hatake?”

“No, I came to ask you personally about a request by Naruto Uzumaki of the Hidden Leaf.”

“Isn’t this a bit rude?” Yummy Blonde guy asked, looking a little peeved. “Stopping us en route to the summit without any prior notice.”

“Well? You there, boy! Speak!” The mighty Raikage commanded. Kakashi took a step back and Ino focused on Naruto. Naruto took a deep breath and closed his eyes. It must be so nerve wracking standing in front of that big man. Even though he didn’t know she was there, even she felt a little intimidated by the presence of the Raikage.

Finally, Naruto opened his blue eyes, determination and bravery shining brightly in the orbs. “I want you to cancel the disposal of Sasuke Uchiha.” Naruto finally yelled. Ino gasped and put a hand to her mouth, glad that the golden eyed girl gasped out loud as well, unknowingly covering her outburst.

“Are you still talking about that?” Golden Eyes protested with a fist in the air.

“You sure have a lot of guts.” The older white haired man said in a deep chocolate voice.

“What are you saying?” Yummy Blonde Guy sounded exasperated, like he didn’t know if he should take Naruto serious or not.

“I know it sounds ridiculous!” Naruto defended. “But this is the only way I know how to say it!” He said, bowing his head apologetically. Ino’s heart softened. Naruto…you’ll never give up on him will you? Why couldn’t Sasuke see what she saw in him? “Sasuke is my friend! My friend’s gonna get killed. I just can’t stand by and let it happen! On top of that, I don’t want Sasuke to be the cause of the Leaf and Cloud villages killing each other. I don’t want my friends, or the Cloud to fight for revenge!”

The blonde Raikage stood still for a moment, before taking a step forward and going around a bowing Naruto. Itachi put a hand to her shoulder to stop her from moving. But all Ino wanted to do was jump down there and do something! Naruto repeatedly ran in front of the departing Raikage to stop him, but each time he was passed by until Naruto dropped on all fours in front of the Raikage.

“I’m begging you! I don’t want us killing each other out of vengeance anymore!” He cried out but Ino’s heart dropped when even that didn’t stop the Raikage from walking past him. The sound of the snow crunching under his weight made her feel so sorry and angry for Naruto. He was really putting himself out there.

“All Sasuke ever thought about was revenge! He became obsessed with it and that changed him. Vengeance makes you go mad. It turns you into someone you don’t recognize anymore. I don’t want anyone else to become like Sasuke! I don’t want the Leaf and Cloud villages to destroy each other! That’s why—” His voice cracked and a pang of heartfelt sympathy filled her chest and eyes. Naruto’s  body was trembling with desperate tears.

“We will dispose of Sasuke.” The Raikage said angrily, stopping in his tracks. “After that, you can stop the cycle.”

“We are in a hurry. We’ve let you have your say.” Yummy Blonde Guy said calmly.

Capitan Yamato stepped forward. “Lord Raikage. The incident which you tried to obtain the Hyuga Byakugan is still unresolved on our side. The Hidden Leaf swallowed tears of blood and avoided fighting the Cloud, who fueled the fires of war. It’s thanks to those noble sacrifices that your people still exist. Please try not to forget that.” She never heard Capitan Yamato sound so serious before. So threatening. She was mentally nodding along. Hinata told her about the time she had almost been kidnapped when she was four. Neji’s father, the twin to Hinata’s father had paid the price for the Cloud nin that had been killed in his attempt.

“Right here and now, this young ninja, no matter how awkward is bowing his head in his affection for the Cloud and Leaf, village and nation. Lord Raikage as one of the five Kages, what do you think of this?” It was Kakashi who spoke.

The Raikage turned on his heel, his eyes big with anger. “A ninja does not bow his head so easily! A ninja values action and strength! Concessions are forbidden in agreements made between ninja.  The history of man is a history of war. Since the three Great Ninja Wars every nation and every land has tried to obtain powerful ninjutsu. Those without power are crushed. That is the truth of the ninja world. The Akatsuki will be branded as wanted fugitives. Then, not only I, but the world will hunt Sasuke down. Yet you bow your head for this criminal and plead for mercy for your friend. In the ninja world, that is not friendship! Boy from the Hidden Leaf, think hard on what you must do! The ninja world does not indulge fools!” He turned his back to Naruto dismissively. “Let’s go!” He barked, walking away.

Well so much for that. Naruto…I wish things were different. I hate this just as much as you do. Ino wiped the few tears that ran down her cheek. She felt like going down there and curling up next to him to cry too.

“Let’s go.” Itachi ordered them and she reluctantly left, though it hurt to just leave him there. But she didn’t know what to do and she couldn’t reveal herself because Itachi was with her. When they were a safe distance away she stopped and looked back.

“You want to go to him don’t you?” Itachi asked, standing just before her with Reiko in between them.

“I can’t just leave him like this. I have to talk to him. I feel so horrible now that I think about it. Here I am with Sasuke and Naruto doesn’t even know. It feels like I’m betraying him by keeping this a secret!” Remembering him bowing his head to the snow made her heart ache.

“It won’t matter. You know Sasuke won’t listen to anything Naruto has to say right now. He has a new purpose, one that has swallowed him. Why did you let him go to the Kage Summit after Danzo?” Itachi’s brow creased in a mix of irritation and worry.

“It’s not like I could change his mind about it! I told you I can’t sway him like you all think I can! Besides that, I don’t want that man to be Hokage. I know about him, I know what he thinks and militarizing the village isn’t it at all. He thinks of Naruto as a weapon, not a person and will do everything to keep him under his control if he becomes Hokage.  Lady Tsunade will wake up I know she will. I have more loyalty to her than to that shady man. And I’ll do whatever I can to protect Naruto. Even if it means agreeing with Sasuke about taking Danzo out of the picture!” She was breathing hard, sizzling in righteous defense over her decision. “I need to go to Naruto, I need to talk to him. We all do. Doing things in our own way isn’t helping matters. Can’t you come and talk to him with me?”

Her hopes were smashed when he shook his head. “It’s not the right time yet.”

“When will be the right time then? Are you ever going to tell us what you’re up to, what you’ve been doing these past few weeks?” Ino snapped moodily, putting a hand to her hip.

Itachi was as calm as ever and didn’t even raise his voice once. “Let me handle my business the way I need to. You’ll see. In the end, you’ll see what I have planned. Tobi is the threat right now, not Sasuke. There is a much bigger event in the making. I trust you and Naruto to handle Sasuke. Don’t look at me like that, I will appear before Sasuke and the rest.”

Ino huffed and folded her arms. “But not just yet.” She bit out sarcastically.

“There is one thing that needs to happen though.” Itachi ignored her temper. “My eyes. Sasuke needs to transplant my eyes.”

Ino’s eyes widened. “What? Why would he need to do that? You need your eyes!” Reiko’s brow was furrowed in confusion.

“The eyes from my other body.” He explained to Reiko. “Tobi has it. No doubt he offered them to Sasuke to keep him in Akatsuki. Have Sasuke transplant them. They were always meant for him.”

Ino looked away. Itachi’s eyes…

“What?” Itachi caught the expression and Ino flushed.

“Tobi doesn’t have them.” She said slowly before looking back at his raised eyes brow. “Before you and Sasuke fought, me and my team visited Nakano Shrine. It was only to find some kind of clue where you guys were going to be!” She quickly. “Choji found a story about these two brothers and something called the…”

“Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan.” Itachi finished for her, regarding her in dawning understanding.

“Shikamaru thought that it would be wise to take them at the time I did the Body Soul Exchange jutsu. I guess he was right. I should realize by now that I should never doubt the genius of a Nara.” She said fondly, warmth and pride shining inside when she thought of her team.

“What’s that?” Reiko asked. “What’s the difference between them?”

“The more you use the power of the Mangekyo Sharingan, the more the light dies from your eyes until your world is darkness.”

At Reiko’s confusion Ino rolled her eyes. “He means you go blind. Jeeze, why can’t you just say it like that?”

Itachi smirked. “It sounds better the way I say it.” He looked down at his nephew. “But yes, eventually you go blind and the Sharingan dies. But if you transplant the eyes of your brother into your own, you never lose that light. New power is born, power that has been the Uchiha’s ultimate trump card.” He gazed at Ino. “So where are they?”

She tossed her head to the side. “Back in Leaf. I’ll have to get word to Shikamaru and Choji to bring them if that’s what you want. But it’s going to take some time. They have to leave Leaf secretly and travel here to Iron so I don’t know when they’ll arrive.” She sighed and rubbed the back of her neck. “If everything goes the way Sasuke wants, he should be back tomorrow or the day after.”

Itachi gave a nod. “After, once the transplant is finished, I will come again.”

Reiko studied his uncle with uncanny eyes. “You’re avoiding him aren’t you?” Ino stayed silent. She was getting that feeling too but didn’t wasn’t to mention it for fear of Itachi’s cold temper. But he was giving them plenty of excuses not to meet with Sasuke. She believed him when he said he was doing some behind the scenes things that she didn’t have to know about, but even that could be put on hold for a minute if he really wanted to meet with his younger brother.

If he was, she could understand why. He blamed himself for the way Sasuke was now and was…disappointed in his younger brother’s decision. But really, Ino thought with a trace of irritation, what did he expect when he turned his brother onto vengeance and hatred? Sasuke did what Itachi wanted. He excelled in his devotion for revenge and harnessed every bitter feeling into his training. Orochimaru cultivated him to be the ultimate weapon, his ultimate vessel. For a second, Ino felt guilt rise inside of her like smoke. Itachi had wanted to die, he planned it all and she had stopped him. Now, he seemed like he didn’t know what to do with himself anymore. It was like he was ashamed. That’s why he doesn’t want to meet Sasuke just yet, she thought sadly.

“Reiko…you see too much.” He admitted softly with a regretful smile. Reiko just stared at him with a dark look in his eyes even Ino didn’t know what he was thinking.

“Itachi Uchiha is intimidated by his little brother. Sasuke would be pleased. His ego would swell so huge, not one would be able to breath around him.” Ino mused, letting her eyes twinkle with her teasings.

When he smiled, his whole chakra lit up and butterflies swarmed in her tummy. He lookes like Sasuke when he smiles, she thought. She wished both of them smiled warmly like that more often instead of using their mighty Uchiha smirks.

“Probably.” He said, his eyes curving into a pleasant crescent shape. “So you’ll have to excuse my cowardice for the moment.”

Ino’s lip quirked and she took a page from Sasuke’s book. “Just this one time then. Until you find your courage.”

Itachi looked at her with glittering ebony eyes. “Thank you.” He tilted his head back and looked into the clear blue sky. “If you want to talk with Naruto, you should head back to the village. Send word to your team, we have to move quietly and quickly. I’ll be in touch.”

Reiko stopped him from leaving. “Promise? You have to promise you will.” His hand tightened on Itachi’s arm, blonde hair fluttering from his almond shaped sage-green eyes in the weak winter breeze.

Itachi poked him in the forehead. “Promise.”

Ino placed her hands on Reiko’s shoulders and they watched Itachi disappear in a flurry of snow and leaves.

They were staying in the same village she and Reiko were which wasn’t surprising considering that it was the closest and only one near the place where the summit was taking place.

She was so nervous, staring at the inn that the trio were staying in. For a good half hour, she just stood in the store across from it trying to conquer her nerves and gain some courage herself. She was afraid of what Kakashi was going to say and what Naruto’s reaction to her was going to be. She clasped her hands behind her back and linked her fingers together to stop them from trembling. Maybe Reiko was catching on to her nervousness because he was pacing behind her. She couldn’t just linger here for the rest of the day, she scolded herself and took a deep breath.

“Okay, I’m ready. Are you ready?” She looked over her shoulder at Reiko.

He hesitated for a second before nodding. “I think I am.”

It seemed like crossing the street took more than the fifteen seconds. Each of her steps echoed in her head like Choji’s stride when he was in his multi size mode. She let her sensors flare out to find them. Naruto’s chakra was as bright and warm as ever, but he could feel his sadness as well. The memory of his plea to the Raikage still stung her heart. Seeing him cry in desperation made her throat tighten. He was going through so much, trying to fix everything and she wasn’t helping at all.

She stood in front of the door, fighting the chill that ran down her spine. Before she even raised her hand to knock, the door slid open and Kakashi stood in front of her.

“Ino?” His one eye widened and she offered a smile.

“Uh…yo?” When he didn’t smile back she sighed and her shoulders slumped. That would have been too easy. “Is Naruto here? I need to talk with him.”

She waited nervously before he moved aside and granted she and Reiko entrance. Yamato stood from his place where he had made his bed.

“Ino? Reiko?” His dark brown eyes narrowed. “Did you follow us?”

“No. I would have noticed. Which only means that you were here before us.” Kakashi regarded her with a serious look. She could almost make out the frown behind his mask.

Something clicked in Yamato’s head. “Sasuke. Where is Sasuke?” He demanded.

Ino schooled her expression hiding her guilt expertly. “He’s not with me.”

“If you know where he is you should tell us. The Raikage…” Yamato was standing in front of her now, towering over her.

“I know. I saw. That’s why I need to see Naruto.” She stubbornly refused to say anymore and Kakashi sighed.

“He’s in the back.”

Ino nodded and looked down at Reiko. “Stay here with them okay? I need to talk to him alone.”

Reiko gave both adults an unsure look, but agreed in the end. Ino smiled and kissed him on the forehead before leaving. The door slid open silently and she saw Naruto lying on the ground curled on his side.

“I said I wanted to be alone for a little while.” He mumbled without looking.

“Naruto.” At her voice, he sat up quickly. In the darkness, she saw his blue eyes widen in surprise. As soon as she locked eyes with him, her vision swam with tears and she ran and dropped down next to him, sliding her arms around his waist and burying her face in his chest as she let out a small sob.

“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry Naruto! I didn’t know how hard this was for you! I’m so selfish I should have told you about what I was going to do but I couldn’t! I’m sorry!” She cried, her voice muffled by the front of his jumpsuit. He grasped her by the arms and drew her away to look at her.

“Ino…you’ve been with Sasuke?” He asked incredulously. All she could do was nod. “Where is he? Is he alright?”

She nodded again, her chin quivering. “He’s…”

“At the summit?” He demanded. “Is that where he is?”

Ino hesitated for a second. “Yes. He’s going to kill Danzo.”

Naruto shook his head in confusion. “Danzo? Why?”

“Maybe I can answer that.” Both she and Naruto jerked apart in alarm. Soon she was overwhelmed by a chakra so powerful and dark she found it hard to breathe. Her sensors were screaming in warning as she gazed up, into the mask of Tobi. She felt the blood drain from her face.

“How about we talk, Naruto Uzumaki?”

“You!” Naruto cried out and instantly summoned a clone to perform a Rasengan attack. She covered her ears to sound of it blasting against the wall of their room. Suddenly, she felt herself be jerked into an unyielding embrace. She felt the cold air from the evening whizz by her making her dizzy with how fast Tobi moved. Her whole body tingled for some reason like her whole being was resetting itself.

“Rasengan right off the bat huh?” Ino’s eyes snapped open and she found herself looking down at Naruto through a gaping hole in the roof. Tobi’s hand was around her neck, the other restraining her around the waist. “You know it doesn’t work on me right?” The ground shook and she saw a wood jutsu emerge from the roof and wrap itself around she and Tobi to keep them in place. Ino wheezed out a breath, feeling extremely suffocated. A wooden cage snapped in place in front of Naruto with Yamato kneeing in front of it. Ino frantically looked through it and around her.

Reiko! Where was Reiko? She closed her eyes and sent up a prayer. Please, even if I die, protect him!

“Naruto, you just stay put.” Yamato said, looking up at she and Tobi. A Chidori crackled next to her head, making the little hairs on her neck and arms stand up.

“As expected, Sharingan Kakashi.” Tobi said, his fingers digging painfully into her neck in warning. Ino refused to let any kind of sound out despite the fact that he was hurting her. “You are fast.”

“We won’t let you get your hands in Naruto that easily, Madara Uchiha.” Kakashi said in a low, controlled voice that promised death. Ino’s eyes widened. Madara Uchiha? This guy?! There was no way he could be him! He was dead and there was no way he could still be alive! Itachi would have said something! Right?

“You did just hear my last line, didn’t you? No attacks work against Madara Uchiha. And I doubt you’ll do anything since I have this girl as my hostage.”

She saw Kakashi’s jaw tighten. “I don’t know if you are merely erasing your presence or if this is an astral projection, but I know it’s necessary for you to manifest physically in order to capture Naruto.” Yamato said from below. Tch, does he look like he’s an astral projection? His fingers digging into her neck would beg to differ. The wooden pillars around them rose. “This is my territory. Just try and do something.”

“I never thought it would be easy. You see, I have my own plan. But right now, I’d rather talk.” Tobi (or Madara?) said as calm as ever. He was in control of this whole thing, Ino thought, wincing when he lessened his hold around her neck.

“Talk?” Kakashi asked.

“Yes. What was it that made Pein, Nagato turn into a traitor? Naruto, you have aroused my curiosity.”

Reiko struggled in his bonds, growling low in his throat as he worked his hands free. His wrists were beginning to rub raw with his efforts, but he bit the inside of his cheek and ignored the pain. Something was happening! His mom and Naruto were in danger and Kakashi had the nerve to tie him up to keep him out of it!

He wasn’t some weak kid who didn’t know what the end of a kunai was! Why couldn’t they see?

Angry tears burned his eyes. When he got free, he would show them all! He wasn’t going to just stay quietly in the shadows anymore!

Naruto stared up at them in disbelief. Even Kakashi and Yamato didn’t know what to say right after Tobi told them the truth about Itachi. Even the story about the Senju and Uchiha clans was something she never heard before. And Kakashi…he tried to understand why Sasuke wasn’t coming back to the village. He thought like we all thought. He thought that Sasuke would honor Itachi’s request and carry on Itachi’s will.

“As Sasuke’s teacher and his friends…” Tobi tightened his hold on her neck once more. “As his lover you might have assumed you understood Sasuke’s true feelings. But you were badly mistaken. He’s the real thing. A true avenger. That’s what he is. Sasuke chose this himself.”

She felt Naruto’s despair reach her on the roof top. “It’s a lie!”

“I took a gamble too. Would Sasuke carry on Itachi’s wishes, or would he seek revenge against the Hidden Leaf? He chose vengeance. I essence, he was meant to be on our side. Sasuke’s goal at the moment is to take revenge against the Hidden Leaf for what they did to Itachi and the Uchiha Clan. It was inevitable. It’s the Uchiha Clan’s blood-soaked destiny of hate. Like a curse that has been passed down through the ages.” Tobi explained.

“A curse?” Naruto asked, lifting his head finally. She could see so much in those blue blue eyes of his. He was getting overwhelmed by everything Tobi was saying and didn’t know what to think right now.

“Yes. A curse of hatred which started generations ago. This is only the second time I’ve ever met you but I can tell that you hold the Senju’s Will of Fire within you. I can see the First Hokage inside you. Even after death he lives on. He whom I admired, yet he was my rival. The man I hated the most. The Senju and the Uchiha. The Will of Fire and hatred. Naruto and Sasuke. You both will be the next chosen by fate. The Uchiha was destined to be a clan of vengeance. Sasuke has shouldered the entire burden of the Uchiha’s hatred and intends to strike the world with that curse. It is the most powerful weapon. It’s his friend and source of power, this thing called hatred. And its Sasuke’s ninja way! Naruto, you will probably end up fighting Sasuke one day. Rather…I will throw Sasuke at you. A battle that was predestined ages ago. I’ll have Sasuke validate the existence of the Uchiha.”

Naruto’s blue eyes glittered angrily. “Sasuke is not your toy! You can’t make selfish plans!”’

Tobi snorted in her ear. ”You think you can make Sasuke have a change of heart like you did with Nagato?” He mused in bitter sarcasm. “That’s just as selfish Naruto. Controlling people requires the skill to manipulate the darkness in their souls. Nagato was just easy to influence.”

“Don’t compare Nagato to yourself! He truly wished for peace! You don’t!”

“You’re right.”

Kakashi had asked what he had intended to do when he captured all the tailed beasts, but Tobi’s answer was vague, full of sinister secrets. How could he become complete when he gathered the tailed beasts Ino wondered?  Her whole body was numb from the cold and the tightness of Yamato’s wooden bonds. The whole time he was talking, she had tried to reach out with her sensors to find Reiko but Tobi’s chakra made it impossible. Did he know she was a sensor?

“Our conversation…was quite fun.” Tobi’s body shifted behind her and she the environment began blurring in front of her. Was he going to take her with him? And then do what? Would he kill her?

“Naruto!” She managed to cry out. “Reiko…protect Reiko!”

“Ino!” But his voice buzzed away when she felt Tobi’s transport jutsu swallow her whole body. They ended up in some place…some place that existed but didn’t. He let her go and she bolted from him, stumbling over her feet and falling on a sponge like cube of some sort.

“What is this place?” She asked, looking up at the masked man who skewered her with his one eye the peeked through the hole in his mask. She could see it glowing red with an active Sharingan.

“A place stuck between time. One of my own making. It was foolish of me to dismiss you so easily. But to be honest, I didn’t think Sasuke had time to find himself a girl. He’s so surprising and secretive, ne? You are someone of great importance to him, I can tell now. Capturing you is a good thing for me. One more thing to retain my hold over him.” He squatted in front of her. “So you know about Danzo huh? And you didn’t seem very surprised when I told Naruto and the others about Itachi. That tells me that you are not someone to take lightly and you know more than you should.”

Ino didn’t say anything, but Tobi didn’t mind. It was almost like he was talking to himself. “And who is this Reiko? Oh, not going to tell me? It doesn’t matter, I’ll find out sooner or later.” He said with a shrug and stood up. “What is your name?” When she didn’t say anything he sighed. “Naruto called you Ino so I assume that’s your name then? Very well Ino, stay quite. You’re going to have to hang out in here for a while. I have to check on Sasuke and see what has become of Danzo. Be good okay?”

“Wait!” Ino stood when he began to phased away. Tobi stopped. “What are you going to do with me?”

He chuckled. “Don’t worry Ino, I won’t kill you. You’re much more useful to me alive.” He walked close to her and Ino forced herself to stay rooted to the spot. “It’ll be interesting to find out all your secrets.”