Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Inner Secrets ❯ Chapter 16

Disclaimer: Have I not yet said this enough???

 

Pairings: Itachi/Naruto, Shikamaru/Neji, Kakashi/Iruka, and Sasuke/Gaara ((Idea from a dear fan of mine. Thanks Utena-Puchiko-nyu!))

 

Warnings: Sad themes, suspense, gore, language, sexual-content and so on and so forth.

 

A/N: Wow! Can't believe we've made it to chapter 16 already. ^^ Special thanks to all my fans for reading, including those two guys in Juvi. Hope you're love and sexcapades last long. ((Thanks for telling me Arielle.)) Thanks to all loyal readers, and all loyal reviewers. Oh by the way I really want some fan art of my fic. It makes me sooo happy. Woot! Now on with the chapter!!!

 

Previously on Inner Secrets:

 

“Now is not the time for pleasantries.” The blue eyed man said sharply, causing everyone who had met the man before to feel shock, for he was such a kind man. He was obviously suffering great turmoil. “Please Tsunade, please help him.” The man begged; another thing that shocked them all.

 

“Of course.” The blond said with a nod. “I take it the patient is in there.” The woman stated, she did not ask, as she motioned towards the lavish wagon that lead the group of other wagons. The one that the man himself had exited.

 

“Yes.” Amadare nodded. “But there is no room inside; I'll have him brought out. I'm sure that that move should be less painful…” He said quietly. “Deamu-san, please bring him out.” The man called to his old friend and advisor.

 

Shock gripped the Konoha Anbu and medical squads as out climbed two teens, two very familiar teens. Hyuuga Neji and Shikamaru were the ones to step out, their expressions were cold, but grimness was visible in their eyes. Shortly behind them came the darkly tanned man Deamu, and in his arms was the tiny, pale and frail form of Uzumaki Naruto. Konoha's Number-one-Loud-Mouth-Knuckle-Headed-Ninja. He looked defeated…

 

Chapter 16

 

“Naruto-kun…” Shizune breathed as he arms went limp, allowing her pig to fall to the ground, but it managed to land gracefully.

 

Tsunade looked on in horror as Neji and Shikamaru laid out some white bedding and the man set the teen down. Her golden eyes not once leaving the frail form of the boy who reminded her so much of Dan and her little brother. The boy she felt a son to her. “Naruto…” She whispered softly before she raced forward, immediately going into professional medical ninja mode. “What happened?”

 

“I suppose you recall that blast of chakra from about a month back.” Neji stated calmly, his white eyes icy as he waited for the nod. “Well Naruto was attacked by a man wielding a demon's weapon.” The Hyuuga prodigy explained quietly. “In said attack Naruto was cut deeply by the blade and the weapon's blackened aura carbonized a section of his torso. All the medical treatment we've given him has done nothing to aid him, and even with the Kyuubi Naruto's body is still human, therefore the fox is unable to heal a wound of that magnitude; all it can do is keep him alive by a thread.” The teen concluded.

 

“He has slowly grown worse, the wound sapping his strength until finally you see him as he is.” Deamu said quietly as Tsunade unwound the crimson bandages only to cringe at the blackened side of the pale young teen.

 

“We'll need to remove the whole of the carbonized area as a start, that's the only way to proceed. Then we'll have to supply him with a constant blood transfusion as we work to rebuild all the damaged areas. That might be a problem, Naruto's blood type is a rare one, and very few in the village match it. Hyuuga-san, I know you match his, are you willing to give what blood you can?” The woman asked, her gold eyes piercing towards the white eyed young man.

 

“You didn't even have to ask.” Neji answered coldly his eyes matching the woman's gaze, earning him a nod of approval.

 

“Good. Shizune!” Tsunade said sharply as she placed the bandages back against the wound to damper the blood flow.

 

“Yes Tsunade-sama?” The dark haired woman asked, ready to assist.

 

“I want you to return to Konoha and prepare Room 311 for emergency operation. I want all available Medics there, all ready for shift work as this will be a long a grueling process.” The Hokage ordered, and with haste the young woman left to do as commanded.

 

“I want you three Anbu to make a stretcher of sorts.” The blond ordered to the masked men, earning a nod from them before they dispersed to look for material they could use in crafting a stretcher. “You three, help me prepare Naruto-kun for further transportation.” She added as three medic ninja raced forward, medical begs and equipment in arms.

 

The head of the Village Hidden in the Leaves worked diligently, her subordinates doing exactly as she commanded, and once the Anbu returned with a decent stretcher, they all moved the blond onto the thing before hastening off towards Konoha, the Caravan hot on their trail.

 

`Naruto-kun…I will not let you fall to the necklace's curse.' Tsunade silently vowed as she raced alongside the stretcher, her hand clasping the blonde's firmly, while the Anbu hauled him forth. Within twenty odd minutes they managed to arrive back in Konoha's hospital, the room already prepared.

 

“Hyuuga-san, please come inside the room so that we might hook you up to a transfusion machine.” Shizune said softly, before she lead the Hyuuga into the room leaving Shikamaru, Heero and Deamu all standing outside of the observation window, watching intently as Tsunade and her team began the careful task of severing the blackened flesh from the bones body, a process that went on for many an hour. The medics all having rounds at it while Tsunade worked the whole time, relying heavily on chakra pills.

 

Eight hours in and the team of medics had finally managed to separate the dead tissue from the living before they began intense reconstruction of the outer layer of the blonde's stomach, Tsunade thanking whatever gods for the Kyuubi's healing abilities that were helping them slowly the blood flow.

 

Another hour later and the team was beyond exhausted, but adrenaline kept them all working, kept them all pushing their limits, they had still so much yet to do before they could see if Naruto would last the night.

 

- - - - - - -

 

“Orochimaru-sama.” Kabuto greeted as he appeared before the new form of his master. “I bring word from my spy in Konoha.” The silver haired medic ninja began as he pushed his glasses higher up on his nose. “It would seem that Naruto-kun has returned to the village, but he is in critical condition. Presently he is undergoing emergency surgery.” The man concluded a twisted gleam in his eyes.

 

“That is interesting.” The snake-man said with a smirk that seemed out of place on the innocent young face of his newest host. “I suppose we will have to pay Naruto-kun a visit once he is on the recovery.” The man concluded darkly before he burst out in crazed laughter. “Summon the four!”

 

- - - - - - - -

 

“Shikamaru-san, go for a walk.” Heero Amadare said softly as he placed a weathered hand upon the tense shoulder of the Nara teen that had been standing before the window unmoving for the entire time. “You know both Neji-san and Naruto-kun will be unhappy if you are exhausted after this.” The man offered gently, causing the Nara to sigh.

 

“Troublesome…” The teen muttered before he nodded and turned and left, determined to return soon, but not too soon to be admonished by the former feudal lord.

 

And so Shikamaru left the Hospital, emerging into the Village of Konoha just as the sun was coloring the sky pink, foreshadowing its sleep.

 

Brown eyes slowly regarded the area around him, the first time he actually looked at the place since his departure years before. “I'm home…” He muttered under his breath before he tucked his hands in the pockets of his loose black cotton pants, and slowly began to walk through the village he had grown up in.

 

The wind was cool, and it gently wept his long hair around, dark brown strands flew across his vision, annoying him to no end, but he knew that he was not permitted to put his hair back up in his old pineapple do, otherwise Neji and Naruto would hound him for it. Nope, they decided he had to keep it long and loose. It was quite troublesome.

 

“Shikamaru-kun?” A female voice said, sounding unsure, causing the Nara to look over at the speaker, his expression looking as bored as ever.

 

“Ino-chan.” The genius greeted, causing the girl to squeal before she launched herself at her old teammate in a tight hug.

 

“Oh my gosh! I haven't seen you in ages! I didn't know you'd be back so early.” The girl began talking at a mile a minute. “You've gotten so tall! And your hair is down so I almost didn't recognize you!” The blond finished as she pulled back from the boy to observe him.

 

“Tch… Troublesome…” The young man muttered as he regarded the girl… no, young woman before him.

 

Ino had grown much over the time they were apart. She looked more feminine with gentle but voluptuous curves, her face more mature, holding very little of her child-features, and her hair had grown out again, reaching well past her waist. She was indeed a beauty, one that was much desired within the plains of the ninja village, but Shikamaru didn't quite see the woman before him. He still saw that girl he had grown up with. That girl who had become a friend, though not a close friend.

 

“Same as ever I see.” Ino said with a slight giggle. “Well I have to get going, I need to report to the Hokage as I have just returned from a mission.” The girl said as she began to turn away.

 

“Hokage-sama is busy.” Shikamaru said quietly, his gaze dropping to the ground as he turned and resumed his course, ignoring the concerned glance that his ex-teammate had given him as he left her.

 

The chill of the September evening began to settle in as the sun sunk lower over the horizon and Shikamaru was presently lounging atop his old haunt, his mind deep in troubling thoughts, but even still he was well aware of the eyes watching him like a hawk from the shadows. It was annoying.

 

“You can come out now.” Shikamaru muttered with a sigh as he sat up and looked over to a looming tree near by.

 

“Nara-san.” A deep male voice greeted as the owner slipped silently from the shadows, his tall, leath frame clad in pure black. The figure looked quite handsome. But that was to be expected of a maturing Uchiha Sasuke whom looked much more similar to a certain somebody that ought not be mentioned.

 

“Uchiha-san.” Shikamaru returned in kind as he slowly stood from the hill.

 

“Where's the dobe?” The last Uchiha of the village asked, onyx eyes narrowed in suspicion.

 

“Hospital.” The Nara genius answered his brown eyes assessing the other's reaction.

 

“Why is he there?” The dark haired teen asked a frown forming upon his dark and handsome features.

 

“He's dying.” Was all the genius could say before the Uchiha vanished. “And Tsunade-sama is trying to save him.” He added afterwards, before sighing and racing after the brooding teen.

 

Sasuke rushed from the hill to the hospital his mind blank, and he rushed through the hospital, trailing the weak trail of familiar chakra, until he arrived outside the observation window. Through the glass he saw something he thought he'd never see.

 

There was Naruto, weak, frail, pale and looking defeated. Medics swarmed all around him, working diligently through their exhaustion. Blood was everywhere, and he could tell that Naruto was only alive thanks to the Hyuuga who was sharing his own blood with the teen. “How long has he been in there?” Sasuke asked quietly, onyx eyes glued to the sight before him.

 

“Going on ten hours.” Shikamaru responded as he arrived back in the room, nodding a greeting the old man who stood at the observation glass as well.

 

“Things have not changed either. Though many of the medics had to be taken out due to chakra exhaustion.” Heero said quietly, his blue eyes sad. “I have only just been reunited with my grandson; I do not want to loose him.” The man admitted quietly causing the two teens to look him over.

 

“Naruto-dobe is not going to die!” Sasuke hissed sharply, his dark eyes challenging, earning him a strange look from the former feudal lord. “He has never given up on anything, least of all his dream. If he dies now he won't become the Hokage he promised he would be.” Sasuke reasoned before he turned back to the window. “Plus the Hyuuga is helping him fight, while the others work to save him. None of them have given up so he sure as hell wouldn't have. He has always held strong when everyone else has lost hope.” The Uchiha finished sharply.

 

“Tch… You talk too much.” Shikamaru muttered as he leaned against the wall opposite the window, brown eyes regarding his two friends within.

 

- - - - - - - -

 

Dawn rose bright and early on the morrow, and with it, the operation came to an end and Tsunade was just applying the last of the gaze and bandages around the teen's side. Her genjutsu had long since been dispelled, leaving her looking old, weary, and below her eyes hung great black circles, ones that told of her exhaustion. “Amadare-sama.” Tsunade said quietly as she stepped into the observation room. “The surgery was a success.” The blond said with a small smile on her somnolent features.

 

“Thank you.” The man whispered just as replacement medics wheeled Naruto's bed from the room as they were transporting him to a new room, one where he would stay to recuperate. And following the moving bed was a paler then normal Hyuuga Neji, his hands trembling with weakness induced by blood loose.

 

“Neji…” Shikamaru said softly as he moved over to his friend to offer support as they all followed towards Naruto's new room.

 

- - - - - - - -

 

Four figures cloaked beyond senses lurked outside of the Konoha Hospital. They sat there watching, waiting. There they stayed all day, and once visiting hours came to a close they began to prepare their next move.

 

Their target was alone, defenseless and in a healing comma. Their target was Uzumaki Naruto. “Jiroubou you go get the brat while I use my flute to put there area under the illusion of normalcy. But remember, Orochimaru-sama said to be gentle with the kid.” Tayuya ordered sharply, her lack of vial words a shock to the group.

 

With a nod they group disappeared, the sound of a flute's low melody hung ominously over their heads.

 

- - - - - - - -

 

Shikamaru and Neji were sound asleep in the Hokage's office. They were permitted to stay there as they would hear any and all news of Naruto should something occur during the night, and they weren't disappointed. Just past the stroke of twelve the doors flew open with an echoing bang, effectively waking Neji and Shikamaru who were asleep on rolled out bedding, and Tsunade who had been sleeping in her chair, head rested on her desk.

 

“Hokage-sama!” A woman in white medic ninja exclaimed, her appearance effectively waking the three inside. “Uzumaki Naruto is gone!!” She said in panic. “He was kidnapped and the only clue as to who is this plastic snake that was left on the boy's bed.” The woman explained in one breath.

 

“Orochimaru.” Tsunade breathed before looking over at the two young men. “Return to the Hospital, I'll deal with this, thank you.” She said in dismissal. “Okano!” She called, causing an Anbu member to appear in the room. “Go and retrieve Uchiha Sasuke, Aburame Shino, and Rock Lee.” She ordered and the woman vanished to do her leader's biding.

 

“Since you two are Chuunin—“ Tsunade began, only to be cut off.

 

“We are Jounin, we took our exams recently.” The Hyuuga said quietly, causing the woman to blink.

 

“Then we just might have a better chance at this. Neji-san you are weakened by blood loss so you are to stay behind.” She began again, only to receive a shake of his head.

 

“By order of her Hokage-sama, Naruto, Shikamaru and myself are free to come and go and work away from this village as we see fit for a duration of three years. That three year mark has not yet arrived, and as such you have no control over me. I am going with Shikamaru and the others to retrieve him.” The Hyuuga said sharply, determination burning in his white eyes.

 

“Very well, you two will lead the reconnaissance of Uzumaki Naruto.” She said with a nod just as the three she had called for arrived. “Uchiha, Aburame, Rock Lee, you three have a mission under Hyuuga and Nara here.” She began only to be cut off by a great exclamation.

 

“Neji-san! My eternal rival has finally returned! Now we can truly test our fiery spirits in battle!” The still green clad young man said, with great energy.

 

“Now is not the time for that. Naruto was kidnapped from Konoha hospital, and his condition, though it has stabilized, is still critical. It is vital that we get him back and quickly.” She began as a briefing, causing stony expressions to done many a face in the room. “Orochimaru had this orchestrated. So my guess is he sent in the Sound Four that are his infamous evil doers.” She concluded.

 

“They are likely to return to Orochimaru's lands in Tea Country. Since Neji-san and Shikamaru-san are both Jounin, you three will follow their command.” She said as she regarded the trio from Konoha that had just recently aspired to the level of Chuunin. “This mission is A class with the potential to become S Class. Be careful, be cautious, and you all had best come back alive and with Naruto. Dismissed!”

 

The five of them nodded before the vanished from the room to regroup up at the gates of Konoha. “Please be alright Naruto…” Tsunade whispered as she stood from her desk. She had an ex feudal lord to visit.

 

- - - - - - - -

 

Darkness. It encased him; it was wrapped around him like black tendrils, clinging, holding, smothering ever so gently. The air seemed thick around him, making it difficult to breathe normally. Sounds echoed back and forth, but they seemingly blended into one continuously ramble, one that made no sense whatsoever.

 

Blue eyes slipped open, coming into view with a dark and dark stone ceiling, one that stood ominously above him. Cold, and damp, and on it grew much mold. “Where am I?” Naruto asked quietly, as he turned his head to the side. He felt weak, he felt stiff, and he knew that he wouldn't be able to move his body much for some time.

 

“The dungeons.” A familiar voice said quietly as a figure emerged from the shadows. “Naruto-kun, you were too brash.” Itachi Uchiha admonished impassively as he knelt down beside the blond. “You were taken, and I can not permit another organization to take hold of you. I am here to take you back.” The traitor of the leaf said coldly as he gently picked up the frighteningly light blond up, cradling him in his arms as though he was made of fine crystal.

 

“Taken? By who?” Naruto questioned weakly as his head fell against the firm shoulder of the young man that held him so tenderly.

 

“Orochimaru-san.” Itachi responded as he began to trek slowly and noiselessly from the lain out bed roll that the captive blond had been lain upon. There had been no rope, no shackles, no restraints. They had no need for it as Naruto was weak in physical prowess due to his recent injury that he had undergone surgery to repair.

 

“When did this happen?” The demon vessel questioned quietly, as he let himself be carried like a china doll, down the dark and gloomy halls.

 

“When you were most vulnerable.” The dark haired young man responded, his crimson eyes flicking down momentarily to regard the teen in his arms.

 

“Oh...” Was all the blond could say in response to such a thing, and silence fell over the two as they slowly made their escape.

 

“Itachi-kun, where do you think you are going with my most honored guest?” A slippery voice asked from behind them, causing Itachi to pause in his walk before he turned slowly to regard the snake-like man that lurked behind him and Naruto.

 

“Orochimaru-san.” The prodigy of the Uchiha clan said with a nod towards the Sannin from Konoha. “I can not say I'm pleased to see you once again.” The young man admitted without so much as batting an eye.

 

“You wound me.” Orochimaru said with a twisted smirk as he licked his lips with his disgustingly long and thick tongue. “Are you not pleased to see your former comrade?” He asked as he placed his left hand on his hip and shot the dark haired ninja an inquiring glance.

 

“No.” Itachi deadpanned. “I have no interest in the weak.” He responded coldly.

 

Amusement fled the snake eyes, and it was replaced by anger. “I am not weak. The weakest here is that brat you have in your arms.” The snake user hissed venomously.

 

“Incorrect. Naruto-kun is the second strongest here, while you hold third and final place.” Was the Uchiha's comeback, one that he said so impassively that one could think he was disinterested in the whole affair.

 

“I'll make you pay for it, and allow you the pleasure of watching me posses his body then.” Orochimaru said darkly. “But for now you must suffer.” The man said before he charged forward his fist flying with snakes soaring out to join the barrage.

 

Fist and snakes alike flew through the form of Itachi and Naruto, sending Orochimaru skidding gracelessly for a few seconds as Naruto and Itachi reappeared, but this time there were two of both of them.

 

The ones further away from the snake user shimmered out of sight, leaving the numbers standing just as it was before until the Naruto in Itachi's arms burst into smoke, indicating that it had been a shadow clone, one that had just been dispelled. “You think your clone will get far with Naruto-kun?” Orochimaru asked with a chuckle as he regurgitated his sword before he gripped it in his hand, allowing his tongue to stay out and waggle nastily around him.

 

Battle ensued while the clone with Naruto fled. He knew that his underlings would dispel the clone and retrieve the blond, but little did he know that Naruto was not with the clone, but he was within the shadows, watching their battle. He was unable to move anything beyond his eyes, and even those moved lethargically.

 

Time suddenly slowed down as the Sannin and the Uchiha lunged forward, each running a kunai through the other as they met, crimson blood rose and fell, splattering the hall as Itachi's blade met the snake-man's stomach, and Orochimaru's met the nuke-nin's upper torso.

 

“Itachi…” Naruto whispered hi blue eyes wide. “Itachi!” He cried loudly as the Uchiha heir stumbled back a step and fell over backwards, crashing lightly onto the stone ground.

 

With strength he didn't know he had left in him, Naruto moved and staggered from the shadows, moving towards the fallen dark haired young man, unconcerned with the serpentine eyes watching him greedily as he crumbled to his knees at Itachi's side.

 

Blue met crimson. “Naruto-kun…” Itachi breath lightly before his eyes grew dull, his breath stopped and his body began to cool.

 

“Itachi!!!” Naruto cried, tears plummeting unrelentlessly from his eyes as he clung to the cooling, lifeless form of a dear precious person. Blood stained Naruto's clothing and skin, but he wouldn't release the form of Itachi as he mourned.

 

“Naruto-kun, you shouldn't cry for him.” Orochimaru said mockingly as he regarded the blond young man with interest. “You shouldn't wear your heart out on your sleeve.” The man advised as he pulled his sword up and held it firmly in hand. “You have defied and denied me far too many times. Choose now, life or death?”

 

“Bastard…” Naruto whispered darkly, pained blue eyes rising to look at the man that loomed over him and the lifeless corpse in his arms. “I will never join you; I choose to live a life where you are dead.” Naruto growled darkly before he looked back down at the peaceful face of Uchiha Itachi.

 

“Then die!” The Sannin hissed as he brought his sword down in a great arch, one that was too fast for Naruto to dodge in his current condition.

 

“Naruto!!!” The well-known voice of Hyuuga Neji called out before the blond felt himself be pushed roughly out of the way, his eyes connecting momentarily with white just before the katana pierced right through the Hyuuga prodigy's heart with a sickening sound.

 

“Neji!!!” Naruto yelled, his eyes looking desperately into the dimming white eyes as the Hyuuga hit the ground, blood pooling thickly around him as he too succumbed to death. “No….” Naruto whispered as he slowly pushed himself up on shaking arms, his head shaking back and forth in denial while his pupils dilated into tiny slits as he stared unblinkingly at the corpses of two people he held dear. Two people he had caused to die.

 

“Neji…” A male voice behind Naruto whispered, causing the blond and the Sannin to look towards the newly arrived Nara Shikamaru who stood there, eyes wide, staring at the unmoving form of his friend. “Bastard!” The young genius snapped as his eyes shot over to the smirking Sannin that was licking the fresh blood from his blade.

 

Orochimaru began to cackle, he began to laugh like a madman, causing anger to swell in the hearts of the two teens. Rage, pain, sorrow, hate, and the thirst for vengeance clawed at them, so much so that Naruto found the strength to stand, even if he was quivering dangerously.

 

A sudden jolt of electricity crashed into the blond causing the world around him to turn black and fade and he felt himself falling, as his blue eyes slipped shut.

 

- - - - - - - -

 

Blue eyes opened. “Itachi! Neji!” Naruto exclaimed as he shot up, his breath uneven.

 

`Calm yourself kit. It was just a nightmare, one induced by such a dark and dank atmosphere as this.' The reassuring voice of the Kyuubi cut it, but he sounded exhausted, worn and worried.

 

`Kyuu?' Naruto asked silently as he looked around the ancient Japanese style of room he was in, noting that someone had put him in a white male kimono.

 

`I'm just glad to see you up and moving once more. You've been ill for quite sometime.' The fox explained softly. `Though I tried, your mortal flesh just wouldn't go through the mass healing I needed to put it through to relieve you of that wound given to you. It was beyond what your body could handle, and as such I was helpless until Tsunade-sama began to operate on you. From there I lent her my assistance; to think that the Kyuubi worked alongside the Hokage of Konoha in order to save a life. I bet you five bucks that the whole village would have fainted if they had heard about that.'

 

Naruto inwardly chuckled as he slowly pulled the covers off of him with shaking hands. `I do believe that bet would be proven right. And thanks, thanks for helping keep me alive.' The blond said softly as he slowly pushed his still weak and quivering form to a stand.

 

`Take it easy. Don't push yourself, you are still recovering from such an intense surgery. I do acknowledge that we need to get you out of here, as you are in Orochimaru's layer well within the borders of Tea Country, but I don't want you to strain yourself and cause more damage. You had me scared for the longest time. I had thought that I might loose you…'

 

`Does everyone get all sappy in their old age?' The blond asked teasingly, causing the Kyuubi to chuckle.

 

`No, only the sexy foxes that are just to die for.' The demon responded in amusement as Naruto slowly stumbled over to the door which he slowly slid open after having listened carefully for the sound of someone outside.

 

The door led to a long dark and wooden hallway that stretched far to both sides. `Any idea as to which way we ought go?' Naruto questioned his tenant thoughtfully as he peered left then right, noting the various doors evenly spaced in either direction.

 

`Both left and right are identical, making it look like you were placed in the center of some great long hall. Meaning each way would take a long way to traverse in your state, so that limits us to only making necessary movements. It wouldn't do to get lost in such a place. Seeing as our eyes deceive us, and silence beats around us like a steady drum, we have but one choice. Close your eyes. Block out all sound. Just focus on breathing in and out, slowly and steadily.' The fox advised softly and the blond complied by closing his eyes and leaning heavily against the door frame to the room he had just awoken in.

 

Naruto isolated himself from all as he focused on what he had been directed to do, and slowly, but surely scents began to register in his brain. The distant fragrance of wood polish tickled here and there, the scent of clean laundry hung in the room he had just vacated and from the outfit he was wearing. The nearly impossibly to notice smell of dust lingered and danced softly through the air as though following a graceful breeze. And a scent of fresh rain tickled his senses before his eyes snapped open.

 

“Left…” He whispered quietly as he turned in said direction and slowly began to move that way, moving gradually along, his hand using the walls to brace himself and to keep him on his feet as his very knees quivered below him, ready to give out at any moment should he let his will and resolve weaken.

 

Step after step, uneven breath after uneven breath, and slowly he made progress down the hall, heading towards the distant scent of freshly fallen rain. The scent indicating that his chosen direction was the fastest route out seeing as he could almost taste the rain on the air from that direction.

 

He moved forward until finally he could view a turn in the hall, and slowly he made it there before he turned and found himself facing another long hall that stretched a long distance too, so far that once again he could not see the hall's end. “Damn snakes and their long tunnels…” Naruto muttered as he braced himself against the wall to catch his breath, his whole body trembling with the effort it took just to remain standing where he was.

 

`Keep strong…' The fox whispered to his host as he gently channeled his demonic chakra through the blonde's body, giving him a slight strength boost.

 

Naruto silently thanked the demon before he began his trek down the hall, past many closed doors until he made it to the middle of the hall, where one door stood open partway and an eerie glow twinkled from within. And if anything, Naruto was curious as was the fox he hosted, causing the young teen to slip silently towards the door with batted breath as he moved of silent steps.

 

Slowly and cautiously he peered inside, and his eyes widened dramatically. Inside looked to be a medical room, one that had one single bed in the middle of a chaotic arrangement of machinery that pumped various colored fluids through tubes that led to the figure that lay upon the bed, hidden by sight with a white linen blanket. A quiet hum of working machinery sang quietly through the room, nearly masking the quiet breathing of the figure lying upon the bed.

 

The blond slowly crept forward, ducking under wires and tubes, monitors and cables as he moved stealthily towards the bed, blue eyes not once leaving the hidden form. Once he arrived beside the bed he stopped moving, blue eyes regarding the slightly moving form, noting that the movement was caused by the rise and fall of a chest, but the breathing rate was slow, indicating sleep.

 

Little by little Naruto brought his hand forward, moving it ever closer to the edge of the blanket and once he grasped the soft material in his small hand he gently and unhurriedly pulled it back revealing the sleeping figure.

 

On the bed lie a pale man who was in his late teens by the looks of things. His hair was an enchanting silver, long and held by red beads on the right side. Upon his forehead was two symbolic crimson dots that easily matched the crimson eye make up around his eyes. The teen's face was beautifully structured, not a flaw upon it Naruto noticed in shock as his eyes trailed down the perfectly proportioned neck, landing upon a seal upon the man's chest.

 

`Another one of Orochimaru's twisted experiments…' The blond thought sadly as he his roamed back up to take in the face of the young man. `Judging by the machines, he is dying. Kyuubi… I don't want this one to die…' He thought softly as he brought a trembling hand up to gently rest upon the pale and cool to the touch cheek.

 

Green eyes snapped open to meet shocked blue, and as Naruto was about to pull his hand away, a frail and pale looking hand shot up and grabbed the blonde's wrist firmly holding it in place. “Who are you?” The man upon the bed asked quietly, his eyes eerily similar to Itachi in their coldness.

 

“Uzumaki Naruto.” Naruto answered quietly his eyes holding uncertainty. “And you?” He asked softly.

 

“Kaguya Kimimaro.” The teen responded back as he regarded the young teen before him. “Orochimaru-sama speaks much of you Uzumaki-kun.” The teen stated as he released the wrist in his grasp, allowing the blond to pull his hand back so that the silvered haired ninja could slowly sit up. “I must admit his obsession with you makes me jealous.” He concluded softly.

 

“You don't have to be jealous over that. Orochimaru simply wants my body as his so that my prowess becomes his. Basically he seeks to annihilate me so that he might benefit.” The blond explained causing a thoughtful expression to dance across emerald eyes, before their owner patted the bed in an indication that the other ought sit, and sit Naruto did.

 

“You are young still, but you sound quite intelligent. I know that Orochimaru-sama simply wants you as his new body, at one point he desired the same for me, but I grew too ill, too frail, despite my power, and so I have become expendable to the man that had rescued me from my loneliness. I would gladly die for him. He saved me after the slaughter of my family, he raised me, trained me, helped me, and has been the only one to care for me after I went berserk and slew all those that slew my family. I was an outcast liberated by a dark hearted man.” Kimimaro concluded quietly as he looked down unemotionally at the cool floor below them.

 

“You're not the only one who was an outcast. I too was an outcast, but mine was for simply existing. I too clung tightly to the only one to show me compassion, but Orochimaru could not have shown you that. He's using you. By looking into your eyes I can tell you are strong. Your eyes match a dear friend of mine's, the strongest person I have ever met. And Orochimaru is just using you for your strength, but as your body is failing you, you have become expendable to him. Don't waste your life here.” Naruto pleaded with tears swimming in his expressive blue eyes that still held the innocence of childhood.

 

Kimimaro turned to look at the blond, shock evident in his green eyes. “You cry.” The young man stated in naught but a whisper as he brought up a pale hand to catch a tear that had just escaped from Naruto's eyes. Slowly he regarded the shimmering crystal tear that had landed upon his forefinger. He stared at it with rapt attention before looking up at the blond with a thoughtful expression. “You cry for a stranger, why?”

 

“I cry because you can't. I cry because you don't have anyone else that will cry for you.” Naruto whispered tenderly, his eyes holding nothing but honesty.

 

“No one has cried for me since before my mother was killed.” The young man admitted as a flash of fire and screams danced across his memories before they vanished. “It makes my heart ache in an unfamiliar fashion.” The young man admitted to himself as he brought his hand up to brush the tears streaming from the blonde's eyes. “It makes me want to stop the tears, and protect those eyes.”

 

Naruto smiled softly as he leaned into the hand that was resting on his cheek. “You're a good person.” He whispered quietly, honesty shinning through his eyes.

 

“You're eyes are innocent…” Kimimaro said with a slight nod of his head, as though he was confirming the thought. “Orochimaru-sama's eyes hold darkness, cruelty and hatred. Nothing but the empty abyss of hell lurks behind those golden eyes. He has no heart for others…” He concluded with a slight frown as he pulled his hand back from the warm cheek.

 

“He has never had a heart… He has always been the snake; the universal symbol for the devil himself. His words are poison; his actions cause naught but fright and pain.” Naruto added on to the other's words, causing the frown upon the other's face to vanish.

 

“Naruto-kun. My time here is limited, but for what may remain of it, I wish to protect you. I want your eyes to remain innocent.” Kimimaro whispered as he leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss upon the blonde's forehead, causing Naruto to blush a pretty pink as he looked down at his hands. “From this day I discard all ties and bonds I have to Orochimaru, and I pledge them to you, Naruto-kun.” The young man promised as he pulled back and began to pull all the tubes attached to himself out before he dropped them to the bed and ground, causing the machines to glow red and emit an ominous sound. “Come, we must leave.” The silver haired teen said softly as he stood and scooped the blond into his frail looking arms that had amazing strength in them.

 

Kimimaro moved from the room in a blur, Naruto held firmly within his arms as they tore down the hall in the direction that Naruto had been initially headed, moving just as the hurried sound of foot steps pounded through the air. They reached the dark stairway within moments and were moving upwards in a spiral of stairs with great speed, and within minutes they were racing out of the secret base of Orochimaru and into a tall forest that was experiencing a gentle rain fall.

 

- - - - - - - -

 

The team from Konoha moved several miles away from the village before the Uchiha of their group halted suddenly, causing all the others to follow promptly. “Hyuuga, Nara, how did you two obtain the rank of Jounin so quickly?” Sasuke questioned coldly as he stared darkly at the paler than usual Neji and the lazy as ever Shikamaru.

 

“We trained.” Shikamaru muttered with a shrug.

 

“We should discuss this later; right now we just need to worry about Naruto-kun. You saw what condition he was in…” Neji said quietly, white eyes focused off in the distance.

 

Sasuke frowned as he regarded the Hyuuga carefully. “Just don't drag us down Hyuuga. I know you're weak after giving as much blood as you did to keep Naruto-dobe alive.” Sasuke commented as he sprang forwards passing by the stationary members of the team before the rest hurried and followed, using the Byakugan as their guide in the darkness of night.

 

- - - - - - - -

 

Kimimaro gently set the blond down on his own two feet after they were a ways within the forest. “You know you didn't have to carry me, also you didn't have to run.” Naruto commented as he placed his hand on the much taller eighteen year-old's shoulder in a display of concern. “You're sick too. If you push yourself the chances of becoming better will lessen.” Naruto stated quietly as he bit his lip and look at the ground as he pulled his trembling hand back.

 

“Naruto-kun, not even the best medics here could do anything. It needn't matter what happens to me so long as your eyes remain forever clear.” The silver haired teen explained in all seriousness. “We must be cautious out here; the Sound Four are out and about, lurking in wait for the team of Konoha ninja dispatched to retrieve you.”

 

“How do you know that?” Naruto questioned as he tilted his head to the side in curiosity.

 

“Kabuto-san told me.” The last living member of the Kaguya clan explained quietly emerald eyes glancing to each side thoughtfully.

 

“A storm is coming.” He said as he looked up to the cloudy and raining dark sky just as a flash of brilliant white light forked across the sky, followed by an echoing boom that caused the very ground to quiver as the heavens upon up and released a torrent of chilling rain that soaked the two of them to the bone within seconds.

 

“Let me guess… You're psychic.” Naruto grumbled as he glared up at the sky above, blue eyes challenging the clouds to make things worse.

 

“No, I just could feel the electricity in the air.” The young man explained with an uncaring shrug. “But we ought get out of this before it worsens our conditions.” He said before he turned to the side. “You may come out now.” He ordered, causing Naruto to blink as the darkly cloaked figure of Uchiha Itachi emerged from the trees, not even a drop of water on his person.

 

“Itachi-kun…” Naruto whispered as an image of his nightmare flickered over his eyes.

 

“Naruto-kun.” The Uchiha heir greeted with a slight nod of his head before crimson eyes met emerald. “Kaguya-san.” He nodded towards the silver haired man.

 

“Uchiha-san.” Kimimaro said with a nod of his head. “It has been quite some time since last we met.” The young man admitted as the crimson eyed young man approached them, the rain finally drenching him.

 

“Circumstances have likely improved much since then.” Itachi responded before he looked at Naruto and frowned. “You have gotten careless.” He said with a sigh as he pulled his black cloak, which had the distinct crimson clouds on it, from his shoulders and gently draped it around the shivering and pale blond who was far smaller then he.

 

“Sorry.” Naruto said softly as he allowed the taller and older Uchiha to secure his cloak around his cold frame. Blue eyes regarded the simply dressed attire of Itachi as the lightning illuminated him. He wore simple black linen pants and a tight black shirt. It was simply, but it suited him.

 

“It's alright. You shouldn't apologize for things beyond your control.” The man advised quietly as he turned his back to Naruto and knelt down, holding his arms out behind him in an indication for the blond to climb on. And clamber on he did, and once he was held securely, Itachi stood gracefully, not in the least bit phased by the slight weight of the blond on his back. “Kimimaro-san, I trust you know the best place to escape the storm in these parts?” He stated more then asked, cool crimson meeting equally cool emerald.

 

“Your presumption is correct as ever Itachi-san.” The silver haired teen responded as he took to the trees, Itachi following suite while Naruto simply placed his head upon Itachi's shoulder, allowing himself to relaxed, eyes closed, until he fell into a peaceful slumber, feeling secured in the arms of Itachi and under the watchful eye of his newest friend, Kimimaro.

- - - - - - - -

 

End of Chapter

Buwahahahah! I'm pure, unadulterated evil! But you all love me, right? I know it's short. But you have to give me credit; it is longer than my last chapter. That has to count for something, right? Well, thanks once again for reading, and please review ^^.