Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ The Demon's of Konoha ❯ Danzo ( Chapter 21 )

Danzo walked down the deserted hallway far underneath the Hokage Monument. Not many people knew about the passages under the monument, at least not many people knew about them that were still alive. The air instead of smelling musty as normal abandoned hallways did, this one did not, and instead it smelt more like sweat. This forgotten knowledge about the passage way was why this was the secret location of Root. Nodding to the two agents guarding the door both in ANBU ROOT masks Danzo walked into the room beyond. Inside was another hallway that branched off in three directions.

 

To the left was the barracks where everyone was housed everyone from toddlers to trainers even Danzo himself had a room in the barracks. Housing everyone was cheap since Root consisted of orphans and not families although a couple people came from clan houses that were kicked out for various things. Single people were a lot easier to house than married and they didn't have the necessary emotions to deal with that were associated with people. His agents were emotionless in every sense of the word, something Danzo took great pride in. His people were minimalists in every sense of the word.

 

To the right the training grounds, gym, academy and cafeteria were located. The training grounds weren't like the traditional training grounds, as they were still inside the building although while this was sometimes a hindrance it made the agents learns how to fight in close corners making them excellent assassins. When the agents were too old to work in the field they worked either in the academy, or the cafeteria. Once in Root, forever in Root and that was the way Danzo liked it.

 

It was straight though that Danzo headed into the hospital area along with the research facility. The hospital was a requirement, as many of Root's missions were not Hokage approved and ninja injuries, along with violent injuries were always reported to the Hokage. That was when it became mandatory that they had their own hospital especially since Root had been disbanded for twenty years. The research facility was relatively new, as they began to find new ways to help the agents.

 

Danzo walked with a purpose into the room, and immediately began looking for the manager of Testing and Development. The research section was broken into three categories: Testing and Development, Bloodline Duplication, and finally Weaponry and Design. Each section had a manager that answered to Danzo himself and when results weren't achieved heads rolled. They had been through four managers in the last two months in Testing and Development alone. The other two sections were progressing better than expected, although Bloodline Duplication, Danzo had secretly hoped for better more long term results instead of the short term results they had.

 

Walking swiftly Danzo caught sight of the brown haired man from behind, looking at a folder with his white jacket facing Danzo. He appeared to not have noticed Danzo yet, or even be alerted to his presence yet the people working there moved out of the way and rushed to find some work to do. When Danzo was standing behind him he used his `authority's voice' and demanded “You better have results for me, Chikara.” Danzo got the perverse satisfaction of watching the man jump in fright at the sound of his voice.

 

“Danzo-sama, you frightened me” Chikara said trying to calm his breathing. Taking the moment to slow his heart beat and push up his glasses back onto his nose Chikara began “I have the results right here from the ointment that you had me analyze.” Handing over the folder with the latest results Chikara watched as Danzo read the numbers and components that made up the ointment. “The cream part of the ointment is a basic, plain lotion with no extra ingredients. It is lotion in its purest form, very easy to make. The other ingredients are milk thistle, rosemary, mercurochrome and a hint of lavender to give it a scent. The last ingredient is something that doesn't pick up on any of the machines that we tested it on. When we duplicated the ointment using what ingredients we knew, they worked well and helped heal two times faster. Instead of healing in three weeks it only took one and a half with no infections from a single application. The last ingredient whatever it may be is what allows you to heal in hours or even minutes as oppose to the week in a half. Already we are experimenting to find out the missing ingredient, but so far without any clues to what it is there is nothing we can do. Who ever made this though obviously knew what they were doing.”

 

“Very well Chikara, you have done well” Danzo said actually pleased with the results of the ointment. His choice was right in making Chikara the manager of Testing and Development. The brown haired man was highly intelligent and completely held an outside source of knowledge. Danzo had the extreme pleasure of having an employee with an outstanding education. He had knowledge far more advanced for someone who resided in the elemental nations, and it was only a fluke that Danzo got him working for him. Chikara was a prodigy when it came to development and testing, and his ability was second to none. For this Danzo thanked his lucky stars when he found Chikara's file in his office and decided to use him for his manager. “Looks like we will have to get the creator in here to find out just what the mysterious ingredient is then won't we.”

 

Walking out of the room Danzo called out “Haruka, I have a mission for you.” Out of thin air a man with dark brown hair, in an ANBU's uniform bowed low with his knees on the ground in front of Danzo. Haruka's eyes were facing the ground, in respect as he awaited his orders. “What do you know about a Hinata no Sabaku?”

 

“She was in the Hyuuga clan until the age of twelve. She has no knowledge of how to activate or use the Curse Seal even though for the beginning of her life she was raised as the heiress. After an incident of almost killing Lady Hanabi she was revealed to not be of pure Hyuuga blood and not even Lord Hiashi's daughter. Since she was only able to activate the Byukugan once and that was inaccurate to how it should work. For that they did not brand her the Curse Seal, instead they kicked her out and disowned her. She took the no Sabaku last name from Gaara no Sabaku, who was a former guest at the Hyuuga Manor and son of the Kazekage. No relation between the two has ever been proven.” Haruka answered hoping his knowledge was enough to help his master. Anything new about the girl he wasn't sure of just the older knowledge was he familiar with.

 

“You have done well Haruka. Rise and receive your mission.” Danzo said with the raising of his hand. Haruka stood and faced his master, his white eyes shining at the acceptance of his master. “I want you to bring Hinata no Sabaku here, she has information that she shouldn't know. She is potentially a traitor, and for that must be brought her for questioning. Bring her here at once.” With that Haruka Hyuuga disappeared out of sight and into the village to find Hinata.

 

-0o0o0o0o-

 

Haku was excited in a way that she could not easily disguise. Her normally impassive face had the hugest smile showing her dimples her eyes lighted with excitement. Her long hair was in a simple braid down her back resting on top of her tan sleeveless turtleneck top. She was wearing a pair of short black shorts that covered her butt and continued to go down only two inches further down her thighs. She was barefoot in the warm kitchen cooking breakfast allowing Hinata and the boys to sleep in a bit after getting home last night from their last mission. Looking outside though at the snow on the ground Haku was also thrilled because this was the first time she had ever seen snow before since her departure from her hometown. That wasn't why she was excited, although her friends' coming home safe and sound and seeing snow for the first time in a long time was always a good reason to be happy. No today was the day that her probation was over so she could join a Genin Team.

 

Her adopted father Zabuza was offered a job in ANBU, allowing his to hide his identity from the general population. Haku though since she was eighteen already could take the Chounin Exams; she needed a team of three. Since last year was the first year that there were two teams of four, they were pulling two people to make a new squad. This year's graduates fit into the teams of three so they were forced to pull from already established teams. Haku knew that Sakura would be on her team, even though no one had said anything. Hinata and the boys worked too well together to split them up and while Sakura was getting better, she was still in a different league from the others.

 

Every day Haku trained with Team Seven when they weren't on missions. Haku had the previous met Itachi when she first met Hinata so after much discussion she was allowed to train with the trio in the mornings. Moving around in the cold weather wasn't something Haku was used to but after getting a pair of boots like Hinata's her feet stayed nice and warm. Unfortunately for the trio they had to give up the spare jobs that they had because of the missions coming in and the short notices they were forced to give. Technically Naruto can still work at Ichiraku's but when he's not at missions or training he really doesn't have time. It was a good thing though that the missions paid better than everything else, although they weren't a reliable weekly thing.

 

Housing wasn't an issue either for Haku and her father. Zabuza was staying at the ANBU barracks where he had a room to himself. Haku herself shared a room with Hinata and lived with the boys. The only reason that Haku wasn't living with Zabuza was because everyone would know then that she was his daughter instead of some select people thinking it. The only people who knew Zabuza's real identity were few. Team Seven, the Hokage and his Squad Leader were the only ones who knew he was in Konoha. By allowing Haku to stay with her friends he brought about coincidence instead of suspicion. If people read about Zabuza in the Bingo Books, then they just might think the last name as a coincidence and not look any further into it.

 

Feeling the presence of another about to enter the kitchen Haku smiled even bigger when she noticed who it was. “Good morning Naruto sleep well? Breakfast will be ready in a minute.” With that being said Haku flipped over the pancakes so that the other side reached a golden brown color also. She had made twelve of them so that everyone was allowed to have three, but she knew that Naruto would eat the majority of them. No matter how tired or how hard he trained he could put away the food without getting fat or even sick.

 

“Haku sometimes you're too damn cheerful in the mornings” Naruto said as he walked into the kitchen with his sleeping cap on his head matching his monkey pajamas. Where he got them Haku didn't want to know, but she was surprised that they came in his size after all they looked like they could have belonged to Inari at one point or another. “Breakfast will be good” Naruto said grabbing a glass from the cupboard and getting the milk out of the fridge. Setting both the glass and jug on the table Naruto grabbed some plates and begun to set the table. “The others should be out soon. Why are you so cheerful anyways?”

 

“Today is the day that my probation is over and I can finally become an official ninja of Konoha. Either today or tomorrow I will meet my Team and get to go on missions and everything.” Haku said while piling the pancakes on a plate and bringing it to the table, her smile bigger than Naruto has ever seen it.

 

“That may be true Haku, but just think who ever else is on your team you guys have Sakura. I give you my condolences. By the way Haku what is with those shorts? I thought you didn't like short clothing and incase you haven't noticed it's cold outside” Sasuke asked as he went and sat at the table in a dark blue shirt and matching plaid pajama bottoms.

 

“Teme be nice to Sakura-chan, she's just not up to our level yet. That's why you don't like her isn't it, because she's weaker than what you are used to. Remember not every girl is like Hinata even though Haku does come close. Sakura is just more in touch with her feminine side then most.” Naruto explained taking a big bite of pancake.

 

“Is Naruto saying how I am not a female again?” Hinata asked sitting at the table grabbing a glass of juice. Hinata's clothes were baggy without a hint at her figure with multiple layers allowing her to stay warm when she goes outside. Tucking a strand of hair away from her face and behind her ear allowing her to drink her juice in peace Hinata asked “just for curiosity's sake what makes Sakura so much different and `girly' compared to Haku and I?”

 

“Yes and this time he included me into it.” Haku said “Sasuke have you ever worn a hakama before? Granted they are shorter than most set out there but still they are a hakama. They have these big open sides that your kimono shows through. Since I don't tuck in my short kimono and instead wear it over the top I wear these shorts underneath so that if anything happens the world doesn't get a view of my ass.” Haku answered as she sat down and grabbed a pancake off the stack before Naruto could eat them all.

 

“That's a good answer.” Sasuke replied to Haku's reasoning. “I guess when I have to wear a hakama I know just the person to get help from then don't I.” Sasuke didn't know what it was about Haku that kept drawing him back. Sure she was a friend of Hinata's and a good fighter but he almost wondered if it was because she wasn't in love or lust with him like every other girl was in Konoha. With Haku he could have an actual conversation and not worry about her twisting it around and taking everything he said as `I love you and I want you to bear my children.'

 

“There's nothing wrong with you and Haku, Hinata” Naruto said taking the last bite of his pancake before eyeballing the last one on the plate. “It's just that Sakura always worries about how she looks and hates to look like a slob. Everything about her matches and just something about her screams femininity and makes you want to protect her.”

 

Hearing what make Sakura so much better than her didn't set well with Hinata. She was like every other woman they don't like being compared to someone else, especially their rival for the blonde's heart. “I'm leaving” Hinata said pushing away from the table and putting her glass in the sink. “I will be back in a couple of hours. I want to get some training done” Grabbing her boots and winter jacket Hinata quickly put them on. Placing her hat and gloves on Hinata disappeared in a wave of mist not wanting to hear more about how Sakura was better.

 

“Wow” Haku said in amazement “you really are an idiot aren't you. I always thought it was an act but that just proved me wrong. I better go also. I have to meet with the Hokage in an hour to find out about my team and I have to finish getting dressed” Haku said grabbing her plate and putting it into the sink before heading towards the room she shared with Hinata.

 

“Dobe you really put your foot in it this time” Sasuke said standing up and putting his stuff into the sink also. “I want to get some stuff done at the complex so I will see you guys later. I need to make sure the furnace is working and the pipes don't freeze, plus I need to cover the windows. That's where I will be if you guys need me.”

 

“What…what did I say?” Naruto asked aloud only to realize he was all alone.

 

`Dumb ass' Kyuubi answered from within. `Get ready I am going to put you through some intense training and here's a piece of advice: ALL women hate to be compared to another one. Now get ready we have training to do. You have some wind drills we need to work on. Besides I wouldn't want to protect the Banshee but apparently you have no taste.'

 

`Alright let me start the dishwasher' Naruto replied to his sensei for the day. Gathering the rest of the dishes and placing them in the dishwasher Naruto quickly turned the dials allowing the dishes to be washed. Making a clone the clone quickly put on the orange jumpsuit and jumped out the window with a plan intact. The real Naruto quickly dressed in dark clothes and covered his blonde hair. Quickly covering his whisker marks Naruto strapped his katana to his back and exited the house for more training. Naruto knew that if he was found practicing he would have to explain why he looked so different. Finding a clear training ground away from eyes Naruto began to work on his kata's going through the motions preparing him self for the rigorous training ahead.

 

-o0o0o0o0o-

 

Hinata materialized at the waterfall and watched as the water cascaded to the semi frozen pond below. `Why doesn't Naruto realize that I am a woman? Fine so there's something about Sakura that he just wants to defend and not me. He shouldn't have to protect her she should be able to do it herself. That's a part of being a ninja. I know that Haku and I rarely need protecting but why can't he want to do it instead of feeling like he has to do it. What is wrong with him, or maybe it's something wrong with me.' Hinata thought as she threw a nearby stone towards the pond in front of her watching the stone slide across the surface instead of bouncing.

 

`It's nothing you've done Hinata. You are very womanly you know. I am sure that there are many men out there who would love your qualities, and someday Naruto will realize what he has.” Tani replied not liking that Hinata was down again. Naruto was the one person who could ever make her want to break down and cry, just like Kyuubi was with her. `Let me out of here. We have a deal don't forget.'

 

`Yeah yeah' Hinata said as she created a clone before summoning Tani into its body. Within moments her clone stood up and quickly the cone began to change. Seconds later Hinata was looking into an accurate version of Tani. Her red and blonde hair was cascading in gentle waves down her back. Hinata's normal clothes were changed into a silk kimono in a pale blue color that matched her eyes. A dark blue obi with thin silver stripes was wrapped around her waist clenched tightly showing her figure.

 

`It feels great to be able to get out once in a while. Alright I am headed to Demon Realm to get the official paperwork started on you being my successor. Don't worry I can't actually escape you, not without you tearing off the seal. I will be back in twenty-four hours or until you release this body. At that point I will just reappear inside of you. Are you going to be alright while I am gone? You do know what will happen with me gone right.” Tani asked thankful for getting a chance to go back to the Demon Realm yet not liking it that she had to leave Hinata behind.

 

“I will be fine Tani” Hinata replied giving Tani a hug bye. “I will take it easy, just make sure you will be back in time for training in the morning and let me know if you have any updates on my brother. It's not like him to not let me know what's going on. He didn't even reply that he got the cookies I sent him. I already know that I will not be able to call on your chakra. I will be doing this all on my own and still won't have your heightened senses.”

 

Returning the hug to Hinata Tani pulled away and gave a sad smile “don't worry I will find out what I can. You have no idea how much I appreciate this. I will return soon, don't worry.” Going through a hundred hand seals Tani raised her hand over the pond as a black vortex opened revealing a door way. With one last look behind her Tani walked through the door reluctantly leaving Hinata behind.

 

Hinata sighed and wrapped her arms around her legs while looking at the frozen water. Closing her eyes and clearing her head Hinata began to reflect on how Sakura was more feminine than her and if there was anything she could do to change it. Tossing around ideas on her head right and left about how to get him to notice her as in notice her as more than just a friend Hinata groaned in frustration. It didn't help that Hinata had to act like she had a crush on him, because in actuality she did. Naruto she knew was just taking the signs as her acting. `Stupid Naruto, why would I also be acting at home instead of just in public? It could be that Naruto realizes that I have feelings for him and by not responding to them he is letting me know in his own way that he isn't interested. Why does this have to be so complicated, and with my hormones beginning to go out of control I will be hitting mating season soon. Then what, I refuse to just have sex with anybody and Naruto would be the only one I could do it with. I mean yes there is Sasuke and Itachi but' Hinata does a full body shutter `that's incest and will so not happen. Maybe I should go on some dates or something I mean I still do have a fan club around town. I could always encourage them and start dating then if Naruto never comes around I won't be alone the rest of my life. Snap out of it Hinata you're not seventeen yet and already you're thinking gloomy thoughts.' Watching the snow fall around her Hinata raised the waters temperature in her body allowing her to stay warm with her chakra. It was a training exercise that Hinata was curious about but also didn't want to ask Tani about in case she would blow a gasket.

 

At least I have Haku that I don't have to act around. Haku had instantly become Hinata's best friend, mostly because of common interests. The fact that Hinata saved her life didn't have a huge bearing on it. She was the only one who looked hard enough and tried to get to know her for her and not what she could do for her. She wasn't using her to get an introduction to Sasuke or Naruto. She wasn't using them for money since she had plenty and refused to stay with them rent free. She fought hard and trained harder while still appearing kind and gentle. The weird thing was the only person who had a problem with her training with them was Sakura and that's only because she thought that Haku was attempting to move in on her `Sasuke-kun.'

 

Standing up and shaking the snow off of her Hinata wrapped her arms in front of her and began to walk home her breath showing in the air. She had made a deal with Tani a little while ago that she would let her use a clone body of hers for one day every month on Hinata's day off. This was so that she could go to Demon World and do the proper paperwork asked of her. Before she just had a servant bring the papers to her for her to fill out but lately there has been fighting among the council which meant that someone was trying to sabotage Shukaku's and Tani's standing within the demonic community. Hinata wasn't worried about Tani breaking her promise though, like she said all Hinata had to do was release the clone and Tani would reappear back into the seal. If for some reason she didn't all Hinata had to do was summon her and she was forced to comply.

 

“Hinata no Sabaku” an ANBU agent said standing to the right of Hinata. “Your presence is requested immediately, please come with me.” His mask in the shape of a duck covered his face showing nothing but revealing his dark brown hair flowing behind it. The hair made Hinata instantly think of a woman but his stance and everything else screamed male. Very few men wore their hair long nowadays and no one in ANBU. There was one clan of people that were notorious for it and that was the clan Hinata was kicked out of. His mask if looked carefully could see a picture of a tree's roots on his forehead in the same color as the mask.

 

Bringing her glove up to move her hair away from her face Hinata activated her communicator, confident that he wouldn't find it. “A-ANBU-san, w-why d-does t-the H-Hokage n-need t-to s-see m-m-me?” Hinata asked softly going instant into the part of the shy girl she was asked to play. Hinata wasn't sure who was wearing their communicators that day but incase something happened they needed to know what was going on. She could flat out fight the guy if he was a foe and Hinata seriously thought he was a foe. Sarutobi had other ways to reach them that didn't include using a Root ANBU agent.

 

“It is not my business to ask Ms. no Sabaku, but only my job to escort now if you will come with me I will bring you to him.” The man in the duck ANBU mask said as he motioned with his hand that he wanted Hinata to follow him. He had just found her a few minutes ago as she began to walk back to the village and after searching all day he was relieved. The stuttering though was annoying him along with her refusal to look him in the eyes.

 

“T-thank y-you D-duck-san, I s-shall h-hurry I d-don't w-want to d-delay o-our w-walk.” Hinata said as she fell in line behind him noticing they weren't going towards the Hokage Tower instead were walking closer towards the mountain. “W-where a-are w-we m-meeting H-Hokage-sama, D-duck-san i-it l-looks l-like w-we a-are g-going t-to the m-mountain instead” Hinata asked letting who ever was listening where she was going. Where ever they were going Hinata knew that it wasn't to see the Hokage, but she didn't want him to know that.

 

“We have to meet someone first, and you can call me Haruka” Haruka said as he watched the girl walking beside him. `There's no point she can't know my first name. It isn't that uncommon. I have to get her into my trust and then get the information out of her. So this is what the Hyuuga heiress turned into such a waste. I seriously doubt she knows anything about what Master wants her for. She looks to afraid of her shadow to be a true ninja.'

 

“H-Haruka H-Hyuuga? Hinata asked tilting her head to the side as if wondering if he was the one she knew before. “There was an H-Haruka-san t-that l-liked a-at t-the H-Hyuuga c-compound w-when I d-did. I w-was w-wondering if y-you w-were h-him, o-or s-someone e-else.”

 

Hesitantly as he caught his breathe Haruka replied “no that's not me. It's just plain old Haruka.” The tone of his voice though and his actions gave away the truth though. While most people wouldn't have noticed the slight hesitation, Hinata did. But then again Hinata was never considered a normal person. “Don't worry Hinata we will be there soon. Just enter this room here and my boss will be right here to talk to you” Haruka said as he motioned a small building next to the mountain.

 

“W-what is t-this b-building f-for? I-I've n-never s-seen a b-building b-by t-the m-monument b-before.” Hinata asked bumping her two fingers together in a sign of nervousness. She knew that the building hasn't been in use for years but she used to think that Root was over with also. She was learning a lot today and wasn't sure she wanted to know what they wanted. So far she could still fight her way out of anything but with Tani her chakra was limited and not in a good way. Sure she had more than most normal people but Hinata liked to have too much instead of not enough.

 

“I will take my leave of you here Hinata. Don't worry you will be seeing the Hokage soon. I was nice to meet you Hinata, incase I don't have the pleasure of meeting you again.” Haruka said as Hinata walked into the room. Once in he shut the door behind her and locked it. `For some reason she doesn't seem like a traitor to me, but the boss wouldn't lie to me.' Haruka thought as he walked away heading towards the ANBU base.

 

“H-hello” Hinata calls out hesitantly feeling out with her chakra to find someone else there besides her. By the feel someone was there with her.

 

“Hinata no Sabaku it's a pleasure to meet you.” A man with white hair and one arm walked into the room. One of his eyes was covered but his presence and stance just oozed power. In a way he reminded Hinata of her former father Hiashi Hyuuga as both appeared cold and arrogant. Even as a cripple Hinata knew that he has some kind of authority and was not used to being crossed. “You have some information that I want, and I demand that you give it to me.”

 

“W-what a-are y-you t-talking a-about, I d-don't k-know a-anything?” Hinata stuttered as she stepped back away from the man as if he scared her. She put all of her skills into acting like she was afraid. She didn't know what he wanted and still wasn't sure who he was, but once she did Hinata vowed to give him the ass kicking he deserved for picking up Konoha Shinobi for questioning. One thing Hinata did know was he was acting on his own.

 

“Maybe this will refresh your memory” he said as he threw Hinata a jar which she clumsily caught. “I want to know what's in that and how to make it and you are going to tell me.”

 

“M-my o-ointment, w-where d-did y-you g-get t-this. W-who a-are y-you? W-what d-do y-you w-want w-with m-me?” Hinata asked as she backed into the wall noticing that the door that she came through wasn't there any more. In fact it looked like she was in a clear cage with two tubes opening in. The man in front of her was guarding her only way of escapes.

 

“Oh you will tell me everything I want to know Hinata, one way or another. And you can call me Danzo.” Danzo said revealing himself as he stepped back and sealed the door behind him. “One way or another Hinata you will tell me.” Walking to the control panel next to the cage Danzo flicked a switch and turned a knob. “Let's just see what she knows shall we. A little paralysis gas and she will be out. Then I have ways of making her talk. I will get the ingredients, before the day is out.” Danzo muttered to himself as he allowed more gas to flow into the room. Patting him self on the back for once again he was getting away with something right under Sarutobi's nose.

 

Looking around Hinata noticed that gas was pouring into the room. Banging on the walls as she tried to get out Hinata whispered into her communicator “who ever receives this, Danzo is filling the chamber I am in full of gas. He wants the ingredients for one of my ointments. The walls are sealed and chakra isn't working to break the walls. The gas has a chakra suppress or in it, part of it seems to have a paralysis in it. Sad thing is the only one he could have gotten the ointment was from Sakura Haruno. I must look into the connection between the two.” Leaning with her back against the wall Hinata slowly slid down it until she was sitting down with her legs to her chin. Feeling weak and fatigued Hinata continued “I have just enough chakra to destroy the communicator. If someone gets this message please come and help. As of now this is Hinata, over and out.” Reaching under her hitae-ate Hinata focused her remaining chakra into her fingers. Placing the fingers to her communicator Hinata activated the destruction sequence. Feeling the communicator bubble around her Hinata began coughing as it disappeared with a poof hoping to cover the sound. `Thank god for self destruction communicators' Hinata thought as she fell unconscious, hoping that someone caught her message.