80: Revenge Arc: Sins of the Past, Haunting the Present: Part II (3)

Yamame wondered if fate was conspiring against her, or if her life was just a byproduct of her bad choices. Naturally, it was easier to believe in the first rather than accept responsibility for her actions. But, she felt she was particularly justified considering what started her off on her path had simply been her desire not to butcher her classmates in order to become a genin of Kirigakure. Of course, she tended to leave out how she had feared that it would be her that ended up being butchered since she had been a lower to middle of the pack student. She had always exceled grade wise, but that didn't really matter much when the final was a do or die battle to the death. As such, when Kajika had decided he was going to defect to Sound, well it had sounded like a good idea at the time.

But, that had just led to her running across Team Seven and ultimately in jail. At times, she almost wished she had had just participated in the exam. Particularly, since she had learned from a few of her fellow prisoners that the death matches had ended with Zabuza, although they told students different to test their mettle.

She guessed that face was also why she hadn't been recruited to participate in the Danzou's rebellion which had involved prisoners. After it had failed, she had almost been glad she had been considered too pathetic to approach since she would have likely jumped at the chance. When, it had failed, she felt that she had dodged a kunai particularly since it had allowed her to join Iruka's remedial classes. She really hadn't had an agenda when she first had started, only doing so since it got her out of some work details during the summer. But, she had come to truly enjoy them as it recaptured the fun she had from learning, as well as let her know what was happening outside world. It had filled her with a sense of melancholy though since it made her realize the world was moving on without her. Particularly as she was twenty years old and had spent over six of them in prison.

With no real worth as a kunoichi as illustrated by her not even being considered for the rebellion. She knew her fate was likely to be held in prison until she was old and gray, before being released only so she could die somewhere else. Yet, she had received her first ray of hope since leaving Kirigakure, when Iruka had explained that if she did well during his upcoming summer courses then she would be granted a parole. Moreover, he had even found her a job with a shipping company. Considering her life, she should have suspected it was too guide to be true. The first signs of which had been an explosion that had shaken the entire prison.

Iruka, had quickly taken off telling her to return to her cell and to remain there no matter what happened. Not seeing a choice, it had been easy to say that she would as the guard had taken her away. But, then all the guards had retreated from her floor, and soon after the doors to all the cells had been thrown open. Despite her promise, she found the temptation of freedom too alluring so had exited to find many of the prisoners gathered around a man even younger than her. The youth had explained to those he released, "My name is Udon, and I have a unique proposition for you. You're freed from your cages, but have a long way to go to actually attaining your freedom. I'll release the seals binding your chakra. But in return, you must capture the control room on the top floor. If the situation in the prison gets too out of control they'll blow the bridge trapping everyone here. The only reason they haven't yet is because they are hoping for reinforcements from the Leaf."

Iwana, her former teammate and someone who had also defected to Sound with her asked, "What of it? Say we help you, and stop them from destroying the bridge. We're still trapped in the middle of the fucking Land of Fire. The Leaf will just hunt us down."

Yamame was somewhat surprised by his sensible question. But, figured since a lot of the shinobi who had tried to escape during the rebellion had ended up right back in prison just making it across the bridge wouldn't make their situations any better. In fact, if they were caught it would likely make things worse, for her especially since she had a pardon sitting on the table. But, she began to wonder if that truly was the case any longer after all, Iruka was trapped in the prison and she wondered what would happen to the offer if he died.

That thought, along with the calm way Udon answered by saying, "I've considered that already. Anyone that participates in taking the control room, and survives will be free to leave with me. Soon a new power will be bursting onto the scene and you will have an opportunity to join up. Well, opportunity is perhaps not the correct word as you'll have no choice but to join at least until we reveal ourselves. However, surely having the chance to be shinobi again must beat out wasting away in a prison for the rest of your lives. Now decide!"

Yamame hesitated for a moment, but hearing Iwana and the other prisoners quickly agree caused her to call out, "I'm in."

Udon made a handsign and she sighed in an almost orgasmic fashion as her chakra was returned to her for the first time in six years. Udon then made her glad for her decision as he said, "Oh, there is also a special bonus for anyone that brings me one of these men's heads. Well, except for the third one. I want him brought to me alive." The first two she recognized as being the warden of the prison, and Iruka. But then one they wanted alive confused her as she didn't recognize him and he seemed to be about the same age as Udon. The Youth was smiling and had light brown hair. Yamame couldn't imagine what his importance was. But, with Iruka being marked as a dead man, she doubted that she would be getting that pardon so believed that she had made the correct decision and so began following after the others as they made their way to the next floor.

**************************

Iruka frowned as the lift to the maximum security section took them down to the bowels of the prison. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong, but new they didn't have time to really reflect on it. They had come across, Daichi's team and found them massacred, but no sign of the youth himself. He wasn't too surprised as he learned that the Nobori that had attacked them had apparently been a former student of his as well. Not to mention a close friend of Daichi's. Again, Iruka felt a desire to berate himself for not seeing the signs.

But, it hadn't lasted since there had been a blood trail which they had presumed had been Daichi following after his friend. From the amount of blood, Iruka had been surprised the youth had made it to the lift, and had suspected they would find them collapsed in front of it. Particularly since he had reported his lift key had been taken. But, when they had arrived at the entrance to the elevator, they had found no sign of him.

Iruka, found his attention pulled back to the present as the lift settled telling them that they had arrived. He prepared himself as did the other shinobi, but when the doors opened no barrage of kunai or other weapons greeted them. They spilled out of the elevator to find a massacre, of the team that had been guarding the doors that led to the most secure portion of the prison.

"What happened here?" one of the shinobi asked checking the shinobi for survivors.

A groan came up from one of them, and Iruka being the closest quickly spun him over. He recognized the helmeted youth as a former student so said, "Daichi, hang in there."

"I...Iruka," he said weakly likely from blood loss due to the numerous cuts he had suffered.

Mawashi quickly closed on them and asked, "Daichi what happened? How did you get down here?"

"I...I followed after Nobori, but he got the drop on me again. H...he knocked me out and used me to get the others to drop their guard. But, I'm not sure what happened after that, I must have blacked out."

"Okay, you did good son. Let us handle it from here." the Warden said sounding concerned still. "Iruka, take Daichi with you and find a safe place to hide. We'll secure the area and make sure Nobori isn't down here."

Iruka felt something was off still so asked, "If Nobori is down here then he has probably already released the prisoners. You'll be outnumbered."

"We're aware," Mawashi replied giving Iruka an accepting smile which the other guards also wore. "But this is our duty."

Daichi struggled to stand as he said weakly, "Then I should stay as well."

"You've done enough," Mawashi said proudly, "In that condition you'd only get yourself killed. I'm not planning to die down here so enough chattering. Iruka, you have your orders."

Iruka nodded as the warden and his men moved to the large doors to input the code. He guided Daichi onto the elevator, and couldn't help feeling something was wrong as he watched the men enter the Maximum Security wing to see in Nobori was inside.

**************************

Naruto felt relieved as Mito sent him another all clear. He had imagined that Momo must have put up a bit of a fight. He frowned though as he heard whispers that seemed to come from the shadows, and he imagined if he listened to them would be in Sasuke's voice. But, he wouldn't pay them any mind as he felt Kiyomi was in a state of panic and distress. He suspected that it was his concern for his lovers which was making the whispers bombarding him lose their power over him.

Naruto felt that he was nearing her position, but rather than Kiyomi's voice it sounded like Sasuke. Reaching, the room, he heard Sasuke screaming, "Where are you loser? Have you abandoned me again to find your bitch? Isn't that just like you, the man that said he was my friend running off and leaving me to my darkness for a bit of pussy."

Naruto felt an urge to respond, but he refused to be baited particularly as he kept his focus on how Kiyomi's foxmark was telling him that she was standing before him. Believing he understood what was happening, he took a calming breath, and began entering the state he did before going into Sage Mode. He felt the world fall away making everything clear and believed that the Sasuke standing before him was Kiyomi. But what he was seeing was the manifestation of the guilt that he felt about moving on with his life, and turning his back on Sasuke. With that in mind he addressed it by saying, "You're right in a sense. I did abandon you. But, is as much your fault as mine. You decided that your revenge is more important than my friendship, and it would be irresponsible of me ignore what you've become just to hold onto this one bond."

He figured his speaking had attracted Kiyomi's attention as the Sasuke focused on him. He could imagine that she responded to what she had heard, as the image of the Uchiha said, "You can dress it up any way you want. But you simply abandoned me because of those bitches bound to you."

"You're right," Naruto freely admitted, "Because, they are true bonds and they deserve my focus, love, and loyalty. There was a time when you did as well, but I can't keep chasing the ghost of that bond to neglect my future with them. I will keep my hand outstretched to you, but it is up to you to take it. Not me to force you to." Sasuke began to fade away as Naruto came to terms with his decision to let his bond with the Uchiha go, and in doing so revealed Kiyomi looking scared of him. He no longer felt the guilt that had been building since entering the mist so figured that must be driving the visions that she was likely seeing.

Holding his hand out to her, he sent his feelings of love to her mark as he said, "Kiyomi, you're stronger than this. Don't forget who you are?"

Kiyomi took a step back, as if he was planning to strike her. She then shouted, "Get back!" Sending up another wall of flame that caused him to leap back.

He wondered if some of his words got through though as she screamed, "I know I'm a monster. But, you said you loved me. How can I make you forgive me?"

Hearing the pleading in her voice caused him to grow angry at the Priestess that had subjected his lover to such torture. Figuring his words would just be twisted and believing actions always spoke louder than them anyway. He began to slowly approach his lover, the flame wall she had thrown up before had begun to fade. But, with his closing the distance between them, she intensified it. Naruto though didn't stop as he instead moved to walk through it, Kiyomi sensing his intention quickly shouted, "Stop!"

Naruto didn't listen and just as he was about to touch it she created an opening within it. The wall began to fade, but she whimpered as she said, "Stay back... please."

Naruto though reached out for her, and she winced as if accepting whatever punishment that she believed he was about to deliver. Instead he simply caressed her cheek, her eyes opened wide obviously surprised by his gentle caress. She focused on him, and he said, "Kiyomi, it isn't my place to forgive you to free you of this burden. That is only something that you can do for yourself. But, you are mine, and will always remain so as long as you take my hand whenever I reach out for you."

Kiyomi cupped her hands over his and then tears gathered in her eyes as she broke down crying, "I'm sorry for all the pain I've caused you."

She dropped to her knees and he followed her down to wrap her in a hug as he replied, "I know, and I've known that for a long time. It's time you begin forgiving yourself."

Kiyomi clung to him as she sobbed uncontrollably, and not sure what else to say. Naruto again decided actions were better than words as he simply held her tight.

**************************

"No! What is this?" Momo asked as she struggled against Mito's grip as they watched Naruto hugging the balling women. "He should be trying to rip her to pieces or vice versa."

"That was never going to happen."

Momo ceased her struggling as she asked while watching the monitor, "What do you mean? They were fighting each other in the beginning."

Mito nodded, and replied, "True, but you were hoping they would lash out at each other in guilt and anger. But, they aren't as weak as you believe." Thinking how while Naruto and her had been separated, Kiyomi had addressed people she felt she had wronged she continued, "From the beginning Kiyomi only fought defensively. Likely because she was viewing Naruto during her vision. Naruto though was apparently seeing Sasuke. Although, when he struck down his mother, Naruto tried to defeat him and was willing to kill him. I don't imagine he didn't feel as if he was turning his back on a friend. From my understanding, he once said that he rather have remained a fool then to do that. But, such a claim sadly neglects the Uchiha's own will in the matter. Still, I believe Naruto would relent if during a fight Sasuke surrendered, and since Kiyomi only was willing to fight defensively the battle to the death you desired never was going to happen."

"Then I'll just have to take matters into my own hands," Momo shouted before adding, "Bakudo number eight, Seji!"

A blue orb appeared towards the back of Momo's hand which due to Mito holding her arms behind her allowed the priestess to push back into her. The orb dispersed sending Mito flying back until she hit the wall behind her. Momo quickly ran for the door, snatching the blade Mito had buried in the floor as she did so. Mito recovered and leapt after her, but smashed into the barrier that was erected around the room even as Momo passed through it. Shaking the cobwebs from her head, she moved to the seal array hoping she could bring it down before the Priestess reached her Family.

**************************

Yamame felt as if she was taking some sort of genin exam as she ducked beneath a blade from one of the control room's defenders. The reason for this was because Udon, had yet to lend a hand to the many shinobi that he had recruited to take the floor. She wasn't sure why, but she almost had the sense that all their actions were pointless. But, having committed to escaping decide to trust the young man had a way out of the situation.

Focusing on the current obstacle to that goal she used a kama that she had liberated from a dead guard and brought it down towards the ankle of the shinobi she was facing. At the last second she turned it so the blade was facing away and succeeded in breaking it. The man fell back, and she followed up by slamming the handle into his head rendering him unconscious. Her reasons for doing so were mainly so if the breakout failed, she wouldn't find herself suddenly being faced with execution as had been the case for many of the prisoners that had taken part in the rebellion as their sentences were upgraded.

She looked up and saw an opening among the defenders of the final hallway before the control room. Seizing the opportunity, she raced forward and tossed a ball of exploding tags she had also liberated. It landed before the heavy doors, before exploding. Racing through the smoke, she saw most of the remaining shinobi had been dazed by the explosion. However, a kunoichi towards the back seemed to be the least affected. Realizing the room was lost, she quickly made a break for a control panel where a giant glass encased button was located.

Yamame hefted her weapon and tossed it just as the kunoichi was reaching for it. The blade buried itself in the back of the woman's hand causing her to scream out. Still, ignoring the pain she tried to reach it with her other hand, but was stopped by Yamame as she said, "Don't! You've lost there's no reason you have to die."

The kunoichi sagged in defeat, but Udon then entered the room saying, "Very good."

Iwana followed him in as well, saying angrily, "No thanks to you."

Turning to her former teammate Udon moved towards her as he addressed the surviving prisoners, "I already have a way out of the prison. You were earning your seats out as well, so it was only natural that you did the heavy lifting." He pulled the Kama out of the control panel and then coldly slashed the blade across the wounded kunoichi's neck. The woman looked at Yamame with eyes filled with betrayal as her blood spilled from the wound. Focusing on her, Udon said, "I couldn't help noticing you left a trail of unconscious guards behind you. Don't worry I tidied up for you." Addressing the rest, he said, "Mercy is a weakness. One you will neither give or should expect to receive in your new lives."

Focusing on Yamame, Udon said, "I imagine you were just hedging your bets. But, you'll need to be totally committed going forward. Understand?"

"Yes," she replied although when he walked past her, her gaze drifted down to the accusing eyes of the now dead kunoichi.

"Good," Udon said before pressing the button that they had just fought to prevent its activation.

**************************

Iruka removed his flak jacket as he inspected the wound that he had received from a mask wielding shinobi who sported a claw on his right hand. He had encountered the man, along with the short blonde woman accompanying him at the entrance to the lift after taking it back up. The woman upon locking eyes with him had quickly dropped into a combat stance as she said, "Target confirmed."

She had launched herself at him and Daichi, whom he pushed away to create some distance. The Chunin had collapsed to the deck of the lift apparently having fallen unconscious again. The woman kick hit the back of the lift hard enough to dent it, but she quickly used it to leap out of the lift before he could attack. He followed after her and quickly had to dodge as the masked man swiped at him with his claw. Iruka managed to avoid most of the blow, but the claw still cut deep enough to slice into him.

Iruka cursed as the two had cut him off from Daichi, and to make matters worse the lift doors began to close. Hearing it begin to descended, he only hoped Mawashi was calling it down to secure it.

But, he had to focus on his situation as the kunoichi charged at him again. Iruka blocked the bunch she threw, and followed up with a strike of his own that she in turn blocked. She then leapt backwards into the air as the masked man approached having tucked himself into a ball. He bounced towards him, and springing out of it stabbed out with a claw.

Iruka managed to duck back enough that the move whiffed and stepped in with a kick that caught the man in his masked face. He tumbled back, but the woman leapt over him spinning like a corkscrew in the air. The attack connected knocking him back several steps and as she landed she followed it up by announcing, "Cannon Spike." The blow caught Iruka in the chin lifting him up into the air.

As he began to return to the ground, he noticed the masked shinobi was waiting with his claw. Popping a pocket on his vest he pulled a scroll out which spinning he tossed at the man. The shinobi easily battered it away before he stabbed up at him catching him in the stomach. At least it appeared that way before he burst into smoke to be replaced by the just tossed scroll.

"Not bad," the man had said before turning to see where the scroll had landed to see Iruka darting down the hall.

Iruka heard the footsteps of the woman moving to follow him, but was stopped as the masked man ordered, "Stand down Killer Bee. It's more fun when you give the rabbits a head start. Besides, business before pleasure."

Iruka figuring the two planned to head down to the maximum security wing, nearly turned back. But, he recognized that while he might have been able to handle one of them, facing both would only result in his death. Hoping, that Daichi still being on the lift had alerted Mawashi of the impending trouble he focused on trying to stay alive.

Iruka winced as he touched his wound as his recollection of the encounter ended. Applying some antibacterial cream, he had found in a first aid kit. He determined that it was going to be all the treatment he saw at least until the Leaf took back the prison. He sighed as the thought of Yamame since he had swung by her cell hoping to find her still in it. He couldn't say that he was too surprised to find her gone, but hoped it was because recognizing the situation she figured that she wouldn't be safe there. As opposed to taking a part in the riot, and escape attempt. But, he feared it was more likely that she had leapt at the chance of freedom she could attain now as opposed to his promise of it in the future.

Pulling his flak jacket back on, he said to himself depressed at his apparent misreading of the kunoichi, "I'm really striking out with reading the hearts of the kids these days."

Iruka's attention was pulled to a window from the sound of another explosion going off. He watched as smoke rose from nearby the drawbridge which then began falling forward. He heard it crash on the other side before being followed by the sound of stone collapsing. Recognizing that the control room had likely been lost, and he was now trapped in the prison Iruka decided if he was to meet his end it wouldn't be while cowering in a room waiting to be found by trapped prisoners. Hoping to find some survivors along the way, he began heading back to the Maximum Security wing to alert the Warden of the situation.

***************************

Momo raced down the halls with her blade aiming to at least pierce the heart of the demon that had taken Kanji from her. She was driven on by whispers that seemed to be chasing her, and even gaining. Yet, instead of being Kanji as she would expect due to the guilt she felt a failing him, instead seemed to be those of the women that he had enslaved. Women, that she had thought herself better than since Kanji hadn't needed to place controls on her like he did them. The whispers called her an accomplice and cowards stating she knew the truth of the man she served but had been too much a coward to face it. Hoping to outrace them, she pushed her legs harder praying to Kanji her blade would find its way to the demon's heart, which happened to be the man she was bound to.

***************************

Naruto pulled Kiyomi's head from his chest as her sobs began to relent and asked, "Feeling better?"

Kiyomi nodded before raising a sleeve to her eyes as she said, "Yes, but I want to be out of here. Let us collect Mito and leave."

Naruto nodded sharing the opinion so stood and helped his Bijuu lover to her feet. She seemed smaller than before, but he felt it was more a perception since she so rarely showed her emotions to such a degree. Attributing it to the vulnerability that she must be feeling as a result, he wanted to think of something which would cheer her up. Yet, before anything came to mind, a shrill scream filled the room.

He turned to find Momo coming right at him. He prepared to defend himself but was pushed to the side by Kiyomi. The Bijuu accept the woman's charge as she grabbed the blade with her hand, and pushed it to the side so that it missed cutting into her stomach. Then with her free arm she wrapped the woman in a hug as she whispered, "You poor tortured thing. To go so far for a man that you despised."

Momo pushed away from the Bijuu as if she had been burnt by the gesture. Kiyomi tossed the blade aside as the Priestess shouted, "I loved Master Kanji. Stop trying to make me doubt myself."

Kiyomi's healed the wound on her hand and held it up for Naruto to remain where he was. Focusing on the dark-haired woman, she said, "I'm afraid that just isn't the case. I know that because if it was true when we raided your compound your chakra would have been red like Tayuya's."

"W...what are you talking about?"

Kiyomi stepped closer explaining, "When you become bound to someone using the Binding. Your chakra begins to reflect your feelings for that person. Only a Hyuuga can see this change, so I'm not surprised you don't know about it. When one looked at the women bound to Kanji they were all black, including you."

"T...that isn't true," she said taking a step back because Kiyomi began to morph into the man that had first attacked her. Momo the rest of the room began to change as well to the darkened forest that she had been walking through when she found her path blocked by a masked man. The man surged forward causing Momo to try running away but he had caught her tearing away her robe as she tried to get away. Then burying himself inside her tearing something even more precious as he had his way with her.

Kiyomi watched as Momo writhed on the ground crying out for help. Believing she was caught up in whatever she had used to make Naruto and her hallucinate she figured it must have been something to do with the fog coating the floor. Letting her chakra spill out she watched it react and change to a red mist which she tried to fill with the positive emotions she felt towards her lover and family.

Momo lost track of how many men had followed the first who had seemed more interested in cumming inside her rather than taking pleasure. But he had told the others to have their fill, and they certainly took him up on the offer. But eventually, there was only one left rutting away on her limp body. But then suddenly his head was removed by a blade, and Kanji's gentle voice began calling out to her. He had carried her from the spot and had taken her to his home. He began cleaning her up, telling her that he had just been passing through. Momo didn't know why but as his hands caressed her flesh and despite the abuses she had just suffered she felt her desire to be taken by his grow until she had suddenly leaned forward to kiss him. He greedily accepted it before taking her to his bed. He then set her down on his bed, but before he climbed onto it to join her. The lights of the room flickered to nothing and when they returned the first masked rapist was standing in his place.

Momo screamed for help, but some part within her recognized that her subconscious was revealing the truth of her supposed rescuer to her. The masked Kanji began to climb onto the bed, but then a hand burst through his chest. Not in a gory manner but it revealed him for the hallucination that he was. Still, desperate to escape what followed, Momo reached out for it and was pulled up into another hug.

Kiyomi wrapped her arms protectively around the woman as she said, "It's alright now. He can no longer harm you."

The priestess clung desperately to the woman as she allowed herself to be soothed by the warmth that she was giving off.

**************************

Iruka wondered if he was the only person left in the prison as he heard a strange sound which seemed to be growing louder. He had reached the MS wings and found the door elevator had once more been returned to the top. He had taken it down to find that Warden Mawashi and the others had been butchered, some beyond all recognition as people. Plus, all the prisoners that had been held there were now gone. Not sure how Udon planned to escape, he had taken the lift back up to gather as much information as possible.

The loud whirring sound grew even more pronounced and separated so that he recognized it was coming from multiple sources. Coming across a window, he looked outside to find strange flying vehicles lowering themselves into the courtyard. He noticed that one of them passed overhead making it seem like it was going to land on the roof. Iruka figured that was where Udon must be, and so decided to confront him.

Leaping out the window. He began racing up the building. As he ran he noticed a large tank being that looked like it contained water being loaded into one of the vehicles. He reached the edge of the wall and leapt over to land on the roof just as the vehicle touched down. He was shocked to find several prisoners, including Yamame surrounding him. Also, being held between two prisoners was a struggling Nobori and being held by another was the wounded Daichi.

Nobori seemed shocked by his presence so called out, "Iruka, help me!"

Iruka wasn't sure what was going on, but something told him the Chunin wasn't faking. Still, he couldn't exactly ignore the possibility so decided to focus on the brains of the operation as he said, "What are you playing at Udon?"

Udon motioned for the prisoners to board, and Iruka noticed that Yamame seemed conflicted before finally lowering her head to comply. The other prisoners followed suit and managed to force Nobori on but at the last moment, Daichi pushed off the prisoner supporting him. The man moved to collect him, but Udon said, "Leave him." Focusing on his former teacher, he answered, "I'm afraid the time for games is long since passed Iruka-sensei. A fact that we Root will remind the Leaf of soon enough. We'll show you that it is you that are playing at being shinobi."

Shaking his head, Iruka pulled a pair of kunai as he said, "The path to peace isn't spreading misery and death."

"Of course it is," Udon stated with no doubt in his voice, "Your precious Will of Fire is a lie to foster love for the village. That love is then used to convince shinobi to destroy all opposing ideas. You claim it is to protect your family and loved ones, but it sure didn't protect the Uchiha did it. That was because they dared question the village, and peace was the result of that death and misery. The problem with you is that you aren't willing to see it to its natural conclusion. Instead, you wait for a 'reason' when in truth the only reason you need is they believe differently then you. But, your too busy trying to be the good guys. Thus Root was born, but your precious Third Hokage quickly lost his nerve. But, that's okay we've found someone willing to use us to our fool abilities."

"Who," Iruka asked concerned.

"You won't be around to find out," Udon said pulling unsealing a sword from a seal on the back of his glove.

He charged through the smoke and his blade met with Iruka's kunai as he crossed them before him. They both kicked out at each other catching each other in the stomach and knocking the other to the ground. Mirroring each other they each rolled into a crouch to stare at each other. The vehicles in the courtyard began taking off, causing Udon to say, "Today is the first step to the eventual burning of the Leaf."

Iruka leapt to his feet as he said, "You are not the first person to make such a bold statement. You will not be the last."

Udon blocked the Chunin's strikes with his sword several times before trying to slash him across the stomach. Iruka dodged backwards, but Udon followed it up with a water bullet that caught him in the chest. The Water jutsu knocked him back, he cried out in pain as the landing jostled his earlier wound. He caught his breath for a moment, and then rolled out of the way as Udon leapt into the air to bury his sword into his chest. Iruka rose to a crouch and lashed out with a kick that caught his former student in the head. Udon let the blow carry him forward to create some distance between them.

Getting back to his feet, he dabbed at his lip tasting blood before saying, "You're not as weak as I thought you would be."

"Udon, please think back to your academy days and your friends. Those times couldn't have all been you playing a role."

The Root member simply shrugged as he said, "Believe what you wish. I had already completed my true education before ever setting foot in your class room. Although I suppose I did learn one thing..."

"What's that?"

Udon didn't answer as he instead split into three with one leaping into the air and the two running along the ground. Iruka recognizing he was using an advanced kenjutsu technique but frowned as the clones were meant to converge on their target, but weren't closing on him. His eyes moved to Daichi, who had been crawling towards the exit of the roof. Iruka quickly moved to cover him, and blocked Udon's sword as he had been the one that leapt into the air. But, then he felt a pain shot up through his back until a blade appeared from his chest. Udon then kicked him backwards passed Daichi, who had produced the blade.

Iruka fell onto his back driving the sword deeper into him causing him to cry out in pain. He struggled to get back to his feet, but only made it as far as his knees although facing away from his attackers. He stared at Yamame whose gaze struggled to hold his own, and looked like she might leap from the seat to help him. But, he gave her a soft smile before shaking his head enough to convey that she should remain seated while Udon and Daichi moved in front of him.

He focused on them as Udon answered his question, "I learned that you're a fool, who practices what he preaches. If you had moved to strike me instead of defending Daichi, you'd not be kneeling before us now."

Iruka focused beyond them again, and seeing Yamame staring at him with pained filled eyes felt that perhaps she wasn't beyond reaching. He smiled up at his two would be killers as he said, "You say I'm a fool for living as I have taught others. But, I have no regrets, because it is from those seeds that I've nourished that someone who will stop you will appear. That is the Will of Fire."

"Fitting last words," Udon said, before slicing through his former teacher's neck. The blow was perfect leaving it still connected to the rest of his body by a thin flap of skin as a final show of respect. He pulled out a headband which had a scratch through the Leaf symbol and tossed it onto the dead Chunin's lap as a calling card for the man that had ordered his death. Turning away, Udon smiled at Daichi as he said, "You performed brilliantly."

"Thank you sir!" The Chunin and Root operative said before snapping a salute. He then popped a blood pill to replenish some of which he lost, before adding, "I'm ready." Udon nodded before burying his sword in the man's stomach, and leaving it there. Daichi collapsed although he was still breathing as Udon boarded the V.T.O.L. as Shadoloo called their flying devices.

The ramp began to close so he sent one last look towards the roof, and couldn't help feeling that Iruka's death was a fitting symbol for the era that was about to begin. Taking his seat, he saw Yamame was keeping her head down, and had the feeling that she might not be a good fit for the place they would be heading. But, he figured that would be sorted out in time as they wouldn't be coddling the weak as major shinobi villages had.

Nobori stared at him fearfully and asked, "Why are you taking me? I just work in the mail room translating and decoding letters. They'll change them all as soon as they realize I'm gone."

Udon simply pulled a kunai and stabbed it in his throat before explaining, "We just needed someone to blame this all on so Daichi can remain in place."

The other prisoners looked at him in surprise and some amount of fear, but he noticed a coldness appearing in Yamame's eyes making him think that she wouldn't be such a poor fit after all.

**************************

Sakura wiped away some tears from her eyes that suddenly appeared before focusing on the task at hand. She knew there would be time to mourn later, but since they hadn't had a chance to really study a person who had been hit by Naruto's Rasenshuriken buried herself in the task. Of course, she had no intention of helping Sasuke, but the work was allowing her to remained focused to puzzle out what was going on.

For example, she had come to believe that Sasuke had stolen Hidan's corpse from the Vault, since they hadn't been able to secure it after rescuing Yugito. Plus, by leaving it behind, it had pointed the finger at Akatsuki being behind her disappearance. This was evident by some of the incisions that she had come across, making it apparent someone had been studying it before her. The fact that Kumo had held onto it for so long did fill her with some concern since she wondered if they had been trying to copy his immortality. She wondered if they had succeeded, but doubted it since Naruto's jutsu had destroyed almost every cell and chakra connection in the man's body.

Yet, that did leave her to question how Sasuke appeared to be none the worse for wear after having taken one. She couldn't shake the feeling that wasn't exactly the case, since she believed his kidnapping her showed that he feared Naruto's jutsu. It smacked of desperation for him since she doubted he believed he could hold her long enough to figure out a way to heal the damage before help arrived, since she suspected he knew Naruto had placed a Hiraishin seal on her. She believed that Mito's disappearing had been to distract Naruto to clear the way for their kidnapping her. She began to fear what else, Sasuke had planned since she suspected he had lined up the request for her father to head to the Land of Rice Paddies to coincide with other events for a much larger operation.

Yet, the before she could ponder more, the entire base shook as if it had been hit by a powerful jutsu. But, a moment later she could sense all her Family and Naruto in particular as a flash of red appeared before her. He pulled her into a hug and responding to the pain he that she was sure she was giving off asked, "Sakura, what wrong?"

Sakura wanted to collapse into his arms but said, "We can't focus on that now. Can you release the seal on me?" Naruto nodded before applying a counter seal that Mito had taught him. She felt her power begin surging through her, and then pleaded, "Naruto, please return to Konoha. My mom's likely in danger. Sasuke said he had people watching her, and would order them to attack."

Naruto frowned saying, "Let's go together."

Sakura shook her head, as she could feel Naruto hadn't come with Kiyomi or Mito. Plus, she wanted to get some payback so said, "Come back for me, please? H...he took my father; I can't lose my mother too."

Her lover's eyes widened, before he nodded and then teleported back to his apartment before racing out of it as a golden streak. Sakura prayed he would arrive at her parent's home in time, before activating the Strength of a Hundred Seal. Having been storing chakra for years hoping to surprise her lover with her growth, she decided it was a fitting time to reveal it in hopes of ending Sasuke's life.

Turning towards, the locked door she felt a calmness wash over her as she prepared to do just that.

**************************

Naruto raced through the village, all the while cursing how slow he felt even though to an outside observer he was a bolt of light. He could feel the chaos coursing through his Family particularly those located in the Leaf and felt many of the racing away from the village in the direction of the Leaf Maximum Security Prison. Not sure, what was going on, he trusted they could handle it, just as he had trusted Mito and Kiyomi to handle the shinobi that had appeared after Momo dropped the barrier that had cut him off from everyone.

He had felt Sakura's absence immediately, but Momo had given him a general idea of where to look because she had created the barrier in the Raven's Nest as she had called it. Teleporting to the Kunai Sakura had carried with her belongs. He had then raced out of the town before assuming his Bijuu form, and then throwing another Kunai as far and high as he could. Teleporting to the space bound Kunai, he found an area coated in a powerful barrier which he angled his decent towards before blasting it with a low powered Bijuu ball so as to not destroy the entire town surrounding it. The barrier had collapsed, and he had then Hiraishined to Sakura.

Hearing the pain in Sakura's voice, and how he had killed her father. Naruto for the first time found himself truly despising the Uchiha. He trained to push that anger away, but knowing the chaos that was now threatening his family was likely Sasuke's doing he couldn't muster much success. But, aware there were people counting on him, he instead directed it to helping those that needed him. He reached the Haruno residence and feared he was too late as he found the door kicked in.

"Mrs. Haruno," Naruto called into the house as he raced inside. He found several bodies in the living room, and signs of fighting leading towards the kitchen. Following them, he gasped as he found Mebuki lying in a pool of blood holding her side. But, none of her attackers appeared to have survived the encounter. Most of whom seemed to have been killed by the various kitchen items she had been able to get her hands on. Stepping over a man whose had had been crushed by the door of the refrigerator he picked up causing her eyes to snap open. She looked like she was about to attack him, but then recognizing him said surprised, "N...Naruto... you have to help Sakura... they said they had her."

"She's okay," Naruto replied as he gingerly cradled the woman, "she asked me to rescue you. But, you're definitely her mother."

"T...thank goodness," Mebuki said relieved, "I...I don't know what I would have told Kizashi if something happened to her."

Naruto grimaced, but didn't say anything as he instead Hirashined to Shizune. Handing her the wounded woman, he quickly informed her that he needed to return to Sakura before disappearing in a flash again.

**************************

Sakura smashed her fist into the face of a man guarding the room that Sasuke had revealed himself to her. The man's lifeless body smashed into the doors throwing them open as she followed through grabbing the two men that appeared by the heads and then slamming them into the ground. She straightened as their bodies slumped beside her bonelessly. Her emerald eyes locked onto a smirking Sasuke as he said. "Ah, I was expecting Naruto."

"Sorry to disappoint," Sakura said running towards him. He raised his hand, and a chidori spear leapt out but she effortless dodged it. She was rewarded with the sight of his eyes growing wide in surprise, right before her fist smashed into his. But, rather than sending him flying he disappeared into a puff of smoke to be replaced by one of the corpses of the men she had killed. The body sailed through the throne, and she rolled away as a fireball followed after it. Sasuke drew his sword as he said, "Really Sakura, do you honestly believe you're at my level. Run along now and get Naruto for me."

Sakura ignored the taunt as she said, "Don't worry Sasuke. I'll bring you to him. But, only after I get my fill."

"Big talk from the weakest of us," Sasuke shouted as he leapt back from the spot where Sakura punched. It sent rocks flying up into the air, but he ignored them as he fired a fireball down at her after he added, "Not to mention the slowest."

The fireball slammed down onto Sakura, but he couldn't bask in the moment as he sensed a threat behind him. He spun towards it in the air, to see Sakura's angry gazing staring back. Realizing she had switched with one of the largest rocks, she quickly crossed his arms before him and summoned a Susanoo. Her fist smashed through the partially formed barrier, and connected with his face. He hit the ground hard and bounced along it several times. He struggled to pick himself up feeling Sakura closing on him. But before he could recover she slammed his face into the floor several times, he quickly realized that didn't use chakra as if she had once would have been enough. She then spun him onto his back where she planned to deliver the finishing punch, but stopped as his face had turned purple, but also locked like a cross between him and a Zetsu.

"W...what are you," Sakura asked dropping him to the ground.

The Sasuke Zetsu hybrid smirked at her, before saying, "What do you think I am?"

Sakura considered it for a moment, before deciding, "Who the fuck cares?"

She was about to deliver the finishing blow, but hesitated as it began laughing while saying, "That's the spirit. Not so easy to ignore the call for revenge when you're the one with lost loved ones. Let's see if we can get Naruto on board too. I imagine finding your lifeless body will help."

The purple Zetsu began glowing with purple chakra as its skin began bubbling as if it was a vessel unable to contain the power it held. Sakura began to back away, but then Naruto appeared behind her. He quickly created a clone before snatching up Sakura and retreating down the hall in a bolt of yellow light

The Clone looked down on Sasuke, and sensing the Uchiha's spirit was controlling it asked, "Why?"

"You're going to have to be more specific," Sasuke replied with a smirk.

"Why would you do that to Sakura?"

"Because it hurt you," the Uchiha replied with a sense of satisfaction, "Everything that happened today was to hurt you. So as you discover my other present that I left you. Keep that in mind."

Naruto frowned before responding, "What did you do?"

"You'll find out soon enough," Sasuke stated before the Zetsu exploded.

However, Naruto's clone was an imploding one so sucked the energy out of the blast since he hoped to capture the base intact hoping it would lead to the real Sasuke or at least the one that was controlling the Zetsu like a puppet.

**************************

Naruto held Sakura in his arms as he stared at the base from the top of the building he had carried that to. She was surprised by the lack of an explosion, but focused on more immediate concerns as she asked, "My mother is she..."

Her lover nodded as he said, "She was hurt, but managed to kill her attackers before I got there."

She sighed in relief so asked, "Why didn't he explode."

"He did," Naruto explained, "But, I canceled it out with an imploding clone."

Sakura nodded so said, "Then we should try to find any evidence of where they went."

Naruto frowned fearing that Sakura was trying to keep busy rather than deal with her grief. With that in mind, and some fear Sasuke had a backup means of destroying the base he said, "Let's head back to Konoha and get some people to look the base over first. It might be..."

Before he could finish his sentence the amphitheater that had been the Raven's Nest exploded. The explosion damaged several nearby building as well as setting them on fire. Sakura quickly asked Naruto to set her down before saying, "Create some clones to help with search and rescue. I'll create an area to help the wounded. You should also see what is going on with the others. I'll keep everything here under control until you return."

Naruto wanted to remain by her side, but did as she ordered. He asked his lover to be careful, and teleported away fearing he'd soon know what else Sasuke had been alluding to.

**************************

Sasuke pushed the devise strapped to his head off. The crown type device had wires which were connected to a tank in which a brain floated, and having once belonged to a Yamanaka allowed him to transfer his conscious into the Zetsu hybrids created using Uchiha DNA instead of Senju. He coughed violently and looked at palm of his pale hand finding it coated in blood. Knowing his time was short he asked, "Has Juugo returned?"

Tamaki shook her head before saying, "He'll be meeting up at one of the resting points Udon uses. He'll fly in with the him and the rest of the Root members and prisoners."

"Very well," Sasuke said, "as soon as they arrive we'll begin. It will help the new recruits understand their place and what is expected of them."

Tamaki nodded as she said, "I'll make sure everything is prepared."

Sasuke didn't bother replying. He smiled as he pictured what Naruto's face would look like once he realized how deeply he hurt him. But what truly made him excited was how he imagined it would change the jinchuriki. He looked forward to the next time he planned for their paths would cross expecting to either find a weakened fool or one as hell bent on revenge as he had been. Either would be fine with Sasuke, since he expected it would be the last time they crossed paths before he began reshaping the world in his image.