When Everything Changed - XI
Fandom: Naruto
Pairing: Kakashi x Sakura
Chapter Rating: T
When Everything Changed - part XI
Kakashi got the feeling that something wasn't quite right the moment he arrived at the daimyo's estate. In the past he was usually greeted with all the fanfare and ushered to the lord right away. This time, however, he was looked at with disdain by eyes that questioned his presence. At first he thought that maybe he simply arrived sooner than expected, but when the daimyo's personal guards pulled him away for interrogation he knew he'd been had.
He hadn't been summoned at all, and while he endured the fifth degree he began to wonder why he had been the one singled out. The answer was obvious, but he didn't want to believe it. He wracked his brain for other explanations, but couldn't come up with any that held some merit. Whoever had done it simply wanted him separated from Sakura. But why?
Hours spent answering the same questions again and again was only time wasted, time that prolonged his finding her. Only after thoroughly examining the scroll he had with him and being pleased with his answers and cooperation, was he released. As his weapons were returned to him, he was wished good luck and speed in finding the culprit. Using the daimyo was unacceptable and they hoped he'd bring about proper justice.
Though he bid farewell with an amiable expression, he was boiling inside and the way he stalked away gave indication to the fury he felt. He was surprised anyone even had the gumption to approach him.
"Hatake! Hatake Kakashi!"
The look on his face must have been menacing because when he turned around, the man froze and then took a timid step back. He held out an envelope. "This was addressed to you."
He took it, muttering a thanks, and then continued on his way, ripping it open. He stared down at the letter in his hands, dread filling his stomach. He took off running, springing into the trees as he left the estate behind him. He couldn't believe he had been fooled; it had been a long time since anyone had pulled one over on him. He had to get to her, and fast, but he couldn't be careless. He couldn't risk her life.
Pausing, he knelt down and summoned Pakkun who merely looked up at him with a twitch of his ear. "What's up boss?"
"I need you to take this to Tsunade, quickly. Sakura's been taken; ask her to send someone to back me up."
"You're not going to wait, are you?"
"It's Sakura, I can't wait," Kakashi replied, scanning the distance ahead. "I'll leave a way-point for them. Now go!"
Pakkun gave him a curious look before taking the letter from his outstretched hand and darting away. Kakashi took a few deep, reassuring breaths as he rose to his feet, his fingers curling into a sure fist. Just thinking about what she could be enduring right now made his entire body tense. He glanced back, Pakkun already out of sight, and then leapt forward. She needed him and that was the only motivation he required.
.x.X.x.
Sakura would never forget the taste of the rain nor its scent that day. She had just been accepted her apprenticeship under Tsunade and she was ecstatic. But all evening long, whenever she looked at her mother, a sense of dread filled her; she had no idea how to tell her. Her father had been so proud of her and helped her arrange this dinner outing. Her mother had been so surprised and was enjoying it so much that Sakura actually felt guilty, knowing that bringing it up would ruin her mood.
She sighed, her grip tightening on her umbrella; her parents were walking together under their own umbrella just in front of her. As the door was closing on the opportunity she had to tell her, she found herself watching the ripples and splashes of their steps instead.
It was after her name was called and she looked to see her mother's expectant face and her father's encouraging one that she knew she had already been set up. When she did finally get it all out, heart hammering with the anticipation of her reaction, her mother only looked at her in disbelief. She didn't say anything, only shot her husband an accusing glare, before turning and leaving - taking the umbrella with her.
Sakura's father apologized to her as she came up to him, sharing her own. She could remember the look on his face, and it always upset her more than it comforted her. She left her umbrella with him and chased after her mother.
She called out to her as she tried to catch up, asking her to slow down or to wait for just a minute. If they could just talk Sakura knew that maybe her mother would understand her reasons. No matter what she said, her mother didn't reply nor did she stop.
Finally fed up, the genin Sakura took to the trees and got ahead before dropping down in front of her. Her mother had been thoroughly - and unpleasantly - surprised and it hadn't helped her case at all.
Sakura had learned to blur the next part out; begging and pleading someone else was something she hadn't wanted to do again. It had hurt her when Sasuke refused her the final time. Her heart broke even more when her mother did, too.
"You won't give it up?" her mother snapped. "You want to continue training, continue torturing me? You spout this apprentice business to me as if it means something! Why can't you just be a normal girl and live a normal life?!"
"But this is a normal life for me," Sakura replied, nearly at her end and already knowing that she wasn't going to win this battle.
"You really won't give up the ninja life, even if I asked you, demanded you?"
She had been through so much in her first year as genin alone. There was still so much more left out there for her; there were people she had to see, places she had to get to, and she needed the training to make her more efficient to do so. Sakura could feel the tears coming as she shook her head. "No, I can't."
The unfiltered hurt of betrayal flashed across her mother's face before she stood a little taller and her face smoothed out any wrinkle of emotion. Her gaze was dark and serious, more threatening than any other expression she had given Sakura when scolding. "Then how about a choice? You can be a kunoichi or you can be my daughter, but you can't be both. If you take the apprenticeship then don't bother coming back home."
Sakura sank to her knees as her mother turned and began to walk away. How could she do that to her? How could she make her choose between her parents and her comrades - between her family and her village, her nation? Knowing what she knew, having experienced every terror and triumph this far, after forging these bonds, how could she walk away from it? It was unfair and Sakura resented her mother for the ultimatum.
She was so angry that even when her father found her she pushed him away. He placed her umbrella beside her, sheltering her head from the rain. She didn't look up at him or tell him thanks and soon he, too, left her there.
The mud collected and began to build around her hands; the rain slid down the umbrella and dripped onto the back of her neck as she sat there and made the biggest decision of her young life.
.x.X.x.
Pit-pat-drip-tap... flinch.
Pit-pat-drip-tap... twitch.
Her head felt as if it weighed as much as one of Lee's leg weights, and the pain hurt in a detached kind of sensation. She tried to lift up, but couldn't find the strength.
Pit-pat-drip-tap
"Mom..."
Sakura stirred even more, becoming aware of the droplets falling on the back of her head and stiff neck. The sound of water drip-dropping from other leaks began to fill her ears. Her hands flexed and she could feel something solid beneath them, beneath her. When she tried to pull away, she couldn't, and she knew she was bound to something. Fighting against her eyes, she forced them open and found her sight blurry. A warm light swayed - fire - and she turned her head in its direction. She regretted it the moment she did as her world went a little off-kilter.
"Sleep well, Sakura-chan?"
She tried to narrow her eyes, but found that more parts of her still weren't quite obeying.
"Let me have a look at you," Kiku muttered as she came closer.
Sakura could feel a hand fist in her hair before her head was tugged back. Fingers held her eyes open as a light was shone in them. It was so bright that it hurt, but she couldn't look away.
"The toxin's effects are wearing off, but I wouldn't try anything if I were you. You do have chakra bindings on and they can be a bit nasty."
Sakura grunted as her head was pushed away. Her entire body slumped forward and if it hadn't been for the restraints she might have fallen out of the chair.
"Want some water? You're probably parched."
Now that she mentioned it, she did feel cotton-mouthed. Sakura was able to turn her head to the side and catch some water that Kiku poured out for her.
"I'm really sorry I had to do this to you. I really did like you."
Sakura attempted to lick the water from her lips. "Then why?"
Kiku straightened and walked around her to the back of the chair where she took her by the shoulders and sat her up. She brushed some pink strands aside as she leant down. "Let's just say that Hatake Kakashi had this coming."
Sakura's head was spinning. "Kakashi? But why am-"
"Why are you here? It's quite simple, honestly: you're bait," the older medic replied with a laugh in her voice.
"He wouldn't-"
"Come for you?" Kiku only smiled when Sakura's eyes still managed to light up with fire. "Sorry, your sentences are taking a little too long to string together." She paused and walked back around to face her mentor straight on. With a tone that would suggest they had been friends for years, she continued. "Of course he'll come for you. The two of you are already close, and after you saved his life and confessed your feelings, how could he not?"
Sakura stared at her in disbelief. She had worked alongside her, trusted her, and she had been trying to manipulate her the entire time. Her seemingly good-natured advice was just her coaxing Sakura into doing what she had planned - and to think that everyone in the village trusted her, too.
Kiku's head tilted to the side at the silence. "You did tell him, didn't you?"
Sakura refused to answer, but she couldn't stop her eyes from welling with fresh tears. She hadn't felt this betrayed by someone she thought was a comrade in years. It hurt all the same, and knowing that Kakashi would blame himself once he found out didn't ease her frustration either.
Kiku only smiled at her reaction. "You did! I know it for sure now!" She hugged herself and then looked up to her captive. "Get some more sleep. You should look well-rested when he arrives."
"Kiku-"
She paused and looked over her shoulder. "Yes?"
Using all the strength she could muster, Sakura lifted her head tall and looked her dead in the eyes. "If Kakashi doesn't kill you, I will."
The expression on her face didn't change, her smile only grew brighter. "With the state you're in, I find that highly unlikely."
Kiku walked away, ordering the others to leave Sakura alone and unharmed. The rosette crumpled under the fatigue and fought to control her breathing. She closed her eyes and willed her tears to stay at bay. Crying now wouldn't do her any good. Neither would wishing, but that she did anyway.
"Kakashi, please don't come."
.x.X.x.
Tsunade was having a shitty day when the pug showed up. The paperwork had been relatively light, she had won a free bottle of sake, and when she played cards with some of the disabled ninja in the northwest wing, she won the jackpot - twice. She knew something was really wrong the moment she got her hands on the first winnings. From that point her mood soured and she became suspicious of everyone and everything. No one was ever this lucky, especially not her.
So when Pakkun popped into her office, she knew this was the bad fortune she had been waiting on. She circled around the desk and took the letter from him. Her eyes darted over the lines and she balled it up out of anger as she finished it. She muttered curses as she returned to her chair.
Sensing her anger, Pakkun tried to mend the obvious rift. "He's already on the trail and said he'd leave a way point for the others."
"I sent him just so he could watch over Sakura and this happens!" She let out an irritated sigh. "Stay, Pakkun, and lead the team to him."
The pug nodded and then trotted over the window as two masked ANBU agents entered and bowed to her.
"Get me Hyuuga Hinata and Sai." Her eyes found those of the second nin. "And you, stay."
Bowing, he waited for the other agent to leave before removing his mask. "Tsunade-sama."
"You are to captain this mission, Yamato. It's time sensitive so you will have to fill in your team en route. Kakashi sent us word, Sakura's been taken hostage."
His walnut eyes widened in concern. "Sakura?"
She nodded. "Sai's adaptability, Hinata's eyes, and your infiltration skills are essential for this mission. You're-"
"Pardon my interruption, but what about Naruto?"
Her golden brows pulled together in annoyance. "What about him?"
"Sakura's involved, shouldn't you include him in the mission or at least tell him? You know his determination knows no bounds. He'd do anything to save her."
"Which is exactly why he's not going. I know you mean well, but he's going to be initiated as Hokage soon and the Hokage can't very well leave the village whenever he wants. He's going to have to learn to have more patience and trust in his comrades' abilities to get assignments done."
"Yes, but-"
"End of discussion," she snapped and then pushed away from her desk. "Pakkun will take you in the right direction and explain to you the situation."
Yamato appraised the ninken that he hadn't seen in some time and nodded. "Very well."
"Unless they both come back alive, the mission will be a failure. Understood?"
He bowed deep. "Yes, Hokage-sama."
As soon as the newly formed team left the gates, they hit the trees sending the unsuspecting birds and other woodland critters scurrying away. Pakkun filled them in on the events at Imaicho, which led them all to believe that the bandits involved were the most likely suspects.
"You think they took Hag because she healed all of the people they made sick?"
"It's possible," Yamato replied and then countered, "But if she took out their leader, it could also be retaliation."
"So how come Kakashi wasn't with her then?"
Pakkun grunted. "He was summoned on another mission, but that turned out to be a fake."
Yamato hummed to himself. "It seems they put a lot of thought into it."
Hinata finally spoke up as she caught up from behind. "Don't you find it odd?"
"What's that, Hinata?"
"Whatever document Kakashi-san received was authentic enough to fool him. Whoever had done it had to know our coding and missions system."
"And that's not exactly information your average thugs would know. Someone inside is working against us," Sai concluded.
"But who?"
Yamato faced forward again as they picked up the pace, jaw clenching. "We'll find out soon enough."
.x.X.x.
Kakashi came to a rest in a small garden beneath a leafy recess. Just beyond the hill he could make out the top of a shelter where the letter told him to come to. He curled his hand into a fist to keep his fingers from twitching; Sakura was in there - somewhere. He had no idea where she was, who was with her, or how many other people were inside and what they were armed with. It would be foolish to rush in, but he couldn't wait around out here either. He trusted that the others would be coming soon; he just had to buy them time.
He could sense the person's presence, the tiny hum of untapped chakra - he or she was no ninja. He figured whoever it was had come to welcome him. So he just stood there and waited. He knew that the person had no intention of hurting him. He could almost hear the blade as it rose through the air and the tip pressed against the back of his neck.
"Walk. Straight ahead," the deep voice commanded.
Kakashi attempted to look behind him, but the point pressed a little harder against him. "Don't try anything. Just walk."
He dropped the tag he had hidden in his palm and then held up his hands and followed the orders, passing through the small garden. He was pushed through the threshold of the small house and found it to be empty. It was fully furnished, but vacant. They walked down the short hallway and entered the back room.
A hatch on the floor opened up and a man about Kakashi's age poked out of it, his eyes scanning them before crinkling in distaste. "She's waiting. Come on."
There was a shove to Kakashi's shoulder and he stepped forward to the opening. The stairs beneath were dimly lit and they creaked in protest as he descended. The cavernous tunnel under the house was lit with torches and the damp earthy smell was overwhelming. The sound of water became more prevalent the further within they went, and soon he found it trickling down the walls and puddling at their feet.
The man behind him stopped, so he paused as well, taking the moment to look around.
"Keep going. Right through there." The blade left his back and gestured straight in front of him.
Kakashi took a deep breath and a step forward, pausing when he heard a female voice.
"Sa-ku-ra~~ Wake up, Sakura-chan."
There was another hit to his back. "Move it!"
Kakashi walked forward, stepping into the large round opening. Stalagmites rose around the waterbed like teeth, glinting with water in the light. Bandits were lined against the cave wall, watching with interest - some loathing his presence, others excited and hungry to see what would happen next.
His brow creased in confusion as he saw Kiku there. She waved with a smile and then stepped aside, allowing him to see Sakura. She was bound to a chair, slumped forward and unmoving, hair soaked and dripping with water.
He stepped forward, but Kiku growled at him. "Don't you dare!"
His jaw clenched as the older medic circled around her. She stroked her fingers lovingly through the dark candy locks. "He's here, Sakura-chan, wake up. You have to say hello to our guest."
Gripping her hair at the apex of her head, Kiku forced her to look up. Kakashi's chest tightened at the glassy look in her muddy emerald eyes, and he schooled himself not to react when tears began to slip down her cheeks.
Her voice was raspy, quiet. "You came."
He didn't say anything, afraid his voice would betray him; that she'd know how scared he had been for her, that they'd all know just how much anger seethed inside him. He gave her a firm nod.
Sakura smiled, but only briefly. "You shouldn't have."
Kiku snarled as she pulled her head back so she could look at her. Face close to hers, she bit out between clenched teeth. "Now, don't be so rude. He's traveled all day. Invite him in."
Like a puppet, Sakura's head was straightened so she could see him. He watched her with anticipation, as her hands tightened on the armrests, as her breathing turned ragged. "Get out of here, Kakashi! I'll be fine, just go! Please!"
Irritated, Kiku let go of her and threw a tightly balled fist into her face. Sakura's head swung to the side on impact and then fell forward. Kiku rubbed her other hand across her bloodied knuckles as she turned back to face Kakashi. "I don't get what you see in her; she has such poor manners." Her smile faded and her eyes narrowed. "Please, come in."
Pairing: Kakashi x Sakura
Chapter Rating: T
When Everything Changed - part XI
Kakashi got the feeling that something wasn't quite right the moment he arrived at the daimyo's estate. In the past he was usually greeted with all the fanfare and ushered to the lord right away. This time, however, he was looked at with disdain by eyes that questioned his presence. At first he thought that maybe he simply arrived sooner than expected, but when the daimyo's personal guards pulled him away for interrogation he knew he'd been had.
He hadn't been summoned at all, and while he endured the fifth degree he began to wonder why he had been the one singled out. The answer was obvious, but he didn't want to believe it. He wracked his brain for other explanations, but couldn't come up with any that held some merit. Whoever had done it simply wanted him separated from Sakura. But why?
Hours spent answering the same questions again and again was only time wasted, time that prolonged his finding her. Only after thoroughly examining the scroll he had with him and being pleased with his answers and cooperation, was he released. As his weapons were returned to him, he was wished good luck and speed in finding the culprit. Using the daimyo was unacceptable and they hoped he'd bring about proper justice.
Though he bid farewell with an amiable expression, he was boiling inside and the way he stalked away gave indication to the fury he felt. He was surprised anyone even had the gumption to approach him.
"Hatake! Hatake Kakashi!"
The look on his face must have been menacing because when he turned around, the man froze and then took a timid step back. He held out an envelope. "This was addressed to you."
He took it, muttering a thanks, and then continued on his way, ripping it open. He stared down at the letter in his hands, dread filling his stomach. He took off running, springing into the trees as he left the estate behind him. He couldn't believe he had been fooled; it had been a long time since anyone had pulled one over on him. He had to get to her, and fast, but he couldn't be careless. He couldn't risk her life.
Pausing, he knelt down and summoned Pakkun who merely looked up at him with a twitch of his ear. "What's up boss?"
"I need you to take this to Tsunade, quickly. Sakura's been taken; ask her to send someone to back me up."
"You're not going to wait, are you?"
"It's Sakura, I can't wait," Kakashi replied, scanning the distance ahead. "I'll leave a way-point for them. Now go!"
Pakkun gave him a curious look before taking the letter from his outstretched hand and darting away. Kakashi took a few deep, reassuring breaths as he rose to his feet, his fingers curling into a sure fist. Just thinking about what she could be enduring right now made his entire body tense. He glanced back, Pakkun already out of sight, and then leapt forward. She needed him and that was the only motivation he required.
.x.X.x.
Sakura would never forget the taste of the rain nor its scent that day. She had just been accepted her apprenticeship under Tsunade and she was ecstatic. But all evening long, whenever she looked at her mother, a sense of dread filled her; she had no idea how to tell her. Her father had been so proud of her and helped her arrange this dinner outing. Her mother had been so surprised and was enjoying it so much that Sakura actually felt guilty, knowing that bringing it up would ruin her mood.
She sighed, her grip tightening on her umbrella; her parents were walking together under their own umbrella just in front of her. As the door was closing on the opportunity she had to tell her, she found herself watching the ripples and splashes of their steps instead.
It was after her name was called and she looked to see her mother's expectant face and her father's encouraging one that she knew she had already been set up. When she did finally get it all out, heart hammering with the anticipation of her reaction, her mother only looked at her in disbelief. She didn't say anything, only shot her husband an accusing glare, before turning and leaving - taking the umbrella with her.
Sakura's father apologized to her as she came up to him, sharing her own. She could remember the look on his face, and it always upset her more than it comforted her. She left her umbrella with him and chased after her mother.
She called out to her as she tried to catch up, asking her to slow down or to wait for just a minute. If they could just talk Sakura knew that maybe her mother would understand her reasons. No matter what she said, her mother didn't reply nor did she stop.
Finally fed up, the genin Sakura took to the trees and got ahead before dropping down in front of her. Her mother had been thoroughly - and unpleasantly - surprised and it hadn't helped her case at all.
Sakura had learned to blur the next part out; begging and pleading someone else was something she hadn't wanted to do again. It had hurt her when Sasuke refused her the final time. Her heart broke even more when her mother did, too.
"You won't give it up?" her mother snapped. "You want to continue training, continue torturing me? You spout this apprentice business to me as if it means something! Why can't you just be a normal girl and live a normal life?!"
"But this is a normal life for me," Sakura replied, nearly at her end and already knowing that she wasn't going to win this battle.
"You really won't give up the ninja life, even if I asked you, demanded you?"
She had been through so much in her first year as genin alone. There was still so much more left out there for her; there were people she had to see, places she had to get to, and she needed the training to make her more efficient to do so. Sakura could feel the tears coming as she shook her head. "No, I can't."
The unfiltered hurt of betrayal flashed across her mother's face before she stood a little taller and her face smoothed out any wrinkle of emotion. Her gaze was dark and serious, more threatening than any other expression she had given Sakura when scolding. "Then how about a choice? You can be a kunoichi or you can be my daughter, but you can't be both. If you take the apprenticeship then don't bother coming back home."
Sakura sank to her knees as her mother turned and began to walk away. How could she do that to her? How could she make her choose between her parents and her comrades - between her family and her village, her nation? Knowing what she knew, having experienced every terror and triumph this far, after forging these bonds, how could she walk away from it? It was unfair and Sakura resented her mother for the ultimatum.
She was so angry that even when her father found her she pushed him away. He placed her umbrella beside her, sheltering her head from the rain. She didn't look up at him or tell him thanks and soon he, too, left her there.
The mud collected and began to build around her hands; the rain slid down the umbrella and dripped onto the back of her neck as she sat there and made the biggest decision of her young life.
.x.X.x.
Pit-pat-drip-tap... flinch.
Pit-pat-drip-tap... twitch.
Her head felt as if it weighed as much as one of Lee's leg weights, and the pain hurt in a detached kind of sensation. She tried to lift up, but couldn't find the strength.
Pit-pat-drip-tap
"Mom..."
Sakura stirred even more, becoming aware of the droplets falling on the back of her head and stiff neck. The sound of water drip-dropping from other leaks began to fill her ears. Her hands flexed and she could feel something solid beneath them, beneath her. When she tried to pull away, she couldn't, and she knew she was bound to something. Fighting against her eyes, she forced them open and found her sight blurry. A warm light swayed - fire - and she turned her head in its direction. She regretted it the moment she did as her world went a little off-kilter.
"Sleep well, Sakura-chan?"
She tried to narrow her eyes, but found that more parts of her still weren't quite obeying.
"Let me have a look at you," Kiku muttered as she came closer.
Sakura could feel a hand fist in her hair before her head was tugged back. Fingers held her eyes open as a light was shone in them. It was so bright that it hurt, but she couldn't look away.
"The toxin's effects are wearing off, but I wouldn't try anything if I were you. You do have chakra bindings on and they can be a bit nasty."
Sakura grunted as her head was pushed away. Her entire body slumped forward and if it hadn't been for the restraints she might have fallen out of the chair.
"Want some water? You're probably parched."
Now that she mentioned it, she did feel cotton-mouthed. Sakura was able to turn her head to the side and catch some water that Kiku poured out for her.
"I'm really sorry I had to do this to you. I really did like you."
Sakura attempted to lick the water from her lips. "Then why?"
Kiku straightened and walked around her to the back of the chair where she took her by the shoulders and sat her up. She brushed some pink strands aside as she leant down. "Let's just say that Hatake Kakashi had this coming."
Sakura's head was spinning. "Kakashi? But why am-"
"Why are you here? It's quite simple, honestly: you're bait," the older medic replied with a laugh in her voice.
"He wouldn't-"
"Come for you?" Kiku only smiled when Sakura's eyes still managed to light up with fire. "Sorry, your sentences are taking a little too long to string together." She paused and walked back around to face her mentor straight on. With a tone that would suggest they had been friends for years, she continued. "Of course he'll come for you. The two of you are already close, and after you saved his life and confessed your feelings, how could he not?"
Sakura stared at her in disbelief. She had worked alongside her, trusted her, and she had been trying to manipulate her the entire time. Her seemingly good-natured advice was just her coaxing Sakura into doing what she had planned - and to think that everyone in the village trusted her, too.
Kiku's head tilted to the side at the silence. "You did tell him, didn't you?"
Sakura refused to answer, but she couldn't stop her eyes from welling with fresh tears. She hadn't felt this betrayed by someone she thought was a comrade in years. It hurt all the same, and knowing that Kakashi would blame himself once he found out didn't ease her frustration either.
Kiku only smiled at her reaction. "You did! I know it for sure now!" She hugged herself and then looked up to her captive. "Get some more sleep. You should look well-rested when he arrives."
"Kiku-"
She paused and looked over her shoulder. "Yes?"
Using all the strength she could muster, Sakura lifted her head tall and looked her dead in the eyes. "If Kakashi doesn't kill you, I will."
The expression on her face didn't change, her smile only grew brighter. "With the state you're in, I find that highly unlikely."
Kiku walked away, ordering the others to leave Sakura alone and unharmed. The rosette crumpled under the fatigue and fought to control her breathing. She closed her eyes and willed her tears to stay at bay. Crying now wouldn't do her any good. Neither would wishing, but that she did anyway.
"Kakashi, please don't come."
.x.X.x.
Tsunade was having a shitty day when the pug showed up. The paperwork had been relatively light, she had won a free bottle of sake, and when she played cards with some of the disabled ninja in the northwest wing, she won the jackpot - twice. She knew something was really wrong the moment she got her hands on the first winnings. From that point her mood soured and she became suspicious of everyone and everything. No one was ever this lucky, especially not her.
So when Pakkun popped into her office, she knew this was the bad fortune she had been waiting on. She circled around the desk and took the letter from him. Her eyes darted over the lines and she balled it up out of anger as she finished it. She muttered curses as she returned to her chair.
Sensing her anger, Pakkun tried to mend the obvious rift. "He's already on the trail and said he'd leave a way point for the others."
"I sent him just so he could watch over Sakura and this happens!" She let out an irritated sigh. "Stay, Pakkun, and lead the team to him."
The pug nodded and then trotted over the window as two masked ANBU agents entered and bowed to her.
"Get me Hyuuga Hinata and Sai." Her eyes found those of the second nin. "And you, stay."
Bowing, he waited for the other agent to leave before removing his mask. "Tsunade-sama."
"You are to captain this mission, Yamato. It's time sensitive so you will have to fill in your team en route. Kakashi sent us word, Sakura's been taken hostage."
His walnut eyes widened in concern. "Sakura?"
She nodded. "Sai's adaptability, Hinata's eyes, and your infiltration skills are essential for this mission. You're-"
"Pardon my interruption, but what about Naruto?"
Her golden brows pulled together in annoyance. "What about him?"
"Sakura's involved, shouldn't you include him in the mission or at least tell him? You know his determination knows no bounds. He'd do anything to save her."
"Which is exactly why he's not going. I know you mean well, but he's going to be initiated as Hokage soon and the Hokage can't very well leave the village whenever he wants. He's going to have to learn to have more patience and trust in his comrades' abilities to get assignments done."
"Yes, but-"
"End of discussion," she snapped and then pushed away from her desk. "Pakkun will take you in the right direction and explain to you the situation."
Yamato appraised the ninken that he hadn't seen in some time and nodded. "Very well."
"Unless they both come back alive, the mission will be a failure. Understood?"
He bowed deep. "Yes, Hokage-sama."
As soon as the newly formed team left the gates, they hit the trees sending the unsuspecting birds and other woodland critters scurrying away. Pakkun filled them in on the events at Imaicho, which led them all to believe that the bandits involved were the most likely suspects.
"You think they took Hag because she healed all of the people they made sick?"
"It's possible," Yamato replied and then countered, "But if she took out their leader, it could also be retaliation."
"So how come Kakashi wasn't with her then?"
Pakkun grunted. "He was summoned on another mission, but that turned out to be a fake."
Yamato hummed to himself. "It seems they put a lot of thought into it."
Hinata finally spoke up as she caught up from behind. "Don't you find it odd?"
"What's that, Hinata?"
"Whatever document Kakashi-san received was authentic enough to fool him. Whoever had done it had to know our coding and missions system."
"And that's not exactly information your average thugs would know. Someone inside is working against us," Sai concluded.
"But who?"
Yamato faced forward again as they picked up the pace, jaw clenching. "We'll find out soon enough."
.x.X.x.
Kakashi came to a rest in a small garden beneath a leafy recess. Just beyond the hill he could make out the top of a shelter where the letter told him to come to. He curled his hand into a fist to keep his fingers from twitching; Sakura was in there - somewhere. He had no idea where she was, who was with her, or how many other people were inside and what they were armed with. It would be foolish to rush in, but he couldn't wait around out here either. He trusted that the others would be coming soon; he just had to buy them time.
He could sense the person's presence, the tiny hum of untapped chakra - he or she was no ninja. He figured whoever it was had come to welcome him. So he just stood there and waited. He knew that the person had no intention of hurting him. He could almost hear the blade as it rose through the air and the tip pressed against the back of his neck.
"Walk. Straight ahead," the deep voice commanded.
Kakashi attempted to look behind him, but the point pressed a little harder against him. "Don't try anything. Just walk."
He dropped the tag he had hidden in his palm and then held up his hands and followed the orders, passing through the small garden. He was pushed through the threshold of the small house and found it to be empty. It was fully furnished, but vacant. They walked down the short hallway and entered the back room.
A hatch on the floor opened up and a man about Kakashi's age poked out of it, his eyes scanning them before crinkling in distaste. "She's waiting. Come on."
There was a shove to Kakashi's shoulder and he stepped forward to the opening. The stairs beneath were dimly lit and they creaked in protest as he descended. The cavernous tunnel under the house was lit with torches and the damp earthy smell was overwhelming. The sound of water became more prevalent the further within they went, and soon he found it trickling down the walls and puddling at their feet.
The man behind him stopped, so he paused as well, taking the moment to look around.
"Keep going. Right through there." The blade left his back and gestured straight in front of him.
Kakashi took a deep breath and a step forward, pausing when he heard a female voice.
"Sa-ku-ra~~ Wake up, Sakura-chan."
There was another hit to his back. "Move it!"
Kakashi walked forward, stepping into the large round opening. Stalagmites rose around the waterbed like teeth, glinting with water in the light. Bandits were lined against the cave wall, watching with interest - some loathing his presence, others excited and hungry to see what would happen next.
His brow creased in confusion as he saw Kiku there. She waved with a smile and then stepped aside, allowing him to see Sakura. She was bound to a chair, slumped forward and unmoving, hair soaked and dripping with water.
He stepped forward, but Kiku growled at him. "Don't you dare!"
His jaw clenched as the older medic circled around her. She stroked her fingers lovingly through the dark candy locks. "He's here, Sakura-chan, wake up. You have to say hello to our guest."
Gripping her hair at the apex of her head, Kiku forced her to look up. Kakashi's chest tightened at the glassy look in her muddy emerald eyes, and he schooled himself not to react when tears began to slip down her cheeks.
Her voice was raspy, quiet. "You came."
He didn't say anything, afraid his voice would betray him; that she'd know how scared he had been for her, that they'd all know just how much anger seethed inside him. He gave her a firm nod.
Sakura smiled, but only briefly. "You shouldn't have."
Kiku snarled as she pulled her head back so she could look at her. Face close to hers, she bit out between clenched teeth. "Now, don't be so rude. He's traveled all day. Invite him in."
Like a puppet, Sakura's head was straightened so she could see him. He watched her with anticipation, as her hands tightened on the armrests, as her breathing turned ragged. "Get out of here, Kakashi! I'll be fine, just go! Please!"
Irritated, Kiku let go of her and threw a tightly balled fist into her face. Sakura's head swung to the side on impact and then fell forward. Kiku rubbed her other hand across her bloodied knuckles as she turned back to face Kakashi. "I don't get what you see in her; she has such poor manners." Her smile faded and her eyes narrowed. "Please, come in."