Missing

AN:  Warnings for the whole thing:  Angst galore, cracky humor, yaoi aka m/m, kidnapping, evil people, don't judge Tsunade yet, seals and curses, did I mention the angst?, totally AU, perverts, possible orgy (haven't decided yet), there will be a threesome and I wrote it.  Can't deal?  Don't read. 

 

 

 

Jiraiya stormed out of the Hokage’s office with a furious look on his face. Even her bodyguards jumped out his way. Though no one knew for sure why he was so angry, everyone knew the subject of their discussion: his student Naruto.



The young ninja had brought back the Uchiha heir unconscious but alive and then collapsed from his many wounds; only later did anyone realize how close they came to losing Sasuke to Orochimaru. Naruto had barely reached the human heart hiding behind his friend’s desperate need for revenge. And only because Sasuke thought he’d killed the little blond. Both were still in the hospital and had been for a long time. They’d almost lost them; Jiraiya’s heart clenched. Too close.  A few more minutes and they would both be dead.



Which was what caused Tsunade to go too far in his opinion. Before either boy could wake up and offer an explanation, she’d placed seals and curses on each. Sasuke would never be able to access more than a tiny bit of chakra or go more than a hundred yards beyond his clan’s home. The latter was dormant until he went home, but then, he became a prisoner of the Leaf; nothing more than a pawn to breed a new Uchiha clan from. Already, a list of potential candidates was being created and the laws were being altered so Sasuke could have more than one wife. It was disgusting. To use a person like that? How could she? “For the good of Leaf” rang hollow in his ears.



Naruto got off little better. He was no longer able to access any chakra. Not even the normal amount everyone else in the village could. His healing ability was cut down to half that of a regular person; the few moments Jiraiya found him conscious, the kid had acted drugged, unable to form a complete sentence or understand where he was, and it wasn’t going to change. For the rest of his life, Naruto would be safe, a prisoner of the Leaf in a nice house surrounded by dozens of bodyguards, completely helpless, without the ability to take care of himself. Dreams of someday becoming Hokage and earning everyone’s respect were shattered beyond repair, like Sasuke’s wish for revenge.



No one should be treated like that. Jiraiya could see Tsunade wanted to protect the Clan from what those boys may become. However, he thought there was another way. Train them. Teach them to be great ninjas; pound self-control and high morals and ideals into their thick skulls. Surely that would keep them safe from other clans and free up fighters to help guard the village. She refused to listen. Tomorrow Sasuke would go home, forever, and Naruto would be transferred to a safe-house, also forever.



“It’s wrong,” he hissed, leaving the main building. No one should be locked away for the rest of their lives. Especially if they hadn’t done anything to deserve it. Growling under his breath, growing more frustrated and angry with every step, the great Sage stalked over to the hospital.



Doctors noted his arrival and sent messengers to notify the Hokage, but knew better than to try stopping him. No surprise there. Being one of the Sages did have its advantages. Yet a big shock was waiting for him once he reached Naruto’s room.



Over the month he’d been bedridden, only Sakura, Iruka, and Kakashi visited. No one else. Iruka was the most common visitor, coming almost every night no matter how tired he was from missions, teaching, or working the Mission Desk. Kakashi came by any time he completed a mission and had enough energy to keep from collapsing. Sakura spent more time in Sasuke’s room; perhaps vying for position as his bride. Jiraiya didn’t care.



However, as he opened the door none of the usual citizens of Konoha were there. Instead, a young man with long hair sat next to the bed. The youth turned to face the newcomer and Jiraiya got his first good look at Neji. He’d known the boy was somewhere on the floor; Naruto kept whimpering about his comrades in his fitful sleep. So, being the kind Sensei that he was, the pervert author had gone to find each and brought the information of their continued health to his student, which resulted in Naruto getting more sleep. Though why the ninja was in this room escaped him.



“What do you want?” He snapped, taking some of his anger out on the nearest target. Neji stared at him levelly; neither did he avert his eyes nor flinch.



“I heard about what the Hokage did to him. I thought he might need someone to talk to.”



“And how could you possibly understand what he’s going through?” Probably was here to gloat over the village’s outcast finally being locked up. Damn this village and its people!



Neji didn’t answer, removing his forehead protector instead. Jiraiya inhaled a startled breath when the Hyuuga curse was revealed.  He knew that seal; anger built into pure fury.  



“I understand a great deal about being controlled by others. About having your life dictated to you.”



“What the hell is wrong with this place?!” The Sage exploded. “What kind of sick people curse kids!”



He was going to go kill the Hyuuga Clan head. Slowly. Over weeks.



“Naruto convinced me we could change our destiny. That we didn’t have to bow before the will of others.” Tears entered the young man’s voice. “He believed it so deeply I believed it. I want to help him when he finally realizes all of it was just a stupid dream. He’ll need someone to keep him from giving up entirely.”



“So you expect him to take this lying down?” As if. The boy was going to yell and scream….



“What else can he do. With his chakra suppressed like this, it will be months before he finds the strength to even get out of bed.”



The writer’s mental rant stuttered to a halt. Right. Jiraiya cast a sad look at the small blond. He had just enough chakra to stay alive; nothing was left to feed his spirit. Naruto would be like an old, tired man. Unable to do the simplest things for himself, it probably wouldn't take long for the situation to destroy his spirit. A quiet, beaten Naruto? The image burned into the Sage’s mind. Better to kill him. But they couldn’t do that for fear of releasing the demon fox.



“Damn you, Tsunade,” he roared and slammed his fist into the wall next to the door, startling a group of ANBU just entering the room. “What the fuck do you want?”



“The Hokage wants the beast moved tonight.” The one wearing a tiger mask recovered first.



“I’ll take him in the morning.” No one else was going to touch his student.



“The Hokage…”



Jiraiya cut him off. “Can kiss my ass. I’ll do it myself. And if any of you ever call him a beast in front of me again, I’ll kill you myself.”



“Or I will.” Neji said from behind him, eyes gone dangerously pale.



Trying to look unimpressed, the ANBU backed away, leaving a rather stunned old ninja.



“Why are you standing up for him?” He gestured to Naruto with his chin.



Neji paused, as if trying to comprehend his declaration of protectiveness. For several moments he simply worked on sorting out his feelings. Jiraiya waited; though his eyes looked over his new ally. This was another kid forced to grow up too soon. How much more could the boy take before he snapped? What was he, 13? 14? Far too young to have to carry a burden like the mark on his forehead.



“He’s not going to be able to take care of himself anymore.” Neji found the floor fascinating as he spoke. “For the first time, Naruto’s dream is really out of reach. For me, it’s easy to accept enslavement. I’ve had almost my entire life to get used to it. But I still remember how if felt. The first time I was forced to understand my position in the Hyuuga Clan. The humiliation. Helplessness.



Naruto’s not like me. He’s been free all his life. Wild. Full of crazy hopes, dreams, and ideals. I used to think he was an idiot. He’s not.” Neji finally raised his head to glare at the older ninja. “He’s not! Others spout wonderful hopes and do nothing to fulfill them. They lie and cheat while pretending to be good people. All that power and wealth and not an ounce of compassion or love.



And Naruto, the dobe, who has nothing, no one, cares about his enemies, total strangers, and the people of this village who hurt him all his life. He’d lay his life down for me without my having done a thing to earn it!”



Neji fought back tears; the enormity of what the Hokage had done to Naruto fully hitting him. No more smiles. No silly pranks or unending optimism. There would be a broken boy who lost everything in their place. Why didn’t anyone else see how monstrous that was?



“If he can’t be free, how could you?” Jiraiya said softly.



Neji flinched guiltily. Naruto had given him the strength to dream of freedom. Yet the dream could not survive the blond’s own enslavement. Nor Sasuke’s. Locking up the Golden Boy and the dobe meant his hopes were foolish. Further, he had to watch someone who valued freedom so highly lose it; essentially live the same life as Neji did. A brief glimpse of light washed away by reality. He was going to be the Main family’s slave until he died defending them or they killed him for some slight. Or worse, forced him to produce an heir they could enslave and continue the cycle.



“It’s not right.” Neji protested, a tear streaking down one cheek. He wiped it away quickly; ninjas did not cry.



“Yeah, they do, boy. Yeah they do.” Suddenly he was wrapped in a fierce hug, shielded from the world. For the first time in his life, Neji gave in to his frustrations, sorrows, and pain, crying endlessly against the Sage. “Shhh. It’ll be alright.”



No it wouldn’t. How could it?



“I’ll make it right.”



Neji didn’t know if the old man could read his thoughts or not; right then the concern meant little. Someone was offering him comfort. A thing no one had done since his father’s death. Though a highly skilled ninja, he was still a child. One who’d been put through too much too quickly. Lost too many things in the space of a few weeks. Held in strong arms, Neji let years of suffering pour out.



Jiraiya held the shaking form trying to think of a way out of this. The most obvious plan was to take his student and run. He could easily undo everything Tsunade had done. But then what? Naruto would want to come back for Sasuke. Not a real problem there. Orochimaru’s seals were harder to destroy, not impossible. Except, that gave him two students. And the HUNTERS were certain to be set on them.   The ANBU too, which meant Ibiki after them.  And what about this kid, Neji? Could he really just leave him a slave?



“Hey, kid.”



Neji sniffled, looking up at him, embarrassment at having let a stranger see him so weak turning his cheeks scarlet.



“What would happen if I broke that seal on you?”



Horror lit up white eyes. “You can’t! He’ll know. Hiashi will feel it.”



“Which means he comes after you to kill you, right?”



“Of course. If a member of the Branch family could break free, it would threaten the Main family’s power and control over the Clan.”



“Then I’ll have to do it after we’ve reached a safe place.”



Puzzled eyes searched Jiraiya’s face. “You- You can….You would…?”



“Piece of cake,” the Sage sniffed. “I am the Great Jiraiya after all. But you’ll have to come with me, Naruto, and Sasuke.”



“The Hokage will never allow it.” Free? Could it be real?



“Oh she’ll throw a fit to be sure. However, she ain’t going to catch us. Not until I’ve trained you lot to handle anything this or any village can send after you.”



The two stared at each other for several minutes. This was a huge decision to make. Once they fled, none of them could return to Konoha. HUNTER ninjas and ANBU would track them. Friends were left behind possibly to become enemies. Yet, Naruto, Sasuke, and he would be free.



Free.



“I’ll do whatever I can to help.” Neji agreed to run. Maybe he would be killed for this, but it was better than living the rest of his life as a slave waiting to be used or killed.



“Then let’s get started. Can you get Sasuke out of his room?”



“No problem. They’re allowing him to come visit Naruto any time he wants. With his being moved in the morning, I’m sure no one will object to Sasuke seeing his friend one last time.”



Seeing the skeptical look from the older man, Neji explained.



“He hasn’t visited because he blames himself for this. Shikamaru told him how the curse seal works but Sasuke believes he should have had the strength to resist it.”



Jiraiya nodded and the boy slipped out of the room. Naturally the kid was blaming himself for Tsunade’s choice. Kakashi’d explained the amount of guilt and shame Sasuke was carrying around as the avenger of the Uchiha.  Why hadn’t anyone gotten him help? Were the people of Konoha so blind?



Once the pair came back, they could start running. So thinking, he began getting Naruto out of the bed and into his regular clothes. He was almost done when someone else disrupted his plans.



“What do you think you’re doing?” A voice behind him echoed with outrage. “Get your hands off him.”



Iruka. The voice and worry for Naruto were unmistakable. Perhaps the first person to ever care about his student. To see his potential. If there was anyone Naruto would miss and want to see again, it was Iruka. Well, since he was here…



“Iruka,” Jiraiya turned with a big smile. “I completely forgot about you. Thank the Gods for your showing up. It would have been a great bother to come back here to get you.”



Before Iruka had a chance to fully process what he was hearing, Jiraiya punched him in the stomach hard enough to knock him to his knees; as he knelt gasping for breath, the pervert Sage formed a sleeping seal and calmly burned it in young teacher’s shoulder. Iruka collapsed without a sound.



“What are you doing?” Sasuke hissed from the open door as Jiraiya scooped up the unconscious man.



“Just adding another kidnapping to my list of crimes.”



The boys continued to gawk.



“Listen. Iruka helped raise Naruto. No matter what, he’s not going to take the kid going missing lightly. He’ll come after us and Naruto might even try to go back just to see Iruka again.”



He kept silent about the further consequences of their escape.  Iruka, being the closest person Naruto had to family, would have been handed over to Ibiki for "questioning."  Knowing the torturer as he did, Jiraiya was certain the man would do as little damage as possible, but there was no reason to risk it.  He didn't even want to think what Naruto's enemies would do if they got their hands on the little teacher.  Fate smiled on them all when he interrupted the Sage.  



“You didn’t hurt him?” Apparently Sasuke cared for someone other than his best friend.



“Of course not. I’m not a bully.” Hurting someone with Iruka’s power would be like kicking a puppy. Since when did he have such a bad reputation? Sure he was a world class pervert and peeping tom, but that didn’t make him a bad person.



“Lock the door and let’s get moving. We’ve only got a few more hours of dark and we’ll need every second.”



“How far do you think we’ll get?” Neji asked, twisting the door’s lock.



“There’s a place not too far from here. It’s hidden and only people who know about it can find it. No one else in Konoha knows.”



“And then?” Sasuke struggled to stand, though he accepted help from Neji with surprising ease.



“I get rid of those damn seals and shit. From there, I’m not sure. There are places we can go and I’ll have to train the lot of you. Maybe our dear sensei can help.” He hefted Iruka over one shoulder and cradled Naruto against his chest.



“Iruka isn’t going to be happy when he wakes up.” Sasuke observed. “He’ll try to talk us into going back.”



“Yeah.” Which left him with few options. “Let’s worry about that after we’ve escaped.”



The young ninjas nodded; all three leapt out of the window and into the night. Behind was enslavement and destroyed dreams. Ahead of them lay the gates of Konoha and freedom. However, none of the trio thought it was going to be that easy.



 

 

AN: all parts have a bit more added and a few things changed.