Scared Stiff

Beta'd by Silvertsuki.

Part Five

Sasuke threw his pen back on the table, where it rolled to the edge and stopped. It was useless. No matter what he tried to do to distract himself, nothing worked.

It had been hours since Kabuto took Naruto away. The alarm clock on the table had announced breakfast time a while ago, but Sasuke still waited, hoping Naruto would get back so they could go down together.

The weather outside was wet and gloomy; rain had come sometime early in the morning.. The clouds were low and heavy, giving no hope of sunshine anytime soon.

In the end, Sasuke gave up.

Naruto might already be at the canteen anyway.

Just as Sasuke was trying to relax by straightening his back – slouching when tense was a bad habit of his – someone knocked on the door. Despite knowing that Naruto would have no reason to knock before coming into his own room, Sasuke could feel his heart rate increase.

Instead of getting up to open the door, Sasuke sank deeper in his chair and just listened for a minute or two, trying not to give in and see who it was. Eventually, and after repeated knocking, he called for them to come in.

It was Sakura.

She smiled, but it looked uncomfortable, and Sasuke took a moment to absolutely hate that about her. Why was she pretending? He wouldn't be impressed by fake cheerfulness – or any cheerfulness at all, for that matter. Sakura wasn't stupid, yet she continued playing the part, acting her forced little role, as if she were desperately trying to hide her true self. It was… really annoying.

“Hi.” She said. “Naruto’s not here?”

Not feeling like indulging her and giving an answer that was obvious anyway, Sasuke just raised his eyebrows.

Sakura only sighed and nodded, apparently expecting that. She turned and signaled at someone through the door that had been left ajar.

When Temari came in, Sasuke felt his brows reaching new heights. He had never been particularly friendly with her. In fact, he was even less friendly with her than he was with most people, because Temari generally kept to herself.

“Nice room.” Temari said, looking everywhere but at him. Her eyes finally stopped on the pile of orange cloth that had been left on the floor. “Nice pants.”

“Just tell him what you told me.” Sakura instructed impatiently.

“Why are you making such a fuss about this? And why do you think he would care at all? That kid just arrived here yesterday.”

“Just…” Sakura started, but Sasuke interrupted her with the best “Itachi” impression he could manage with what seemed like a grapefruit stuck in his throat.

“If this is about Naruto, I want to know.”

Temari jerked back a bit, surprised. The uncanny similarity between Itachi’s voice and his was sometimes very useful to Sasuke, especially when it came to dealing with people who were used to getting orders from his brother.

Temari shook her head.

“...I went to see my brother earlier.”
The girl unconsciously slipped into a defensive attitude she adopted whenever she talked about Gaara, as if she expected Sasuke to say something about it. Sakura must have noticed Temari's tone too, because she rolled her eyes behind Temari’s back. Sasuke remained quiet, waiting.

When she was sure no one would offend her serial killer of a brother, Temari continued.
“He told me Kabuto brought some blond kid Gaara had never seen before into the cell across from his. The food slot was closed and locked, but Gaara wouldn’t lie to me.”

Well, fuck.

The idiot must have done something rash and stupid, as Itachi would never have him locked up otherwise. Naruto didn’t really look like he would start a riot, though. Had he tried to kill himself, to escape the guilt? ...Maybe. But cause trouble just for the sake of it? No.

That left two possibilities. Either Naruto had been provoked to the extreme (and Sasuke couldn’t see his brother doing that – blind rage was useless in Itachi's opinion), or someone had found out about their little expedition last night.

If the second one was right, then Naruto must have said something, but been careful not to involve Sasuke. If the first one was correct…

Luckily, Sasuke managed to process what he had heard, even through the whirlwind of his thoughts

“What do you mean, 'Kabuto brought'? Since when does Kabuto do a minders job?”

“That’s what Gaara said.” Temari said, a bit surprised that someone had actually agreed with her brother. “Normally, Kabuto only goes there for blood samples, and never by himself.”

“Is this because of last night?” Sakura asked. “Hinata told me Naruto messed with the door, but locking him up for that would be a little… harsh. His friend is sick. He was worried.”

Sasuke wondered if he should tell them about Kiba and Akamaru being dead, but decided not to, just in case Naruto had kept his mouth closed about it. Instead, Sasuke straightened his slouched back again.
“I need to talk to Itachi.”

It was easier said than done if Kabuto didn’t want him to. He’d probably need to use Lee’s speed.

This day was showing obvious signs of being very similar to the previous one; long, tiring, and very bad for Sasuke’s health. Associating with Naruto seemed to be all kinds of fun, all the time.

Sasuke needed to do something.

“I have to try and get into Itachi’s office on my own. I don’t at all like what's happened in his absence. If Kabuto doesn’t see me, he can’t tell me not to.”

He looked at the girls.

“I can’t go and see Naruto; there's no way the minders will let me in that area." He looked directly at Temari. "How often do you go to see Gaara?”

“Why? I’m not going down there to give messages to anyone. It’s not like I know the kid, why would I go to see him?”

“But I know him. And he knows me.” Sakura said. Annoying or not, the girl had decent head on her shoulders. "Granted, I don't know him very well, but it might help if he sees someone familiar. How often do you go to see Gaara?”

“Usually once a day. Sometimes alone, sometimes with Kankuro.”

“Was he with you today?”

“No.”

Sakura turned to Sasuke.
“Any messages?”

“No. Just make sure he’s okay.”

“What’s going on here?” Temari asked, apparently annoyed that the conversation had gone over her head.

“None of your business.” Sasuke replied, aware that his brisk tone would only irritate her further. That could be dangerous, but he didn’t have time right now to think up something more pleasant.
“Just make sure Kankuro doesn't go to see Gaara today. Will you do that?”

“He wasn’t planning to go, anyway. What will you do?”

“Nothing.” Sakura said, and pushed Temari, who was almost a head taller than she, out. “Thanks for all your help.” She added, closing the door.

Sakura turned around, her eyes shiny. Mischief did her good.

“Come back here as soon as you’re done. I shouldn’t be long, either.” Sasuke didn't like being ordered about, but Sakura didn’t seem to mind. She nodded to herself, and rushed out the door.

It was unfortunate that Sasuke had to pass by Kabuto’s office to get to Itachi’s, because the door was wide open. No sneaking, then.

He took a deep breath, concentrating on allowing a surge of electric warmth into his muscles. With his blood boiling from adrenalin shock, Sasuke moved. In the next second, he was trying to fit the right key into the lock on Itachi’s office door with unsteady fingers and quietly gasping lungs.

The hall was empty, as a quick glance to the left and right confirmed.
The office was empty as well, so Sasuke locked the door behind him.

Sasuke looked around for clues on how to find Itachi. The table was a mild mess, uncharacteristic for his brother, but possible to explain if Itachi had left in a hurry. Chairs for visitors were pushed to the side, and the document closet was open.

He stepped around the desk to look at Itachi’s computer; there was probably some schedule on it. He sat in the chair, reached across the desktop to turn the monitor on, and stopped dead in the middle of the motion, hand hanging in the air.

It was here, the thing in his vision. It had happened right here, at the Itachi’s desk!

How had he missed this?

There was no time, he hadn't seen any details (from the blood, from all the blood in his eyes) yesterday, but he had been in the office so many times! He should have recognize the place, he should have seen it - like he could see it now.

Sasuke shook his head. He would think about this later. He had business here that needed to be done quickly.

Before Sasuke even managed to hit the right button, he heard a sound at the door. Like a lock opening.

Good, Itachi was back.

But when the door opened, Sasuke saw Kabuto instead – fortunately not looking into the office, too busy giving someone else the sign to come in first. Adding just a bit of extra speed in his moves with the adrenalin that was left in his veins, Sasuke slipped under the desk.

“Why here?” Kabuto asked when the door closed.

The voice that answered, harsh and deliberate, gave Sasuke chills in places he had never known he had nerve endings.

“This is the only place on this floor that is not under surveillance. We can talk freely here.”

What was Orochimaru doing at the Asylum? It was general knowledge that he only came when the team in charge of finding a way to transpose talents would come upon a break through. Sasuke hadn't heard anything about that, so what reason could Orochimaru possibly have for coming here?

“...and since Itachi will not be using his office for quite some time, we may as well.”

Orochimaru’s voice was full of light amusement, as if he was sharing a secret with a friend. Well, perhaps Kabuto was a friend - by some twisted standard - to him, but what was funny about Itachi not being there to use his office?

“The boy is dead, I take it?” Orochimaru asked further.

Sasuke stopped breathing. Naruto?

“I took care of that last night.” Kabuto answered. Kiba, then. They were talking about Kiba.

“And the other one?”

“I almost had to lock him up early. He's a hasty one. His friends barely stopped him from entering Inuzuka's room before I was ready for him to see.”

“He has already made friends? That might become a problem. Who are they?”

There was some rustling of paper before Kabuto answered. It was unbelievable that after all this time, he still couldn’t remember the names of most of the people in the Asylum.

“Haruno, Sakura. Little Hyuuga, Hinata....and Sasuke.”

No last name for him, huh? Might that be because Orochimaru still remembered Sasuke from the time he had personally performed experiments on him nearly ending his life?

“That's almost convenient. Two birds with one stone.” Orochimaru remarked. “Not literally, of course.”

Kabuto let out little snicker on that. The sound of it made Sasuke think that they meant at least the stone part very literally.

“It is a familiar fact that a rabid dog will first bite whoever is closest. Naruto can… get rid of both of the Uchiha brothers for us.”

What? What the hell were they talking about?

“They are sharing a room. Itachi arranged it like that.”

“I am not interested in Itachi’s match-making.” Orochimaru interrupted. “It will be like this, listen carefully.”

After apparently making sure Kabuto did as he was told, he continued.
“The boys arrived. The next day Itachi took Inuzuka and his dog and performed inappropriate tests on them, causing their death. When Uzumaki was called into Itachi’s office and told the news, he went berserk and killed Itachi. You locked him up, but before you managed to call the police, or me and the rest of the founders, he escaped and killed Sasuke, for being related to Itachi.”

They were planning to kill him? They had killed Itachi? What? Was that what he had seen in his vision?

No that wasn't right, Itachi couldn’t be dead, he was just away. Right?

Kabuto raised his voice in question. “What if someone asks to see their bodies?”

“The police won’t. A...friend of mine will be on duty when you call. The Uchihas' have no family left.”

“They were very close to Kakashi Hatake. He might have some questions.”

Were, were close. As in, they were not alive enough to be close to him now.

“Itachi has already transferred, I waited long enough. If Hatake asks too many questions, you make something up for him. Or we kill him. Anything else?”

There seemed to be nothing, so they both left.

Sasuke sat, still hiding.
Itachi had been missing since last night. Before or after Kiba had been…?

Oh, god, Kiba had been murdered. Kiba was murdered so Orochimaru could use Naruto to get rid of Itachi and Sasuke.

It wasn’t even important anymore what Orochimaru wanted, or where Itachi had transferred. What Sasuke needed to do right now was get the hell out of this place.

He would run, just as soon as he picked up Naruto, and warned Hinata and Sakura.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


“Naruto?” Said the food slit. Its voice was mildly familiar, and it belonged to a male.

Naruto didn’t answer.

Food slits, no matter how well done, couldn't talk. Therefore, it was a person in front of the door calling his name. Naruto didn’t want to talk to people.

Because first they talk, and then they die.

So, who ever it was, he could just go back to where ever he had come from, as far as Naruto was concerned. He just wanted to curl into a ball and stay that way, forever and ever – or until Kiba came to offer him some undercooked rabbit, with Akamaru in tow.

They had been right to bring Naruto here right away, so that he could be alone in the quiet. So that he wouldn't bring a horrible death to anyone. It had been a bit hard to keep quiet when Kabuto informed him about Kiba and Akamaru dying, so he had swallowed the little pill he had been offered hoping to control his reaction better than he had the shock.

Naruto was very grateful he had not been taken to see Itachi.

He was bad with secrets – he really should have told Sasuke that – and Itachi looked at you as though he could read secrets right from your…

Naruto had sidetracked so much, he had managed to arrive from talking slits, to Itachi, and then to Sasuke…

In short, it was all Naruto's fault, and who ever had come to talk to him should go away right now, before they died in these ugly basements. Or got strung up and starved.

That was what had happened to Akamaru - he had starved to death. He hadn’t liked this place, and he had refused food, Kabuto said.

Kiba hadn’t said anything about it, not a single word.

But he shouldn't have had to say anything, Naruto should have seen for himself that there was something wrong with Akamaru, and he hadn’t. He had been so involved in his little romance-thing with Sasuke, that his friends had died right in front of him and had he never noticed, never realized how wrong and selfish he was for making them come to this place, until it was too late. Two lives too late.

Still, Kiba should have known better; he should have told Naruto that they were sick.

…No, that wasn't right.

This was Naruto’s fault, not Kiba’s.

Kiba had been a good friend, even though Naruto was bad luck; Naruto's parents had abandoned him, probably when they found out what kind of freak he was. He had never had friends, first because he was different, and then because he was different in a different way.

People were dying around him.

Maybe he could at least do some good to this world if he stayed out of it in every way possible, and let the doctors poke him until they found the cure for this freakish disease. Made some kids and their parents happy.

“Naruto, are you awake?” The voice said in a persistent way that made Naruto want to curl into an even smaller ball and cry.

“I can’t talk loud, I’ll get in trouble.” Great. Even now, when he wasn’t doing anything, he was making problems for other people.

He concentrated, and felt skin stretching to cover the body that was quickly growing bigger and bigger every moment. When it was over, he was freezing so he quickly put on Sasuke’s clothes – clothes that still smelled like him, even though the detergent scent was stronger – and went to the door.

“It’s me, Sakura.” A vaguely familiar boy with a hood on his head said.

“Who?” Naruto asked, dazed from transforming and from his personal misery. Maybe from the pill, too.

“You know,” The boy rolled his eyes. “Sakura Haruno.”

He pulled the hood tighter and his face shifted in the shadow of it. After a moment, strands of pink hair showed up and big green eyes were smiling at him. Not knowing why she was here, or what he was supposed to say to her, Naruto mumbled. “Hi.”

“Are you drugged?”

“Yes, I think so.” That was hardly the biggest problem he had. “Why are you a guy?”

“So I can see you..”

See him? What…?

Oh!

“Uh, I’m kind of involved with someone right now. But you make a really cute guy, I like chubby, so don’t be offended, okay?”

“He really is fat,” Sakura murmured, inspecting her hand that was plump and male’s. “I went through hell trying to find something to wear, and in the end I still had to beg him to borrow something for me."

“Who?” Naruto asked, because he couldn’t have a decent conversation with her if he couldn't understand what she was going on about.
“Are you two people in one? Like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, or Marvel’s Two-In-One specials?”

“No, I’m a shape shifter, you know that.” Then she smirked. “Like Mystique.”

Naruto was curious.
“Are you blue under that hair?”

Unfortunately, it looked like Sakura was done with this particular discussion.
“Did they ever let you see Kiba?”

What?

“Kiba is dead.” Naruto told her. He felt his misery come crashing back down on him. “Akamaru, too. Didn’t Sasuke tell you? They were dead, in the place where all of them are dead.”

Actually, the morgue had been otherwise empty. Or at least it had been empty from where Naruto could see. Even so, people had been lying dead there before, their families coming to see them for the last time, crying and calling their names, the words echoing from the walls back to them…

Kiba had no family. Not unless you counted Naruto, and you shouldn’t.

You really shouldn’t.

“Sakura.” Another voice hissed on the other side on the door, and Sakura jumped, surprised.

“Sasuke!” Naruto yelled, happy. Then he remembered that Sasuke could die too, so he scolded. “What are you doing here?!"

“He’s on something.” Sakura said to Sasuke, and they both ignored Naruto.

“Great.” Sasuke answered, but he didn’t really mean it. “I need to get him out of here.”

“How did you pass the guard?”

Sasuke smirked a bit. Naruto felt an inappropriate reaction, but he chased it away with a hollow pang of regret.

“Knocked him unconscious. Will you help me?”

Sakura hesitated, biting her lip.

“Is Kiba really dead?”

Oops, Naruto wasn't supposed to have mentioned Sasuke knew about that...

“He is. Naruto will be next, if I don’t get him out of here now.”

“I’m not going anywhere.” Naruto said. “I like it here.”

“Yes, you are.” Sasuke frowned, finally looking at him. “You told me you would go with me.”

“That was before. I like it here now.”

“Do you want to die?” Sasuke asked, grimly. When Naruto didn’t answer right away (he was trying not to giggle; Sasuke was the one who could die), he unlocked the door and continued.
“Then you’re coming.”

Naruto wanted to point out that it was not nice to talk like that when they were not alone, but it was more important to make himself clear.

“You’re not li-ste-ning!” He sing-songed loudly. That would make Sasuke hear a little better.

“What do you mean, Naruto will be next?” It hadn't made Sakura hear any better. Maybe Naruto should try again?
“What happened? Was Kiba killed?”

That got Naruto’s attention. He told them, stepping out of the cell.

“What? No, he wasn’t. Kabuto told me Akamaru hadn't wanted to eat since we got here, and he died from hunger. Kiba died because they were connected.”

“Akamaru was eating right from Hinata’s plate just fine yesterday.” Sakura informed him.

“You can’t die from starvation in such short time, anyway.” Sasuke grabbed Naruto’s arm, taking advantage of his distraction. “That guy will wake up soon, we have to hurry.”

Naruto let Sasuke drag him, thinking that Kiba had been killed and if fighting the wave was really worth the trouble...and Kiba was dead and had been killed, and Akamaru was dead and had been killed, too…

He stopped, and Sasuke had to stop, too.

“Who killed them?”

But before Sasuke could answer, voice behind them said, “Let me out.”

It looked like there was someone else in here, too. Naruto shook off Sasuke’s grip on his hand, and stepped back to peek trough the slit in the door across from his.

“Who are you?” He asked.

Unblinking eyes stared back at him, but revealed nothing..

“Uh,” Naruto said, shivering slightly from the cold. “You have something on your forehead.” It was the nice thing to do, before someone really cruel saw this guy and laughed at him.

Not looking very grateful, the guy only repeated, “Let me out.”

One track mind, huh?

“Gaara.” Sasuke said, touching Naruto’s elbow. Naruto moved his arm. “We can’t do that.”

“Why not?” Naruto demanded. “We can’t just leave him here.”

This time, it was Sakura who tried pulling him with her. He scowled. There was no way she could make him move if he didn’t want to.

“He killed some people.” Sakura told him softly, as if she was trying to calm down an upset child. “If we let him out, he might kill again.”

“Did you kill Kiba?!” Naruto asked the guy in the cell. All he got was some more staring. “ Answer me, you creep! Did you kill my friends?!”

“That was Kabuto.” Sasuke said, and added quickly, “But he’s not here now, he… went to find my brother.”

No wonder Kabuto didn’t take him to see Itachi, then.
Naruto shook his head. Everything was so confusing.

“So,” He said to the strange redhead. “Do you like killing people?”

Some more lifeless staring.

“If I let you go, will you kill someone?”

Finally, the guy – Garra – narrowed his eyes. Not much, but it was a relief to see his facial muscles working. It made him seem more real.

“If you want me to.”

“And if I don’t?”

“Then I won’t kill anyone.”

Naruto’s head wasn’t working properly, he knew that, but this was too weird. It made no sense at all. Why was this Garra locked, if he was willing to stop killing?

“Why?” He demanded, to be sure.

“If you set me free, I’ll do what ever you tell me to.”

“Unlock him.” Naruto told Sasuke.

“No.”

“Naruto, you can’t just take what he said for granted. He’s probably lying. Do you want him to hurt someone?” Sakura tried to make him move again. Naruto had no time for her at the moment, and Sasuke didn’t look like he was going to listen.

“What do you mean 'No'?"

“We have no time for this. He was locked up for a reason.”

“So was I!”

“No,” Sasuke almost yelled back, looking very pale and almost as bad as he had looked last night. “You were locked up so that Kabuto wouldn't have to deal with you when you found out your friends were killed, which now I have to. You’re not in your right mind, you’re talking nonsense, and you’re trying to set a serial killer free!”

Sasuke was obviously upset. If he hadn't been, he would have realized he was setting a killer free, too. But right now, Naruto had to get out of there so that he could find Kabuto and make sure he never used his hands again. He wasn’t about to remind Sasuke of anything.

Maybe he could make sure Kabuto never used his legs again...
Or his head, for that matter.

“Well, if you won’t unlock him,” Naruto lowered his voice, trying other tactic. “I’ll smash the door, and I bet they have alarms here.”

Wow, who would have guess someone as upright as Sasuke could swear like that!

The blackmail worked though; he unlocked the door of Gaara’s cell.

The third time Sakura tried to push him, Naruto gave in. The guard was still unconscious when they walked by him. He was also tied up, as Sasuke had apparently used his little trick on him.

The long stairwell eventually spilled into a nearly endless hallway, and then through a set of double doors, into a second and then third hallway. Naruto let his feet follow Sasuke and Sakura for some time. This place was huge, and he knew he would get lost if he tried to find his own way. Worst yet, everything looked alike; same number of doors, same color on the walls in every hallway. As if whoever had made this place wanted you to get lost and stay forever in here.

After a while, they stopped shortly next to a blue door, labeled as 'exit'.

“Why are you following us?” Sasuke said sharply, looking past Naruto. Why was he always so rude? He had such a nice face when he was smiling, he should smile more often..

Naruto turned in same direction, only to find Garra looking straight back at him.

“What should I do?”

“Go, and see your siblings.” Sasuke answered, but Gaara didn’t acknowledge him in any way. He hadn’t moved his eyes from Naruto.

“Uh,” Naruto said, uncomfortable. “That sounds good. Do you want to see your family?”

After couple of long moments, Gaara slowly nodded and turned in the opposite direction. Naruto yelled after him.

“Don’t kill anyone, you prom…!” Sasuke cut him off, putting a hand over his mouth.

“Shut up! They’ll hear us.”

He had forgotten that they were sneaking out of here. His head just couldn’t keep a thought for very long tonight.

It was kind of nice leaning on Sasuke, though. He was warm, and he wrapped an arm around Naruto as soon as Naruto snuggled closer.

“Sorry.” He said. Making space for himself under Sasuke’s chin, Naruto inhaled deeply. So nice, so comfortable; this was the place he could rest at, for a while. “Where are you taking us?”

“Uh, Naruto, I don’t really…” Sakura started, but Sasuke cut her off:

“Away from here, and you’re getting out, too. I left a note for Neji to take away Hinata as well, at least they can go whenever they want.” Naruto had his eyes closed, but he heard when Sakura inhaled sharply before Sasuke continued. “I have a reason to believe we are all in danger, more or less.”

Sakura was quiet. When Naruto opened his eyes, she was looking down on the floor.

“I have nowhere to go.” She whispered.

“You can come with us. Can’t she?” He asked Sasuke, trying to give him the look that had always worked on Kiba, but the angle was all wrong. Naruto sighed and stepped away. It was nice while it lasted.

Sasuke nodded brusquely, and shifted his attention to the door. A bit rude and not quite an invitation, but Sakura seemed happy. Naruto didn’t like very much the way she was looking Sasuke, but he had no right to complain.

After all, that hug earlier was goodbye; a little taste before he turned his head away forever. The thought made him feel almost as sad as thinking of Kiba and Akamaru's deaths.

...he was leaving them in this place.

“How do we get past the security guard on the gate?” Sakura asked.

“I have a plan.”

They got outside and down the path, sticking to the shadows of young maple tree. The wind was strong and cold; the branches were moving with it and leaving dancing shadows on the concrete against the sunlight that was just peeking from under a heavy cloud.

Sasuke’s plan was simple, actually. Sakura made herself look like one of the nurses and Naruto and Sasuke were supposed to sneak through the door. But it didn’t work.

Because the guard, (that jerk) demanded, “Your identification, please!” And Sakura, of course, didn’t have one.

But, before the guard managed to say a single word into the phone, the door were already opened and Sasuke was in there with him. Both of them were down; guard spread across the table with unused phone in his hand and Sasuke out of sight.

“What the…?” Sakura prompted. She was standing on the tips of her toes, bewildered. “Is he dead?”

Naruto walked into the guard-house first, Sakura behind him, only to see Sasuke trying to rise up from the floor.

“I think he strained himself again.” Naruto said. While he was busy helping Sasuke up on his feet and out, Sakura pressed big red button to open the door. “Is the guard okay?”

“He’ll be fine.” Sasuke snapped, but his voice was as low and weak as his legs were. Naruto was not convinced.

“He’s alive.” Sakura answered, helping keep Sasuke up from the other side. “We can go now.”

Looking back from the gate to the complex of buildings that made up The Asylum, Naruto said a quiet goodbye to Kiba and Akamaru. It was probably bad of him to leave them here, but he couldn’t afford to take them with him right now. Firstly, he had no idea what to do with the bodies, (where to bury them) and second, he couldn’t afford for anything to happen to Sasuke and Sakura. Lingering on this place was dangerous; even though they were not technically prisoners, this kind of running away would not be tolerated.

Naruto would be back though, and soon. He had to find Kabuto and… ask some questions. Just as soon Sakura and Sasuke were somewhere safe.

After making that soundless vow, Naruto was ready. The three of them stepped together from the leeward onto the wet road on the other side of the gate.

**********

A/N: I'm writing something like sequel, but I'll post it here (with a different summary) because I can't think of a title for it. This will be one big story.