Demon's Path

Disclaimer: *sigh* I wish I did... but I don't own Naruto... I'd have money then.

Chapter 7: Hope and Hopelessness

Darkness held her in cold binds as she woke in the dreary room of grey. Five weeks, at least that's what she counted, she had been here five weeks. Five weeks of pain and torture, five weeks of those blaring red eyes that seemed to control his sadistic desires. Those blood hungry red eyes and that voice, so cold and calm, that spoke of her crimes against him. Crimes she never committed.

Her chains secured her to the floor, her white-grey vest lying at the opposite end of the room with her sandals, belt, and mask. She lay there covered in blood, both fresh and old, and her torn black ANBU uniform. Her scarf, somehow no worse for wear, hung limply on her neck. Those chains had been lighter five weeks ago. Her soul had been lighter five weeks ago.

She twisted to her side as the nausea took her over again, causing her to purge her body of the contents of her stomach. It had been going on for over two weeks now. This horrid nausea and the dizziness. She assumed he had given her something. Poisoned her food so she would die slowly and humiliatingly. She wept as she hacked and coughed up the last of what made up her last meal, her body going lax against the floor as she turned away from the mess.

She felt horrible, the tears escaping her eyes and pooling at her chin as she lay there. The cool stone of the floor was comforting to her spinning, pounding head. The darkness kind on her sensitive eyes. She was just so tired, no matter how much she slept. She attributed this to the torture, her entire body seeming one big bruise.

The door to the room opened, and she winced at the light that poured into the tiny room. His figure was a black spot against the light, his strange cloak discarded for just a pair of loose black pants and his mesh shirt. He had another with him, she assumed it to be Orochimaru by the shape of the man. She shut her eyes and curled into herself as they entered, Orochimaru closing the door after himself and leaving her in blessed darkness again.

"She vomited again," Itachi stated.

The snake obsessed bastard nodded and examined her. "So she has."

"What is wrong with her?"

Orochimaru shook his head. "Nothing, save for your little 'love taps'."

Itachi scowled. "It's not nothing... she's been like this for three weeks."

Kaishi groaned. Three weeks? She must have counted wrong, and therefore her incarceration must've been longer than she thought.

Orochimaru raised a brow to Itachi. "I'm not a medic nin. I can't really tell you anything. She's just not poisoned."

Itachi sighed, as though aggravated. "Useless."

Orochimaru scowled, and narrowed those yellow eyes at the younger man. "Maybe she's sick? Leaving her in this room couldn't be any good for her."

Itachi nodded. "Then we'll move her. She's too weak to fight now anyways, unchain her."

Orochimaru seemed to dislike being ordered around, but unlocked her cuffs anyways. "Anything else?"

Itachi shook his head, disregarding the way the Legendary Sennin spoke. "I'll carry her. I have no more use for you."

Orochimaru bristled, but left the room, a cloud of anger hovering around him as he stormed out of the room.

Itachi knelt before her, cupping her face gently as those black eyes stared down at her. "Kaishi, my love, what ails you?" he asked aloud.

She couldn't answer him, her throat too raw from throwing up, and her body too weak to do much but watch him as he brushed a hand over her sweat slicked brow and dug his hands under her sore body. She cried out a bit as he lifted her, jostling wounds and pressing on bruises. Those black eyes looked sympathetic towards her as he cradled her close and carried her from the room, leaving behind the weeks of torture and blood that had stained the floor.

~*~*~*~

Nariko sighed as she gazed over at her teammates. Two months, it had been two months since her capture by Itachi and there was no sign of Kaishi. She and Ryuo had rushed back to the village, immediately. The Sondaime seemed upset at hearing of her abduction. Kaishi was not only one of the best ninja in Konhoa, but being of a clan, albeit a small one, she still held many secrets and techniques that could be used against Konhoa.

A team had been assembled consisting of herself, Ryuo, Kakashi, and Mato Gai. It had been strange for the flamboyant and loud taijutsu master to volunteer for the job, but she attributed it to the fact that Gai had been completely in love with Kaishi the moment they met.

:Flashback:
It was a bright and sunny day in the village of Konhoa as Kakashi, Kaishi, and Itachi left the Hokage tower. They had just completed a mission together and were on their way to the bar for a post-mission drink.

"Oh please! If I hadn't been there, you both would have been completely useless," Kaishi laughed.

Kakashi frowned, unconvinced. "We would have escaped just fine, Kai."

Itachi chuckled. "We were constructing a plan just as you came barreling in."

Kaishi smiled and laughed. "Key word there is 'constructing '. Even with the two of you being the geniuses you are, it still would have taken ten minutes tops for you to escape. Just admit it, you guys needed me," she prodded playfully.

Kakashi rolled his visible eye. "Fine! Fine, you win. We would have been lost without you! Oh great and superior one."

Kaishi shook her head with a laugh. "Wow, you caved easier tonight. I usually have to get you hammered before I get an admittance out of you."

Itachi smirked. "That's because he's ashamed of how easy he got captured."

Kakashi glared at the shorter man. "Don't start with me, 'Tachi! You got your ass captured too if I recall."

Itachi nodded, smirk still in place. "True, but not as quickly as you did."

Kaishi rolled her eyes as she opened the door to the bar. "Stop with all the tension you two. I swear, one of these days, I'm just gonna shove you both into a room together and let you either fight or fuck it out."

Kakashi blushed slightly and Itachi rolled his eyes. "I have one name for you, Kai. Anko."

Kaishi groaned. "Please, let's not bring that up? We just slept together a few times, we are not in a relationship."

Itachi followed her to the table they usually occupied, Kakashi following quietly as they all took a seat. Itachi sighed. "I will once you stop mentioning 'Kashi and myself."

Kaishi shrugged. "Fine, fine. I give. I'll go get the drinks, ne?"

The two men nodded and started talking together as she headed to the bar, ordering three jugs of sake as she leaned between two patrons.

One of the men beside her turned to her, his black eyes seeming entranced by the red eyed beauty before him. "Konbonwa," he greeted.

She turned to him and her eyes smiled. "Konbonwa. I've seen you before, ne? You're a chuunin."

He smiled. "Hai! I am Mato Gai! The Great Sexy Green Leaf of Konhoa!" he introduced while standing in a pose.

Kaishi raised a brow. "Um... okay? I'm Onibashi Kaishi."

He nodded. "Hai, I know! I've heard the stories about your conquests and power. You are the embodiment of the Spring Time of Youth!" he exclaimed as he posed again.

Kaishi laughed. "I'm here with a few friends. Would you like to join us?"

Gai seemed stunned, but smiled brightly. "Hai! It would be an honor to be in the company of the jounin of your status and power!"

Kaishi picked up the jugs of sake, only to have them taken from her by Gai, who was still smiling brightly. Kaishi merely smiled and lead him to the table. Itachi and Kakashi looked up to the pair and raised their own respective eyebrows in questioning.

Kaishi shrugged. "This is Mato Gai."

Gai placed the sake on the table and introduced himself in the same way he had to Kaishi. Both Itachi and Kakashi blinked in confusion at the green spandex wearing man while Kaishi laughed. Gai seemed to love it when she laughed and made it his job to do it as often as possible in her presence.

Kakashi had known Gai for a little longer than the others, Gai having proclaimed himself Kakashi's rival a few years prior. Watching Gai make his female companion and friend laugh was starting to get to him. By the time the group left the bar, he was getting very annoyed by how familiar he was getting with Kaishi.

Kaishi sighed and stretched her arms over her head and sighed. "Well, guys, I have to get home to Naruto. See you tomorrow?" she asked.

Itachi nodded. "Hn. I am sure my parents will wish me to take care of Sasuke."

Kaishi giggled. "Take him training with you. Naru-kun and I will meet you two for lunch."

Itachi nodded again and started for the Uchiha compound. "Hai. Oyasumi."

Kaishi waved to Itachi. "Ja!"

Kakashi watched Gai as he moved closer to Kaishi. "I would be most honored to escort you to your home, Kaishi-chan," Gai offered.

Kakashi scowled. "She is capable of taking care of herself, Gai."

Gai nodded. "Of course she is. But, to not offer to escort a beautiful lady home goes against The Spring Time of Youth!"

Kaishi laughed and shook her head. "Arigato, for the offer, but I don't live far."

"Nonsense! It is nothing!" Gai insisted.

Kakashi was near close to punching Gai when Kaishi shook her head again. "Nah, that's cool. Ja ne, minna!" she bid as she ran off for her apartment.

Gai watched her with a look of adoration in his eyes. "Kaishi-chan certainly is a wonderful woman."

Kakashi pretended to not hear Gai. "Maa.... what was that?"

Gai brought a fist to his face, tears streaming down his cheeks. "Ah! My rival! You are so cool and relaxed! Could I be that way, I am certain Kaishi-chan would notice me! Alas! I am vowed to the Spring Time of Youth! You triumph over me today, but I shall prevail!" he declared before going off on his own direction.

Kakashi stood there in confusion. "Nani?"
:End Flashback:

Nariko looked at how hopeless the team appeared. She prayed the Kaishi was alright, but as days passed with no sight or sound of Kaishi or Itachi, things were not looking good.

'Onegai, Kaishi... onegai, be alright,' the brunette medic nin prayed mentally.

~*~*~*~

She had been moved to his bedroom. Too weak to move off the futon she laid upon, she wasn't able to do much against him. Torture of her body had become torture of her mind and rape. She wept at night, when he held her tightly against his body, her back pressed against his bared chest. She ate whatever they gave her, her body craving nourishment for what grew within.

One didn't need to be a genius to know now what afflicted her. She was pregnant. A good four months pregnant according to the doctor they had abducted to care for her. She had been here for three months already, meaning only one thing. Itachi wasn't the father, Kakashi was. Itachi would growl and snarl at her because of that. By being with Kakashi and baring his children, it was an attack on him and all he felt. Like she should stay celibate until he came for her. She let him rant and rave about it, as ridiculous as that idea was.

It was when he started calling her whore and abusing her that she paid attention to what he said as he hurt her. Every word was like the stab of a sword, like the swords he stabbed her with when he used the Mangekyo on her. She was always in pain, but he never left a mark on her body.

He wanted to shock her into miscarrying, but she wouldn’t let it happen. Whatever chakra she could spare, she would on protecting her baby. When alone, she would speak to it so she wouldn’t go insane. She wouldn’t let him win. Wouldn’t let him take what he wanted from her and turn her into him. She wouldn’t let him.

The escape had been planned carefully. She took advantage of the fact that Orochimaru hated Itachi, took advantage of the fact that the doctor was a prisoner too, and orchestrated the escape as best as she could. The doctor, wanting to protect the kunoichi in his care and her unborn, had agreed and decided to act as distraction for Itachi with Orochimaru as she slipped out of the house and ran towards Konhoa.

The plan worked flawlessly, and soon she was out in the night of the woods and running towards Konhoa. Even pregnant and wounded, her advanced speed was faster than one would think. Soon, she was far from the house that had served as her prison and free from Itachi’s grasp.

~*~*~*~

Three months. They had been searching for three months with no word. It was time to assume that Kaishi was either dead or turned to Itachi’s side. The team started back for Konhoa slowly, none of them wishing to believe that Kaishi was gone.

It was Kakashi that first heard the noise as they sat in camp. Sounds of leaves rustling nearby, sounds of twigs snapping. He stood and stared in the direction of the sound, quickly followed by the others. The sounds grew louder, but stopped after a time. The others started to disregard it, save for Ryuo, who went out in search of the noisemaker, much against the protests of his teammates.

The red haired ANBU member moved carefully through the trees, watching his surroundings carefully. He was ready to give up when he saw her. She looked like hell. Dressed in what looked to be a torn and dirty yukata, her scarf hanging loosely around her neck.

“Kaishi!” he exclaimed as he moved forward, catching her weak and trembling form in his arms.

“It’s you... I can’t believe... I’m glad to see you...” she panted weakly.

He smiled, ignoring her playful barb, and brushed a hand over her brow. “You look like crap, Kaishi.”

A fragile smile skated over her face and tears filled her half-lidded crimson orbs. “Ryuo...”

He felt near to breaking down himself. She was alright. She was alive. She was alright. She was... fat? He placed a hand on her abdomen and felt the slight bump, his eyes widening. “Holy crap... Kaishi... you’re knocked up?”

Kaishi nodded slightly. “Not Itachi.”

Ryuo seemed confused for a moment before it dawned on him. “You mean Hatake? Shimatta.”

Nariko had gone off after Ryuo and stumbled upon them. Her brown eyes filled with tears of relief and joy at the sight of the dark haired, crimson eyed woman in her boyfriend’s arms. “Kai.”

Ryuo looked to Nariko and nodded. “Hai. Come here and take a look at ‘er will ya?”

Nariko was immediately at her side and passing a glowing hand over Kaishi’s body. Gasping and stopping over her abdomen. “Kai... you’re pregnant.”

Kaishi nodded. “Hai. They can’t know... Kakashi can’t know.”

Nariko seemed confused for a moment before gasping in realization. “They’re Kakashi’s? Oh my. Why not tell him?”

Kaishi let tears fall. “He said... he said that he would kill them... Wanted to rip them from me... I ran because he was going to take them from me... Kakashi can’t know... he’ll hurt Kakashi if he knows.”

Nariko looked sympathetically to her weeping friend. Whatever Itachi had done had broken the usually hard demeanor of the proud and strong kunoichi. In addition to whatever hormones she was experiencing, the mental anguish she had suffered had to have been horrible to bring her to this. “Shh, it’s alright. We won’t tell a soul,” she promised.

Ryuo seemed confused. “How the hell are we going to hide this?”

Nariko thought for a moment, her bottom lip catching in her teeth. “I don’t know... we’ll think of something, right now she needs to be looked after and out of the woods.”

Ryuo nodded and lifted Kaishi into his arms, Nariko draping a blanket over her loosely to hide her slight baby bump. When they entered camp again, both Kakashi and Gai immediately were on their feet. Kaishi, by that time, had passed out from exhaustion. Nariko sighed and looked to Kakashi, whom looked at Kaishi like one would for a sister or best friend. She knew what Kakashi would do if he found out about Kaishi being pregnant, and Kai would never want him to do that. She then glanced to Gai and saw how he watched over her, his eyes filled with relief and adoration. Gai was truly in love with her, and would be crushed if he knew his ‘rival’ had impregnated the woman he loved.

For the rest of the trek back to the village, she was plagued with questions on how she could hide Kaishi’s pregnancy. Her friend was obviously wanting not to have anyone know, and Nariko would make sure Kaishi got what she wished. Even if it meant lying to everyone.

~*~*~*~