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Characters not mine.

Chapter 19: Trapped

When Itachi awoke with a start, it is to a furious group of youkai, his new family. His brother is pacing every so often cussing as he growls. Itachi's frazzled mind rapidly pulls together what he remembers and what he'd heard. It doesn't take but a few seconds to remember. Kagome had been taken by Uchiha Madara and from the stormy expressions all around, they had failed to take her back. "God fucking damn it!" he shouts leaping to his feet, anger surging in his blood. "He took her. That bastard took her!" the kageyoukai snarls. "How did he get past all of us?"

"Yes he took her. I didn't think about teaching all of you to fight like youkai. I failed her. Itachi, what do you know of this man this Obito or Madara or whoever the fuck he is?" Kurama asks clenching his teeth. Kushina has a medical kit and is dabbing at wounds that are healing swiftly but still bleeding. The front of her jumper is ruined and bloodstained, but she is fine. "Kushina, worry about Naruto or Minato. I will be healed in a few more minutes." He says trying to gentle his voice only managing to keep the growl out of it. It won't help to fight amongst themselves. Kushina nods and moves to Itachi.

Itachi waves her off as he peels the bandages from unmarked flesh. "In the Akatsuki he went by the name Tobi. He acted like a fool but I knew better. I knew who he was because he offered his assistance to me the night of the massacre. I don't know what they could want with her, but I think it's safe to say Kagome was taken to the Akatsuki headquarters." Itachi says angrily. "I'll kill them all myself, if they lay their hands on her."

Sasuke went quiet, "Nii san, I don't think she was taken to Akatsuki. Orochimaru talked to me often about a source he had in Konoha, I saw him conversing with a man in an orange mask the same mask Kakashi tore from this bastards face, I overheard him saying something about Root."

"Oh god!" Kakashi says turning to punch the wall. "If she was taken as you say to Root then she is back in Konoha, but not in the custody of the Hokage but in far more sinister hands."

Itachi froze "Root is the underground Anbu run by Danzo. Kakashi you don't think-" Kakashi nods with a grim expression. "I am such a fool, of course Madara mentioned he had a reliable source in Konoha that would make all the necessary arrangements for Sasuke that night. If Kagome was acquired by the same man then it would be Danzo."

"We have to get Kagome back now! It might already be too late. She would have been taken to I&T and when that fails they will try to put her to death. I attended enough sessions to know that. But when death doesn't solve the problem they will do the next thing they can think of." Minato stated with a glare at nothing. "Danzou knows the Jinchuuriki ritual. He was there when Kurama was sealed within Kushina."

Naruto stopped pacing and turned shocked eyes to his father. "He what?" Naruto exclaimed, "Tou-san what will happen to her if she is sealed?"

"It won't be pleasant, kit. If she is sealed that means that she will be under watch and that the poor soul who is her container will be a sacrificial lamb for the slaughter. I don't know if it will work the same as with you and I kit but you can bet it will be miserable for both of them. If the Jinchuuriki tries to take her power, I don't know what will happen. And before you ask, yes it is possible, but unlikely. Kushina can you reverse it?"

Kushina glared at the elder Kitsune, "I can't. That knowledge was too dangerous to teach a Jinchuuriki. I was denied that by my now dead clan. Can you imagine the fear that would have caused? I need to go to Uzushio and see if the scrolls are still there. I think that knowledge would be useful."

"I can, if I see the seal." Minato says with a grim frown. "Jiriaya taught me well. He spent several years in Uzushio learning the sealing arts."

"Seems we have more than one reason to kill him don't we Nii san?" Sasuke asks his eyes flashing dangerously. "We will rend Danzo limb from limb."

"If Kagome has been injured we will raze Konohagakure to the ground." Gaara vows. "The humans will pay." The Sunayoukai finishes.

"Only if they knew and did nothing. I want to talk to Tsunade. I cannot believe that after everything she would condone something like this." Naruto says with a solemn expression. The kitsune feels no remorse for the village that betrayed him but his human mentality is pricked with pain. Would they really do something so horrible? Would those he loved once, really hire the Akatsuki to take Kagome and kill not capture them? Or was this all the Root?

Kurama and Itachi nods. "Lets go take back our goddess."

The day is bright and clear. Sunlight streamed through the window illuminating the colors on the canvas and giving a life like quality to the face painted on it. The artist is the complete opposite, his pale almost white skin and his black hair gave him a dramatic look, the frown on his face is telling of his displeasure.

Sai sets his paint brush down and looks critically at his painting as he taps his chin. It isn't a bad likeness, but it fails to capture the right look of those intense blue eyes that belong to the blond shinobi who had changed his life. Around the room several versions of the same blond are depicted in different poses on every canvas. One might say Sai is obsessed, and he would laugh and say nothing. It is obvious to everyone that Sai loves the blond. Well obvious to everyone, but the blond himself. He holds no hope for a return of his awkward feelings.

It had been several days, since that horrible incident with Kakashi's death and resurrection and then subsequent banishment. Since then he has not seen Naruto, the search is maddening with nothing to go on. The blond had been spirited away by the former Kazekage. He had not seen Sakura either and he wonders how his friends are fairing. He can't visit Naruto, but he could check up on the pink haired Kunoichi. Cleaning up his paint area, Sai decides that instead of sitting there wondering he would just go find out. He pauses as he is putting on his shoes. Sensing the sudden intrusion of a fellow Root Anbu, he speaks without turning around, "Yes?"

"Danzou sama calls for you. You have a mission."

Sai sighs, as he nods and continued putting on his shoes. Visiting his friends would just have to wait. Duty called and he had to answer. Although he does wonder, after so long of being practically ignored by Root and Danzou, why he is being summoned now, but it isn't his right to complain, this is an order, and he always fulfilled his orders perfectly or rather he had until the first mission with Naruto.

That mission had changed everything for Sai. Up until then he had been a perfect sycophant, no name, no past, only the mission. He never smiled and he never showed emotions. He had gone with the reconstructed Team Seven to do an ambush after Sasori had leaked that his operative would be delivering news. But the mission became a complicated mess when it turned in to a trap. His orders had been very different, join Orochimaru and kill Sasuke Uchiha. He had done everything up to holding a blade above Sasuke's throat. He couldn't bring himself to do it. Naruto had gotten under his skin and he couldn't bring himself to hurt the blond. He still couldn't. When he had returned to Konoha, Danzou had been furious, but Tsunade protected him and he saw that he had been used. He hated Danzo, but he never could show it.

Tucking his scroll and extra paintbrushes into his weapons pouch he took a glance in his mirror to be sure he didn't have colored paint on his clothes. The sullen black eyes staring back made him frown as does his pale almost white skin. Wearing the black clothes he always wore, he looks like one of his black and white paintings the only color being the bright red straps on his shoulders to hold his sword. Turning away from the mirror he vanishes from the room leaving everything as it is. He will be back to tidy up as soon as he answered the summons. Nothing Danzou has planned could be good. He wished then that he could talk to Kuroneko or Yamato, his new Anbu team about everything.

Taking the back routes Sai is careful not to be seen as he made his way to the underground chamber where the Foundation Anbu members met to receive orders. As he expected when he arrived at Root headquarters Danzou is waiting for him. He has a cruel smirk on his lips, which makes Sai wonder, whom would breathe their last for earning the high councilman's displeasure. He drops to the ground one fist to the floor waiting.

"Sai I have a rank S, classified mission for you. You will accept it, this is an order. Follow me." The commander and founder of Root commanded as he turns and walks away expecting Sai to follow. Which he does with no small amount of trepidation; the last time he had been ordered to take a mission it was the death of a high ranking member of a feudal family who was threatening war. Danzou rarely orders someone to accept a mission, unless it is a very unpleasant one indeed.

Sai feels icy fingers of dread curling in his belly as he follows the Foundation's leader into the back hallways and to the tunnels used by the Foundation Anbu to traverse the town unseen. Candles light the corridor leading to a room that is rarely if ever used. "Remove your clothes completely to the waist and wait here. You will be sent for." Danzou ordered before walking away once more.

Sai feels the icy fingers stabbing at his gut with anxiety and a sick feeling began to gnaw at him. Still he followed orders and stripping himself of his top and the mesh shirt underneath. Removing his packs he sits down to wait as he pondered what possible horror is going to happen. He takes a deep breath, wishing he had one of his books to read to help him through this situation, he carries several but he dare not read them here.

Sai closes his eyes as his mind returned to the blond shinobi, his face etched with worry. "Where didNaruto go after leaving Konoha?" he wondered silently. His neck prickled as he feels the presence of someone behind him and he stands steadying his breathing and consciously controlling his pulse. Whatever is going to happen he has to stay focused. He can't risk letting the panic he feels crawling through him take control. He tries not to think about the last time he was here in this part of headquarters. He tries not to think about Shin.

A thick blindfold is placed over Sai's eyes before he is taken by the elbow to lead him. From the nearly soundless steps he assumes it is another member of the Foundation Anbu. Just because they are on the same side or at least they thought he was, doesn't make him lower his guard. Although he can't see he is not entirely unaware of where he is and so when he is told to lay down he does so feeling like he might be sick. The cold stone beneath his bare back makes him shiver involuntarily.

He can feel the chakra surrounding him and swallows. His sight cut off, he can still use his other senses and he could swear that for some unknown reason, he can smell lavender and vanilla somewhere close beside him. He doesn't dare move to test his theory, but he thinks he can also feel the body heat of another individual lying next to him on the chakra infused floor. Not good! He thinks as he awaits the proverbial ax to fall. This is the sealing chamber in the monument head mountain. Why am I here and what is this mission I am being forced into? Did they find another bijuu? Is that what is happening? I have no special skills, like Naruto. So why me?

Green light steadily growing brighter pierces the blindfold and Sai closes his eyes to shield them. He can hear the chanting of different seals as the feeling of energy makes the floor seem to pulse. There is a burning pain in the center of his chest and it is growing in intensity, he can't breathe. He chokes, his back arching as the chakra surrounding him binds him down like chains. He can't move as it feels like he is torn open and hollowed out. Someone is screaming in agony then mercifully, darkness steals him from reality as the pain suddenly doubled.

It took a couple of hours for Sasuke to prepare what he needed for them to go back. Minato helped by using his Hiraishin and returning to Konoha. The night had fallen and no one noticed the small flash as he appeared on the stone heads. He looks down over the sleeping city impassively. He had done his duty to them and now is doing his duty for his family. As a kitsune he is an even better ninja and he creeps into the old Uchiha compound with the scroll Sasuke had given him along with the vial of blood.

Quickly Minato splashes the blood on the scroll after rapidly doing the seals "Summoning no jutsu!" he says, then steps back. The huge snake, Aoda appears, lets out his passengers and vanishes before the alarm can be triggered. "They are too relaxed to be ninja." he says with a frown. "In my day I would have had Anbu here in seconds." Minato listens to the peaceful sounds of the village with his enhanced senses. "Not even a whisper."

"You would have been leading the charge, dattabane." Kushina says with a shake of her head. Her hair is tied up in a high tail so it's out of the way She is wearing a Jonin uniform from Suna that was in the packs

"Can we focus please?" Kurama huffs. He is tense and worried. Training them as much as he could in a few hours will have to do for now, but if it comes to a fight, they aren't ready. He wants nothing more than to get in, get Kagome and get the fuck out. The need for stealth is a pain in the ass.

Itachi seems to share his irritation because he has a frown on his face. But he at least was able to master the fighting use of his youki. Kakashi picked it up too so there was that. "I will go below and see if I can find her, Kurama." Itachi says melting into the shadows.

Ow! Kagome moans softly, slowly sitting up on her knees. Her stomach gives an unpleasant lurch and she covers her mouth "I think I might throw up! Oh gross." What happened, where am I? The room she is in is dark and silent except for a soft rhythmic whooshing and the sound of a far off steady beating like a drum. Standing up slowly Kagome takes a few steps forward and noticed that as she does a pale light seems to be drawing closer. In the pale light she can make out bars. What the...? I'm in a cage?

Upping her pace she reached the bars and although there are huge gaps between the massive pillars, for some reason she could not pass though. Dread curls through her. "Hey! Can anyone hear me?! Hello?!" She sighs as there is no answer to her shouts. Sliding down the bar she sits in what appeared to be water but it doesn't touch her. "I have to get out of here." She thinks as she pulls her hair over her shoulder and twists her fingers through it. Now what had she ended up in? Her soul mates are probably freaking out. This is no time to mope, she had to get out of here! Wherever here is... "Not that there is anyone to hear me, but my mates are going to be freaking pissed!" they weren't mated yet but they had talked about it so that was close right? "Tou-san and Ka-chan and Naruto...they are going to be so worried."

Kagome jumped to her feet feeling re-energized with the desire to be free and to get to Itachi and Kurama. Shouting again, "Hello is anyone there, anyone at all?! Come on, there has to be someone!" she nearly jumped as light flooded her dark room and she smiles in relief only to frown again as she listens. There is a very unpleasant voice speaking and it made her skin crawl. For some reason she can't explain the name "Danzo" floats to her mind followed with a lot of unpleasant memories that are not her own.

Kagome closes her eyes pushing the unknown voice from her head. She doesn't want to hear anymore. That Danzo is evil! Raising children together as friends, only to make them fight to the death later to kill emotions in the winner, who does stuff like that?! It is so cruel and twisted. That Danzo guy had to be the same one who ordered Itachi to slaughter his family. "Evil monster, my mates will rip you to shreds! And I will happily serve you to them on a plate!" Kagome says with distaste. That disembodied voice colored with dry amusement before going completely still. It is a forced stillness and Kagome doesn't like the feeling of the room she is in one bit. That voice is speaking again and she finds she can listen...

"Sai, you are now a Jinchuuriki for what we believe to be a major threat to Konoha should it be removed it would mean your certain death. You will carry this burden for the remainder of your life. Your mission is to control this monster so that it cannot effect or harm the security of our village. Sai the council thanks you for your sacrifice. Have you fully recovered?"

"What?! You have to be kidding me! This can't be happening! This Danzo creep has a lot of gall capturing youkai and forcing them to exist inside human sacrifices."

"May I return home now, Danzo sama. I am feeling quite tired and I would like to rest." The soft cold tone made her shiver as she curled in on herself. Lowering her head on to her arms. She missed her soul mates. Kagome hid her eyes as tears began to flow down her cheeks to land in the water surrounding her. The steady drip of her tears is loud in her ears as she weeps silently. Around her the room becomes frigid and hollow. She can feel shock and resignation in that disembodied voice speaking directly in her thoughts. A monster lives inside me...A monster...I am the sacrifice for the village... I must face this monster... Kagome shudders. She wants to argue, to silence that droning tone and the forced calm. Everything goes silent as she covered her ears...

A soft splash and a footstep behind her startles her as does the quiet voice. "Are you in there... monster?" Kagome peered around the giant pillar of her prison and sighs. The person standing there is completely unremarkable except how utterly pale he is and how his black hair and eyes contrasted with his skin. His clothing is drab dark and grey with the only color being two red straps on his shoulders. His outfit consisted of standard grey ninja pants and some sort of strangely reveling, half top shirt, which exposed his belly and abs to just under his sternum. His muscular structure is good but he isn't as muscular as Itachi or Kurama. She moves back into the shadows. Realizing all at once where she is and why. The weight of reality is crushing.

Her tone is sad as she speaks. "I'm not a monster. So stop calling me one. You are the ones who have me locked up!" She heard his sharp intake of breath, she had startled him. Either he had not been expecting her to speak or he does not know she is a woman or both. She stood and twisted her hair back away from her face waiting for him to take the next step.

The unremarkable male spoke his voice slightly condescending. "If you are not a monster then show me your face. I have the balls to face you, unlike the dick-less cowards who would cower."

Kagome snorted at his declaration clearly he is compensating. Eye brow raised in lack of intimidation she moved into the light. "There are you happy, now let me out of this stupid cage!"

Sai's eyes widen as he looks over. No matter how he looks at her she looks human. Her small figure is lithe and slender with generous curves in all the right places. Her hair is like ink as it spills over her shoulder and curled enticingly at her hips. He is taken aback by how beautiful she is and then he meets her crystal blue eyes. He swallows hard. She is right, she is not a monster. Or if she is he might have been willing to let such a monster have his very soul. "Alright, I see that you do not appear to be a monster, but what did you do to threaten Konoha?" It is only fair that as her human prison, he know the extent of her sin.

Kagome sighs "I raised Kakashi from the dead. I think they are afraid. But I only saved him for Naruto, who was kind to me."

His eyes lit with recognition "You! I saw you. Yes, that would definitely cause a stir. But I cannot imagine they would seal a normal human within someone for no reason other than that. What are you really?"

"What seal?" Kagome asks beginning to tremble. Knowing it and hearing it are too different things. "Please tell me I am not inside of you."

"You might as well accept that you are inside me and that I have now become your Jinchuuriki. Now answer the question." Sai is suspicious but at the same time torn. Why use a Jinchuuriki surely there are other ways to seal her away if she is truly a danger. However if she was punished for defending Naruto as she said, then going so far as to risk her life to return Kakashi to him...that, in his book, made her at least a comrade if not a friend. Since Naruto had changed his life, Sai had decided to try and be there for his friends. Whether a comrade or a friend, he supposed that it depended on what she told him she is. It wasn't so much that he is prejudice as he is curious what spooked the council so badly.

Kagome sighs, sinking back down to sit against the pole. "That is hard to define. I am the immortal guardian of the Shikon no tama. I may be this way now, but I started out a normal girl. My name is Kagome. Some have called me the Shikon no Miko, because the jewel was reborn within my body. In another place and time I was what one would call a priestess, but after my adventure I was no longer human. Some call me a kami, but I honestly don't know. I don't know if that really answers the question."

Sai frowned; if her claim is true then she is a holy woman, what is Danzo's game? She is a guardian of some jewel and that is enough to seal her away? Something doesn't add up, but he doesn't feel that it is on Kagome's end. is it possible that Danzo would go so far as to seal her with him to keep her away from Naruto? Of all the injustices of being a Root Anbu, Danzo chose him because it would cut Naruto that much deeper that another of his friends is lost to him. Still he had to ask, "What reason did you bring Itachi here? I was in the hospital room when you raised Kakashi."

"I had to. You see, I cleansed his darkness from him. I healed his heart and soul and he was struggling to regain composure. Had he been found by an enemy he would not have been able to fight. He was finally mourning the clan he was ordered by your precious Danzo to murder. He is not a criminal. Danzou is. Itachi is a scapegoat."

More thanyou know. Sai nods, "What brought you to Konoha?" this woman is sweet and clearly not a danger to anyone. It is hard to believe that Itachi could be helpless but so far he has not detected anything but the truth from her.

Kagome rolled her eyes with a huff. "I was summoned here by the Kami." Sai looks confused. "As for the reason, I came here to this world, you would have to consult the Kami, if you get an answer could you toss it my way?" Kagome folded her arms petulantly. "They never tell me anything, it's just 'ooh I think I'm bored let's randomly pick a place and toss Kagome into the mix.' I for once, would like the chance to settle down and not end up hip deep in some mess for a change. I mean meeting everyone; I actually thought I just might get my happy ever after I found my soul mates and a new family and I was with them when some masked guy attacked us. Instead I'm a, what did that game call them? Oh yeah, a summon spirit or something." Kagome blushed covering her face. "Sorry I tend to go off randomly venting out everything when I'm upset. I'll try to tone it down, so I don't annoy you."

The man or teen she couldn't quite tell his age, shakes his dark head. "Your frustration is understandable. I think I comprehend the situation now and I have to say I do not like it. I do not doubt that I was chosen because of my status with Team Seven. Ah, Naruto's old team under Kakashi san." Sai explained seeing her confusion. "It makes it convenient to use me because by threatening my life it also threatens yours. You and I are mere pons to control Naruto's actions" Sai's shoulders fell, deciding to trust her. "It is both fortunate and unfortunate that I was chosen for your vessel you see Naruto is also my friend."

"Then I have to warn you. My soul mates are coming for me. I'm so sorry. Now because of me..." Kagome covered her mouth as she sank despairingly to her knees. "Your life may be in danger. I didn't want this!"

"Who are your soul mates Kagome?" Sai asks as he walks the short distance through the bars to her side. Crouching down beside her he tried to remember what the books said about comforting females. He thought he remembered something about showing tenderness, but-

Kagome sighs leaning her head against the bar, "Itachi no kage, and Kurama no Kyuubi."

"Itachi no Kage? You mean Uchiha Itachi?" Sai gaped at her. Those are some powerful- wait "Did you say Kyuubi?"

"Yes, and no. He was once Uchiha Itachi but now he is Itachi no Kage. An elemental of flame and Shadow. As for Kurama I granted him his wish to be free. He and Naruto are no longer bound. Kurama, despite the horrified look on your face, is really kind. I love him dearly. I love both of them."

"Well, if you say so." He needed first to put her at ease and make her feel a closer bond with him. She needed a nickname. She chose that moment to look up at him and he noticed her absolutely breathtaking eyes. They look like storms encased within blue crystal. This nickname is the most natural he had ever thought of. Lightly resting his hand on her shoulder he shakes his head, "this is not your fault Blue Eyes. I will find a way to let your mates know what has befallen and perhaps there is a way to undo this."

Kagome smiles gently as she wiped at a tear that had fallen tilting her head to the side she looked at him thoughtfully. "Blue eyes?" she questioned curiously. She had had nick names before but never so simple. Well she had them if you could consider bitch or wench a nick name. Her eyebrow twitched at the thought before she smiles brightly. "Why blue eyes?"

"Ah yes a book I read said that in order to foster camaraderie with people you should give them nicknames or terms of endearment to help bring about closeness. I hope we can be friends Blue Eyes, despite the situation that we are now in. My name, well I don't really have one, but the closest is Sai, you can call me that. I also read calling people by their first names without using san or kun helps to foster closeness and friendship."

"Blue Eyes huh? I like that; I would love to be friends. Sai, you know something else that builds friendship? Trust. Since I am not a monster do you think you could unlock the bars? I promise I won't try anything crazy I just don't like cages."

Sai let his hand drop as he stood up, "Trust is not an issue. I am truly sorry, but I do not have the key to open this lock or I would do so in a heartbeat. I will go to one who might help us. I must leave you for a time but I will return as soon as I am able." Sai turns and left the inner room leaving Kagome alone without another word.

Kagome let her hand fall from where she had raised it to stop him. Slowly she brought her arms up and hugged herself, 'Kurama, Itachi, am I ever going to see you again?' She recalled how it had been sitting in the hideout with all of them. Only a day or two from the beginning of their mating cycle. She covers her face with her hands and sobs.

Alone with her painful thoughts Kagome let all of her emotions well up and explode out of her with a furious shriek, "Ugh this is so messed up!" Her power, which until that moment seemed strangely absent, lashed out at the walls and the prison cell door. It is like a storm of fury filled with a thousand regrets and lost hopes. Kagome griped two handfuls of hair as she wept in the center of the storm her sobs ripping from her as she realizes her new reality. She has been sealed away just like the bijuu she had wanted to save. Would she be passed from human to human like Kurama had? Would Sai take her power little by little or is she an anomaly? I don't want to be sealed away!

Sai mid leap to the next tree smashed face first against something he could neither see nor sense, but the pain radiating from his nose, forehead and cheeks is very real. He raises his hand to rub at the painful spot, his head throbbing as a very feminine voice continued to echo through his ears. Trying to stand, a sudden crippling pain ripped through his chest. He wavered for a moment before a wash of dizziness over took him and he winced feeling violently ill. Turning to the side he heaved, although there is nothing in his stomach as he had not eaten anything prior to being summoned.

Shaking he sits against the tree he had fallen out of and reached out to touch what feels like a paper-thin pane of glass, but is considerably harder. A trace of wetness at the corner of his mouth draws his attention and he wiped it without thought. Drawing his hand back from his face he looked confused at the crimson on his fingertips. Turning to where he had heaved he confirmed his fear; blood spattered the leaves and grass there.

As he thought on it, he realized the glass wall had appeared roughly at the same instant that Kagome had screamed. He now knows that this thing whatever it is, he had smashed into is not a ninja creation and he is also certain that the only one who might know the answer is a very irritated woman who now existed within him. He is hesitant to reach out mentally not knowing if it is possible to reach her, but he wasn't certain that the area is safe enough to venture within.

"Blue Eyes?" he asks cautiously feeling slightly ridiculous that he is speaking in his mind and more so that he expected an answer.

"What?" she grumbled back dis-heartedly. Now that her anger had peaked she is just emotionally fried. She is too tired to cry and to heartsick to fight. The walls of her prison had withstood the blow her power had dealt but one of the pillars to the prison door had been sliced cleanly leaving her a place she could get out through if she had wished to try.

She feels guilty though having not meant to attack Sai. A sudden thought occurred to her and she looked around again assessing the possible damage. "Sai, did I hurt you? My power lashed out when I lost my temper. Are you okay?" she allowed her power to rise and sent it through his body healing him as she does. Attached to him as she is she feels him tense and feels his feeling of confusion and also surprise. Her eyes widened as she noticed the extent of damage done. "I am so sorry!"

"I'm okay Blue Eyes; it appears that we can communicate without being in that room, but I must ask you not to shout. It seems that you doing so can have repercussions not helpful to a ninja. I can see that you are frustrated and in one of the books I read that I should offer you comfort, but I am ashamed to admit that I am unsure how to offer comfort to another."

"You seem so kind, how is it you don't know how to relate to people without books?" Kagome questioned sitting up a little straighter to listen.

He sighs in contentment leaning his back against the tree wanting to close his eyes but but fearful of letting his guard down. "Is this your power, it feels warm and protective, not dangerous or violent in the least. It makes me feel strange as though my heart is melting, but it feels good at the same time." Sai shivers as a pleasant heat flowed through his veins making him feel like he is soaking in a hot spring, all the tension melting from his body as the warmth wraps him, like a cocoon. This feeling couldn't possibly belong to a threat to anyone. The pain that had been in his chest is washed away along with the damage he had sustained in her unintended attack.

"Everything has a yin and yang, Sai. The warmth, you feel is from my healing power. But my power can also be a deadly force. I can use it to kill as easily as to shield and protect, but I hate fighting pointlessly."

He feels a hot unpleasant feeling settle low in his gut. It is a feeling he now recognized as anger. This is going too far even for Danzo! If she had defended Naruto then she had merely done what none of them could due to the laws that prevented them from insubordination. He feels the seal in his mouth burn hot for an instant and like shackle falling away he is free. He blinked his hand lifting to his throat. "You broke it." gratitude warred with confusion as he swallowed realizing that now he is no longer bound he could help more than just Kagome. He could tell the Hokage of Danzo's ambitions and save Konoha from the mad man.

"I sensed the ill intention centered there and removed it. Whatever the council thought, I am not a secret weapon and I am sorry if it troubles you, but I won't be used as one." Kagome shrugged before deciding that now he is not controlled by the council anymore, she could trust him. "Truth be told I could most likely break myself free but I am afraid it would destroy you in the process and I am not willing to go so far for my freedom."

The anger in Sai grew more refined and sharp as he heard and feels the honest concern for him in her words and in her tone. She shouldn't care about him, if she could be free she should do it! Why had such a gentle soul been sealed?! Why?! Why punish her for her genuine heart, this world had precious few of them. He now knows of two such persons and a twist of fate had brought them to each other as friends. He feels like a barrier between them, but he could also bridge them together. He would be damned if Naruto suffered or if she suffered now that he knows her, even a little. If he could do anything at all he would gladly offer his very soul.

"Why have we stopped?"

"There is an obstacle in our path that seems to be a very strong transparent sheet of glass. It is solid but I can't sense it, I think that I am completely surrounded."

"Touch it." Kagome suggested while her power is still beneath the surface of his skin.

"I must have shielded you unconsciously when my power reacted. You have good senses- that particular shield is unbreakable and believe me when I say it has been youkai tested and approved." The shield wavered before dissolving into air. She laughs as Sai swung his arm around looking for it having feels it give way under his hand. "I really need to teach you how to sense my ki. I have a sinking suspicion that you and I are stuck in this mess whether we like it or not."

"Don't give up Blue Eyes. I will request a meeting with the Hokage and she will think of something. In the meantime, I will go look for your mates and tell them in person about the situation."

"You can't Sai, the Hokage wants me dead. I angered her when I brought back Kakashi. She is trying to start a war with Suna over my head."

"Alright where should I go?" Sai asks as he withdrew his scroll and painted out one of his birds. Holding the scroll in front of him he raises his fingers to form the seals, "Ninja art: super beast scroll." The drawing came to life and flowed off the page taking flight. With a jump, Sai landed on its back and steadied himself for the quick flight passing by the colorful houses and shops under him without really seeing them.

"We were in the Land of Serpents when I was taken,Sai." Kagome softly cries as her hopes dimmed. "You have to find them before they learn about this from anyone else. It could be the difference between saving the village and its complete annihilation!" She began to pace her energy whipping around again in her agitation. Sai winced at an acute sharp pain in his chest in the area of the seal. Unsealed, he wondered if she is just as much a force to be reckoned with or if it is because she is contained.

"Calm down Blue Eyes, Naruto would never attack Konoha, he loves this place and its people." Sai says trying to comfort himself and not just her. Suddenly she went completely silent and Sai worried for a moment that something had happened to her before she spoke her voice deathly quiet and strong with the sure knowledge of what she says.

"Naruto, the human ... might not, but Naruto the kitsune would. As would Kakashi no Rai. None of them are still human Sai. Through me the kami offered them rebirth. They are all youkai and youkai are descended directly from kami. They owe no allegiance to this or any other village or its people any more. They have no forgiveness for the bijuu's less than respectful treatment either. They are my family and my soul mates. Itachi and Kurama either of them will destroy everything to take back what is theirs...me. You have to understand it is the youkai way. Sasuke and Itachi are still seeking vengeance for their clan together now. Danzo killed all of the Uchiha for their eyes."

Sai shuddered as he presses his hand to his mouth. "I did not know, that everything is so involved and at peril Blue Eyes. Is Naruto really so dangerous?"

"He has been completely alone since day one, then to lose both his master and his new love all so close together and then to be banished from his home for defending his love...Yes, Sai all it will take is a single push and he will raze Konoha to ash. We are family. It is more complicated than what I have told you but I was essentially adopted an Uzumaki or would that be a Namikaze? I trust that you won't tell anyone. The Kami granted a rebirth to Naruto's mother and father and his father adopted me."

"Then you are his sister? I had no idea he was suffering so behind his smile. I must not be a very good friend to not have seen it. I think I understand his desperation to save Sasuke better now, his depression for failing on our mission as well. What he says about bonds, Sasuke is the one who validated his existence. So he is clinging to the hope that those bonds still exist."

"Sasuke? You know Sasuke?"

"Naruto's best friend who tried to kill him before he went rogue, myself and Sakura returned not long ago with Naruto after a mission to try and recover Sasuke from a mad man who plans on using Sasuke's body as a replacement vessel to prolong his own twisted life. During the encounter Sasuke tried to kill Naruto again without hesitation, Naruto was willing to die to save him, but I stepped in and prevented the death blow. Sasuke escaped and we failed. Afterwards I watched Naruto cry, it was like something had broken and could no longer stand. I will never forget that sight. Although I am certain I was never meant to see it. Sasuke is still rogue and dangerous..."

"Oh Sai...I saved Sasuke. I mended his soul and freed him of the darkness and He and Kakashi began the mating process with Naruto yesterday er its like a marriage in human terms."

A choked sob echoed through Sai, tearing at his heart. He feels his walls crumbling as he sinks to sit outside Naruto's door his head in his hands. He tries to remain emotionless, but it is a lie. He grits his teeth as his eyes rimmed with bitter tears that refused to fall. His eyes burned, but his ability to actually shed tears is still locked within him thanks to the years of brainwashing he had endured with Root. Sai had tried for so long since meeting Naruto to hide it, to forget how he feels. He had tried to erase the thoughts but now they all poured out of him as dry sobs.

Each sob should have had tears of pain and of loss of unrequited hopes and buried beneath and hidden by bluster, love. Yes, he loved the blond Jinchuuriki. It is a pure love untainted by desire or lust that had begun with apathy and it had morphed to respect. Now he could not imagine his life without Naruto in it. Being around Naruto had become as necessary as breathing. His fist tightens till his knuckles are white. This is the worst thing to have happened; now indirectly he is stealing Naruto's chance at happiness. "Damn it." he cursed punching the wood floor beside him. He never wanted to be the source of Naruto's further suffering. Naruto had saved him from his own pointless existence, what a way to repay him. Through strength of will alone he climbed to his feet and summoned another bird, he could mourn the pain later but now he had a job to do.

Sai I didn't know you loved him. I'm sorry I told you like that. If I had known…

"No, Blue Eyes telling me was a kindness. I will no longer pine for him. Is- is he happy?"

Yes. Naruto is very happy with both his loves.

He made his way to the apartment where Yamato lived and let himself in. Yamato looked up and frowned with concern. "Where have you been? I went to fetch you from your place at the agreed hour and you were gone. You have been missing for three days."

"Danzo summoned me." Sai says without preamble. He ignores the sharp indrawn breath from his captain. "Yamato my seal is broken. Do you remember the woman who saved Kakashi?" Yamato nods. "Good, she needs our help. Danzo sealed her within me."

"He what?" Kuroneko says leaning around the corner from the small kitchen. He pulls off his mask and activates his eyes. Sai's chakra is disturbed with soft waves of light pale pink spreading from a seal that burns with wicked sickly green power. "Oh my god. He sealed a woman, a goddess inside of you. He is mad!" he tossed his mask on to the sofa and glared at the cat face.

"Sai, warn them about my soul mates. And Naruto."

"What have you learned about her?" Yamato asks tsking at Nieji before picking up his mask. "Is she a danger?"

Neiji shrugs taking the mask and hanging it on the peg on the wall. He doesn't particularly care for being ANBU but his cousin Hinata had been so proud and excited for him when the offer was given. "Obviously she is not a danger now sealed." Neiji says turning back to the kitchen. They were returning from duty and it was his turn to cook. Being room mates with Yamato was ideal for being in ANBU and he had more freedom outside the clan walls.

"She is not however, we have a problem, Kagome, is the soul mate to Itachi no kage and Kurama no Kyuubi. And adopted sister of Naruto no kitsune."

Neiji stumbled as he spun around barely holding on to the rice he was cleaning in a bowl, but sloshing water as he did. "She is what?!"

"There is more," Sai says "None of them are human and are now something called youkai, or Kami Apparently that means they will tear everything apart looking for her. They hold no allegiance to villages or humans and they aren't very happy with us for the bijuu. According to Kagome."

"But they were human. Doesn't that mean anything?" Tenzo asks with a frown.

Neiji slams the bowl down with more force than necessary. He sighs standing up to pace angrily "Uchiha Itachi, was a monster as a human, now he is a youkai?! We are-"

"He is NOT." Kagome shouts indignantly and a spark of her power slaps Neji hard across the face. "Don't talk about my soul like that!" His words cut off as he is physically flung across the room by an unseen force. Sai looks shocked as Neiji slams in to the wall. Tenzo blinks in confusion.

"Sai what did you do?" Tenzo asks warily before helping Neiji to his feet. Sai has no chance to answer before a low growl reaches their ears.

"I am not a monster, yet." Itachi growls stepping out of the shadows. "Where is Kagome. Don't bother lying I feel her power. I can sense her here." Shocked gazes fall on him and he takes another step forward. His moves are predatory and lithe. He practically oozes danger as the shadows curl unnaturally around him.

Sai swallows holding his ground before turning to face him. Oh my god, Blue Eyes. Is that really him? Sai asks silently as Itachi's inhuman eyes fall on him.

Even inside of her jinchuuriki she can feel the other half of her soul and her heart soars. Through Sai's eyes she can see him and she aches to touch him, the distance is maddening. "Itachi! I'm here! Itachi!" despite knowing it will do no good she bangs on the bars of her internal prison. "Yes Sai. It's him and if you can't tell he is not feeling patient. Answer him." Connected as they are she knows that Sai can feel her emotions and her desire because his heart give a weird little flutter before it begins to pound.

In a breath the ANBU are on alert, taken aback by the sudden and uninvited appearance of who they suppose is the missing nin Uchiha Itachi, despite Sai's warnings. By muscle memory they are drawing weapons to defend themselves even as their survival instincts scream at them to run and not look back. It is as though they can't grasp the reality of the danger they face. Itachi looks human but he doesn't feel human. In fact the bright feeling of chakra isn't there Rather there is a feeling like something massive is in the room with them, but they can't see it. They can only feel the wrongness and the terror creeping up their spine the longer they look at him. In Tenzo and Neiji's mind they already know they are going to die fighting this beautiful deadly being, who is very much as inhuman as Sai said. Seeing however is alarming. Now they can see what Sai was warning them about, now they can see it, but in their minds it's too late.

"Get back Sai." Nieji hisses dropping into stance for the sixty four palms attack. Beside him Tenzo's hands flash through the signs for a moukton. But they hesitate to attack feeling that something is amiss. Why isn't Itachi giving off any malicious intent? Isn't this the clan slayer who murdered his clan in cold blood? Isn't this the infamous member of the Akatsuki? Why is he so calm. His expression isn't hostile as he looks at them, in fact its almost friendly though there is a sense of irritation simmering in his eyes.

The humans prepare for a fight, all except for the painter. Itachi raises an eyebrow at the pale man. "Are you not going to prepare as well, human? Do you not fear me as they do?" he asks sounding tolerant.

The human painter shakes his head before he raises his shirt. The elaborate seal on his chest makes Itachi frown. "I do not fear you because my friend tells me that I should not and I trust her."

The other two look confused as Itachi remains unaffected at their actions. He hasn't tried to attack. And he hasn't done anything to defend. He is just standing in the shadows as though their actions are nothing. Neiji activates his Byakugan and swallows the gasp before it can give him away. With is ocular ability he can see the waves of power flowing off of Itachi. In sudden icy dread, he understands why the Uchiha hasn't bothered with them, there is no contest. They might as well be infants trying to fight a giant. Even their strongest attacks will do nothing. Glancing to Tenzo he shakes his head. With quick fingers he signs, nothing we can do. don't attack. No chance.

Sai points to his chest and faces the shadowy entity with a heavy droop to his slim shoulders. "Kagome is sealed within me. She is unhurt just unhappy. If there is a way to help her I will do it."

Several emotions flash over the shadowy male's face before it settles again into a flat expression but his black eyes burn with a deep red hue, making them look like the black is aflame. "You will be coming with me." Itachi states reaching out and taking a hold of Sai's arm. His claws gleam in the light, black and deadly but non aggressive at the same time. "Don't bother attacking or triggering an alarm." The shadows seem to reach for him. "Tell your Hokage, everything Tenzo sempai. Danzo is dead, your seal is now broken, or will be soon." he and Sasuke had taken on Danzo and destroyed him just moments before.

"The fool thought he could fight us. He tried but failed. Having never faced a youkai before, he couldn't comprehend the fear he felt. He mistook his fear for bravado, but only we are immortal." Itachi says with amusement. "I know that you sense the truth, Hyuuga. We just came for Kagome. Your precious village is in no danger now that we have her. Although we can be a deadly force, we do not wish to fight." Itachi says not bothering to turn around. "We found an Uzumaki who is versed in seals. We will have this undone and take Kagome. I will bring this shinobi back myself, unharmed. I give you my word."

It is then that Tenzo and Neiji realize that there is another pair of eyes glaring from the same shadows. These eyes are shot through with sudden flashes of raw lightning but the shadows are clearly also his to command. "Hurry up Nii san, Kurama is getting edgy."

The face and the voice cause a sudden dread to creep into the two ANBU. How did two of the most deadly S class missing nin get into Konoha without raising some sort of alarm? And how did they kill a member of the council without causing a calamity? Neiji isn't sure, that even with every ANBU and Jonin, that Konoha can fight off these two now. But they cannot do nothing. Futile as it might be he has to at least try to stop them from taking Sai, no matter what their reason. "We can't let you just take him. He is a member of our village and we are sworn to protect him. We don't wish to fight either but we can't look away from this."

Sasuke bares his teeth in irritation flashing his fangs. Itachi is the one who reaches out and puts his hand on his younger brother's shoulder to calm him. "Sasuke." he says quietly but firmly. "We will not harm these nin." his tone is too soft for human ears. "We do not want a war with the humans."

Kagome inside Sai rolls her eyes. "Sai, calm your friends. Itachi and Sasuke won't harm them if they don't attack. Tell them that they can trust Itachi and Sasuke. I will see that you are also returned, just go with them."

Sai glances back at his ANBU captain and shakes his head, it is obvious that both ANBU are prepared to fight to the death should the discussion fail. Sai doesn't want to see them fall. "It is alright I know you have no reason to trust her because you don't know her, but trust me, Kagome says that you can trust Itachi no kage. He will keep his word. I will return shortly. Please taicho just wait for me." then he walks without Itachi pulling him towards the shadowy figure of Sasuke and the shadows swallow them all up.

As they vanish a sense of relief washes over the two ANBU. Neiji is visibly shaken. "They spared our lives. The power from Itachi was incomprehensible. Yamato. Not even the whole force of Konoha could have stood against him had he decided to attack or Sasuke. It was like a sea of power contained inside of his human appearance." He shakes his head wiping the cold sweat from his brow. Gods, that is what Sai called them. True or not he never wants to do battle with even one of them. They just want Kagome, the woman who raised Kakashi from the dead. "We should make a report to Tsunade sama."

Yamato stands up and clasps Neiji's shoulder. "Go Neji, go to Shikamaru request an audience. They won't be back tonight." Yamato urges. Neiji casts him a grateful look and vanishes with a puff of smoke.

Yamato is startled by a sudden flash of lightning and the subsequent growl of thunder. His back prickles and he spins around finding Kakashi or rather a being with the same spiked silver hair and masked face, leaning against the wall. His casual expression comforting to the moukton user. "Sempai?" Yamato asks carefully. "is that really you?"

Kakashi snorts a sound of amusement, "Of course its me." he says pulling a familiar book from the pouch at his waist. "I need you to understand some things and then tell Tsunade sama. We wish to live in peace with you humans. We are not weapons for you to seal and try to control. As we have Kagome back, there will be no retribution. Eventually we will meet for talks for a treaty, but until then we wish nothing more than to be left alone." He holds out his hand and a glowing ball of living lightning forms. It sparks a little and Kakashi smiles at it. Then he sets it on the book shelf where it trembles a little but remains where he has placed it. "These are our terms. When you have an answer just write it on a scroll and place it in this. This sphere will allow you to communicate with us. It is harmless unless it is provoked, take it to the Hokage."

"Sempai, terms need to be in written form." Yamato says with a sigh. It has been a crazy day, but something about the familiar simple conversation makes him relax and fall into the easy conversation. "You know the rules."

Kakashi's eye crinkles as he grins at the former captain of Team Kakashi over the top of his book. "Maa...I didn't bring an extra scroll or paper. That is a shame. So you write them down for me, won't you. Good bye Tenzo." he says quietly and with the next flash of lightning he is gone. But that little ball of lightning remains and Tenzo had the oddest feeling that it is sentient.

"Kakashi sempai you never change." Yamato huffs a soft laugh at himself and opened the ink at his desk quickly penning a letter. Reading what he wrote he quickly he jumps up and throws his shoes on. Pulling on his cloak and mask and carefully collecting the sphere he shin-shuns to the Hokage tower. The lights are still on in Tsunade's office so he knocks once and enters in.

Tsunade raises her eyes from the stack of paperwork on her desk. "Yes?" she snaps hiding the flask with a flurry of quick movements. "Ah Yamato, I thought you were Shizune come to scold me for drinking." she stops speaking to study Yamato. "Something happened?"

Yamato dropped to one knee and held out the letter and sphere with shaking hands. "This is for you, Tsunade sama." She tosses her pen down and stands up. Walking around the desk she grabs the letter and opens it scanning the contents. "And here is my report of the events that occurred." Taking that document too she reads over the encounter.

"So," she leans back heavily on her desk, "Danzo is dead, Itachi Uchiha is an innocent scape goat and the masked man who frequently visited Danzo is Uchiha Madara. Was Kagome found? Your report doesn't say."

"Forgive me Lady Hokage, I was in a hurry. Yes Tsunade sama, Danzo had her imprisoned within Sai with a Jinchuuriki seal just this morning. Itachi no kage and Sasuke no kage came for them and claimed they had found an Uzumaki versed in seals to undo it. He also promised Sai's safe return. Kuroneko and myself would have tried to stop them but the power difference was..."

"I see. No need to beat yourself up over this Yamato. There is nothing we can do but hope they have the honor to return Sai." Tsunade sighs, they had entered her city while her ninja remained unaware and could have slaughtered them all but they hadn't. She at least could see the honest intention of whatever they truly were now, gods or apparitions. "Yamato, bring me a hawk. This is for Suna" she walks around her desk and on a scrap of paper wrote a missive before rolling it up and placing her seal on it. "I assume they left you some way to communicate our reply to their terms."

Yamato held out the sphere she had ignored before."They did. It's this sphere. Kakashi gave it to me to deliver to you. He said it is a means to communicate to them. It is my feeling that it is sentient."

Her golden-brown eyes narrowed as she studied the glowing ball that flickered now and again with sparks "Sentient? Kakashi gave this to you? How did he create such a thing?" Tsunade asks eying the sphere with trepidation. Sudden understanding sinks in and she lowers her head. "Hn, none of them are human anymore. They are all whatever you called them, youkai or kami or whatever. Yamato, this information is now classified. You will speak of this to no one and we will do as they say. Do you hear me Kakashi, name your day and we will make a treaty with you."

Yamato eyes the sphere waiting for it to speak though he feels foolish. When nothing happens he speaks, "Sempai said to place your letter or answer in the sphere."

Tsunade looks away feeling sheepish "Oh Good, Go get that hawk so we can deliver this and then return." she demands. Yamato disappears and she is left alone in her office. Carefully she picks up the glowing ball. "If you are sentient convey this to Kakashi. Thank you, for saving Naruto. I miss the little brat."

"Maa he misses you too, Tsunade." Kakashi says quietly as he looks down at the glowing ball of living lightning in his hand. He can hear her message just fine. The wind picks up a little tossing the branches of the tree where he sits just outside the east gate closest to the Uchiha compound. Soon the rain will fall and wash everything away.

Stepping out of the shadows Itachi sighs, since the massacre he has not been inside the compound. But it is the only place that no one comes. The dis-repaired buildings make this place look like a ghost town. Scraps of yellow police tape still cling to the door frames like drooping faded flags of a macabre festival. Beside him Sasuke's face is a mask of readable grief. This was their home and now a desolate ruin. No one had done anything to restore the broken windows that have collected dust and cobwebs. Dark stains still splatter the wood on some of the buildings. Blood from the massacre. In the center of the main street Minato is waiting for them. The gold of his hair bright in contrast to the heavy gloom surrounding the place like a shroud. "Where is Kagome?" he asks his eyes gazing at the human with Itachi. "We were too late?" he asks his face softening.

Itachi nods his heart heavy with regret and resolve. Reaching out he grips Sasuke's hand and gets an equal grip in return. "Nii san don't. I forgave you already. This wasn't your fault the blame and sentence has been carried out. Danzo paid for his crimes."

Itachi glances to Sasuke with a sad smile "Aa, its just the memories of this place Otouto." Turning to Minato he replies, "We were too late. This is her Jinchuuriki."

Sai gapes at the face of a man who is supposed to be nineteen years dead. His mind is playing tricks on him because the Hokage Minato Namikaze didn't have ears or tails. He is however eerily similar to another blond Sai knows and adores. This must be Naruto's father. They are all beautiful standing in the newly risen moon light. Sai is rather captivated until a fourth figure steps from the shadows and walks right up to him. Maroon eyes bore into his dark eyes seething with raw fury. "Sealing a goddess? Is that what the humans are about these days. Fools." the taller male with ruddy hair and maroon eyes growls. The sudden rise of red energy surrounding him scares the wits out of Sai as the foreign energy whips around like a storm through the empty buildings. Sai is sure he is going to die until Kagome laughs.

The fondness in her tone give him pause. "That's Kurama no Kyuubi, don't worry Sai he won't harm you. He only acts like a grump. He is unhappy about this situation but you need to know that Kurama did not attack Konoha by choice. He was controlled by a member of the Akatsuki. You have nothing to fear from him now."

Gesturing to a patch of grass that has grown wild for years Minato directs Sai to sit."Where is the seal?" he asks kindly. Sai obediently raises his shirt to expose the elaborate seal on his chest. Minato frowns at the crooked lines and weak enhancements. "Such shoddy work. This would drive a bijuu mad. Lets get this garbage off of you. What is your name young man?"

"I don't have one. In root we had no past or names only the mission mattered so there was no future either. But I have grown fond of the code name I was given in my mission with Naruto. You can call me Sai."

"Root was disbanded I thought, just before my time as Hokage. Never mind it doesn't matter now. Anyway Kagome can you hear me?" Minato asks leaning over Sai to study the seal closer.

Sai nods, "She is listening." he says shivering under Kurama's intense stare. Kurama has his teeth slightly bared but the beauty of his face is unmarred by the fury. All of the males here are gorgeous.

Don't get any ideas Sai, Kurama and Itachi are mine. Minato has Kushina, his wife and Naruto's mother. All of the males here are spoken for. Kagome says with a teasing note to her voice.

Sai chuckles softly. "God, I am going to miss you Blue Eyes." he murmurs and then looks up as Itachi laughs. Even Kurama looks amused. "did I say something odd?" Sai asks.

"No, nothing we didn't expect. Kagome is an amazing woman. It figures that she would win a friend even in this sort of situation." Kurama says his features softening. "Well kid, I like you more now. I gotta say while I was in Naruto, I didn't like you too much with how you mocked Naruto, but after you got a soul, you amused me at least."

"I read a book on making friends once but I can't think of a knick name for you. To be honest you scare me, but Blue Eyes says that you are kind despite your grumpy exterior and that I can trust you."

"She does, does she?" Kurama sighs "Gods she is ruining my reputation. Sai, keep it to yourself. I don't need every human in the Elemental Lands thinking I am a big softy."

"I would never spread such a lie. I know that you and everyone here is not human. Kagome warned me of your power and the danger of angering you. I will instead tell people to have respect for you and share that you were benevolent to a foolish village that should have earned you ire and was instead granted mercy."

"Well spoken Sai. We haven't much time, Kagome I am going to unlock the seal and I need you to come out. We have to work quickly because Danzo placed the seal over Sai's heart and I have to stop it to open the seal. You can heal him correct?" Minato asks her through Sai. Before she can answer a voice shatters the peace and heaviness of the night.

"Oh my God! Sai!" The voice made Sai's heart leap into his throat. Naruto. The blue of his eyes is brighter and the ears on the top of his head twitch. But despite the changes Naruto no kitsune is beautiful. So beautiful it makes his human heart ache. "He sealed her in you!?" Naruto asks leaning over to see the seal as well. "Why you?"

"Blue- Kagome and I are of the opinion that it was to hurt and control you." Sai nods turning away from his friend to face Minato. Looking at the kitsune is too painful "But that was his mistake, because my loyalty is to you. Congratulations on your mating, Naruto." he says and only Kagome knows what those words cost him. "Let's begin."

"This is going to hurt, I am sorry Sai." Minato's finger tips lit with chakra. "Ready Kagome? On my count. Three, two, one!" he slaps his hand to Sai's chest and the painter nin slumps lifelessly to the ground. The seal on his chest swirls into a dark pool, impossibly deep and endless. From the abyss a small hand reaches out. Kurama grasps her hand and pulls her carefully from the darkness hugging her to him tightly for just a moment. Then sets her on her feet. She turns and raises her hands already glowing blue.

The seal fades and his heart very slowly beats. He is dying just as anyone separated from a bijuu does after. Kagome frowns as he shakes his head. "No, Blue eyes. Let me die." His eyes flick weakly to where Naruto is kissing Sasuke heatedly. "Please just let me- this is the fate of a Jinchuuriki. I knew that the separation would take my life." he glances up at the sound of a soft gasp. Horror is etched in the bright blue eyes of his dear friend. "Don't be sad Naruto."

"Kagome-" the plea is soft but the eyes are deep with sorrow as Naruto looks at her. Sasuke pulls his kitsune into his arms and holds him. The tremble of Naruto's lips foretells the wetness in his eyes. "I don't want him to die."

Kagome kindly shakes her head. "What sort of friend would I be if I listened to you right now? No, Sai. It's not your choice this time. Your life is in my hands and you are going to live. It's not your time yet. You will find love again. I am going to heal you like I did for Itachi and Sasuke. I am going to undo the damage done to your mind and soul and body. Sai you are my friend and I am glad it was you. Thank you, for setting me free." Kagome says kindly and she places her hands on his chest. Suddenly he is sinking into a warm blue light that is washing years of pain away. Tears once locked inside of him flow down his cheeks and darkness softly covers his mind as he is drawn into sleep.

When he comes to, they are all gone and he is laying on a bed in the Uchiha manor. Soft rain is falling in a gentle shushing against the roof. There is a note in his hand that reads simply Thank you. He feels better, lighter and he smiles sadly through his tears. Then he draws his knees to his chest and sobs.

That is how Yamato and Neiji find him, curled up in a ball of broken hearted misery. His hands clutching a note written by a familiar hand. Naruto had written it. "Sai, come on lets get you home. You were right about that woman. She came to tell us where you were and to thank us for trusting her." Yamato says, carefully picking up his team mate and carrying him out of the desolate ruins. He has never seen Sai cry and it is both sad and hopeful. "She is a beautiful soul, I wish I had a chance to make friends with her, I envy you, Sai."

"Kagome, healed me." Sai smiles sadly. "I have my heart back, but it is broken."

Tenzo sighs, "Having a heart is both a blessing and curse Sai, but it will mend. Come on back to the apartment, lets get you cleaned up. We have a couple days off."

Dark eyes watch them go and once they clear the gate the whole compound is aflame behind them. The flames only last a moment too quick to even cry out a warning. Neiji and Yamato watch in shock as the fire spreads in a matter of heart beats till it covers the whole compound. In a flare of light and heat the flames die, and in its wake nothing remains but ash and the foliage that had over grown the gardens, still green and untouched by the fire. Nothing remains of the once proud Uchiha clan but an empty field surrounded by walls. Even the cracked painted fans of the Uchiha crest painted on the walls are gone. Neiji thought he saw a figure standing in the ashes but when he looks again, they are gone. By the time the ANBU squad arrives seconds later even the last coals have gone out. The wind gathering up the ashes and blowing them away. A scroll is found on the ground right about the place that Neiji saw a figure. A scroll bearing the Uchiha crest.

In the deep forest surrounding Konoha Itachi steps from the shadows. Sasuke is waiting impatiently "Did you do it Nii-san?" Sasuke asks falling in to step with his brother. As a human he had never had the courage to burn the compound but now as a youkai the choice had been easy. They were no longer apart of the village anyway and as would have happened eventually, the Uchiha died the day they were changed.

Itachi nods "Aa, the Uchiha clan is no more. I erased our presence from Konoha completely. I gave the land back to the village." he says letting Sasuke lead them to the meeting place. "No sense in leaving a ghost town to rot and ruin."

Aoda is curled up keeping his head low so as not to attract unwanted attention. Sasuke nods in agreement, "good, I'm glad its done. Now let's go home. Look, Kagome is waiting for you Nii san." Sasuke indicated the two by the snake, but even as they looked up Kagome sagged into Kurama's arms.

Itachi sighed and then shook himself of the human worry that tried to fill him. He had her back, that is what mattered the rest they could deal with now. "Yes, well your lovers seem to have come for you as well." Itachi chuckles as Naruto and Kakashi stood waiting by Adoa's mouth. Sasuke speeds up his gait and in no time is in their arms pulled to them like a magnet.

Itachi pauses and leans over to touch the ground over a particularly dark shadow. Then he stands up and continues to the snakes mouth. After the snake vanishes taking them all home, The shadows swirl away to reveal a smooth flat black stone carved with hundreds of names. At the bottom of the list two more names have been added, carved with a delicate hand. Uchiha Itachi, and Uchiha Sasuke.

The dragon stone, shimmers in the dying light. Someday a Jonin will happen upon it and return it to Konoha and it will be placed in the Sandime's garden as an epitaph to the fallen Uchiha. Someday it will sit proudly gazing over the growing village a bittersweet reminder. But for now it waits for that day in the cool darkness of green.

Eyes snap open as another nightmare fades away. He can still hear Rin's chiding angry voice in his mind. Ever since that woman filled him with light he has gotten no peace. it's as though he is torn within himself. Light or darkness...he is fighting helplessly as both sides of his heart conflict and he must be going mad, because he swears he hears Rin laugh.