A Mind is A Terrible Thing to Lay Waste || lunamist » vonlane

Chapter 1

Slowly, a smile spread across Tsunade's lips as she wondered why it always took the young to point out the obvious. Not even turning her head, Tsunade yelled for one of the Anbu guards standing nearby. "Get me Hyuuga Neji," she demanded.

Sakura turned and gave a questioning look towards the Hokage. "Neji?"

"You're right Sakura. Naruto wouldn't give up on us," Tsunade answered.

"What are you thinking?" Kakashi asked.

"Using the Byakugan, Neji can see chakra. I want him to use it to see if any of Naruto's chakra is left, or if it's all the Kyuubi's." Then, looking gravely at Sakura, she added, "If there's anything left of Naruto, I'll give him a chance. But, if all Neji see's is the Kyuubi's . . . "

Sakura nodded her head numbly. "I understand."

Soon, Neji Hyuuga was standing in the room, appearing from seemingly nowhere, his blank eyes scanning Naruto's turbulent body.

Tsunade's voice was hard and cold. "Neji, what you see and do here today is not to be spoken of. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Lady Hokage."

"Good. Now, tell me what you see."

"I see what is, and isn't Uzumaki Naruto laying on the bed," Neji cryptically answered.

"Neji, we need to know if our Naruto is still in there," Tsunade answered.

Nodding his head once, Neji made the seal with his hands and cried, "Byakugan!"

Everyone waited while Neji stared at the boy. Inside, Neji was an unusual tempest of emotion. Naruto, someone he'd come to think of as a friend, was in serious trouble. He'd seen this chakra come from Naruto before, but never to this extent and with this much potential power. The sheer force of it was suffocating, so much so that he almost missed it. Almost missed the tiny hints of chakra fighting for life under all that pressure. And yes, fighting was the exact word needed to describe what he was seeing.

Sighing deeply, Neji released the Buyakugan and whispered, "He's there, or, at least his chakra is. But . . . "

"Go on," Tsunade demanded.

"It's weak and fading. I'm not sure how much longer Naruto can keep fighting. The other chakra is just to strong."

Sakura groaned, "This isn't fair! He needs our help and we're powerless. His mind is where the battle is and that's the one place we can't go."

In unison, both Kakashi and Tsunade looked at each other, similar thoughts running wildly through their heads.

"Could you do it?" Tsunade asked Kakashi, a thread of hope weaving throughout her voice. Shaking his head, Kakashi could only answer, "No, I've only got the one, and its never been powerful enough to do what you're thinking."

"What?" Sakura asked.

"That leaves only two who could do it," Tsunade said, completely ignoring Sakura.

"One, really," Kakashi answered.

"Two, one? What are you talking about?" Sakura asked again.

Tsunade felt her heart crash yet again. "Zero, actually. He'd be more likely to try and kill him again, not save him."

"But, he hasn't killed him yet," Kakashi answered.

"Humph, it hasn't been for lack of trying."

"Are you sure?" Kakashi questioned.

By now, Sakura was at her limit. "Would someone tell me what's going on! Who are you talking about? Whoever it is, if they can save Naruto, then I'll make them do it!"

Kakashi's one eye opened a little wider, his eyebrow shooting up as he stared back at Tsunade. "Actually, she may be the best one to send. I don't think he'd kill her right away. That way, at least he'd hear the message."

"But, how do we find him?" Tsunade asked.

"Simple. By now he'll know of the battle and that Itachi was there. It will be his best lead. He won't be able to resist showing up," Kakashi answered.

"Itachi . . . " the name slipped through Sakura's lips like a curse.

Giving a curt nod of her head, Tsunade stared down at her pupil. "You know who we're talking about now?"

Sakura nodded, feeling her limbs go cold and shaky. "Sasuke."

"Yes Sakura. Sasuke has the Sharingan and, I can only hope, that he's gained enough control of it to do what Naruto needs."

"He can get inside his mind," Sakura mumbled, more to herself than anyone else.

"That's right."

"But . . . but . . . " Sakura was chewing on her bottom lip. "He's tried to . . . "

At this Kakashi walked to Sakura's side. "It's a risk we have to take. If we do nothing, we'll be forced to kill Naruto ourselves. I think it's worth a try."

Fisting up her hands, Sakura's head shot up, her eyes full of determination as she asked, "Where was the battle?"

"You'll go then?" Tsunade asked.

"Of course." And then, looking back down at Naruto, she added, "I'll bring him back. I don't know how, but I'll make Sasuke help. This time, I'll save you." Planting a friendly kiss on Naruto's burning forehead, she looked back at her teachers and said, "Now, tell me where I need to go."