Letting Me Go

'Rescue'

"They're here for her." Naruto says. Kakashi takes a step forward taking Ayako away from Sasuke much to her disliking.

"Go. Now. The three of you. I'll go place her somewhere safe before joining in. If they can't find her, and if they can't win, they will have to retreat. Go on. I'll see you all soon." He says walking out with the others in tow. "Keep your eyes open and give it everything you got. You'll be fighting with for Ayako but don't forget. You need to fight for the leaf too."

"Yes Sensei." They say in unison. The three walk in the opposite direction of Kakashi. Sasuke taking a look behind him and instantly regretting it. Seeing Ayako crying, throwing a fit in Kakashi's arms. He turns back taking a deep breath. No time to think about that. Just time to think about Itachi.

Screaming. Fires. Explosions. Puppets. There was no break. White creatures crawling around the place exploding at the most random times. Birds flying overhead dropping others down doing the same. Puppet after puppet. Once you had finished with one there was another waiting for you. A crazy white-haired man ran around with no purpose other than to distract you. If you weren't careful a puppet would shoot a dart at you and you'd be dead within minutes. It all was just utter chaos. But soon enough Kakashi had joined in and everything seemed to be going well. But out of nowhere. They suddenly retreated. The puppets disappeared into the woods. All the white creatures had exploded simultaneously causing everyone to run and try to put out the fires. No one could locate the crazed me that was just in front of us. Sasuke stood on top a house looking for a sign of him. But there were no longer there.

"Kakashi!" He begins to scream. He looks around beginning to run in a random direction. "Kakashi!" He finally spots him running off in the distance. He chases after him. Taking sharp turns, climbing over buildings finally making it to the Hokage building.

Or what was left of it.

Walls destroyed from every direction. Paper littered the ground.

"Kakashi." Sasuke says stepping forward. "Was she in there?" He asks. Kakashi doesn't answer. He begins to walk inside. Sasuke following closely behind. A few bodies lay motionless on the ground. "Where has everyone gone?" Kakashi kept his silence. Turning left to an entryway, the door had been ripped off. Slowly he began to walk down the steps. Into a large room. A man lay tied up in some strange rope trying his best fight against it. But beside the man. It was empty. Kakashi turns back to Sasuke.

"We must go find Tsunade." Was all he said.

❄❄❄

As the leaf was left to repair all the damage, find the dead, and plan an attack. The Akatsuki had already made it back to base. Gloating about the battle or retreating back into their rooms. Itachi sits on the floor surrounded by all the others but only focusing on his young daughter running around him.

Earlier in the day they had gone on a little walk. Itachi watched as Ayako ran to every flower bush picking a few here in there swiftly turned for the worst. They had run into Orochimaru. Not knowing what to do. He stood his ground telling Ayako to run home. He felt confident that she knew the way back. But was mistaken. Once he returned he learned that she had not made it. Everyone branched out with him to find her. Konan had finally found her. In the arms of Kakashi walking through the gates of the Leaf Village.

Ayako laughs falling onto her dad's lap.

"Daddy." She says. He smiles to her before attacking her with kisses.

Pain suddenly appears standing behind him.

"We need to discuss this matter Itachi." Itachi nods without look up to him. He holds up Ayako, Deidara takes her from him. Handing her some clay he takes her to his room. Itachi follows Pain into an empty room. Konan was waiting inside. "We've talked over a few possibilities about what to do next."

"But, seeing as she is your daughter you will have the final say." Konan says. Pain shuts the door. "Keep in mind Itachi. Ayako is loved by us all. And some of our plans may sound unpractical. But it is to keep her safe."