His Gift to Her (Mary Sue Series)

Chapter 39

Any sign of her, Nii-chan?

Kurisani Noriaki wrote to Uncle Igo, her brotherly figure. Uncle Igo had helped cover her tracks when she married outside the Uchiha Clan, protected her family secret, and watched over Qui when she herself couldn't. 

No, but don't you worry, I'll bring her back! We're family after all! 

Uncle Igo wrote back. 

He removed his cloth mask and stared out towards the scene of the tiny village before. He folded the short letter to Noriaki and stood to his feet. He smiled cunningly as he pushed forward, heading toward the forest. He knew exactly where his niece was.

Meanwhile, just as Konoha suspected, Qui was in the hands of the Akatsuki. 

"Oh, she's just a kid, un," Deidara said, looking at the Akatsuki's prisoner. Apparently, Zetsu and the newest member Tobi had kidnapped the girl two years back without a problem. That was a huge surprise since the new guy Tobi was a child trapped in an adult body. Deidara had no idea how the incompetent ninja even convinced a girl (who couldn't be that dumb to follow a guy into an organization of murderers) to come with him. 

Probably with candy. But really, does anyone think she'll get lured in with candy? 

"Really, I thought you'd be screamin' and tryin' every tactic in the book to get outta here, kiddo," Deidara said, looking at the girl. 

But it was pointless to speak to her. Although Qui wasn't handcuffed or physically bond, her eyes were covered and her ears were blocked. She wore a strange device that prevented her from seeing or hearing. 

She went through intense surgery for her eyes and ears so she was in the recovery process now. She underwent two surgeries previously and both thankfully had been successful. As for why she had surgery, well...

No one actually knew. Except for Leader. Pain didn't say a word regarding why he had her undergo surgery. He only mentioned that she would soon become a powerful asset to the organization. 

Qui additionally wasn't confined to a particular room. In fact, she was given a large range of freedom and movement. Yet still, she made no attempt to escape. 

"What did that guy say to make you stay?" Deidara muttered, watching Qui leave the room hesitantly. "Ya honestly can't be that naive, right?" For someone without sight or hearing, she was moving and adjusting to her surrounding quite well. 

"Deidara-san, am I right?" Qui called out, unafraid. "Zetsu-san told me about you. I can feel the vibrations of your steps."

"Oh lookie! Look who's up!" Tobi bounded into the room in surprise, causing Qui to spin around and frown in concentration, trying to piece together the intruder. 

"Zetsu-san?" 

Zetsu emerged from the ground. "Oh, she's right. She was faster today by seconds." 

Knowing she was right, Qui hummed, pleased she was right, "Mhm." 

"And me! It's my turn!" 

Qui's face lit up and was about guess Tobi's name when the ground shook violently. 

"Oh! Time to go!" Tobi stepped forward and seized Qui with Zetsu right behind. "Go stop 'em, Senpai!" And with that, they vanished into the ground. 

"Are they here again?" Kisame asked, entering the room just as the trio left. "Really, I say, they're persistent." 

"Wonder who they've sent now," Deidara muttered. 

"Think we'll head to war anytime soon?" Kisame's teeth gleamed in bloodthirsty eagerness. 

"It'll be really exciting if we do!" Deidara yelled back equally pleased to fight. 

With Tobi's ability to travel to dimensional planes, they were always able to avoid losing Qui. Although no one except Zetsu knew exactly what Tobi had said or done to convince the girl, Qui went along with the Akatsuki willingly without a fuss or fight. She rarely spoke to anyone else (it's difficult to hold a conversation especially if she doesn't know who is listening or hear their words) but on many occasions, she gave a snide remark or laughed when the vibrations she felt were extremely powerful. 

"Stay here for a while," Tobi said cheerfully, warping her to a dimensional plane, away from danger or kidnapping. "I'll be around!"

Although Qui was promptly thrown without warning into the new dimension, she only grumbled and sat cross-legged on the floor. For a young teenager taken from her parents for two years already, she was far too comfortable and calm. 

Why was she so confident? Why wasn't she afraid?

Qui smiled blindly, her mind stable and at peace. She wasn't afraid because everything was according to plan. Uncle Igo had actually struck a deal with the Akatsuki. With Qui's consent, he would allow them to utilize her power and, in exchange, they would train and take care of her. Surprisingly, the Akatsuki agreed. 

"You'll be stronger, I promise," Uncle Igo said, waving goodbye. "You'll be strong to take on the Chunin and Jounin exams and be the historian you've always wanted to be." 

In the two years that she had been "kidnapped," Qui knew her uncle was right. She had undergone surgeries to get fix her distorted internal problems and had even gotten better. She gained strength and flexibility during her healing and therapy processes and came out stronger than before after just one surgery. Although she was residing with an enemy of Konoha, not once had they harmed her and actually taught her well.

Of course, that could also mean they were intending to make her into their little weapon. That's why they were so caring. 

Even if she couldn't do much to figure out the situation she had no doubt someone or her uncle would come to get her. 

Lady Tsunade peered out the window from her paperwork, taking a moment to look at the calendar. Even with some of the strongest teams out there working their backs off, it seemed like they were all stuck in some kind of trance they couldn't escape from. Nothing was moving forward in terms of success or failure. If they could get some undeniable results, they would know what to do. 

It didn't matter if the Elders of Konoha thought poorly of her plan. She was the Hokage and if sending Naruto out of the village's security and scrutiny to train was going to help him grow stronger, then she'd do it. It is pointless to let all that potential rot to nothingness.

Three years had passed since Qui's kidnapping, and an upcoming war would start brewing misfortune.