A/N: Sorry this took so long to get out. Something about this opening was bothering me so I rewrote it a dozen times before I finally said screw it and decided that this was one of those chapters that was going to have a part I was just going to hate no matter how many times I wrote it. Hope you enjoy!

Something became rather brutally obvious from the moment that the news had been released. Saichi- a person who was currently missing- was the go-to person when it came to matters involving the princess. No one knew her better than he did- at least, no one at the compound. His teammates, Raiden and Kaede had been around her often enough, but they were off on a mission that no one actually knew the full details of, so there was no way to contact them to help search. The reason they would have been useful was simple, there was the chance that something drastic hadn't actually occurred and Ai had simply convinced Saichi to make a stop somewhere. If that was the case, then someone who knew her well enough to know where she would stop would have been useful.

Which is why a majority of the Gotos within the compound were instantly sent to check at all the local inns, shops, and so on that they could possibly have stopped at. That also happened to be how- after Momoe volunteered their assistance- Jun and Tenten somehow ended up grouped with Subaru and despite Momoe's obvious protest the group was sent along on their own to take a shortcut through the thicker part of the forest to one town that laid between the compound and the mansion Ai's family lived in. The clan head's argument was that surely a group of chuunin could handle something as easy as searching for any signs of the princess and handling whatever trouble they might encounter- especially given that Saichi was with Ai wherever she was.

If there really was trouble, they'd have his assistance. If there wasn't, then what need was there to worry about leaving the problem to those three chuunin? Besides, the city they were being sent to was big enough that they wouldn't be the only group going.

Much to Jun's relief, something about the situation had Subaru silent as they traveled. Instead of making cutting comments that indicated just how much better than them he considered himself to be, his expression was something that was practically impossible to read and his thoughts kept to himself. To Tenten, this was seen as a possible sign that the boy cared more for his brother than he let on and was perhaps worried about them. In Jun's opinion, however, the reason couldn't be something that simple. With the Gotos it never was.

The moment that their speedy trip through the trees resulted in the three of them breaking out of the forest and to the edge of a busy city, Subaru was pursing his lips with narrowed eyes. The boy's entire frame was taut, as if waiting for something to happen. While Jun eyed him skeptically, Tenten studied the village with a critical eye.

"We'll have to split up," she announced decisively.

Jun, hesitated, then slowly nodded his agreement.

"It's the best way to cover ground."

Kurai snickered, tapping Jun's arm as he spread an arm towards the city.

"That's a whole bunch of potential enemies there, huh?"

Jun ignored him as Tenten scanned the city before pointing to one of the taller buildings.

"We'll all meet there?" she questioned.

Both boys nodded their agreement and within moments the group had split up in opposing directions. Subaru was the first to pick up on a sign that meant that they'd found the right place. After all, the face that he spotted was one he'd recognize anywhere. For a moment, the two shinobi paused and stared at each other. The first in simple surprise- the other in shock. Of all the people that could have been behind this, Subaru was completely astonished to be staring the man in charge in the eyes.

After a moment, however, it didn't seem as shocking as it had initially. Subaru made it his business to know about others. It'd have been strange if he wasn't aware of the dark past the figure held- as well as the skill. Then there was the air of desperation about him- an air that told Subaru exactly why the man was standing before him with that faintly amused expression despite the circumstances facing them.

"We can handle this two different ways..." the first mused.

Subaru shook his head, all of his senses telling him that this situation was above his level. Without hesitation, he raised a hand into the air and turned it palm up.

"No need. I'll take the easy path. Just because my brother, Ai, and that fire nation boy are in trouble doesn't mean I'm willing to do anything. I've looked into your history-- I'm not an idiot."

The man's lips twisted up in something similar to amusement.

"I'd assumed as much. You're really as much of a coward as the rumors say."

Subaru simply shrugged in response, his feet taking him backwards- the opposite direction of the man behind all of this.

"Cowardice and logic go hand in hand," he answered simply. "Logic says that if a fight can't be won, don't fight. Isn't it the Goto way to approach matters with logic?"

That said, he turned tail and ran.

The man watched him go with a faint smile, which was soon replaced with a small frown.

If that boy was there, than there would be others. It was best that he got back- they could very well be about to face trouble. His hands clenched into fists at his sides at the thought. It was too soon-- he couldn't stop yet.

He needed time.

He'd do anything for it.

He'd already betrayed his country- what would a few dead shinobi be?

_________________________

Systematically searching the city for the missing group was becoming steadily more frustrating. Not only was there no sight of any of the multiple figures they needed to find, but the late hour was beginning to send shadows around the city that would soon make the search even more difficult. Just as Jun was about to head towards the tall building they were supposed to meet atop of, however, he caught sight of something out of the corner of his eyes. Pausing atop of the warehouse building he'd been running across the roof of, he stared down into the abandoned streets with narrowed eyes.

At this time of day, the only people in the district he'd chosen to cross in order to reach the meeting point would be those looking for trouble. It was a staple in big cities-- the dark, dank, deserted part of the city is the part you avoided at night. Perhaps not the best area for him to be in- but he'd chosen it for that purpose. Jun knew- as much as he disliked the idea- that he had grown to know Saichi well enough to be aware that if the boy hadn't gotten the princess home by this point, then something was wrong. If something was wrong, then being in the district where people went when looking for trouble seemed to be a wise idea.

Which was why he threw away common sense and dropped from the roof to the streets at the sight of a man scurrying past his position. What had caught his attention was how focused the figure was- how they didn't bother to look around them as they ran. One didn't go through an area like they were in without at least a bit of caution- unless you had something a lot more important on your mind. Careful not to attract the man's attention, Jun trailed him through the twisting streets.

It was when they came to a stop that Jun knew he was right.

After all, there was no mistaking the figure standing outside the building that the man met with. The bluenette was a man he'd seen several times over the years since he'd first met Ai.

Sadou- the princesses advisor.

Instantly upon the discovery, Jun pushed himself up against a shadowy building bordering the street, watching the exchange with narrowed eyes. If Sadou was out here- talking with some random person- then where would the princess and Saichi would have gone? The sinking feeling in Jun's gut was telling him that he knew exactly what was going on, it just seemed so impossible that he was having trouble comprehending the facts. How could someone like Sadou- a person who'd always been at the princess's side, always been helping her- be the person behind whatever had kept Saichi, Noaki, and Ai from reaching their destination?

The instant that the two figures disappeared into the warehouse, Jun shifted his hands through a series of signs and closed his eyes in concentration. Whereas genjutsu came naturally to him for obvious reasons, the other things had never been as simple. Nevertheless, he'd trained himself in basic skills- which was how after a second of concentration he managed to produce a simple chakra clone.

He hadn't trained nonstop and gotten himself promoted to chuunin with nothing to show for it.

"Go find the others and show them here," he instructed the clone. "Let them know, I'm going in alone. If Sadou is behind it then there shouldn't be much trouble beyond the number of enemies. He must have just caught Saichi by surprise, or perhaps used Ai against them. Be quick about getting them- though."

The clone simply nodded and spun around. Within a second Jun could make out the dark shape darting across the rooftops of the neighboring warehouses. Satisfied that he'd taken care of the needed call for back-up, he turned his attention back to the warehouse. He'd never been that skilled in sensing, even with his natural understanding of the delicate balances of chakra needed for the skill. There was no way for him to judge the number of enemies- nor to judge their skill.

With a thin smile, he gathered chakra into his feet and propelled himself atop the building he'd pressed himself against, searching the top of the warehouse for a good way inside that didn't include the back door. As his eyes caught the faint, dart outline of a door even though the shadows coating the roof, he quickly threw himself forward and with a flash of hands and feet managed to take down the single man guarding it.

Knowledge or no knowledge of the inside of the building, he had a mission to complete.

After all, what was a shinobi, if not someone who was willing to risk this much? They'd been taught that simple lesson in his first attempt on the chuunin exams. Of course, at that time he'd known all the answers to the questions that were being posed- he hadn't been concerned about losing.

Here- there was far too much to lose. After-all, he wasn't risking his career, he was risking his life, and the lives of everyone inside.

He tugged open the roof-top entrance with the faintest hints of a grin.

For some reason- the idea had a sick sort of thrill to it. He should have been concerned over that fact- over the obvious influences touching his mind from Kurai's unspoken offer of assistance. The boy wouldn't bother him with comments at the moment- it was both of their lives at stake if Jun misstepped out of frustration with the boy's words. Instead, it was that silent, euphoric feeling that slowly touched the edge of Jun's mind that let him know how much interest Kurai had taken in these events.

At that moment, however, he couldn't bring himself to care.

Instead, he focused on the small room he found himself in. Noting the lack of any other guards, he carefully examined the door for traps, grinning to himself when he managed to catch sight of the paper tag rigged to blow if the door was opened in just the wrong manner. After a second he'd managed to disarm it and let himself fully into the warehouse. Which, of course, sent him face to face with several more guards. Cursing to himself as shouts of alarm hit the air- he flicked a series of shuriken from his pouch, satisfied as the stars found their targets, taking down a few of the men as he threw himself at the last with a series of strikes. Even he was aware that at the moment, conserving what chakra he had was the best plan without any knowledge of what laid ahead.

The hall was cleared in a matter of moments after he'd taken down the last person- something that told him about the low caliber of the thugs Sadou had in his employment. Without hesitation, he used his chakra to glue his feet to the ceiling as a rush of feet told him exactly how many people had, had their attention drawn by the calls of the previously conscious guards. His hands flickered through signs- a few words mumbled under his breath- aware that even if he'd meant to conserve chakra, drawing more attention would be counter-productive and only cause a higher level of exhaustion. Within seconds he'd placed a simple jutsu on the hall and locked his hands to move along, satisfied as the genjutsu hid the unconscious thugs from the view of those whom arrived. To them, all that surrounded them was an empty hallway.

The empty space left behind by the chakra disappeared within seconds- filled with an almost giddy feeling that Jun suppressed, this time slightly concerned by how strong it appeared to be. This path through the hall was brought to a stop as he came across more people- the question of how Sadou- an advisor- had enough money to employ so many absently crossed his mind. He shoved it away for now, instead eyeing them carefully from his position on the ceiling, only dropping to the hallway floor when the area was clear once more. The dispatching guards- genjutsu covering- method was used a few more times as he systematically searched the floor.

It was when he was about to give in and move onto the one below it that the shouting came from behind him, letting him know that the unconscious bodies had been discovered. Throwing caution to the wind- as it was now too late to conceal the discovery- Jun threw himself down the stairwell, using chakra to help him as he grabbed the railing when he caught sight of the door that let out of the stairwell and onto the next floor. His hands flashed through signs- his lips pursing at the chakra depletion as a result as he managed to produce two more clones that accompanied him in searching the rooms. His expression was unchanging as the search lead to several encounters with guards- encounters which when he began to end up outnumbered left him with multiple stinging cuts over his form, luckily nothing too deep to keep him from pulling the same trick when he moved onto the next floor.

Upon opening the door, however, he threw himself to the floor as a blade was instantly launched in his direction. Instantly, the clones behind him disappeared as the blade cut through the air they occupied. Not pausing to curse the loss of his searching aids, Jun launched himself back onto his feet and sprung forward. His hands flashed through a series of familiar signs- in preparation of flooding the hall in blinding light- but that was cut short as a sudden pain on his left shoulder alerted him to the fact that he hadn't noticed everyone in the hall. Someone must have concealed themselves next to the doorway- the same someone that had taken the split second to bury a blade in him before he spun with one leg, sending them crashing into the wall as it slammed into their side. Instantly one of the other thugs sprung towards him, the pain flooding his senses causing him to react a second late, a blow landing on his chest as he turned to face them, sending him skidding backwards as he finally managed to finish the handsigns.

Light flooded the hall and within seconds he'd caught them up, relief flooding through his mind. Instead of instantly starting down the hall, however, he reached a single hand over his shoulder and grasped the handle of whatever blade had been buried in his flesh. A grimace crossed his lips as Jun tugged it free and after a second of hesitation, stored it away in his weapons pouch to ensure that if there had been something on the blade, he'd have something to use to tell him exactly what it was. He'd learned his lesson after a long time spent with Saichi- it was better to be wary of poisons than to carelessly toss the blade aside and risk your life.

That taken care of, he brushed his fingers over the wound the best he could, judging it in his mind from the amount of blood gushing over the back of his shirt. Coming to the decision that he wouldn't be able to bandage it himself without taking too much time, he came to the decision he'd have to hope that it wasn't as deep as he thought and took off down the hall once more.

He couldn't conceal the grin that flashed across his face when the next door he tore open revealed three crumpled, rope bound figures on the other side. Perhaps a little too far into the euphoria threatening the back of his mind, he instantly darted into the room. When he became aware of the chakra coloring the air- it was too late. His hands sprung together- with the intention of dispatching the genjutsu he realized was coating the area, but initially found it impossible. Swearing under his breath, he skidded to a stop in the middle of the room. The absent thought that his breaths- admittedly hard at this point- was the only recognizable sound in the room crossed his mind. It was shoved away as quickly as it'd appeared, Jun shoving a vast amount of chakra into the sign this time as he tore himself free of the genjutsu without a second's thought to the action.

His breathing only became slightly harder as he was jerked to reality. The crumpled forms were still standing there- but another figure was as well. His lips were twisted up in amusement, a kunai absently tapping the top of his arm as he regarded Jun with a cross of the expression coloring his lips, as well as something else, something akin to curiosity and wariness.

"So the hero arrives," Sadou mused, cocking his head and sending his deep-blue ponytail fluttering through the air as he did. "Or, perhaps given the situation, the would-be hero would suffice as a title? I thought it was your chakra I felt out afront of the building."

The man's lips twisted into a full grin.

"Tell me, that genjutsu of yours, kid... you think it can top mine?"

Jun could only stare at the man with an even expression- his mind pulsing with confusion- as the kunai in Sadou's fingers was cocked in Jun's direction.

"What, did you think I wouldn't recognize the surname, Jun? Or the obvious signs of someone cursed by their clan's legacy?"

Jun's lips formed a thin line as the rather unsettling sound of Kurai's laughter coated the air.

"Did you think you were the only one cursed by their heritage?" Sadou added as an after thought.

Jun said nothing.

"I wonder, did you ever pause and wonder if there were any other monsters in your company?"

The man's grin grew to an almost ecstatic level.

"Tell me, did you?"

The genjutsu activated without warning as an echo to Sadou's words. The room was plunged into darkness, the haunting realization that he hadn't even felt the second layer to the one that had coated the room upon his arrival sparking in Jun's mind.

For once, silence seemed to be a more appropriate response in Jun's mind than any sharp retort that might have sprung to his lips. The silence stretched on, his frame slowly growing more tense as his fingers dropped to his weapons' pouch, pulling a kunai into his grip.

It was the sudden pain that crashed through him as some unseen creature buried its teeth into his leg that let Jun know this was no simple sight-stealing jutsu.

Along with it came the realization that the amount of chakra glittering through the air was more than he could have imagined.

Sadou was no simple advisor.

"Not every monster cares to be human."

A/N: Hope you enjoyed! I have half of the next chapter written up already, so it shouldn't take me long to get it out~ Unfortunately for you guys, it's from Kazue's POV! *grins sadistically* You don't mind cliffhangers, do you~?