"She's been kidnapped." 

"By who? The Akatsuki?" I asked, worried.

"No, not the Akatsuki. By the Land of the Unknown."

"Land of the Unknown? Just what the hell is that?!"

"It's a village that's rarely found by anyone in the world. They like to keep things a secret, even they're own village," Tsunade explained. "They've been interrogating Haru for the past two weeks, wanting some sort of information. When she refused, they started torturing her." Tsunade explained. 

"How do you know all this?" I asked. "They sent us a message earlier today," She answered. "This came along with it." 

She handed me a picture and my eyes widened at what I saw. There was Mom, bloodied, beaten, and bruised. She was bound to a brick wall as she was stripped out of her shirt with her green hair covering her breasts. The cuts on her body were fresh and noticeable everywhere. 

"Why...?!" I muttered as I clenched the photo in my hands. "Why are they doing this to her?! What do they want?!" I yelled. "They say, we have something that belongs to them." Tsunade explained. 

"What is it? Is it a scroll they want?" Shizune asked. "No, not a scroll, but some sort of book. According to the letter, Haru had found it and hidden it. They're willing to make a trade; Haru's freedom for the book." Tsunade said.

"Whatever's inside that book must be pretty important to do all this to Haru." Sakura said. "Naruto, do you think you can go back to the house and find that book?" Tsunade asked. "Yeah, just leave it to me." I said. 

I quickly ran back to the house and began searching for the book. "Where is it? Where is it?" I said, frantically searching the house.

After searching the living room, I began searching Mom's room. But after searching everywhere, I couldn't find it. I didn't want to give up, but there was nowhere else to search. I sighed and sat on Mom's bed. 

"Huh?" 

That's strange. Why does the bed feel stiff? I got up and faced the bed, pressing down on the mattress with my hands. Wait! Maybe...!

I took the whole mattress off the frame and found a book with a weird design on it.

It also seemed to have a warm glow to it. Either that, or my eyes are playing tricks on me. "This must be it," I said, picking it up in my hands. "But why would Mom hide something like this?"

(Flashback)

It was late in the middle of the night and I could hear murmuring coming from my Mother's room. "Mom?" Before I could open the door to her room, there was a faint glow coming from it. I spotted my Mother sitting at her desk as she was dressed in her nightgown.

A book was open in front of her as she read it. "No way. Unbelievable." I heard her mumble. What was she reading? "Mom?" I called, quietly. She quickly closed the book and stood from her chair, turning around to face me. 

"Naruto. What are you doing up this late?" She asked. "I heard you talking in here. What are you reading?" I asked. Mom slid the book behind her, preventing me from seeing the cover. "Nothing. Just a book I picked up from the store today." She answered.

But I knew she was lying. Why would she lie if it's just an ordinary book? What is she reading, really? "Why don't we get some rest? It's late." Mom said with a reassuring smile. I smiled back. Maybe it was nothing serious. Maybe it is really is just some ordinary book. 

"Okay. Let's get some rest," I agreed. "Goodnight." 

"Goodnight, my son."

(End of Flashback)

"But I don't get it. What's so important about this book that Mom had to keep hidden?" I mumbled. Suddenly, a small slip of paper escaped from the book as it fluttered to the floor. I picked it up and unfolded it, reading what it said. 

"We have suffered too long and too much to quit here. With the secrets our sacred book holds, nothing will stop us now. The Leaf will pay for murdering our beloved Mentor. We'll destroy everything they love, starting with their own leader, the Hokage. Soon, they will also feel the pain, sorrow, and heartache we've felt after so many years. Mentor, we shall not let you down. Your grievance will and shall be avenged."

My eyes were wide with shock. I was dumbfounded. No wonder Mom was hiding this. If they're really going to use this book to destroy the Leaf Village, then there's no way we can hand this over to them. But if we don't... they'll continue to torture Mom.

What should I do?

Haru's POV

"Miss Haru? Miss Haru~." I heard someone sing my name. "Honey, are you still with us? Wake up!"

A bucket of water was splashed on me, causing me to cough and sputter. "There we go. Welcome back, Miss Haru." A woman stood over me as she held the empty bucket in her hand.

I glared at her because she was the woman who's been torturing me for two weeks.

She was named Tekina. Her name somewhat meant violent. Fits her perfectly. 

For the time I've been imprisoned here, I've felt nothing but torture. But what I've noticed is that there's more women than men. I find that almost strange. 

"Now, let's resume where we left off, Miss Haru. Tell me what you know. How much of the book have you read?" She asked. Once I was finished coughing, I looked at her, but didn't say anything. 

"Honey, make this easy on yourself. Surely, you don't want this to go on, do you?" She asked. I was silent. The woman frowned at me before snapping her fingers. A whip lashed against my chest and I threw my head back with a scream.

"Normally, we wouldn't do this to people. But when you refuse to cooperate, you leave us no choice but to use force. Tell us where the book is. Where have you hidden it? Tell me, and your suffering ends." She commanded. 

"I... I'll never tell you." I said. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. Haru, sweetie. Don't you want to go home? Surely, you have family that's worried about you, yes?" She guessed. I didn't answer as I panted from the pain, but I wasn't able to catch my breath as I got another lash near my chest.

Another scream escaped my mouth as I tugged on the chains out of discomfort. "Haru, darling. This agonizing pain you're enduring can end quickly. Just tell us where the book is."

"I would never betray my village! You'll never succeed in destroying the Leaf!" I said with determination. 

"You have a strong heart, Miss Haru. But strong hearts always have a breaking point. Sooner or later, you will give us what we want." The lady said, grabbing under my face. 

"Madame!" A man in a hood ran by the cell, looking in a panic. "Madame! The Leaf Village ninjas are here!"

"They better have brought what we asked fror," Tekina said before turning her attention back towards me. "Get her up! Now!" 

I was released from the chains, then picked up from the ground as two guards, both women, dragged me out of the cell. 

"Do you have what we asked for?" Tekina called to them as we stood near the village gates. Sakura, Naruto, Sai, and Captain Yamato stood just a few feet away from us as I spotted the book in Naruto's hands. 

"Here! We have what you want!" Sakura called back as Naruto held up the Land of the Unknown's sacred book for them to see. "We have your book! Now, let my mother go!" Naruto called. 

"Well, well. This is a surprise. I wasn't aware Miss Haru here had a son." Tekina said with a smirk. "Don't give it to them, Naruto!" I called to him. "Quiet, you!" She hit my back with a wooden object, making me fall to my knees.

The guards that were holding me forced me back on my feet. "Give us our treasure, or she dies!" Tekina announced as she held a knife near my throat while holding a fistful of my hair.

"Stop! Don't hurt her anymore! Here! Just take your stupid book! Let my Mom go!" Naruto called up to them. He took a couple steps forward, handing out the book to one of the men in red hooded cloaks. "No, Naruto... Don't do it." I whispered, shaking my head.

'If you give them that book, it'll mean the end for the Leaf Village. Don't do this... Don't worry about me. Just keep the village safe. For the sake of the villagers.' I thought, weakly.

The cloaked man tok the book, but Naruto didn't let go. "Now!"

Smoke quickly filled the scene. "It was a trap! Hurry! Get in your positions!" Tekina ordered. A smoke bomb rolled in front of us, then released a huge amount of smoke.

The guards that were holding me were quickly knocked unconscious and I was unexpectedly picked up, making me gasp. "Haru, are you alright?" I heard Kakashi's voice. "Kakashi...? You're here, too?" I asked, weakly. 

"Just hold on. We're going to get you away from here." He said. "Naruto... the others... What about them? Are they okay?" I whispered. "They're fine. But we need to worry about getting you to safety and treating your wounds." Kakashi replied.

He leaped through the trees until he set me on the ground, sitting me on my knees. "We should be safe here. Here, let me have a look at your wounds." Kakashi said. "No... Please... Don't look at me..." I said as I hugged myself. 

"My God... What did they do to you?" Kakashi said, horrified, as I knew he was looking at my back. "I'll kill them. I swear, I'll kill them."

"No, Kakashi. Forget about it. This isn't about me." I said, shaking my head. "This is about you, Haru! It's the whole reason why came out here! To save you!" Kakashi argued. "But the book... If the Land of the Unknown get their hands on it... it will bring terror among the Leaf Village." I informed.

"I know. Naruto told us." 

"Naruto?" I gave a small smile. "My son... I raised him well... don't you think?"

I fell forward into the ground, breathing unevenly. "Haru! Damn it!" Kakashi covered me in a blanket, then picked me up once again. "Hang in there, Haru. We'll get you fixed up." 

"Not so fast, you Leaf Village brat!"

Still having hold of me, Kakashi dodged a handful of shuriken that were thrown at him. Tekina showed up with a dark frown on her face. "I won't let you get away! You people will pay for killing our beloved Mentor!" Tekina shouted, angrily. 

She took her sword out of her sheath and dashed forward, aiming to thrust the blade into Kakashi. "No!" I jumped out of Kakashi's arms and shoved him back as Tekina's blade thrusted into my chest. 

"Haru!" Kakashi called out in worry. Tekina glared at me and kicked me off her sword. I fell on the ground, a hand placed over my wound. Shakily, I stood to my feet and in front of Kakashi in a protective stance. 

"I won't... I won't let you hurt the people I love most..." I said, weakly. "You value this man more than your own life?" Tekina asked with a frown. "Yes. I love Kakashi with all my heart." I informed.

"Love, you say? Heh... You don't know anything about it!" Tekina snapped. "Have you... ever loved someone so much that you're willing to protect them no matter what?" I asked, weakly.

"Yes, and that was our Mentor. He loved each and every one of us in the Land of the Unknown. At least until you people killed him. And for that... I will never forgive you!" Tekina hollered.

Blood dripped from my wounds as I struggled to keep my balance. I was losing a lot of blood and I was starting to lose consciousness within every passing minute.  

"Tekina... I'm sorry that we killed your Mentor. But getting revenge by destroying the Leaf Village will not bring him back." I said.

"I know that. But the Leaf Village must pay. And now I will take something of yours... not your life, but the life of your lover!" Tekina said, drawing her sword. "Mentor, you will be avenged. I, Tekina, Leader of the Land of the Unknown, shall not fail you. I'm going to make you proud, Mentor. I swear it."

Finally, I couldn't stand anymore, and I fell to my knees. "Haru!" Kakashi said as he was quickly by my side. "You're in no condition to fight, Haru! Let me handle this!" 

"No, Kakashi. This is my battle... so I must finish it." I told him. "Now, die! Haru's lover!" Tekina shouted as she ran at Kakashi with her sword. I gasped when Kakashi got stabbed through the shoulder. "Kakashi!" I called. 

Kakashi grunted in pain as Tekina yanked the sword out. "Hmm... You know what? Forget killing just him. I think I'll kill both of you!" Kakashi and I looked at her in alarm as she started performing hand signs that neither of us recognized. 

"Ninja Art: Spears of Agony!"

The ground began to shake beneath us. On instinct, I shoved Kakashi away. The moment I did, I felt pain all over my body. I hesitantly and shakily looked down to find spears piercing through all parts of my body. 

"Suffer!" I heard Tekina shout insanely. I cried out in agony as the spears lifted me higher, causing more pain to course through my body. 

"Damn you!" 

I weakly looked over at Kakashi as he struck Tekina with his Lightning Blade. Tekina fell to the ground with blood trailing down her chin. "I wish... death upon you... Leaf Village scum." Tekina mumbled before breathing her last breath. 

"Kakashi! Mom! We did it! We beat them! We still have the book! Are you guys okay?" I heard Naruto call. "Naru... to..." I whispered as blood ran down the corner of my mouth. 

Naruto smiled as he caught up with us, but it soon faded when he saw me. Terror filled his eyes, along with tears.

"M... MOM!!!"