Chapter 5

Shikaku was having a bad day, and it all started when he felt the heavy weight of that chakra. It did not surprise him when the Hokage called for him. After all, he was the jounin commander. The Hokage called Shikaku, the Jounin Commander, and directly led him to T&I, where Shikaku was surprised to see a young woman in the heavily sealed room with a genjutsu for the people inside to see only a wall when those outside saw a mirror that reflected what was happening.

She had Uzumaki red hair, her features were pointy and delicate, with a faint lines across her cheeks. She was wearing just a mesh shirt that reminded him of Anko, which showed toned muscles that spoke of ninja training. She was slightly tall for a young woman, but not by much.

He saw this with a glance, though because of her unconscious state he ignored her for the moment before looking towards his Hokage. "Is this woman the one who caused the pressure?"

Sarutobi nodded. "She appeared alongside what we suspect was the kyuubi, bathed in golden chakra. Iruka says he felt the presence one moment and the next she appeared. The kyuubi seemed to protect her."

"Do we know anything about her?"

This time Inoichi spoke, "She was called by the kyuubi 'Sage' apparently. It took some of Naruto's chakra directly from the seal and transferred it to the woman."

"We're talking about a jinchuriki then," said Ibiki. "The seals would work if she had no experience working with her tailed beast, which she apparently has. However how is it that she has the Kyuubi inside her?"

Shikaku scrunched his brows as he inspected the people outside their prisoner's room. There were two ANBU, whom he recognized as Yugao and Kakashi, alongside Danzo and Ibiki. He turned towards the Hokage who seemed deep in thought. No one interrupted him.

Soon his leader said, "Inoichi will go in first and try to get information from her. Cat and Hound will be alongside him. We will try the safe approach. If she refuses to say anything, you've got permission to use your mind reading technique, Inoichi."

"Hai."

"We will be on standby." He then looked towards their prisoner before he looked at Shikaku. "I've got faith in what you will get by observing her. Inoichi, go inside, it seems she woke up."

Shikaku looked inside the room and he could see her clenching her legs together, her head still looking down. Why she bothered to hide her face and move at the same time, he didn't know, but he expected to find out soon.

Inoichi gave the Hokage and him a nod before going inside and that was when his headache started.

When she looked up, he could see her bright blue eyes, even with the poor light. He ignored it and concentrated on her flustered expression. For a split second he thought it was because of her state of dress, but no. After Inoichi started asking questions, she seemed to have forgotten easily about it as if she was used to being topless.

Also, her answers were nonsensical and absurd. But going on by her expression, she appeared to believe in what she was saying. However, he had to work as if everything she said was true, as every well crafted lie had a hint of truth. They could discern later what was useful in her statement.

So he used some paper to write some follow-up questions for Inoichi to ask later.

He was so concentrated on her expressions and in writing that he almost didn't notice when she wanted to show them proof. He saw her intent for what it was and while he was sure of the safety of the seals, he was still prepared in case of an attack. The others behind him followed his actions the moment she lit up with golden energy.

That pressure was back, intimidating but warm. Such contrast he couldn't give his complete attention to as the ANBU attacked, and she held them back as easily as if she was dealing with toddlers instead of highly trained ninjas.

He examined her panicked features even as he opened the door and tried to trap her, only to fail.

It wasn't until he was surrounded by that golden chakra, that he knew she was telling the truth. There was no moment of epiphany or anything. He just knew she couldn't, wouldn't lie. He felt her emotions as she felt them: her panic for what she had caused, her determination to not caused harm, her frustration at how it all derailed, and just her feeling contrite at simply ruining their day.

Such a simple motive for her to feel bad about, simple but pure and real.

Behind her surface emotions he could feel who she was as a person: headstrong and passionate, kind and warm, childish and positive, and so sad.

Instead of processing all that information in a second, as he usually did, it took the golden chakra to leave him for him to snap out of his daze.

And even then, it was not until he heard her shout 'sorry' that he looked around, his mind kicking into action as he processed everything. He saw his comrades preparing to pursue her and just thinking of her becoming even more distraught was enough to for him to yell, "Stop!"

The others, at hearing his raised voice, stopped and looked at him.

He didn't show any discomfort, though he felt slightly startled at what was an act of impulse. He hadn't really thought about it, he just acted.

It didn't matter, he didn't have time to think about it. His Hokage was looking for him, awaiting answers.

Answers that didn't come from his rational side but from his gut feeling. Well, he was a ninja and even if he preferred to use logic, he still followed his instinct as it never failed him before.

Still. What a drag.

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