The Weight of Duty

Kurenai said nothing for a moment. While she was...flattered at the compliments her friend was paying her, she still felt a pang of guilt rising within her. Anko was wrong. She was no different. She was...the same as everyone else. What...could she say?

The Genjutsu Mistress was soon aware when Anko pushed her until she laid on the couch. The Snake Mistress laid over her. "You're all I have, Nai-chan. I just...want a chance," Anko said. Before Kurenai could even give a reply, the tokubetsu jonin caught her lips again and kissed her with great fervor.

As Kurenai felt Anko assault her mouth with all kinds of pleasure and desire, she felt her mind slipping away. Her eyes became heavy. Her body lulled itself into a sense of security as she lifted up her arms and wrapped them around her friend's frame. Both parted for a moment of air. "I-I've never been with a woman, Anko. I...I think I might feel the same way about you. I'm willing to give it a shot if you are," Kurenai said with a smile.

As far as she was concerned, this just had to last until the Hokage deemed it needed to. Once Kurenai's role was finished then she would let Anko down as easily as possible. It just...wasn't possible for her to fall in love with another woman. Nevertheless, this was the best opportunity for her to stay close to the former apprentice of Orochimaru. She hoped this would be the biggest lie that she would tell that Anko...would never find out about.

"Really, Nai-chan?! Thank you! I promise you won't regret it!" Anko said as she hugged her newest lover. Kurenai returned the hug with the same zeal that her friend did, but Kurenai was not aware of the hateful sneer Anko was giving behind her back.

No, Kurenai. By the time Anko was finished with you, regret would be a concept that your broken spirit couldn't even begin to fathom. Then, even if you could comprehend it, you would never be able to escape from her control. Like a kunai, Anko would keep using you, and using you, and using you...until you broke into a thousand rusty...PIECES!

...

"I see. So Hana's becoming more aggressive. I suppose this shouldn't be too much of a surprise. I am worried about the Inuzuka members that were supposed to guard her. You said their bodies were discovered…,"

"Yes, among the dog shit that we use for fertilizing special plants. It doesn't make great fertilizer, but the research we've done has allowed Inuzuka members to create a method for it. The two were found when our canines sniffed out their blood trail. I...think it might be best if I don't tell you how they looked Hokage-sama," Tsume replied.

Sarutobi exhaled and placed his elbows on his table. "I'll take you word for it. However, Hana was not involved in some way?" He asked curiously. To his disappointment, Tsume shook her head.

"Nothing was out of the ordinary in her room the last time I looked. No smell of blood around her or the room either. She was still asleep in her bed. Hell, I would have almost thought her dead if I couldn't hear the sound of her heartbeat. Besides, the sedative I used was enough to put down four Anbu agents when we tested it on them. Whatever happened, I believe this and that are two different problems. The dinner is tonight Hokage-sama. What are your orders?" Tsume asked.

Hiruzen thought about this for some time. Hana's aggressive nature should be no surprise, but in recent reports, the girl's behavior had changed. She was spending more time outside aside from her work. She was harsher to the Inuzuka clan than previously recorded. It would not bode well for anyone if she were to rampage in the village. The village had already survived one night that it was nearly destroyed. It would not need another.

"Once she has been sedated from your feast, I will assign operatives to transfer her outside the village. We'll take her to the facility and prepare extensive testing. We're going to have to allow her access to her powers eventually, but it must be under precise, controlled settings. I still shudder when we tell her the truth," Sarutobi said. Of course, the Hokage would rather keep this all a secret, but that was much too unrealistic.

"I agree. However, I think it's time we subjected her to...test 85T-D326," Tsume suggested. Hiruzen felt a shiver run down his spine. Specimen or not, that particular experiment would prove to be rather...unpleasant for anyone.

"Tsume, I do not think there is a need for that. We have already collected enough canine DNA to stimulate a hypothesis that can allow for…,"

"Forgive me, Hokage-sama, but I got your reservations. Kuromaru is my partner, my best friend, and my family. However, at the end of the day, we're still two separate species. That boundary doesn't exist for Hana. She is not fully human, nor is she fully canine either. In order to understand the middle ground, we're going to have to do things we don't like. For Hana...it should just be...and feel...like a bad dream. It only needs to happen once," Tsume said.

Sarutobi took a deep breath and then exhaled. He loved Konoha. Truly he did and no one should ever doubt that, but...transcending the very boundary of interspecies decency left him with a feeling of disgust. What would his predecessors think if they saw him at this moment? However, they were in too deep. This experiment was needed and...Hana had to be the sacrifice. Hiruzen only prayed that...she would never find out about this.

"I see. Then, prepare for the experiment. However, this only happens once! Am I understood?" He asked. Tsume quickly saluted him.

"Of course, Hokage-sama. I'd...rather this not happen either, but we all know why we're doing this.," Tsume reasoned. It was a reason that Hiruzen did not need to think about. He knew as well.

"That does not make it much better, Tsume." Sarutobi replied.

"Yes, Hokage-sama, but it's for the greater good. We can't sacrifice the happiness of the populace for the mercy of one. No one is exceptional especially...not a science experiment," Tsume replied.

Suddenly a knock came to the door. Given the sensitive nature of their discussion, the two were quickly on edge but their fears were dispelled when a voice answered. "Hey Jiji, it's me. Can I...come in?" came the voice that both recognized as Uzumaki Naruto.

....

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