Naruto awoke. He tried opening his eyes, yet all he saw was black.

'Cloth. I'm blindfolded.'

Lips pursed, Naruto clenched his eyes shut and tried to sense any chakra but failed.

He tried one more time and saw two, both were large.

'Jounin...'

Footsteps were heard as Naruto writhed and wriggled, yet to no avail. The ropes were military rank and the chair was made of cool metal.

"What should we do with him?" A deep voice grumbled.

Silence, then another voice,"Do I look like I know? We should just keep an eye on him I guess," the other voice cleared his throat anxiously.

While their conversation took place, Naruto got a rock from the ground and used a bit of wind chakra to snip away at the rope.

As the two men left the room, Naruto slowly let his hands unwind and tug slowly at the blindfold.

He blinked, a dark room with only a single lightbulb twinkling dimly.

"Ai," he whispered. Guilt swam in his stomach, he would never let himself live this down if she got hurt.

'I've got to get out of here.'

Being careful to tread lightly and not make a sound, Naruto slowly inched to the rusted metal door and tweaked it open.

The hallways were empty and torches blew light into the air. Naruto's ears perked up as a scream pierced the air.

"No! Get me out! Someone!"

Naruto rushed into room after room, his blood boiling.

'Where are you, Ai?'

"Gah!" Naruto breathed heavily as he burst into a scene. Ai was bent over, bruises and various red hand marks scattered on her small frame.

For a split second, Naruto thought he saw red. Two men covered in cloaks grinned at him,"Looks like the fox came to play," one of the men spoke with a sadistic tone laced in his voice.

"I don't give a shit, release the girl."

The men chuckled,"It doesn't work that way, just one night of fun and we get interrupted?"

Naruto growled and grasped a kunai behind his back before lunging quickly.

By five seconds, their bodies were on the floor, and Ai was released.

"U-Uzumaki-s-san... I-I-*hiccup*I'm s-sorry-*hiccup*," Ai bowed. Naruto rubbed her back,"It's okay, Ai. I'm sorry I wasn't there sooner."

"I- NARUTO!" Ai shrieked as she was pulled away. Naruto latched on to her arm but she was being pulled too fast.

A tear rolled down her face,'Run,' she mouthed. The last thing she saw was a look of horror scrawled on his face before rocks separated them.

He ran, as fast as he could go, but every inch of his brain was telling him,'GO! Go back! You can save her!'

But I didn't... And I don't know why.