Disclaimer: I own many, many things. Naruto is not one of them though.
Universe: Naruto-verse (as in shinobi). Canon divergence.
General Warnings:
—Mild same-sex intimacy (male - male)
—Out of character Sasuke, which is intentional.
—Maybe profanity. I can't remember. Some mild violence too.
—SPOILER ALERT! If you aren't current up to chapter 142 in the manga or episode 82 in the anime, don't read. Also, something from chapter 259 in the manga is revealed. I cannot for the life of me figure out which episode that is in the anime, so just go read that chapter in the manga and if you haven't watched it yet, then don't read this. Of course, you'll have just read it, so it won't really matter, will it? Ehhh, whatever! I gave you the best spoiler alert I could.
Author Note: All my author notes will be at the bottom of the page. Any links I use for this fic can be found in my profile bio in the section labeled "Links for Fics", but you can also find them at the bottom of their respective chapters.
Revenge
1: Shikamaru
"Alright," Tsunade began, "let me explain your mission."
"Uhh..."
Tsunade rubbed her forehead in irritation. "Yes, Naruto?"
"Where's Kakashi-sensei? Also, where's Sakura-chan? Also, what's Shikamaru doing here? Also, where's the rest of his team?"
Tsunade interrupted Naruto before he could spit out the next question. "Let me talk and I'll explain everything, Naruto."
Naruto nodded.
"There have been rumors of Akatsuki going around."
Sasuke tensed.
"I'm sending you after a member according to information I've recently received." Tsunade shot Sasuke a cautionary glance. "I'm sending you after Uchiha Itachi." She hastily lifted a silencing finger before Naruto could begin his outburst and commanded, "Quiet."
Naruto obliged.
"And you..." She turned her attention solely to Sasuke. "I'm putting a lot of faith in you, Sasuke. He is to be brought back alive."
Sasuke's jaw was tensely clenched, but he nodded in understanding.
Satisfied, Tsunade turned her attention to regard the other boys again. "I've been told that he'll be at a secret hideout just off of the Crooked River. It's about five miles north of the village Randu. He should arrive there in the next four to five days. That gives you just enough time to intercept him before he has too long to rest."
"But Akatsuki only travel in pairs, Godaime," Shikamaru pointed out. "Wouldn't it be smarter to send Kakashi-sensei and Sakura with Naruto and Sasuke, then my team as backup? Even if you did send me with them, we would be better off with a medical ninja and it's too dangerous to face two Akatsuki alone."
"True, Shikamaru," Tsunade conceded. "However, he and his partner were attacked yesterday. Itachi was injured while his partner was killed. Itachi managed to kill his attackers and escape with his life, but he's weak and vulnerable right now. I can't afford to send anyone else. We're too short on resources right now. I need every ninja we can deploy doing missions. Kakashi is out on a mission as we speak and your team only just returned from one. They don't have the strength. I'm only sending you, Shikamaru, for your trustworthiness and planning skills. I know you'll bring Itachi back alive. These two," Tsunade gestured lazily to Sasuke and Naruto. "—I can't be as sure of. I hope you're not too exhausted from your mission to comply."
"I'm not," Shikamaru responded confidently.
"Good. As for Sakura, she must stay as well," Tsunade added. "You three should be able to get it done. In his current state, Itachi should be no problem."
"Excuse me, Godaime," Sasuke began, "but Itachi isn't one to be taken lightly. He'll regain health during his stay here in Konoha and, surely, he won't be able to be contained once he has. He doesn't need much to use his Sharingan. Questioning will go roughly and information will be difficult to obtain, granted he doesn't escape soon after capture."
"I know, Sasuke," Tsunade assured. "I'm well aware of Itachi's power. However, we have ways of suppressing chakra. The Hyuuga clan have offered their services. Once he's brought to Konoha, he won't escape."
Sasuke nodded.
Tsunade then turned her attention to Naruto. "You better keep your cool, Naruto. He's to be brought in alive," she reiterated emphatically.
"But—"
"Alive, Naruto," Tsunade repeated. "Alive!" She took a moment to sear the information into his brain with a glare before asking, "Do you three understand your mission?"
They all nodded, but Naruto had to add an unsatisfactory sigh at the end.
"Alright." Tsunade spared one last cautionary glance for Sasuke. "You're dismissed."
All three boys turned to leave, Naruto automatically beginning to mutter something to a half-engaged Sasuke.
"Shikamaru," Tsunade hailed before the brunet could exit with his companions. "A word?"
Shika nodded and called after Sasuke and Naruto, "We're leaving in an hour. Be at the gates."
"Who said you're in charge, huh?" Naruto defied.
"Shikamaru's the captain of your team for now," Tsunade mandated.
Naruto groaned and rolled his eyes. Not that he disliked Shika or anything. He just didn't like being ordered around by someone his own age, especially one of his friends. It just made him feel like he was trailing behind, but he wanted to be the one at the front of the pack all the time.
"Fine," Naruto grumbled. "An hour."
Sasuke rolled his eyes at the blond's dramatics and pushed him across the threshold splitting office from hall. He turned and closed the doors, nodding respectfully to Tsunade as he disappeared from sight.
Tsunade and Shika locked eyes.
"Alright, Shika," Tsunade began. "I'm entrusting a lot to you."
"I know."
"Just keep em out of trouble," Tsunade counseled. "Sasuke will be tempted to go too far and you can't let him. Naruto too. To protect Sasuke, he'll do anything. Sending those two on this mission may be a mistake, but I have faith that you can do this, Shikamaru. You're the only one among your peers who can come up with a plan to capture Itachi that won't end up with his death."
Shika nodded confidently, further assuring Tsunade that he was the man for the task.
"One more thing," Tsunade went on. She pulled a file from underneath a few papers and handed it across her desk. "This is composed of everything we know about that hideout. It's apparently one that Akatsuki only recently began using. According to my source, the only people to ever use it have been Itachi and his partner. I suppose I don't need to tell you to read it over thoroughly." She paused to smile ever so slightly at the young man. "I'll meet you at the gates," she said in closing.
AN HOUR LATER
"With your gear check complete, you have everything you need," Tsunade declared.
Shikamaru finished looking over the file for the last time before closing it and handing it back to Tsunade. She nodded at him as she received it and then stepped back. The boys looked to her for final approval, ready to spring off into the trees. Her professional face never waned. And why should it? She had faith in this team. But a part of her inside did fracture with doubt and concern. She let it stay buried though and nodded to release the boys.
"Good luck."
"We won't fail," Sasuke's promised.
"Definitely not!" Naruto added excitedly. "Let's go! Team… uh… whatever we are. MOVE OUT!"
Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Don't forget who's in charge, Naruto."
"Yeah, yeah," Naruto groaned. "Shika…?"
Shika smiled slightly. "Yeah, move out."
With that, the trio was off in a flurry.
TO BE CONTINUED