Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or the characters in this chapter. The storyline is my idea, but details and main place (Konoha, Mist, Hidden Leaf) and terminology (Jonin, missing-nin, S ranked) do not belong to me either. There also may be some spoilers, possibly, for anyone who has not watched Shippuden (aka "Hurricane Chronicles). That is all! Happy Reading
Dedicated to my friend Kylie who always helped me to be the person I am and never to hide anything about myself. I love you girl.
Chapter One: Blood Bath
Air was thick that morning as Sasuke stood watching the sun rise over the lake outside the Akatsuki East Hideout. Strands of hair clung to his neck already pearling with beads of sweat in the morning heat. The humidity would only add to the grotesque scene that would unfold after daybreak. Another chakra joined Sasuke breaking the quiet with clumsy footsteps.
"Sasuke-kun,"
"Hn, what Karin?" he kept his eyes trained forward.
"What's going to happen to you?"
Sasuke kept his eyes trained forward watching the bright rays stretch out over the crystalline water. The nin waited impatiently for his answer.
"Will you return to Konoha if they overtake us?" she inquired. He said nothing; his only response was to turn and snap orders.
"Get everyone ready. We're moving out." Karin slunk off to relay the message. A final look over his shoulder and one would have had to be in the right light to see it on his face but a small smile played on his lips, "For you, brother," and he slipped Itachi's Akatsuki ring on his right ring finger before turning his back on another chapter in his life.
"Lady Tsunade," Shizune rushed into the Hokage's quarters. The petite brunette ceased her movements when a loud crash echoed from behind her master's desk. "L…lady Tsunade?..."
"What is it Shizune?" pieces of the crushed sake cup fell to the floor
"Sasuke is on the move."
Tsunade clenched her hands in fists, leaning on her desk and looking out the window.
"Get ANBU ready. I want all civilians inside."
"What about the walls ma'am?"
"Fortify them. I want every nin here now! And bring me Sakura,"
"Right away, ma'am!" Shizune gave a respectful bow before closing the office doors behind her. Tsunade sighed,
"No amount of guards will keep them out of Konoha. What a heavy burden you bear Sasuke. I do not envy your anguish. But I will do all I can to stop innocent slaughter."
"Sakura, Lady Tsunade is asking for you." Sakura nodded to Shizune. Naruto placed a comforting hand on his old teammate's shoulder and offered the best smile he could muster. She could only try to return it as she walked to meet her mentor.
"Sakura," Tsunade exhaled relaxing some, "come look out the window with me." Sakura, somewhat startled by the Hokage's subdued air, obeyed.
"You can see all of Konoha from here," she commented in wonder.
"It's beautiful, and by sundown it will be burned to the ground," Sakura gasped. Tsunade faced her apprentice, "Sasuke will not stop until every last sweet gum tree is in ashes." Emerald pools stared unblinking, knowing the young woman had no room or reason to object what was being said.
"What are you saying, my lady?" Tsunade turned away glancing out the window again,
"I know how much it means to you and Naruto to have Sasuke so close. As the protector of this city I need to know where your loyalty lies."
"Ma'am?"
"If it comes down to it I need to know that you and Naruto can make that call for Konoha and take Sasuke out." Sakura's heart heaved, "So I ask you again, Sakura, where is your allegiance?" something about the way Tsunade looked at her over her shoulder made the girl with bubblegum hair wonder. Gathering her courage Sakura straightened herself up,
"It will not come to that," turning on her heel, she left.
"Sakura," her mentor whispered after her, "you cannot win this war with love," she bowed her head, "when there is not love in his heart."
The streets of Konoha were empty and quiet. Even the stray animals had fled. Ninjas of every rank and skill tensed. Breaths were held, lips were bitten, weight shifted, and headbands tightened as the restless defendants waited. Orange pants rustled on the top of Konoha's protecting wall. Maroon boots tapped against the cement next to him and a pair of hands in fingerless gloves tightened. The pair looked at each other with silent wishes of good luck as the awaited the reunion of team seven.
"They're not even going to run!" exclaimed Kisame, "too easy. They're all like animals backed into a corner." A few laughs rumbled within the crowd.
"Animals backed into corners often come out swinging," Tobi warned. Sasuke sent him a sideways glance.
"Who's ready for a blood bath?" Karin muttered. The group fell into the shadows overtaking the country and waited.