Chapter 2: Burning
Retrieval Mission, Six Days ago
Naruto felt the sting even before his mind registered that Sasuke's katana had grazed his skin.
He cursed, then stumbled clumsily backwards to evade further damage. Pulling out his kunai to counter the blade, he did not see the incoming kick from his right side. He only managed to raise his right arm and heard some thing break seconds later. He cried, and fell sidewards. It was a full-force kick. He did not need to look. He knew that his right arm was already broken, and therefore can no longer use it. 'Shit.' Naruto cursed for the second time as he forced his legs to move. He knew it was pathetic, and against all ninja codes to turn your back from your enemy, but he didn't really have much choice. It's either the code or his life. Choosing the latter, he pushed the ground and ran.
He ran as fast as he could. 'Damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it!' If only his teammates were here. Why does he always have to try to face Sasuke alone? He knew it was stupid, irrational and beyond all common sense, but he still went.
Alone.
To meet the person hell-bent on murdering him. 'Really smart, Naruto.' He thought to himself.
'I just want to talk to him. How did it come to this?'
Sensing that Sasuke is already behind him, he flared his chakra to alert his other teammates, hoping against hope that they get to him in time. It was just one of his rare luck that Sasuke can't seem to use his Sharingan. If he did, Naruto would really be dead right now.
It wasn't that Naruto could not fight. Hell, he defeated Pein just a few months ago and saved Konoha in the process. Even without Kyuubi, he is still strong. He can stand and fight on his own, that much is pretty evident. But for some reason, all the results of his difficult training and boundless optimism seem to go down the drain whenever Sasuke comes into the picture.
His pride.
His determination.
Even his instinct to live.
Everything seemed to dissolve whenever Sasuke's around. In fact, nothing ever really made sense when it came to Sasuke. Nothing. 'Then why? Why am I still chasing him?' He asked himself this question a thousand times. He gave up after realizing that he doesn't really care if there is an answer or not. In the end, he doesn't care if none of these ever made any sense at all. Sasuke was his best friend. And that is enough reason for him.
He smiled.
Even amidst these doubts and hopelessness, he wondered how he can always manage to think of a way to reassure himself. Now if only this impressive amount of confidence can save his ass right this very moment, everything will be perfect.
It can't.
This time, no amount of confidence can bail him out of this ugly mess.
"Are you done wasting my time, you piece of shit?"
Naruto had not even sensed Sasuke's chakra closed in before he felt the latter's cold hand grab the back of his neck and slammed him to a boulder. He grunted when his whole body kissed the rough, solid surface and tingling pain spread throughout. "Ugh…"
Trying to forget the pain, Naruto focused on angling his head to face Sasuke. But even that proved to be futile when Sasuke's grip only became tighter, almost crushing his neck and making it difficult for him to breathe.
"S-Sasuke-"
"Shut it."
He felt Sasuke's breath on his ear, "You listen to me, and listen well. I will not repeat this again…"
…Stop chasing me. The only time that I will come back to that pathetic village is when I am going to destroy it… when I am going to destroy all of you."
Naruto was taken aback. He wasn't expecting this. "Why, Sasuke? Itachi is already dead, why do you nee—"
Before he could finish, Sasuke gripped his neck tighter and once again slammed his head to the rock. His vision blurred and he felt disoriented for a while. His world seemed to tilt of its axis, as he saw things swam before his eyes. He felt warm fluid trickling down his forehead and burning his eyes. He tried to blink it away, but to no avail. "Do not," Sasuke said with gritted teeth, "ever mention that name again. You…and all of Konoha have no right."
Breathing heavily, Naruto tried to retort, "…Teme, I don't know what the hell happened. But involving everyone else...those who are innocent, those who don't know anything…"
Sasuke laughed. It was awfully bitter. "No one is innocent, Naruto. You, of all people, should know that…" Sasuke leaned in closer, "…Why don't you tell me, Naruto? Tell me how these innocent people treat someone like you…?"
Naruto felt something twist painfully in his heart. Don't, Sasuke...
"You sickening," Sasuke hissed, "pathetic little shit."
"Stop it, teme..."
"Is this why you are so desperate on taking me back? Do you feel so alone that you desperately hang on to every bond because no one ever paid any attention to you…because everyone hated you…?"
"..."
"Am I right, Naruto?"
[Monster.]
Despite willing himself to not listen, Naruto still felt something trickle down his cheeks. He felt the tears sting the wounds on his face. He gave up trying to face Sasuke, and instead looked away and closed his eyes. For a moment, he thought he was going to bawl right then and there. The insults were not only meant to annoy him. They were said to pierce right through him, to really hurt him. To break him. And damn it, it does hurt. Every word that came out of his rival's mouth was true. Every goddamn word. Biting hard on his lip, he tried to stop his tears from falling and save the small amount of pride that's left of him.
It was harder than he thought it would be. But eventually his body calmed itself. His breathing became consistent, and his lips stopped quivering in agitation.
Noticing the lack of resistance, Sasuke's grip briefly loosened.
"Giving up?"
Focusing his chakra on the other arm and on his feet, Naruto muttered, "Hell no." With one deep gasp of air, he mustered all his strength and using his arm and feet, he pushed as hard as he could.
Surprised by the sudden movement, Sasuke lost his hold and was propelled backwards.
Once released, Naruto slumped forward, feeling every inch of pain throughout his body (mostly on his torso). He clearly underestimated his injuries. 'Damn you, Kyuubi. Why aren't you healing me?' He managed to stand up halfway when he heard Sasuke's quick footsteps approaching him again. Preparing to defend himself, he was surprised when it suddenly got darker. He looked up, and saw several black figures hovering above him and rushing towards Sasuke. 'Wait, those are—
..Ink beasts?'
"Sai!"
Naruto saw Sai approaching him from a few meters away, and sensed other familiar chakras closing in as well. He let go the breath he was holding, and shouted with his remaining strength, "You guys are late!"
Grinning, he wiped the dried blood and tears from his face. He stood up and tried to run towards his teammates.
"Katon Gōryūka no Jutsu!"*
He barely managed a few feet away when he felt Sasuke's fire jutsu directly from behind.
'Oh shit.'
Naruto felt the scorching heat even before he saw the roaring flames engulfing him.
"It burns, doesn't it?"
Heat. Unrelenting, stubborn heat.
Though he had his eyes closed and his face set in a calm demeanor, the only occupant of the room was sweating profusely. He could feel his clothes stick to his skin while his sweat accumulated throughout his body. It was an uncomfortable feeling. He licked his cracked lips again and feeling the dryness of his throat, swallowed his saliva.
Having been in far worst situations before, he really does not mind the unyielding, prickly heat. Though he would admit—it was a bit peculiar. He never felt such heat before and this alone was disconcerting since fire's his element. He should have been used to this. But there was something about this heat that he could not…understand.
'Tch.' As if he really cared about the fucking weather.
Gradually opening his eyes, Uchiha Sasuke surveyed the room again. This was the second room he was taken to since he "returned" to Konoha. This time, it was a clean, white room. For only one occupant, it was spacious but quite bare. There were only three things in the room—an untouched bed at the far right corner, a small urinal at the other side and a wide mirror beside the door. He briefly wondered about the change of reception, but eventually decided that he really doesn't care either.
Lifting both his hands, he examined the newly-placed chakra-restraining seals on his wrists. Compared to chakra bracelets, this kind of seal was much more permanent and effective since they cannot easily be removed and therefore, will last longer. This meant that he would not be able to do any hand seals or techniques for a while. He fingered his ears, and true enough, he felt chakra-restraining ear cuffs attached as well. He inwardly smirked, knowing full well that these ear cuffs are to prevent him from concentrating chakra to his eyes. Apparently, the Council takes no chances. He still has his taijutsu abilities though, but he knew that it would be difficult, if not downright impossible, to survive if he ever resorted to fighting these people using only his bare strength. He didn't want to admit it, but deep inside, he knew that the situation seemed…almost hopeless.
"Damn."
He felt his jaw harden as he gritted his teeth and resisted the urge to glare at the mirror. He knew there were people beyond that glass—watching him, recording and scrutinizing his every action. He felt sick. He could have preferred them torturing him, than treating him like a fucking test subject. He closed his eyes again, trying to control the building rage in him.
This was not part of the plan.
None of this would have happened if he did not fight the idiot—if he did not waste his remaining chakra on pursuing his old teammate. He should have just ignored him and met up with his own team, as what was agreed on. He should have just turned away. He should have controlled his anger, and turned away. But he didn't. This time, he was the one who screwed up.
And now, he's at their mercy.
He opened his eyes again when he felt a strong chakra approaching the door. This person did not even bother to hide his or her chakra—probably feeling it was no longer necessary. This made his blood run cold. They were clearly underestimating him. He cursed.
The door opened: glaring obsidian meet vicious amber-colored eyes.
"Uchiha. Sasuke."
The last surviving Sannin uttered the rogue ninja's name as protracted as she could, giving each syllable the pause that they deserve—but not out of respect, no, but of pure and utter revulsion. And she wanted the brat to feel every bit of this abhorrence.
Without taking her eyes off the Uchiha, she opened a scroll and slowly recited**,
"Three years of missing-ninja status...
Two counts of treason.
Assault upon the Five Kages.
Kidnapping of the eight-tailed demon host.
Fifteen counts of murder.
Two thousand four hundred forty-one counts of attempted murder..."
The Hokage said the last part with evident distaste. She cocked her head to the side as she continued to glare disdainfully at the fugitive. "By all means Uchiha, you should be dead…" There was a pause, as Tsunade continued with gritted teeth, "…What can you say for your defense?"
Sasuke smirked. Lifting one hand, he brought his middle finger up.
He barely heard the scroll handle broke when he felt a cold hand grab his neck and harshly pushed him against the wall. Concrete dust lingered on his vision, as the wall easily crumbled behind him. Even with this brutal display of strength, Sasuke knew that the Hokage was still holding back. Painfully holding back. He didn't need to second-guess. They still need him alive after all. How laughable, he thought. After all the crimes their Hokage recited, the Council was still ready to overlook them to make use of him. As if on cue, Tsunade spoke—negating all of his previous assumptions, "Everyone wants you dead, Uchiha… Me. The Council. And everyone in Konoha. "
She continued. "Even the leaders of the five nations want your head delivered to them and every piece of your body buried to each of their country." Moving closer, the Hokage said with relish, "They are even willing to share." Sasuke felt his nails dig into his palms. He is beyond pissed but he could only stare back and retain his defiant smirk as he felt the tightening (but controlled) pressure on his neck.
"Do I look like I care, Hokage?"
Tsunade's eyebrow twitched in annoyance, but frankly, she was expecting that. "Of course you don't. We all hate your pathetic existence, don't we? Even you loathe yourself. How pitiful is that, hm?" Before Sasuke can respond, Tsunade leaned closer. "..Save for one." The last words were said in a whisper that Sasuke barely heard it.
"Save for one. " Tsunade repeated. "...The only fucking reason you're still alive—the only one still keeping you alive right now…is the same person you have tried to kill—thrice." Sasuke's mock smile finally fell. "Tell me Uchiha, how does that feel?"
For a full minute, the two individuals in the room only stared at each other—one with a ferocious glare and the other with a deceivingly unreadable expression. Sighing and looking really exhausted, the Hokage finally released his hold and turned her back from the Uchiha. She picked up the damaged scroll and left without a word.
"Fuck," was all Sasuke could say as he reverted back to his sitting position. The curved and crumbled wall now felt uncomfortable against his back, but he really did not mind. He stared at the floor, unconsciously counting the fallen pieces of the concrete wall as a means to distract himself from his own thoughts. Needless to say, it was futile.
["…Tell me Uchiha, how does that feel?"]
The bane of his existence just saved his life. Amidst his efforts, he could feel his burning rage radiating throughout his body. It was beyond humiliating.
It was sickening.
He was so consumed in his own anger that he did not even heard the door clicked open.
A familiar voice spoke, "My, my. Aren't we pissed? Good to see you still alive, Sasuke."
Sasuke looked up and saw an ANBU in front of him. The ANBU's mask gradually turned into orange, as flaring red eyes stared into him.
"Madara."
Thank you very much for reading!
*Fire technique: "Katon Goryuka No Jutsu!" - "Great Dragon Fire Technique"
** I based the cases on the manga (with estimations).