Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Fullmetal Alchemist. They belong to their respective owners.
Notes: The story is rated M for a reason.
Warnings: Some readers may find the last scene disturbing.
The next day Team Seven met in the same training ground. Their Sensei was already waiting for them, along with three Anbu members each with plain white masks.
Danzo stepped forward towards them. "Good morning team." His false jovial tone struck an odd cord with the situation. He held up three leaves. "Let's see how you've progressed." He gave one leaf to each member and motioned for them to begin. Uzumaki was predictably the first to fail, dropping the leaf after only three minutes. Uchiha dropped it next at the seven minute mark, followed by a sweating Haruno at eleven minutes.
He sighed to himself. "Though Sakura has the best control she has the worst endurance. Sasuke has the middle ground, while Naruto has the worst control and the best endurance." Sticking his cane into the mud he reached into his robes and withdrew three pieces of paper. "I will not waste time like the other Sensei." He said. "There will be no dallying when I am involved. You will learn your elemental affinity now and have specialized training towards that element after each team session." He glanced at the three behind him. "That is what they are for. After we learn your affinity we'll move on to the next set of chakra control devices: tree climbing and water walking. After today we will no longer practice them." He glared at the three. "You will practice in your own time."
He handed the three each a piece of paper. "Channel your chakra through the sheets."
Sasuke went first. The white paper lit up fairly quickly, burning through it and falling away into ash. He stared blankly at it, not surprised in the least.
Danzo nodded. "The Uchiha clan always had a strong affinity for fire."
Sakura followed his example. Her paper split at the top, going halfway down before stopping, followed by it losing its shape and withering into dirt. She glanced up startled, at her sensei.
Sasuke looked surprised as well, while Naruto was bouncing on his heels in excitement. "Ne; that was neat Sakura-chan." He paused. "So does that mean she has two affinities then?" he asked Danzo.
Danzo nodded to his question. "A high affinity for Earth techniques; Doton; and a smaller affinity for Futon, or Wind techniques." He paused for a moment. "It is unusual to have two at this age, even with one being exceedingly rare in Hi no Kuni, the Wind element."
Her cheeks filled with color, nearly matching her hair.
He turned to where Naruto was visible vibrating in place; waiting for his turn. "Go ahead."
His paper split down the middle completely; while the right half became damp the left stayed the same plain dry paper.
Danzo raised a brow. "Two genin on a team with two affinities each? And both share a Wind affinity." He trailed off. "Very unusual. Your other affinity is to water; or Suiton." He answered to Naruto's impatient gaze.
Naruto turned to Sasuke and stuck out his short fleshy pink tongue. "Hah, Sasuke-teme I'm more awesome than you."
Before Sasuke could react Danzo hit Naruto across the head with his cane. "You will refrain from taunting your teammates; considering each of your lives is in the others hands whilst on missions."
Halting his impending lecture he gestured to the three Anbu members. Each wore a plain white mask that hugged the contours of their faces. Each of them was also decidedly female behind the standard Anbu gear. They stepped forward as one and offered Danzo a bow.
The sight of the first made Naruto flush in embarrassment. It was the same Anbu that was in his apartment last night. Aoi was it? Her sky blue hair was tied up into a bun that let a few strands fall on either side of her mask.
The second had bright red hair, whom Danzo introduced as Aka. Her long, smooth hair was pulled back into a pony tail that fell between her shoulder blades.
The last Danzo introduced as Kuro. Her hair was cropped short, in a pixie cut; leaving no room for an opponent to grab it.
Danzo nodded to the three of them, before pointing to Naruto and Sakura. "I too have a wind affinity. However I refuse to train you in my advanced techniques until you have learned the basics from someone else; preferably the Jonin-sensei of Team Ten, Sarutobi Asuma." He glanced back at the three Anbu. "Aoi, Aka, and Kuro here will work with each of you on your affinities. Kuro will work with Sasuke on his Fire affinity, whilst Aka works with Sakura on her earth affinity and Aoi with Naruto on his Water affinity."
He turned and made his way towards the edge of the training grounds. "Now, I must attend to some business. I leave you in their capable hands."
He stopped once more and glanced over his shoulder. "Start them on Tree climbing, then move to water walking and basic elemental theory."
The acrid scent of tobacco filtered through the room leaving no corner untouched by its grasping hand. Small candles lit up the sparsely decorated room casting wavering shadows along each wall. Two men kneeled in the center across a small table from each other. The first raised his arm and took a long draft from his pipe before exhaling in a cloud.
"What have you called me here for?" the second asked, raising his free hand to bat the smoke away.
The first stared at him bemusedly for a moment before setting the pipe down and straightening his immaculate white and red robes. "You received my message then?" he asked.
The second man nodded, resisting the urge to scratch the bandages that ran along his face. "An eye within a circle, it could only be you and that crystal ball of yours Hiruzen."
Sarutobi Hiruzen chuckled, letting his aged body be wracked with laughter. "Yes, you never could figure out how to block it, could you?"
The second shook his head. "No, but I can assure you I will endeavor to find out how to release myself from your spying eye." He shifted his bound right arm. "What did you want then?"
"What no games?" He asked. "We always used to start off our meetings with a nice game of shogi or Go."
"I'm not in the mood. In case you hadn't noticed I have students to train." His biting retort's effectiveness was cut short by speaking to the man who sorted the teams."
Hiruzen's chuckled was insufferable.
He motioned impatiently to continue. "I won't let my team end up like Team Hiruzen." His emphasis on 'my' did not go unnoticed.
"Be careful of what you speak Danzo." He paused as memories of his team filtered through his mind like water running through a stream. "I shall be plain then with this matter, so that I can bring another to your attention." He coughed as ages of smoking showed themselves. "Do not try and subvert Naruto."
"You mean the Jinchuuriki? He is a weapon nothing more, perhaps the weapon desires to be Hokage; but the Hokage is the largest weapon in the village. If I help him there it only furthers both his goal and mine."
"And what is your goal?"
Startled at his loose tongue he back pedaled. "And the matter that you wished to bring to my attention?"
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed to slits. He reached behind him and withdrew several folders. Each of them bore the red symbol of the Hokage, classified material.
Danzo raised an eyebrow.
Wordlessly Hiruzen pushed one across the table and waited for him to read the summary.
Case No. 65899
Subject: Akatsuki
Area of Incident Report: Kusa no Kuni
Summary: Through the use of the Sannin Jiraiya's spy network, the group called Akatsuki has been brought to notice. Supposedly it is comprised of ten members. The identities of most members are unknown; however Uchiha Itachi and Orochimaru of the leaf are believed to be associated with the group. In addition, each other member is presumed to be an S-class missing-nin. Their motive for gathering together is unknown. According to eyewitness reports from Kusa no Kuni they seem to travel in groups of two.
Danzo put down to folder that also contained records of Itachi and Orochimaru. "There are quite a few guesses in here, and not many definitives."
Again Hiruzen slid something across the table this one also a folder bearing the seal of the Hokage, but looking torn around the edges.
Case No. 65900
Subject: Akatsuki, Jinchuuriki
Follow up – (65899)
Reported by: Uchiha Itachi
Danzo paused and resisted the urge to suck in a breath. He glanced up sharply at Hiruzen who was watching him intently. He continued to read.
Summary: Pervious information is correct. In addition Akatsuki's motives have been partially revealed to its members: capture the Jinchuuriki.
Once again, In addition to Uchiha Itachi and Orochimaru, Two others have been identified as part of Akatsuki: Hoshigaki Kisame, Itachi's partner, and Akasuna no Sasori; Orochimaru's partner.
He closed the folders and placed them on the table. Leaning back he sighed. "Such a frivolous goal is unobtainable." He said. "Each of the jinchuuriki is guarded too well for a group of ten to come after them, even if they are S-class."
His musings were cut short by Hiruzen. "And if we are at war, when most Jinchuuriki are sent to the front lines?"
He paused as his eyes widened in surprise. "Ame no Kuni, you think they were involved in pushing the great countries towards war?"
Hiruzen nodded. "It would certainly make it easier to capture them once they have been weakened by battle and to escape into the chaos of war." He took up his pipe and lit it again. "Though we are at a loss as to their goals after capturing the Jinchuuriki, I have sent Jiraiya himself to investigate Ame no Kuni and have issued an order for Tsunade to return." He coughed. "We must prepare for the inevitability of war. Though I have long sought peace, it seems that once again we must take up the mantle…" he trailed off for a moment. "Naruto must be trained; when these criminals come after him he won't stand a chance as he is now."
Danzo nodded in agreement.
"So once Jiraiya returns he will take up the boy's training. Kakashi will then help Sasuke with his Sharingan leaving Sakura to pursue a career in either Genjutsu or Iryojutsu. We'll desperately be in need of medical-nin once things are in full swing." He glanced at him. "Perhaps you should guide her in that direction, and wean her off of her infatuation." He coughed. "Perhaps Tsunade would like the chance to start that medic division she petitioned for back then."
"I have already started. You did not think I would allow such a thing under my command?"
He shook his head. "No, I suppose not. So are you in agreement then? Once Jiraiya returns Team Seven will be disbanded, leaving you to run counter intelligence against our enemies."
Danzo nodded. "Hai."
The slick rocks of Tsuchi no Kuni's southern borders stared him in the face. Mottled browns mixed with occasional patches of moss and ivy dotted the cliff face. He reached forward and slid his hand onto a stone. Clenching it in his fist he forced chakra out of his pores and into the rock.
With a firm grip he began to climb upwards, not taking the risk of walking only to slip halfway up. Half an hour later he reached the top of the cliff. A flat plateau-like clearing with the rocky walls of the neighboring mountains enclosing the space.
This was the place. He glanced around, silently noting the arcane symbols etched into the rock. He walked to the center of the area and stood in the middle. Silently he began to disrobe, setting them aside.
Rituals such as these needed purity after all.
He slapped his hands together as if praying to God before slamming them down upon the wet stones beneath him.
Almost immediately he began to cough as his stomach expanded beyond normal proportions. Idly he wondered if he looked like a pregnant man. His stomach twitched and squirmed violently as the mass made its way up his throat. His esophagus expanded to accept the mass before disgorging into his mouth.
Blood poured from his orifice as he vomited the writhing mass before him. He wiped away the blood from his face as he gazed down at his creation.
It was obviously a woman, from the shapely curves to the bare mounds upon her chest. Blood smeared itself across her naked form, covering every inch of her. Mutely her helped her stand, using a mild water jutsu to wash the blood away.
Pale black hair hung from her head in long luscious strands. Almond like eyes stared back at him as he cupped her chin, turning it to each side to examine her. "You look just like Konan…" he stopped. "I mean Sacrifice." He continued to examine her body, stepping around her and prodding various areas. "It is good to see that her sacrifice wasn't in vain. I hated having to devour my closest friend."
He stopped in front of her again and embraced her naked body against his own. She relaxed in his embrace before staring down at something poking against her inner thigh. He withdrew from her and glanced down at himself. "Come," he said. "Show me what you can do, Lust."