Sorry it took me so long. This took me longer than I expected to proof this.
I hope you like this, let me know through the reviews.
I like to mention that there are some fights scenes in this chapter... though I am not sure if they are really considered fight scenes. I am horrible at these kinds of scene, so don't judge me too hard... :)
With the fight scene, there will be blood...Not sure about the rating of this story, but who knows. I don't think it will be an issue, but just a warning.
Anyhow, here you go.
Chapter 2:
Anyone's Guess
"You are weak!"
It's in the middle of the night, and there's a lone figure standing high in one of the many trees surrounding the Noble's compound. His dark form is hidden in the thick branches of the tree, and he's still as his eyes scan the area, taking a survey of every living things inside the massive compound.
"Why did I bother saving you? You're worthless. Now, get up or get lost. I don't have time for this."
The man in the large tree crouches down, counting the number of trained guards patrolling the compound. As the man in the dark red cloak expects, there're several guards, ranging from trained ninja to armed civilian. After his last assassination, the Demonic Flash expects nothing less from any noble, considering how many he has killed in the last month or so. If he didn't see this response, he would've been upset or laughed his ass off at it. He's an S-rank criminal, and only the best has a chance to slow him down—not stop. Nothing can stop him.
Masking his chakra, the Demonic Flash lowers himself to the ground as quietly and swiftly as he can. Though he doesn't care who he kills, he doesn't want to alert the guards to his presence just yet; he wants to find his target first. Though the chances are low that the Noble will escape, he doesn't want to give the man any chances. He wants to kill him where he stands, just as the Noble realizes the end is upon him. He wants the Noble to drown in the lack of hope. He wants the Noble to fear the darkness, while he embraces it.
"Oh, look. You did something right for once. I would congratulate you on that, but considering it took you so long, I won't. Next time, I expect better!"
Using as little Charka as he can, the assassin starts to form hand signs. He doesn't say a single word as he activates his jutsu, which silences the user's movements to the naked ear. The jutsu won't make him totally undetectable—especially if there's a high rank ninja around, but it'll mask his footsteps and breathing, which'll make it harder for someone to detect him. But if someone does, it'll be the last thing that person ever does.
His right hand disappears into his cloak for a kunai, which he keeps at the ready in case he unexpectedly runs into someone—not that he expects to. Though he's no way a master, he can sense the life forms around him if he extends his consciousness, his chakra; however, if he stretches too far, he'll lose the connection to his body. It'll be like slashing the connection to his body, losing himself in the life-force of everything around him.
"You get distracted too easily. What must I do to get you to pay attention? Cut off a finger whenever your mind wanders?"
Forcing back the memories that threaten to overtake him, the Demonic Flash keeps his mind focus forward on the task at hand. Though he doesn't like it, his mind at times tends to wander to his former Sensei—not, that the man ever thought of himself as a sensei. A sensei is a teacher, someone who works with you to improve your skills and abilities, but his former 'teacher' was crueler than that. At times, he had felt like a slave driver; however, he was everything to the Young Demonic Flash.
Needing to complete his mission, the Assassin take a few deep breaths to clear his mind and he makes his way through the compound. Keeping his mind open, he sneaks pass most of the guards, only having to kill a few. Each of those kills are quick and quiet, and he's able to hide the bodies, though someone will find the corpuses soon. Having cut the carotid artery, the kills aren't clean and he's covered in blood—not that it's easily noticeable on his crimson clock. It's one of the perks of wearing red.
But, he knows it won't be long before the blood is noticed; as he has cut a major blood vessel, his victims will bleed out in minutes. Once that happens, no one will be able to miss the blood, especially with it oozing out in large puddings. Only an idiot would miss the growing pools, though the Demonic Flash doesn't put it pass this Noble and his goons. If he was wised in the first place, the noble wouldn't be on his radar.
Deep within the main building of compound, the assassin pauses for a second, sensing for the location of the Noble. It's harder than he expects to locate the Noble compared to the rest, as the man has no chakra. He blends in with the guards around him, making him almost invisible, but he isn't impossible to find. There's a bitterness in the air, and the Demonic Flash can locate him by focusing on that haunting aura.
The red Assassin keeps his kunai at the ready as he picks up his speed. He has already spent enough time in this compound, and it's making his skin itch. Though he can and would handle any trained Shinobi that he comes across with little to no trouble, he doesn't want to draw more attention to him than he already has. He knows—or rather fears that if someone looks closely at him, they'll learn the truth, and he can't have that. His secrets have secrets, and it must remain like that.
The Demonic Flash heads toward the core of the compound with his hand twitching at this side, as he forces his mind away from the katana on his back. There's no denying that his Katana is a comfort item for him, using it whenever he feels an emotional tuck. He relies on it, even when it isn't the best tool for the job, and he cleans and maintains it far more often than any other weapon. It's far more important to him than he's willing to admit. Knowing he must clear his mind, his hand tightens around the kunai as he thinks about his next kill.
*O*O*
The Demonic Flash senses the two children before he rounds the corner, and as this path is the shortest to the Noble, he doesn't try to avoid them. He knows this might give away his position, but he isn't worried; however, he isn't prepared for their silent stares that he finds himself faced with. The two boys, no older than 10, are staring at him and standing still as statues in front of him. They're so still that the tea cups on the serving plates they're holding are perfectly still. "I won't hurt you," he says, as he eyes them both.
The two boys, who look nothing alike, just stare; their eyes are wide, barely blinking, taking the entire rogue in—while the rogue ninja does the same to them. There's something off about the boys, and the Assassin doesn't know what or why he feels this way. He can't and doesn't sense any kind of chakra in them, so he doubts that they're Shinobi, though they can still be dangerous. "What are your names?" he asks, looking between the two. Though they're not the same age, the boys are close in age; it's unlikely that they're more than two years apart. The darker skinned boy is a foot taller than the pale, younger boy, and his brown eyes are far darker as well.
The Assassin's eyes swift between the boys one last time before he turns away. Even if their behavior is off, he can't stand here and watch them. As they don't seem to be moving or doing anything any time soon, he steps away. "Do not worry. I will not hurt you," he says, before darting away.
Having those two children at the back of his head, he picks up his speed, not caring if he is spotted anymore. In fact, he wants to be spotted, so he can kill as many people as he can. Though the Demonic Flash is no way shape or form innocent, this noble and all that he employs are not innocent as well, and seeing those two boys still like that, brings out more anger than he cares to admit. A child should never be silent like that, and at this point, he allows himself to put away the Kunai and reach for his Katana.
*O*O*
By the time, the Demonic Flash comes across the Noble's study, his Katana is dripping with blood, and if it isn't for the deep red of the blade, the blood of his kills would stain the blade. He, himself, is covered in blood and guts, though it only appears as darken spots on his red clock. Caked in it, he can taste the blood of his kills, just by the smell alone. He can taste the copper in the air, and it only drives him forward.
Not wasting another second, he kicks open the door, and before any of the occupants can register his presence, he attacks. Preforming a jutsu one handed, the Demonic Flash spins body turning into a hurricane. With his Katana pointed out, it acts like a slicer, slashing the few next to the door (including the door and frame), and for those who are deeper in the room, the wind from his wind release carves into them like a butcher knife. Even the Kumo shinobi in the room aren't prepared for the attack and are unable to defend themselves against the sudden attack.
Torn scrolls and article of clothes fly through the air, being shredded and airborne by the hurricane like winds. Blood sprays the walls and floors, as both the katana and the wind slice everything in their paths. Nothing stands a chance, as the wind cuts everything like butter. Several body parts fall to the ground, cut from their owners, and blood oozes from them. After the blade comes to the stop, there're only a few left living. Coming to a stop in a crouched position, the Demonic Flash eyes the survivors, counting the number of moves he will have to make to kill them.
Not giving the trained Shinobi a chance to get their bearings, he extends his chakra into the blade of the Katana, adding inches to it with pure chakra. Without much effort, the assassin gets to his feet and swings his katana down upon their necks, cutting off their heads. A sickening sound echoes through the room, as the blade slices through the bone, sending their heads into a roll from the force; however, one the heads puffs away after a few rolls.
"A Substitution Jutsu," The Demonc Flash mutters in annoyance, as one of the bodies on the floor puffs away to reveal a sliced rug. It seems like one of the Kumo Shinobi was smart enough to sense his attack.
This remaining Kumo Ninja is standing across the room from the Assassin, putting himself in front of the Noble. Both look like they have been cut by the fast-moving winds and are bleeding in several places, but none of the cuts look fatal, unfortunately. "I was able to sense you at the last moment and get the Noble out of the way."
"Nevertheless, this is your end," the Demonic Flash says, monotone, as he takes a step forward. With his free hand, he reaches into his cloak for one of his Special kunai. It's slightly heavier than his normal kunai, but it isn't the weight that makes this tool special. It's the seal written on the handle that does.
The Kumo Shinobi takes a few steps forward, separating himself from the Noble. "So, you're the famous Demonic Flash. I've heard stories, but I got to say you don't live up to them." The Demonic Flash doesn't respond and only throws the special Kunai at the ninja, who dodges it without any trouble. "Is that all you got? Poor aim?" he teases. The Assassin can see a grin form on the man's face, but it's gone the next second as the Demonic Flash disappears in a flash of red.
"Where did he go?" the Kumo ninja utters, as he scans the room. Panic forms in his eyes as his heart beats rapidly, but before the panic can travel to the rest of his body, there's a sudden pain in his chest, and before he can react to it, there's a blade plunged through his chest. Just as he comes to his senses, he's coughing up blood, and his body starts to feel heavy. His weapon falls from his hand, clanking loudly as it hits the floor. "How d-did you get b-behind me," he squeezes out.
"Do I match up to the stories now?" the Demonic Flash hisses as he twists the blade up and to the left. After a few more upward thrusts, the Katana hits the Ninja's heart, cutting into the vital organ and interrupting the blood flow.
If it isn't for the katana impaled in his chest, the unnamed shinobi would've collapsed on himself. As if he doesn't realize it's over, he puts his hand on the katana to push himself off it, but it's far too late. The katana has already pierced his heart, and there's no fixing the damage. He looks back at the Demonic Flash, who isn't looking at him. He's down on one knee, staring at the broken bookshelves. The Kumo Ninja's eyes falls to the base of the blade, where it meets the hilt, and with his last few breaths, he focuses on the symbol, craved into the red metal. "T-that's a c-clan symbol," he croaks out. "You're a part of the Uz…" he starts but cannot finish as his last breath leaves him.
The Demonic Flash twists his katana one last time before he yanks it free from the dead ninja, whose body collapses without the blade. Blood squirts from the wound, spraying everything in its path, but he doesn't pay much attention to the blood. He doesn't care that he's stepping in large puddles of blood, leaving red footsteps everywhere he goes, as he's focused on the Noble, who has run out of the room screaming. It doesn't matter to the Assassin as there's no way the noble can escape, though usually it's a bit of a thrill to chase down a target.
However, this chase is anything but a thrill as the Demonic Flash finds the Noble in a matter of seconds. He has him pressed against a wall with his Katana at his neck before he even knows it. It's digging into the Noble's neck, before he can register it, before he can react. He's gagging before he realizes what he's smelling. Smelling the mixture of dry and wet blood. There's a strong smell of copper radiating from the blade, and it's enough to make anyone sick—well besides the assassin, who is used to the smell.
"W-whoever is paying you, I will double it," the Noble says, his eyes staring into the void of the Demonic Flash's face. "Whatever you want, I w-will give it to you. Whatever you want."
The Assassin tilts his head to the left, as he stares at the Noble. He can see the fear in his eyes, but for his likening, it isn't strong enough. He wants—no, needs to see more than just fear in the man, though he isn't sure why that's so important to him. "You assume that someone's paying me, but maybe, I just want to kill you." The blade is firmly pressed against the Noble's neck, drawing blood. "Now, tell me where the next auction is."
"I-I don't k-know what you're t-talking about," he utters, feeling the blood drip down his neck.
The Demon Flash stares at the man in front of him, eyeing everything detail in his face. It's clear that this man has never seen a hard day of work in his life. That he has been served his entire life, which makes the Assassin angrier. "If that's your final answer, so be it," he says as he slams the man into the wall. "Your death is all I want anyhow." Sure, he can torture the truth out of him, but he has no interest in it—he really doesn't, even if the sight of this man is pissing him off-, and he's sure the next noble he kills will be more forthcoming. His number of kills are growing, and there's no doubt that the aristocrats are starting to fear the sound of his very name.
However, he wants answers, and he wants them now. Having been hunting for answers for weeks, his patience is wearing thin, and he needs answers now. He doesn't want to go on another wild hunt. "That's not very smart, telling me—the guy with a blade to your throat—that you don't know the one thing that I want to know," the Assassin sneers, slamming his knee into the Noble's gut. "If you don't know about the auction, why am I keeping you alive?" he asks.
The Noble gags, almost biting his own tongue off with the force of the blow, as the air is knocked out of him. If it isn't for the katana at his neck, pressing hard against his throat, he would've fallen over. "No, No. P-please. If I knew, I w-would tell y-you. But I w-will give y-you anything you want. Please, d-don't kill me!" He can taste his own blood in his mouth from when he has bitten his tongue, and he's almost choking on it.
The Demon Flash shoves him against the wall once more, allowing his killing intent to grow. He knows this will only draw the attention of those around that he hasn't killed, but he wants the Noble to know how screwed he is. He wants him to feel his anger. He wants him scared—more so than he already was. He wants him begging for death. "Tell me about the auction," he breaths out slowly.
"I- I don't know anything. T-"
"Do you really think I'm buying that? Do you think that I'm really that stupid?" the Assassins hisses as he lets up with the blade slightly. With his free hand, he forms a cup and brings it up to the Noble's face. In a matter of seconds, a blue ball starts to form in his hand, and it's growing. "Why do you want to keep lying to me?" he asks, bringing the glowing blue ball closer. "This is chakra so powerful that it's visible. Do you want to see what it will do to your skin?"
"P-please d-don't."
Though the Noble can't see through the assassin's mask, the Demonic Flash is staring deep into his eyes, trying to read him. "Then, don't play me as the fool. I know more than you. Believe that." His voice is ice cold, and it sends chills down the Noble's spine. "It makes me wonder why I'm keeping you alive," he hisses, inching the chakra closer. "Tel-"
"T-Toya," he chokes out, finally. "Toya of the Land of Fire. He's the one who o-organizes it. W-we don't anything until a few days before the auction." The Noble is tremoring in the assassin's hands. "Please, I don't know anything else."
The Demonic Flash gives him the once over before nodding. Even if the man had denied the existence of the auction previously, he knows the Noble is being truthful about his limited knowledge, which annoys the assassin. He has been killing Nobles for weeks, trying to learn anything he can about the auction, and he's coming up with nothing, though it isn't because of his ability to torture. His name alone can scare the shit out of people, which he quite enjoys. No, the issue is that no one knows a damn thing about this auction, but now, he finally has a name…though that's what he thought about the last name he tortured for. However, there's something different about this Toya's name. "Very well."
He gives the Noble one last look, and he smiles, though no one can't see it though the black mask. He pulls back the Katana for a second as the blue ball disappears, and before the Noble can say a word, the assassin swings his Katana forward, severing the man's head. He's sprayed with blood, though the Assassin doesn't think twice. He steps away from the body, letting it and the amputated head falls to the floor. The head bounces for a few times before it rolls to a complete stop, while the Demonic Flash watches. He waits a few seconds before he kneels next to the body. With his kunai, he cuts open the man's shirt and carves something into his skin. Unusually, he doesn't leave such obvious marks on his victims, not wanting anyone to connect them to him, but now, he sees it as leaving clues…
Not that anyone seem to be figuring it out!
It's like they aren't even trying to figure out what his plan is, or maybe, they can't. Maybe, they can't see the connection, and he feels himself groan at the stupidity of the five great ninja villages. Because, he has been clear…or he thinks he has been clear with the markings on the Nobles' chests. But, none of them seem to be putting the pieces together, and he almost wants to travel to each of the Villages and slap the Kages outside of their heads. Almost. Now that, would be stupid as the Hokage hits harder than he does... and she's one scary woman when she is mad.
Finishing the mark and getting to his feet, he tucks the kunai back in his cloak and turns from the dead Noble. He can feel his eye twitch as he discovers that he isn't alone. There at the end of the hall is another Kumo Shinobi, who is eyeing him with an intense look. The rogue ninja doesn't know how long the Ninja has been standing there, but he knows it can't be for long, as he would've sensed him sooner.
However, he doesn't have time to contemplate how he missed it. Without wasting a second, the Demonic Flash throws his special Kunai, which lands a few feet behind the enemy ninja. The shinobi narrows his eyes as if to doubt the Assassin's skills, but when the rogue ninja disappears in a flash of red, this expression is gone, and like the others, he's dead. The Red Katana is deep in his chest, piercing his heart before he can even move, and it is gone the next.
The Demonic Flash watches the body fall to the ground as he wipes the blood off his blade with his cloak before sheathing it. He turns, sensing a crowd of people heading toward his direction. For a second, he wants to stay and kill them all, not for any particular reason, but he doesn't. There's no doubt that there're more Kumo ninja heading his way, and the Rogue Ninja doesn't want to start a full-blown war with Kumo just yet. Without another thought, the Demonic Flash disappears in a flash of red, seconds before someone rounds the corner.
*O*O*
In a blink of an eye, the Demonic Flash finds himself in a small wooden house on the water. He can hear the rumble of the ocean as it gently slaps against the house, and he can smell the salt water, even if it is difficult to make out the smell over the blood. He can see the trees waving on the shore from the soft wind, and it does wonders for the Assassin's nerves. He can feel his body relax instantly, as the sun peeks through the room, and he finds him-
"I can smell you from the other room, you know? You stink."
The Demonic Flash can also slap himself for letting down his guard so easily; however, it's hard to keep it up, when he's here along allies. "Inari," he utters as he turns to him.
The young man—not even 20—is leaning against the door with a weird expression on his face. "You smell."
The Assassin laughs as he takes his Katana from his back and sets it on the table next to him. "Well, what do you expect?"
Inari's expression turns serious, as he scans the rogue in front of him. He eyes the now dried blood on the cloak before dropping his glance to his bloody boots. He studies the bloody footprints on the floor for a few seconds before he looks back up at the Demonic Flash. "You better clean up. I don't want my grandfather to see or know about this."
"I understand. Tazuna will not learn of this," he says, returning to his monotone voice.
Inari pushes off the door and turns to leave. "Then you better hurry. I doubt it'll do the Little Guy any good to see you like this. Too young to understand."
The Demonic Flash turns his back to the door, as he reaches into his cloak. "No, we don't want that," he says, softly. He doesn't see Inari walk away, but he doesn't need to see it to know that he has left. He can sense him as he walks away; he can sense his aura disappearing down the hallway, and he waits until he's a few feet away before he pulls out the hitai-ate tied to his hip.
He lays it flat on the table as he stares at it. Just stares. The black fabric is worn in several places, but it's still firmly attached to the metal band in the center, and he's still able to tie it around his forehead if he wants to… not that he wants to wear it visibly. It's too personally for that. Besides the age of the hitai-ate, there's nothing special about it…well that's if you don't count the deep scratch across the Konoha symbol. That scratch is more than just a mark on the cold metal, though he doesn't like to think about the story behind it.
However, he can't stop his mind from wandering. He knows why the mark is there, and who puts it there. He knows everything about this hitai-ate, and he can't help but feel pain at the sight of it, but he can't toss it. It holds so many memories for him. It reminds him of someone that he has lost, and for that, he can never get rid of it. He can't even think about getting rid of it, as it keeps that person close to him. For that, he keeps it on him.
*O*O*
Tsunade is leaning back in her Hokage chair, as she stares at a hitai-ate in her lap. There isn't anything special in appearance about the hitai-ate, as it looks like every other hitai-ate that her shinobi wear. The blue fabric on the hitai- ate is worn in a few places, and there're several small scratches on the metal-common for daily use, though it hasn't been worn in years. For the most part, it travels with the Hokage, wherever she goes, as it is a reminder to what she had and lost. Having lost her grandfather's necklace, this headband is the only thing she has to remember the blond Brat, and she will keep it close for years to come.
She runs her fingers over the cold metal as Kakashi and Jiraiya fight with each other. She's only partly listening to them, as she's lost in her own mind, her own memories. She knows that she needs to focus on the matter at hand: The Demonic Flash, who has killed again. However, her mind is on Naruto, who she misses dearly. Ten years have passed, since her 'little brother' was killed, and she's still not over it. But how can she ever be over it? He's why she's the Hokage in the first place. This was his dream…as well as Dan and her brother's, and now with their deaths, the position seems like it's laughing at her. Mocking her-
"You're fooling yourself if you think the Demonic Flash isn't capable of it?" Jiraiya hisses as he tosses pictures of the Rogue's last kill on the desk. There's so much force behind his throw that a few photos go flying off the table.
Kakashi watches the photos glide to the ground, making no move to pick them up. "I'm not saying he didn't do this. I'm just saying that he didn't kill those children. That isn't his style."
Jiraiya's face expression is pure anger. "Really? Look at these photos," he hisses as he points to the desk. There's several pictures sitting on the desk, but in a few, there're the bodies of two children, and they're completely bloody. It looks like they've been tortured for days, even if it was only for a few moments. There're several long cuts up and down their bodies and a pool of blood in their mouths. "He cut out their tongues for crying out loud! A message to those children that he has spared. A warning to shut up or he will kill them."
"Those cuts aren't the same," Kakashi replies, stepping to the desk. "These were made by different blades."
The Toad Sage snorts. "I don't see your point. He could've used two different blades. Not uncommon for a Shinobi to carry more than one type of weapon."
Tsunade isn't in the mood to deal with this today, but with another noble's death, there's no ignoring it. There's no more waiting, because there's going to be a revolt along the people if the Villages don't do anything. Though the last assassination was in the Land of Lightning, the Demonic Flash has killed across the lands. He has killed in the Lands of Wind, Sky, Earth, Water, Fire and a few other countries, and no one has any of idea as to why. There's no logic in how he picks the nobles he kills. Besides being nobles, there's nothing similar among them. Plus, there's the fact that he's traveling between these lands in a matter of days, and no one can figure out how.
"I don't understand why you think he's being framed! He's a monster. Look at what he did in the Land of Lightning. I hear the Raikage is foaming at the mouth," Jiraiya hisses. "Two squads of Kumo Shinobi were slaughtered, and you think he has been framed. Someone killing in his name? You're a damn fool."
The Hokage's hand is still on Naruto's Hitai-ate, fondling the now warm metal. Her eyes are on the Sannin, eyeing his expression. She hasn't seen Jiraiya this angry in years, and she can't understand why. Sure, the Demonic Flash has killed and is killing, but this is more than that. She can tell, but she knows better than to ask, knowing how she would react if someone asks her. "We have no doubt that he's killing these nobles. It's just the children. We don't believe he's killing the children." Her eyes drop to the picture of the two boys, who look nothing alike. There's no doubt that two weren't related by blood.
"Again, who will do that?" he asks. "Though, I don't know how that's important. He needs to be stopped."
Kakashi finally moves and picks up the pictures off the ground. He eyes the bloody bodies in the photos, studying the injuries on the corpses. "And how do you expect us to do that?" he asks, sounding exhausted. "We can't even find him, and you should know as you spent months trying to, but by some chance we do, then what? There's no doubt that we'll be walking in blind, and we can't win like that. We need to know him first. Need to know what makes him tick. And why children are so important to him, because they are. He didn't do this, though there's no denying that he did the rest, and we need to know why."
Jiraiya gives him a hard look. "Why do you feel so strong about this?" he asks.
"I don't know, but there's something in my gut that's screaming at me, telling that he didn't kill these children. Someone else has and he's bring framed, forced into a corner. Maybe, someone's setting a trap to kill him…or maybe, someone has already gotten to him and is using him for something. Whatever the case, it isn't good. He isn't normally as loud as the other Rogues, but for some reason, he's screaming. Right now, he's broadcasting his kills, which he hasn't done before. There's a reason why he's called the Demonic Flash, because he kills in the shadow in a blind of the eye without anyone noticing. He kills in a flash, and because of this, most think he's a demon. But now, he isn't hiding. There's a reason for that, and we need to know that before we do anything."
Tsunade smiles slightly, knowing that she has chosen correctly when she picked Kakashi to be her successor. He will do well…when he finally decides that he's ready to take the position. He has been hesitating in taking it on full time, though she can understand why. "Kakashi's right. This isn't him. Someone is trying to pull his strings, and we need to know why before we do anything."
"I suppose you could be right," Jiraiya breaths out in an angry huff. "But what happens if no one is pulling his strings, and it is just him?" His tone is flat, as he's staring at the two.
"Then, there must be a stressor, and we need to learn what that is, before we act," Kakashi responds.
Before Jiraiya can open his mouth to respond and before anyone can react, the door to the Hokage's office opens, and Shikamaru strolls in. His hands are in his pocket, and there's a cigarette in his month. He looks like he had just rolled out of bed and didn't bother to combs his hair. "Hey," he greets. "You rang?"
"That better not be lit," Tsunade warns, eyeing the cigarette in the Jounin's mouth. "And didn't anyone tell you that smoking is bad for you? It will kill you."
Shikamaru shrugs as he continues to pay with the cigarette in his mouth. "We're all going to die at some point."
The Hokage knows she should be used to this behavior from the young jounin, but it still surprises her at times. "I have a mission for you. Guard duty."
"Guard duty? What a drag," Shikamaru replies, as he looks between the three of them. Though he has just entered the office, he can spot the tension in a matter of seconds.
Tsunade's expression is serious as she looks at him. "This isn't normal guard duty. This is an S-class mission." She replies, seeing three sets of eyes focus on her, almost in disbelief.
Shikamaru turns serious. "S-rank? Who's the client, and who does he think is after him?"
"Toya, a Noble of the Land of Fire, has requested ninjas to guard him," she replies, as she sets Naruto's Hitai-ate on her desk and reaches for a file. "He believes his life is in jeopardy."
Kakashi watches the Hokage as she hands the file to the young Nara, though he takes a few seconds before he reaches for it. "Why is this an S-class mission," he asks, watching Shikamaru slowly flip through the pages. It doesn't look like he is reading anything, only scamming over the pages, but he can't be sure.
"It relates to what we were talking about earlier. Toya believes the Demonic Flash is after him," she answers, her eyes glancing between the three of them.
Jiraiya's hands are twitching at his side. "Didn't you just say it's foolish to go after him now? That we can't win if we attack now?" he asks. "If so, why are you sending Shikamaru and his team to be killed? Did you not see what he did to those Kumo Shinobi?"
Kakashi's mind is spinning as he replies, "Why would Toya think the Demonic Flash is after him? There's no logic to targets. His killings are random at best, so why does he think the assassin is after him?"
Shikamaru stares at the last page of the file for a few seconds before he looks up. "I guess I am in."
"As I knew you would be," Tsunade says, ignoring the other two. She knows he wouldn't turn this mission down, and besides, she has faith in him. Though the Jounin is lazy at times, he isn't one to back down from a challenge, maturing a lot in the last few years. She doesn't expect anything less from him than his best, even if he whines. "It'll be an eight-man squad." Besides, he might be the one to take down the Demonic Flash. He has it in him with that mind of his.
"I can hand pick the ninjas?" he asks, avoiding the angry look from Jiraiya.
The Hokages nods, as her eyes drop to the Hitai-ate on the desk. "Yes, select whoever you think will be the best for this. You know the shinobi of this village. You know their skills." Though she may not like the Uchiha, there's no denying the man's uses and ability. He did defeat Pein or whatever his name was, and if there's someone who can match the Demonic Flash's strength, it's him. "If I can suggest, take the Uchiha." She doesn't know what Nara thinks of her suggestion, though she knows he's not a fan of Sasuke. He hasn't like the guy since Naruto's death, and he was against Sasuke coming back to the village. "He might come in handy."
Shikamaru nods, as he wiggles the cigarette with his tongue. "Okay, but what happens if the Demonic Flash doesn't appear?" he asks, glancing up at the ceiling with a lazy look in his eyes. "This whole mission can turn out to be a drag."
"If the Demonic Flash doesn't appear, we will send a replacement team in a few weeks, though I don't think we'll have to wait for long. If Toya is correct, he'll be the Assassin's next target, and the Demonic Flash will attack sooner than later," she replies.
"How long do I have to gather my squad?" he asks, as he drops his glance toward the silent Jiraiya.
"A few hours. Hope that's enough time," Tsunade replies, her eyes dropping to the headband on her desk. Recently, he is feeling distance, and it feels like he's fading into the darkness, while she struggles to remember him and his dreams, and she hates that. She hates that his memories are fading, hates that some people don't even know who Naruto was. He wasn't born to fade into nonexistence, damn it.
"Nothing I can't handle," Shikamaru replies.
*O*O*
The same young auburn haired father and small chestnut haired boy from before are sitting in a small boat on the ocean. Or rather, the four-year-old boy is sitting in the boat, while his father is overboard hanging on the side of the boat, but neither one of them seems upset by this turn of events. In fact, both are laughing as the father is squirting the young boy in the face with the ice, cold salt water.
"No, Daddy!" the boy playfully whines, as he's trying to stop the water from hitting him. "You're getting me wet."
The father laughs as he continues to spray his son with water. "Oh, but the water's great. Why don't you come in with me?" he asks, holding onto the small row boat and rocking the boat slightly as if he's trying to knock his son off his balance and into the water. "Come on. Jump in."
"Stop, Daddy!" the boy cries out, as he drops to his knees, trying to keep his balance. "There're sharks! They'll eat me!" He leans back and sits down in the small boat, as he holds onto the wooden seats. "Sharks, Daddy! Sharks"
The man laughs as he rocks the boat a little harder. "Oh, I don't think they'll like the taste of you. Too salty."
"I'm not salty, Daddy!"
"Come here, and let me taste! I can see if you do." The father laughs as he rocks the boat one last time. "Join me in the water. You know you'll-" Before he can get the words out, he's pulled down beneath the water's surface, kicking and splashing. He kicks hard, trying to free himself of whatever has a hold on him, and he's able to fight his way to surface a few times but unable to free himself. He yells, "Sharks," when he breaks the surface of the water.
At hearing his father's cries, the boy is screaming, and tears are streaming down his face. With growing fear, he's frozen in the center of the boat, hiding his face in his knees. "Daddy," he wails, unable to look at the water.
When the auburn-haired man comes up again, he freezes at the sight of his small son crying in the boat. As if he has never been attacked, his struggles stop completely, and he's just floating in the water, staring at the shaking boy. "Shit," he curses, as he starts to focus his chakra to his hands and feet. Once he has his chakra built up, he places his hands on the surfaces of the water, pushes on it as if it is a solid object, and pulls himself out of the water. "Minato," he calls, his voice soft. "Look at me."
"N-no," the boy whines.
"Minato," he calls again, as he pushes himself up. He grabs ahold of the boat and pulls himself in. A bit of water slips into the boat as it rocks under his weight, but it doesn't register with the boy. "Hey, Little One. There's no shark. I was just joking. Please look at me. Please." He's on the edge of begging, as he hates to see his young son like this, especially when he is the reason for it. "I was only kidding. Please."
Moving ever so slowly, Minato peaks his head above his knees to look at his father. With tears running down his face and staining his cheeks, he rubs at his blood red eyes, as he watches his father makes his way to him. "No s-shark?" he asks, his voice tiny. His eyes break away from his father as he eyes the water for a few seconds before jumping into his father's awaiting arms. "Daddy!" he asks, burying himself in his father's wet chest.
"I'm so sorry, Little One. I didn't mean to upset you."
"Don't leave me, Daddy," he begs.
The young father lets out a sigh, as he places a kiss to the top of Minato's head. "Nothing can keep me away. Nothing," he says softly into his hairlines. He can feel the boy shiver in his arms, and he hates himself for pulling that prank on him. He never wants to see his son cry like that again, and he'll do whatever it takes to make sure. "No one or thing can take you from me. That's a promise, and I never go back on my promises."
The End for now:
Again, I hope you like it. I had a good time writing this chapter, though that doesn't mean anything. Let me know through the reviews. :)
And you know if I was cruel, I would make the last scene a memory, and Make it the stressor for the Demonic Flash killings. Then make this a suicide mission for the Assassin, but I would never do that to you... or would I? wink wink.
Anyhow, until next time.
