Author's Note: Sorry, I know I took forever to update but, I had a major writer's block issue not to mention that I got busy with some family stuff…better known as a grounding. (Also lazy but hey, who's really counting that?)
Naruto woke to a small, crowded room. He tried to make out the faces but a light over his head obscured his view.
"Ah, you are awake little Kitsune." A cold voice sounded from Naruto's right side.
"What's the point of taking the Kyuubi? You can't control him. Nobody can." Naruto sounded strong even though he was scared for his life.
"That is where you are wrong little Kitsune. I believe we can control him without hesitation." Naruto scoffed at the idea. Bad thing to do too. Something hit his head and hit hard.
"Don't anger us Kitsune. You will not make it far if you do." This one was a different voice. It sounded bored. "Why do we even have the runt? We've been ordered not to touch him…for now." The words sent shivers down Naruto's spine. "If we don't get the rat before the snake does, how are we supposed to go back to Leader?"
"The rat always falls prey to the trap. He will come." There was a slight shuffling as someone walked across the room.
Who the hell are they after? Naruto's confusion must have shown plainly on his face.
"Don't fret little Kitsune. You will be free to go after we get him." It suddenly dawned on Naruto who the cold voice would or could possibly belong to.
Itachi. Naruto let his face go blank and let no sign show what he was thinking of.
"Damn it, Naruto. Why do you have to be such an easy target?" Sasuke rushed from tree to tree, mumbling under his breathe the whole way.
"We're almost there." Kakashi led them to a clearing which held a small shack. He walked straight up to it and did a few hand seals. "If this doesn't work, then I don't know what we're going to do. This is the only entrance that I think goes to the HQ." Reluctantly, the door opened. All three seemed to sigh with relief and then were on their way through underground caverns.
"Are you sure this is the way, Kaka-sensei?" Sakura feigned looking scared. They're plan depended on her being the first target.
"I'm almost positive." They could feel the presence of chakra that didn't belong to any of them. This made their plan possible. If they went after Sakura first, Kakashi and Sasuke could use a 'ganging up' technique.
"Why so quiet little Jinchuuriki? A moment ago, you were all talk." Itachi's voice seemed far off. Naruto forced himself to laugh coldly, as if Kyuubi had taken over his voice.
"And give you more about Sasuke than necessary? I don't think so. I refuse to give you easy access."
"Oh but you have Kitsune." The other voice was behind him. The thought rose to the surface. Of course, it would have to be Kisame. Who else would be with Itachi?
"Do you think me so stupid Kisame?" Naruto let the cold laugh roll down his tongue and out of his mouth.
How can such a face, such a child, make such an evil, sadistic noise? Is the demon that prominent? Could it be that there really is no way to capture the Kyuubi? Itachi mentally shook himself. Of course not. Don't be so stupid. The bigger question is…am I turning soft? This last thought made Itachi have a mental panic attack. Of course it never played on his face but, if Naruto had been able to see him, it sure played in his eyes. He silently pushed that thought from his mind and watched as Kisame hit Naruto over the head again.
"I think you're exactly that stupid. Now spill it you mutt."
"Mutt?! Wow, and you call me stupid. A fox isn't a dog you idiot."
"Oh bite me."
"When I get out of here, I will."
Itachi almost let go of his carefully controlled emotions. This worried him beyond end. Something about Naruto was, no doubt, making him soft.
"Itachi, can we tape his mouth shut? He's starting to annoy me."
"Annoy you? You're annoying me. First you take me from the best thing in my life, next you tie me up and then you insult me. If I wanted to annoy you, you'd know…fish sticks."
"You little!" Kisame hit Naruto over the head once again. "SHUT UP!" Naruto began to pout but went silent after a quick 'ouchy' escaping his lips.
Sasuke, Kakashi and Sakura had made it through to the HQ. The only problem left, was that they had no idea where they were going from there on in. There were so many rooms. How were they supposed to find Naruto?
