Naruto (c) Masashi Kishimoto
Dark wings they are descending see shadows gathering around. One by one they are falling, every time they try to strike us down! — Within Temptation
Suigetsu pushed Sakura behind him. The pinkette clutched his shirt. "Leaflet, when I tell you to run, run! Go get Juugo and Karin! Protect Sasuke with your life! Got it?" Suigetsu whispered.
"Karin is a support kunoichi," Sakura protested, "I'll go get Juugo, I may be a medical shinobi, but Tsunade-sama was my sensei. I can fight, shannaro!" She could feel her pulse pounding in her neck, the battle-song in her blood; Suigetsu's hand on her hip. The mist cleared a bit and before them was a tall shark-like man, dressed in an Akatsuki cloak. His headband had Kirigakure's symbol slashed out. He gave a toothy grin, revealing pointy teeth.
"Well, if it isn't Hozuki Suigetsu," the shark man cackled.
"Hoshigaki Kisame." Suigetsu smirked. "What a pleasure." Suigetsu drew his sword, which Sakura suddenly recognized as Zabuza's sword. "You spared me the trouble of tracking you down."
"Who's the girl, Suigetsu? Your girlfriend?" Kisame snickered.
"No," Suigetsu said, shaking his head. "Just a friend," the white haired shinobi said. "Where's Itachi?" Suigetsu asked.
"Looking for the kyuubi," Kisame replied.
"Naruto?" Sakura perked up as dread coiled in her stomach.
"Enough talk," Kisame drew Samehada, "Let's fight!" he gave another wicked grin.
"When I'm done with you, you'll be nothing but shark fin soup!" Suigetsu declared with a smirked.
"Bold talk for a little fry," Kisame snickered, charging at Suigetsu.
"Go, Sakura!" Suigetsu pushed the pink haired kunoichi away. Sakura stumbled back, tripping over her feet. She landed on the ground, glanced once at Suigetsu before getting to her feet and running towards the camp. Something caught her ankle, causing her to fall down. Frantically, she looked around to see another Akatsuki member. He looked like a large living Venus flytrap, and what appeared to be a thorny green vine wrapped around her ankle. Sakura gulped.
"Where are you going?" he asked voice soft as death. Sakura gulped. "You are a beautiful little blossom. I bet you would be rather tasty," he said. Sakura's eyes grew wide, as she frantically grabbed a kunai. "What are you planning to do with that?" Zetsu asked. Sakura cut the vine that was around her ankle. "Tsk, tsk," another vine lashed out, wrapping around her wrist, stopping her attack inches from completion. Sakura pulled out another kunai with her other hand, and again tried to cut her bonds. "I don't think so." Zetsu shook his head, more vines wrapping around her other ankle and wrist, two even coiled themselves around her waist.
"SUIGETSU! SASUKE! HELP!" Sakura screamed, as Zetsu slowly dragged her towards him. Sakura struggled, her bonds tightening each time she moved; she dug her fingers into the ground, screaming loudly, while tears fell from her eyes.
"Don't bother crying for help," Zetsu whispered as a vine coiled around Sakura's mouth.
Suigetsu turned to see Sakura being dragged by the plant-like Akatsuki member. "Dammit!" he swore, raising his sword quickly to block Kisame's attack.
"Focus!" the shark-nin sneered. "Don't get distracted little fish!" he put his weight into the sword. Suigetsu twisted his sword, so Kisame's blade pressed against the flat side of Suigetsu's weapon. Groaning, the former Mist-nin looked at Sakura, her ankles were under Zetsu's cloak, and he seemed to have knocked her out, somehow. Thinking quickly, he activated his hydration technique, allowing Kisame to strike him. He absorbed the blow, before activating his Strong Water Arm jutsu. He pushed Kisame forcefully with his sword, sending him flying.
"A little breathing room." Suigetsu tweaked his neck. "Finally." he wove a few hands signs; mist gathered and formed a water clone. "Deal with Kisame," the real Suigetsu instructed the silent doppelganger. The clone simply nodded before running towards Kisame.
Zetsu looked up at a charging Suigetsu. "It is futile to try and save her, Hozuki Suigetsu," the plant ninja whispered softly.
"Like hell!" Suigetsu snarled, slashing at the vines that leapt up in an effort to entangle him like they did Sakura. "Dammit! Where's Jugo?" Suigetsu snarled, spinning around, he glanced briefly at his clone, whom seemed to be holding hits own against Kisame. Suigetsu suddenly felt a sharp tug; he looked at his sword arm. A vine had coiled itself around Suigetsu and he briefly thought that the vegetation was cleverly pleased with itself. Suigetsu growled angrily, trying to pull free but every time he pulled the vine got tighter, he looked at Sakura; her legs were under the Akatsuki cloak. Snarling, Suigetsu bit the vine.
This seemed to surprise the semi-intelligent vegetation, for it loosened its hold enough for Suigetsu to pull his arm free and continue his mad hack job towards Sakura. "Foolish boy," Zetsu whispered softly, raising his hands. The vines snaked together, forming a wall. Suigetsu growled as he began slashing away at the wall, but to his annoyance the vines knitted themselves back together after each cut.
Suddenly a rain of shuriken and kunai pierced the vine all; with Suigetsu's steady slashing the wall fell. Suigetsu looked up to see Karin. "What are you doing here? Who's going to protect Sasuke?" Suigetsu shouted rushing back to his battle with the shark-nin. "I'll keep Kisame busy!" Suigetsu shouted.
"I'm not rescuing that pink haired bitch!" Karin shrieked. "Besides Juugo is with Sasuke-kun!"
"Fine!" Suigetsu rolled his eyes. "Then you deal with Kisame!" Suigetsu pushed Karin towards the sword wielding shinobi. Karin gulped. "Or get Juugo."
"Maybe I should rescue the powder-puff." Karin fingered her kunai.
"Too late! Go after Kisame!" Suigetsu snarled hacking his way towards Sakura.
"Fine!" Karin shouted, charging at Kisame; she threw a kunai at him, but he caught it easily.
"Foolish girl," Kisame laughed.
"Don't call me foolish!" Karin growled. Kisame raised Samehada.
"My blade doesn't cut," Kisame said. Karin charged, kunai in both hands. "It shreds to ribbons!" He cackled, swinging his sword downwards. Karin skidded to a halt, raising her kunai, she blocked the sword. Kisame laughed, pressing down on his blade. Karin grunted as she tried to keep the weight of Kisame's sword off of her. She looked down and saw his shin. Thinking swiftly, she kicked out, hitting him in the shin. Kisame gasped, letting up, Karin ducked in and was able to slam one of her kunai into Kisame's sword arm.
He howled in painful rage, before swiping at Karin with his sword. Karin yelped as she got cut. She looked at the blood that stained her hands. She growled, rolled up her sleeve and bit down on her own arm. Her wound healing before Kisame's eyes. Jugo came then, demon form in full swing, knocking Kisame aside. "Thanks," Karin huffed.
"Go, back to Sasuke," Juugo. Karin nodded. "I'll take care of him."
Suigetsu hand finally reached Sakura. He cut away the vines and pulled her free from the plant Akatsuki. He draped her arms over his shoulders as he stumbled backwards. The sound of a thousand birds filled the air. "That idiot!" Suigetsu snarled.
"CHIDORI!" Sasuke shouted, slamming his chidori into Zetsu. The Akatsuki member gasped, while Sasuke screamed as his wounds opened up.
Sakura moaned. "Sasuke?" she mumbled.
"Sakura wake up!" Suigetsu shouted, shaking her.
"What happened?" she blinked at him, their noses touching, and a soft nearly invisible blush creeping into their cheeks.
"No time! Sasuke's gone and been an idiot!" Suigetsu snarled. Sakura blinked, looking around for the raven haired shinobi.
"Katon: Gokakyu no jutsu!" Sasuke shouted, a ball of fire engulfed Zetsu, who screamed, failing his arms about, trying to kill the flames.
"Water style: Water Shark Bomb jutsu!" Kisame shouted, a shark made of water slammed into Zetsu, dowsing the flames.
"Suigetsu! Get everyone out of here! I'll send these freaks flying!" Sakura snarled, tweaking her neck. Suigetsu smirked, before going after Sasuke, Jugo and Karin.
Sakura looked at her new teammates, if you could call them that, before focusing her gaze upon the two Akatsuki members. "Shannaro!" She snarled, jumping into the air. She fell, slamming her fists into the ground. Twin tremors rippled out, sending both Zetsu and Kisame flying. Sakura smirked, before turning around. She noticed that Karin, Jugo and Suigetsu made a ring around Sasuke. Suigetsu looked at Sakura.
"It's really bad," he whispered. Sakura's blood ran cold. "Karin can't heal that injury without killing herself."
"Sasuke!" Sakura pushed her away towards the injured Uchiha. Karin was kneeling in the blood, holding Sasuke under her arms; Sasuke had bit down on one of her arms. The wound was closing but it wasn't closing fast enough. "Sasuke, hold on!" Sakura said. She pulled Karin's arm out of Sasuke's mouth before pressing her glowing hands to Sasuke's wounds. Sasuke's eyes fluttered, closing as Sakura's healing hands touched his bloody wounds.
Kakashi blinked. "Uchiha Itachi's blood?" he asked.
"Yup," Pakkun scratched behind his ear.
"But… what is he doing in Hana's room?" Kakashi sat back on his heels.
"Beats me," Pakkun shrugged. Kakashi struggled to remember what Itachi was like before he killed his clan. The door to Hana's room slammed open. Inuzuka Tsume stood in the doorway.
"What are you doing in my daughter's room, Kakashi?" Tsume snarled.
"There is blood on the floor," Kakashi pointed to the blood stain., "it's Itachi's," Kakashi said.
"So?" Tsume blinked, and then realization dawned on her. "What does that Akatsuki scumbag want with my daughter!?" Tsume asked, hotly. Kakashi just shrugged.
"Pakkun, remember this scent," Kakashi said.
"All right," the dog grumbled.
"Kakashi answer me dammit!" Tsume snarled. Kakashi stood up and faced the Inuzuka alpha female.
"What's Hana and Itachi's connection? He clearly knew her," Kakashi said. Tsume stared, open mouth at Kakashi.
"Why the hell are you asking about this now, Hatake?" Tsume seethed. "What does Itachi want with my daughter!?" Tsume snarled. Kakashi was totally un-phased by Tsume's out burst.
Sighing, calmly Kakashi looked at Tsume. "He is most likely looking for Naruto. He needed someone that could track people, naturally Hana can do this." Kakashi folded his arms over his chest. "But the question remains: why did Itachi choose Hana? He could have easily forced you or Kiba or any other Inuzuka member into helping him or a Hyuga even. But," Kakashi held up a hand to silence Tsume's protest, "he went after Hana. Now, why is that?" Kakashi asked.
Sighing in defeat, "Hana and Itachi grew up together, they were childhood sweethearts, dating before the Uchiha massacre," Tsume looked up, "that bastard broke my daughter's heart!" Tsume seethed. "If you plan on tracking him, I'll help! I want to rip his heart out and feed it to Kuromaru!" Tsume snarled.
"No, I have my own nin-dogs." Kakashi shook his head. "So I won't need your assistance," Kakashi said.
"But!" Tsume began.
"You should look after Kiba. I'll bring Hana back safely." Kakashi smiled. "I promise."
Tsume nodded. "Okay," she whispered. "But you find him Kakashi. You find him and give him hell got it? And bring my daughter back!" Tsume said.
"I will," Kakashi said before he left the room in a puff of smoke. Tsume sighed, rubbing Kuromaru's ear.
Tsunade shook her head. "No, I'm not doing it, Kakashi!" Tsunade looked at the silver haired jounin.
"But I promised Tsume I'll bring Hana back!" Kakashi said.
"Kakashi, I'm short on shinobi as it is. I got seven out looking for Naruto and Hinata! Sakura still isn't back, and I'm starting to worry. I can't spare anymore to look for Hana! I'm sorry!" Tsunade said. Kakashi sighed.
"Lady Tsunade," Shizune piped up. Tsunade looked at her assistant. "What if… what if Kakashi and I go?" Shizune asked. Tsunade raised an eyebrow.
"After catching you two in a broom closet, I sooner send Ibiki and Anko, then you two!" Tsunade said. "But since you volunteered, I guess I can spare you two," Tsunade sighed. Kakashi smiled behind the mask. "You two leave ASAP!" Tsunade looked at them.
"Right!" they nodded, before poofing out of the room.
"Damn, I feel a headache coming on," Tsunade muttered, rubbing her temples. "I need some saki."
Shizune met Kakashi at the gate, leading outside of the village. She looked at the masked jounin. "Are you sure you want to take Tonton?" Kakashi looked at the Hokage's pig.
"She always comes with me, its more my pig than Lady Tsunade's," Shizune smiled. Tonton walked up to Kakashi and sniffed his leg. Kakashi smiled before summoning Pakkun.
"Okay, okay, I know, find the scent," Pakkun grumbled, sniffing the air. "This way," he said bounding off into the trees. Shizune and Kakashi followed the little brown dog.
Hana landed on all fours, eyes narrowing. Her dogs sniffed around, whining when they couldn't find the scent. Itachi landed besides her. "Why have we stopped?" he asked coolly. Hana glanced at him quickly, his eyes were black. She sighed before looking at him.
"We've lost the scent," Hana said.
"Here." Itachi tossed her Naruto's underwear.
"I don't need to smell his underwear anymore! I'm saying that the trail ends here!" Hana snarled.
"What do you mean? Can't you find him via his chakra?" Itachi asked.
"No! He's too far gone for my dogs to pick up his chakra! We are at least a day or two behind him," Hana said. Itachi sighed.
"So you are saying you can't find him, correct?" Itachi asked.
"For now, yes. I suggest we hit the main road. His trail seems to be heading north. They probably went through a river, water washed away the scent. All we have to do is wait for the Haimaru Sankyoudai to pick it up again," Hana said. Itachi blinked.
"No, we'll continue through the forest," he said. Hana drew a kunai.
"Listen here Itachi! I know more about tracking than you do! We are going to go to the main road!" Hana snarled, the Haimaru Sankyoudai backing her up.
"No." the Uchiha shook his head. Hana growled, charging at the Uchiha. Itachi simply grabbed her, took the kunai and tossed it, before twisting her arm behind her back, and pressing it up against her. They both heard the dull thunk of the kunai embedding itself into the wood. "Hana," Itachi whispered. Hana snarled, trying to free herself. "Remember, if you don't help me, your family dies," Itachi whispered.
"I'm trying to help you!" Hana spat.
"Hn." Itachi nuzzled her neck.
"But you aren't listening to me!" Hana seethed.
"Sweet Hana, don't try my patience. I killed my clan, I won't lose sleep over killing your family," he whispered. Hana stopped struggling.
"I don't believe you," she whispered. Itachi stiffened.
"Hana," he breathed, before spinning her around. He grabbed her forearms, before pressing his lips against hers. Hana's eyes grew wide, a small gasp escaped her throat; the Uchiha wasted no time in thrusting his tongue into her mouth. Hana moaned, almost giving into the poisonous kiss. Itachi ran his hands seductively up and down her arms.
Hana came back to her senses rather quickly, biting down on his tongue. Itachi yelped in surprise, black eyes growing wide in painful alarm. Hana pulled free from him, before giving the Uchiha a stinging slap on the cheek, she then kicked him in the gut; Itachi landed flat on his back, a bewildered and slightly amused smile on his face. Hana set her foot on his chest, hands on her hips, a dominating look on her face. "We are going to the main road and try to pick up the sent from there, got it?" she snarled. Itachi smirked, a small chuckle escaping his lips.
Naruto sighed happily as the smell of good ramen wafted up to his nose. They had stopped in a tiny little village to rest and resupply. It had been roughly two days since they left Konoha.
"N-Naruto-kun," Hinata whispered.
"Rhmmph?" Naruto looked up at her, ramen hanging out of his mouth. The Hyuga heiress stifled a small giggle. Naruto blushed, swallowing his mouthful of ramen. "Yes?" he asked, looking at his traveling companion.
"W-would you t-tell me now? Wh-why you had to leave the village?" Hinata asked, not looking at Naruto. The Uzumaki paled a bit, the whisker markings on his cheeks drooping.
"Uh… Hinata, remember when the adults and all the other kids would ignore me?" Naruto asked. Hinata nodded. She remembered how her father lectured her about staying away from Naruto, saying the boy was dangerous. In her musings she guessed that's one of the reasons she developed a crush on him, because he fascinated her and inspired her to be a better person. "The reason why they ignored me was because I'm a jinchuuriki, I contain the Nine-tailed Fox demon within my body. They feared that I, like the Fox, would destroy the village," Naruto said, feeling ashamed.
"But… why are we leaving the village, then?" Hinata asked.
"There is an organization called the Akatsuki. They want the demon fox, they want me! And they would destroy the home and people I love," Naruto looked into her silver eyes, grabbing her hand, "I feared that if I left they would come after you, so I did the only think I could think of, take you with me," Naruto smiled.
"Tsunade-sama didn't know did she?" Hinata asked, her eyes glued to their clasped hands. Naruto's hand was so big and strong and warm.
"No, you can go back if you want," Naruto said and hung his head. "I'm sorry I lied," he added.
"I'm not going back," Hinata said, looking up at Naruto; Naruto looked up at her. "I'm not running away, I guess I really wanted to come with you, and I sorta knew that Tsunade-sama didn't know that it was all a lie to assuage my fear," Hinata looked at him, "but that's okay, I'm glad that I went with you." Hinata smiled.
"Gee, Hinata, you're a great person," Naruto said. Hinata's eyes grew wide in surprise, before she lowered her head, bangs hiding her face.
"Th-thank you, Naruto-kun," Hinata mumbled. She snapped her head up suddenly.
"What?" Naruto asked. "Hinata?"
"Shh!" Hinata covered Naruto's mouth with her hand, activating her Byakugan; she stared at the wall. She gasped, the temple veins vanishing into her skin.
"That man," Hinata whispered, looking at Naruto. "He's here," Hinata hissed.
"Really?" Naruto's eyes grew wide. "Do you think he spotted us?" Naruto asked.
Hinata shook her head. "I don't know." She bit her lip as Naruto slapped the money down on the table.
"We better get going, then," he stood up, "we don't want to chance it," Naruto whispered.
"I thought we lost him back in Konoha," Hinata said.
"Apparently not," Naruto grumbled. "Head up, walk as if you are going somewhere with a purpose." Naruto grabbed Hinata's hand. Hinata nodded, holding her head aloft. "Activate your Byakugan to keep an eye on him," Naruto whispered. Hinata narrowed her eyes, Byakugan jumping into action.
"He's behind us, about three meters away," Hinata whispered. Naruto nodded, blue eyes darting around looking for an escape route. "There's an alley up ahead," Hinata pointed. Naruto gave a curt nod, squeezing the Hyuga heiress's hand tighter.
"We may need to make a run for it," he breathed. Hinata gulped, blinking her eyes.
"He's getting closer, pushing through the crowds," Hinata muttered.
"Damn! Okay," Naruto turned around, "let's give him something to chase. Kage Bunshin no jutsu!" Naruto shouted, ten other Naruto's appeared. "Go!" they all shouted, running in opposite directions, each one with their own "Hinata".
Tobi stopped confused at to which Naruto was the real Naruto, but it didn't last long, for he soon found the real pair. Smirking behind his mask, he followed them down an alley.
Naruto panted. "Is he still following us?" Naruto asked.
"Yes!" Hinata squeaked.
"Grrr! I thought we gave him the slip!" Naruto groaned.
Hinata gulped, heart thudding against her chest. "What do we do if he catches us?" Hinata asked.
"We'll fight," Naruto said.
"But… he's dangerous!" Hinata gulped.
"We can take him!" Naruto gave a foxy grin. Hinata gulped, but felt a well-spring of courage bubble up inside of her at the sight of Naruto's smile.
They ran pass a cart with caged chickens and melons, fruits and other vegetables. Hinata let go of Naruto's hand, palms glowing with chakra. With a few pinpoint strikes, the cart fell; the chickens squawked, flapping their wings as they fell. The melons rolled, and the fruit and vegetables bounced. The cart owner groaned, shouting at the nearest man. Hinata pulled Naruto along the road.
"How's the Akatsuki guy doing?" Naruto asked. Hinata smirked.
"The road block did the trick!" Hinata grinned at him.
"Nice thinking Hinata!" Naruto beamed at the Hyuga girl. Hinata smiled with a blush on her cheeks.
"Thank you, Naruto-kun," she whispered softly.
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