Sorry for taking so long to write this chapter. I have been really busy because I just moved houses and it's summer vacation.

Thank you so much Waterbluegirl1234 for the review! To answer some of your questions: Yes, Suku is going to be in the bingo book and she will meet up with Itachi soon! The real question is when!! Mwahahahahahahaha!!!!!!

Death's Hand: Obscured Truth

Chapter 3- Needs

"We are not put on earth for ourselves, but are placed here for each other. If you are there always for others, then in time of need, someone will be there for you."

Frozen white droplets of rain softly hit the ground, the air chilling and calm. The quiet sound of the wind rustling trees was the only thing heard as it continued to breathe down upon the hidden village. The thick moisture of fog, gripped the ground as two figures walked towards the gates of Kirigakure. Slowly the gate opened, and the pair entered the village. There waiting for them was Matsu and a red headed man.

Matsu smiled sadly, "You may stay here as long as you need to." He wrapped his arms around Suku, she too returned the hug. They spoke quietly for a moment, stepping away from their companions.

Naruto stared at the red headed man; he had seen him before a long time ago. He remembered trembling in his presence yet now, he was only curious. The man gazed at him, and then he slowly smiled at Naruto.

"What is your name?" He asked his voice both smooth and rough.

"Uzumaki Naruto," The blonde headed boy replied bowing his head. Even though he just met this man, Naruto couldn't help but respect him.

The man nodded, "Sharaku Reikoku," he announced holding out his hand. Naruto shook it firmly.

Suku and Matsu returned to the pair, and the four began walking to the Senshi Compound. The house was quiet only Kohana, Matsu's wife, sat outside by the gardens drinking her cup of tea. She too smiled sadly at Suku and ushering them inside the house.

"You may stay here if you wish," Matsu offered, once everyone sat down at the table drinking a cup of hot tea.

Suku shook her head, "Thank you, but I must decline. I want a small house of my own and I have the sufficient funds the purchase one."

Kohana smiled setting down her tea, "We will go house shopping immediately then. But until you find the house you want, you will stay here with us; I will not take no for an answer either."

Matsu chuckled softly shaking his head at his wife. Then Reikoku leaned over and whispered something into Matsu's ear. The Mizukage nodded seriously then set his tea down, "I have to be going, I'll look into finding a house for you Suku." Matsu announced, he then left the Senshi Estate with Reikoku closely behind him.

--- Later that night---

Suku sat on top of the roof the icy cold air made her grip her clothes more firmly around herself. She stared at the distant lights of the village; the faint glow's of yellow and orange mixing together. Suku sighed, her warm breath visible only for a moment.

'Should I serve this village? Protect these people?' She thought to herself thinking the question out; creating possible out comes if she decided to join. She however did not like the outcomes that were most likely going to happen. Clenching her fist, Suku frowned. If she became a shinobi of Kiri she would get noticed by Konoha and they would demand that they hand her over with Naruto because they are missing Nin's. Matsu however wouldn't just kick her out and throw her back into a place that she had escaped from. He would protect them and refuse which would eventually lead to a full out war.

Suku shook her head, no matter how she looked at it the outcome was the same; pain, suffering and death. Taking a deep breath Suku thought of the possibilities of not becoming a shinobi again. The peace of tending to her garden, sleeping in, and cool morning work outs. She closed her eyes, imagining all the potential of all the new poisons and cures she could create. She would of course still train, and make a living by becoming a local doctor for civilians and shinobi. The thought of a new life stirred something deep within her; she would finally be able to forget about her past in Konoha and would finally be able to let it go; to let of Itachi.

Naruto poked his head out of the window below Suku, he curiously looked at her. The far off expression on her face made Naruto turn around and let her be for the night; not wanting to disturb her. Suku sat up on the roof for another hour before jumping back inside the window. The large warm bed made her heavy eyes instantly close and drifted off to sleep.

The next morning Suku and Kohana left the house early looking at numerous houses that could potentially work; but none felt like home. It was almost noon before they came upon a small cottage that was snuggly tucked back from the village just off the beach. The three bedroom two bath, house was perfect. There was enough space for her and Naruto plus a room for patients. The kitchen was small, made for only one person to be in it at a time. There was a cozy living room with a fireplace that warmed the whole house. Suku instantly fell in love with it.

The house had been abandoned so there was no owner of the house. Suku bought the house later that day, and moved into it the next; her mind still full of possibilities of her new life.

Weeks passed and the two settled into their new house nicely. Suku had made a reputation as a doctor that could heal anything, and Kiri had welcomed her with open arms. Being around Suku, Naruto picked up medical techniques but he did not pursue a career in it. Suku became the Seven Swordsmen's doctor whenever someone became ill or got hurt and they began to grow on Suku. She began to develop concerns for their well being. But she kept it at a professional level, never asking personal questions that were unnecessary to their health or interfering in their personal lives.

She did not want a relationship with someone and she made it very clear to those that wanted to pursue a relationship with her.

Everything was as Suku predicted, calm and peaceful that is until that night.

It was raining none stop, the dark grey clouds continuously dropped large droplets of water onto the village; and as the sun set the weather grew fiercer. Sharp crackles of thunder rumbled through the night as it was lit up by deadly strikes of lightning. Suku sat in her room reading, when her front door was kicked open and two shinobi ran into her house carrying someone. Startled, Suku ran out of her bedroom prepared to fight the invaders.

Shocked Suku yelled, "Zabuza, what happened to Reikoku?!" The two large young men began to argue as to what happened, each one trying to tell their side of the story.

"Never mind the details, bring him here." Suku commanded opening the door to her operating room for patients, "Naruto bring me a bowel of hot water and a rag." she yelled. He instantly appeared in front of the door, carrying the bowel and rag. The room became very crowded with all four people trying to look at Reikoku.

"Everyone out except Naruto!" Suku ordered, as she rolled up her sleeves and prepared to examine the wounds. Two deep slashes cut across his chest like an 'X' they bled profusely and one of the slashes was within centimeters of his heart. Seeing this Suku immediately summoned her healing green chakra and concentrated on stopping the bleeding. Once that was done, she moved to examine the rest of his body: six broken ribs, a concussion, a broken wrist and arm, chakra exhaustion, three stab wounds, and multiple bruises. Suku moved to most serious first, the stab wounds. They were deep wounds to his shoulder and abdomen but they are easy to heal.

"Naruto, begin healing his broken bones." Suku said, swallowing a chakra replenishing pill. Naruto nodded, and quickly got to work. Suku moved to his head, her glowing green hand healing his concussion. She then moved to a cabinet and pulled out a syringe, filling it with a chakra replenish medicine. It was like the pill, only in liquid form, it was for those who are unconscious and aren't able to swallow a pill. Finding his vein in his arm, Suku shot the medicine into his body. Then using the hot water and rag, Suku wiped the dried up blood off his chest, abdomen, and shoulder. She set the bowel and towel down, and grabbed an ointment out of a drawer and began to apply it over the stab wounds and the 'X' on his chest.

Naruto had finished healing his broken bones and was wrapping them in thick sturdy gauze once that was done he then wrapped the other wounds in gauze as well. Suku sighed heavily, walking out of the room. She stumbled a bit, and dropped into a chair in the living room where Zabuza and Kisame sat waiting anxiously.

"Will he recover?"

"Is he okay?"

"Yes, he will be fine. He will take about a week to heal, but he will make a full recovery. Now what exactly happened?" Suku asked, sipping on a glass of water. Kisame looked away, as if ashamed about something.

Zabuza spoke solemnly, "Mika as been kidnapped. We were all on a mission together, which never happens especially Reikoku. He is Matsu-sama's personal guard and the strongest shinobi next to the Mizukage of course. So we all knew it was an extremely dangerous mission if he was coming with us. We were ordered to rescue the water daimyo's daughter. She had been kidnapped by an unknown group of shinobi. When we reached their hideout they were all waiting for us, 10 shinobi dressed in black cloaks with red clouds. We all broke off and fought separately. But two shinobi stayed back and watched the fights. Reikoku decided that they were the leaders and fought them. When Mika saw Reikoku-sama get hit in the chest she left her fight to heal him. But as she healed him, the man she was fighting grabbed her and took her away. Then they all disappeared leaving the water daimyo's daughter behind."

Suku stared at Zabuza seriously, her mind thinking over every detail of his story, "How were you able to watch all this go on while fighting someone else?" Suku questioned.

Zabuza scoffed, "We were dominating them, and we didn't have to go all out against them."

"But when Reikoku fought, the leader took him seriously…" Suku muttered gazing back at the room he was in, "Please go back to your houses I do not have enough space for you. I will keep you updated on Reikoku's recovery."

The two nodded leaving the house. Each one did not speak a word to the other. Suku got up from her chair and walked back into her own bedroom. She flipped the lights off and fell asleep immediately, exhausted.

The next morning Suku brewed a healing herb tea that would help Reikoku recover faster. It was highly bitter but it worked. When she checked on him, he was surprisingly awake.

"Where is Mika?" He asked sitting up suddenly. Suku gently pushed him back down, and handed him a cup of tea.

"Look what you did, you opened your wound." Suku muttered shaking her head; she removed the bloodied bandages leaving his chest and abdomen bear. She then rubbed the ointment from before back into the wounds. He grimaced in pain as it began to sting. Suku then rewrapped his chest and abdomen with fresh new bandages.

"Thank you," Reikoku said sadly gazing at his broken body.

Suku sat down on a chair next to his bed, "It will eventually heal, so just be patient." Reikoku looked away and sipped on his tea, the taste oddly familiar.

"You're worried about her aren't you?" Suku asked softly, her eyes looking far off in the distance.

Reikoku turned his head and looked at Suku, he could easily tell what she was referring to, "I protect Matsu-sama with my life, which includes the future Mizukage's as well. Mika is next in line to become our new Mizukage; I can't let anything happen to her. I swore on my life to protect them, if I can't fulfill that promise I will die trying. But no, there is no romantic relationship between Mika and me. I know she likes me, she has sense we were kids. But nothing will every happen between us."

Suku nodded her head her mind still far away. Reikoku titled his head sideways and gazed at her, "What about you?" He asked deviously

"What, being in a relationship?" Suku exhaled deeply looking out the small window, her eyes narrowed as she spoke, "No I'm not, but I was. We had known each other sense we were six. We were on the same Genin team, we grew up together. Then-" Suku's eyes darkened and her voice grew cold, "He left. He killed everyone in his clan besides his pitiful little brother; and then left the village. Left me…"

Reikoku gazed at Suku as she stared at the floor her face emotionless, "Is that why you left, because he did?" He asked softly, hoping he wasn't asking too many personal questions.

Suku shook her head looking Reikoku straight in the eyes, "I didn't know it then, but love blinded me. It shielded my eyes of what the village truly was, and what really went on in the shadows of our government. Once the love I had felt was gone, I saw the village's true nature that had been shut out from the public eye. I saw the true workings of the village. That is why I left." Suku closed her eyes and sat back in the chair as memories of the true Konoha resurfaced from her subconscious.

~Flashback~

Suku stood before Sarutobi with her raven summons, Kana and Kita, on her shoulders. Fully dressed in her Anbu attire and mask, the Senshi gave a full report of Team 1's completed mission emotionlessly, "The small river village Sasebo bordering water country has been exterminated. There was a small resistance of 150 men but they were quickly silenced. The village consisted of 300 people, 75 being children, with the evidence of exporting weaponry across the border to a neighboring river village; Mission complete with no complications or casualties." She summed up.

Sarutobi took a drag from his pipe then exhaled slowly, "Well done, your next mission will be a solo mission. You will travel to the town Nekoyama, this mountain side village has been breeding large cat breeds and selling them to Kumo as nin-cats. You will create a poison from the surrounding plants and inject it in a way you see fit, exterminating the population of the village. You will leave in two hours." Sarutobi ordered.

"Hai, Hokage-sama." Suku said disappearing.

~Flashback end~

Suku completed every mission she had been given emotionlessly. But deep down inside, the Senshi grew disgusted with the amount of lives she was ordered to take. The amount of blood she had shed. This was the price of rising to the top, the price of becoming the best.

She shook away the memory and opened her eyes, and looked around the room. Reikoku had fallen asleep and he lay so peacefully on the bed. His calm even breathing soothed Suku as she sat next to him. Gazing at him, Reikoku looked perfect as the sun from the window hit his face. Suku found herself wanting to stroke his cheek and run her fingers through his silky red hair; taken aback by these foreign feelings that she was not use to, Suku stood up suddenly causing the chair to fall onto the ground. Reikoku's eyes fluttered but he remained asleep. Sighing, Suku picked the chair up and sat down once again and gazed down at him.

'Why am I having this strange feeling?' she asked herself, and then a memory hit her of when she was six. The memory of when she first met Itachi. She had had the same feeling before as she does now.

"Could I…" Suku muttered aloud, her eyes softening as she gazed at Reikoku.

Naruto stood by the open door gazing at Suku as she stared down at the man with eyes he had only seen her with when he was younger; when Itachi was still around.

Gazing at the two, Naruto thought to himself, 'If Onee-sama trusts this man enough, to open up for the first time in years and talk to him about her past…then I will trust him too.' Smiling the nine year old walked out of the house into the forest to continue his training.

Suku left the room when she felt Naruto's chakra leave the house and go into the forest.

'It's a bad habit to eavesdrop…Naruto' she mentally scolded

She walked into the kitchen and began to prepare lunch. By the time Naruto returned an hour later, Suku had finished making lunch and a large variety of sashimi with a bowel of white rice and hot tea sat on the table, waiting for him. The two ate in silence, like usual and Naruto washed the dishes. Suku brought a bowel of Kayu in for Reikoku.

*Kayu- is rice gruel, watery, soft cooked rice that resembles oatmeal. It is a suitable dish for using left over rice and is often served to sick people because it can be digested easily.

-Two days later-

Suku unwrapped Reikoku's bandages and inspected the healed wounds closely. A large 'X' had scared his chest but other than that everything else had healed without a scar. Reikoku sat on the side of the bed stretching out his fingers, wrists, arms, and shoulders then stood up to stretch his back, legs, knees, ankles, and toes.

He smiled satisfyingly, "Well I guess you do live up to your name of being the doctor that can heal anything." Suku nodded and turned around as he began to put on the freshly washed clothes.

"I managed to get the blood stains out of your clothes," Informed Suku when he was fully dressed. Reikoku wore traditional samurai white samurai pants with a black undershirt and a red vest that cut off at his shoulders. A red cloth was wrapped around his waist to hold his two swords and he wore the traditional black ninja sandals (the ones sand-nin wear).

Smiling Reikoku walked out of the house beckoning for Suku to follow. He walked past the gardens and into the forest where he began to rub his shoulders and stretch out his muscles. Naruto trotted after them and looked at Suku questionable as she was dressed in her ninja attire, which was rare as she usually wore her training clothes. She wore a white trench coat, a fishnet shirt with bandages underneath, black shorts and black sandals.

Suku cracked her neck and knuckles, making a loud popping noise.

"Onee-sama, what are you doing?" Naruto asked looked from Reikoku to Suku.

"I haven't trained in two weeks." Mumbled Reikoku sadly but his voice grew more cheerfully, "But now I am fully recovered and I wish to spar with Suku." Reikoku announced, speaking mostly to Naruto. He then fell into an offensive fighting stance, "Let us begin with Taijutsu only."

Suku nodded and ran at Reikoku, and aimed her two fingers at Reikoku's arm. He sidestepped to the right, grabbed Suku's outstretched arm and threw her into the air. Flipping in the air, the Senshi landed lightly on her feet and ran at Reikoku from the side. She threw a punch to his face, which he avoided by ducking down. Suku then kicked him in the abdomen, making him slide across the clearing.

Naruto smirked on the sidelines watching the fight, "Choosing close combat with Onee-sama was a bad idea." He mumbled shaking his head as Suku punched Reikoku in the jaw.

Wiping the blood off his chin Reikoku yelled to Suku, "How about we get serious now? Anything goes…"

The two then disappeared leaving only the sounds of battle in their wake. Naruto blinked in surprise trying to follow their movements as they continued to disappear and reappear. Then Naruto saw Suku fly back into the trees snapping them in half. She slowly got up, and then disappeared and reappeared in front of Reikoku. With her split body activated she thrust her arm foreword to touch his shoulder. He side stepped to right avoiding the attack and grasped Suku's wrist tightly. Smirking Suku then kneed him in the stomach and punched him in the face with her free hand. He flew back across the clearing. As he slowly got up, he clutched his stomach in pain.

"What… was that?" He asked coughing up blood, though he wasn't referring to her Kaki Genki. Suku clenched and unclenched her fist and as she stared at it blue chakra engulfed it. Reikoku's eyes widened, now knowing what it was.

"My sensei, Tsunade, taught me how to enhance my strength by storing chakra and releasing it at the point of contract." Suku explained punching a tree effortlessly as it exploded into splinters. Impressed Reikoku slowly walked towards the center of the clearing.

"I see, well you definitely prove that you belong in the Senshi family. But how will you fair against ninjutsu and genjutsu?" Reikoku unsheathed his black katana and stabbed it into the ground.

He then ran through a series of hand seals and once he was finished he pressed his palm to the hilt of his sword. The ground began to tremble and large cracks began to form in the clearing. The tremors felt like an earthquake as the earth continued to break apart creating large crevasses. Then it suddenly stopped. The earth grew still and all was quiet. Then just as Suku thought it might be a fluke, a burst of hot magma shot out from the crevasses that had formed only moments ago. The fiery red liquid shot into the sky and began to rain down on the clearing. Dodging the liquid skillfully Suku put all her attention on dodging the magma. Reikoku took this chance as he unsheathed his other katana and ran at Suku. Distracted, the Senshi was barely able to dodge the attack as he thrust his sword forward stabbing at her abdomen. As she jumped back, a falling glob of molten rock hit her upper thigh. Burnt pieces of the fabric fell onto the ground as her flesh began to smolder.

Gasping in pain, Suku fell onto her knees and immediately began to heal the 3rd degree burn. Sense it was a fresh wound, the healing process took only a few moments, that she usually wouldn't have in an actual battle. Once she was finished, Suku jumped back a couple of feet to put some distance between her and Reikoku.

She clenched her teeth in pain, the burn not completely healed. The Senshi then bit her thumb, created a few hand seals, and pressed her palm to the ground. A large poof of smoke appeared in the clearing but the barrage of falling fire cleared it away. Kana and Kita sat atop Suku shoulders, their eyes darting around the clearing for the enemy. The once small raven, Kita, was now full grown and she wore metal claws and a metal type armor on her wings that was used to cut through flesh and bones.

"We are sparring, but in no way go easy on him." Suku addressed them, "Think of him as an enemy, and be careful of the falling fire that is spewing out of the ground. Let's go!" Kana flew off of Suku's shoulder and disappeared into the trees to prepare genjutsu's. Kita remained on her shoulders as Suku ran at Reikoku.

Once she was within range, Suku jabbed Reikoku on the back the neck with two fingers. Immediately following she used the combination of punches and kicks to force him into the air where Kita would attack him.

As Reikoku took the attacks from Suku, he was unable to control his body. It was like he was a 3rd person watching the battle take place instead of participating in it. When he tried to move or defend himself his body wouldn't responded. But soon, he began to regain supremacy back over his body and was able to catch Suku's ankle as she tried to kick him. He once again threw her across the clearing, but she landed lightly on her feet; but something was missing, Reikoku noticed. Before he could respond, Kita sunk her claws into his shoulder, leaving a few nice size holes behind.

Glaring at the raven, Reikoku flipped in the air and landed on the around clutching the wound.

Naruto stared at the two from the sidelines shaking his head, "Why is Onee-sama actually hurting him after she just got done healing him?" he wondered aloud.

As if hearing Naruto, Suku sighed and walked over to Reikoku helping him up off the ground. "Let's call it a draw," She suggested, "Besides if we continue we might end up actually hurting each other pretty badly."

Reikoku laughed, "It's a draw for now," He agreed, "But we will settle the score some day." After canceling his jutsu and sheathing his sword, the three walked home.

"Reikoku-san, that was an impressive technique," Marveled Naruto at dinner; the meal for the night was Naruto's favorite food, ramen.

"Yes, it's only one of the many fire Jutsu's I specialize in." Reikoku explained, "My swords each have different abilities. The one I used today, Kaseigan, is much weaker than my other sword, Okibi Ou. Kaseigan uses volcanic magma instead of regular fire. It's a mix of molten rock and fire making it much hotter. Okibi Ou is my trump card that I only use in situations where I need to. It was a gift my summons, the Phoenix's."

Naruto was intrigued by the information, wanting to know more, "Does every swordsmen of Kiri have swords with abilities like yours?" He asked eagerly.

"Only the Seven swordsmen have swords with special abilities," Reikoku corrected, "The ability of the seven swordsmen's swords is different, but that isn't necessarily chakra wise. The sword's abilities and appearance all depend on the wielder of that blade. For instance, Zabuza his sword does not have any techniques but the design of it fits his personality; the sword is designed to cleave heads off of people. Kisame's sword does not cut but rips just like his appearance of being a shark. Also once the sword has an owner, no other person is allowed to wield the sword. The consequence depends on the sword." Reikoku finished.

The discussion ended shortly after dinner when Naruto began to get tired and decided to continue it tomorrow.

Reikoku and Suku sat in the living room drinking hot tea, shortly after Naruto went to bed.

"What was the sparring really about today? I don't think you would really injure yourself again because you hadn't fought in a couple of days." Suku questioned, her eyes locking with Reikoku's.

"Your right," He sighed setting down his tea, "I sparred with you today to test your strength."

"Why?"

"Because, we are going after Mika in two days; but she was our medic, and now that we lost her we need someone else to replace her. You have the medical knowledge and strength to keep up with us. We need you." Reikoku stated seriously.

Suku looked away for a moment contemplating on what she should do. If she left she risks being found and having Konoha hear about it. Resulting in a very bad conflict. Then an idea came to her. Why not have Kogan go? He would be perfect; he's just as good as her. Heck even better. Then another thought hit her. He was also next in line to become Mizukage. If anything happened to Mika, like her being kidnapped; Kogan would have to inherit the title. So they couldn't risk loosing him either.

"I'll do it. But I have one request." Suku announced, looking back at Reikoku. He nodded indicating for her to continue.

"On this mission, I do not want to be referred to as Suku or Senshi. I want a code name so that if this gets out Konoha won't know my identity but only the false name."

Reikoku was impressed, he hadn't thought of that. So he agreed and then the two left to go to bed. The long day taking a toll on both of them.

-Unknown Location-

"She is a medic right?" A man asked his deep voice cold and full of authority.

"Yes but she refuses to cooperate." Responded another man, his voice was rough.

-Inside room in Unknown Location-

Mika sat against a stone wall both her hands and feet bound by chakra chains. The dark cell-like room was hot yet cold at the same time. She had lost count of how many days she had spent here, but she knew Reikoku would come for her.

Mika understood that she and Reikoku would never happen and that it was pointless to love him. But she couldn't help but love him. A door opened interrupting her thoughts. A switch was turned on and the flash of light blinded her for a moment.

A tall man with long dark bluish black hair stood before her once again. The red eyes man stared down at her, glaring. He then crouched down, looking her into her icy blue eyes.

"Cooperate and you will not be harmed. Heal my eyes." He commanded his voice calm yet held a hint of angry.

Mika spit in his face and turned away from him, completely ignoring him. The man's eyes narrowed, as he grasped her throat tightly.

"If you will not do as I say. I have no use for you." He gripped her throat tighter.

Mika frowned and kneed him in the groin. He immediately let go of her neck and doubled over in pain. Once he had recovered, he backhanded Mika and slammed her head into the stone wall.

"Is that the best you can do?" She snarled, kicking his abdomen. He flew back a couple feet, becoming angrier by the minute. He appeared in front of her and grasped her neck once again, only this time he activated his sharingan. Her body went limp as her eyes rolled to the back of her head, unconscious.

The man let her body fall to the floor and walked out of the room. As he walked down the hall, his vision blurred and he stumbled over to the wall for support as he began to cough. He brought his cloak up to cover his mouth as the coughing fit continued. When it was finished, he pulled his hand away from his mouth, revealing the cloak drenched in crimson liquid.

He walked back to his room and rummaged through his dresser. When he found what he was looking for he opened the bottle of pills and swallowed a few of them.

"Dammit it isn't working…" He hissed, breathing heavily, "I need her…"