It was late at night, and a man, somewhere in his mid-forties, came into his office and placed down the documents on his desk. He glanced at his calendar and reminded himself that he has another meeting tomorrow morning with the Sharingan Company, owned by the famous Uchihas. It was late at night, and he decided to call it a day, after being so busy.
He placed some important papers into his briefcase to review at home. He checked around to make sure things are in order, and picked up his coat. When he turned around the man nearly jumped at seeing a beautiful porcelain doll sitting there on his couch.
"Huh? What is this doll doing here?" The man wondered. He walked up to the doll and picked it up. It was a male doll, like a little boy. It had short raven hair, with a black barrette on its head, and a silver rose on it. It had a black vest over a gray long sleeve collared shirt, with its sleeves ballooning out and then cuffed at its wrist. There was a big silver bow on its neck, with a silver rose at the center of the tie. And it wore black shorts, a bit past its knees, with white leggings and black dress shoes. The doll's eyes were black, and emotionless.
The man furrowed his brows, wondering where this doll came from, or who left it in his office. "I might as well bring you home. Hana would love playing with you." Then the man picked up the doll.
When he picked it up, and looked into its eyes, the man instantly released his hold on it when the doll blinked its eyes at him. "What the hell?"
The doll sat up from the ground, and raised its head to look at the man. The man widened his eyes in fear, and backed away. "What are you? Are you some monster?" He shouted in panic, trying to get away from the doll.
The doll stood up, and stared at the man with emotionless eyes. "You are a hindrance to Master." The doll raised a hand, and widened its eyes.
The man started to scream in pain, and he clutched his head as he fell to his knees. "Stop it!" He yelled. Then unwillingly, the man stood up, pain still visible in his eyes. His movements were stiff, and sloppy, as his hands were roaming around the desk. Then the man picked up a letter opener, and lifted it, to point the sharp end at his heart. "No!" He cried in protest.
Then the letter opener plunged into the man's heart, and the body fell. Later sirens could be heard as the man bled endlessly.
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Hana Taisen
Chapter Three: The Silver Rose Assassin
By: Datenshi no Uzumaki
"Find each other now Roses,
Father and Mother beckon you Home."
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Heavy running footfalls could be heard above, and then it came running down the stairs. Itachi sighed, and shook his head. He turned around when his little brother burst into the room, looking disheveled, and tired. The older Uchiha picked up the boy's school bag and lunch, and Sasuke got them, with a slice of toast in his mouth. "You're going to be late." The older Uchiha stated, and then turning around to wash the dishes.
Sasuke glared at his brother, and pulled out his breakfast from his mouth. "Well blame the two stupid dolls and their little amusement of playing games on my computer all night very loudly!" Then he ran out the house, saying his good byes to his brother and the two dolls sitting on the couch.
Naruto and Sakura were ignorant to Sasuke's "whining", as Itachi would call it. They sat there eating their breakfast happily, with the television on, on the news channel. The two were dressed in matching nightgowns, house clothes made by Sasuke, embarrassingly. "Itachi-san is a really great cook!" Squealed the pink haired doll in delight. Sakura was in a pink nightgown, with a hood over her head and cute bunny ears.
The blond doll nodded vigorously. Naruto wore a light blue nightgown with cat like ears on his hood. "Especially his cakes!" The female nodded in agreement.
Itachi smiled at the two, and turned his attention to the newsflash about a CEO of a company that was discovered dead last night. The older Uchiha raised a brow, and made his way closer to the television. He picked up the controller and raised the volume.
"- discovered that the man, Shibuya Hideki died due to a stab to his heart, and blood lose, in his office last night. It is believed that it may be suicide, but detectives believe it was an act of homicide. As of now, there are no known suspects, but police are trying to find out the reason for the murder. More news about the murder of Shibuya-san will be coming up in a while. Back to you-"
Itachi turned off the television and frowned. 'That was the man that I was supposed to have a meeting with later today… This is the third time this month that a company president wants an association with our company… and they end up dead the day before our meeting… what is going on?' Then his cell phone rang, and he picked it up. "Yes. I heard." The Uchiha frowned more. "I wouldn't know."
He glanced at the two living dolls that were now busying themselves in trying to clean the floor, as some of their cake fell to the ground, and on the couch. For formal looking dolls, they sure were messy eaters when it came to sweets. "Root Inc.?" The Uchiha furrowed his brows, keeping his eyes on the two children like dolls. "When? Tomorrow?" He inwardly sighed. "Fine. See you then." Then he hung up, and stared at the messy dolls.
"You two." He sighed.
Naruto and Sakura looked up innocently at the Uchiha, blinking their big eyes at him. Itachi shook his head, and chuckled lightly. "Come now, give me your clothes. I'll wash them for you."
The pink haired doll blinked her jade eyes, and tilted her head slightly. "Is Itachi-san not going to be late for his meeting, if he washes our clothes?"
Itachi smiled at the doll. "It turns out it got canceled, and rescheduled to tomorrow." He said, lying a bit, but it's not like the dolls could tell right? It doesn't concern them anyways.
Naruto smiled widely. "Then that means Itachi-kun is going to stay with us the whole day?"
"Maybe." He chuckled, and reached out his hand to take their messy clothes. "You know… I think maybe we should buy some more clothes for you two." Then he looked up to the ceiling, as if he was thinking hard. "Or maybe I can make Sasuke make more for you."
The blond doll widened his glittering eyes. "Really? Sasuke-teme is really good in making things!"
Sakura giggled. "Itachi is the best cook! Sasuke is the best in sewing!" Itachi chuckled. 'Two great Uchihas reduced into supposedly feminine domestic activities… what has the world gone into?' He shook his head, and proceeded to the laundry room.
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Uchiha Itachi doesn't really like the president of the company of Root Inc. The man was very old (looking like he could roll over and die any second), with battle scars all around him, from the time he took part of the war. Itachi also remembered that his father didn't like him, always refusing to sign an affiliation with the two companies. Also, he heard rumors on how the president of Root Inc. raised a revolt against the mayor of his city, and it didn't turn out well.
The man was named Danzo, and although Itachi was going to follow his father in not making an agreement with the man, he would still meet this man to see what he would say. Itachi would always find amusement on how some of the businessmen of other corporations try to beg him to sign an agreement with their company.
"Itachi-sama, Danzo-sama is here, waiting in meeting room B." The teen glanced at the secretary and nodded, before going into his office and dropping off his stuff on his chair. The Uchiha then walked his way to the meeting room, with his female secretary.
"Yo, Itachi-kun." The young Uchiha turned his head to see Hatake Kakashi wave at him as he walked up towards him. The man was taller than the Uchiha. He had spiky gray hair, with dark eyes. The man was odd, with an eye patch over one eyes, caused by an accident long ago. The man was also known to be extremely tardy for any meeting and occasions, even to work. He was a very close family friend, and was the one that helps run the business while Itachi continued on with getting his business master's degree, which was months away till he graduates.
"Kakashi-san." Itachi nodded to the man.
The man gave a small grin, and patted the shorter male on his shoulder. "Maa… always formal as usual. Sorry I couldn't avoid this meeting with Danzo-san… he's very persistent, and especially with all those unexpected deaths with our future associates…" The man frowned, also not liking this president of Roots Inc. "Makes you think that…" The man trailed off, not really continuing as they were in front of the door to the meeting room.
Itachi nodded, also thinking the same thing. The young Uchiha opened the door, and politely allowed everyone in as he held the door. The secretary blushed, and nodded her thanks as she walked past him. There in the round meeting table was the old man, with his own secretary, and other close workers. Only Itachi, his secretary, Kakashi and his secretary were present from the Sharingan Corp.
Danzo stood up, and so did the others from his company. They all bowed in greeting. "Uchiha Itachi, it's good to see you. And thank you for your time in meeting with me."
Itachi nodded, and sat down at the head of the table, across from his guest. "The pleasure is all mine. Now what is it you wanted to discuss with me, today, Danzo-san? As you know, our company is busy in trying to figure out why all our future associates happen to unexpectedly die the day before agreement proposals." He narrowed his eyes at the man.
"I'm terribly sorry for the loss, but I was going to propose that Sharingan Corp. sign a business association agreement with Roots Inc." The old man persisted.
Itachi sighed, and placed a hand on his temple. 'This is going to be a long day…'
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When the meeting was over, Itachi went to his office, and sat down on his desk, staring at the stack of reports and letters gathered neatly in front of him. He sighed, thinking it was going to be an even longer day ahead of him. He opened up his computer, and began his half of the workload. The other entire half was left to Kakashi, which he knew would be turned in by the end of the week, late.
Then there was a knock on his door, and he beckoned for the person to come in. It was his secretary, who looked a bit nervous, before stepping inside with surprisingly a doll in her hands. " Um… I was checking on the meeting room to make sure everything was cleaned out, and I found this on one of the seats, where Danzo and his company were sitting at… Do you want me to… call him and tell him that he… left his doll?"
Itachi glanced at the doll. It was a life-like porcelain doll that looked just a beautiful as Naruto and Sakura. It was bigger than Naruto in size, but smaller than Sakura. Oddly enough, its features strikingly resembled that of an Uchiha, mostly Sasuke when he was a little boy. "You go do that. You can keep this doll in here. If he says he can't get it back today, then I'll take it home with me."
The secretary blinked her eyes, but nodded without question. She then placed the doll on the chair in front of Itachi's desk, and quickly left the room. The Uchiha glanced at the doll, with both their eyes meeting. "Why would that senile old man have something like you with him?" He mostly questioned to himself. Itachi shrugged and continued on with his work.
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Sasuke opened the door with a scowl upon his face. He narrowed his eyes more at the person at the door. "What do you want?" He said lowly.
Ino smiled widely. "Oh Sasuke-kun, you're so funny." His blonde haired classmate pushed the Uchiha out of the way, and made her way inside, as if she lived there. Sasuke grumbled and closed the door behind.
"Ino-chan!" Cried out the pink haired doll, as she leaped into the blonde haired girl's open arms. "I miss you!"
The blonde girl laughed, and patted the doll's head, as she held her. "I miss you too. Have you been behaving, Sakura-chan?"
The doll nodded enthusiastically. "Of course! But I'm also making sure that Naruto-chan doesn't cause any trouble either."
The blond doll crossed his arms and huffed in response. "Hey! What do you mean?" He pouted. Sakura giggled, and stuck her tongue out at the smaller doll.
Ino smiled widely, and lifted her free hand with a carry on box. "Guess what I brought?" The two dolls squealed and immediately jumped into the chairs around the dining table.
Naruto looked up to the Uchiha. "Hey, servant, go get us plates and forks!" The blond doll demanded.
Sasuke glared and grumbled as he went into the kitchen to get some plates and utensils. "I'm not your servant, dobe!" Inwardly he was sulking, 'I just cleaned them!'
Ino laughed and placed the cake on the table. "I even got your favorite, Sakura-chan. It has strawberries!"
The pink haired doll squealed in delight, and clasped her hands together. It's been weeks since Sakura became part of the Uchiha household, and Ino would come over to the house as often as she can, after her tennis practice. The season barely started, and the blonde girl would barely have enough time visiting her favorite girl. She may be using the excuse of seeing the Uchiha, but she really was there to see the pink haired doll that she loved dearly.
Sasuke sank into the couch, trying to tune out the loud and happy chatter from the dolls and the blonde girl. Sakura and Naruto excitingly told Ino of all the things they have discovered and learned from the last time they last saw the blonde girl. Then the door opened, and they all turned their attention to the eldest Uchiha that walked into the room, looking worn out. Naruto especially perked up with curiosity as the teenager came with a doll in his arm.
Ino beamed at the handsome young man. "Ah, hello there, Uchiha-san."
The raven-haired teen turned his head, and nodded to Sasuke's classmate. "Yamanaka-san." Then he put down his suitcase and coat on the chair that was placed against the wall, and close to the shelf with the phone.
Naruto hopped off his chair, and surprised Itachi for suddenly appearing in front of him. The blond doll tilted his head slightly. "Ita-kun… what's that?" His big blue eyes blinked in a curious way.
Itachi lifted the doll in his hands, and looked at it. "Oh this? Some man left it behind after our meeting. So I took it home, because the man can't pick it up today."
The blond doll looked at the other doll, and narrowed its eyes as Itachi set it down on the same chair where his coat and suitcase was. Itachi then walked into the kitchen, and put on a plain black apron on. "Is Yamanaka-san going to stay over for dinner tonight?"
The blonde girl jumped and looked up at the older Uchiha with a bright smile. "I would love to, but sadly I have to head home and watch the store today." She then looked at her watch and widened her eyes. "Oh, I have to head home now, too. Thanks for the invite, Uchiha-san." The blonde stood up and picked up the pink haired doll, and enveloped her in a big hug. She then placed Sakura back on her seat, and ran out the door, shouting out her good-byes.
Sasuke sighed out in relief that the blonde was gone, and stood up from the couch. When he turned around he spotted Naruto standing there, looking at the doll that sat on the chair. "Oi, dobe, what are you doing?"
The blond doll turned his head, glaring at the boy, his cheeks puffing out with anger. "Don't call me dobe!"
The raven-haired boy snorted, and picked up his bag from beside the couch. "Call me when dinner is ready. I'm going to do homework." He walked out and went upstairs.
"Hey! Come back here!" The blond doll ran after younger Uchiha.
Sakura sighed, and shook her head. She began to clear the table as much as her little self can. Itachi spotted the pink haired doll, and said that he could do it for her. "Thank you, Itachi-san!" The pink haired doll chirped. "I think I'll go make sure that Naruto-chan and Sasuke-kun won't kill each other."
Itachi chuckled and shook his head, watching as the pink doll walk out the room to the stairs. The older Uchiha then glanced over to the doll sitting there on the chair, all by its lonesome. "I envy my Otouto sometimes, for being younger. He's able to do as he pleases, and at his own pace… not like how I was raised when I was going through his age."
He sighed, and turned his attention back to cooking dinner for the occupants of the house. "I'm also glad Sasuke found a friend in Naruto, even if it's a doll. I especially envy the close relationship that he has with Naruto."
Then something shined within the charcoal eyes of the doll.
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It was quiet, and late in the night. The Uchiha household was asleep, but something shifted in the shadows. A tiny hand slowly reaches up to the knob of a door.
"I knew it."
Dark eyes widened slightly and turned to see the narrowed crystal blue eyes. The blond haired doll with whisker like marking on its cheeks was standing with his arms crossed. "Why did you want to go into Itachi's room? What were you going to do?"
The dark haired doll just stared at the blond living doll with empty eyes. Naruto frowned deeply. "And how are you awake, when you do not have a Host to hold your Rose?"
"How do you know all this, when I do not recognize you as one of the other Dolls of Eden?" The dark haired doll finally spoke, his voice low and deep, but young.
Naruto grunted, and slightly turned his head to the side. "It doesn't matter. What ever you were thinking, I won't let you hurt the humans in this house. You'll have to go through me."
The dark haired doll turned away from the door, and faced the blond doll. "You are strong. You have control of the Pink Rose." He then closed his dark eyes. "She was weak anyways."
"Teme." Naruto growled.
"Sai, the Silver Rose. And you?"
The blonde doll slightly grinned. "Naruto, the Blue Rose."
Sai closed his eyes, and then turned away. "Hey! Where are you going?" The blond watched as the dark haired doll jumped up the windowsill from the window down the hall, and opened it. "Wait!" Naruto called out.
Sai turned his head, looking at the blond doll. "You better watch the humans of this house, Blue Rose. There are other humans out there that want to get rid of the powerful name of Uchiha. I won't promise you that I will go easy on you, if ever we meet again, Blue Rose." Then the doll jumped out from the window, and was gone.
Naruto stared hard at the spot the dark haired doll was. He clenched his hands into a tight fist. "Naruto-kun? What are you doing out here?" The blond doll turned around and saw the eldest Uchiha standing at the door of his room. His hair was down, and he wore a comfortable sleeping pants, but no shirt.
The blond doll shook his head, and reached up on his tippy-toes to close the window. "Nothing. I just couldn't sleep, and thought of getting some air." He smiled widely, hiding his blue eyes. Itachi furrowed his brows, but didn't question the doll.
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"Wow! This is the place where you work? It's so tall!" Awed the blond doll, as he was perched on the elder Uchiha's arm.
Itachi glanced at the blond head of the doll. He didn't know why Naruto insisted on joining him to his work today. He was very persistent that he should come. When morning came around, Itachi found out that the doll he brought home disappeared. Naruto told the older Uchiha that, while he was in the shower, someone called and left a message, saying they were going to pick up the doll in five minutes. Naruto took the doll out and left it at the porch for them to pick up, with a letter saying that no one in the household was able to answer the door, because they weren't home. Itachi was a bit suspicious about the doll's reason, and there weren't even any messages on the machine.
Itachi tried to ignore the odd behavior of the doll. He believed that the doll was always odd, and that he should be used to it by now. But Itachi couldn't help but doubt Naruto about the other doll. 'He's hiding something…'
When Itachi entered the office, he casually greeted the people that greeted him first. He ignored the stares he received with the doll in his arm. When he passed by his secretary to head to his office, the woman looked confused, seeing the blond haired doll instead of a dark haired one. Or did her mind play tricks on her and the doll really was blonde instead of brunette?
The Uchiha gently placed the blond doll on the couch to the side of his office, and he set down his briefcase on his desk. Naruto watched the man walk around with an aura of superiority he hasn't seen when around the house. The blond noticed that Itachi's expression hardened, and had that apathetic look. "Sato-san were there any messages left for me, especially from Kakashi-san?" He asked in a calm tone.
The woman turned to her desk, and looked at the pieces of papers stacked at one corner. "Five minutes ago, Hatake-sama just called saying your meeting with Yamamoto-san at noon is canceled."
Itachi frowned. "Any reason why?"
The young woman shook her head. "No I'm sorry."
The Uchiha sighed inwardly, and nodded to the woman. "Anything else?"
Ms. Sato picked up a schedule and looked through it. "The stock reviews should be done, and there are a few documents that are needed for you to look over and sign… and after that, everything is free."
Itachi nodded, and then went into his room. He closed the door behind, and plopped himself on his chair. Naruto stared at the Uchiha, and then tilted his head. "Ita-kun works really hard, doesn't he?"
"I'm just trying to keep this business going for my father." He said, shrugging a bit. He then turned his attention to his computer. "You can turn on the television, if you want, but don't turn up the volume too loud."
The blond doll nodded in understanding, and hopped off the couch. He then reached for the controller, and turned on the electrical box. It was on the news, and the headline caught the Uchiha's attention, before the doll changed the channel. "Wait, Naruto, turn it back." The blond doll turned his head and blinked his eyes, and then changed it back to the boring news.
"-announced that the president of VSC Company was found murdered close to the building. There were no known evidence, but it's said that the killer could have ran away. No one knows why there are many reports of corporate men dying this pass few weeks, and now all the other companies are raising their security for better protection of these figures. Police and detectives are still on the case-"
Naruto frowned, narrowing his eyes at the scene of the crime. From behind the policemen, he could see silver petals dragging across the street with the light winds. 'You're doing this, aren't you? But why? Could it be that you are being controlled unwillingly, and not by a destined Host?' The blond doll slightly turned his head to look at the Uchiha. Naruto bit his lip. 'Ita-kun is a corporate business person… was the reason you were at our house was to kill him?'
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Itachi called it a day, leaving his work early. He decided to stop by the ice cream store, for Naruto and Sakura. The pink haired doll was left back home. When he came out of the store, he ran into Sasuke, who was walking back home from school. Then the two brothers came driving back to their house, with Naruto sitting on the younger Uchiha's lap.
"I'm worried, Anki… you might be next. Didn't Kakashi saying anything? He didn't hire some guards for you?" Questioned Sasuke, his brows furrowed.
The eldest brother shrugged his shoulders. "It's okay. I don't need guards, and we got Naruto and Sakura with us." Naruto giggled, saying out loudly that he would protect him.
Sasuke then glanced down at the blond doll in his arms. "I don't doubt Naruto and Sakura's abilities, but what would you tell all those reporters, if let's say the attacker does attempt to kill you, on how you caught the culprit?"
Itachi made an expression of thinking. "That my brother and his toys saved my life."
"F U, Anki!" He shouted, his face red in embarrassment.
Naruto rubbed his ear. "Maa… watch your language, teme."
"What about you?" He hit the doll's head.
"Owie! Sasuke-teme is so mean!" The blond doll cried.
Itachi sighed, and rolled his eyes, tuning out the two's usual banters. 'But who could be the ones doing all this? They might suspect it to be the Uchiha Corp, if they all connect that all the ones that died were killed the day before they were going to meet with us… But then again… only Danzo didn't get killed-'
"ANKI/ITACHI WATCH OUT!" Cried out both Sasuke and Naruto, with wide eyes and staring a head of them. When Itachi snapped out of his thoughts, he saw black shadows rising from the ground, and blocking his way. The Uchiha then swerved sharply to avoid hitting what ever it was. Then the car went to a complete stop. The two brothers slowly raised their heads, registering on what just happened.
The door to the car suddenly opened, and the Uchiha brothers turned their attentions to the blond doll that was walking its way to the strange shadow things in the middle of the street. Sasuke perked with alert, and unbuckled his belt. He then ran after the blond doll he was hosting. "Naruto!"
The doll looked over his shoulder to see the boy run up behind him. "Sasuke, I need your energy to fight them."
"But why are they here?" The raven-haired boy questioned, going into a defensive stance as the shadows were inching closer to them.
Naruto frowned. "My guess… it's those killers of the business people." He said, knowing that he was somewhat lying, though he doesn't really know for sure.
"What?" Itachi stood out from his car, intent on watching the two in action, and what this whole bond was about.
The blond doll bit his lip. "Wraiths are able to respond to those who made a pact with the Black Sage." The two Uchihas raised a brow in question. "The Black Sage is the one that creates the Wraiths. The Wraiths work for the Black Sage to cause destruction, and most certainly to either capture us Dolls or destroy us."
Then the shadows attacked. Naruto pushed the boy to the side, and shouted to him. "Sasuke!"
The boy nodded, and closed his eyes. "Wind Blade!" The doll glowed in a blue aura, and released powerful cutting winds, and slashed the Wraiths into black dust. Then more shadows rose from the ground.
"Humans are sadly greedy, and would want anything for power." Said the blond, as the doll dodged the Wraiths that were attacking. "So their dark hearts call on to the Black Sage unconsciously, and he would come to them."
The blond doll glanced at the Uchiha again. Sasuke jumped back, and raised his hand with the brace around the wrist. "Tornado Blast!" Naruto blared with a blue light, and jumped into the air. Harsh winds encircled around the doll, and a tornado formed, sucking up the Wraiths into the killing winds. More black dust burst into the air.
"Those dark-hearted people are able to gain a part of the Black Sage's power, after making a pact with him." Then the blond doll released more cutting winds upon Sasuke's command. "It's what you would say, 'selling your soul to the devil'." Then the Wraiths were all gone, and none showed up again.
Realization hit the blond doll, and it widened its big blue eyes. 'Don't tell me…' Then Naruto went running to a certain direction, not looking back.
"Hey! Where are you going, you dobe?" Sasuke shouted, as he ran after his little blond doll.
Itachi sighed and shook his head. A gentle breeze blew by, and the older Uchiha turned his head upon seeing that dark haired doll again, standing to the side of the street, under the Sakura tree. "Huh?" But when he blinked his eyes, the doll was gone.
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'I'm so stupid! Why didn't I think of it before?' The blond doll continued to run through the streets, and ended up hopping through the rooftops when he spotted people walking around.
Sasuke was running, looking up once in a while to keep up with Naruto. 'What is up with that dobe?' Then the two entered a familiar quiet street, and Naruto began to run in the middle of the street, with Sasuke trailing behind. "Dobe! Wait up! Where are we going?" He nearly yelled.
Then there was an explosion, and a blur of pink shot away from the rise of smoke. Sasuke widened his eyes, recognizing his surroundings. They were in the street that he lived in, and the smoke came from the front yard of his house. "No!" He ran to the direction of his house.
"Sakura! The humans!" cried out the blond doll, before standing in front of the gates of the Uchiha household, with a defensive stance. Sasuke came and stood behind the doll.
"Right!" Sakura, who was in the air, clasped her hands together, closing her emerald green eyes. "Sweet Dream!"
Sasuke could feel his silver brace radiate with warmth, and he looked at his wrist to see the tiny pink gem sparkle. In a matter of seconds, Sasuke could feel something go through him, and suddenly the houses around them disappeared, save for his house. They were in a dark and empty space. Sakura landed next to the smaller doll. "Naruto, it's the Silver Rose!" said Sakura.
The blond doll nodded. "I know." He answered, watching the smoke slowly disappearing.
When the smoke cleared, Sasuke could see the outline of a small figure. He widened his eyes recognizing the raven-haired doll his brother brought home yesterday. "What's going on?" The Uchiha demanded.
Naruto frowned slightly, ignoring his Host. "It was you, wasn't it? All those murders were because of you." Sasuke and Sakura slightly widened their eyes at the blond's words.
Sai just stood there with empty eyes. The blond growled. "Tell me, how is it you are awake, when you have no Host?" Sakura gasped. Sasuke looked at the doll, confused and clueless on what it meant.
The pink haired doll bowed her head slightly, furrowing her brows. "The Dolls of Eden cannot function without a Host to hold their Roses." She said, mostly to Sasuke, but she did not take her eyes off the raven-haired doll. Sasuke nodded, already knowing about it. "Without a Host to nourish and keep their Rose alive, then the Doll is not supposed to be awake. Us Dolls depend on humans' energy to keep us alive. Those bonds also allow us to grow in strength and use our powers to fight." Sakura frowned. "The Silver Rose… you're not supposed to be awake, let alone use your powers without a Host!"
The doll blinked its eyes, and then slightly tilted its head. "True…"
Sakura then stepped forward. "You didn't have a Host the last time we were awake, and also the time before that!" Sasuke furrowed his brow, not understanding why it's a bad thing.
Naruto, as if reading the young Uchiha's mind spoke out. "Tell me… who is it that is controlling you? The one who has pledged their life to the Black Sage." He said in a low tone that Sasuke has never heard before. Sakura gasped again.
Sai continued to stare with dull eyes. "I guess… you'll have to find out for yourself." Then he lifted his hand. "Electric Shock." Sparks of electricity surged towards the two dolls.
Sasuke widened his eyes, and called out to his doll. "Naruto! Tornado Blast!" The blond doll released harsh winds, swirling towards the attack to neutralize it out. Then the blond doll leaped towards the dark haired doll. Sakura picked up the sides of her dress, and ran.
"He's going to use another attack!" Shouted out the pink haired girl. As on cue, the doll released stronger currents of electricity.
The blond furrowed his brows. "Naruto, Wind Blades!" On command, the doll glowed in a blue aura, and released sharp cutting winds, but Sai jumped away. "Wind Blades!" The blond dashed forward releasing more sharp winds.
Sai gave a fake smile, and raised both his hands. "Naruto! Above you!" cried out Sakura. The blond looked up, and saw a bolt of thunder crashing down upon him, but Naruto dodged to the side, and rolled to the ground.
Sai turned his head, and got hit on the face by a stuffed bunny that came to Sasuke's waist. The dark haired doll frowned, and looked at the bigger doll. "I forgot. Your ability is to read minds. How unfortunate."
Sakura grinned, glaring at the smaller doll. "But you also forgot about my ability." Said Sai, before he widened his dark eyes.
Naruto gasped, and turned his head shouting to his comrade. "No! Sakura don't look into his eyes!" But it was too late, as the doll slumped down to the ground, and the illusion of the stuffed bunny disappeared. "I'm too late…"
Sasuke stared, confused and defensive. "What happened?"
The blond doll scrambled from the ground as the pink haired doll got back up, with her head still bowed. "It's Sai's special ability… Sakura can read minds… but Sai… he controls them."
The young Uchiha slightly widened his eyes. "That means… he's controlling Sakura." He saw a smirk form on both the pink haired doll and raven-haired doll's lips. Both Sasuke and Naruto wore wary expressions.
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Itachi drove throughout the city, searching for his younger brother and the boy's blond doll. He knew something was up, and those shadows that attacked them were flashing signs telling him so. After an hour of driving around, he decided to head home, knowing that Sasuke and Naruto would be fine, as long as they were together.
But then he stopped his car, when he saw this black dome suddenly disappeared. He came out of the car, and was surprised to see the black haired little doll he took home yesterday, staggering in its walk, with torn clothes. He widened his eyes, and ran to the doll. The doll's big ebony eyes looked up at the older Uchiha. Itachi bent down on his knees, to the level of the small doll. "You're one of them."
The doll looked away. One hand was placed on the stone wall for support, while the other fiddled around with the torn edge of his shirt. "Yes… but I failed my mission. I couldn't kill you." The doll said in a low tone, of that of a male.
Itachi slightly widened his eyes, but controlled his emotions. "So you were the one." He closed his eyes. "The one who ordered you to kill all those people… it was Danzo." He stated, but the doll turned its head away. This time Itachi questioned in a kind tone. "Why?"
The doll blinked its eyes, and looked back up at the Uchiha. Then closed its eyes, seeing the close bond between the blond doll and the younger Uchiha. Oh how he felt envy between the two. It's been sixty years since he remembered ever being bonded with a human. But then his Host became corrupt and signed his soul to the Black Sage. Inwardly the doll sighed, and opened its eyes to look into the black eyes with a tint of red. "Because… he controls me by the powers of the Black Sage."
The doll nearly chuckled at the confused look the Uchiha was trying to hide. "Danzo-sama… he was a man of war. The first time I met him, he was a soldier, ready to fight in the war. His wife gave me as a present, and it turned out he was my Host. Then he took me with him to the battlefield. He found out about my powers, and used it to defeat his enemies. Danzo-sama was a strong man back then. We fought and defeated the other seven Dolls, making it his goal to get his wish from Father. He wanted power to destroy all those who stood in his way, and get revenge on his wife who was murdered. But then, when we met up with the First Doll, we were defeated, and I went back to sleep.
"When I woke up, after twenty years, I found that I was able to be awake, even though my Rose wasn't in a Host. You see… us Dolls can only be with a Host once in their lifetime, before we get chosen to new ones. Danzo made a pact with the Black Sage. He uses the dark power to keep me alive, so that he can use me to fight his enemies, and all those who stand in his way. I knew that his heart has finally fallen to the darkness, and I no longer can save him from it. But I made a promise to his wife years ago, that I would watch over him, so that he will always be happy…" The doll sighed. "The only way he is happy is if he is in control, and I allowed him to use me to grant his wishes. But then we ran into the First Doll again, and I went back to sleep. I woke up again to find I was still in control under Danzo, his heart darker."
Itachi furrowed his brows. "You can never escape him." He said softly.
The doll looked up at the Uchiha. "I feel the same way as you do, Uchiha Itachi. I envy the bond between the Blue Rose and your brother." Then the doll turned his head slightly, looking up at the night sky. "I long to feel the bond between Rose and Host again… but… I could never find the right Host, or the courage to leave Danzo-sama behind."
It became silent between the two, but they were comfortable being together. Itachi reached out a hand, and brushed away a few strands of hair from the doll's black eyes. "Tell me your name, little one." He asked in a gentle tone.
The doll turned his head, with wide eyes, as memories flooded into his mind.
A gentle hand touched his head, and brushed away the dark strands from his big charcoal eyes. "Your name… please tell me your name, little one." A kind and gentle voice said. And a bright smile came upon the person's lips.
"Sai… my name is Sai, the seventh child, and the Silver Rose of Thunder." Unconsciously the doll moved forward, his hand reaching towards the older Uchiha's chest. Itachi didn't move, curious as to what the doll is doing. Then when the doll's hand made contact to where his heart was, warmth spread throughout inside of him. "…I found you… I finally found you…" He looked down and saw the doll's hand glowing in a glittering silver aura. "You… will you… take care of my Rose?"
Itachi blinked his eyes, and gave a kind smile. "Of course… since you asked so kindly."
Sai snapped out of his trance and looked up at the older Uchiha. "Was that sarcasm?"
The teen snorted, and stood up, picking up the doll with him. "No." Then he walked towards his car. "It was nothing." Sai didn't say anything after that, but then slowly, he leaned his head on Itachi's shoulder. 'I'm tired… I failed in keeping my promise… but… I give my Rose to you, Uchiha Itachi, because I sense that we both feel lonesome. I believe that you are the perfect Host I've been searching for.'
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The doors burst open, and Itachi looked up with bored eyes from his computer. He could see his secretary blushing in embarrassment and nervousness. In front of her was the old man, the bane of the company. He looked mad, but he didn't care. "I'm sorry Uchiha-sama! I tried to stop him from coming in, but-"
"Where is it?" The man demanded in an outraged tone. His calm demeanor that Itachi has always known the man to have was flushed down the drain. The old man was glaring hard at the Uchiha.
Itachi leaned back in his chair, and waved a hand to his secretary to leave them alone. The woman bowed many times as she went to close the door. The Uchiha glanced up at the man calmly. "Danzo-san, how may I help you?"
"Don't play coy with me, Uchiha." He roughly banged his cane on the ground. "Where is my doll?"
"Are you not too old to be playing with dolls?" Itachi asked, with a raised brow. The man growled. The Uchiha brushed his bangs from his eyes, amusement dancing in his dark eyes.
Danzo glared harder. "You know what I'm talking about, Uchiha." Then he pointed his cane at the young Uchiha's direction. "Last night, I sent that doll into a mission, and it never came back, because I know you have something to do with it."
"Oh?" Itachi raised a brow, still looking calm. "So you admit you were the one that assassinated all those top corporate men, then."
Danzo's face flushed red with fury. "You cannot prove it! Now give me back the damn doll!"
"I can't go back, because my loyalties now lie with my Host." Both men in the room turned their attention to the small voice in the back of the room. There on the couch, sitting comfortably and expressionlessly was the dark haired doll. Sai looked up at the old man.
Danzo was outraged. "What?" He then walked up to the doll. "I have control of you! I still have the powers from the Black Sage! No one can take you!"
Sai pressed his lips into a thin line. "You may have the powers, but your contract said that you have control of me, until I found my rightful Host." The doll glanced over to the Uchiha. "I'm tired. And I realize I can never defeat the First Doll, not without a true Host." He then looked up at the man, a tiny remorse passed through his eyes. "You had your chance as being my Host, but what you are doing goes against the rule that we Dolls of Eden play in the Blossom War." Then Sai's eyes widened, and the man suddenly stilled in his spot. "I'm sorry…" He whispered.
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"-announced that the trial of Danzo of Root Corp for the assassination of eight other corporate men of the country will commence in three days."
Sasuke turned off the television, and turned his head to see Itachi busy in setting plates and forks in front of the dolls. Naruto and Sakura greedily eyed the chocolate cake at the center of the table. Sai sat expressionlessly near the two, and glanced at the cake. Sasuke watched as Itachi cut the cake into perfect equal pieces, then place them on the plates in front of the dolls. Sakura and Naruto immediately gulped down their chocolate cake in one go, making a mess. Sasuke sighed knowing he has to clean them after.
"Would you like some, Otouto?" Itachi asked, but the younger Uchiha shook his head.
"No thanks. I don't like sweets, and watching them eat it is almost making me lose my dinner." He replies, patting down his stomach.
Sai furrowed his brows, but then looked at the smallest doll. "Hey, dickless, pass me a napkin that's next to the hag." He even pointed his fork at where the napkins were.
The blond and pink haired doll blew up at the names the new doll called them. "WHAT DID YOU CALL ME?"
Sasuke sighed, and placed a hand on his temple. "Our house has become more of a zoo than a doll house…" He then walked to the foyer. "Call me when they're done, Anki." And Itachi could hear the stomping of his little brother going up to his room.
"You wanted me to be honest, so I called you such. The Blue Rose is because his gender is questionable, making you more of a female, while the Pink Rose looks like an old hag." Sai said calmly, as he took a small bite from his cake.
"WHAT WAS THAT?" The two dolls screeched, almost jumping out from their chairs.
Itachi sweat dropped, and had to keep the two dolls in their chairs and from killing his doll he is now playing host to. "You know Sai, that is not really how you give nicknames to your friends." The elder Uchiha said. The doll blinked his dark eyes, and just stared up at Itachi with a blank expression. Then Naruto and Sakura started yelling at the dark haired doll, with Sai giving small and quick retorts at the two. Itachi sighed, but inwardly he was smiling. 'Okaasan, Otousan… if only you could see your sons now. This house will no longer be quiet and lonesome anymore… just as you wanted it, Okaasan.'
"Why can't you all just SHUT UP?" Then the kitchen became quiet, with four pairs of eyes staring at the ceiling. Then a chuckle escaped from the older Uchiha's lips.
'Upon my Rose, I give my life to protect the bond we share, and will cherish it. No longer do we have to be lonely. I will fight to keep you close to me, my precious one.'
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EDIT (2013): Little changes and some corrections. ))
Ages: (Those mentioned and are not a doll)
Sasuke and Ino- 14
Itachi- 19
Kakashi- 30
Danzo- ? (Not worth mentioning really. Let's just say he's really old)
The Dolls:
Naruto – Blue Rose of Wind
Sakura – 5th child; Pink Rose of Spirit
Sai – 7th child; Silver Rose of Thunder
Level of Power:
1st- use of their respective element
2nd- able to use their special individual ability