OK, GUYS! This is chapter 3~! Isn't it great?
Now, PLEASE go vote on the poll I put on my profile! It's about whether I should post The Arena as one story or two. I NEED TO KNOW~!
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Naruto. Stop rubbing it in. -.-
Chapter 3
Kakashi pushed open the door to Tazuna's house and slipped inside. Blood was seeping through the makeshift bandage on his arm and he sported a large about of other, smaller wounds. His two remaining students jumped towards him anxiously. After all, he'd been gone for three days. The old bridge builder watched him from the table with calculating eyes.
"You're hurt. What happened? All you said was that you would be back."
"It's nothing, just a scratch."
Sakura gazed up at him with worried eyes.
"What happened, sensei? Where'd you go?"
The pinkette's worry was contrasted by Sasuke's stoic unemotionalism. After his emotional breakdown right after the wave, the Uchiha had retreated into a shell. As far as Kakashi knew, he'd barely spoken a word since.
"…I killed Gato…"
The words were flat, without emphasis, but they had an astounding effect of the room. Sakura gasped and clapped her hands over her mouth. Old man Tazuna shot to his feet.
"WHAT?"
A glimmer of happiness shone in his old eyes, pushing aside the depression of losing the blonde boy for just a moment. Sasuke, on the other hand, turned livid.
"How could you? What if he had something to do with that wave? I mean, Zabuza and Haku were taken, too! Now he's dead and we won't be able to find Naruto!"
"Sasuke!" His tone demanded silence and the Uchiha reluctantly obeyed. "Don't you think I know these things? I made damn sure that he had nothing to do with their disappearances before I killed him. I would never put finding Naruto in jeopardy. My dogs couldn't pick up any scents after the wave hit so our only choice is to turn back to Konoha and inform the Hokage about what has happened as soon as possible. He cares for Naruto as much as any of us. He'll make sure the best trackers in Anbu come out and search for any sign of Naruto, Zabuza or Haku. With Gato dead our mission here is done and we can get back quicker."
Sasuke tched and turned away, but he knew Kakashi was right. The last Uchiha was taking Naruto's disappearance harder than any of the others. He was even more cold and withdrawn that before. Inari scoffed from near the stairs.
"What's the big deal? You ninjas die all the time. He said he'd save the day, but it turns out he was just a liar, too."
Before anyone could blink, Sasuke had whipped around and slammed the boy into the wall. Tazuna jumped forward, but Kakashi already had him, grabbing him before the Uchiha could do any damage. Still, he struggled desperately in his sensei's grip.
"You have no idea what you're talking about! He saved my life! He jumped in front of me and took that hit that would have killed me!" Sakura gasped and the others in the room were equally surprised. This was news to them, Sasuke hadn't told any of them. "That's the only reason he was taken! He got hurt protecting me! He couldn't fight!"
The boy broke down then, crying and sagging in Kakashi's arms. The jounin quickly recovered from the shock of the revelation.
"Sasuke, that wave was being controlled by a powerful source. I saw it suck Zabuza away against his will and I know he was stronger than Naruto…it's not your fault. Whoever was in control of that wave wanted Naruto for some reason. Even if he hadn't taken the hit, there's no way he could've gotten away." The boy nodded, but tears still streamed down his face. "Now, Tazuna, with Gato dead there should be no more threat to you or your bridge."
The old man cut him off.
"Don't worry about it. That boy deserves to be found. Get on back to you village and make sure that Hokage of yours gets the best damn ninjas you've got to go after Naruto." He huffed. "And you better let me know the minute you find him. I need to beat some sense into that boy, getting snatched up by waves!"
Kakashi gave a small smile, though no one could see it under his mask.
"Thank you. We should get going then." He released Sasuke from his grasp and the boy stumbled forward a bit. "Get your things, both of you. The sooner you're ready, the sooner we'll leave."
Both young ninjas nodded and dashed to get their things. Luckily, Kakashi's were still packed from his assassination and hung heavily of his shoulders. He sat heavily at the kitchen table and forced his muscles to relax for what little time he had. Infiltrating Gato's headquarters hadn't been easy and getting back to Konoha wasn't going to be a walk in the park either. He'd be pushing himself and his students to their limits.
Time was vital to being able to find Naruto and get him back. Kakashi's assassination of Gato had already taken long enough. Though he didn't want to admit it, even to himself, the jounin knew that it could already be too late to get the blonde back alive.
Sakura and Sasuke rushed back to him, packs at the ready. Sasuke had Naruto's with him too. Kakashi didn't have to ask. He already knew there was no way the boy was going to leave that pack. The ex-anbu member stood.
"Alright. Let's get going."
-*Two Days Later*-
Itachi sat in the woods outside Konoha, his legs crossed and his eyes closed. He wasn't meditation, but it sure looked like it. His awareness was spread about the area around him as serenity engulfed him. His mind and soul were completely at peace.
Soon, when his blonde got back from his mission, they would leave together. They would flee the Akatsuki and Konoha, the entire ninja world. Somewhere far away, they would find a place no one else knew about and settle down. They would be together in peace there, no one to disturb them.
His keen ears brought him back to the present as he heard leaves crunching under his partner's feet at his approach. Standing in one fluid motion, he turned to face Kisame without opening his eyes.
"..Naruto's team just got back…"
Itachi could hear the hesitation in Kisame's voice. He didn't want to say goodbye either. They had become friends during their time in Akatsuki.
"Itachi…Naruto isn't with them…"
Now, Itachi's eyes snapped open, sharingan spinning madly and melting into Mangekyo.
"And I have some more bad news…Hatake Kakashi seemed pretty hurt…There must've been a big fight or something. I don't think Naruto just snuck off to come meet us…"
"Naruto…"
"Itachi…Naruto's gone…"
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