DISCLAIMER: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters. (But the OCs are mine!)

Veils of Deceit

Chapter Four

The Choices That Are Made

"We finally found them, Itachi-san. We found Ouroboros."

The small flicker of anticipation was rapidly snuffed out and replaced with suspicion in Itachi's eyes. It's been nine years. . . nine years since they began searching for the skillfully evasive group. At first, all seven members who consisted of Akuma took part, but when Kyoko became pregnant and then Naruto took a turn for the worst, it was down to only Ruri, Miki, Gaara, and himself to continue the search. Even after Naruto's death, he did all he could to keep Sasuke out of it for his own good.

Throughout the nine years they mostly received small leads, and more often than not, they were purposely placed for them to find. They quickly learned to take each lead with a gran of salt. So, when Gaara brought a member to his office to inform him about a seemingly abandon facility that had guards around the perimeter, he was leery.

Still, his need – a hop, skip, and a jump away from being an obsession – to investigate each lead in case just one was legitimate had him sending Ruri and Miki out to check it out. He gave them one warning before their departure: Tread with caution.

He never expected it to pan out. Not after nine years of Ouroboros covering their tracks to the point where it almost seemed like they never existed in the first place. And if it wasn't for Naruto and Asuka and their persistence to avenge their deaths, then that's how it would have been. That's why there was no possible way that Ouroboros would have slipped up without intending to. Which could only mean that the facility was a trap. . .

"Are you sure?" he asked even though Ruri and Miki were fully capable of determining their opponent.

"As sure as I know that babies have the worst shit in the world." Miki said bluntly.

That comment had Itachi doubting the full capability of Miki. But like always, he chose to ignore the man's more idiotic comments and said, "I have to sort a few things out with Gaara-san about the new members, but we should be able to leave this evening."

"And what 'bout Sasuke?" Miki asked.

"What about him?"

"Don't you think he'd want to come?"

"No." He refused to involve Sasuke just yet. He honestly would prefer it if he never had to involve Sasuke at all, but there was no stopping his brother when it came to anyone who harmed and then killed his most precious people. His everything. . .

He had already lost that small inkling of hope that Sasuke wouldn't be strong enough to read through Naruto's entire file. That was just hopeful thinking, and he preferred to deal in the facts. And the facts were: Sasuke wanted revenge. That revenge would drive him into reading his former lover's file. To torture himself and uncover the truth hidden beneath all his lies and all the lies he forced others to tell. It would be all revealed, and then it was only a matter of time before his brother was right in the thick of things. So. . . why rush it?

"This is becoming bullshit." Miki muttered angrily as he began to pace back and forth like a caged animal. "Fuck, he's suspicious, Itachi. He has to know your hiding somthin', or he wouldn't be poking 'round in your shit. If he finds out what we've been hiding – what you've forced us to keep our mouths shut 'bout – then we're all dead."

Itachi stared back at Miki evenly, showing the other man that the decisions he made so far would be the same if he had to do them over again. Keeping Sasuke alive and with his sons has been his top priority since Naruto's death. Yet, if his suspicions were correct about Ouroboros, then he might have no choice but to watch his brother fall right over the edge and take whoever was in his way with him. "It's too late. Sasuke took Naruto's file."

Miki's complexion paled, "Well, fuck me. . . isn't that great."

"You should tell him, Itachi-san." Ruri spoke up after standing there silently. "Sasuke-san shouldn't have to learn the truth from Taichou's file. It feels wrong if he does."

"It's not about what's right or wrong anymore. . ." he trailed off, which gave Miki a chance to make another one of his smartass comments.

"Yeah, it's 'bout stayin' alive against your insane little brother."

He glared at the younger man with his Sharingan activated. Miki chose wisely to keep his eyes averted and stare down at the floor. It didn't use to bother him so much, people badmouthing his little brother, but now it gets under his skin and sets him on edge. Maybe it was because he was so close to losing him. "We're leaving tonight. Make sure you're ready."

Ruri curtly nodded her head in affirmation while Miki shook his. "We should've told him from the very beginning, no matter how he would've took it. But you don't care and don't have anthin' to lose. . . I do though."

Miki left then, leaving Ruri standing in front of his desk and staring at him with eyes that showed the conflict in her. She didn't agree with him, he knew that. But like Miki said, he didn't care. He always did what was best for his brother, and no one was going to change that. Even if he was using their trust, their loyalty for him to do it without much concern for the consequences, then that's what he had every intention to continue doing.

Ruri sighed, apparently not liking whatever she was searching for, and gave him a small, yet strained smile. There was one person he could always count on even throughout all his schemes, and that was the woman standing in front of him. She bowed slightly before she left the room.

Itachi sat down in his chair and pulled out the flat drawer that responded only to Uchiha chakra for security reasons. He could tell Sasuke didn't open it, and if he had, he would have seen the two pictures he kept for his own personal viewing. One was a picture of Sasuke, Naruto, and Kyosuke and the other was of Sasuke, Aki, and Kyosuke. It didn't take much of a look to know there was a difference between the two photos – between the two Sasukes. Such life poured off of his brother as he stood next to Naruto, but that life was nonexistent in the other picture. Even with the small smile, it never reached his eyes. They were as tortured as he knew Sasuke suffered with every day.

He sat there for a long while just staring at the two photos. He killed his family to keep them safe, then he failed in protecting Naruto, and now. . . Miki was wrong. Contrary to what the man thought, he had something great to lose. . .

If things went as he suspected. . . then he'd lose the very last of his family.

Miki stalked down the hallway, furious at what he's gotten himself into. From the very beginning, his instincts told him that keeping any knowledge away from the younger Uchiha was going to come back and bite him in the ass. But he listened to Itachi, and after one lie, it was too late to make it right without repercussions.

He regrets it now, following Itachi's lead even when the likelihood of the outcome was so plain to see.

At first appearances, one would think that Itachi was the one to fear out of the Uchiha brothers, but not many people knew how dangerous Sasuke could be. He was of the cruelest kind when it came to his family – one who would turn on anyone without thought or hesitation. Very few have seen that side of the Uchiha, very few who knew how to push him that far didn't dare. Though a man who they used to get their supplies from for years learned the hard way how fast Sasuke's temperament could shift when an idiot decided to open his mouth and speak. . .

Naruto's health had been awfully bad that whole week, and the whole team was stressed over it, especially Sasuke. He stayed by the blond's side and never cared to leave it, he respected the man for that – for loving Naruto like he deserved. But everyone could see that he needed a break, needed to just get away and get a little breather.

That was easier said than done.

Well, there was a lot said, but after a few impressive threats from Sasuke, nothing was tempted to be done. Not until a weak Naruto voiced that the supplier did make some tasty meat buns, and that was all that needed to be said to get Sasuke to leave the house. It had always impressed him how much power Naruto held over the Uchiha, and he didn't even have to say he wanted one either.

It was Itachi and himself who accompanied Sasuke to the supplier. Of course, they had different reasons for being there besides the guy's meat buns, they were running low on certain items and needed to restock.

When they arrived at the store, there were a few customers who stopped whatever they were doing to stare at their masks and cloaks when they walked in. It didn't take a genius to know the whole store recognized them at being part of Akuma. As they moved further into the store and away from the door, more than half of them left, leaving only one customer talking to the supplier.

Sasuke veered off from him and Itachi as they headed straight to the supplier. The man glanced their way, panic filling his eyes before he quickly excused himself from the conversation with the customer and practically ran to serve them. "What can I get for you today, Kane-sama?"

Itachi immediately began to list off the supplies they needed as he unrolled a scroll and laid it out on the counter. With each item spoken, the supplier would run off and bring the exact item and amount back to place it on the unrolled scroll. By the time the last item was reached, Sasuke was coming around the corner of an aisle with a brown paper bag that held the meat buns in his hand. As he passed the single customer in the store, a disgusted look crossed the man's face until he saw Miki was watching him, then a cynical smile was thrown his way. In return, he threw up his hand with his middle finger in salute and a cocky grin under his mask.

Fuck you too, he thought as Sasuke placed the bag of meat buns on the counter after Itachi was done sealing the goods. After the first initial threat about checking their food, the supplier merely asked how many meat buns there were without opening the bag. Chances were never taken when a poison could easily be slipped in when checking the amount. And since they were for Naruto, odds were that Sasuke would have cut his hand off if he even tried.

"Two." Sasuke said before the supplier could ask.

"Will that be all?"

Miki yanked a beef jerky out of a jar and waved it in the air to show he wanted it also. The supplier looked at Itachi – like he needed permission to get some beef jerky – and Itachi nodded, getting the total and paying for it.

They were on their way out the door when the customer just had to open his mouth and say loud enough for them to hear, "Filth. . . Haven't seen your leader lately. What was his name again. . . ah right, Tatsuo. What happened to him? Did he finally just up and die on you? The world'd be a better place if he had." The man laughed then on a matter that had Sasuke radiating with such killing intent, it sent the room down several degrees. Not the best subject to run one's mouth about when the man's lover was overly stressed and willing to kill anything that happened to strike the wrong cord.

A chill of fear ran down his spine and he fought the urge to distance himself from the silent Uchiha. Sasuke shifted, and he carefully watched as he calmly placed the bag of meat buns on the shelf nearest him. And no one even saw it coming when Sasuke abruptly threw a kunai without even turning around. The sharp metal embedded itself in the hand of the customer with a loud scream coming from the man. There was no mercy though, not with the aura that was surrounding the Uchiha.

Sasuke slowly turned around, and the only way to describe the way Sasuke was stalking towards the man was of a predator and his injured prey. He attempted to intercept the raven, but a hand flat on his chest prevented him.

"This is one of those situations where it's better for our health if we do not interfere." Itachi said.

He wasn't about to argue with the man, not when Sasuke was currently unleashing several months of pent up emotion. He was vicious and brutal with each hit he issued, breaking bone and deforming every part of the man's face until he was dead. It reminded him of the time in the forest when Sasuke and that pink haired girl came to retrieve Akuma, where Sasuke beat a Kumo shinobi to death, but he could tell this didn't even compare. There was no denying the malice, the pure malicious intent that drove each movement of the younger Uchiha.

Once Sasuke stood straight, blood dripping down his Wolf mask and staining his hands, it was the first time since meeting the Uchiha that he's ever been afraid of him. He'd just witnessed the true darkness that dwells in him. And it was ugly and terrifying. . .

That's what worried him, that with every deceitful telling and every piece of information withheld that it'd come back to them in the most horrific way. It's how the shinobi world worked. A shinobi wouldn't go directly to the one who did them wrong, they would target their families first. It was the perfect attack to weakened their opponent, and in that weakened state before they become overcome with fury, that's when the final blow would be issued. And he wasn't that naive to believe he meant anything to the Uchiha other than a comrade. That barely registered when it came to Sasuke though, not when there was very few who did matter to the man.

Dread sunk deeper in his stomach every time he thought about how far Sasuke would go. How far he would go to ensure nothing got in his way from his revenge. But he already suspected that in order for Sasuke to get that revenge, they had to stand between him and something he would risk his very life to protect.

He growled and roughly ran his hand through his hair in frustration. Everything was becoming too complicated – too risky. Who'd thought that one of their biggest threats would be one of their own.

Ruri caught up with him and began to walk by his side. Automatically, he opened his mouth and said, "I don't see the logic in Itachi's reasoning. I mean he hid it from Sasuke all this time, why did he just let him walk away with that file knowing – " He suddenly stopped talking, stared at her hard, then asked himself, "Why the hell am I bitching to you 'bout all this? You would follow that man into hell."

There was a small span of silence before Ruri responded with, "I don't agree with his tactics. They're too backhanded for my liking."

"Backhanded or not, you won't disobey him." he snapped back.

She turned with a glare marring her features, saying pointedly, "Neither will you."

He grumbled under his breath as they continued down the hallway, because she had a point. No matter how much he disagreed with Itachi and no matter how much risk there was by following him, he wouldn't go against him. He was too god damn loyal for that. . . and he hated himself for putting his family in danger over it.

There was more grumbling, then he came to a conclusion and said, "Yeah well, I have no intention of letting Sasuke kill me either."

"Now why would I do that?"

He froze, turning slowly to the corridor to his left where the voice came from. There was Sasuke, leaning up against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest and that annoying eyebrow raised. So similar to Itachi's, but so far away from the oldest Uchiha's with that dangerous edge in the depths of his eyes. It was sharp, and held the suspicion of the untold. Held suspicions of them. . .

It was obvious that their presence they thought was well concealed within the shadows of the office wasn't enough to keep Sasuke was sensing them. Otherwise he wouldn't be waiting in their path for them. He wouldn't put that much effort into anything unless he thought them the enemy.

Miki opened his mouth to speak, but found he didn't know what to say. How was he going to explain his previous comment away? He forced a jesting expression to flow into his face. "What can I say. . . if we were in a fight, I wouldn't let you win. So, what you've been up to Sasuke? How's everything going?" Changing the subject quickly.

For a long moment, Sasuke just stared at him with that same look that had his warning signals blaring. "Just finding out how easily trust falls."

His face faltered and his body tensed in apprehension. The trust Sasuke held for them was slim at best, this he knew, but it was the only reason he tolerated them. It didn't surprise him that trust was gone now, it would only take a small incident for it to evaporate. "That. . . That must be interesting."

"It will be."

The hidden threat was plainly heard as Sasuke pushed himself off the wall and made his way down the hallway. Miki's face fell the moment the Uchiha's back was turned. He wasn't ashamed to say he was frightened of Sasuke. There was little to nothing to go on to indicate when Sasuke would snap. No one talked about it, no one really wanted to, but they were all waiting on pins and needles for that dreaded moment to come. Because he may act it, and he may pull off a good show, but Sasuke was far from being the poster boy for sanity. He was too unstable to handle the betrayal they're ready to commit. . .

Once he was positive that Sasuke was out of earshot, he spoke without taking his eyes off the Uchiha's back. "He knows." Speaking to Ruri who stood off to the side. "He may not know what's being hidden, but he knows we're involved."

"Yes, he does."

And the way she said that so calmly had him turning to face her. "How the hell can you be so calm about all this? He learns the truth, we stand in his way, and that's it, we're dead. That's not somethin' to be calm about."

"But it's something that Taichou would want us to do." She walked away then, heading down the opposite hallway that led to the medical facilities of the compound.

He remained rooted to the spot, unable to voice anymore of his worries. There was one other person who held more of his loyalty than Itachi did, and that was Naruto. It was a mess when they first met. Getting in a fight in a bar with a bunch of drunken idiots does make one big of a mess. But in the end, they became friends. Best friends. Now he was willing to die to protect what always meant most to Naruto, and that was non-other than Uchiha Sasuke. That's how loyal he still remained to a man who's been dead for the past three years.

Cursing the whole situation, he headed in the same direction that Sasuke went. Unfortunately that route was the only way out of Level Five. In a slow pace, he made his way to the entrance to the Level, and was relieved there wasn't another encounter with the younger Uchiha. He kept the same pace as he climbed the stairs to exit the compound, not taking any chances as he situated his cloak and covered his face with his Dragon mask.

Once he reached the outside, he took a deep breath of the fresh air through the holes of his mask before going into a full blown run. He lived two hours away when he pushed himself to get home, or one to three days away if he was exhausted and chose to walk and occasionally run. After Naruto died, it wasn't just Itachi and Sasuke who moved out of Yuugure, they all did. And with the knowledge they learned before they left, he purposely chose a place a good distance opposite from where Sasuke lived. Even though they knew where each of them lived, he felt reassured by the distance that separated them.

It was a fool's reassurance, because if Sasuke wanted him dead, there was no amount of distance that would stop him from fulfilling his goal. He was sure of it. But even with that thought always plaguing his mind, it wouldn't prevent him from standing in the Uchiha's way.

He came upon the street he lived on, and slowed down to a walk. His cloak and mask were taken off and sealed away before he even entered the village, so as he walked past a fruit stand with an old lady running it, she recognized him not as an Akuma member, but a hard working husband and father. She may not know exactly what he does, but no one in the village did. Though he did find some amusement in their guesses.

Noise automatically reached his ears when he stepped foot into his two-story house. He followed the sound like a man dying of thirst, and was led to the living room where his eight year old twin sons were bickering over something he would have hear from the beginning to even understand. Kyoko was in the middle of the room playing with their five year old daughter. He just leaned against the frame and admired the family that somehow was his.

His boys were almost duplicates of himself, the only minor difference was the flecks of gold in their eyes. His little girl held more of Kyoko's characteristics. Her hair was a light strawberry red, thankfully a few shades darker than being pink, and held the same graceful waves as her mother. Her eyes though, they were his in all their deep, blue hues.

Expectantly, Kyoko was the first to know of his presence. She turned to him and for a second her face glowed with joy at seeing him before she masked it with a feigned annoyance. There was no denying how beautiful she was. More so than when he first met her. She no longer wore half of her hair in pigtails, instead she pulled those sections back and tied it with a barrette, allowing her gorgeous red hair to flow down her back in rivulets. The years matured her, but not too much where she lost all her quirkiness that he fell in love with. They still fought like cats and dogs, but that was just how their relationship worked.

"I'm not sure if I should welcome you home or not." Kyoko said while crossing her arms over her breasts. "Took you so long."

Her announcement immediately got the attention of their three children. Naruko – named after non-other than Naruto – was the first to scream, "Daddy!" and come charging. Miki caught her in his arms when she pounced, and it was mere seconds before his sons – Masaaki and Ryota – were knocking him down on his ass. He was laughing even as he was being bombarded with questions about his adventures.

He barely noticed when Kyoko got up from the floor and approached their small dog pile. She circled the pile, coming to a side where she had clear access to him. He leaned his head back when he did realize how close she was and gave an awkward twist of his neck to look at her. She leaned in close and pecked him softly on the lips. "I guess. . ." she began, merely separating an inch from him. "Welcome home." Then she gave him one of her bright smiles that filled him with such warmth – that made him always see how lucky he truly was.

With the kids enthusiastically telling him what they've been doing since he's been gone, it was commotion then on out. It was two hours later when he finally got a moment alone with Kyoko. She was currently making dinner when he walked into the kitchen. He pressed close behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, kissing her neck. Her head fell to the side with a satisfied hum, exposing more of her neck to his explorations.

"Do you want peas or carrots as a side?" Kyoko asked, causing him to sigh heavily against her neck. She had a gift when it came to destroying the mood. It never fails. Over the years, he had to question if she did on purpose, but no – it was just another quirk about her that was a guarantee to drive him insane one day.

He stepped away and leaned against the far counter, rubbing his eyes in annoyance. "Doesn't matter to me, I'm not gonna be here for dinner anyway. Got another mission."

"Another one." she said while turning to face him. " 'Tachi's really pushing. . . There's not something going on? Is there, Miki?"

Forcing his face not to give anything away, he casually said, "Nah, just stuff Itachi doesn't trust the other members to do."

"You wouldn't lie to me, would you?"

That's all he's been doing. Like Itachi's been doing to Sasuke, he's kept it all from her. He kept telling himself that it was for her own protection, but really, he didn't want her to know what kind of betrayal he was willing to commit. She wouldn't be able to handle it. She thought of all the veteran Akuma as family, and betraying one would be like betraying them all. She would never forgive him for that. So, he looked at Kyoko right in the eye. . . and lied, "No."

When Kyoko nodded and turned back to face the counter, he thought it was over. Things are never that easy for him. "I don't believe you." she said it as she moved to get some vegetables from the refrigerator. He remained silent while she grabbed a cutting board and placed her supplies on the counter. That's when she turned back around, worry so evident in her eyes. "I'm not stupid, Miki. You wouldn't be taking this many missions if it didn't have something to do with Ouroboros."

The shock he felt remained inside with no effects to the impassiveness he wore. "Kyoko –"

"I don't want an explanation. Apparently, you don't want me to know, and I guess, you have your reasons." There was a long moment of silence before she continued with tears brimming her eyes, "I want you to be careful, Miki. Ouroboros is dangerous, look what they did to. . ." She stopped herself and looked away as a tear slid down her cheek.

He closed his eyes away from the reminder of that awful day when they lost their closest friend. . . It was one of those days none of them would ever forget.

It was suppose to be just another day, just another mission. Sasuke, as usual being forced to leave Naruto's side, was grumpy and silently stewing while Miki casually talked about random things and Itachi occasionally adding a grunt here and there. They were just outside the village when it happened – a huge surge of chakra occurred at the same time Sasuke collapsed in what resembled a violent seizure.

Both he and Itachi rushed to Sasuke, immediately trying to restrain the youngest Uchiha from hurting himself. Everything happened so fast, he didn't know how long it was before Itachi yelled, "You have to get back to the house, something happened to Naruto." It was startling how frantic Itachi sounded. It made the situation that much more real. "Get to Naruto! Go!"

His feet moved without conscious thought, running with all his strength to hopefully prove Itachi wrong. That what was wrong Sasuke didn't have anything to do with Naruto. But as he burst through the front door and found Ruri sitting at the top of the stairs with silent tears, his hopes vanished. He stood there for several long moments just staring up at Ruri from the foot of the stairs, unable to voice his fears. Instead he climbed the stairs, each step that much harder than the last one, and made his way down the hallway to the partly open door at the end the hall.

He was crying. He could feel the steady stream run down his face and wet his cloak. When they started, he couldn't be sure, but he was positive they wouldn't be stopping anytime soon. He stared at the wooden door, and it was hard, raising his trembling hand and pushing that door open.

A sob broke free at the sight of Naruto's lifeless form. He turned away, unable to take it, and leaned against the wall right next to the door frame. He always knew it would come to this, but. . . he never wanted to believe it. Denial, that's how he dealt with Naruto's condition for years. Constantly he kept telling himself that it wasn't going to beat Naruto. The man was too stubborn. He was wrong. . . Sliding down the wall, his face fell into his hands as he cried.

Footsteps brought his head back up, and through his watery vision, he saw Itachi with an unconscious Sasuke slumped on his back coming up the stairs. Itachi stopped at the end of the hall, face emotionless as he stared straight ahead. Straight into the open doorway right next to him.

When Itachi moved again, he went to the bedroom door to his right. "Help me with Sasuke." Itachi ordered, his voice just as empty as his face.

Miki followed blindly, his legs moving automatically. He helped Itachi get Sasuke on the bed, and that's when he noticed his stricken features. Like the younger Uchiha already knew. . .

Itachi left the room and Miki followed more slowly, only catching Itachi's back as he entered the room with. . . with Naruto's body and closed the door. It wasn't a surprise Itachi would lock himself away. He's been watching over Naruto since the blond was five, almost twenty years, it had to be like losing his own brother. He had a right to lose his composure without any witnesses.

Miki stood there in a daze for a good twenty minutes, letting his tears fall freely, before he headed toward the stairs. He sat down by Ruri, neither saying a word. A thought of going home did cross his mind. He did need to inform Kyoko of Naruto's passing. He didn't move though, just continued to sit and let it all sink in. He wasn't sure if that was the best move, because the next thing he knew, he was bursting into fresh tears. So strong that it had his chest racking with sobs.

When he got some semblance of control over himself, he could barely collect himself. He glanced over at Ruri in embarrassment at his own outburst, but she still sat unmoving and silent. He was about to look away when he saw she was holding something covered in a blanket. Curious, he asked in a strained voice, "What's that you're holdin'?"

For a minute, he didn't think she was going to answer him, but then he heard her say in a flat tone, "Their child."

He honestly didn't think he heard her right. "What?"

For the first time since he rushed into the house, she moved, turning her head toward him with swollen eyes. Her lip quivered uncontrollably, but it didn't affect the words she spoke, "He was pregnant." She didn't say anymore, only turned to look down at the bundle in her arms. He could only do the same, so overwhelmed by the events, he couldn't grasp what she was saying. He leaned in closer as her hand began to remove the cloth covering it. Then his jaw went completely slack when he took in a three to four month old infant cocooned in a reddish-orange, chakra made womb.

His mind was blank for the longest time. When it finally did function again, he jumped up and yelled down the hall. "Itachi!"

There must have been something in his voice, because Itachi was right there in the next second. From there on only questions continued to pile on top of one another. And the only one who could find out the answers still hasn't moved from her spot on the stairs even after the two hours of discussing the subject of the baby. It wasn't until she sighed in the silence that settled between them, that she finally stood and said in the same flat tone as before, "I'm going to need my tools."

Miki tilted his head to look up at her, and the emptiness he saw caused fresh tears to brim his eyes. He didn't have to guess what she was about to do, and the thought made him sick. How she could still do it, he would never know. He watched with slight disgust as she turned and made her way down the hall to the one room he would never want to go in again.

The disgust didn't leave his face even as he faced Itachi, who now held the cocooned baby. "I can't be here for this. . . I just can't." He rubbed his moistened face and stood, heading to the front door. "I have to tell Kyoko."

"I'll inform the others." He heard Itachi say before he left.

When he got home to deliver the news to her, she knew something bad had happened the moment he walked in the front door by the way her smile fell so abruptly. There was no way he could hide it from his face, not with the tears that still ran from his eyes. All he had to say was Naruto's name and it had her collapsing to the floor with such agonizing sobs he's never heard come from her. It was the final blow that sent him spiraling down in despair. . .

He can honestly say that was the worst day of his life, and he's had some bad days before. He tried never to think of it, but it was almost impossible not to be reminded.

Pushing himself off the counter, he crossed the kitchen and pulled Kyoko into his arms. "Thought you knew I'm always careful." he said with a hint of arrogance.

Kyoko scoffed quite loudly, "Only in a way a dumbass is." She snuggled against his chest that had him unable to be offended. "Promise me, Miki. . ." she began out of the blue, "Promise me you won't do anything stupid."

Too late, was his first thought, because stupidity was a good word for what he was doing. It was too late though, there was no going back. Nothing could change the choices he made, nor fix the damage he's done. He's already dug his path, all he could do now was make sure he was the only one who walked down it. To make damn sure his family didn't follow. . .

So again, he lied. . . "I promise."

A knock sounded from his office door, and before Itachi could grant entrance, the door opened with Gaara stepping in. This was nothing new, Gaara never waited. "You wanted the new members at sundown."

The redhead's statement had him glancing over at the clock, only to see he was right. It was sundown. He's been so preoccupied with his thoughts on Ouroboros, he didn't even realize how much time had gone by. He sighed with unwillingness, but nodded in agreement nonetheless. Once Gaara stepped aside, the three new members walked in one after another, filing side-by-side in front of his desk. Gaara gave a curt nod before leaving.

He took a second to glance between the three. As expected, Kaito and Rei stood perfectly still with their eyes straight ahead while Ran shifted every other second and was looking all over the place. He never regrets a decision, although placing Ran on the team might have been more of a problem than he's worth. Another sigh left him, "You're here to receive your first mission as part of Akuma. This is your chance to prove. . ." He stopped speaking when Ran had the audacity to grab the picture of the original Akuma off his desk.

By the way Rei's eyes bulged and Kaito's kept glancing back and forth between them, he suspected the two thought he would do something. He wasn't like his brother though, he didn't go for the direct approach. So he merely sat back in his chair with as much patience as a rattlesnake and glared.

Apparently, Ran didn't take notice of the danger he was in, because he asked, "Who's the blond?"

"Tatsuo." came his clipped reply.

He found a small amount of amusement in how fast Kaito's and Rei's demeanor changed with that fact. Both pair of eyes went to the picture, their bodies leaning over as Ran angled the picture for them to get a better look.

"Tatsuo-sama and Takai-san look close." Rei said slightly hesitantly.

At least she has some manners, Itachi thought. "Yes, they've been best friends since very small." he said as he snatch the picture from Ran's hands and carefully place it back on his desk. At that moment, he sensed their temporary Captain approach his office door and enter without bothering to knock. He gave up being bothered by it years ago since it was common curtsey from Jun.

The twenty-two year old only made it to his shoulders in height with his orange-red hair still cut short and spiked partly to both sides. His outfit remained simple – black tank, olive green cargo pants, and combat boots with his large sword strapped to his back. Throughout the years, he's acquired only one distinguishing tattoo on his forearm, one of a seven-tailed mouse. "So these the newbies?" Jun asked as he arrogantly strolled up to his desk.

He nodded, "This is your Captain for this mission, Kajiwara Jun. Also known as Kijin in Akuma." He handed over a manilla folder filled with their profiles and the details of the mission to Jun.

"Him?" Ran questioned with disbelief. "He doesn't look older than my little sister."

Jun scowled and retorted, "Fuck you." His language not at all improved.

"For one –" Itachi interrupted before a fight could break out in his office. Not many could deal with Jun's attitude without physically striking out. "– you don't have any younger siblings. And two, Jun has more standing in Akuma than your fingernail."

The grin on Jun's face held the evilest of intentions. "Which is his way in sayin' you belong to me durin' the span of this mission."

Itachi shook his head, Jun was enjoying this way too much. Although, since joining Akuma six years ago, he's always enjoyed terrorizing the new members who've come after him. Maybe that's why, he smirks with sadistic satisfaction, he continuously chooses him to be the new members' first Captain. Weeds out the weak.

"Your mission is a standard one, escort a nobleman from point A to point B. You need to show that you can take orders and follow them successfully." He pointedly stared at Ran when he said that. Out of the three, he was the one he knew they were going to have problems with. If not with Sasuke, then his inability to fall in line. Still, he took that chance because of his unique ability. But if the man thought he was just going to get by on that, he was rudely mistaken. "This will be your time to prove that you have what it takes to be part of Akuma."

"And if we can't prove ourselves?" asked Kaito in his quiet tone.

"I never said that was an option." If it was possible, Kaito's face fell that much further. That's one thing that needs to be worked on, the boy's nerves. "You leave tomorrow, so rest up."

Ran stretched like a lazy cat. "Who needs rest, that mission'll be a walk in the park."

With that remark, Jun's face formed a look of disgust and moved to stand in front of the three. "First rule, never underestimate a mission. Even the simplest of missions can turn into the deadliest. If I hear anymore flippantly shit like that I'd be more than happy to knock you on your ass."

A cocky grin spread across Ran's features. "You can try." he challenged. And if anyone knew Jun like the veterans did, they would know that he took a challenge the same way Naruto did. That's why Itachi didn't make any attempt to stop Jun when he rammed his hand brutally against Ran's chest. He was sent flying across the room and hitting the wall before he could even react. The impact did dent and crack his wall, but the man did need to be put in his place. It was a necessary sacrifice.

Jun casually crossed the room with Kaito and Rei cautiously keeping him in their sight. At least they saw, even if it was only a small glimpse, that Jun was a part of Akuma for a reason. Jun knelt in front of Ran and sneered, "Listen fucker, I'm the last person who'll tolerate your lip." That was ironic, since everyone else had to tolerate his. "You're gonna learn –" He was cut off when Ran punched him, sending only his head jerking to the side while his body remained unmoved.

It was a foolish move. . . very foolish.

Itachi immediately saw the change in Jun's posture the second it happened. And when he reached for his sword, he warned, "Jun." He was not going to allow Jun to destroy his office. Not again. . .

Jun hesitated for a moment before he dropped his hand to his side and stood up. It was the most noticeable change in Jun over the years, he now actually listens to orders when one puts a certain tone in their voice. "This ain't over dipshit." Jun sneered just as a knock sounded from the door.

"Enter." Already sensing and recognizing the person's chakra. And with the way Jun's body tensed and shifted to where he stood between the entrance and Ran, he knew also before Cho even entered the room.

She stuck her head in first, her two pigtail buns bouncing. "Sorry, Itachi-san –" Only being so formal when new members were around. "– I just came to drop off the mission report."

He waved her in, and she gave a barely noticeable smile to Jun before heading to his desk. Her tan happi coat loosely covered her chest and barely showed the arm protectors that covered her arms. She wore mid-thigh shorts underneath the black skirt that slit up the outside of both thighs, and shinobi sandals that traveled up to her knees.

Jun kept his eyes on her, even when Ran opened his mouth and made a remark of, "What is this. . . preschool?" Which had Jun's foot kicking Ran right in the face without it so much as affecting his impassive features. He's been around him and Sasuke for far too long to be able to pull that off so effectively.

Itachi questioned him silently with a lifted eyebrow. Jun attempted to pull off an expression that held a small resemblance to innocence. Unfortunately, it fell short by a long shot. He never did master that art.

"Are these the new members?" Cho asked after she handed over the mission report.

"Hmn." he grunted, quickly scanning through the report for any significant information before placing it to the side to process later.

"I'm Niijima Cho, Nezumi in Akuma, it's nice to meet you all." she greeted pleasantly, which as Itachi glanced up, had Rei and Kaito visibly on edge. She then leaned closer to them like she was giving away a secret and whispered quite loudly, "I know Jun's a hard ass, but don't take it too personally. . . He's always like that."

"Am not!" Jun argued.

Cho turned with a wide smile on her face and stuck her tongue out at him. "Maybe you might have some nice moments here and there."

Jun's eyes rolled, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Whatever."

Itachi smirked, Jun was more whipped than when he was thirteen. It took Jun until they were both sixteen before he asked Cho out on a date. And that only occurred because Yuuto got tired of waiting for Jun to do it on his own and threatened he would ask her out himself. Jun didn't waste any time then, he asked her out the very next day. They dated for a year with their fair share of arguments – most of which Cho won – before a talk with Naruto had Jun proposing to her. With his attitude, he had to wonder why she accepted.

They had the wedding that year, due to Naruto's declining health. Although, he was still strong enough to walk Cho down the aisle and give a hearty threat when he handed her over to Jun. But he didn't need any sort of threat, they all knew how much Jun loved her. Even after five years of marriage, that fierce determination to make her happy was still there. It showed itself in the smallest of gestures. He may not display it for the world to see, but Jun would do anything for Cho.

"I need to speak with you two privately." He spoke to Jun and Cho, then focused on the new members. "You three step outside and do not wander. I will know if you do. Once I'm done here, Jun will show you where your new quarters are." That got a sour face out of Jun.

When only Rei and Kaito appeared to be moving while Ran remained sitting on the ground and rubbing his jaw, Jun snapped, "When you're superior orders you to get out, you get the fuck out!"

The scowl on Ran's face deepened, but otherwise he got up and existed the office without a word. He had to admit, that was slightly a surprise. Ran always had something to say. It could only mean he was planning something else. Itachi pushed the thought to the side, that wasn't his problem anymore. For the next few days, it would be Jun's.

As soon as the room was once again secured with the silencing jutsu that activated when the door was closed, he said, "Cho. . . I want you to stay with Tsunade-sama until Jun returns from his mission."

"Why?" quickly came Jun's question. His tone easily telling him that if his answer wasn't to his liking, then hell itself would have to be opened for him to leave Cho's side.

"A precaution." he spoke casually.

"You found something on Ouroboros." Cho stated calmly.

After a moment of deliberating with himself, he found it best to tell the truth in the matter. "Yes. An empty facility was found that we suspect Ouroboros was using. We're investigating to see if any useful information might have been left behind." Alright, maybe he didn't tell the whole truth. But if Jun knew the facility was still active, he would purposely go behind his back and inform Sasuke. It was only because he held too much respect for his little brother to hide it from him.

"I thought you were stopping with the goose chases." He heard the suspicion in his voice.

He hated to be questioned, but Jun was no fool, he knew perfectly well how backhanded he could be. Anyone with a long history with him held that same knowledge. He didn't try to hide it, he was a conniving bastard.

So he went with a different strategy to get Jun off his trail. "I lied." And it wasn't often that he admitted that. Maybe that's why Jun and Cho looked so shocked. "Clues don't come up often, but when they do, I refuse to ignore them. If you have a problem with it, I'm not the person to bitch to." By the end, his tone was icy with a underlining warning that the discussion was over. Even Jun had gained enough sense not to try his patience. Albeit, it was all part of deterring him. "I expect you at Tsunade-sama's tomorrow." he said to Cho.

"Is that an order?" she asked, undeterred by his feigned mood.

"Yes."

Cho smiled and nodded in confirmation, "Alright then, I'll be there tomorrow." She turned and headed to the door, saying over her shoulder, "See you later, 'Tachi nii-chan. Be careful and come back safely."

Jun hesitated, still not looking happy. "Whatever you're doing, it just better not put her in danger." he said where Cho couldn't hear. "You know I'll kill you if it does."

Just like Sasuke was with Naruto, Jun was that protective of Cho. It's the reason why he merely nodded in acknowledgment of the threat without a thought of retaliating. There was no reason to, Jun was an honest and loyal man just as long as Cho wasn't put in the line of his schemes.

Jun stared for another second then followed after Cho, catching up to her before she made it to the door and pulled her into his arms. It was rare moments like these that made Itachi remember that Jun was human. When he was running his mouth, it was an easy thing to forget. They both shared a quick kiss before they separated and left.

Once the door was closed, Itachi leaned back in his chair and partly relaxed in the renewed silence. It was short lived, as he should have known it would be, when a knock and a loud growl of, "Just go in." came from the other side of the door. He stared at the door and waited. Two seconds later, the door burst open with Miki throwing over his shoulder at Ruri behind him, "See how just walkin' in works, even a proper bitch like you can comprehend." Miki got a hard smack to the back of his head for that one. He winced, rubbing his head and grumbling incoherently under his breath.

The sight of the two had a sense of anxious energy settle in Itachi's stomach. It was time. He stood, silencing Miki, and grabbed his mask as he walked around his desk to stand in front of them. "We can't waste time. We need to be back here before Sasuke realizes we're gone." A look crossed Miki's face, but otherwise kept his thoughts to himself. Ignoring it, he walked passed them to the door. "Let's go."

By tomorrow, he would have some clue to what the next step Ouroboros had planned.