Stranded
Ch. 7- Does anybody even read these?
Beta'd by: Naruto7771
Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto and TV Tokyo.
"Would anyone care to explain why I'm here?"
As soon as those words were spoken, the temperature of the room seemed to drop instantly. A chill filled the air as no one wanted to be the unlucky one to answer. Everyone tried to avoid looking at him directly as his eyes were roaming the room for answers. The smooth voice was a mask of indifference, but had a barely detectable undertone of anger. Itachi sat down and lifted an eyebrow. Lightly adjusting his tie, he leaned back in his seat and placed his phone on the table.
"Well?" He asked irritably.
Kakashi cleared his throat and decided to be the one to answer. Standing up, he held his hands behind his back and slowly walked around the table. Bringing one hand to his face to inhale, he gently tapped the cigarette against an ashtray to shake off the ash.
"Yesterday at approximately 9:27 PM, the plane Sasuke was on stopped emitting the tracking signal we had attached to it. The backup transmitter would not pick up the signal and we lost the plane somewhere over the Pacific Ocean. We believe the signal was purposely cut off."
Iruka's eyes followed Kakashi as the man circled the table. When Kakashi finished talking, he brought his gaze back to Itachi. The man's face seemed to have frozen over, with the eyes narrowing into small slits. A dark, menacing aura appeared to envelope Itachi as he leaned his face slightly forward, a shadow hiding the top half of his face as his hair slowly drifted in front of it. Everyone in the room seemed to hold their breath as they waited for the wrath that was Itachi. The atmosphere was thick with tension.
"You mean to tell me that my little brother is lost somewhere over the Pacific Ocean and we have no idea what his exact location is?"
His voice had a sharp edge and was as cold ice. The dangerous tone seemed to make the entire room gulp, as his voice hissed out. Iruka was immediately on his guard. Itachi made the hairs on his neck stand up. Kakashi nodded, slowly.
"Shikamaru is working on it now." He nodded over to Shikamaru who had made a laptop appear out of nowhere and was typing incredibly fast. His eyes darted around the screen taking in all of the information they could find. Kakashi turned back to Itachi. "There was a storm happening when the signal was lost, so that may be a reason wh-"
"I don't need guesses, I need facts."
Itachi cut in sharply, his tone booking no argument. He snapped his fingers and a scared looking boy with a long scarf quickly walked forward, a water bottle in his hand. Giving the bottle to Itachi with a shaky hand, the boy hastily disappeared, receding back into a dark corner of the room. Twisting the bottle open, Itachi took a small sip and placed it down.
"I want to know everything we have on the incident. And I mean, now."
The room erupted into a flurry of activity as everyone, except Iruka, immediately stood up began to move the table. Ino brought out a small remote and pressed a button. Panels on the ceiling mechanically slid open to reveal square holes. Five large flat computer screens were lowered and the lights in the room dimmed. Shikamaru walked over to a black box mounted on the wall and opened it, bringing out cables that were inside. Attaching the cables to his laptop, he stuck the other end into the middle screen. Now displaying on all of the screens were the various files he had open. One screen exhibited all of the countries of the world in green numbers running down the screen. Another showed the Pacific Ocean and a small plane figurine detailing where Sasuke's plane would have been if on course. The biggest screen portrayed the area the transmitter had ultimately lost the signal, a small blinking red light surrounded by an ocean of blue. All of the chairs were set to the side as Itachi stood up and walked closer to the screens. Sticking one hand in his pants pocket, he silently watched with dark eyes as his employees scampered around.
"Kakashi. I want you to find all the exact reason why the signal was lost. Nara, bring up the last time the transmitter was still functional and the plane security tapes. I don't care if it's protected. If it is, hack it."
Smoke slowly drifting out of his cigarette, Kakashi brought out his laptop, sat by the discarded table, and began to type rapidly. Iruka, who had been silently observing everyone, felt completely out of his league. He was surrounded by strangers who may or may not be able to tell him exactly what happened to the plane. Sitting down next to Kakashi, he peered into the screen, hoping to find some sort of information. On the screen, there was a recording of the signal waves. The spikes appeared to look like the ones usually found on EEG machines.
"See," Kakashi began, pointing to a picture on the corner of the screen, "this small box was attached to the inside of the cabin in which Sasuke was. The back up on was on Sasuke's luggage." Kakashi pulled up a picture of a small bug attached to a silver briefcase. "All of a sudden, something happens and the first one stops. Seconds later, the backup stops functioning. Now, the first one is easily disarmed if you know what you are doing, but the second transmitter is supposed to be the absolute best, nearly indestructible. The only thing know to fuck them up are explosion shock waves. This is what makes me slightly edgy."
Iruka gaped at him, his eyes widening. "You mean the plane exploded. That's why it's missing?" His heart skipped a couple beats as he imagined Naruto getting injured. Oh, no, please no.
"No, that's just a theory. It might just be malfunctioning, but because this is Sasuke, it is always better to know what is actually happening.
"What do you mean, 'because this is Sasuke'?"
"That is of no concern to you."
A voice spoke up behind Iruka. Jumping slightly in surprise, he turned around to find Itachi standing behind them. Despite feeling intimidated by Itachi, Iruka refused to look away or back down.
"Of course it is of concern of mine." How could it not? My son was on that plane and is probably hurt somewhere thanks to your brother, you insufferable asshole.
"And exactly how is it? Kakashi, who is this?" He looked Iruka over with a distasteful eye, seeming to mock Iruka.
"Oh, he's-"
"If you want to know my name, you should ask me."
Standing up, Iruka turned to stare at Itachi. His chocolate gaze met deep black. Temper boiling at being treated so disrespectfully, Iruka reigned in his anger and fisted his hands. Putting on a deadpan face, Iruka silently challenged the pale Uchiha as he crossed his arms.
"My name is Iruka Umino."
The whole room appeared to have lost the ability to speak and move. Every eye was staring intently over at the confrontation. Minds shocked at someone having the audacity to speak to the Itachi Uchiha like that. Choji had begun to snack on chips again and Ino rolled her eyes at him. Even Shikamaru had momentarily stopped his rapid typing to curiously look over before deeming it troublesome and returning to his work. Ten Ten was busy looking through papers, sparing them only a fleeting glance. Gai was attentively trying to walk on his hands, oblivious to the situation. Neji was simply watching, with his face giving away no thoughts of his.
"It is of my concern because my son was on that plane along with your brother. Anything that happened to your brother, could have happened to my son and I need to know what."
"Not possible. Unless your son was the pilot, that plane should have been empty, besides my brother."
Eye twitching, Iruka responded sharply. "My son was set to ride plane 7 through the storm because I needed him here as fast as possible. Do not tell me that it was empty if you have no proof."
Cocking his head slightly, Itachi turned and called out to Ino.
"Ino, find the passenger seating chart for plane 7 and give me names."
"Yes, sir, right away." Walking over to a discarded laptop, Ino opened it and began to type up something, her fingers flying over the keyboard.
"If I find you are fucking with me Umino, and are ultimately a part of this, I will make you regret it." Itachi glared down at the slightly shorter Iruka, his voice dripping with threats. The black eyes swirled with the promise of pain and something worse than death.
Eyes narrowing, Iruka frowned. This man would not scare him away. "I could say the same to you, Uchiha."
Meanwhile, Kakashi had been watching the whole exchange like someone who was watching a ping pong tournament, his eyes going back and forth. Shikamaru had called over to Itachi and the man walked over to him. Iruka sat down ram rod straight in his seat and tried to calm his racing heart. Adrenaline had spiked in his veins as he argued with Itachi. Refusing to back down or be intimidated, he knew that the only way to know things around here was to basically force a person to tell you. The fact that Itachi hadn't kicked him out was a positive sign, one that he fully intended to exploit if need be.
"Well that was…interesting, to say the least." A cheerful voice spoke into Iruka's ear. Kakashi grinned at him, his mismatched eyes full of mirth.
"Nobody ever talks to Itachi like that. Quite impressive, I might say. Usually it's a death warrant."
Iruka sighed and leaned in his seat. "I don't really like arguing, I just want to know what happened to Naruto. I'm really worried."
"I'm sure nothing has happened, Glitches happen all the time and all of us may be overreacting. Sasuke and Naruto are probably stuck in another airport. This means, I should probably check the airports close to where they should be, in case, they had to do an emergency landing. Hmm" Kakashi trailed off as the computer absorbed his attention.
Kakashi felt bad for having to ignore the brunette, but he had a job to do and a demon breathing down his neck to do it. I brought him into this, so it's my fault. But if I hadn't, he would be left at that airport why Naruto never showed up. By the looks of it, his job isn't as well paying as this one and I doubt he would have the resources to find out what happened. Especially since Itachi keeps Sasuke under the radar ever since his childhood. It's actually a good thing that Itachi watches over him as much, even if the brat doesn't appreciate it. If it weren't for Itachi, Sasuke wouldn't even be here. ….Or there, wherever he is. Cursing, Kakashi found no results on emergency landings anywhere near the airports close to the spot where the plane vanished. Itachi was not going to be happy. And neither was Iruka, for that matter.
"Itachi," Ino called out, "I found that passenger list you wanted. The only people on the plane were the pilot, a stewardess, Sasuke, and a Naruto Uzumaki."
"That's him! That's my son!" Iruka felt elated that now Itachi would know that Naruto was on the plane and now had to tell him any information he found.
Frowning, Itachi peered into the computer Ino had and his lips thinned out ever so slightly.
"It would appear that I was wrong. No matter, my last statement still stands."
Eyes boring into Iruka's, Itachi brought a hand to his chest pocket and brought out a sleek black device. Iruka nearly rolled his eyes. Itachi hadn't even apologized for being wrong. Looking curiously at the back thing in Itachi's hand, Iruka touched his pocket for his own cell.
Iruka rubbed his face and took out his cell phone. Dialing Naruto, he ultimately ended up hearing the same voicemail he had memorized at the airport terminal. Grunting in frustration, he squeezed the phone and yawned. The adrenaline had worn off and made him extremely tired. Rubbing his eyes, he stood up and wandered over to the screens, away from Itachi and loosening his tie as he went. Although they weren't arguing, the tension was still there. One of the screens showed only numbers and as hard as he tried, he couldn't make sense of it. A tap on his shoulder had him turning around.
"Here."
Choji had felt bad for him and had brought him a cup of black coffee. Despite not knowing the man, Choji decided to be nice to him. It wasn't every day that a loved one went missing.
"Thank you." Iruka said appreciatively. The warm, delicious aroma wafted up and he inhaled deeply. Taking a small sip, he tried to avoid thinking the absolute worst. The fact that the transmitter these people planted is not working and one was probably blown up or something worries me. Oh god Naruto, I'm sorry I pushed you to get on the plane. If you come back safely, I'll buy you all the ramen in the world. Please just be safe.
Iruka's thoughts were cut short by the shrill noise of a phone ringing. The entire room seemed to get quiet.
"Wait, who would be calling at this hour?"
Iruka mused aloud. No one answered, for no one knew. Kakashi walked over to the phone on the wall and picked it up. In a crisp, strictly business voice, he answered.
"Uchiha Companies, this is Kakashi, how may I help you?"
All eyes were on Kakashi as he talked. Itachi's eyes narrowed suspiciously and he strolled over to the phone. Pressing a button, he activated a speaker button that connected to the computer screens from the ceiling. An image of a gray haired man with a pale green background popped up. He had round glasses and his hair up in a ponytail. A glare covered the crystal of his glasses, making his eyes unreadable.
"-is Itachi there?"
A sickeningly slimy, snobbish voice came out of the speakers. Iruka could picture the disgusting person even without looking at the screen. Who is this? Why would they call at this hour? Do they know something? Sliding over to Kakashi, he whispered to him, "Hey Kakashi, do you know this person?"
Kakashi had on a disgusted face. "Yea, it's one of the co-presidents of the rivals to the Uchiha companies. Wonder what the bastard wants now." Inhaling the last of his cigarette, he jammed the butt into an ashtray.
"Kabuto."
Iruka had never heard so much displeasure and disgust put in one word before. Strangely fascinated, he kept his gaze on Itachi. The man's face seemed to get darker as the phone call went on.
"Ah, hello Itachi. Having a good morning?"
The nasal voice was dripping with a tone of secrecy, hinting to everyone that there was a purpose to his call. Kabuto's face tilted slightly, a smirk on his lips.
"I've had worse. What do you want?"
Itachi's voice was curt and obviously irritated. His face betrayed no emotion.
"My, what an inhospitable tone you have. It's such a shame. Did something happen? Did you…..lose something?"
Iruka's eyes widened as a bolt of realization shot through him. Kabuto knew something. If Kakashi said that this one of the rivals to the Uchiha companies, and the comment he just made…..He knows something, I'm dead positive he knows something. Wanting to demand Kabuto tell him what happened to Naruto, he knew it was best to leave it to the people who knew how to deal with him. Kakashi stepped towards the screens towards the computer screens, his eyes shocked and his hands fisted. Itachi had frozen in place, his pale face one of undiluted rage. Ino had let out a small gasp and Shikamaru had stopped typing.
Itachi softly walked over to the screens and looked up.
"How do you know?"
His voice was completely emotionless. His eyes seemed to glow red as he continued staring at the screen. His body posture was completely relaxed, but Iruka could tell that Itachi was tense and extremely angry.
Kakashi glared at the screen, his mismatched eyes shining with rage. That sick fucker knows what happened to Sasuke and Naruto. That twisted fucktard has no idea what he has just now started. This goes beyond simple rivalry, this is personal. Mouth twisted in a scowl, Kakashi shook his head. If he thinks Itachi will not be able to do anything, he's got another thing coming. Motherfucker is going to wish he had never been born.
"Whatever do you mean? How do I know what?"
Kabuto smiled at Itachi, his face warped in a cruel smile.
"Don't you fuck with me," Itachi said slowly and quietly, the waves of silent anger radiating off of him. "You know what I meant. Tell me now."
Authority rang strong in Itachi's voice, but Kabuto refused to listen.
"As it would seem, I haven't the slightest idea what you are talking about. Are you sure you're getting enough sleep? Sleep is essential. It prevents anything from …..blowing up in your face."
"Listen here, you miserable, worthless, piece of shit, if you do not tell me what you know about what happened to Sasuke, I will end you. I will rip every organ from your body, piece by piece with a pair of pliers. I will eviscerate your eyes and exenterate your internal organs with a rusty spoon. Tell me what happened to my little brother, now!"
The death threats hissing gently out of Itachi's mouth had the whole room cringing and fearful for their own lives. The tense atmosphere was almost palpable; the suffocating animosity radiating from the president of the Uchiha companies was terrifyingly dark in its absolute hostility. Iruka was shocked that a man was capable of sounding so utterly deadly and intimidating, and was shocked that Itachi would go that far for Sasuke. But if it was Naruto, Iruka would go above and beyond that. Even Kakashi seemed somewhat subdued when Itachi spoke, his cheerful disposition forgotten and cast away. Throughout the conversation, Itachi's face had not changed in the slightest, the pale mask portraying no expression, the dark eyes glistening with danger. Even is posture had not changed, not betraying his voice at all.
"My, my, my, such foul language. Didn't your mother ever tell you to not speak like that? It's just distasteful. It causes things to come….crashing down upon you."
Itachi walked up to the screen. Looking a Kabuto, he smiled lightly.
"From now on, whenever you go out, you better be looking behind you."
*Click*
The screen went black.