Shadow on Shadow
(Second day, midmorning, with Kakashi's group)
The four of them were currently on the move, once again following the path laid out by the rampaging blonde. They had left the forest and were following the trail surrounded grasslands on both sides and torn up areas of dirt and gravel.
Sakura was getting aggravated and said, "I know you said that we would be able to catch up with Naruto, but explain it to us how that will happen if we keep this course. I mean, he can't really be that far ahead of us, can he?"
Kisame looked over to her and shook his head in annoyance. "And here I always thought you were the smart one of the group. I'll explain it again, this time with more detail. From his actions that we've seen so far, he appears to be heading north and more importantly, in the direction of the Light Country. With that in mind we can assume that he's actually trying to get to the Light Country and if that's true, he'll need to go over water to get there. The only way to get to it is by boat and there are only three ports up north that make rounds to that place." He said.
"Since Naruto is still having trouble measuring the amounts of chakra he uses, even at his speed it will take some time to get to the ocean. If you calculate to amount stamina he's using with the amount of rest he would need to recover and stack that against our travel time, even if he manages to get a boat ride the rest of the way we should be on him within three to four days. Naruto may be able to recover quickly but all of that running will still take its toll on him." Kakashi said.
Sakura sighed. "That much I know already. I'm just worried about that knucklehead and I'm still furious at what you two did to him. I've seen him change before, but nothing compared to this. Between what happened to the village and Sasuke leaving I don't know what I'd do if something bad happened to Naruto in this state."
Itachi turned his head to her and gave her a blank stare. "None of that will matter if we don't pick up the pace and catch him. All will be for naught if he dies of either overusing his strength or he ends up attacking a nearby village and starting a small war." He said. That said they charged forward as fast as they could.
(Six hours later, late afternoon)
The environment changed from breezy fields to craggy valleys as they passed on through areas littered with boulder fragments and body parts of various animals with patches of blood everywhere. Yikes, looks like he really did a number on this place, although it seems more like a monster did all this. Sakura thought. They all paused for a minute to catch their breaths and Kisame inspected the damage done to the bodies.
He was silent for a time as he went through the carcasses. When he was done he motioned for Itachi to join him. Sakura and Kakashi absentmindedly followed. He pointed to Sakura. "You, pink-haired brat, take a careful look at this corpse and tell me what you see."
She leered at him. "My name is Sakura, but of course you only pretend to forget just to annoy me." She said. Kisame shrugged. "Have to find something to pass the time. Now use that medical eye of yours to tell me how this creature died."
She bent down to get a closer look at the dead body of a wolf missing its back left leg, front right leg, left ear and jaw and covered in slash marks. After several minutes she stood up and turned to Kisame. "Do you see it, how this beast really died?" He said. "What do you mean?" Kakashi asked.
Sakura pointed to the animal. "Notice the missing limbs and jaw, and the other injuries it has. Normally when you lose an arm you lose a large amount of blood with it, but in this case there isn't as much as there should be. Further analyses shows that the long scratch marks on the body may be big, but they aren't deep and inside the wounds there are puncture marks aimed at the heart." She explained.
Kisame nodded. "I've seen the other bodies and they show the same. First the animals are killed through the perforation to the heart, and then with some strength, ripped apart to give the appearance of an animal attack. All of this was staged by an expert. They used something long and sharp to make the punctures and I don't know what else for the rest of the damage. Whatever did this is intelligent and strong, enough to make all this in an attempt to fool someone." He waved to the wreckage.
Itachi looked around with caution. "We have to be on our guard. We have to assume that this was a trap set by one or more people or possibly a message meant for someone else. Either way, somebody went through the trouble to make this happen." He said. Sakura looked at him with a brow raised. "Are you sure about all that? True, the way that these were killed is odd but I doubt any sort trap is involved." She said.
Itachi closed his eyes and bowed his head. "Paranoia has saved many a man." He replied.
"What I want to know is how fish breath over here could tell what happened." Sakura said throwing a thumb over her shoulder. Kisame smiled with pride. "Just because I smash and dice up everything and everyone I fight, doesn't mean I don't know some things." He said.
"That aside, I think we've rested enough. Let's get moving." Kakashi ordered and in a flash they were gone. After they left, far behind them in the shadows of a large fissure, four figures slowly appeared and when a few moments passed, gave chase.
(Two hours and twenty minutes later, dusk)
A crackling fire kept the oncoming darkness at bay while the group prepared to camp in for the night. Kakashi was resting against a boulder with Sakura beside him eating some provisions. Kisame sat cross-legged with Samehada lying against his shoulder and Itachi was tending to the flames.
Itachi sat with Kisame and his eyes met with Kakashi's. "So Itachi, there's something that's been troubling my mind for a while. What else can you tell us about the Light Country?" Kakashi asked with an enigmatic glint in his eye.
"Neither Kisame or myself know much about the history itself, only that it's a somewhat lonesome place that resides high in the north. This much we are sure of. We had never even heard of it until a summons was sent to us." Itachi stated. "You were summoned?" Sakura asked. "Yes. It came in the form of a bright yellow bird with long white plumage with a letter attached to one of its legs. I hadn't seen one of its species before then." Itachi finished.
Kakashi's eyes widened slightly as Itachi spoke. "I've never seen one myself but I have heard of a bird like that. It's a rare breed, almost extinct in fact. I don't recall the name but they were also called dawn breakers, for their colors. Their home can be found on some of the desolated isles to the northeast." He said.
"The 3rd Hokage told me about one once when I was a boy and…" He trailed off and sighed as his eyes moved in the direction of some crevices a good distance away from the camp. "Alright you lot, come on out. There's no point in hiding anymore."
Some movement could be heard, then out of the growing shadows a team of four people came out into the amber evening light. Making up the team there was Shikamaru Nara, Ino Yamanaka, Hinata Hyuga and Rock Lee in their usual attire. Sakura stood up. "What are you all doing here?" She asked. Shikamaru was the first to reply. "The real question should be what are they doing here with you?" He said giving Itachi and Kisame a look as the two prepared for battle. Sakura and Kakashi looked at each other, "I think it's time we exchanged notes." Kakashi said with seriousness in his voice.
After everyone had settled down, Kakashi explained what had happened so far with them. "…because of the time it takes to move from the Leaf Village to the northern peninsula, we were hoping to catch up to Naruto and see what can be done about his condition. Itachi and Kisame have told us everything they have on this sword and the Light Country, and are currently in a temporary ceasefire with us." He said.
"Well, that explains why they're not in chains. They play a role in retrieving Naruto and keeping him under if he's still out of control. What does this justu you placed on him specifically do?" Shikamaru asked. Itachi's gaze wavered to Shikamaru. "Ordinarily for what we had prepared for, it would have an effect on his chakra, forcing it to act against his body and cause physical damage to him. Not enough to kill him, just enough to render him incapable of fighting. But I didn't expect for the demon inside him to affect it in such a drastic way and because of this it makes things more difficult in the whole plan of getting him and collecting our bounty." He told him.
Shikamaru contemplated his words and Kisame finally spoke up. "Alright, we told you our side. How about you tell us yours?" He said. All eyes were on Shikamaru. He sighed and grumbled, "Right then, to start from the beginning I think it's best if Hinata goes first."
Shyly, Hinata looked down and slowly started. "Well…um…I was out in the forest training, when I heard the sounds of people fighting, so I followed it. When I thought I was close enough I used my Byakugan to see Kakashi-sensei, Sakura and these two together. They talked for a little bit, and then they ran off." She said.
"It was then that she headed directly for Lady Tsunade to tell her what she found. Afterwards Lady Tsunade sent word for the rest of us to gather and go after you and assist you if necessary, naming me leader of this squad. And it's a good thing too, fortunately I know a little bit about the Light Country." Shikamaru finished. He reached into his backpack and pulled out a map. He opened it up and pointed to the peninsula they were headed for. "As you know, there are ports all around the coast of the land, but very few of them have boats that go to the Light Country. I'll tell you the reason behind that fact.
"The Light Country was originally called "the Land of Sun," until it under new leadership. More like a small island in the shape of the sun, hence the name change, most people don't know about it so it's not surprising that none of you do. The only reason I know anything about it is because it was part of my studies as a chunin.
"Now for the important stuff, the island is a small, neutral land that is run by two figureheads and is unknowingly infamous for a prison that is used by every nation, but isn't known to the general public. A special prison that is known only by a few high ranking officials, like the Kages, and people they trust. The prison is exceptional and is purposely made to hold each and every one of its guests, all of them S-rank.
"The prison is set dead-center of the island with a fifty-meter moat surrounding it and one main river leading to the sea. It's more than a mile and a half tall from top to bottom, two-thirds of which are underwater with five feet of sheer rock making up its structure and six inch metal plating covering it on the inside. On top of that it has a very powerful security system throughout the prison and has a record of zero escaped convicts. All in all, anything that's sent in doesn't come out.
"The facility acquires funding from not only the lord of the Light Country, but also from those who send the criminals there and everyone who knows about it, call it "the Nine Hells," because it has nine levels each holding more dangerous criminals than the last. Sometimes they'll even send a message to offer aid in the capturing of said villains. As for who takes care of the prison, you should know him as Goturo, the warden of the Nine Hells. He works with the existing ruler of the Light Country to keep the prisoners where they are and runs daily inspections to make sure everything is in order."
With that said he put the map away and took a deep breath. "That about covers everything I have on the subject. You wouldn't believe how much of a drag it was for me to find the right books on this place." Shikamaru said. "But as far as that goes I don't know a thing about the sword you mentioned earlier. I didn't think broadswords could be found anymore and any that exist now are probably useless."
Sakura yawned. "Maybe, but it makes me happy knowing what we have to look forward to now. I hate it when I have to do a mission blind. But for now why don't we all get some sleep and you can tell us more in the morning. We have a short enough time limit as it is." Kisame placed Samehada aside and got comfortable. "I second the motion. Blonde has to run out of steam eventually so why not at night." He said. This made the new group give him wary stares.
He chuckled. "Itachi and I weren't going to pull anything if that's what you're all thinking. The reason behind that as you would put it is because of the most essential part we haven't told you. Due to the technique Itachi used going wrong, we don't know how to approach this safely without hurting your friend. However the real problem lies in Naruto himself."
Kakashi stepped in. "It's possible that because of what he's going through something neither of us has seen before, we don't know what stress he could be going under to maintain his speed and form, what intense pain he must be feeling right at the moment and even out of all that he is still holding himself back for the sake of his comrades. I can tell that much, but I can't begin to fathom what's happening to him is pleasant. So for your sakes when you see him please try to hold yourselves back."
Hinata turned her face away while everyone else nodded in conclusion. Just before they all turned in she uttered, "But…just because…it's as you say it is, doesn't mean that there isn't a way to save him from what's happening to him. After all he's done for us, for our village, we owe it to him. And…I'll…I will risk everything and anything I have to help him, no matter what it takes."
Sakura, Kakashi and her teammates all stared wide eyed at her for the fact stood that she didn't say much. For her to show such fierceness and passion and in front of two S-ranked criminals was truly something rare indeed. Sakura smiled. "Well said Hinata. You're right; we have to do everything we can to bring him back, safe and sound." Her sight turned to Itachi and Kisame. "That goes for you two as well. After all, he is your money card."
Kisame laughed a genuine laugh. "Don't take this the wrong way, but I'm starting to like you." He said. To his surprise, Sakura actually laughed back. "Amazingly, I don't." She replied.
Everyone went to sleep with Kakashi being the last one to doze off with the weight of the conversation on his mind as he watched the embers of the fire die out.
