Daisuke stirred awake when he heard something rustling. Remembering the events of last night he quickly scrambled under the bed, re-opening his stomach wound. It felt very uncomfortable against the dried bloody bandages. He applied pressure to it and looked around. He couldn't see anyone, but he knew he had heard something.
"Daisuke? Are you in here?"
"Uchiha-san? Is that you?" He cautiously poked his head out. "Where are you?"
"Right here." A paper doll from a corner waved at him, beckoning him to come closer. Daisuke couldn't believe it at first. But after all the things that had happened since he came here, he believed anything was possible. He carefully crawled out from under the bed. His hand was still pressed against the wound; the blood flow was beginning to slow down.
"That looks pretty serious, what happened?" The doll hopped forward and tilted its head.
"Pein paid me a visit of sorts," he grumbled. "He was upset over something, but I have no idea what."
The doll was silent for some time.
"Uchiha-san? What are you doing here?"
"I've come to help you escape, here's your weapon pouch."
He had no idea how the doll had managed to find it let alone carry it, but he accepted it gratefully. "I can't leave without freeing Uncle Naruto."
"There's no time! You have to get out of here!"
"I'm not leaving without Uncle Naruto," Daisuke said firmly. "He's all the family I have left."
"No he isn't," the doll said firmly. Daisuke started and looked about to ask what she meant before she interrupted. "There's no time to explain, we have to leave now!"
Suddenly the door burst open and Mikki rushed in wrapping her arms around him. "Oh Daiki! I missed you so much! Did you miss me too?"
He gasped at her painful squeeze. She pulled away to see blood on her robe. "Oh my poor Daiki! You've got a big boo-boo, but don't worry. I'll protect you! You'll never leave my side again!"
Daisuke groaned inward at the prospect of spending 24 hours with her. He felt the doll slide into his pocket. Her words echoed in his head. All right, I'll help you find Naruto. But it better be quick.
"Lets get you all fixed up," Mikki helped him to his feet. "Then once you're better we can play more!"
"I'd love that," he forced out, but allowed her to lead him out the door.
"You look about as bad as that spiky yellow man did when he came here," she tsked. "He seemed so nice, it's a shame Leader won't let me play with him too."
Daisuke's heart leaped. Uncle Naruto! "Do you know where he is?"
"Of course, but that area is off limits."
"Oh please show me where it is! We could play hide-and-seek there, it'd be more fun to play it in a forbidden area don't you think?"
Mikki's eyes widened with the prospect of intrigue. "Yes! It does!" Her pace quickened, dragging him behind her. "I want to hide first ok? I'm perfect at this game, you'll never find me!"
I certainly hope not, he thought bitterly. Mikki led him further into the prison, skipping with delight. This part of the prison seemed darker and colder, the air thick with dust. It didn't seem like many people were kept here. Up ahead, he could see a door covered with seals, it had to be Naruto's cell.
"Now we have to be extra quiet ok?" She giggled with excitement. "Start counting!" She brought her hand up in a hand-sign and disappeared.
Daisuke began counting under his breath, in case she was close by. He crept to the door and examined the seals more closely. He had no idea what they said or meant, but he had a feeling he wouldn't get inside so easily.
"Allow me", Konan whispered. The doll spun around the door calling out another foreign jutsu. The seals flashed with bright light and then the words faded. Daisuke quickly grabbed the handle and pulled it open. It was dark instead and it took some time for his eyes to adjust. At last he could see a form on the floor. He rushed over to it and turned it over. Naruto briefly stirred in his arms. Daisuke gently shook him. "Uncle Naruto! Wake up! Please!" He shuddered, "Uchiha-san, what's wrong with him?"
"In order to draw out the tailed-beast, the host has to be incapacitated. He's alive but barely."
Daisuke bit his lip, thinking hard about his options. What could he do?
The doll fluttered in a panic. "Daisuke! We've got to get out of here! Pein is---"
"What's going on in here?" Pein turned on the light with a hand sign. His eyes widened at the sight of Daisuke, then glared down at him. "What are you doing in here?"
"Daiki! Why didn't you come and find me?" Mikki hopped in behind Pein. She saw Daisuke hold Naruto close. "Oh was he playing too?"
"Mikki, leave us." Pein murmured.
She pouted, "But, we were just playing---"
"You'll have to find someone else to play with." He stated firmly.
Mikki started going dark again, "But I want---"
Daisuke hid behind Naruto as best he could, hoping she wouldn't notice him. Pein barely acknowledged her. He merely held out a hand. "Shinra Tensei."
Mikki was suddenly propelled out of the room and the door slammed behind her. He approached Daisuke with slow and deliberate steps. "Do you really think you can save him? Or even yourself for that matter?"
Daisuke was trembling and held onto Naruto harder. Try to get a grip, you need to think! There's got to be a way out of this somehow! I can't let it end like this!
Pein pried Daisuke's fingers off of Naruto, grabbed him by the hair and pulled him to his feet. Pein grinned with pleasure at Daisuke's cry of pain. "Ah, music to my ears." He leaned in closer to whisper in his ear. "Your attempt at heroics is pathetic. It's your fault he's here in the first place. Uzumaki will die a long…slow…and excruciating death. His very being sucked out of him," he chuckled as he felt Daisuke tremble. "But that will be nothing compared to your death little genin."
Daisuke was scared, but he felt even angrier. It couldn't end like this! He had to save Naruto. He was all he had left! He had already lost Jiraiya to Akatsuki; he couldn't just let them take him too! Such hatred swelled up inside like he had never felt before. He didn't care how powerful Pein was. Right now he wanted to smack that stupid sneer right off his face. He felt the frustration build up in his head till it nearly exploded. He grabbed Pein's hand and threw him across the room and through the closed door. "YOU WILL NOT TOUCH HIM!"
Pein shook himself off and rose to his feet. What just happened? He looked at Daisuke somewhat impressed. The rinnegan blazed in his eyes. And so it awakens after all, out of desperate self-defense. Just like mine did. Pein rose to his feet and activated his as well. But I still have the advantage. I know how to use mine.
"You want to kill me, do you?" Pein taunted. "Let's see what the infamous Weapons Specialist can do!"
Daisuke blinked a few times, what was wrong with his vision? It was amplified far beyond normal. He didn't have time to think longer about it, Pein was approaching with something up his sleeves. Although they were hidden, somehow he could see the chakra gathering around them. Daisuke put his hand into his pouch pulling out one of his scrolls. "Uchiha-san," he said under his breath. "When you get the chance, take Uncle Naruto out of here and bring him to the Sand Village."
The doll fluttered in his pocket. I'm not leaving without you!
"You have to. He's more important to save than me. It's my fault he's here and if I can fix that I will."
Daisuke charged Pein. Pein followed suit, his Chakra Disruption Blades brandished. Leaping into the air, Daisuke ripped open the scroll. "Heaven Dragon Raze!"
A massive whirlwind of weapons shot towards Pein so quickly they were white flashes. Pein spun around twirling his blades around deflecting each and every one, decimating the area around him. Daisuke threw another one right behind him. Pein had to adjust his footing to cover the new barrage, in the two seconds it took to reposition a kunai sliced the hem of his robe. Not a bad opening move. He means business, Pein mused. He could easily defeat Daisuke on his own. He wouldn't even need to call on the five other paths. He was curious how far Daisuke would go to protect his precious Hokage. Besides he was confident he wouldn't need to use any special moves to take him down.
Pein raced towards Daisuke, increasing his speed and weaving in an attempt to confuse the boy's new and sensitive rinnegan. To his surprise, Daisuke ducked under one strike and stopped the second with a set of nun-chucks. He must be adjusting to his new sight faster than he had thought. Pein struck again and again, hoping to catch him off guard. Daisuke dodged, swerved, and used his nun-chucks to avoid direct contact with the blades. Pein pressed the attack. He just needed one direct hit and Daisuke would be under his control and the combined powers of their rinnegan should blow his mind. Pein didn't think it would be this hard to land a hit on the genin.
Konan took advantage of Pein's lack of attention and started covering Naruto in paper. She summoned him outside where she attached wings and flew with it towards the Sand Village. The other members were hurrying to the battle scene so they escaped unnoticed. She wanted to turn back, but forced herself to accompany Naruto. It was what Daisuke wanted, and he would be angry if she failed him in this simple task. But leaving him behind to fight Pein was the hardest thing she had ever done. She couldn't bear to think about them fighting. And Daisuke still had no idea that Pein was his father. Perhaps Jiraiya was right on insisting keeping everything a secret. Halfway there she came across the ANBU search party. Sasuke was among them. He was surprised to see her (she was in Suki form once again) because he thought she was still in Konoha.
"There's no time to explain," she unwrapped the body and handed it to the ANBU. "I've brought back the Hokage."
"What about the boy?" The eagle-masked ANBU asked.
"He's fighting Pein; it's because of his distraction that we escaped at all." The others looked rattled at this news. "I have to go back and help him."
"Then I'm coming with you," Sasuke squeezed her hand.
She shook her head, afraid that if he came he would learn the truth and forever hate her for it. "No, this is something I must do alone."
He pulled her close and looked deep into her eyes with that soul-searching gaze. The one that seemed to see through her. Even now it almost seemed as if he knew. "I'm coming with you."
"These wounds look serious, he needs Lady Tsunade's help," the cat-masked ANBU stated. "We must leave for Konoha at once but we can leave 2 ANBU with you to retrieve Daisuke-kun."
"Then let's get going. Lead the way Suki," Sasuke gestured. She wanted to continue insisting on going alone; but he was in stubborn-mode, so very much like Pein. Perhaps that is why she loved him so much. Besides she would need all the help she could get, and there wasn't a second to waste. Daisuke could be dead for all she knew. She nodded and took the lead. Hold on Daisuke! We're on our way!
The other Akatsuki had been willing and even eager to join in the fight, but Pein sent them again, insisting it was a one on one match. For which Daisuke was strangely grateful for. He had held up well, but he was starting to wear out. By now Daisuke had noticed that Naruto was missing and so far no else had. He had no reason to stay any longer. He was also running low on scrolls and his vision was beginning to make his eyes sore. What was wrong with them anyway? He still had Jiraiya's two scrolls. He wished he had looked them over better, learned the theory behind the jutsus. It was too dangerous to use them without knowing what they did. Pein broke through his attack and knocked him to the ground. "Not bad little genin, but you're still weak."
He pointed one Chakra Disruption Blade at Daisuke. "Banshō Ten'in!"
Daisuke felt himself being sucked towards Pein soon to be impaled on the stick. Pein smirked confidently. Finally it would come to an end. Daisuke shifted his weight to the left, grabbed the stick from a sideways angle, spun around (slicing his palm in the process) and let go. The momentum shot him through the ceiling and onto the next floor. Daisuke took off running, not really sure where he was going. He held his bleeding hand close. That was a close one. He nearly had me there. He turned the corner and bumped into someone. He tried to pull back but was held fast. Pein smirked down at him. "There's no escape."
But...how? Wasn't he just behind me? Daisuke struggled harder.
"This ends now," Pein growled, the second blade held at the ready.
To his surprise Daisuke grinned, "Perhaps sooner than you think!" He made a hand sign and stuck out his tongue. There was an exploding tag on it. Pein chakra-jumped backwards but the explosion's blast still hit him. He was thrown through a few walls. A clone! But how did he make one so fast? How did I lose him?! He stuck his blade in the ground, gradually slowing down. He posed ready for anything as the dust was beginning to settle. "Now where are you, you little brat!"
Silence. Pein looked around him, expecting to see the chakra outline of the hidden genin. Nothing. He frowned. He didn't actually blow himself up did he? Pein chuckled softly to himself. He had to admit, his son was better than he had thought. Perhaps if he had been raised properly he would have become a shinobi the world feared. There was still time, he was young. But that prospect would not save him. Pein could never forgive him for taking Konan away. But she was here now, locked away upstairs. She would never leave again; he loved her too much to let her go. Once he got rid of Daisuke he was sure everything would return to normal. She'd forget all about him and Konoha and one day even thank him for it. She may have left the path, but she would see the light once again. She would come to know his will and obey it for he was God, and God is over all.
He extended his rinnegan gaze, sweeping over all floors and into each room. Finally he recognized Daisuke's chakra two floors up scurrying along the air vents. He knew just the thing to stop him. He whistled a genjutsu as he raced upstairs.
Daisuke hurried as best he could. He still wasn't sure what to make of this new vision, but he could see through the walls to where the exit was. He was nearly there when he heard a faint song pierce his very being with mind-numbing pain. It hurt more than anything else he had experienced before. In the back of his mind, he knew this had to be a genjutsu. He just needed to break free. He forced his frozen muscles to move and managed to pull out a kunai. He was panting with the effort to keep from screaming and from the effort of moving. It's almost over now…I just need to stab myself to break free. He stabbed his left thigh. To his horror, he was still trapped in the genjutsu. He stabbed again, still nothing. He sank to the floor, barely fighting off the excruciating pain. He had to think of something fast. The only other way to break free from a genjutsu involved extreme chakra control, something he was very weak at.
He could hear Pein's footsteps echo through his brain, each step weighing heavier and heavier on his mind. That coupled with the pain-inducing genjutsu crowded his mind, nearly overwhelming it. He closed his eyes and gritted his teeth; he couldn't afford to pass out now. If he did, he knew he would die. But then again it would be a more merciful passing than what Pein would inflict. And he would see Jiraiya again, was that really so bad? But he knew what Jiraiya would say about that. Give up on the idea of giving up. And that was just what he was going to do, never give up and fight to the end.
The footsteps stopped. He opened his eyes and saw feet inches from his nose. Pein was here.
"There is no breaking free from this genjutsu little genin. Not unless you have mastered the rinnegan like I have." He nudged Daisuke with his blade, making him roll over onto his back. The blade stung on contact. Daisuke gasped for air, the pain was choking his lungs. Pein smiled down in pleasure. "There will be no gentle passing for you. I will make you suffer beyond anyone else I've ever killed; because you have caused me more pain than anyone else."
He drove the chakra blade deep into his shoulder. Daisuke screamed in agony. He felt power surge through his brain and lights exploded behind his eyes. Once the episode passed he felt exhausted and drained both emotionally, mentally, and physically. Pein held another aloft and Daisuke was sure he wouldn't be able to survive a second one.
"Impressive, that alone should have killed you," Pein mused aloud. "I guess I shouldn't have placed such little faith in my son."
Daisuke didn't think he heard right. What did he just call me? That's it, I must going crazy now. His thoughts soon became jumbled up with Pein's thoughts that streamed through the Chakra Disruption Blade. He could both hear and feel his pain, it was a bizarre experience. Daisuke never knew someone could be in so much pain and sorrow, it didn't even compare to his present pain. He couldn't stop trembling.
"You've had your mother all to yourself for long enough. She's staying here with me now." Pein growled, like a jealous little boy.
Daisuke blinked in amazement. "S-she's…alive?" He choked out.
"You really didn't know? Or is that because you're slowly losing your mind? She's the one who tried to save you."
Suki?! Daisuke couldn't wrap his mind around it. Suki was his real mother? But…but why didn't she say anything?! Why didn't Jiraiya tell him? What was going on?! If what Pein said was true, then why was he the only one left in the dark? He felt his anger begin to rise above the pain.
"Now die knowing you've failed! Failed to save your Hokage, failed to save your mother, and failed to save yourself!" He thrust the second blade into his other shoulder.
It had finally become too much and Daisuke's consciousness gave way to ultimate pain, suffering, and anger. Pein was blown backwards and the entire base trembled. He looked at his screaming son and smiled. Now you know what ultimate pain feels like. But my pain is greater than yours. He stood up and walked away to see Konan and tell her the good news.
Daisuke continued to rage on, his anger at Pein, his anger about not knowing his mother was alive, the idea that his father could even do this to his own son, his grief of losing Jiraiya, and pain from the genjutsu became too much. He exploded with such terrible fury he was beginning to bring the entire base crashing down around him. Pein quickly unlocked Konan's door, he had to get her out! To his horror she was gone. But…how? When? And what about the Hokage? He focused his rinnegan gaze on the security prison. Empty. He gritted his teeth and made the hand sign to transport to a safer location. He hated to admit defeat, but it was easier than dying.
When Konan, Sasuke, and the ANBU arrived, they were shocked to see the Akatsuki base entirely leveled to the ground. Among the debris, there was one circle untouched with Daisuke lying right in the center. The ANBU secured and searched the area while Sasuke hurried over to the boy's side, pulled the blades out, and applied pressure to stop the bleeding. Konan took his pulse. She sighed with relief. "He's alive! He's alive!"
Daisuke stirred slightly, turning his head at the sound of her voice. He barely opened his eyes. Konan sucked in her breath. Was that…the rinnegan? His glazed eyes began to focus on her and his weak voice cracked. "M-mom?"
He passed out before he could hear her reply.
