Chapter 7: Recruiting For Despair
Naruto ducked as a steel sword swiped over his head, it sung through the air and collided with a rock, splitting it in two. The sword was attached to the Asura path's transforming arm and acted like a fist mounted blade. The Asura path was more machine than man and served as Pain's jack of all trades form, being able to shoot rockets to forming buzz saws out of its own hands
"Good dodge … now up high!"
The blade came down on Naruto, but he rolled to the side and stuck his Kunai deep into the Asura Path's stomach. Nagato deactivated the Path and smiled
"If I felt physical pain, that probably would of hurt …. Good work my student"
"Piece of cake … Um ….Nagato"
"Yes Naruto ?"
"When do I get my first mission Ya know !"
"Hmm you seem very eager …. Give us a few hours to organise something … but Naruto, yu must realise. You re no longer In the leaf …. You are one of us, we kill people for money. We are mercenary's ….. There is no doubt that a hell might await us at death … are you sure you are ready ?"
"I'm ready ….. I'll kill those who are In my way"
Nagato smiled and noticed Itachi standing behind both of them, patient but persistent. There was no doubt he had something important to inform Nagato on.
"I'm sorry to interrupt your training session Nagato ….. Scout Report is In … Another Exile for the Hidden Leaf"
"Wait what did you say Itachi ? Has someone I knew left the village ….. why"
"Another Leaf Ninja has slashed off their mark and has left the village yes ….. I don't know who .. it's in the report which Nagato must read first before telling"
Itachi passed the Envelope to Nagato. It was marked with a Sealing Jutsu which could not be broken by simple force, the right person had to deactivate the Jutsu by hand. Nagato bit his thumb and spread the blood along the envelope, a plume of smoke puffed outwards and the mark was gone. He opened it and began reading the report inside. A faint smile flickered across his face
"Looks like you aren't quite alone and hated after all, Naruto"
"Who ….. Who is it ?"
"Hinata Hyuuga ….. she slashed off her Konoha symbol right in front of the Hokage and threw it down on the desk, the report says it was because of a dispute involving you ….. It seems she lov … ugh never mind … I'll leave that for later"
"Wh….Why would she do that ….."
"Because she loves you ….. At least I think … That's for you to find out …."
"What's going to happen to her….We can't kill her …. Please don't"
"No …. She will join us like you, She made the effort to leave, therefore she has a rightful place among our organisation ….. Just watch out for Hidan … he is a sleaze around women "
"She has always been there for me …. It only took me until now to realise ….. I'm such a Baka …."
Nagato turned to Itachi and nodded. Itachi geared up and headed out to the fire country to the fire country to retrieve yet another member. If this was frequent, The Akatsuki would be an army, not an organisation.
"Bring her in ... but do not tell her Naruto is alive ... okay ?"
"Yes Nagato ... It will be done"
Hinata adjusted her shoulders and hefted the pack upward, granting her a few new seconds of relief from its heavy contents. She decided to take a rest over by a boulder off a beaten path. She sat and pondered the things she said to Tsunade, it was all racing so fast. She could not believe she left the village, but she was still glad none the less
'I should not of said I was joining the Akatsuki ... I... I was just being mean ... The Akatsuki have tried to kill Naruto multiple times ... they are no better than the shinobi back at Konoha ...'
'That's right ... I'm ... I'm a renegade Ninja now ... like Sasuke used to be ... alone'
she pulled out a map and began to plan her next plan of action, if Naruto was alive he would not of gone far without help from others, which she doubted a lone Jinchuriki would receive so easily. she would search every village and ask if they had seen such a man walk through.
'I wont stop until I find him ... I can't fail him ... I wont fail him !'
Tsunade was half way through a bottle of Sake when the door knocked, it was a hard day and Hinata running off did not ease the stress and sadness in the least
"Go away ... I'm drinking ..." she sobbed
"Thats why I want to come in ..." he said, sternly.
"Jiraiya ?"
"The one and only ..."
"Come in ..." she sighed
The door opened and Jiraiya walked in, Tsunade could see that he was in a worse state than her. he pulled up a chair and began to drink with Tsunade. neither of them spoke, until the silence was unbearable to her.
"WHAT DO YOU WANT !? I'm sorry okay ... I'm so god damned sorry I accepted your offer as Hokage ... I'm sorry I let him die ... I'm sorry Hinata left ... just ... It's all my fault and I don't know how it all happened ... I'm to blame"
"No ..."
"..."
"You ar not to blame at all ... no one in this village are to blame ... if this were one of my books the readers would hate everyone in Konoha ... but as an author I am saying no ... It's not any of our faults ... Except those two ... Especially Sasuke ..."
"You can't honestly think Sakura had to do with any of it ..."
"From what I heard it does ... Of all people, you should know Naruto's feelings for Sakura ... ever since he began at the academy, she must have taken it as a joke, but the whole time he was serious ... just like Hinata's feelings for Naruto ... But at least Naruto did not notice Hinata's feelings ... If he had noticed they would be together long ago ... Sakura knew his feelings ... and she traded him for Sasuke ..."
"Jiraiya ... the heart wants what it wants ... I admit she did it in the worse way possible but ... she loves Sasuke"
"I know all about what the heart wants Tsunade ... all those years with you are no different to those two ... Naruto loved Sakura like I loved you ... but that's long ago ... I'm just an old perv ... a Pervy Sage ...But I'm happy being so ...or at least I was ..."
"What happens now ... I'm so lost ..." she said, face falling into hands.
"You are right, We can't do anything about Sasuke and Sakura ... We cant punish them or reek vengeance on someone else ... now all we can do is carry on and hope Hinata returns with or without Naruto ... as long as she comes back"
"I don't think she will ..."
"Nevermind that ... Begin the missions again for all Genin, Chunin and Jounin, it will push the village back into order ... send out some friends to look for Hinata and Naruto ... And then we can begin living again"
"He is dead Jiraiya ..."
Jiraiya turned fast and threw his glass cup against the wall, it smashed and Tsunade let out a small yelp of shock and shame. Jiraiya fixed his eyes on Tsunade, boiling hot anger and disappointment meted into her emotions. He raised a shaky finger as a lone tear ran down his cheek
"You have no right ... YOU HAVE NO GOD DAMNED RIGHT TO SAY HE IS DEAD !"
"I'm ...S...Sorry"
"This is Naruto we are talking about here ... he survived multiple Kyuubi transformations, poisons, beatings and loses ... and he got back up each time. You may have lost hope, but many people have not, Hinata for example ... Why is his body gone ? we would have found bones ... I am going to hold on to this scrap of god damned hope, you can leave it if you wish ... But not me ... I will not bury my child student ... never"
"Where are you going ?"
"I'm going to the Hidden Rain ... I hope my old shack is still holding up ... If not then ill have a little project to keep my mind off this village ... and its power monger elders ... and most of all ... It's hubris that is shared among this whole Ninja world ... The kind of hubris that drives people who are different to Suicide ..."
"Please ... Wait ! I need you ... I can't do this alone ... I want you ..."
"Hmmph ... I've always wanted to hear those words ... But I just don't know anymore, as for your advice ... Shikaku Nara or Kakashi Hatake would make a fine advisor to this crisis ... stay strong Tsunade ... I certainly can't be"
"You can't leave god dammit !"
"I should have never brought Naruto back ... This village will always reek of superiority ... Peace will never be attainable until this village sees a new beginning"
he turned and exited the room, not turning his head, not saying a word.
A Week Later
Sasuke awoke in the darkness of a new day, he reassuringly checked the other side of the bed for Sakura, she was gone. He could see the light of the kitchen on down the hallway, he slipped on some pants and buttoned up a white T-shirt draped over the chair. He made his way down the hallways smelling fresh coffee, which was quite puzzling seeing how it was 4 O'clock in the morning.
He yawned " Hyaaaaarhh ... Sakura it's late ... I mean Early ... whats up ?" he saw her tear streamed face and ran to her side
"What's wrong ... you can tell me Sakura ... Bad dreams huh .."
"Yeah ... They won't go away ... I...I felt good and bad when we made love last week ... It was so right ... but to soon ... I'm sorry ... I'm a mess"
"You are morning ... it's fine ... we all are ... even me ..."
"Are you ... or are you just saying that to make me feel better !"
"Sakura ..."
"I'm tired of classified information ... You tell me right now ... Why did you actually come back"
'She cant know my true intentions ... not yet ... I have to tell her part of the truth ... I owe her that much'
"Well ..."
"I came back because I'm weak ... I can't beat Itachi ... there is no use in fighting him ... he is the strongest Uchiha alive ... I'm tired of giving up my friends and losing more and more of my humanity ... so I came back ... And truly ... Me and Naruto did fight ... He just ... The Kyuubi just ..."
"It's fine ... I'm sorry i had to ask you ... I'm just so damned lost ... I can't make sense of it all ... I'm ..."
She broke down in tears yet again, many people would think otherwise, but Naruto's death tore her apart inside.
"Look .. it's fine ... I'm here ... And Naruto is watching us with that big old smile ... Ya know ?" they both smiled at Naruto's usual catchphrase, it lightened the mood proportionately, genuine smiles filled the room which had seemed so dark since the week prior. she giggled hard and pointed at Sasuke
"What ... WHAT !"
"Calm down Sasuke ... Women can't be angry all the time ..."
"What do you mean ! I'm a Uchiha Male ! I am customarily a strong man !"
"Haaaahahaha do Strong Uchiha men wear Women's blouses ? Haaaaha"
Sasuke looked down and realized he had buttoned up the wrong T-shirt, what looked white in the dark was bright pink in the light of the kitchen, he also failed to notice the decorative flowers adorned along the sleeves
"...Shit"
Itachi had spent the last 2 days spying and measuring the skills of the young Hyuuga, her search led her near the Hidden Rain village, although she had no luck in finding any clues, it seemed she was just wandering for hope. Itachi observed her impressive medical skills and extraordinary Byakugan abilities. Her Taijutsu was also far advanced compared to some of the Akatsuki members, she would fill her place easily. he just needed to pick the right time and place to recruit her, if only he could tell her Naruto is alive, she would join in an instant, beside her personal beliefs on the Akatsuki.
"Who is there ... I know you have been watching me ... I may be an Ex-Konoha Shinobi ... But my Byakugan is as sharp as ever"
'Dammit ... she finally noticed me ... The Byakugan is powerful indeed'
"Show yourself or leave ... I have more important things to attend to ..." Itachi emerged from the tree line and leaned on a tree, looking as relaxed as Shikamaru on a lazy day
" oh ..by the looks of it ... You seem to be wandering the lands in search of answers ?"
"Itachi Uchiha !"
"So what is a Royal Hyuuga heiress doing so far from the village, without body guards ... or even friends for that matter
Itachi pretended to not know her reason, which would help shield any suspicion of the Akatsuki and Naruto being involved, it was best she know nothing before she joins, or she might join just for Naruto's sake.
"That is none of your business ... Especially for a traitor like you ..."
"Well now ... I don't see any Konoha headband or any Konoha mission gear ... Unless you are on vacation in the hidden rain, I would say you are no different to me ..."
"What do you want ? Do you wish to kill me ... is that it ?"
"No not really ... The Akatsuki are mercenaries with a personal mission, neither involves you ... however, If I were my colleague Kakuzu ... You would make a fine ransom ...but I care very little for money so let me be forward"
"About what ... ?"
"Join us ... you are kicked out of your village ... you are a fellow traitor ... if you need something done ... join us and achieve that goal ... we will help you on your way ... and if you like it ... stay with us. We can't force you to stay with us and cooperate ... it would never work like that ... What ever or who ever you are looking for ... We have the resources to help you ... what do you think"
"I will not join you ... Why would I join a gang of mercenaries ... I'm out here for a reason ..."
"What reason is that ? hmmm ? If you don't tell me now I can just abduct a Konoha Shinobi and torture them until they sing every little thing that has happened in the leaf ... would you like that ?"
"No ... leave everyone else out of it ..."
"Then talk ... what is it you want Ms Hyuuga"
"I want to find Naruto ... He went missing ... Presumed dead ... Attempted Suicide ... BECAUSE OF YOUR BROTHER !"
"I'm not surprised ... those two were like Water on Oil since the beginning ...so he's dead huh ... A shame ... we could have used his body"
"You mean .. you have not heard of this yet ?"
"We knew some kind of civil unrest went down ... but the village has been so locked up we have had no spies able to investigate ..."
"I still refuse your offer ... This is my burden and mine alone ... You Akatsuki don't seem so bad now that I'm out of the village and neutral ... the village always indulged in Hubris ... I will find Naruto ... Without your help ..."
"So be it ... I will be in the Hidden rain village ... I'll know if you are there ... The offer is always open. I suggest you go down the road and take a left, follow the beaten road until you reach an open field next to a river. There you will find an old shack with someone who will help you, They are Ex-Leaf as well ... I'm sure you won't mind working with them ... they were a Sensei after all."
"What ... Who ..."
Itachi vanished before she could receive her answers, she just figured the only way to know would be to go there in person and take it on first hand. She readjusted her pack and pondered the Idea of joining the Akatsuki as she traveled down the road towards the shack. Her focus was Naruto, but she knew the resources would be helpful, even if she is just using them, surly there is a catch. She spotted the shack ahead. It was made of fine cut wood and stone, it looked more like a lodge then it did a shack, it looked like it was under reconstruction, she could spot the scaffolding and tools surrounding the building. She also noticed a man up on the roof, nailing down shingles, he looked like Santa Claus from this distance. which made her giggle.
"Hello ?"
The man threw up his hammer in surprise and it landed on his head, he groaned and slid off the roof and landed on a pile of Sake, girly magazines and food supplies yet to be stocked inside. He mumbled as imaginative birds tweeted around his head, he opened his eyes and gasped
"Hinata ..."
"J... Jiraiya Sensei ..."
Author Note:
Forgive me for the 1 week jump, I needed t move things alon and could not possibly fil event in 7 days ... would not be realistic for it all to happen in one week Ya know :L
So hinata and Jiraiya are out of the village and the Naruto investigation has begun hahhahaha
Lets see how it goes :)
PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW ! HELPS ME SO MUCH !
Love - Phillip
