Disclaimer: Still don't own Naruto, still have 0 for writing about Naruto.

Author notes: Whaat, a fast update? I know. I was so happy because of all of you reading—and the warm welcome-backs and reviews—that I had to get the next chapter up ASAP.

Now, I warned in the last chapter it was going to get dark and twisted. Here it is. If you read on, don't say I didn't warn you! This story is rated M for a reason, after all!


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Chapter 8 – The Powerful & the Weak

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Iruka's ears rang and his vision was blurry. All this red on the floor. He spat again, not really realizing what he was doing, like a bull turning over its cud.

His head hurt; his jaw throbbed. The new pain reminded him of the old pain from the back of his head, and the recently forgotten pain in his hip. His nerves seemed to activate and deactivate at once. His body felt like it was short-circuiting. He wanted to crumple, but his arms held him up stubbornly. Don't touch that red.

Under the uncomfortable blanket of pain, he had a fuzzy feeling that someone has been speaking to him. Had Ran been talking? Idiot… Who called me idiot?

It was too hard to think. His mind turned off.


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"So." Ran said. "What shall we talk about?"

"Why don't you tell me about your village?"

Outside the jail, night falling in around them, Ran pulled on Kakashi's chain. Kakashi's held tilted up with it, his back arching slightly. The Leaf nin raised an eyebrow. Keeping me off balance?

Ran reached down and unlocked the bolt forcing his ankles together. Kakashi still wore the cuffs, but at least they were separate now, enabling him to walk… and to kick.

"Sure that's a good idea?"

Ran straightened and smiled up at him. "Well, I certainly don't plan on carrying you."

"Good point."

Ran took something from a pouch on his armor and unwrapped it from a smooth sheet of wax paper. He took a bite, then handed it to Kakashi. It was an oatmeal-colored bar the size of a brick.

"Protein bar?"

"We keep a stock of them for when animals are hard to find. Don't eat it all at once, or it will hurt your stomach."

Kakashi broke the bar in half and put the other half in his pocket.

"For your comrade?"

Kakashi shrugged and chewed on the bar. "Thanks for the food."

Still holding Kakashi's chain, Ran led him to the edge of the Shadow Village, where an unlit lantern hung over several tree stumps. Ran motioned to one of these. Kakashi sat, stretching his legs out lazily, momentarily enjoying the gentle warmth of the morning sun.

"Well," Ran said, sitting on a stump next to him. "Ask what you will."

Kakashi didn't miss a beat. "What is this place?"

"We call it the Shadow Village, because no one finds us."

"How is that possible?"

"We have a very diverse group of people living here; not only genjutsu experts, but mystics as well. They cloak us."

Kakashi blinked. "Witches and the like?"

"Yes. They are extremely important to our safety. They can foresee the arrival of possible invaders." Ran smiled and gestured to Kakashi with a pale hand.

"Why did you all come here?"

Ran leaned back slightly. "I don't know. I can't speak for everyone."

Kakashi examined him. "Aren't you the leader?"

"No. I may appear to be the leader to you, because I have accepted responsibility for you and your friend. I am actually but a member of the council."

Kakashi, having never known anything except for one ruler, the Hokage, was flabbergasted and skeptical. "A council?"

"Yes." Ran nodded. "Here, in our village, the council represents the clans, discusses the problems of the Village, and helps guide the ebb of activity."

"What's this about clans?" Kakashi was quite interested now.

"Everyone belongs to a clan. These are not blood-clans since hardly anyone here is actually related; rather, one joins a clan that matches his or her demographic. I am the clan-leader and thus the council-member for ninjas. Jin is the clan-leader of samurai and other warriors. We also have a clan-leader for civilians, for the elderly, for mystics, and for abandoned children and genins."

Kakashi paused. "You mean to tell me that foreign kid...?"

"Ah, Misha-kun? Yes, he's a fine leader. Jin and I have been helping him train the other children since they came here."

"There are that many children here?" Kakashi was dumb-founded. "Why would they leave their orphanages?"

Ran scoffed. "Who says they all had orphanages? Even if they did, who says it was enough? Children need to feel wanted, loved. Just like the rest of us. Why wouldn't they look for more?"

Love? Need? Kakashi didn't know much about that anymore.

He thought about Iruka, who had been orphaned. He wondered if he would have come to a place like the Shadow Village, if he had known about it.

"And you, Ran? …Were you not wanted?"

Ran sighed. His white face was an unreadable, exquisite mask. "I was afraid. Relentlessly, always. A ninja should harden after so many battles. But I never did."

"Depends on what you consider 'so many battles,'" admonished Kakashi.

"At least as many as yourself, Sharingan." A wan smile. "I undertook every mission assigned to me, afraid that I was going to meet my match, and would die, because a stranger had commanded me to do so on little more than a whim, or to fill his bank account."

Kakashi frowned. "But that is what we are. We are born for our villages, to be great ninja. It is our duty."

"Indeed. Ninja are expected give their loyalty away freely to the village in which they are born, without thinking. It is a good trait."

Ran's eyes were green and yellow, mirroring the forest. He turned his gaze to Kakashi, unblinking. "It is desirable for slaves to obey their masters, to do their jobs without question."

"I'm no slave," Kakashi bristled quietly. "I work for the Leaf Village because it is my home!"

"If that is true, then you are quite lucky. Do you have friends and family there?"

Kakashi shot the other ninja a sharp look. He did not like the tack this conversation was taking at all.

"People who love you for who you are?"

An awkward silence fell. The lamp swung gently in a wet breeze. The morning light intensified as the afternoon paced on.

Ran sighed. "Well, perhaps that isn't it, then. Maybe it is home because you feel like you're a part of the community? Your Hokage must be quite magnanimous to instill such loyalty in you. Does she listen to her subjects well? Value the feelings and demands of her people?"

Though it was merely warm, Kakashi was sweating. A thick drop traced the nape of his neck, dripped down under his clothes. He suddenly felt a chill. His hands trembled.

As Ran smiled beatifically, Kakashi's rational brain screamed; this conversation should not be affecting him!

Yet he could make no contrary arguments.


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Iruka's mouth was dry now, and he tasted the skuzzy bacteria from the back of his throat, the iron of his own blood… His adrenaline surge subsided and he felt sick to his stomach. His tongue glanced against two raw, gaping holes in his jaw. He worried vaguely about infection.

He could not be sure how much time had passed, but the sun was setting, highlighting an unusual low fog that covered the earth. He awkwardly put his head between his knees.

Kakashi was angry. Kakashi left with Ran.

What was he doing?

He said to trust him, but it's so dangerous! And… it was him. He called me idiot.

Kakashi's voice had been hard.

Their fight had been staged for Ran's benefit, right?

What if…? No. No, there's no way.

That tone… Was Kakashi really mad at him? Was the captivity affecting his judgment?

The complexities of the situation were beyond Iruka now. He understood somewhere in his muddled brain that if he just had more rest, food, and water, he might be better able to understand what was going on. But everything just seemed so much harder… The chains felt so much heavier than they had yesterday…

He tried to stretch a little, but his body still ached from being pressed against Kakashi all night.

A shadow fell over him as a large body blocked the windows in the door. "Midori, he's awake. And his face is bloody."

The kunoichi's voice answered sarcastically. "Well, you're not going to be kissing him, are you?"


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"You aren't answering, Kakashi-san."

"She is a good Hokage," Kakashi growled. He thought of the Yondaime. "Leaf Hokages love their people, and do right by them. They are specially chosen."

"By who, exactly?" Ran asked.

Kakashi leaned forward, put his elbows on his knees.

"I'm sure she loves you, as all Hokages, past and present, love their people; but they still dwell at the top of their towers. You are not Hokage; your voice does not matter, ultimately… If a Hokage demands you to sacrifice yourself, you must do so… Don't you want more, Kakashi-san?"

"Inviting me to join, are you?" Kakashi chuckled. "Oh yes, I'm sure I would make a great asset to your community."

"You would, but we don't care about that." Ran stood in front of him, his black armor gleaming in the intense light. His eyes flashed. "This Village accepts everyone, even people other villages would consider a liability or a burden! Because we work together to make this a home."

His voice became low, smooth, almost a purr. "The ugly truth is, if I was a prisoner in your village, I wouldn't last long, would I? Would your Hokage come to me, tell me the history of her city? Would your people invite me to stay?"

"No, we would probably kill you." Kakashi ground his teeth. "But being a ninja isn't about being kind, or welcoming strangers into your midst!"

"Maybe it should be," Ran said simply.


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Iruka scrambled to his feet as Tatsuo and Midori entered the jail. They stood like ink blotches in the dark corners, the sunlight from the cracks of the hut seeming to avoid them. Tatsuo smiled as Midori performed several jutsus in rapid succession.

"What was that?" Iruka mumbled. The effort caused more blood to fill his mouth; he let it run over his lips and down his chin.

"Genjutsus," Midori answered simply. "To block out noise. And to prevent unwanted guests from entering."

Iruka's mind was still fuzzy, but he decided he didn't like the sounds of this at all.

"I'll keep watch," Midori offered, turning to look out the window after leering at Iruka's wound and exposed hip.

Tatsuo advanced on Iruka, who scrambled to his feet. "Why don't you tell me your name, Leaf-nin?"

Iruka put himself into a defensive position, hands back, feet apart. Blood flowed freely down his chin. "So you can tell your masters?"

"Well, that," The big ninja towered over him, his head grazing the ceiling. "And also, I don't care to sleep with strangers."


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Kakashi felt frustration bubbling up inside him. Frustration of a losing battle. It had been a long time since he had felt this way.

"Human beings should treat each other as such, no matter what their occupation. We shouldn't isolate one another. I think it is better to welcome each other. To listen to each other. To give everyone the chance to govern their own lives."

Kakashi felt a gentle weight on his shoulder. He looked over to see Ran's hand there, gentle, and his eyes were soft. "You can't tell me, Kakashi, that you have never wanted to dictate the terms of your existence, or to say 'no' to a mission. Just once."

Kakashi stared at Ran's handsome, resolute face, feeling an odd glumness creep through his chest. What Ran described, so passionately, sounded like a very exact definition of freedom…

These conflicting feelings were certainly not part of Kakashi's plan. He needed some time to mull them over, to find out what they really meant.

He wanted to stop the conversation. But, Ran made an interesting statement: "Well, now. It's my turn, I think."

Kakashi stiffened. "I suppose that's fair."


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Iruka saw Tatsuo's strike coming before he even raised his hand.

The way his big muscles bunched across his chest, and in his shoulder; the slight grimace conquering his smile; the dilation of his pupils; they were all obvious hints. Iruka raised his arms, but knew that without chakra, or even any strength left in his body, the attempt would be futile. Yet there was no other option; with the big man encircling him, there was nowhere to flee.

Tatsuo slapped him with a palm bigger than his face. Iruka's arms gave way; his face took the full force of the hit. His jaw protested with rockets of pain, shooting fire down his neck. The world spun and he lost balance. He crashed into the wall, the impact of which being oddly silent. The orange light peeking through the walls momentarily turned into glaring, fuzzy stripes.

He was weak. So weak.

Tatsuo glowed with energy, his body heavy and powerful as he bore Iruka to the ground, forcing him into the mess of blood and saliva on the floor. A monstrous hand grabbed at his hip and easily tore away the remnants of his pants. Only the bandages around his thigh remained in place.

"They'll notice," Iruka gasped desperately as the room slowed its spinning.

"No, they won't," Midori replied, turning to him lazily.

"I'll shout," Iruka warned.

"Who says they'll care? Maybe we're here on orders."

"Kakashi—" Iruka started to say. His heart hammered in his chest.

Tatsuo stuffed the tattered clothes into Iruka's mouth, and tied the makeshift gag roughly around his head. "You'll need something to bite on, Leaf-nin."


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In the light of the setting sun, the lanterns turned on of their own volition. Kakashi blinked at this. "Neat trick."

"Yes, it is quite useful. We have no need for electricity; the mystics are generous with their talents." Ran motioned his hand. Kakashi saw now that the huts had similar light spilling from open windows.

The whole village seemed alive to Kakashi now. He guessed that well-crafted genjustus were used previously to hide the existence of life from the two prisoners. A child's peal of laughter rang out and he heard a set of wooden chopsticks clacking together. The smell of cooking meat wafted on the air. Kakashi felt his stomach growl involuntarily.

"Now, tell me what you were doing in the forest."

"Looking for you." Kakashi answered truthfully, unmoving.

Ran paused. "How did you know we were here?"

Kakashi couldn't answer this question. Tsunade had simply told him she suspected there was an encampment here.

"We don't want fights with anyone; we only wish to govern ourselves in peace," Ran said. "Please tell me how you knew we were here."

"I honestly don't know." Kakashi's eye curled up as he smiled sadly. "Remember, a slave doesn't question his orders."

Ran nodded. "Right. Well, thanks for your honesty. You know my other question."

"Who's the good-looking ninja with the hot temper?" Kakashi laughed. "I don't really know him that well."

"Really?" Ran said. "Perhaps I am mistaken, but you two seemed quite familiar with each other."

"The nature of the situation," Kakashi replied carelessly. "I really couldn't tell you anything about him."

Luckily, Jin appeared in the ring of light.

Ran seemed surprised to see his friend. "Jin!"

"Ran, I need to discuss something with you," Jin said, his voice grave.


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A rough hand pawed his injured hip suggestively. The freshly healed wound tore open. Blood laced down Iruka's leg. Iruka struggled, but the cuffs tore at his wrists and ankles with each movement. He glanced around frantically, looking for the hidden kunai.

"I would have liked this to be a little cleaner," Tatsuo sighed

"No help for it," admonished Midori.

The hand moved to Iruka's back and pinned him down to the slicked floor, stopping his thrashing. Iruka spotted the floorboard concealing the kunai. It would be a stretch, but he had to reach it, and reach it without drawing suspicion.

He knew what was coming; though his chakra was bound, human instinct told him that behind and above him, the gigantic ninja loosened his clothes with his free hand.

No matter what happens next, Iruka vowed, I will get that kunai.

Then Tatsuo moved.

Despite himself, Iruka bit down on the cloth. His arms jerked out.

Tatsuo paused and chuckled. Iruka wanted to cry.

Midori, her eyes glittering, turned to the door after a few moments, after she'd had enough of admiring the defiant ripple of muscle underneath Iruka's golden skin.

Iruka almost forgot the kunai. His breathing became shallow and quick as the pain mounted. The man was heavy, and he winced with his movements, feeling fresh blood drip down the back of his legs, splinters piercing the fronts.

Yet it was the pain that prevented him from panicking; it was the pain that suddenly crystallized reality out of the fog of his mind. He slowed his ragged breathing; he forced himself to focus. And he did not cry.

Silently, he reached out, his fingers shaking across the floor, each centimeter a small victory, an eternity.

Tatsuo groaned in satisfaction. He was unaware that Iruka pushed his fingers into the floor, slightly tearing his nails back from their beds.

Iruka himself was hardly aware. Distantly, he felt the tips of his nails split and crack. He pushed deeper into the floor.

All of the injuries, the hunger and the thirst, the insults he now endured to his person—it all came together; his priorities were glaringly clear. Now, his body was beyond mortal pain; he felt only his thundering heart.

And it was strong.

The kunai glinted in the tips of his fingers. Midori did not see it; she watched only for dangers outside the jail.

Then Tatsuo screamed.

Midori wheeled, startled.

Iruka had struggled so that he was half-facing Tatsuo, and as he pulled his arms back, he revealed the wet blade, and his face was covered in blood and dirt from the floor.

Tatsuo staggered back, his pants open, howling.

"What did you do?!" Midori screeched.

Tatsuo turned to her. He pressed his hand against his left eye, blood and clear juices flowing freely down his cheek. "Midori, Midori!"

Torn between helping her partner and attacking Iruka, Midori's hands twitched awkwardly. Tatsuo slumped against her thigh.

The Leaf-nin was on his feet with startling speed, the gag hanging around his neck. His chest heaved, his bare muscles quivered in anticipation. A solemn grin played his red lips; his eyes were on fire with bloodlust.

Midori stared in disbelief. The kunoichi knew: it should have been impossible for him to be like this.

"If I see you again," he said to Tatsuo in a low voice, "I'll take your other eye."

He fixed his hard stare upon her.

"And yours."

The dark woman felt a clammy feeling rising up from the cold corners of her heart. This handsome ninja, who was on the brink of death, yet could withstand pain and fend off her monstrous partner, was no ordinary man. She licked her lips beneath her mask.

He was a worthy soul to break.

She gathered Tatsuo and performed a transportation jutsu. As she and her partner vanished, her silence-jutsus on the jail released, and lavender smoke billowed out into the air, shimmered for a half-second, and was gone, unnoticed by the rest of the Shadow Village occupants.


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Ran stood up, and so did Kakashi. "I must beg your leave. Is there anything else you would like to ask me?"

Kakashi chewed thoughtfully. Ran began guiding him back to the jail, Jin following close behind.

Kakashi spoke slowly, eyeing Jin and enjoying the inevitable irritation it caused.

"Obviously, Ran, you're a very gifted ninja. But, you are a rogue." His eye flicked to the defaced plate resting in Ran's wild hair. "How is it that hunter-nins haven't killed you yet?"

Jin laughed condescendingly. "I thought this guy was supposed to be a genius, Ran."

"I have suspicions," Kakashi continued, "that you yourself are a hunter-nin."

Ran smiled. "I was a hunter-nin."

All that talk about fear, about meeting his match. It makes sense now.

"Enough of this," Jin growled, roughly pushing Kakashi into the jail.

Kakashi turned to Ran as Jin pushed him inside. Ran smiled at him freely, apologetically. Kakashi felt his emotions tangle inside him. He wondered what it would have been like to meet Ran, to hear his ideas, outside of the Shadow Village as thinking men, not as captor and prisoner.

Jin locked the door. Kakashi didn't turn around at first. He needed a moment to compose his thoughts before he faced Iruka.

Several minutes passed, and Iruka did not greet him.

Curious, Kakashi finally turned around, his eye searching for his partner in the darkness.


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A/Ns: …Actually, even though it's M rated, I scarcely believe I wrote this chapter. Hopefully the purpose behind the "event" is clear, or will soon become clear. In any case, I'm going to enjoy writing—and hopefully you will enjoy reading—the next tension-filled chapter!

In either case, please don't kill me; please do review. As always, thanks for reading!