"We are a few hours away from the Hidden Sand now." Itachi said as they ran at top speed under cover of night jumping from tree to tree unseen by all.
Sasuke nodded and shifted to the left as Narako jumped over Itachi's head and joined Sasuke up front as Itachi fell back with Hidan and Deidara. As agreed Itachi turned right with them and Sasuke now beside Narako turned left.
Sasuke glanced at Narako as they dropped down from the towering Ubula trees.
"You haven't said much since we left." Sasuke commented as they hit solid ground at a dead run.
"I've had nothing to say." Narako said quietly. Sasuke nodded fully understanding, he himself acted similarly most of the time. And normally he would enjoy the mutual silence, but there was just a part of him that wanted to know if he was anything like HIM. Sasuke almost hated the fact that a burning deep in his gut pushed at him to find out more about this boy.
"How did you end up with Pien?"
Narako frowned.
"Nagato?"
"Ahh...yeah." Sasuke shrugged.
"He adopted me from the street when I was small. I owe him my life and my loyalty." Narako was blunt and to the point a quality that Sasuke liked- not that he was ever going to tell him that.
"I will go hunting now for dinner I will meet you back at the camp site." Narako started to veer right.
Sasuke followed him. Narako frowned.
"I can do this by myself."
"I have no doubt, but we still go together." Sasuke dryly.
"Why?" Narako asked.
Yeah Sasuke, why? His own logical mocked him. Who cared if he went by himself?
He might be attacked while he is busy hunting.
Sasuke mentally growled at the small little voice in his mind. Oh shut up. If he wants to go by himself then fine.
Silence.
But dammit I can't just leave him! He groaned as the conversation came to a complete circle.
What the hell was wrong with him today! Sasuke's inner battle distracted him so much he almost missed Narako's sharp turn.
Giving up on just turning back Sasuke watched Narako as he hunted their dinner. His gaze was penetrating and focused his mouth void of all hints of a smile. That was their only difference, in all else, he reminded Sasuke so sharply of his former best friend that it almost hurt.
A flash came in his mind of the day he had killed that same best friend. Naruto Uzumaki, that little punk. Ever his bane… ever his only true friend.
Flashes of Naruto went through his mind, lying dead on the ground, the rain pelting his boyish face. Sasuke had realised then the horrible unforgivable thing he had done. Looking into Naruto's lifeless eyes Sasuke's tears had fallen on his punk saviour mingling with the droplets, wanting so badly for his pain to be washed away.
It had been pain that had driven him away from the village he had loved. The hope that if the burning revenge was sated, so would the pain in his heart.
Standing over Naruto, his face immortally etched into solemn sadness; he had yearned for those twinkling blue eyes to open, for his lips to turn up into that teasing smile.
At first Narako had seemed like a nuisance in his plan to gain power now he would give anything to see him one more time, to hear his voice teasing him, to feel his presence and kinship that had settled between them without him even knowing. Until he was gone.
Naruto should have grown into a fine ninja had little Naruto's and lived his life. But because of his want for power he had destroyed that.
He hadn't meant to really kill him. It had all just gotten out of hand and the unfairness burned in his gut every day. His anger at himself had over ridden his driving need for power and he had ran away to the deepest reaches of the forest. Left his so called best friends' dead body to wash away. Ran away from what he had done and hid for years.
It was there that Itachi had found him. Learning that it had been on the orders of Danzo that Itachi had wiped out his clan had been hard to take in. At first he hadn't believed him. Sasuke had come out of the wilderness and found Danzo who had surprisingly willingly confessed the information. Probably hoping to turn Sasuke against Itachi. But it hadn't worked the brotherly love had run in them too thick in their veins and together they had killed him. Even now they still struggled to mend their relationship but it had come along way.
But the pain of losing Naruto to his own hate and greed was still emblazoned on his soul and he would never forget, never forgive himself, no matter how much time went past.
Narako suddenly leapt in front of him, his muscles bunching and flexing powerfully as he fully body tackled a Ritua, a creature smaller than a horse but bigger than a wolf, it was blind but had a great sense of smell.
Narako must have been disguising their scent somehow because they were notorious for smelling danger literally a mile away; they had almost a sixth sense.
Narako broke the Ritua's black furry neck mercilessly, avoiding its sharp pointed teeth that glistened with blood from its prey that lay in a bloody mess at its feet.
Sasuke blinked, Narako had moved so fast. He wouldn't have even noticed the creature almost buried halfway in a massive tree truck, it's den hidden in plain sight. At night they were supposed to be in their element almost impossible to detect it's fur camouflaging it's presence it's body able to stand perfectly still for hours until prey came too close then it lunged and killed with its fangs…and yet Narako had found it seemingly effortlessly. He had killed it with ease without hesitation, but acted distinctly respectful to it as he lied it down gently.
Narako caught Sasuke's startled gaze.
"One of the first things Nagato taught me was hunting. Since then I have become quite good at it." Narako shrugged and began to prepare the Ritua for carrying back. What Narako said was true he just didn't mention HOW good he had got at it. Nothing hid from him, not one creature had outsmarted him in a very long time. He wasn't being arrogant, it was simply the truth.
Nagato at the first stage of his training had taught him how to connect with the earth to hear without using his ears, to see without his eyes, to hunt using no weapons but his bare hands: had taught him how to survive on the earth alone. What Nagato had also taught him was respect. If a life had to be sacrificed out of necessity and survival then that being must be honoured for in its body it carries the will of life. Death for life. It was a cycle that never ended and was a fact that both animals and humans lived by no matter how strong they were or powerful, no matter what fur or coat, teeth or beaks.
Narako walked with his prey placed over his shoulder. He looked over at his forced companion and wondered where his thoughts had gone a few minutes ago. His face had showed a mixture of emotions; anger, hate, confused but the strongest was sadness. For a moment he had looked into empty space with such desolation Narako had felt sorry for him. Whatever burden he carried on his shoulders, it was great Narako was certain.
Carrying back the meat Narako walked back to their meeting place to find a fire lit in the small cave. Itachi raised an eyebrow at his catch but didn't comment unlike Deidara who gave a whistle of appreciation.
"I can't believe you caught one of those newbie."
Narako held back an irritated look at the new nickname Deidara had opted to give him; trying to stir trouble Narako was sure.
Hidan licked his lips.
"Their meat is fantastic if cooked right."
Narako nodded in agreement not saying anything as he set out to prepare the makings of his stew. A few hours later and both Hidan and Deidara were groaning in satisfaction setting there bowls empty.
"Damn boy, what you put in that to make it so good?" Hidan asked.
Narako smiled slightly; if they only knew. Narako didn't say anything as they settled down for the night, Deidara taking the first watch.
Narako without their knowledge put up a few of his own safeguards just in case. He closed his eyes and let back against his make shift pillow sending himself into a light sleep, so light that he was constantly aware of everything around him even in slumber. A technique he had taught himself and had perfected over the years. When Nagato had taken him out into the wilderness for six months with nothing to survive with but his own bare hands and quick mind he had learnt a lot, one of those lessons was ALWAYS be aware of your surroundings. And it was only because of his skill's of being able to do that warned him of their fast approaching company.
Narako's eyes flashed open.
