"Forever Entwined"
'Chapter Nine'
Sasuke was a teetering six and a half months along.
He was showing, not horribly so, but more than he had been before. He was wearing Naruto's shirts to cover the stupid bump and his ankles were starting to hurt.
…he wasn't used to the added weight, and his lower back didn't much enjoy it either.
Currently the Uchiha was in the nursery, now complete with furniture, Sasuke was sitting in the rocking chair by the crib.
Naruto poked his head into the nursery when he hadn't found Sasuke in the bedroom. He smiled gently when he caught sight of him, "Hey." He wasn't sure how the hormones and Sasuke were getting along; the man had his good days, and he had his bad days.
Sasuke frowned just slightly, his black eyes turning to the blonde as he entered the room. His hands were on his large middle, rocking just faintly in the chair. He could smell the crisp air of the outside world, could scent the wet dirt since the rain just recently passed. "Hey." The Uchiha said back easily, not hinting whether he was in a good or bad mood just yet.
Naruto stepped out from behind the door, clad in his Anbu uniform. He had a nervous look about him, remembering what happened last time they had talked about this. "Um..." He scratched the back of his head, "...I've been called out." Naruto started. "Just a two day mission." He added into a hurried voice.
Sasuke's black eyes narrowed slightly as he took in the sight of his lover clad in his ninja gear. Sasuke tried to quell his upset; in all seriousness the Uchiha thought Naruto would be called out much sooner than this. He looked down to his stomach; his hands perched on the top of it, his head slightly bowed as his bangs swept forward. "Two days?" Sasuke murmured; annoyed the kitsune hadn't told him earlier, but maybe it had been a surprise thing.
...surprise?
Then maybe this wasn't just a scouting trip.
Sasuke tilted his head up, "What rank? What is the briefing?"
Naruto pursed his lips and shifted nervously in place. "It's an S-rank." He added quietly. He gazed at the man carefully; he knew Sasuke had already figured out that it was a dangerous mission. "It's a recon mission, into The Rock County." Naruto started his eyes a bit unsure how to proceed, "Shinya was taken."
Recon mission?
Shinya was taken?
Naruto was going into the heart of the battle?
Into the Rock country?
...he was dressed to go, his face sheepish; the Uchiha knew there was nothing he could do.
Naruto was the top ninja now that he was stuck at home; and this mission required his strengths to save the fellow ninja. Sasuke let out a long sigh, bringing his hand to his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose as he tried regained himself. "You better come back." Sasuke said in a dangerous tone.
Naruto nodded slowly, and gazed around the room, his child's room. He spotted the Kyuubi doll in the crib, waiting for its new owner. Reaching up under his collar, Naruto easily unclipped the First Hokage's necklace and started towards his lover. Kneeling down next to him, he gazed up to the dark eyes, "I'm coming back for this." Naruto reached for his lover's hand and slid the chain into his hand. "I promise."
Sasuke opened his eyes; they were bright, the hormones getting the best of him as he gazed at the blonde's gentle face. Sasuke slowly lifted the item, attaching it around his own neck before he cupped the blonde's scarred cheeks. He pressed his lips firmly against his lover's, "...okay." The Uchiha murmured as he parted, feeling an overwhelming since of foreboding; feeling a pain, he didn't want Naruto leaving.
Naruto kept his hands close to Sasuke, his eyes closing as their lips touched. He didn't want to go but Shinya was important. He was the only other Ninja in the village who could put up with Sasuke, successfully. "I'll come back." Naruto promised his voice quiet. Leaning up he caught his lovers lips once more, his hand around the back of Sasuke's neck holding him close, stealing one last kiss before he broke away and started out of the room.
Sasuke had stared at the doorway a long moment, hearing the front door slide shut and then the quiet steps of the blonde as he walked down the path and ultimately out the gate. Sasuke slowly got out of his seat, reaching into the crib and picking up the fox toy.
…everything would be okay.
--
Naruto met up with the team just outside the training grounds. The mask firmly in place, his eyes hard as they started forwards, his muscles were tight, ready for battle.
They needed to succeed; they needed to bring Shinya back.
"Let's go."
Shinya was taken.
Their secondary leader gone.
How could they possibly defeat everyone there and still succeed?
Raito didn't think they would be able to come out of Rock's base camp alive. It was a miracle if they hadn't killed Shinya already. Though, it was highly possible they were going to attempt to use him as leverage perhaps to hold a meeting of sorts between villages.
Raito wondered why Sasuke wasn't with them; why he had been gone so long.
It wasn't like he doubted Naruto -- not at all, but they never battled under the kitsune, they weren't sure how he would expect them to react.
The fellow ninja behind Naruto and Raito flew in pace with them, ducking up into the trees as they followed the fox's lead. The camp was just outside of the border of the forest, at the crest of desert -- it would take quite a while to get there; and who knows what spies would be waiting for them.
…or if they knew they were coming already.
Naruto watched the Rock county get closer and closer, the forest was starting to get thinner; starting to expose them to their enemy. They were forest dwellers; they depended on the trees and foliage for cover, not earth and stones like the rock ninja. Staying up against the tree, Naruto crouched down, his cerulean eyes taking in the expanse of the base.
This was why the needed Shinya, he'd be able to tell them where the enemy was hiding, and of course there were no Hyuuga's in Sasuke's unit either. The two blood lines typically never worked together. Glancing back at the team, the fox nodded, and they slowly started to creep out of the trees moving to the ground silently, their eyes and ears pealed for any signs of movement.
They had to be careful.
The group silently moved forward, their eyes flicking to everything as they moved from the cover of the trees. Their feet were quiet on the sandy ground; muscles tense as they itched for their weapons. They didn't see a base -- but it was most likely hidden under all the sand.
...they needed to start feeling for a barrier; for any chakra discretions to try and detect where Shinya might be.
Before the group could think weapons flew out them -- precise; the only give away was the hissing wind as they descended. The group hopped back in unison; drawing their blades and wordlessly waiting for Naruto's deduction of what should be done.
Shit!
Had they been found?
As the group ducked for cover, the fox tried to listen for sounds of movement.
Did they activate a trap?
He couldn't hear anything, no movement, no rustle of clothes…
Trap?
Looking back at the group he nodded once more.
Get 'em.
The ninja ran forth, over the patch of ground, attempting to feel out the hidden ninja if there were any. Traps were activated; more weapons -- one ninja fell on a poison trap; but was able to disappear before the gas assailed him.
This whole patch of sand had to be the top of the base.
...why else would it be so rigged up?
Raito ran into the center, away from the group, feeling out for a waver of chakra that would hint at the opening under all this sand.
Naruto trusted Sasuke's squad to do what they were trained to though he had to keep himself in line, not able to run around and fight as he normally did, almost uninformed.
He deflected the kunai and his free hand shot out to catch the spinning shuriken between his fingers before he dropped it to the ground. They pushed forwards, trying to find the entrance. He could feel the wavering chakra, as did Raito. The two pushed forward, dodging the weapons, before Naruto felt the seal change, the chakra building.
Someone was under the sand, right at the entrance of the base!
As Raito reached that spot, Naruto reached out, his arm wrapping around the younger ninja's chest and pulling him back just as pressurized Sand shot up from the ground, flares of chakra cutting at his arm guards, gouging at it.
Moving the man aside, Naruto quickly pulled the katana out and stabbed straight down, he felt his blade hit flesh and bone. He twisted the blade into the man, wanting to make sure he was dead, or injured severely enough so he wouldn't be able to stop them.
Raito gained his bearings; the splashes of blood all over the sand and their feet as Naruto slammed the sword down hard into the innocent sand.
...the opening.
They had found it.
The younger ninja glanced to Naruto's mask, but the kitsune's focus was on the ground. He noticed the gouges in his armor but was grateful it didn't look like anything had pierced the Hokage-sama's flesh.
…protect the Hokage-sama.
At all costs, always.
That was Sasuke's first priority; he fought with such severity not for the village; but for the leader.
Raito felt a little sheepish at his folly; Sasuke would be angry.
The other ninja had come over in a rush of movement just as Naruto dropped down into the entrance. The band of them followed into the dark abyss; expecting anything.
Naruto knew it felt weird as they dropped to the sand and easily disappeared into it, but as the darkness took hold of their vision, and the sand slid over their exposed skin, their feet touched solid ground, and they could see again.
The hideout was big enough to be a small village.
He glanced around at the buildings, trying to figure out which one would be holding Shinya.
Now was when they had to stay alert, now was when they really needed to step it up.
Now, their real mission started.
--
They had searched for what seemed like hours.
Time blended as they raced down the maze-like halls; most of the buildings were decoys, nothing was inside just a front.
...it was weird.
Almost like a ghost town.
There wasn't an enemy in sight, but that didn't mean they weren't there -- they had to be there, watching.
Then, there they were.
Just at the end of the wide hall were four ninja.
The group stopped, momentarily calculating before two ninja swept onto opposite buildings -- coming down on the group from the flanks as Raito dashed into the center. Raito was the fastest and the smallest ninja on the squad, the shuriken and kunai thrown at him missed/were deflected as he focused chakra in his palms. The moment he was in front of the enemy ninja he slammed his hands into the ground -- causing it to explode, the enemy forced to scatter and the flanking ninja caught two as they jumped into the air.
Naruto watched as the two Rock ninja leapt up from the ground, out of Raito's blast. Using his father's flash step, he threw himself up into the air after them. He easily channeled the Rasengan into his palm, not needing to use a Kage Bushin to help him. He threw his fist forward, the spinning blue swirl slamming into one man, ripping him to shreds, while the blast knocked the other man to the side.
Being a wind user, Naruto was able to balance on the breeze, and focused on the last ninja falling away from him. Concentrating on the surrounding wind he closed his eyes, his hands forming a seal, the man stopped falling, being held in mid air. Opening his eyes the fox held out his open palm, must like Gaara had all those years before, and closed it into a fist. The wind spun around that last ninja, creating its own funnel cloud, before it started to tighten and tighten, the winds getting faster and faster, stripping the flesh off of the man, the force of the wind snapping his neck. Letting him drop, Naruto gazed at the half shredded corpse.
It wasn't the prettiest technique, but it got the job done.
Dropping down to the floor he felt out for Shinya once more.
They were getting closer...
"Let's go!"
The group easily followed Naruto -- hopping over the mess they had left; knowing the enemy would be following them now.
They had witnessed a few of their techniques.
They knew what to expect.
The followed Naruto down another hall, feeling out chakra as they sensed Shinya close.
…alive.
Shinya was alive; they could feel it.
Naruto continued to follow the thread of chakra -- Shinya's.
He had to know they were there now, the stream was getting stronger. Naruto pushed the door open but forced himself to take quick step back, as the kunai and shuriken flew at him. Bringing an arm up he felt the sharp, cold bite of blades kissed his upper arm and nicked his mask, but that was it. Running forward, he spotted Shinya, hunched over in the chair, drops of blood dripping from his chin and tip of his nose.
As Naruto ran and knelt in front of the man, Raito moved behind his second in command and easily cut the ropes.
The fox caught the body carefully turning him over, "Shinya?"
The man slowly opened his dark eyes, catching sight of the Fox mask, and gave him a weak grin.
Naruto smirked himself and easily helped the man up, wrapping his arm around his shoulders, the other at his hip.
They had to get out now.
They could hear the footsteps racing towards their position.
"Raito! Blow that fuckin' wall out!" Naruto ordered nodding towards the wall he knew would lead back outside.
Raito did as he was told; chakra bright in his palms as he slammed them into the wall -- the whole expanse of it exploding outward the spark of sunlight momentarily blinding.
The ninja were behind them; running into the room.
They wouldn't make it out…
Raito and another of the squad turned quickly, blocking Naruto's back as the enemy was upon them.
Blades drawn the two rushed the enemy; the other of the group assisting Naruto as they made their way out.
They'd try to buy time.
Enough so Naruto and Shinya could get away.
Shit!
Naruto and Shinya moved to the broken wall and easily slipped out, "Get out of there!"
Naruto knew Sasuke would kill him if he lost one of his team members.
He needed back up!
He couldn't fight with Shinya limp against him.
He pushed forwards, back to where they had entered the hide out.
They needed to get back to the forest, they had cover there, they could use the branches and the trees to their advantage.
Raito and his fellow dropped back; the rush of ninja following hot after their tail.
Naruto and the rest of the team had fallen back into the forest; safe among the trees just as Raito broke through the lush green expanse.
The Rock ninja were coming fast…
Raito was still on the ground, his fellows in the trees. He focused his chakra, bringing up a wall of sand to deflect the weaponry.
...he had used too much chakra so far.
It was starting to wear on him; but despite it the young ninja forced the wall to move back, to hopefully crush the enemy. Only one got stuck in the wave; the other four avoided it, running for the prone young ninja, blades at the ready. Raito dropped his jutsu, unsheathing his katana to try and prepare for the onslaught; his breathing uneven as he tried to steady himself.
…four on one.
Shit.
The other two of Sasuke's team hopped down from the trees; intent on coming to Raito's aid, attempting to disperse the attack so the man wasn't the only one in the cross-fire.
Naruto quickly pawned Shinya off on to the nearest squad member, pushing them forwards, "Go!"
He couldn't loose them!
Pushing himself off of the branch, he drew his katana and landed in back of the group of three, "Get him out of here!" He ordered, his eyes focusing on the four Rock ninja that were starting to rush towards them.
The one squad member had taken Shinya; knowing the man needed to get to the hospital as soon as possible, not wanting to defy the Hokage's order. He hopped easily from branch to branch, disappearing as the rock ninja were occupied with the rest of his squad.
"We can't leave you." The ninja with the bird mask said, his blade drawn, shielding Raito's worn body as the rock ninja crouched before them -- preparing themselves.
"That's an order! Go! Get him out of here!" Naruto yelled as he blocked a katana blade and ducked out of the swipe on another. He couldn't use the larger version of the twister-like jutsu with them there.
Against their will they ducked into the trees, sweeping Raito with them.
The younger ninja's eyes widened as he felt himself being pulled into the safety of the trees, his pale eyes looking down to the Hokage as he was swarmed by the onslaught of enemy ninja.
Where were they doing?!
Hokage-sama!
Raito couldn't struggled, he felt too weak, the other ninja had him in a strong grip, holding him as they made way towards Konoha.
…Naruto got smaller and smaller until he couldn't see him at all anymore.
--
A/N:
Hey! Finally got another chapter out. The next one is full of drama and slight angst-ness. I've noticed that people were commenting on the lack of jutsus, I don't know if it was this story in particular or Foolish Hearts, but yeah. They said that it seemed more like Samurai fighting than ninja. Not really, they still fight like ninja, just a lot of the magic is lost.
I personally don't follow Naruto. I know right? As silly as it sounds, I'm not caught up at all in the manga. I own a hell of a lot of books, and a lot of the anime, but haven't bothered myself to watch it yet. It normally doesn't matter, since this technically is a new timeline me and Kareian made up in parallel to the actual story. I don't know all the techniques and I don't know anything about bloodlines really. We normally try to stay away from a lot of the magic aspect to make it a bit more real and fun.
Sorry if the fighting scenes aren't what you thought they'd be.
Anyway! Please leave us a review and the next chapter will be up soon.
