Disclaimer – I do not own Naruto.
TRIALS & TRIBULATIONS OF THE UCHIHA LIFE
TEN
Last Time -
"Zetsu."
"I'll say hello to your children for you." The evil being grins, and Sasuke lunges for him, releasing the henge in his fit of rage.
Before he can make contact, Zetsu slides into the earth. The only evidence of him being there, is the damage caused to the area.
"Sasuke-kun. We need to get home!" Sakura panics.
"Yes. We do." The raven haired man nods, looking down at his now tattered clothes. Pulling out a pair of shinobi pants from his pouch, Sasuke slips them on quickly. There is no time for anything else.
"Sakura, you will be faster as yourself. Release the henge." Her husband instructs, and the pinkette pulls out her own spare set of clothing. A normal henge is not this troublesome, but the forbidden jutsu requires more than just an illusionary technique.
Eyes grow big with worry, as a million different scenarios flicker through her mind horribly. "We need to hurry Sasuke. What if -"
"Don't think about it tenshi. We need to be strong and trust Naruto." Sasuke assures, knowing that they will need to be strong to succeed. This moment is no time for emotions.
"Okay. Let's head out." Sakura's emerald orbs now gaze back at her loves dark depths. They are both ready but the pinkette feels almost shaky with fear for her children. Her husband on the other hand is so composed and formidable. Sakura knows that he must be hurting on the inside, and finds that she is thankful that he has always been her rock. Especially in times like these.
"Hai." Sasuke replies. They will need to alert Kakashi and travel at top speed toward home.
Silently, the Uchiha hopes that they make it in time.
Both Sakura and Sasuke pray for the safety of their children.
xxx
The Village is empty when Sasuke and Sakura dart through the gates. They should be more careful, Kami forbid they walk straight into a trap. Still, neither shinobi can find it within themselves to care. Their children are some where near by, possibly hurt, or worse. There is no time to waste!
All the way back to Konoha, Sakura prayed silently to herself. While Sasuke travelled in stony silence. It was obvious that her husband was not as composed as he would like to be. She can't blame him though, Itachi and Shisui are her whole life as well. If the slimy monster does anything to them, Sakura will rip out his innards and feed them to him! Long ago, the pink haired medic decided that she hated Zetsu with a passion. This event only causes the woman to feel more vehement than ever. After all, there is no love stronger than that of a mother's feelings for her children. She cries for them, worries for their safety, feels joy at their success...Sakura would die for them.
Similarly, Sasuke feels the same way about Sakura.
"Sakura, look over there. Smoke!" The Uchiha rips the woman from her inward thoughts, as he leaps to the roof tops and toward the furthest point of Konoha, where the billowing puffs of black originate.
Without words, Sakura jumps into action, following the raven haired nin close by.
xxx
"Itachi, we need to get out of here." The youngest Uchiha whispers to his brother, taking advantage of the uproar of citizens. Naruto-jii and Tenzo have 'poofed' from the area, leaving Hinata and Akane close by. The children are worried about the impostors, with both their uncle and reliable Tenzo checking out the disturbance. The cage that encases them firmly, stopping them from escape, makes matters even worse. What if, in this moment, the impostors choose to attack? There are ANBU in the vicinity, but neither youngin feels secure with this knowledge. The whole place reeks of impostor. Are the clones of themselves the only ones, or are there more fakes in their midst?
"This just doesn't feel right." Itachi replies, gazing around the area. Something tells him that the wooden cage would not hold their children counter parts for long. If only Akane, Emiko and Hinata were inside this tree prison with them, there would not be so much to worry about.
Closing his eyes, Itachi formulates a plan quickly. Then he says, "Change your eyes, Otouto." When the eldest brother meets Shisui's gaze, sharingan mirror each other. In an instant, Itachi's eyes are swirling rapidly, implanting his strategy silently within his partners mind. Their chakra is masked, and eyes hidden from complete view. It doesn't matter that the villagers are freaking out, and being rowdy; This is the only way to ensure no one over hears their contingency plan...Just in case.
When Shisui's eyes slide shut and the crimson swirl fades away, the boy mouths his understanding, "Wakatta."
"Good." Itachi sighs lightly, gaze never leaving the cage below, or the ANBU surrounding it. "For now, all we can do is wait."
"Hai." Shisui whispers, leaning up against the wood. The sturdy prison is strong, but a well placed Katon would take care of it in a second. However, the boys need to be careful not to hurt anyone with the blaze. This is going to be harder than anticipated.
Looking over at the wooden box below, Itachi's eyes narrow considerably. It has been ten minutes and the up roar has died down. However, now an ominous feeling passes over the entire village, reaching all the way to the real Uchiha boys. Emiko stares up at Shisui with worried eyes, and it is clear that she wishes to be up here with them. Even so, Hinata is keeping her confined for her own safety. It makes sense, but Shisui doesn't like it one bit.
It takes another ten minutes for the throng of people to be lulled into complacency...It only takes a couple of seconds to alter the state to anarchy. Quickly, before anyone can notice, a smoke bomb enters the sky, from an unknown source, and tumbles down to land upon the dusty earth. A high pitched scream fills the cavern, followed by the civilians sounds of total panic. Silently, the shinobi move into fighting stance and hone their senses. No one is sure what is going on, but the air that flaps past Hinata and many other nin like razor sharp knives, is definitely not a good sign.
When the smog clears, understanding falls upon the ninja as they realise that the sharp disturbance of the atmosphere was ANBU flickering around the room as fast as lighting. Dust settles on the ground, and people stare in shock at the scene before them.
The ten ANBU officers stand tall, kunai drawn in their precise grasp, holding a child each. Emiko stares up at Shisui with wide eyes full of fear, as the blade of the weapon scrapes against her neck menacingly. Some of the children cry and begin to shake, others with shinobi back ground stand stock still, observing their surroundings.
Then, the sound of laughter fills the cave. The impostors of Itachi and Shisui, slide straight through the wooden barrier of their box cell and out into the open with ease, chuckling all the while.
With a feral smirks, both Uchiha's eyes change from emerald coal to searing yellow. Tilting his head to the side, and gazing upward, the fake Itachi says cheerfully, "If anyone moves, the children die."
Shisui's lips curl into a malicious smile and a blade is pulled from its holster, the exact same as the real boys tanto. With confident strides, the young boy walks up the swell of the earth to stop in front of Hinata. "Kneel." When the woman falters the impostor growls loudly, "Kneel or the child dies!" Quickly, the Hyuga family head lowers herself to the ground thinking only of Emiko. Where the hell is Naruto? A small chuckle escapes the fake and he leaves Hinata to waltz unhurriedly over to Emiko. Reaching the girl, the boy is met with a hard gaze and intense scowl.
"My, my..." The fake drawls lazily, tracing a finger down Emiko's cheek. "You certainly look like a fighter." The voice is so identical to Shisui's that the girl wants to throw up. This is absolutely horrible.
"Emiko! Don't listen to him! I'm right here." Shisui yells through the wood, unable to help himself. As his mouth closes, the young Uchiha realises the gravity of his actions...Kuso!
"If my data is correct, I am wearing the face of the boy you love." The fake continues on, smile growing in size after Shisui's outburst. "If I kill your mother, will you be able to look at your loved one the same?" Emiko growls at his words but does not move. She mustn't listen to him.
"Ah. Listening to your beau, how very sweet...Sickening." Lifting his arm up sharply, the back of Shisui's palm comes across Emiko's cheek forcefully, making her press against the blade in a painful thrust.
"Emiko!" Hinata and Shisui yell desperately. The Hyuga tries to move toward her daughter but finds herself unable. Gazing downward, the woman sees a white substance curling around her limbs, making her completely immobile. "You bastard!" Hinata curses, glaring at the fraud with loathing. Akane stands stock still, as an ANBU watches her carefully. There is no way that any of them can move.
If Shisui and Itachi try anything, Emiko and the other children will be killed. It seems that they have reached a stalemate.
Stepping closer to the bars of the wood, Itachi says echoingly with confidence he doesn't all together feel, "What do you want?" His eyes meet the yellow beads of the boy that resembles himself with purpose. He is an Uchiha and Uchiha's do not back down.
"It is very simple, Itachi...Now we wait." His twin counterpart replies, raising his voice for the whole room to hear.
Okaa-san, Otou-san...Please hurry! The words echo throughout each boys mind.
Silently, the Uchiha children wonder if they will get through this.
Maybe...No one is coming for them.
xxx
The black and grey smoke puffs from the Konoha underground, with shredded particles of building floating down to the earth. Bigger pieces of debris lay upon the ground haphazardly, making the outskirts of the village look like a war zone. The scene reminds Sakura of the prison break out that caused her to find Sasuke again. If it wasn't for that fateful day, who knows what would have happened to them? Itachi and Shisui probably wouldn't exist. It is clear that events happen for a reason. Whether the reason for this calamity be good or bad, Sakura doesn't know.
Silently, Sasuke weaves through the burning trees, staying low to the ground. It is probably not safe to enter the crater that leads beneath, but it can't be helped. Hopefully the carbon dioxide will not be too much of a hindrance.
Nodding to each other, Sasuke and Sakura topple skilfully into the chasm toward the origin of the threat.
Yellow watchful eyes narrow from the inside of a tree before fading back to blank burnt wood...
xxx
Sakura realises, once they reach the intact area of Konoha underground, that this is the prison. The walls are made of brick and carved stone, while the floors are a cold concrete. Hallways weave off in all different directions but Sasuke has one exact point in mind, as his eyes spin rapidly with the Mangekyo. Both shinobi are ready for an attack, knowing that the white creep can appear from anywhere, at any time. Hashirama's cells being used with dark intentions is sickening and is a reflection of Madara's insanity. Though, there was once a time when Sasuke would think the notion genius.
The pink haired medic repeatedly twirls a senbon in her grasp with nervousness, following her beloved further into the darkness. None of this makes sense. Why in Kami's name has Zetsu done this? Where are the children, and the rest of the Village for that matter? From this distance, no chakra signatures can be felt by a regular shinobi. Maybe the Sharingan can find them, if focussed hard enough. Coming around a sharp bend, Sasuke's arm comes out to halt the kunoichi.
"There is something up ahead." His low whisper reaches her keen hearing and the medic nods. "This is the chakra signature I have been looking for. It seems familiar but I can't place it, it's much too weak for that."
"I don't understand." Sakura replies, looking confused.
"Neither do I. Come we must be swift." The man with blazing eyes ventures forward, his eye sight clear through the darkness. The woman behind him can see with mild use of chakra, but not well enough to make out complete details.
Then, out of no where spears fly their way rapidly from above. Managing to dodge all of the offending objects, Sasuke and Sakura put up their guard, preparing for battle.
Sakura's tanto clashes with the blade of a kunai and the opponent is just able to dodge her razor quick senbon.
"Teme! What is the meaning of this!" The familiar voice growls and the woman feels like an absolute fool.
"Naruto?" Sakura asks, leaping back to an acceptable degree, defensive stance still present.
"Sakura-chan? Teme?" The voice replies, completely taken aback. "Wait! How do I know that you aren't impostors?" The blonde uses his brain and presses his back against cover as well.
"Baka." Sasuke gripes, focussing his eyes on both shinobi before them. "Konichiwa Tenzo." He greets tonelessly, though evidently nicer than before.
"How about we tell you something an impostor couldn't know?" Sakura interjects, quite sure that this is in fact Naruto and not Zetsu playing a trick. There is no way to fake being her idiot friend.
Sasuke nods in agreement, but no one sees from the poor lighting. The chakra is still up ahead. They need to get this stupidity over and done with and get to their destination.
"Alright dobe. Listen carefully, I will only say this once." The Uchiha's harsh voice echoes softly. "Bibiri-kun." He smirks at the insult from long ago, one that Naruto parroted back to him during the Chunin exams.
"BAKA! You're the loud mouth!" Naruto hollars, lunging forward and scuffling with Sasuke like a child.
"Enough." Tenzo speaks up with his authoritative tone. "Naruto-kun, is this Sasuke?"
"Hai." The blonde replies, "Sakura-chan, what is yours?" He focussed, turning to his best friend.
"Uh..Eto..Mou! When we were children you henged yourself as Sasuke and tried to kiss me!" She exclaims, remembering the comical moment with clarity. At the time, the girl thought her dreams had come true. Sakura was so angry when it turned out to be Naruto pretending to be the one she loved.
"You what?" The Uchiha growls, grabbing Naruto by the shirt roughly.
"Ano Sasuke-kun. Heh heh. It was only a joke." The Hokage pats his friend on the shoulder in truce, hoping to calm his sharingan wielding friend.
"Sasuke-kun, there is no time for this. I think we can safely say that Tenzo's wood spears are a good enough indication that he is no fraud." Sakura reasons, readying herself for departure. "We can talk and travel."
"Hn." The raven haired nin agrees, letting go of Konoha's leader and stalking down the corridor once more.
It doesn't take long for Sakura to explain to Naruto their entire trip. Their fight with Orochimaru that turned out to be Zetsu. With both the Hokage's and the Uchiha's stories, all the pieces of the puzzle start to fit into place. Orochimaru isn't the one in heading this debacle, and it was conniving Zetsu all along! Realising this, Naruto pales considerably.
"Guys, we need to get back to Hokage Mountain. I think everyone might be in danger." The Kyuubi container informs grimly, feeling like a fool for rushing off so quickly. What if the people are in danger? Can his shinobi handle it?
"Hai." Sasuke speaks up, having been silent for his wives tale. "We can all go in a moment. Kakashi and Hanabi will be heading there as well, if my assumption is correct...For now, we are here." The shinobi points toward a jail cell at the end of the hallway, the only part of the underground that has an already lit fire torch. It is the only cell in this area, and seems to have heavy wards covering the outside to keep someone in. Only, the seal has been broken and the cell door is unhinged.
Striding up to the room, Sasuke takes hold of the door and rips it away. The sight that greets the four make their mouths hang open in surprise.
There lying upon the floor, tied up with strong chakra strings is...
"Orochimaru?!" The nin exclaim in unison, completely taken aback.
Gazing over at the jail cell number, Sakura's eyes narrow at the number, trying to figure out the correlation between the snake sennin and Zetsu.
"Naruto. What prisoner is housed in cell 52?" The pinkette asks softly, tone serious.
Realisation dawns as the Hokage says, "Obito."
xxx
A/N-
For those that don't know:
Wakatta – To understand, Follow you.
Tenshi – Angel.
Kuso – Dammit/crap/shit etc.
Bibiri-kun – Loud mouth/big talker. It is the actual translation of the english sub for when Sasuke calls Naruto a 'scaredy cat'.
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