Behind the Mask
Rated: T for language and violence
Disclaimer: Naruto characters (c) Masashi Kishimoto
Summary: We all wear masks. But that only makes it harder to tell the difference between truth and lies.

Note:Thanks to Joele and Starfire201.

4 reviews before I post the next chapter

010: 真理
(truth)

Yamanaka Ino was wondering – and not for the first time – why she was here. It wasn't that she thought herself an inadequate shinobi, being from one of Konoha's prestigious clans had all but ensured that she was an adequate shinobi. But surely, there could have been a better shinobi for this particular job. No doubt her father would have been more appropriate. In truth, Ino was just a tad bit nervous and it could have been because of the fact that she was cavorting about with hundreds of foreigners milling about around her with her face unmasked. There weren't very many missions where shinobi, especially those of the younger generation, went of missions where it required them to be without a mask. That usually meant that they were doing a recon mission into enemy territory. As it was, Ino's pretty face, shapely body and long blond hair was drawing the attention of many of the men who were going about their business around her.

The atmosphere in Canton was charged with tension. Ino could feel it in the air even as she walked down the road. Men called out to each other in strange and foreign tongues and littered the streets while the native citizens were rarely seen outside of their homes unless they were part of the Cohong. The foreigners themselves looked vile and dirty as they squatted in the streets because the Canton citizens refused to take them in. Members of the Kwangtung Imperial Army were scattered about the docks. Their presence alone was enough to keep most civilians away from the docks entirely. Now, all that was left were the beggar children and the homeless that were looking for work, but even those were scarce compared to before.

In the distance, Ino could make out of presence of a dozen or more ships, anchored and waiting out at sea. Waiting for what, Ino didn't want to know. She could see their guns and cannons gleaming in the sunlight. When compared to the junk ships that were sitting in the Zhu Jiang, blockading the river from the ocean, the native ships were a sad sight to behold.

Even in the city itself, one could hardly walk down the street without being hit with the smell of opium wafting from one of the many dens. The Viceroy of Liangguang's crackdown at the behest of the United Trade Alliance had caused the dens to move underground where they would be less obvious, but the fact that they still openly existed couldn't be changed at this point. It was too late.

Ino steeled her nerves. She was a Konoha shinobi and she was here under the request of her Hokage…who in turn was under request from the Emperor. She had to do the Emperor proud. Yet the sight of the foreigners that were being held hostage put Ino on edge. They leered at her, their faces dirty and their clothes ragged from spending who knew how many days on end sleeping and living outside.

Forcing herself to look at them, Ino concentrated, taking a mental picture in her mind as she tried to focus on every detail within the scene around her. Then, when she was confident that she had taken in everything, she tried to release the picture. Although she was miles away from home, she could still feel the energy, the familiar aura of her clan in the back of her mind. She could feel her father's presence the strongest so she reached out and embraced him within her mind, trying to transfer the mental image. Communicating telepathically over long distances wasn't Ino's forte as her father was much better at it that she was. Yet years of diligent practice had at least ensured she had a chance of doing it. After a moment, she heard her father's affirmation and she breathed out a sigh.

Ino took one last look around before she hurried to the inner reaches of the city where the foreigners were less likely to be lingering. She hoped that she wouldn't have to stay for too long.

Glossary:
Cohong – members of the import/export business
Junk – Chinese ship
Zhu Jiang – Pearl River

Kakashi smirked lightly to himself as he flipped to the next page in his book. No matter how many times he read the Icha Icha series, it never lost its appeal. He remembered the first time he had laid eyes on it. It was a simple manuscript back then, but just the title 'Icha Icha Paradise' was intriguing in its own nature. It was lying on his teacher's desk with a stack of other papers. At first, Kakashi made no move to even flip through the paper manuscript, but as time passed, Kakashi began to burn a hole through the paper as he stared at it, his interest peaking. His teacher was of course already fifteen minutes late – who knew how long he would be waiting for him.

Kakashi remembered with clarity the expression his teacher had made when he walked into his office and had seen Kakashi sitting casually on the couch, reading with real interest the manuscript the perverted Sannin had wrote. His teacher's face had turned a bright red and he had snatched the manuscript away from the innocent looking Kakashi had hastily shoved it under some other papers. When Kakashi had questioned him about it, his teacher denied reading it. He said he never got around to it, which was why it was on his desk. Of course Kakashi knew he was lying and his teacher knew that Kakashi knew he was lying, but they had left it at that.

Now, years later, Kakashi was lounging in a chair in Tsunade's study, under a light, reading that same version of Icha Icha Paradise, fully bound in its orange glory for the 50th time. Kakashi reveled in his reading experience, enjoying the few moments of alone quiet time that he had in the past few days.

As Kakashi glanced up to look around at the ornate study, he noticed beyond the faint glow of the orange light the box he had brought the Tian Tang Jian in. It was sitting in its proper place on top of a short cabinet. The box was closed, but Kakashi knew that it remained empty. Slowly, he reached over and turned the light off. As he stored Icha Icha Paradise back away in its proper pouch, Kakashi felt he had a good feeling about tonight.

As dark as the night and as quiet as the wind, the elusive thief dropped down onto the dirt pathway in front of Tsunade's study. The night was quiet and peaceful as the thief deftly leapt over the stone stairs and inside the study.

Inside the study, the thief swung the sheathed sword over their head as they made their way towards the back. The thief stopped short when they noticed a shadow in the corner, only lightly illuminated by the moonlight coming through the window.

The thief quickly pulled the Tian Tang Jian from its sheath and held it in front of them. It quivered slightly from the movement.

"Out kind of late aren't you?" Asked the shadow, moving out of the chair he was sitting in to face the thief. Kakashi's stalk of hair and forehead protector glinted lightly as the thief's eyes widened.

"You brought me my sword." Commented Kakashi as he held his hand out his hand.

In an instant, the thief quickly countered by pivoting so that the sword was now arched over the thief's head, pointed at Kakashi.

"You're Wo Lang?" The thief thundered.

"I suppose my reputation precedes me." Kakashi said dryly. "I am known by even the lowest of thieves."

"How dare you!" The thief cried.

The thief then leapt backwards and ran out of the study, quickly jumping onto the rooftops. Kakashi quickly followed; following them inside an old watch post at the edge of the complex. The thief was taken by surprise when Kakashi landed next to them.

"Had enough flying? Give me back my sword." Kakashi demanded.

"If it is your sword, then why give it to Tsunade-furen?" The thief sneered as they once again pointed the sword at Kakashi.

Kakashi quirked an eyebrow. "You think you can beat me with my own sword?"

"Shut up!" The thief roared.

With that, they lunged at Kakashi who jumped over the thief. Kakashi bounced off the wall with his feet and landed behind the thief, crouched into a fighting position. The thief quickly turned and made to charge at Kakashi, but then they leapt up; feet touching against the wall briefly as they sailed out through the open window.

Kakashi once again followed the fleeing thief across the rooftops. Suddenly, the thief turned midair to face Kakashi as they flicked out a kunai at Kakashi. Kakashi whipped out a shuriken of his own and it clanged into the kunai and both fell to the ground.

The thief and Kakashi both landed swiftly on a rooftop. "You have potential." Kakashi beseeched. "If I could teach you…"

"Save your words!" The thief roared.

They charged at Kakashi, sword outstretched. There was fury blazing in the thief's eyes when Kakashi slid out of the way at the last minute. The thief couldn't stop and Kakashi slid the palm of his hand against the side of the sword before grabbing it and then flinging the sword to the side. The thief's grasp slipped from the sword as they sailed off the roof. Kakashi watched as the thief tumbled to the ground, only to land awkwardly on their leg. They fell to the ground and skidded.

Kakashi flung the Tian Tang Jian into a flour sack that was piled up on the side of one of the buildings. The thief struggled to get up as Kakashi leapt to the ground.

"Just give up." Said Kakashi, his voice becoming sharper. "This is a futile attempt."

Then the thief whipped out a fan from the inside of their black outfit. Kakashi adjusted his position a bit; suddenly unaware of what the thief was planning next.

The thief pointed a finger at Kakashi and gave a ragged breath. "Take another step and I swear I'll cut you to pieces." The thief warned.

Kakashi hesitantly picked up his hand and pushed his forehead protector off of his left eye. His always active Sharingan stared at the thief who eyes widened at the sight. The thief swayed a little on their feet, trying to fight off the haze that was suddenly entering their brain. The thief rapidly blinked their eyes before taking a final stance to fight off the confusion Kakashi's Sharingan was creating.

"No!" The thief roared and they swung the fan they were holding, creating a slicing gust of wind that was sent Kakashi's way.

Kakashi narrowly dodged and formed his hands together in a few seals. "Katon: Goukakyuu no Jutsu!"

Kakashi spurt the fireball from his mouth and it flew through the air towards the thief. The cool climate air turned hot with its impact and the thief took a stand.

"Ninpou: Fuusaijin!"

In an upward arc motion; they their moved their arm and a tremendous gust of wind, bigger than the first, collided with the fireball. Both Kakashi and the thief were blown off their feet by the sudden explosion. The thief crashed into the piled up sacks of flour that Kakashi had previously thrown the Tian Tang Jian into.

Flour filled the air as the thief landed and the thief's black clothes were covered in the powdery substance. The thief winced at the impact and saw that they had received a mild burn on the arm from the explosion.

"What's going on?"

"What was that?"

The thief heard the servant's confusion filled cries and quickly grabbed the Tian Tang Jian before flying over the outer wall.

Kakashi stumbled up and was wiping soot out of his eyes when he saw the thief disappear. The thief landed in the grass and saw Kakashi was right behind them. In a furious attempt, the thief broadly swung the sword at him as he landed.

"Leave me alone!" The thief yelled in outrage as they brandished their weapon.

Kakashi kicked up a large fallen branch from beside a tree and blocked the attempt.

"But you have my sword." Reasoned Kakashi.

The thief was quickly losing patience as they wildly attacked Kakashi.

"There is much you can learn and there would be many willing to teach you with your potential." Kakashi asserted.

Kakashi caught the thief off guard and had the stick positioned under their mask.

The thief glared at Kakashi. "Do it." They said darkly.

Kakashi took the stick away after a moments thought. "I'm sure there will be a time for that, but not now. Come with me to Konoha when I go back. There we can find you a teacher."

The thief narrowed their eyes. "And what if I use that knowledge to kill you and everyone else?" Their eyes held question and doubt in them.

Kakashi shrugged. "So be it, but I don't think you are corrupt. I don't think you are working with Orochimaru."

"Orochimaru? The Konoha traitor?" The thief hissed.

There is confusion and bewilderment in the thief's eyes before they pushed Kakashi off and jumped away. Kakashi dropped the stick and looked toward the place where the thief vanished as the moon light shined overhead.

Glossary:
Furen - Chinese honorific, used for women of high rank

The night was still silent, with the only noise coming from a few crickets as the thief slipped through a slightly illuminated window. Warmth instantly greeted the thief as did a visitor.

The thief stopped short after seeing Kabuto sitting on a chair near the window. His eyes were downcast as he read a book. The thief scowled and ripped their mask off.

Kabuto didn't even look at the thief. "Should I even ask where you have been in the dead of the night?" He said.

Temari threw her mask down, her eyes furious as she took a step closer to Kabuto. "You work for Orochimaru?" She cried.

Kabuto finally snapped his eyes up towards her. "Who told you that?" He demanded.

Temari pointed an angry shaking finger towards him. "Don't even try to deny it. Why are you here? What do you want?" She demanded.

Kabuto stood up and sighed wearily. Although Temari didn't notice, his eyes were calculating. Temari moved away from him, circling him. "I thought it was strange, how you just appeared to save me from Wu He. That's because you were planning to steal the sword already, with Orochimaru. I saw the posters Tsunade-furen put up." Temari accused.

"I do work for Orochimaru." Kabuto explained calmly.

This only made Temari seethe with rage even more. "You will ruin my family!" She yelled angrily.

Kabuto gave a laugh before smirking. "Like you really care about your family. If you did, you would marry Uchiha Sasuke without a compliant." Said Kabuto.

"That has nothing to do with it. You don't know how I feel about my family!" Screamed Temari.

Kabuto shook his head. "I know that you long for a life of adventure and I can give that to you."

"How, with Orochimaru?" Spat Temari. "I'd rather cut off my leg."

"Not with Orochimaru." Kabuto amended. "Like your family, he too holds me back from what I want to do with my life!" Kabuto pleaded. "If you come with me, we can escape together. We will roam the world, free from those who try to tie us down" Said Kabuto, putting a light smile on his face. He couldn't just let Temari tell everyone that he was working for Orochimaru. It would ruin him.

"I can't live like a thief." Said Temari still frowning.

Kabuto raised an eyebrow. "Like a thief? You stole the Tian Tang Jian, you are a thief!" Said Kabuto raising his voice.

"That was just for fun." Reasoned Temari. "Where can I go? I could never escape."

"We can do it." Said Kabuto. "Together we can. We will eliminate anyone who tries to stop us, including Orochimaru and your brother."

Temari's eyes widened. "Don't ever talk about my brother like that!"

Kabuto smirked. "This is the shinobi lifestyle. It's either kill or be killed."

Temari shook her head. "Don't you ever lay a hand on my brother. I will never go with you, after you lied to me."

"I taught you everything you know!" Yelled Kabuto.

Temari lunged for Kabuto and they both crashed to the floor, knocking over the chair. They both flipped back up and exchanged blows. Temari caught the glint of chakra forming on Kabuto's hand and she quickly spun, grabbing Kabuto's hand and twisting it around his back. She quickly grabbed the fan out of her robes and swung it, pushing Kabuto across the room. He crashed into the wall.

Temari closed the fan, her eyes still on Kabuto as she panted slightly.

Kabuto stumbled up, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "You deceitful little…I taught you everything about the chakra network and systems but never did you show me you could mold your chakra, much less use element manipulation." He sneered.

"You were ignorant of my skills." Said Temari. "You never wanted to teach me jutsu, so I learned on my own. Why? Because you were afraid I would use it against you?" She asked.

Kabuto shook his head. "If I hadn't seen you fight with Wu He, I would have never found out."

Temari still glared at Kabuto. "I started learning from you when I was young. You enchanted me with the thought of being a shinobi, of living a life without restriction. Never did I think that you were going to use me for some evil purpose…involving Orochimaru!" She cried.

Kabuto scowled, attempting to regain his hold on Temari. "Orochimaru doesn't factor into any of this! I was the one who taught you!"

"Liar." Sneered Temari.

Kabuto got up and advanced towards Temari when she pulled out the Tian Tang Jian. "I'm giving you the chance to leave." She said, trying to keep her voice steady. "Or I will kill you."

Kabuto narrowed his eyes and decided today was not the day to take his chances. Kabuto lifted up his hands, surrendering. "I'll leave, Temari. But let me make you this last promise. If you dare tell anyone about our scuffle, about how I work for Orochimaru, your brother is as good as dead."

Temari flinched and Kabuto winked at her. "We'll meet again Temari." He said before fleeing out the window.

Kabuto's plan was in serious need of recalculating, but he had no doubt that Temari would keep to his word.

Glossary:
Furen – Chinese honorific, used for women of high rank

Itachi weaved through the dark alleys with practiced efficiency, dressed in his customary police uniform. His footsteps made no sound as he walked along the paved pathways before merging along the murky banks of the Yongding He.

His hands swayed freely by his sides as his dark eyes roved the banks, looking for his contact. He stopped, his senses feeling out for another chakra signature. There was a small spike of chakra and Itachi turned to face the newcomer.

"Itachi-gong." A deep voice said. The figure was significantly shorter than Itachi, his frame slightly bulky in contrast to Itachi's slim one. The man wore a dark hooded cloak, preventing Itachi from seeing his true face. "I was…intrigued when I received your message. I admit it's been a long time since I've been to Peking. I must say I appreciate you for not being late."

Itachi ignored the man's pleasantries. His gaze dropped down to the man's gloved hands. "Show it to me."

"You want to be certain." Said the man, slightly amused.

"Well, they say it is protocol, if anyone follows that these days." Said Itachi airily. "In any case, I'm in a hurry."

The man brought his hand up, his dark robes rustling and picked up his left thumb. A gold ring glinted in the moonlight and Itachi made out the character for jewel inscribed on the front.

"Hn." Said Itachi in approval, looking away.

"And you, Itachi-gong? I probably should be sure…just in case."

Itachi smirked lightly before digging into the pocket and producing a similar gold ring. He held it up for the man to see before putting it away.

"Down to business." Said the man. "Kisame said you had…questions. Questions concerning what? I don't give away things easily, you know."

"I won't be troubling you too much, Sasori-qianbei. And these questions don't concern you, they concern…your former partner." Said Itachi. Sasori noted the honorific that Itachi had opted to use and decided that maybe Itachi was everything he was said to be. He was polite enough to refer to Sasori as 'Sasori-qianbei', yet not as inferior enough to call him 'Sasori-gexia'. He liked that.

"Ah." Said Sasori, recognition dawning in his voice. "It seems I won't be able to live him down will I?"

"Well…I'm not here to judge." Said Itachi, his stance shifting slightly. Sasori mirrored his movements ever so slightly. The two men weren't exactly enemies, but they weren't exactly friends either.

There was a pause from Sasori who was taking into serious consideration Itachi's request. "What do you want to know about him? He was well before your time."

"I know that he had an immortality jutsu." Said Itachi driving straight to the point. "How did it work?"

"Hah." Sasori gave a stark laugh and it was odd coming from so deep a voice. "I didn't delve into the snake's secrets."

"Come now, Sasori-qianbei." Said Itachi, lightly chiding. "I don't think you would have let something that intriguing slip past your intellect. You must have taken note of something, any small piece of information."

Sasori narrowed his eyes under his hood. How cunning. "It was called the Furou Fushi." Said Sasori, finally conceding. "The jutsu allowed him to transfer his spirit from body to body. In turn, that body would become a host until it…expired and he would move onto the next."

Itachi filed the information away, his brain analyzing the implications of the technique. "Considering the amount of taxing pressure that would be placed on a host body for hosting something foreign, I suspect that the body wouldn't begin to show signs of decay until at least a year or two. How often did he switch bodies?"

Sasori was impressed at how much Itachi had deducted from so little information. "I suspect you are correct Itachi-gong …" He said.

Itachi nodded his head slightly before giving a light bow to Sasori. "Thank you, Sasori-qianbei. I regret that I had to take so much of your time on such a fine evening."

"You won't tell me why you want this information will you?" Sasori mused out loud.

"Perhaps we could save it for another day, Sasori-qianbei." Said Itachi politely.

"It will make for an interesting and intelligent conversation I'm sure."

"Hn." Itachi vanished from view, catching Sasori off guard. The hooded man started at the space Itachi had previously occupied before allowing himself a slight smile and vanishing himself.

Glossary:
Yongding He- Yongding River
Gong – Chinese honorific for lord
Qianbei – 'You who belong to an older generation'
Gexia – Important Person

Jutsu:
Katon: Goukakyuu no Jutsu- Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu

Ninpou: Fuusaijin- Shinobi Art: Dust Wind Technique
A current of wind that blows loose sand and dust. Also a powerful wind blast to knock back opponents or make them loose their footing.

Note2: The Viceroy of Liangguang was in charge of the provinces of Guangdong and Guangxi. He was said to be the richest of all the Viceroy