Chapter 10
The next day, around the evening, Sasuke and Fugaku were sitting in the livingroom, watching some TV and reading the newspaper. Itachi had been in his room, studying, and now came walking down.
"Dad." He said as he came into the room. "Where do you keep those pictures of mom?"
"In my room. But you have to study Itachi." Fugaku said, not looking up from his newspaper. Sasuke looked at his brother, curious.
"I know, I tried, but I keep thinking of mom." Itachi said. "I can't concentrate. I want to find out where she is." He now walked into his father's office and sought through his papers. He finally found the pictures and walked into the livingroom again, sitting down at the table. He took all the pictures out of the envelopes and looked at them, after he had ordered them chronologically.
"Itachi please. It's useless to look at them." Fugaku said, still not looking up. "Studying is what you should be doing now, not looking at pictures."
"I never had the chance to look at them properly, perhaps I'll find something out." Itachi said, while he looked at the pictures. He hated it to do it, but he had to. He was scanning them for any details now. His eyes finally rested on the last picture, where the man was on as well. He stared at his eyes, that were looking into the camera, looking quite pleased. Itachi frowned, as he stared some more. The guy really seemed familiar...
"Sasuke." He said. "Tell me again where you found those pictures."
Sasuke turned around again and hung over the couch.
"Err.. The first one was on my desk, the second one in my bag at school, the third was on my desk again, the fourth was in my locker." Sasuke said. "Why?"
"Ah.. so the last one could just have been put in your locker without any powers having been used?" Itachi asked, not answering Sasuke's question.
"..Yeah, could be." Sasuke said frowning. "Why? Did you find something?" He asked. His father looked up and stared at Itachi patiently.
"..Is it just me, or it is a very strong coincidence that the day Hyuuga Hiashi, who can move objects with his mind, was put into jail, you started receiving the pictures in a normal way, instead of a way which you need powers for?" Itachi asked, as he slightly turned around now.
Sasuke frowned.
"I don't know. Why would Hiashi send me pictures of mom?" Sasuke asked and his father coughed.
"We were in a relationship years ago, in highschool. He did have a grudge against me and your mother, even since I dumped him for her." He said and Sasuke's mouth fell open. What the hell.
"I already thought so." Itachi said, sighing. "I saw pictures dad. It does explain a lot." He stared at the picture again and then his eyes widened a little. "...Oh god.." He said, as he stared at the eyes of the man.
"What?" Sasuke and Fugaku both spoke. "And since when did you look at pictures of me?" Fugaku snapped at Itachi.
"I saw them when I researched our school just now." Itachi said, as he kept looking at the picture. "...Dad.. how close were Hyuuga Hiashi and Morino Ibiki when you broke up with Hiashi?"
"They were best friends since first grade." Fugaku answered and then narrowed his eyes at Itachi and got up, looking at the pictures.
"What is it?" Sasuke asked confused.
"I think that the man who's holding mom captured, is Ibiki." Itachi said, frowning. "Those eyes.. those narrowed eyes that point out how sickeningly happy Ibiki can be as he reached something he wanted to reach, they are the same as the eyes on this picture. And the figure and length are the same as well. What do you think?" Itachi asked his father as he handed the last picture to Fugaku.
Fugaku looked at it and then sighed.
"It makes sense. Both Hiashi as Ibiki held a grudge against me and your mother. Ibiki had been in love with Mikoto, but she turned him down for me and we married." Fugaku said.
"..So you're saying Ibiki took her? Does Ibiki have the power to grow arms?" Sasuke asked frowning.
"I believe I've seen him do something like that once." Itachi said, nodding.
"Now that we know this, we can save Mikoto." Fugaku said, looking angry, but staying calm.
"Then what do we do? Attack Ibiki?" Sasuke asked.
"We should." Itachi said, nodding. "If we know where he lives. But there is one thing that's bothering me.. that Hyuuga locked up into prison. I think he's the one who set this all up, and I can't believe that he's still in jail. He already escaped on his first day, and he's the strongest man after dad. But his power.. no one can lock him up with that power. I'm afraid that if we fight and attack Ibiki, that Hiashi'll come after us. And he might be slightly weaker then dad, but he is, no offends dad, much more smarter. I think it would be best to take out the Hyuuga first."
Fugaku send his oldest son a glare and then thought about it.
"You might be right, but we can't just go to his cell and kill him." Fugaku said.
"We could make sure he breaks out and then get him?" Sasuke said.
"We could, but how?" Itachi asked. "We might need to lure him with something. And I don't think you screaming that you love him near the prison will work. We need something better. Sasuke, you have a friend who's close to Hiashi, right? Perhaps you could ask him if he knows how to get Hiashi to escape."
"Neji yeah. That's his nephew. I could ask him, but I think I know a way. I just don't want Neji to be in trouble." Sasuke said.
"What are you thinking of then?" Itachi asked, looking at Sasuke.
"Well.. Hiashi's kind of a paedophile right. He might come out if Neji would suggest to.. you know." Sasuke said.
"..Perhaps it's more believable if we let someone report to Hiashi who put charges on him." Itachi said. "That was Neji too, right?" When Sasuke nodded, Itachi nodded in return. "Hiashi'll be angry to hear that his own nephew betrayed him and he'll escape. But I think he'll be blind by anger. We could take him down on that moment, he won't be alert for an attack."
"Could be." Sasuke said. "But just in case, I'm gonna spend that entire day with Neji." Sasuke said. Fugaku nodded.
"We can try this. Itachi and I will stay near the two of you as well." He said.
"Alright." Itachi said, nodding. "I'll write an anonymous letter to Hiashi and tell him who put charges on him. I'll send it tomorrow morning, and we'll go to the Hyuuga mansion in the afternoon, so we can search for a good place to hide. He'll escape by evening so he can walk freely without anyone recognising him. I'm sure he'll think of a plan, but that'll only concern the way he'll escape and reach Neji. Sasuke.. it might be hard for you, but I think you need Neji to be in his room alone. But we'll be outside. Or perhaps hiding in his room. But Hiashi can't know we're there as well. He'll immediately attack."
"Why can't we just kill him the second he gets free?" Sasuke asked. "We might be too late and then Neji is in trouble."
"Listen to your brother Sasuke. He's the smart one. Good thinking Itachi." Fugaku said.
"It'll become quite a fight if we attack him outside." Itachi said. "Inside too, but we could think of a plan. The thing is, if we attack him outside of the house, the neighbours and people around will notice and call the police. And then automatically, Ibiki will hear of this. He'll know we are aware of what he's doing. We don't know what he'd do then, so no one may notice that Hiashi died. I think, no matter how terrible it might be for you, Neji'll have to work with us too. For his own sake. He probably is the only one who can come close to Hiashi, he can perhaps use something to let him become weaker. Like chloroform or something like that."
"And then? Neji isn't strong enough to weaken Hiashi up." Sasuke said. "He can't do a thing against him."
"He will just have to work with us. The three of us can take on Hiashi, we just need him to lure Hiashi in." Fugaku said.
"Indeed." Itachi said. "And Neji may be weaker, but even if we only put some chloroform onto Neji's neck where Hiashi might kiss him, Hiashi'll already be influenced enough to not be able to focus fully on his powers. Or at least not think clear. Because if we attack him recklessly, he might use Neji as a shield. Neji can lure Hiashi in, but he might become a problem as well. Hiashi'll know that once we come out of our hiding place, Neji works together with us. He might take him hostage and then both Neji as the three of us will have a problem. That's why it's necessary to drug him in some way."
"Well we might, but if we put it on Neji, then won't Neji be affected by it too?" Sasuke asked.
"It's our only chance to get your mother back Sasuke." Fugaku snapped. He wasn't angry, but he was more then ready to save Mikoto.
"Perhaps Neji might, but he won't be able to do something anyway." Itachi said. "We'll just leave Neji in the house. The drug won't do anything but making him tired. He'll be fine after a good night's rest. The goal is to kill Hiashi. And from what I heard of you, Neji has reasons enough to want his uncle to be killed too."
"I know." Sasuke said and sighed. "I'll ask him." He would not forgive his brother though, if Neji would be hurt.
"Good, then that's settled. You write that letter Itachi." Fugaku said stern.
"I will." Itachi said. "And you go to Neji Sasuke. We'll come tomorrow afternoon."
Sasuke nodded.
"I will." He mumbled and then walked to the hallway. Neji'd better not get hurt.
Half an hour later, Sasuke rang the doorbell of Neji's house. He wasn't happy about this agreement at all. He wanted Neji save, he had tried so hard to help Neji get rid of his uncle and now he had to get molested again. And Sasuke was so glad he could get his mother back, but Neji did not deserve to be involved. Sasuke sighed. It was just messed up.
It took a few seconds, before the door was opened by Neji.
"Hey." He said, looking a bit surprised, but then smiled. "Nice of you to come by." He gave Sasuke a kiss now.
Sasuke smiled a little before he grabbed Neji's hand.
"..I'm sorry, but I have some bad news." Sasuke softly said.
Neji frowned.
"..What is it?" He asked. "Do you want to come in first?"
Sasuke nodded as he walked in.
"We found out who captured my mother and your uncle is involved. Itachi said we needed you to lure him out of prison.." Sasuke said.
"..What?" Neji asked, frowning. "Why?"
"..Because if he knows you turned him in, he'll get angry, breaks out and we can kill him.." Sasuke said. "We can't kill him in jail."
Neji sat down onto the couch now, as he blinked.
"..So.. I have to call him and tell him that I did it?" Neji asked.
Sasuke sat down next to him and shook his head.
"No. Itachi's writing a letter saying he knows you turned Hiashi in." Sasuke said. "But.. Itachi said you might have to put chloroform on your neck and when he kisses you Hiashi will get drugged." Sasuke said.
Neji frowned some more.
"..So.. he has to attack me first..?" It was a pretty smart plan, Neji had to admit. But he didn't like it to be Hiashi's prey once again.
"That's what Itachi said." Sasuke answered, nodding. "I tried to talk him out of it, but my father and he agreed it was the best way."
"..I guess I'll take part in it." Neji said, as he shook his head. "It is a good plan and if this'll make me safe forever, I'll work with you guys."
"..I was afraid you would say that. God I'll hate myself forever if this will hurt you." Sasuke said.
"Don't." Neji said as he shook his head. "It's my own choice. He'll probably hurt me, but I'll be safe from then on. Do you have chloroform?"
Sasuke nodded.
"Yeah I do." He handed Neji the bottle of chloroform. "You have to put it on tomorrow. And I still don't want you to get hurt Neji."
Neji accepted the bottle and looked at it.
"I know.. I don't want to get hurt either." Neji muttered.
Sasuke looked at Neji and then hugged him close.
"I'm sorry you have to be involved." He softly said.
Neji put his head onto Sasuke's shoulder and closed his eyes, swallowing.
"..I'm scared.." He softly said. "..But it's not your fault that I have to be involved. I understand it's the only way to get close to Hiashi."
"I'm still sorry." Sasuke softly said and closed his eyes as well. "If only I had been stronger when mom was about to get kidnapped."
"It's not your fault Sasuke." Neji said, sighing. " It's far from is."
"It still feels like it." Sasuke sighed. "Don't get hurt too much."
"I'll try." Neji said, nodding. "..So.. he's coming tomorrow?"
"Yeah.." Sasuke softly said. "Don't be scared OK. I'll protect you no matter what."
"Alright.." Neji said, nodding.
Sasuke stroke through Neji's hair now.
"After this he will never ever touch you again." Sasuke pulled Neji even closer now.
"..I know." Neji said with a smile.
"And I love you." Sasuke said and kissed Neji's ear.
"Thanks.. I love you too." Neji said. "How do you know my uncle is involved with the kidnapping of your mother?"
"Itachi found out that he had to be because after he was put in jail, I didn't get that picture in a way it had to involve his powers." Sasuke said. "And my father had a relationship with him once." He put up a disgusted face now.
"What?" Neji asked, frowning. "Are you serious about the last thing?"
"Yes. And we found out Ibiki is the one holding mom. Since she had a relationship with him once, I guess it makes sense in a way." Sasuke answered.
Neji frowned.
"And in what way are my uncle and Ibiki related then?" He asked.
"They were best friends in Highschool." Sasuke answered. "..It's all a little odd I think."
"It is." Neji said, nodding. "But it does explain a few things."
Sasuke nodded as well.
"I'm glad we might get mom back." He said and stroke over Neji's cheek. "Then you can meet her."
"Indeed." Neji said, nodding. "I'd love to meet her."
The next evening, Neji and Sasuke were eating dinner in the livingroom. They were almost finished and Neji felt himself becoming nervous because it started to get dark. At that moment, the bell rang. Neji now stood.
"That would be your brother and dad." He said and walked to the door. He opened it and it were indeed Fugaku and Itachi.
"Thanks Neji." Itachi said.
"Sasuke's in the livingroom." Neji said, nodding, and they walked after him to the livingroom.
Fugaku looked at Neji and nodded and then nodded at Sasuke as well.
"Hi. So where are you going to hide?" Sasuke asked Itachi as he and Fugaku sat down on the two chairs that were in the livingroom.
"I don't know, we have to look in Neji's room for that." Itachi said.
"We could go to my room." Neji said.
Fugaku nodded once again.
"Let's do that." He said and the four of them went to Neji's room.
"You can easily see things from outside, in the bushes." Sasuke said. He had been there two times already.
"Indeed, but he might use his powers to keep the windows closed." Itachi said, nodding.
"I have a big wardrobe, at least two of you fit in there." Neji said, pointing to his wardrobe.
"Then where does the third one have to go to?" Sasuke asked.
"He might look in a wardrobe as well. What do you think Itachi?" Fugaku asked.
"Why would he look in Neji's wardrobe?" Itachi asked.
"He usually comes to get what he wants and then leaves again." Neji said. "Although I don't know what he wants to do now.. Since the police will look for him."
"We can always try." Sasuke said.
"He might think that it's a trap. He's not completely stupid." Fugaku answered Itachi. "But Sasuke is right, we can try."
"If you think that he'll look in the wardrobe, we have to think of an other place to hide." Itachi said. "Sasuke's not right, we can't try, because we only have one chance."
"..I guess you'll have to hide outside then." Neji said, frowning.
"You have a bathroom, can't we hide in there?" Sasuke asked. He wasn't sure if he wanted to take the risk of nothing being able to get inside either.
"If he'll look in my wardrobe he'll look in my bathroom as well." Neji said.
"That's true." Itachi said, nodding.
Sasuke sighed.
"Fine, we'll stay outside. But if he holds the window closed I'll break it." Sasuke said.
"Indeed." Itachi said, nodding. He sighed. "It won't be much of a surprise attack I fear, since he'll probably close the window."
"Well we can still surprised him." Fugaku said. "We can slowly melt the window with fire Itachi."
"I hope he won't feel the heat then." Itachi said, shrugging.
"..I'll keep him busy." Neji said, sighing.
Sasuke looked away. He hated this.
"Good, but we won't have you wait for too long." Fugaku said and looked at Neji reassuring.
"Alright." Neji said, nodding. "..Perhaps I can give a sign when he starts to become a little drowsy or something."
"You could say something against him, like 'get off' or something." Itachi said. "He won't notice it's a sign, and it will keep his attention fixed onto you."
"That would be good. I think we should hide though. It's almost dark." Fugaku said.
"Indeed." Itachi said, as he opened the window. "Good luck, Neji." Neji nodded as he got some books and put them onto his desk, so he could do some homework. Itachi now moved out of the window, outside.
Fugaku followed him after having nodded to Neji again. Sasuke walked to Neji and kissed him full on the lips.
"Don't worry ok?" He said.
"I'll try." Neji said, sighing, as he nodded. He gave Sasuke a kiss back. "Good luck." He put the chloroform onto his desk now, together with a small cloth.
"You too." Sasuke said and then looked at Neji for a while, then climbed out of the window as well and closed it behind him. All they had to do now was wait.
Neji swallowed now, as he sat down onto his desk, feeling the nerves go through his body. He opened his book and tried to do some homework. He tried to concentrate, but failed miserably. He suddenly heard quick footsteps in the garden and knew it must be his uncle, since he heard the front door open. Neji quickly grabbed the chloroform and wetted the cloth with it. He walked to the bathroom, and then pushed the cloth onto his neck. He moved it over his skin a few times, and did so with the other side of his neck of well. He then threw away the cloth and hid the chloroform in one of his cupboards. He walked into his room again and sat down onto the same spot, acting like he did some homework. He swallowed as he heard footsteps coming closer. Oh god...