A/N: Hey guys, sorry I've been meaning to get this out forever but I haven't had any time to work on it. But the horrid English presentations are done so that means I have practically no work, hooray! But the bad news is now I'm sick, stupid children spreading their diseases. Ah! But I never let sickness get me down, so we'll see the next one out when the next one's out. And recently I just fell in love with the show Yami no Matsuei, totally random, but I love it. Well, enjoy!
Disclaimer: All rights to Naruto belong to Masashi Kishimoto including characters, places, etc.
Chapter 10: Easy Target
Sasuke blocked Konan's sword at the last second with his own, narrowly saving Itachi from death.
"Sasuke?" Itachi gasped, surprised at his brother's sudden appearance. His younger brother smirked.
"It looks like I can't leave you alone to go do my training or you suddenly turn suicidal on me you idiot." Itachi smirked back at Sasuke.
"And what led your group to become my rescue team? You don't actually think I would die here."
"That's sure what it looked like to me," Sasuke coolly replied, still clashing swords with Konan. "So, who are we up against?"
"I think you recognize two of our guests," Itachi nodded towards Konan and Kisame.
"Yeah, Suigetsu was becoming quite annoying when he heard that stupid fish was gonna be here."
"Well, we have a special guest of honor with us today. I think you might know that guy over there by the name of Tobi. However, that's just a cover; the man you see is Madara. Are you still sure you want to fight the master of the Sharingan?"
"I came all this way I might as well see it through until the end. Suigetsu, you can deal with Kisame, Karin and Juugo you two take on this nasty chick here. I'm sure you can reduce her to nothing more than tatters," Sasuke nodded towards Itachi signaling that it was all clear for them to launch an attack on Madara.
"I'll tell you now, his sharingan far surpasses even mine, meaning that technique is worthless. The key will be to be quick and deadly. If not I promise that you won't lay a scratch on him. The key is to do this and evade his eyes, and therein lies the problem," Itachi sighed.
"Yeah I guess, but what good are eyes if they can't see?" Sasuke sniggered. Itachi gave the boy a puzzled look as he began performing hand signs.
"You can't be serious," Itachi stared at his brother with bewildered eyes. "This is not the place."
"Just watch," Sasuke replied, before the jutsu activated, "Katon: Goukakyuu No Jutsu." The trees struck ablaze and acrid black smoke began to fill the area, blocking the sight of everything.
"Pretty cunning little brother," Itachi smirked, coughing slightly through the thick smoke. "Except now we have zero visibility as well."
"Yeah, I guess it's a real test now," Sasuke answered and the two dashed into the smoke, trying to find their target, holding their breaths so as not to breathe in any of the thick smog. Sasuke gasped, realizing now what a stupid mistake this had in fact been.
"See you later," Madara saluted in farewell, "or perhaps not." As the team dashed into the distance, multiple explosive tags set off on multiple trees, knocking Itachi and Sasuke back, though none directly hit them. There was suddenly a massive amount of water, dousing all the flames, and creating a mist from the partial evaporation due to the heat. Suigetsu and the rest appeared through the mist, seeming a bit dirty but no worse for the wear.
"Sorry there Sasuke, but fire's not really agreeable with me," Suigetsu smirked, securing the Kubikiri Houcho.
"Yeah, that might be a good thing this time," Sasuke replied, coughing slightly from the smoke he had inhaled during the blasts.
"Why'd they run off like that?" Karin asked, looking the least beat up of the lot, though it was two on one in her battle.
"I don't know, they clearly had the upper hand against us but they fell back for whatever reason," Sasuke replied.
"I think it's pretty obvious what happened," Itachi finally spoke, "they wanted me alone and they wanted to see the potential of the group. Since they completed their second goal and their first one failed they didn't see any reason to stay and mess with us."
"But why did they want you alone?" Sasuke asked.
"it's pretty obvious, they aren't interested in killing you, their only interest is in killing me," Itachi answered, "but that's of no matter, there's no point in hanging around here, you can leave now. I think everything is sorted out here." He prepared to leave, but Sasuke grabbed him.
"Onii-chan, I'm sorry for acting like a fool back there, but this problem I've been having lately with that thing trying to take me over has really got me on end And then when he managed to attack you with these hands, I guess I was disgusted by how weak I am, no matter how much I train, but I won't let anything like that happen again."
Itachi turned to face the younger brother, staring into his eyes, "Sasuke, my only goal is to help you. If he fully possesses you then we'll go down together, but I'll use my last breath protecting you, that is my promise."
"No, this is my problem and you're my only family left. No matter what the final solution is, you will not die with me." Sasuke spoke with such determination that Itachi knew further interjection was futile. His brother would do anything to protect those he cared about even if those he cared about would do anything for him. Itachi shrugged.
"So, now what do you propose to do, Sasuke-kun?" Itachi smirked in mocking.
"Don't ask me," Sasuke said, realizing that they were for the most part out of options besides hanging around and waiting for the second strike.
"Help me, please!" A high pitched voice screamed, and soon trampling through the forest was heard. Suddenly out of thicket of trees popped a young woman around the age of sixteen or seventeen, behind her in pursuit were three ninjas from the Hidden Grass village judging by their headbands. She was wounded, and clutching her side which was bleeding slightly, though neither Sasuke nor Itachi could get a good look at her to tell if she was any worse off. She ran directly up to Sasuke, pale blue eyes brimming with tears.
"Please help me shinobi-sama, those men they are trying to kill me!" Sasuke sighed, pulling out the Kusanagi.
"Real strong of you cowards to chase after some girl especially injuring her," Sasuke scoffed.
"Listen kid, just leave that girl and go back to your own business," one of the thugs sneered, trying to push Sasuke aside. He quickly shoved his sword into the man's gut and pulled it out, the blade lightly stained with crimson as the wound began to gush blood.
"You… little… asshole," the man grunted in effort.
"Sadao!" one of his companions yelled in horror. "Aw shit Yoichi, forget about the chick, that kid's a ruthless bastard. We gotta do somethin' about Sadao before he dies." The other member of the trio growled slightly, still looking torn between attacking Sasuke or dealing with his comrade. The other man began persisting again, "c'mon Yoichi, stop being an idiot and think about it. If this kid took down Sadao with one stab we got no chance!" Yoichi sighed, realizing that the second shinobi spoke true.
"Fine Kunio, but if I find out later that this was just your cowardly way of avoiding death then I'll slit your throat while you watch." Yoichi helped Kunio to hoist Sadao over their arms who was still protesting and claiming he was gonna kill the little shit who had done this to him. Sasuke smirked as the fools left, sheathing his sword.
"Ruthless as always Sasuke-kun," Itachi smirked, putting the kunai he had secretly been holding back into its pouch.
"Whatever," Sasuke smirked, a big elevated with the easy victory.
"Um excuse me," the girl from earlier finally spoke and Sasuke and Itachi turned to look at her, having totally forgotten that she was there. They were finally able to get a good look at the young girl and she was decent looking, perhaps a little thin with rather choppy black hair coming to her chin with a long bang piece dyed scarlet that was bound at the end. Her outfit was a bit ripped and dirty from the rough life she more than likely led and was a black t-shirt with a hood and a white skirt that appeared to made of strips of white fabric sewn together in a random arrangement almost to mimic bandages.
The two shinobi continued to look at her.
"I just wanted to say thank you for earlier."
"Whatever," Sasuke replied.
Um, my name is Mayumi," she introduced herself; however, the group was already walking off, no longer interested in the girl or what she had to say.
"Listen Sasuke, me, Juugo, and Karin are gonna go do some investigating on those Akatsuki freaks while you n' your brother here prepare for the next battle. Karin's gonna detect their chakra for us so that me and Juugo and watch 'em and find out some things since we have more force than Karin and can handle ourselves, but this is too big a job for one person. After Karin's helped us find them she will be the envoy between us, okay?" Suigetsu smirked, clearly proud of his idea and all it entailed.
"That's not a half bad idea actually," Sasuke smirked, knowing all the positives with the plan.
"Well, since we got the boss's approval, I guess we'll be on our way," Suigetsu smirked, saluting in farewell.
"Try not to miss me too much Sasuke-kun, I'll be back before you know it," Karin giggled as she joined the other two who were already far ahead of her.
"So, you've gotten rid of your comrades yet again little brother," Itachi smirked, running a hand gently down Sasuke's arm, finding the pale white hand and grasping hold of it.
"So you too noticed the many advantages to that splashed together plan of theirs?" Sasuke answered, his face growing closer to his brother's.
"Yes, all though it would be a pity if your little friends were to die," Itachi replied, feigning worry, though the amusement was all too clear upon his face.
"Don't insult the people I hand pick for my team like that. It's almost like you're saying that I'm incompetent," Sasuke whispered into Itachi's ears, his lip grazing the sensitive skin and causing him to shudder slightly.
"Um, excuse me you guys?" Sasuke hurriedly pulled away from Itachi, startled by the sudden voice. They turned and looked and it was the girl from earlier, still standing their clueless.
"I kind of introduced myself and then you kind of ignored me," she boldly continued, although still looking like she was ready to run away crying again.
"Your point is?" Sasuke answered, an eyebrow raised.
"Um, I just thought I could learn your names and um," she began to blush, "um, I wanted to employ the two of you as bodyguards possibly."
"Why in the hell would we want to be bodyguards to any-?" Itachi firmly secured a hand over his younger brother's mouth, preventing him from going on.
"Sasuke-kun, think rationally for a moment. How much money do you have? I know I spent the rest of mine buying medical supplies for your injuries the other day. Now normally this wouldn't be a problem, but since I'm currently on the Akatsuki's hit list, along with you, I don't think we'll be getting any money anytime soon. Now this girl is offering to pay us just to hang around. And once we have enough money we accidently let her get killed by whoever she's scared of,' Itachi whispered harshly into the boy's ear.
"You're a heartless and maniacal bastard," Sasuke answered, though his answer was muffled by Itachi's hand to the point of being unintelligible.
"I'm glad you agree with me about how excellent this plan is," Itachi smirked, removing his hand, "we will accept your offer."
"That's not what I said," Sasuke sighed.
"Really? I guess you'll just have to speak clearer next time," Itachi replied, walking off with a straight face but an arrogant air around him, clearly exuding that he realized his brother had said nothing supporting his plans.
"You mean it?" the girl, Mayumi, smiled, "this is so great."
"Wait just a second. My brother may be content to work for someone he has no clue about, but you can't just say you'll pay us and then give us no clue about the fees we would be receiving or what exactly it is you need help from. There's no reason for us to risk our lives for pocket change," Sasuke replied. He elbowed his brother with a scowl on his face who was about to make some objection to what he had just said.
Mayumi sighed, the smile falling, "I can tell you I can pay you quite a bit of money," she held up a large trunk, brimming with coins, "but I truly wish you would not question my history."
"Sasuke," Itachi gave his brother a stern look, but his brother just stared him down.
"Then why should we trust a charge that has no trust for us? Or are our lives nothing as long as you remain intact?"
Mayumi gave yet another sigh, "It has nothing to do with trust. But I'm out of options so I really have no choice but to tell you my story. I was born Princess Mayumi Higa from a small village in the Land of Grass, it is so small that any real ninja forces weren't allowed, they said it was to maintain the order but in truth it was a sign of subordination, that we were below the Hidden Grass Village and there was nothing we could do about it. My father's father died ten years ago, when I was only a young girl of seven and my father came into power, He had seen how his father had clung to those ideals of maintaining a lower position to the Hidden Grass Village, but why should a kingdom have to bow down to someone else?
"My father was disgusted, knowing that there was no justification for constantly being the scum under those Grass ninjas' sandals. They would demand payment for their services but would frequently use our small village as a battlefield and slaughter any innocent people who got in their way. My father was tired of the injustice and stopped paying for the shinobi of the Grass, instead forming his group of ninjas. They were barely paid as we were still struggling to overcome the economic depression the Grass Village had put us in, but no one cared as long as the rule of the thugs was over. The Village Hidden in the Grass was outraged by our refusal to pay, claiming it would be the death of our village, but they pulled out and we were left to our own devices.
"Things continued somewhat peacefully within the next few years and then that day came. Some of our shinobi had come from those of the Hidden Grass Village who had moved to escape the problems of the village. We graciously accepted them and all the jutsus they would be able to provide our native force with. Even my father had become an accomplished shinobi, probably comparable to a jounin, though he rarely saw combat. However, the Hidden Grass Village had apparently gotten wind of some mysterious things going on in our village and decided to send one of their own shinobi to infiltrate. He was a cut above all our men and no one thought a thing of his being there.
"And then that terrible day occurred. The shinobi poured into our village and our small force could do nothing to suppress them. All the former Kusagakure ninjas were hung or burned alive in front of our villagers' eyes and they were sliced in half moments later with no discrimination. My father and I were held in the castle by our old bodyguards who wouldn't let my father go no matter how much he begged and cursed them. And then the very shinobi who had betrayed us, we had no knowledge of who he was, turned to my father vowing his loyalties to death. And in that one second he drew his katana and chopped my father's head off right in front of my eyes. Blood splattered onto my face and his head rolled right in front of me, the kind eyes not even changed.
"I screamed so loud at that moment and was in such hysterics I barely know what occurred as the doors rattled and were relentlessly battered, learning later the rest of the guard had been locked out as this shinobi had been my father's personal guard. He sheathed his sword, dripping with blood, killer eyes turning to me as he spoke 'It is indeed the death of your village. But I did it not for the punishment. I did it so I could see how much blood could be spilled, so much the soil will be dyed red permanently and even the newly sprouting plants are tinted crimson. I was so outraged and scared by this madman that I picked up my father's kunai, charging towards the man.
"He grabbed my hand, twisting my wrist until it snapped and roughly forced his mouth against mine as I felt something roughly shoved down my throat and travel to my stomach. Moments later my vision became blurry and I collapsed to the ground realizing the kiss had allowed him to drug me. He slipped my kimono down to my waist and began to try having his way. I was helpless and began to fall in and out of focus, obviously induced by the drug as every touch was extra sensitive. Next thing I could really comprehend however was being more or less dragged, a cloak wrapped around me by my bodyguard telling me to get away. He soon realized though that I was useless and hid me away where I fell unconscious. I woke up the next morning confused, but unharmed save my wrist and the damage my father's 'bodyguard' had done to me, although he had never successfully raped me before my father's true bodyguards had come. That much I remember, him saying he had managed to prevent that, but continually apologizing for something.
"That morning I realized why, the man had stabbed me in my chest with my father's kunai, nearly fatally as a final sign of resistance before fighting against our shinobi. His apologies more resulted out of uncertainty for my life, although he had bandaged me up before leaving. My village was ashes, they had laid waste and everything was gone. I began to weep uncontrollably, knowing I would avenge and restore my people though there was nothing I could do at the time. The Hidden Grass Village leader knew I wasn't dead though and therefore sent out shinobi to assassinate me, when you saw me today I was being pursued for the fifth time since that day. I can elude them for a while but someone always discovers me and I can't keep running. One day I'll die at their hands, but if you help me at least until I can find someone else then I would be eternally grateful to you," she ended her story, tears streaming down her face.
Neither brother was any good with emotions nor women and therefore felt uncomfortable as she cried, not knowing what to do. Finally Sasuke spoke, "We will allow you to employ us but know the service is only for protection we have our own goals and if anything you ask conflicts with our objectives then your requests will be ignored."
"I thank you for your kind consideration I promise not to be a burden," Mayumi bowed.
"Tch, whatever," Sasuke replied, securing his sword. Itachi just shook his head at his brother's withdrawn reaction, realizing how close the two were in their misery.
"Although I hate to impose upon you two, I would like to request that we could possibly return to my homeland. My father had a sword which he said was able to split the earth and if I could acquire it and use it properly then perhaps I could ease his furious soul by slaying that terrible ninja who killed him in cold blood," Mayumi replied, still acting nervously around her new bodyguards.
"Well, we have nothing better to do so I'm sure we could accept the request of the charge this once," Itachi replied, his voice back to being stony and cold. This seemed to add to Mayumi's discomfort, knowing that even the brother she thought had a shred of kindness was no more emotional than his other brother.
"Sirs, I have not yet received your names and I was uh wond-." She began to swoon before falling unconscious, Sasuke just catching her.
"Bravo little brother," Itachi praised. Sasuke ignored his remark, laying the girl down. "Sasuke-kun." He walked behind his brother, spinning him around and looking into the cold black eyes. He brought his hand up to his cheek and began to gently stroke the skin. He pulled his brother closer, entwining his fingers into his hair. "How I thought I would never get to embrace this flesh which is the only able to entice me." He linked one hand with his brother's, pressing his palm against the smooth ivory skin. He gently pressed his lips to his younger brother's, and then broke away, before repeating the gesture, but holding back his desires.
"So many girls chase after this exquisite body and face of yours, as I'm sure just as many men lust after you, though they keep their feelings in check. And yet I'm the only one able to possess you, tainting your innocence with my dirty hands and even dirtier urges. We're breaking the most taboo and yet you always silently accept it." In answer to his brother's words, Sasuke stopped his brother, pressing his mouth against his brother's and using his tongue to force entry, proving that these weren't one sided desires. Itachi regain his fierce persona and roughly began kissing the boy in return, pinning him to a tree as he continued to caress and kiss Sasuke. He let his hand slide up the youth's shirt, feeling the toned stomach, which began to tighten under his touch and Sasuke shuddered.
"Don't worry Sasu-chan, I won't do anything to humiliate you," Itachi whispered into his brother's ear, who felt his face flush as he realized how he was subservient to Itachi's whims, especially. Itachi continued to caress Sasuke, moving now up and down his arm as he began to kiss the younger boy's fingers. Seeing his brother beginning to get uncomfortable he pulled away.
Sasuke opened his mouth and was just about to say something when there was a stirring heard and the brothers looked over to see Mayumi stretching.
"I am truly sorry for losing consciousness like that, I guess I lost a bit more blood than I thought I had," she smiled slightly, cringing as she stood up. "Now, I don't believe we were ever formally acquainted, although as you know I am Mayumi Higa but I never learned who my saviors were." She smiled, her hands folded in front of her.
"I'm Sasuke Uchiha."
"And I am Itachi Uchiha."
Both the brothers spoke flatly in turn, disappointed in some ways that Mayumi had woken up, but at the same time it had rid them of the awkward moment.
Mayumi clasped her hands over her mouth, "the S-ranked criminals from Konoha?" Sasuke gripped the hilt of his sword, ready to draw it in a moment and Itachi quickly slid a kunai into his hand, ready for the attack. "I realize that what happened there has really nothing to do with my village, but I must be fated to bad fortune for such reprobates to be my guards. But our contract has already been made and the charge should also remain loyal no matter what." Sasuke dropped his grip on his sword and Itachi put away his kunai.
"We better go if you wish to return to your village, but you'll have to direct us as to where it is," Sasuke directed Mayumi, who nodded.
"Okay then, follow me," with that she took off into the forest with speed and agility one wouldn't expect of a royally borne girl.
"For now we must protect this girl with our lives, but if she ever does anything to jeopardize us then we'll simply kill her. Besides, this arrangement is only temporary until we can find some foolish shinobi to take on the job," Itachi muttered to Sasuke as they followed their charge. Sasuke didn't reply, but felt some of his uneasiness of the whole situation recede as he realized that his brother was telling the truth. The continued to travel for several hours before they came upon a small town nestled in the long empty plains of the region.
"The journey is a long one, at least two days by foot and it's getting late so I thought we could rest before setting off fresh tomorrow and arriving by nightfall." Both boys cringed, hating to rest, but realized that the girl wouldn't last if they kept at their current rate. They walked quietly through the village, checking into an inn and unloading their things. "I'll prepare us some tea." Mayumi smiled, leaving into the next room.
"Well, this is rather annoying," Sasuke sighed, stretching out onto the bed, crossing his arms behind his head. The room was quaint and well furnished, with classic landscapes decorating the wall, but was for the most part a plain room.
"It's not so bad to take one day to rest," Itachi sat next to the boy, lightly stroking his hair.
"Yes, but every moment we spend idly laying here Madara gets one step ahead of us."
"The tea is ready!" Mayumi smiled, walking into the room, carrying a tray of glasses, first handing one to Itachi and then to Sasuke. "Let's drink to our long health." All three shinobi took a drink of their tea and set the cup down. "Let's explore this town, this will be our only night here!" Mayumi suggested and both brothers got up to follow her out of the hotel. She dragged them around to various knick knack shops, stopping for a moment although she never purchased any of the odd decorations each store sold.
"Oh, isn't this lovely?" she smiled, pointing towards a ceramic cat which the next moment shattered into a thousand pieces. Both shinobi tensed up, on high alert for whatever was waiting.
"What the hell?" Sasuke muttered, picking up a stray senbon.
"Watch it," Itachi yelled, roughly pushing Sasuke out of the way as a whole collection of senbon were next thrown, barely missing the shinobi as they shattered all the glass objects directly behind them.
"Oh good job! When my comrades told me that skilled shinobi were guarding our precious Mayumi-hime, I thought they were just lessening their defeat. But you two truly are skilled!" An odd young man applauded. He had spiky and unevenly cut electric blue hair, piercing golden eyes, and an odd tattoo, surrounding his right eye, of daggers appearing to pierce it. "But I too am quite skilled," he smiled, throwing four more senbon at the two shinobi.
"Impressive indeed!" He laughed as Sasuke blocked a large sword with his own katana, "but I have more tricks up my sleeve than what meet the eye," after saying this he immediately closed his own eye, placing a hand to it. He rushed Sasuke once more, who blocked each attack, blow for blow. It seemed the odd shinobi's actions had done little in the way of any of his skills.
"Shit," Sasuke winced through gritted teeth as he felt something slice through his shoulder, though the ninja's sword had still failed to attack him. Odder still, out of the side of the odd man's arm blood trickled out from a thin gash that he knew hadn't been there a minute ago.
"Oh, so puzzled aren't you," the shinobi smirked, although his grin soon faded as Sasuke managed a deep slice into his stomach.
"Teme!" the ninja howled, rematching Sasuke in combat even as the blood spilled from his gut. Odd wounds, fairly deep, kept appearing on Sasuke's body though the shinobi never quite got through his defenses and was more or less inept at sword's play.
"Little brother, don't you think it's about time you allowed a true shinobi to finish this up?" Itachi sighed, snapping the other shinobi's wrist as he forced it behind his back in one quick movement. "It would seem our little friend here possesses an interesting ability." With that he dug a kunai into the man's shoulder, making a harsh metallic scraping sound as though two metal objects were scraping together. He pulled up a metal blade, covered in blood and roughly pulled it out, causing the man to shriek in pain.
"Do you want me to take out the other ones?" Itachi smirked, a blank look in his eyes.
"Stop!" Mayumi screamed, tears streaming down her face, "that's Taro!"
"So you remembered," the young man, Taro sadly smiled, "I'm so sorry princess," a small tear streamed down his face before he coughed out a chunk of blood, his back arched, as out of his throat a blade shoved out.
"Taro!" Mayumi shrieked, wildly sobbing.
"The young man in the end made sure to keep himself in check by having that blade placed in the back of his neck at the same time of all the others. But when he was ordered to kill someone he cared deeply about he couldn't bring himself to say no, so in shame at what he had done, he killed himself to protect the princess who recognized him and protected him anyway," Itachi sighed, pouching his kunai.
"Taro," Mayumi cried, clutching his bleeding body, "that man will pay for hurting those who I've loved, he will pay for betraying and killing my family, and I will not allow this to happen again."
A/N: Alright, this chapter wasn't the best, and I really didn't want to add Mayumi, but who knows, this may be interesting for a while. But I have my plans for her so you'll see how things go. But I'll try to make the next one (whenever that is, dear god it keeps taking longer and longer) more romance oriented between Sasuke and Itachi and I have some ideas which I'm hoping will turn out good. So until next time!