Sorry for being late! I was in a rush and so there might be more mistakes in this than usual. I hope you'll enjoy it anyway. As a compensation, this is my longest chapter yet: 4700words! + A little explanation about my RL at the end of the chapter! Enjoy!
Chapter 10
Losing yourself
Last time:
"So", Naruto smirked at him. "What an honor to finally meet you again, Orochimaru."
The other ninja's eyes went wide. "You're more perceptive than you let on, Jinchuuriki. Tell me, what did alarm you of my presence? I thought I had impersonated that emotionless tool quite well."
"That's where you're wrong. Sai hides his emotions well, but they are always there." He smiled wryly. "Besides, your chakra signature reeks."
"You are wrong as well, Uzumaki. Orochimaru-sama is still back home, awaiting my return. Don't look so disappointed, I will take you to him, soon enough." With a pop, the henge was gone and Kabuto stood before Naruto. "You!", he hissed.
"Me, indeed. Will you come of your own will, Uzumaki, or do I have to use force?"
Kabuto couldn't believe his luck. When Orochimaru had sent him to secure the base and its research from evaders, he hadn't expected to stumble upon Konoha's Jinchuuriki! And then the clueless boy insisted on burning the research instead of stealing it, too! What an idiot, but a welcome one of course. Now he had a chance to prove to Orochimaru just how useful he was and why he was continuously entrusted with missions for his Master.
One tail was already sprouting from the blonde's hateful gaze. Quickly, Kabuto jumped back to get some distance between them.
Their spies had informed Orochimaru of the hospital incident a little over a year ago, where the Jinchuuriki had wreaked havoc and lost control over the Kyuubi. He wasn't able to control his emotions, thus the disaster. If he could get the shinobi to lose control, he could probably shorten this fight.
'He still doesn't have perfect control over the chakra. So I just have to rile him up a bit.' He'd just stretch the truth a bit to anger him!
"I bet Sasuke will be happy to see you again when you return with me to HQ. I bet he'll even let you join him and Orochimaru in bed. Nothing better than an alternation to keep things exciting, right?"
A growl emitted from the feral shinobi. Five clones appeared by his side, forming three simultaneous Rasengans. It was easy to avoid them, and Kabuto already had a taunt on his tongue, when another clone attacked with a kunai from below. His fast instincts let him answer in kind and he promptly used a fire jutsu back.
The Uzumaki grinned wickedly before sending a hugely overpowered water dragon jutsu his way. Letting earthen pillars sprout from all over the floor, he created some ground to stand on.
'Perfectly predictable', Kabuto was amused. Overpowering that water jutsu, unbeknown to Naruto, had helped Kabuto tremendously. Now he didn't need to waste chakra to conjure water for his next attack. "Water release: swirling prison!"
The Kyuubi was trapped in a water bubble, to which he quickly added lightning-based chakra. After a few seconds of electrocution, he would be unconscious and ready to be gift-wrapped for Orochimaru-sama.
Only then, the water exploded into steam all around him and promptly burned his skin upon contact. He hissed and jumped back.
"So you did learn something", the older ninja smiled. "I was worried you hadn't improved since the Chunin exams. After all that progress that Sasuke made, I had high hopes…"
"You want a power-up?" The Jinchuuriki's eyes glinted and tilted into a red-orange color as yet another two tails grew. "I will defeat you and then you will tell me everything you know about Sasuke's whereabouts and the snake-bastard's plans with him!"
"You can try. But... do you think Sasuke would return to a monster like you? After all, you were the main reason he ran away..." Kabuto laughed as he charged again, this time throwing shuriken to distract the blonde for the fracture of a moment. He meant the words purely as a distraction, but couldn't help but wonder if they didn't actually have a truth to them. Sasuke surely wouldn't return to this delusional fool. He could, however, reunite them and deliver Naruto to Orochimaru. Really, his opponent should be grateful to get his wish granted. Inwardly he laughed. Now he just had to defeat him fast before the other Root shinobi showed up. It was well known that the Jinchuuriki had one big weakness: Genjutsu. If he could throw him off even a bit, this battle would be over instantly.
In hindsight, the riling-up-part had been a terrible idea of him. Kabuto would freely admit this. 'Maybe I did underestimate his skills and the power of the Kyuubi a little too much... but this won't happen again. At least I have valuable information to report. To think that Sasuke Uchiha still holds such power over his emotions… Orochimaru will be interested to hear this.' Now he only needed to get the hell out of this base and never ever attack a feral Jinchuuriki all by himself. But how to escape? Looking around he noticed just how much chaos the other left behind. All around him lay rubble and the remains of the door lay shattered before him. He noted to never ever make a Jinchuuriki angry again and leaped up to dodge another barrage of attacks. At least his wounds healed fast, so he never stayed incapacitated too long. Suddenly, he felt yet another chakra signature approach and fast at that. Maybe that would create an opening? Immediately he reassumed his special henge as Sai. The new arrival could be useful as distraction and ally. With the healing properties of his chakra, he had also experimented with a way to make the henge undetectable. No one besides very strong sensors or someone with the Sharingan was able to see through it, so he could definitely use it against some unsuspecting 'squad members'.
A black haired, small figure entered the room.
"Help, quickly. Naruto's lost it!" he shouted at the newcomer.
The young ninja approached, mask missing just like his own that had been lost in the battle. He narrowed his eyes and dodged quickly as the small ninja threw a barrage of shuriken at him. With a replacement technique, he barely got out of harm's way. Or so he thought. Blood spilled from his gut, where the other's kunai twisted. "You're not Sai", the voice stated it as simple fact and the kunai twisted again.
"Where is he?" Kabuto coughed up blood before he replied.
"I think there is another more pressing matter to attend to."
He created a water shield for him just in time to protect him against another ferocious wind jutsu. Obviously, the Jinchuriki hadn't forgotten him. Quickly, he mixed earth chakra to the water created several mud clones. The others didn't seem fazed, though.
"Come out and play, Ka-bu-to!" A harsh kick to his side and he smashed into the wall painfully and then fell face down into the mud.
"Turn back now Naruto", the black haired ninja ordered as he, too, had to dodge an attack.
For a reply he got a furious growl, then a huge chakra blast followed and smashed into both him and Kabuto, even though they were quite a few meters apart.
"Damn it, snap out of it!"
Naruto was already gone, quite obviously so, seeing as he was sprouting four tails now. He couldn't tell apart friend and foe, which would work to Kabuto's favor. He himself was weakened now and needed some time to recuperate before he could escape. The other ninja didn't know of his regenerating skills and wouldn't count on him being able to escape. Amidst the chaos, he could extract himself nicely.
Right then three new shinobi stormed into the hall. Kinoe, the wood user, then a girl and to his surprise, the real Sai. It took them a tiny moment to assess the situation before they hurried to help the youngest ninja.
"Odachi! What has happened?", the girl shouted, as their leader already spread wooden shackles to contain the Kyuubi.
"He has totally lost it. One of Orochimaru's henchmen riled him up and he doesn't recognize me anymore!"
"Shit and Sumi is still out cold!", Sai was angry. "I don't know any chakra containment seals!"
Kinoe's wood tightened around the angry Jinchuuriki who blasted the shackles away, filling the air with splinters. A wave of wind chakra was thrown their way, forcing the team to split up.
"If you can contain him for a minute I can try to project my mind into his", the girl shouted over the noise of blazing chakra. It was a stupid plan; after all the beast was already fully undone with eight tails pounding anything on their way into the ground.
Sai ran up to meet the Kyuubi's claws with his sword, trying to distract it, while the others formed a plan. Their Taijutsu exchange was harsh and fast, not stopping a beat.
Then Odachi joined in, blurring and sweeping, using every opening to a cruel perfection. They managed to hit the fox boy. But that didn't matter. In seconds, any damage inflicted was healed. Finally, their taicho gave the signal and they jumped back from the raging demon who was tightly being wrapped into layer upon layer of wood. The girl was shielded by the remaining two as she stood perfectly still, deeply concentrating. Seconds ticked off and the debris settled. All of a sudden, an agonizing scream from the girl warned them before huge red chakra balls tore through the wood like a knife through butter.
The beast moved. In the blink of an eye, it was in front of the unconscious girl, claw striking out. Just as it was about to impact, a black blur appeared to shield her.
The youngest shinobi stood, an angry chakra claw deeply embedded in his abdomen, holding the beast's arm tightly. His breathing was ragged, but the grip didn't let go. Suddenly, Odachi's eyes started spinning, turning red while at it. He met the almost fully transformed Kyuubi's eyes and everything stilled for a moment. No one dared to move.
A minute later, the tails disappeared one by one and both ninjas fell to the ground, unconscious.
With a last look back, Kabuto transformed the ground around him into a tunnel and slipped away, right as angry shouts got to his ear. He laughed, despite the pain it caused in his lungs. They could try all they wanted to chase him. But he alone knew the secret escape routes built into this base inside out. They would never catch up!
When Odachi awoke, he was instantly aware of all things around him. His squad members sat around a makeshift camp. He was lying a little bit to the side of where Kinoe-taichou and Naruto were arguing rather heatedly.
"I was going to take the full blame anyway!"
"You don't know how you're signing up for, Naruto. See reason! Kabuto is the perfect cover story for the lost research."
"Oh yeah? And how will you explain Danzo that NINE of his elite could not take on ONE measly Orochimaru follower? He will punish all of you and that won't help anyone."
The leader took that in and opened his mouth, but shut it again as Naruto spoke.
"Look, I can just say that when I saw the experiments, I flipped. And in my rage, you tried to contain me and we broke the base."
"You don't even plan on mentioning Kabuto. Why? You simply met and fought him, before any of us could help you."
Naruto shook his head tiredly. "If Danzo finds out that it's because of Kabuto, then he might never assign me to missions for Orochimaru again. And I need to go on these missions! They are the whole reason I agreed to this deal to work for Danzo."
"What do you mean?"
"I need to get Sasuke Uchiha back to the village. And for that Danzo would leave the missions surrounding Orochimaru to me. If he thinks that I can't take on any of his underlings, he won't endanger his precious Kyuubi by letting me fight more of them. But I need to go on those missions!"
"I see."
"You're doing this for the Uchiha?", Odachi tried to sit up, but the wound in his belly hurt too bad, so he stopped.
"Sasuke will be happy to hear that he has family left", Naruto grinned as he plopped down next to him. "So, you awakened the Sharingan? Congratulations!" He nudged his shoulder. "And thank you for bringing me back. I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't been there… I owe you!"
"We owe you, too!", Naginata shouted from the other side of the campfire. Shuko laughed good-naturedly. "To think that there was an almighty Uchiha in our midst, no wonder we're the most awesome squad!"
"About that, if you keep this amongst yourselves, I consider your debt repaid." Shuko raised an eyebrow. "What? You don't want to boast at camp? Get into Danzo's good graces?"
"I'd rather keep my eyes", Odachi snarled and regretted it instantly. "I just don't want Danzo-sama to find out right away. Do we have a deal or not?"
"Of course", Naruto said instantly. "And just so you know, I don't consider the debt repaid. If there is anything you ever need me for, I will be there."
"You really need to work on your emotional control Naruto", Sai chided. "Had you not exploded like that Kabuto would be dead and we'd have a legit excuse for this mishap."
"I know, I am sorry."
"Good. Then let's rest. There is still some time before the sun rises." Kinoe chimed in and everyone was happy to comply. Naruto prayed to whatever deity would hear him that Danzo wouldn't find out. He was somewhat safe from backlash from Danzo, but the others did not have the Hokage's support, nor the Kyuubi in them to heal critical wounds. He hoped with all of his being that he had not just condemned his friends, his comrades to Danzo's wrath. Especially Odachi was in a vulnerable position right now. Understandably, he didn't want to become a focus of interest for Danzo. But what did he mean with keeping his eyes? Just what was he implying? Yet another puzzle to add to the Uchiha category...
After laying awake for way too long, he sat up. Sleep wouldn't come to him, tonight. It was rather pointless to lay around. With a nod to Shugo, who was keeping watch first, he turned and left for a walk in the forest. He needed to space, to breathe, to contemplate, to vent frustration and get rid of his ever-present guilt. And he needed it fast.
After a tiring day of espionage at Akatsuki, Itachi found himself in a questionable company in the woods back in the fire country. He didn't know where his partner Kisame had run off to and he was glad for it. How would he explain the casual chatting with the Jinchuuriki? It was rather odd, how the blond had just suddenly turned up at his fire, with narrowed eyes but weapons stashed away. He seemed deeply troubled though. For a second Itachi had considered a dream or a genjutsu, but that was even more unlikely than really meeting Naruto this night. So he dismissed the thought and paid more attention to his guest.
Despite himself, Itachi shuffled a little closer and looked at the other.
"I hadn't thought we'd meet again", 'at all', he thought but said, "this soon."
Naruto laughed shallowly, "if I didn't know better, I'd say I got myself a stalker, Itachi."
Itachi didn't dignify that with a comment.
"How is the little baby you rescued?"
"The child we rescued should be safe, but I haven't checked up on him." Itachi hadn't expected the credit but he appreciated it nonetheless.
Naruto's face was quite bitter, eyes haunted. What could that be about? "You look worse than the last time," he said pointedly, though just managing to conceal the concern in his voice.
"Well, my day has been an emotional Tsunami so meeting you isn't the worst thing that could happen. Actually, it's a welcome distraction."
Itachi just hummed. Root missions were never easy, he knew. What was strange was that Itachi actually wanted to consolidate Naruto, to help him overcome whatever had caused his distress.
'Yet again he is sitting here next to his enemy and not attacking me or even being openly distrusting. But then again, I don't understand myself, how could I possibly understand someone like him?'
"What, you are not going to ask me about it?" That snapped Itachi out of it. He needed to pay better attention. What was going on with his mind, why was he not his usual smart, calculating self? Situations like this could get him killed in the field.
"Do you want to talk about it?" His face a careful mask, not betraying his curiosity and concern.
"Depends..."
"On what?"
"Itachi, I want you to answer me truthfully. I need to know before I tell you."
Itachi wanted to snarl, to decline, he'd never spill his secrets, but then his black eyes met the brilliant blue of Naruto. So trusting, almost pleading, and daring a Sharingan user to defy him. He swallowed, the first sign of discomfort he slipped.
"Ask then."
"Itachi, do you still care about your brother?"
Itachi blinked. That had not been the question he expected. He though Naruto was about to question him about the Uchiha massacre, but apparently, he was more obsessed with his little brother than some evil truth. Lucky.
"Yes." One word and it made all the difference it seemed. Naruto visibly relaxed but just a moment later he tensed up even more.
"I have been wondering about this... I am sure you know that Orochimaru has taken Sasuke."
"As an apprentice, yes." Itachi knew that already. Of course, he knew.
"Then you know that Orochimaru wants to use him as a vessel, right?"
"Since he can't have my body, he latched onto the next best thing, I am aware. My foolish little brother followed Orochimaru to become stronger, which is something I cannot condemn."
"What?", Naruto seemed outraged and stood up. "You little brother is in his slimy snaky grasp and you do nothing? Do you even know what kind of danger he is in?"
"It is good training for him. People will always be onto him for being the last Uchiha and carrying the Sharingan." Naruto's eyes widened in shock and Itachi realized what he had just said. Another slip. Nobody knew about his certain death in the near future and that should damn well remain this way.
Naruto spoke up, interrupting his thoughts. "In another year Orochimaru will take over Sasuke's body unless someone does something about this. You get that, don't you?"
Itachi was glad that Naruto couldn't make sense of his slip up.
"Well, a lot can happen in a year."
'Sasuke can defeat me and gain my eyes to defeat Orochimaru. They will definitely be a power boost.' He inwardly smiled, for he really was good t deceiving people. It was his greatest skill.
"Nothing will happen unless we do something about it." Naruto leaned down toward him, an intense look scrutinizing his features.
"My brother should be capable of handling the situation by himself. I have different obligations."
Naruto grew very still and his eyes were clouded. After a painfully quiet minute that felt like a small eternity, he bit down hard and resolve was blazing in his eyes.
"Do you have any idea, what Sasuke must be suffering through? Is there not any compassion left in you?" Quickly, before Itachi could counter, Naruto spoke again. "The reason I went along with Danzo's training and became enslaved to Root was so that I could help Sasuke. It's for him that I'm going through all this shit, struggling with my morals, struggling to remain myself and not crippled out of my emotions. I don't want to become emotionless."
"It's easier", Itachi murmured quietly and averted his eyes.
"Bullshit. You don't believe that yourself, you bastard. It's your fault that Sasuke has become like this! Look at me damn it!"
Itachi wanted to argue, to yell at him that he did what was best at the time. But the secret had been kept inside for too long. He wouldn
't lose control of it now. So, instead, he agreed.
"Yes, it is my fault. Yet Sasuke is still his own person. He could have found power in another way."
"Not with a fucking cursed seal on him that prevents him from seeing reason!"
"He needs to learn how to control his emotions", he said intently, "and so do you."
Naruto realized that he had begun flaring chakra and stared at the ground, embarrassed. Itachi thought the argument would be over now and that the blond ninja was sufficiently distracted now. Again, he had underestimated Naruto.
"I don't believe you."
Itachi sucked in a sharp breath, which Naruto delightedly noticed. "Having your brother as my teammate taught me a thing or two about how you Uchihas hide your emotions. And you even admitted it yourself that you care about him. So why are you so reluctant to rescue him from a situation that might well kill him?"
Itachi laughed. "He won't die."
Naruto angrily threw up his arms in the air. "What the hell is wrong with you?"
He looked into the distance and took a deep breath. "You asked me a question and I answered truthfully. Will you grant me the same?"
Naruto raised an eyebrow, waiting.
"Why are you so concerned with Sasuke? He abandoned you, he fought and hurt you. Why are you doing so much for his sake?"
The blond ninja above him hesitated and sighed. His words came out quietly and Itachi thought that maybe he misheard. This couldn't be true. "I love him. Or at least before he went away... He doesn't feel the same way about me though, he told me. You know it's probably better too, if he wants to restore the Uchiha clan." Blue eyes looked up at him, sadly and shining with a kind of devotion that assured him of the genuity of this claim. Crazy and ridiculous and yet Itachi couldn't help the tiny jealous sting in his heart. He was stunned, absolutely baffled. So Sasuke had willingly hurt his best friend even deeper and the betrayal just turned even worse. How could he have turned his sweet innocent brother into such a hateful creature? Not returning feelings was one thing, but to go out of his way to trample all over them was another level entirely.
Apparently, his thoughts had taken him too far away and Naruto scoffed. "What? No big brother speech for me?"
"It seems like you don't need one."
Naruto winced. Ouch. That comment was harsher than he had wanted to make it. "I see why you are so determined to get him back now. And maybe he'll change his mind eventually. He is young still." Itachi gave him a small smile and it was Naruto's turn to be baffled. Konoha's most insane missing-nin was comforting him. How crazy could this day get?
"He doesn't need to. I understand. If he can't love me back, I'll accept it. But Konoha is still his home and many people care about him there. Not to mention how people want to use him for their own goals as if his well-being didn't matter. Well, it matters to me! And I will help him, even if he doesn't see the reality of his situation yet. Even if he won't be grateful or will even resent me for that."
Itachi couldn't help but admire him for his determination and his ideals. Still, in a world like theirs, this kind of attitude was dangerous. Not to say idiotic and impossible."You are too altruistic."
"What do you mean by that?"
"It's dangerous to put someone else's interest above your own or even that of an organization. They'll walk all over you if they get the chance."
Naruto narrowed his eyes. "Are you speaking from experience?"
"Who knows?" Man, he had said too much, yet again. Would he never learn? Did he want the blond to learn the truth about the massacre? Absolutely not. Never. That was the one accomplishment of his worthless life. He wouldn't just lose this because of an irrational desire to let him in, to let him know the trust.
Naruto sighed and turned to the distance. Dawn was upon them. "I stayed away too long. I need to get back to camp."
Itachi nodded, trying to contain his troubled mind.
"I will help Sasuke, Itachi. And maybe, when the time comes, you'll find it in yourself to help right what you wronged." Then, he smiled at him, a small smile, but genuine and it stirred something in Itachi's abdomen. "It was nice... talking to you."
Itachi nodded, even though he was confused. Why must Naruto be such an enigma? When the other ninja had left, Itachi sighed. How weird, to meet here like this, to contemplate the past and present, to talk without much hostility. And to think that Naruto loved his little brother. And how foolish of himself to find so much importance in insignificant information like this. Soon he'd be gone anyway. Yet... he wondered if Naruto would care about his death. If they'd grown up together, would Naruto have tried to bring him back, too? Would he be determined to help Itachi? And another point that this encounter had brought up: Sasuke had always been his centre of concern. Yet all of Itachi's actions contradicted that, with every step he was hurting his little brother more. All under the pretense of making him stronger, of keeping himself. Who was he kidding? He accomplished the opposite of what he wanted. When had he gone astray? When had his methods destroyed his carefully laid plans? He had lost himself and his hopes and dreams along the way. Of course, there was no way back now. Still, he longed for a way to make it up to him, to atone for what he had done. And the strange feeling in his gut was pointing at Naruto as a start...
Itachi didn't know why these doubts about the past and future came now of all times, nor what they meant. But one thing was for sure: They were fucking annoying.
Soooo...the Uchiha aren't extinct! Honestly, if I were Danzo, I would have spared all the young children during the massacre and taken them under my wing... I mean why waste the potential?
I have an unfortunate announcement: Until now I managed to post once a week, usually on time, and that's because I had most scenes prewritten during Christmas break. Now I've run out and coincidentally my university exams are coming up. To make it short: I'm sorry I won't be able to post until the end of March, but life is just too busy at the moment. But that also means another thing: I have the basic plot down, but if you have any ideas as to how you'd like this fanfiction to progress, please feel free to share them. I might just add them ;) One thing that's certain though, Itachi will have more coverage and more Itanaru scenes too!
See you late March!
PS. I love reviews they motivate me - 'hint, hint'