Hello everyone, welcome to the TN:RFAD special. i called it that since it's the longest chapter i ever written for the entire Taiyoukagure ninjas saga. So you all make sure that all of this is taking place after chasing Itachi part in the manga chapter 365 and we will return to the Naruto timeline next chapter. There read on my good friends and readers.
Chapter Cover: A broken mirror with Payne on the left piece, Jack in the middle piece and Sava on the last piece.
CHAPTER FOURTY-THREE
Breaking Aparts
"It seems that Jack had went overboard somewhere in Taki country," an Elder said with a deep voice, "Our intel tells me that he almost went to second stage."
"Loredia is weak in mind," another Elder said, "She know the truth about the boy and yet she had let him train in the Youkai Arts."
"What should we do?" the sweaky voiced Elder said.
"From this moment, Jack is deactivated as a member of this organization, and he is to be hunted and killed."
"That might not seat to well with the rest of the Organization," Second Elder said.
"I will announce the news to Loredia," Deep-voiced Elder said, "Summon her."
Loredia was walking toward the Council chamber in anger wondering what is going on right now and on the way she met Poison.
"Loredia-sama," Poison said kneeling.
"Jack has used his Youkai form again," Loredia said, "It seems the Elders are going to deactivate him. Poison, should the worse happen, I need you to make contact with Soya, she need to know what is going on in DC."
"How I will be able to find her?" Poison said.
"I felt her Youkai in the area of Kusa (Grass) Country, she might be using one of her old hideouts" Loredia said, "Jack's days are numbered and as far as I know, he had almost crossed to the second stage of his transformation…"
"Why are the Elders thinking?" Poison said, "Jack is the only one that can stand against Morsochi is he is awoken again…"
"I know," Loredia said, "this is one of the reasons why I need you to find Soya as soon as possible. We might need her help to break Jack out of whatever genjutsu that had been placed upon him."
"Understood," Poison said.
"Midnight will be coming with you," Loredia said, "she is the only one who is able to communicate with me if you found her, go now."
Poison nodded and went to find Midnight.
Loredia continued toward The Elders room and entered.
"I'm sure you're aware of why we've summoned you here," Deep-voiced Elder said.
"Yes."
"We have warned you before," Second one said, "We have told you not long ago that if it happened again we will take control of the situation."
"Jack hadn't done it willingly," Loredia said, "He was controlled under a very powerful genjutsu, and I believe our best hope is to go for Soya's help."
"That woman had disgraced our teachings," Squeaky-voice Elder said, "We will have no help with her whatsoever. This matter concerns our organization and so it will stay."
"Soya only wanted Jack to become one of us," Loredia said, trying to keep her anger out of her voice, "It was under her orders while she was still a part of the organization that Poi…I mean, Teresa-san had trained Jack for the past two years. I believe the rules said to honor a DC warrior's request, no matter what."
"We know of the rules Loredia," Deep-voiced member said, "We wrote them when the Organization was first created, but you must see that if the Shinobi nation got hold of what Jack really is, it might disrupt the already fragile balance between our world and the Youkai world. Since our barriers are much guarded now, we've had lesser Youkai contact over the past two years, unless you count the recent incidents in both Bird Country and Taki Country."
"I know this but,…"
"That is me and my fellows Elders had decided to deactivate him as a precaution our base is not found," Deep-voice continued, "And also that his memory to be wipped out of ever coming to this place."
"If you do this," Loredia said, "You will cause greater damage than what had happened at Bird and Waterfall (Taki) Country. Jack had went to the second stage before, long before he become a shinobi and Taiyoukagure had payed the price. If you had decided to take him since then and trained him, we might have changed some of the events that had taken place."
"That incident was taken care of," a third voice said, "The Yodaime Taiyoukage Armstrong Suhang had used his Double-Mind seal in hope to keep the Youkai away but it was a foolish and futile attempt."
"Which is why we need Soya's help right now," Loredia said, "She might be the only one able to break that genjutsu he is under."
"How strong is the genjutsu?" Deep-voiced asked.
"Strong enough to control a fully awoken Youkai," Loredia said, "and if I'm not mistaken, it was the same genjutsu used on the Nine-Tails Fox when it attacked Konohagakure."
"This was a natural event," Third Voice said, "Konoha had gotten control of it no,"
"No one can control that beast," Squeaky voice said, "and even if such a person exists, we might have to kill him."
Loredia frowned slightly. Jack had never told them who was really the leader of the Akatsuki and he had only said that he was going to stop their plans and Soya.
"Loredia-san," a fourth voice said, "You are making a good point, and I believe that the rest should hold Jack's hunt because DC will be in need of such a weapon if another Youkai Lord had come to our world, if we killed him we will lose it."
"What are you saying?"
"I'm saying," Fourth voice continued, "To let these events unfold by themselves without our interference."
A number of surprised noises went through the room and Loredia scowled at the man.
"Over the years I've seen things," Fourth voice continued, "and our interferences are disrupting the balance even more. As you say Elder Han, this is the Shinobi Ages, let's the shinobies took care of it."
"But," Deep-voiced, Han started.
"Jack is part of the Shinobi era," Fourth voice said, "If anyone could take care of his own mess, it's that boy. We have interfered enough with shinobies affairs. Our job is to take care of Youkais and Youkais only and Jack is a shinobi from Taiyoukagure."
"Well," Han said in his deep voice looking around, "Is that how the rest of the Elders feels…?"
Fifth and Six nodded.
"So it's a tied," Han sighed, "Since it is custom if it is a tied, we will go with the Head of DC's decision, we will go with your part of the argument Loredia-sama, whatever happens will be your responsibility."
Loredia inwardly smilled to herself at the win, and she had just saved Jack from getting killed and let's hope the other side of her plan works.
&&&
In a dark chamber two people materialized out of nowhere both of them carrying a unconscious woman on their shoulders as Pein and Konan walked toward them.
"Two-Tails Demon Cat," Madara said, "and the Seven-Tailed Hornet Beetle, we need to sealed them now."
Pein summoned the creature and they started on the sealing of the Two-Tails and Jack just stood there as he watched the bluish chakra seeped from her mouth and eyes as she groaned…
Traitor.
The dark voice in his head whispered the word into his head as a lump grew in his troath, chocking him. He hated that feeling.
That loneliness
You betrayed her, just as you betrayed your village.
No, I…
You're weak.
No…
You don't have enough power yet.
No…
You're just standing there watching them killing her, and you're doing nothing. You're just a weakling.
Jack tried to block out the voice in his head but it becomes more persistent.
Traitor, Murderer, Weakling, Monster…
Stop it.
A flashback came into his mind, seeing himself standing there as the villagers of Taiyoukagure glared at him with hatred in their eyes.
Monster.
Claire-sensei, Payne and Sava were all looking at him with the same looks of hatred and dislike.
I'm sorry.
Traitor.
I'm sorry…everyone.
"You betrayed us because of your hatred," Claire said, "and to think I believed that you could have become Taiyoukage."
Jack's mouth worked but no words came out as it become harder to draw breath…
"It's because of you our village was destroyed traitor," Sava yelled at him.
I…
"You disappointed me Jack," Payne said, her face stoic as ever, but in her eyes there were no respect, just hatred.
I'm sorry, I…
A familiar voice echoed through his mind, musical-like.
It's not over yet Jack Haruno,
I…
It's not over.
Then everything faded into darkness…
&&&
"Can you locate her yet?" Poison asked the small woman beside her.
Midnight looked toward her narrowing her eyes at her, "I have a lock on her location. She seemed to have stopped."
"Does she know we are coming?" Poison asked.
"I can't tell from this distance," Midnight said.
The two continued their tracks in silence as Poison feel some nervous excitement coming through her body. This will be her first meeting with her master in seven years. Part of her wanted to try to convince Soya to join them again, but the other was wondering if Soya would fight with them…
No, Jack is in danger, she must find a way to take him away from Akatsuki.
But what if she doesn't? What if she refused them then what, do we force her to do it?
"There she is," Midnight suddenly yelled.
They landed on the ground were two people were already there. One of them was a man with dark hair and green eyes looking at them curiously and the woman turned around, looking at them with her lone amber eye.
"Hello, Teresa," she said.
"You know them," the man said.
"Yes," Soya said, "They are part of my old organization. You're not here to kill me are you?"
"Soya-sama," Poison said.
"We are asking you for your help," Midnight said.
"How about we go inside," Soya said raising a hand toward the old house not far away from them, "You can tell me what you want there."
The group walked toward the house and they entered it. It was well taken care of with candles lightening everywhere in the room and the triangular eye of the Haruno clan was designed on the floor. They were a table in the middle of the house and Soya was already seating at it, lighting the candle.
"Please take a seat," she said, "Trent could you make us some of that delicious tea."
Trent grinned from ear to ear, "Love to."
He left the tree womans at the table.
"You've come for my help," Soya started abruptly, "Why?"
"Loredia-sama send us to look for you and asked for your help," Midnight said, "Jack had been deactivated as a DC warrior…"
"So it had come to this," Soya said, "I already know of the events in Waterfall country since I could basically feel the Youkai aura from were I was. Jack's Youkai form is growing faster than normal, and thanks to that genjutsu he was placed in, this could mess him real bad."
"Mess him up how?"
Soya looked at her, "It could awoken Morsochi again."
The room was silent as everyone was gazing at Soya's face in surprise and shock. It was as if everything had come to a halt, at this revelation. Midnight had an impassive look on her face and Poison was slightly scowling.
"How can Morsochi awoken again?" Poison asked, "It was a long time ago since Loredia defeated him in battle."
Soya laughed at that.
"Do you really believe someone like Loredia could defeat Morsochi?" she asked.
"Loredia-sama is strong," Midnight said, "She is the only one of us that can battle a Youkai Lord without the use of the Rune Seal."
"I never said she wasn't strong," Soya said, "But I never believed that she defeated Morsochi by herself. There is something that still lay hidden in the shadow of Loredia's mind. No one had enough strength to defeat Morsochi, except Jack."
"How can you be so sure that Jack had enough strength to do so?" Poison asked her.
"I believe in him," Soya said as she looked down at her hand, "My sister sacrified everything she knew just so that Jack can live. I don't think she ever realized that Jack could be such a strong force. Saki Haruno loved him like a son, but Jack had forgotten everything."
"Forgotten?" Poison said, surprised.
"Yes forgotten," Soya said as she looked up at them.
Trent reentered the room carrying a tray with four cup of tea in them and put the tray on the table.
"Here we are for everyone," he said, "One for you, one for you and lastly my red devil."
Soya scoffed at that but took the cup from him.
"Last one for moi," Trent said, "So ladies, what is it that is so serious that your faces looked like someone who just came from a war."
No one said anything and Trent sighed loudly at that.
"So is DC is going to kill the kid?" he asked.
"What?" Poison said.
"How do you…?"
"I"ve told him about DC," Soya said interrupting Midnight, "Trent is somewhat of my companion in all of this, he is trustworthy."
Trent gave a goofy grin while scratching the back of his head, "Sorry, I shouldn't have spoken out like that…"
"So, are they going to kill Jack?" Soya asked.
"Loredia was going to negociate with the Elders," Midnight said, "She told us if the worst happen that you may help Jack against the Elder's warriors."
"The Elders got their own army?" Trent said, his eyes widening.
"Yes," Soya said with a small smile, "They are more like the one that guard the entrance of DC, if someone without their Rune entered they are to eliminate them without second though."
"Talk about brutal," Trent murmured.
"I'm not worried about them though," Soya said, "She may convince the rest of the Elders, and with Konoha taking care of Akatsuki, I might have a chance to confront Jack. All I'm asking of you is a little patience, before you know it, everything will fall unto place."
"What are you…?"
"Trust me," Soya said as she smiled at them.
&&&
"Is that so," Claire said as she watched the team in front of her.
Sava, Payne, Roshi and Hunter stood in front of her in a single file as they all stood starring at her. She had listened to the entire report of what had happened through the recon mission that she had send them on.
"Why do you believe that Payne should be taken off the team?" Claire asked.
"She had Jack surrounded but she let him escape," Roshi yelled, "She is a weakling. I don't care if she was a SOLDIER or not, but the mission was the highest of importance."
"I too believe that the mission is of the highest importance but," Claire said, "From what you've told me about Waterfall country, Jack is seemingly dangerous right now, and from that the Council had already bugged me to put him in the Bingo books with a S-ranked criminal record on his head."
"No way," Sava said, "Isn't they something you can do?"
"Being Taiyoukage have only so little power when the Damyo is in favor of the council," Claire said as she massed her temple, a habit she had gotten over the two years she had taken the seat, "the other Akatsuki member you've told me was masked so identification will be difficult and with the little info we have on the organization from Jiraiya-sama, there is not much we can do and on further notice, this team is on break, go."
Hunter and Roshi left but Sava and Payne still stayed.
"What is it?"
"There is something that I wish to discuss with you," Sava asked.
"Yes," Claire said, looking up interested.
"What exactly did the Yodaime did to Jack?" Sava asked, "When I meet him for the first time in two years Jack told us something."
Flashback.
Jack started to laugh, "the 'Jack' you know have been twisted and betrayed by the schemes of our dear Yodaime Taiyoukage."
End of flashback.
"He said that huh," Claire said as she glanced at the Taiyoukage's portraits which had been redone and her eyes feel on Armstrong face.
"You know something about this don't you?" Payne asked her.
Claire's hazel eyes shifted toward Payne's pink ones and held them.
"You all know that the Haruno clan had been destroyed during the Civil War," Claire said, "I'm not even calling it that anymore after what I have learned from the council. It's sound more like a genocide."
"A genocide…," Sava repeated slowly.
"Armstrong used the SOLDIERs to massacre the entire Haruno clan that resided in Taiyoukagure," Claire said as she starred at the two young woman across her.
What…? Sava though.
Payne eyes narrowed at that.
"The younger generations do not know of this," Claire said, "Me I didn't even know about it until a couple of weeks ago. I'm not even supposed to be telling you this, but try to understand Jack's feeling in all of this. He betrayed the village so that he could escape Armstrong's clutches but from what I've gathered, someone within the Akatsuki had convinced him to join him, and is a past Taiyou ninja who was my sensei called himself Shadow. How he is connected with all of this I don't know, and I'm pretty sure he is that ninja in the mask here."
She pointed toward the picture of the spiral masked ninja who no one had ever identified.
"IF we can capture him or Jack," Claire said, "We might have a good idea on how to fill the blanks we have."
They were a few moment of silence that followed that deducation.
"Claire-sensei," Payne said, "Is it normal to feel so much pain in your chest and not bleed?"
The other two looked at Payne who was gazing at the Bingo book on Jack's picture.
"What do you mean?" Claire asked Payne her eyes widening in surprise.
"It's just ever since I've fought with Jack-kun, and that his name is now on the Bingo books, I'm starting to feel pain. I though I was wounded but I couldn't find the wound, but that pain just keep on growing in my chest."
Those aren't wound Payne, Claire though as she lay back on the chair, not physical wounds Payne, but emotional ones.
She raised her eyes toward the girl again to see that her eyes were filled with tears.
This new pain will never go away, Claire though, I still carry that pain because of my Grandfather.
"Claire-sensei, are you alright?" Sava asked her, seeing the look on the woman's face.
"I'm fine," Claire said, "Payne," she continued drawing the attention of silver-haired girl, "What are you feeling is emotional pain, which don't heal as easily as physicals one. When you carry those scars, the pain never go away."
"How can you heal them?" Payne asked her, her eye craving for a way to end it.
Claire smiled at her, "Love my young pupil, love is the remedy for this. But be warned, that even if you find someone to heal these scars for you, it will never mean that the pain will go away. Only the one who caused this pain can fully erase the existence of that pain."
Payne looked at Jack's picture again trying to imagine him smiling at her but all she can remember was the cold look on his face standing beside the masked man
Can I kill them?
Those four words were poisoning her mind like a curse and she unconsciously clentched her fist.
"He had made his choice," Payne said, her voice dead unlike the tears that were falling, "He is no longer a comrade of mine."
With that she turned and walked away, Sava watching her go and Claire sighed once again with both of her hands, holding her head.
"Sometimes I really hate being a ninja," Claire said.
Sava didn't say anything but she felt like Team Fox just broke their bonds of friendship.
Is it finally over for Jack and his teammates? Payne is feeling the betrayal and now what will happens if those two meets again? Next time, we finally return to the Naruto timeline with 'Infiltration'. See you all then.
CHaracter Stats
Name: Midnight
Age: N/A
Ranks: Loredia's advisor.
Exploits: Her first appearance was during 'The Angel vs THe Cat' when Loredia had felt Jack's darker side awoken. Loredia also said that Midnight can communicate with her no matter where she is.
Appearance: She wore a once piece clothing with a small skirt and spandex pants. Blue eyes and purple hair.
Jacques0 out.
R&R.
