[A/N: I feel like this chapter has some issues description-wise. I'll probably go back and change a few things once the whole story's finished. Hope you like!]

Chapter 13:

"Well, what do you think?" Fugaku said, looking over the rock they had sheltered behind at the cave mouth, which was only a few dozen yards away. They had not encountered any further trouble since the battle with Deidara, which was a bit surprising, as well as worrying.

"I don't like it," Kakashi replied. "But I don't see what options we have apart from heading in. We know Itachi's in there."

"The question is, who else?" Fugaku said. He had been looking forward to dealing with Itachi's former master, but if they had to fight anyone else besides they would be in trouble.

Pakkun shrugged as much as a squat little pug could. "I can't smell much of anything besides Itachi in there, but all that means is that there could be any number of people in there, they're just masking very well." He began to pant after he had finished speaking; he looked exhausted from the long trip.

"Right then," Kakashi said, pushing his headband up to reveal the red whorls of the Sharingan, "let's find out."

They were painfully visible crossing the remaining distance to the cave—Fugaku kept expecting to be stabbed in the back at any moment and was a bit surprised that nothing happened. Pakkun was sniffing around diligently, and Bull was growling suspiciously, pacing stiffly back and forth in front of them as they walked. All the hair on the big dog's back was standing up, making him look even larger.

Fugaku was hyperaware of the sound every footstep made and every beat of his heart as they paused just outside the cave, ducking into the minimal safety immediately next to the opening. It was pitch dark in the cave, and looked narrow. That wasn't good. Using his swords would be difficult in a tight space, and projectile weapons would be of no use at all. Kakashi would be similarly limited, as his high-power jutsu would be hard to utilize without catching up one of his companions.

"He's back a ways," Pakkun reported, after darting out to sniff quickly at the opening. "It must widen out later on."

Fugaku let out a breath he hadn't known he was holding. "Let's go. We're not doing Itachi any good dawdling around out here."

Fugaku led the way into the cave, with Pakkun trotting along just behind him. Kakashi and Bull followed cautiously, occasionally turning to check behind them. It was tight and claustrophobic in the narrow tunnel, but it looked as if it widened out after about fifty yards, as long as they made it that far without being attacked.

The pleasant thought struck Fugaku that perhaps the explosion of the bird had been misinterpreted as a victory on Deidara's part, and they weren't expected after all. Of course, that was probably too good to be true. They would be lucky if he hadn't recovered enough to follow them.

The tight tunnel space seemed to magnify every sound, and Fugaku called several halts as he listened for noises from the other end that might let them know something of what they would be up against. It turned out to be a false alarm every time, which only served to make him even more apprehensive. He hated going into a fight without knowing what he was getting himself into.

Finally, after what seemed like ages, the tunnel began to widen out. There was a larger, dimly lit chamber it opened on to, but Fugaku couldn't see anything in there except vague shadows. Nothing was moving, which he hoped was a good sign.

He and Kakashi could stand abreast as they reached the end of the tunnel. As his eyes began to adjust to the dim light, Fugaku scanned around the room. It appeared to be a workshop of some kind, with things scattered about in organized chaos, but he couldn't tell what was being made.

"Itachi!" he whispered urgently, as he saw no one in the room. "Itachi, where are you!"

There was a stifled gasp from one of the shadowed corners of the room, but no reply. Not heeding Kakashi's urging him to be careful, Fugaku ran over to where his son was waiting.

Itachi was kneeling docilely in the corner with his head down, next to one of the worktables. His sweater was missing, Fugaku noticed, and he could see a few bruises on his arms. Itachi's hands had been tied behind his back, not that there could have been really any need for that—it was probably more symbolic than anything else.

"Don't worry," Fugaku said quickly, drawing one of his swords to cut the cords. "You're safe now, I'll have you home in no time."

Itachi did not reply, and Fugaku carefully put an arm around his shoulder to help him to his feet as Kakashi came over to them. "All right," Fugaku said, turning towards Kakashi, "We've got what we came for, so let's go before—"

Suddenly, the cavern flared with light, and Fugaku was blinded for a split second before he recovered. It the flickering light of the electric bulbs, he could see the workbenches lining the walls, and felt faintly sick as he realized that it was dismembered human body parts scattered over them.

"I see that Deidara failed to dispose of you," a voice said, and Fugaku held Itachi tighter as his gaze followed the line of workbenches to a door in another corner of the room.

To his surprise, Itachi's master didn't look much older than Itachi himself, but there was a coldness in his red-brown eyes that belonged to a much older individual. He carried himself like someone who was used to authority, and there was a black cloak with some kind of red emblems on it draped around his shoulders.

Next to Fugaku, Kakashi tensed in recognition. "Sasori," he whispered, his voice tinged with apprehension.

"Who? Is that bad?" Fugaku made a mental note to catch up on his bingo book reading, once they got out of this. He must be woefully behind.

"Akasuna no Sasori," Kakashi said. "It's very bad. Let's get out of here."

They started for the door, Fugaku half-dragging Itachi behind them, but before they could get more than a few strides, Sasori flashed through a few seals and the roof of the tunnel they had came through collapsed. With that way blocked with hundreds of tons of rock, the only way out was to get past Sasori.

Fugaku pushed Itachi behind him and drew his swords. "Let us through," he demanded.

Sasori laughed scornfully, not seeming to be in the least fazed. "Such a fool you are," he smirked. "Ah, well. It's been a while since I had an Uchiha specimen to work with. And a Hatake! This will be fun..."

Fugaku took a step back, ready to defend himself, even though he could see no sign of an attack. He could sense Kakashi doing the same beside him, although he didn't risk turning to look.

"Sen!" Sasori snapped commandingly.

Fugaku grabbed for Itachi's arm too late as the boy slipped out of his grasp and obediently ran over to Sasori.

"Yes, Master-sama," Itachi said, bowing deeply.

Fugaku could practically feel his heart pounding in his throat. He couldn't—!

"Sen," Sasori ordered, gesturing towards Fugaku and Kakashi, "kill them."

Itachi's gave flickered from his father to his master. "B-but—"

Sasori's expression didn't change at all when he struck Itachi across the face, even though Itachi staggered a little at the weight of the blow. "Kill them, useless," Sasori hissed.

Fugaku had only a split-second of warning as Itachi straightened up, then practically flew over the stone floor towards them, a summoned katana glinting in this hand.

"Don't hurt him!" Fugaku shouted as Bull sprang at Itachi. Itachi had felt far too fragile when he found him, and the dog could likely tear him to pieces without any trouble.

Distracted by the sound, Bull half-turned to look back at them, and whined in pain as the katana sliced into his unprotected flank, flinging him to the ground several feet away followed by a spray of blood.

Even as he registered this, Fugaku had to bring his own swords up to block Itachi's downward strike. "Itachi, don't do this!"

"I am Sen," Itachi corrected, his voice sounding dull and lifeless, as he whirled to parry several senbon Kakashi threw.

"Itachi..." Fugaku said almost pleadingly, stepping back as he blocked a series of blows from Itachi's katana. Itachi did not respond.

Fugaku couldn't see Kakashi anywhere, and hazarded a brief glance around for him. Kakashi had made a run at Sasori and was now having to fend off several puppets; he looked as if he was having a hard time of it. Fugaku wondered if the puppets had once been human beings, but quickly decided he didn't want to think about that. Sasori looked almost bored as he controlled the puppets attacking Kakashi. If he had killed to make his weapons, he showed no sign of caring.

There was obviously no help to be had from that sector. Fugaku would have to deal with Itachi himself, but he couldn't possibly bring himself to hurt him. Still, he hadn't come this far only to be foiled at the last minute—he would think of something. He had to.

He had little time to think, however. Itachi had a speed near the level of Shisui's body flicker, and Fugaku was hard pressed to keep up with the shower of blows; more than a few got through his defenses, although he had managed to avoid any severe injuries so far. While he did get one or two chances to get a strike of his own in, he couldn't risk hurting Itachi and held back too much to take advantage of the opening.

If he could just disarm him, he might have a chance, but his attempt to catch Itachi's darting blade between his swords failed. This made him open to a slash that he barely managed to duck, leaving him with a gash across his collarbone rather than a decapitation. Fugaku was exhausted, and knew he couldn't keep up this kind of pace for much longer. Kakashi seemed to be in similar straits.

He hoped that Konoha wouldn't hold their deaths against Itachi, if they happened to catch him again later.

[A/N: Sorry that it's short...I guess I won't be finishing this in November, but I'm close!]