Chapter 13:
Loose Ends
Looking back at the beginning of this and how life was. Just you and me and love and all of our friends, living life like an ocean. But now the current's only pulling me down, it's getting harder to breathe. It won't be too long and I'll be going under. Can you save me from this?
'Cause it's not my time, I'm not going. There's a fear in me and it's not showing, this could be the end of me. And everything I know, but I won't go. – It's Not My Time, Three Doors Down.
"You all may want to get comfortable, this will be long." The third said with a rub to his wrinkled forehead. The men that had just entered had just witnessed the third and Danzō glaring at each other – something that only interested them more too why they were there.
Morino Ibiki sat in one of the chairs before him, resting his ankle on his knee and crossing his arms in a tight grip. Nara Shikaku sat on the other chair present and back straight and arms folded. Yamanaka Inochi leaned on the back of the chair his teammate sat on with his hip, his hands crossed. Sarutobi Asuma leaned on the wall by the only door, a cigar hanging lazily from his mouth. Akimichi Chouza to the other side of the door, his eyebrows was furrowed with thought on why they were there.
Kakashi walked round the table and stood behind the Hokage who nodded at him in thanks for bringing them. The Hokage clasped his hands together and placed his chin on his hands, taking a sigh before beginning.
"I assume you have all heard about the Uchiha's lock down?" The public had only known that the Uchiha were forbidden from leaving their perimeters but they had no news on why, none of the villages had. They all nodded in answer to the question.
"What I will tell you is confidential; there is no talking to anyone outside of this room. What I'm about to tell you is SS-Class information. Is that understood?" He finished sternly. Nearly all the room's occupants eyes widened at the Class the information was placed and immediately tensed a second later as if readying themselves. Everyone nodded again – he knew they would do their duty, Hiruzen thought sternly.
"The problem made itself known a few months prior to now. Uchiha Itachi came to me in the dead of night and reported that the Uchiha were planning a coup to take over Konoha." There were sharp intakes of breath from the group while others closed their eyes to stop their emotions from showing. "Please wait till I am finished for comments." They listened intently.
"I told Itachi to act as a double agent and he did so for a number of months. I am sure you all heard of the abduction of the three children – one Haruno Sakura, Uzamaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke." They nodded again. Asuma took a long drag from his cigarette. "It is still unknown to where they were but we know with who they were with."
"The children called them different names then their true names. Uchiha Sasuke called the person that was with him, Taka. Uzamaki Naruto mentioned Kitsune, while Sakura mentioned a woman named Ai (love)."
"As I said were still unsure what happened there and why they were taken but more pressing matters became apparent. I ordered Itachi to keep an eye on his younger brother for any sign of the person named Taka since he had left his Hatai-ate with young Sasuke.
"It was a Konoha Hatai-ate, one that most defiantly belonged to a missing-Nin. Young Sasuke mentioned that Taka was an Uchiha that had even managed to achieve the Mangekyou Sharingan – a Sharingan that is only present when the person kills the person closest to them.
"Though Itachi searched through the files and found that there was no Uchiha Missing-Nin. The registration number that was present on the Hatai-ate was 012606 – a number that has not been registered yet. The Hatai-ate was completely real before you ask.
"After that the information from Itachi paused for a while, I am still not sure what had conspired but Itachi kept quite. Then a few weeks passed by. Kakashi here…" He moved his head to nod up to Kakashi behind him. "…fought the Uchiha named Taka.
"Then if you remember 8 days ago the Uchiha were placed on lock down. Their chakras had flared and there were two Uchiha that entered the village. I believe you too Asuma," Nodding in the direction of said man which others turned around to see the expression of. "Fought the one named Taka.
"The two Uchiha that arrived here were subdued by Taka a moment later. Though they managed to tell me, that three cloaked figures had somehow imprisoned a large amount of Uchiha in the Police Station and subdued them there, including Uchiha Fugaku.
"The one known as Kitsune asked us not to attack them and that they weren't going to harm the Uchiha." He ran a hand through his hair as he thought about it. "I'm not sure why we listened but this 'Kitsune' seemed to be truthful and very familiar." A small smile appeared on his face before he straightened it out blankly.
"Anyway, later that day Uchiha Itachi came and explained that the Uchiha had known he was a spy and kept him under tight watch and that a day before something had conspired and he had been taken into custody and placed in a cell." The sturdy look that had appeared on the mask that was sent to Danzō was noticed.
"When in the meeting the one known as Ai, entered and filled in the blanks and at the same time more questions arose. Just before you arrived I spoke with…Kitsune and he answered some questions. The other two did not arrive but Kitsune did not say why.
"Now, I want your intake on this. Who you think these people are and what they truly think they want." He looked to them. "Nara-San, you first." Shikaku thought of it for a second his brows furrowed and his thin lips twisted.
"You mentioned that this Missing-Nin, Taka, is an Uchiha though the Uchiha have not recognized him. I believe that you are trying to let us figure it out by ourselves but with the measly amount of information that you have given I don't believe it will let us get too much into the depths." Hiruzen smiled, that was truly one of his goals. He didn't think they would be able to get it but he wanted to see how far they could go.
"You also mentioned that the Kitsune person was familiar. Would we be allowed a description?" Hiruzen gave a lighter smile and nodded, gesturing for Kakashi to tell them.
"Mah mah…" Kakashi gave a sigh, at the predicament he was thrown into. Closing his visible eye to think for a second he lifted his head to answer. "The one believed to be named Kitsune, had spiky bright blond hair. Sapphire blue eyes, round face, a strong body build, slightly tanned, expressive though not to be underestimated and…" He looked down to Hiruzen for a second who nodded at him. "…three whisker marks on each cheek.
"The one named Taka, had black hair with a blue tinge. A strange hair style that is straighter in the front and sticks up slightly in the back. Small black eyes, thin lips, slender face, built like an assassin, very pale. And as said is in possession of the Mangekyou – something that makes the user have more jutsu that are all over S-Class and nearly unbeatable unless you have the Mangekyou too."
He paused for a second glancing down to Hiruzen who nodded. "The one, who is said to be Ai, has pink hair just past her shoulders. Round emerald green eyes, full lips, heart-shape face, very petite. Though is a very high leveled Medic-Nin and her teammates normally backed off when she is angry. So I'm guessing she is stronger then she seems." He finished with a half genuine eye crinkle.
There were a few minutes of silence. Shikaku gave a long sigh, while Inochi closed his eyes as his eye brows furrowed. Shikaku looked to Hiruzen straight in the eyes almost demanding. "How old are these people?"
"16 to 17 I believe." Kakashi answered for his leader again with and eye crinkle, though this one was an amount more genuine. Shikaku as well as most of the room's occupants seemed confused. They had all known that Kakashi had just described the three children – Uzamaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, and Haruno Sakura – though with a few changes sure but any jutsu or such could change that. Though now he had just stated that they were a completely different age. What would these people have by looking like an older version of the three children that had gone missing?
Shikaku shook his head; he needed more information to place everything together. "Do you know who there students of?" It was a clear fact that a student was like their teacher if they spent a long amount of time together. Not only in Justus's but also in personalities and it was normally very helpful for the seemingly useless information.
Hiruzen actually chuckled while Kakashi's face went to poker ever so quickly. "You can say they are much like my own students. In more ways then one if I'm correct." He obviously found something funny. Something that the Shinobi that had just entered the situation did not understand and most likely would never unless they truly understood what was going on.
Ibiki looked to his leader with a blank mask. He was Head of interrogation he could tell what their faces portrayed – every little twitch, half smile or a look in a persons eyes. The Thirds face was set into a smile as in he was having a pleasant surprise. Kakashi's face had gone blank indicating some discomfort, something to hide that he most likely would not a regular case share with the public.
Whatever was going on, was big and nothing of the usual.
He shared his opinion with them. Hiruzen only smiled wider, closing his eyes to refrain from any other emotion form showing. Kakashi kept his mask in place not even batting an eyelid at the accusation. There was a pregnant pause as the six looked to their leaders and Kakashi.
"There is obviously something out of the ordinary going on here. Something we won't find out on our own, so Sarutobi-Sama if you wish to tell us." Inochi spoke for the first time since his arrival and he had been quietly observing until then though he knew that there wouldn't be a reasonable explanation- with the ranking of the information and the strange glee that was present in the Hokages face.
Hiruzen sighed, letting his smile fall. He had wanted to test his subroutines and it was true sometimes you couldn't just predict what was going on, since what might be impossible for one person could be reachable for another. He looked seriously to some of his most talented and trusted Shinobi.
Taking a large breath, Hiruzen knew he had no time to reconsider so he looked to them all sternly. "The three young adults we spoke to you about are the children that were taken on June 22nd." He said with a lengthen to the 'are'; he did not know how to go about this since he had no real evidence.
When he thought about it now he could see that it had been foolish to trust something that could have been pulled off by the worst of actors. Though he couldn't back out now. He had stayed by them, though he just had to make an extra defense incase they were not as truthful as they appeared to be.
Chouza stepped forward to the table and stood by his seated and silently stunned partner to the other side of Inochi. His scratchy voice piercing through the dense and blank silence. "You can't be serious Hokage-Sama. That would be impossible and… it can't be true. Shikaku?" He asked his partner with a sideway glance, asking if it was possible since Shikaku was the smartest person he knew maybe even smarter then the Hokage himself.
Shikaku was in a hard almost stunned trance as he mind raced though possibilities and he shook his head to clear his surprise. Trying to relax himself as much as he could, his body was tense and he did not like it one bit especially when he was not on the battle field. "This is troublesome…"
Chouza and the others around him appeared to have taken that as his answer and Asuma was about to begin loading some questions when there was a light knock at the door.
It made everyone freeze and Hiruzen stared with narrow eyes at the door before looking to Kakashi and nodding to the door. Kakashi lifted his usually skewed Hatai-ate; the Sharingan swiveled in his eyes dangerously as it read the chakra signature.
Kakashi closed the implanted eye and bent to his Hokage's level. "It's Sakura." He hushed quietly in the Hokages ear. Sarutobi nodded, looking over each of the room occupants his gaze set on Danzō longer with a stern half glare as if telling him not to try anything irrational. It was received with out a blink.
"Come in." There was a shuffle amongst those in the room. Asuma stayed leaned to the wall, Chouza sat on his teammates arm rest, while Shikaku slumped to a more relaxed position, Inochi straightened his spine a fraction and kept his gaze carefully blank. Ibiki straightened his back unconsciously noticing that he had slumped slightly in his disbelief.
The door opened slowly and the light that entered sent the person entering a bright halo which soon rested when she closed the door. She smiled innocently with her eyes crinkled shut but her tense body and twitching fist by her side noted that she was alert for any danger. In her other hand was a small scroll; it looked new and smelled of ink.
She bowed her head quickly before strolling forward so she was to the side of the stunned Chouza and his equally amazed teammates that were trying to cover their confused and distrustful looks behind masks…it wasn't working to well for them.
"Hokage-Sama…" Sakura wondered if it was just her that noticed Inochi flinch. Well she was a regular visitor at his house he must have already recognized her grown up voice. "Here are the Uchiha's claims. Fugaku-San participated fully in the exchange." She placed the small scroll in her hands on the desk and rolled it to Hiruzen who caught it and opened it after undoing a rather complicated seal on it.
One Naruto had placed. For a slow and less the preferable attention span he seemed to take great interest in seals after he had created the transporting scrolls with Sasuke.
She looked from the corner of her eye and bit her cheek so it seemed sucked in further in then her other and gave a minuscule quirk of her head that could have been from a strained muscle. Her face quickly schooled to more pleasant and innocent features and the clone that was in the wall disappeared in an unnoticeable poof. Having gotten the sign.
She smiled pleasantly and ignored all the stares and half glares at her back and fought the urge to turn to them with a chakra laced fist. It was nerve racking…and she was not known for her self control. Hiruzen read the scroll sternly and behind him Kakashi smiled at her.
She nodded in greeting and Hiruzen laid the scroll on the table with a sigh. He ran a hand through his graying hair. "Tell them that we will have to hold a rational meeting together for anything to be sorted." Sakura thought it over for a second before nodding. Sarutobi gave a small smile and took a scroll from his Hokage robe rolling it to her until she caught it. "Kakashi-San, go check up on them." Said Hatake nodded and made his way round the table. "Both of you are dismissed."
Sakura nodded with a low bow before turning around, the scroll being quickly stashed in her worn out pocket. "Have a good day Hokage-Sama." Kakashi gave a nod of good bye before they opened the door to the hallway and the halo surrounded them and swallowed them up. The door closing slowly.
Shikaku gave a deep sigh. "Well that's something you don't see everyday…" He placed a hand on his forehead and rubbed the offending body piece to stop a migraine from beginning. "Troublesome." At that very moment in time no one could argue.
"So…how do we do this?" Naruto spoke as the Dobe he was and made Sasuke want to roll his eyes. He, Naruto and Itachi were standing in a triangle in the kitchen the sound of bustling feet and almost hushed talking sounded through the walls and maze like hall ways.
"I don't see why your stressing Dobe we just keep them in order for a few hours." Sasuke spoke crossing his arms as he straightened his spine. Itachi was watching the two bicker back and forth as Naruto accused Sasuke of being the wimp himself since it didn't seem like he was approaching the heavy doors of the kitchen.
Itachi leaned against the counter and waited for them to sort themselves out; he had realized two main reasons to why and when they stopped fighting. The first, their bickering stopped when one man won, by the other not having a good enough comebacks. Second, when duty called and they were attacked or third when their third and petite looking teammate came into the room to smack some sense into their 'thick skulls'.
His lips turned upwards at the thought of the rosette angry, it really was sight. The way her brows furrowed, her fists in white death grips but to tell the truth he loved the half angry pout that came from her lips. To the flailing pink locks to the way her almost small toes scrunched up.
He was stopped those trains of thought that instant.
It had happened a few times over the past week. He had been unconsciously thinking about what had conspired between the two and he was finding it hard not to keep a watchful eye on the seemingly petite girl. It was strange to worry for someone you were intent on ignoring except for the few seldom conversations here and there.
He gave off a sigh but he was used to making it so no one heard him. Things were stressful lately and it wasn't just making sure the Uchiha had all the accommodations, they also had to make sure they were happy. Itachi had always known how hard it was to please the clan but still it was becoming a lot harder then he realized before.
They only wanted certain types of blankets and some wanted thin pillow while other need big fluffy ones, if not then a death glare would be sent that Itachi would pare with his own but then in the end it only left a bad taste in his mouth to not get them what they wanted.
He truly was weak to the people around him. Too emotional and they made people wish to manipulate him. It had nearly happened once and he knew that they would not be the last. People always tried to manipulate him but he wondered for the true reason.
He had a pretty good idea. It was because he was too kind always wanted everyone to be happy, calm and safe, that he placed all he had on line. He really should learn how to say no when it was unnecessary to help but still…it was his nature and would be a felony to his own heart to even try and reenact such a thing.
"Itachi…" Itachi blinked and stared to Sasuke before them that were looking surprisingly concernedly, he was also a bit close to him but he did not mind that much. "…Are you okay? You've been spacing out a lot lately." He had never heard Sasuke so worried especially older Sasuke and Naruto behind his was staring dumbly at Sasuke turned back.
Sasuke placed a cold hand on his forehead pushing his hair up to fall on the said hand. "You're a bit warm." Sasuke gave an unusual pout as if was a bit unused to being there and still learning. Sasuke's brow furrowed so that it reminded Itachi of younger Sasuke - that was playing with young Sullivan if he was correct.
Itachi stepped away from his brother whose pout turned almost to a frown. "Itachi are you okay?" He looked at him suspiciously. "I know something is wrong so you can either tell me or we can do this the hard way." Itachi raised an eyebrow.
"What would be the hard way?" He asked his anticipation was growing; Sasuke snorted and folded his arms in a firmer grasp.
"Me kicking you ass until you do."
Sasuke spoke rudely but Itachi didn't mind, his eyes had narrowed dangerously with excitement, a small smirk adorning his features. He crouched and widened his legs just to make note that he was willing as Sasuke's smirk spread. Naruto who had waited to the side for all the Uchiha-ness to stop buzzing around stepped forward hands up and palm to them in a sign of almost surrender.
"Oh, no no no. I am not going to stay here by myself with a bunch of hateful Uchiha's that want to pulverize me to a prune." Both of them didn't bat an eyelash, though Itachi's hand twitched as if he was thinking about it. Naruto looked from one to the other as if hoping that the annoying action would snap their dazes back to the real problem at hand.
Of course he had no such luck.
It happened too quickly for Naruto to stop them. Both their eyes narrowed as they let out devious grins. Both disappearing in the body flick. Naruto waited and stared for what seemed like a while, in a daze at the way he had been abandoned. He threw his hands up into the air let out an exasperated sigh.
His shoulders slumped dramatically that it reached a comical level before Naruto snapped his head up as an idea flickered through his head. He would need Sakura. He left the room, forgetting to close the lights on the way and completely ignoring all the frustration Sakura had experienced when she tried to pay for the bills.
Naruto calmed his pace into a stride when he witnessed a few Uchiha speaking in hushed voices. Before they glared hatefully at him, turning away and pretending not to run. Naruto let out a sigh; their position was troubling since the Uchiha were wavering in their decisions on them. The line between acceptance and ruthlessness.
He couldn't leave them alone, since there needed to be at least one person to supervise but with Sakura at the Hokage Tower and Itachi with Sasuke battling there was no one else to supervise. Though he did need to speak with Sasuke about a certain issue, Sakura had told him but not in full since even she didn't know that.
How they had escaped Uchiha Madara? Sasuke had said that they had evaded his attacks Sakura had said trying to smile when he became anxious and concerned. Then that…thing had locked eyes with Sasuke, before he gave a smirk of triumph then disappearing in a gust of wind. She had asked Sasuke but he had entered an utter brooding mood, paired with a vicious scowl and his aura a sense darker.
As well as the fact that Sasuke had been almost – for him – obsessively worried for Itachi. Something he only did when he wished all attention from himself and he had wished to battle when unnecessary. Something that he did either when nervous, extra sadist or just plain pissed. It was almost scary how well he knew his friend.
Though he couldn't stop the sense of pride and happiness that was permanently placed in his heart due to his teammate returning.
It was strange how much things had changed. The unpredictable had happened and the dead had returned but there was still something nagging him. A piece of fear that he had never experienced before telling him that things were going to go wrong and a heavy weight that it would be the end of something…or someone.
He shook his head from those thoughts and did so with a sigh. Naruto focused his chakra and in an unseen flash two Kage Bunshin appeared by his side looking at him seriously. They already knew what they needed to do and they disappeared in the recently learned body flick to the camera room to supervise the Uchiha.
He continued walking past the cells and past whispering but mostly glaring Uchihas. Leaving by the front entrance and making sure the barriers were strong and the surrounding walls weren't going to topple. Sakura had had to rebuild them with a jutsu after the Uchiha had reduced them to debris in their escape.
As he stepped past the now familiar threshold he let the sun bathe him. It was shining brightly in the clear blue sky and the optimistic side of Naruto thought it was a beautiful day to go and annoy an Uchiha.
Naruto continued down the entrances steps and smiled, he felt better somehow now that the air wasn't so crowded and hateful. Even in such distance he could hear the sound of the Uchiha brothers fighting off. He heard someone unsheathe a sword and guessed it was Sasuke since he hadn't seen Itachi with one. Then there was a thump followed by another that seemed to come from a kick – to the shoulder he presumed.
Naruto shook his head to clear it from its concentration, something that seemed to happening more often.
A rush of wind blew the trees surrounding him and noticed that they were becoming to dry. They hadn't watered any of them and it was taking its toll on the once flowering trees. Well they couldn't do anything in between training, looking after the Uchiha themselves and the Hokage they were pretty limited especially due to the other interferences.
Though some were not interference such like Sasuke's birthday that said boy would enjoy no matter what it took out of him. So first he had to get presents, something which he needed Sakura for.
So with a destination in mind and a henge forming in his head he set off down the road to where Sakura and Kakashi-Sensei were walking slowly to them talking about something. He began running for a few reasons mostly concerning his boredom and lack of patience.
They noticed him coming and as he arrived there with a grin they seemed to have finished their small conversation. "Sakura-Chan, I need your help with something." He said such with almost a feral grin and Sakura sighed as if she had noticed something. "What is it?" She was obviously tired not that it affected him for Naruto locked eyes with her. "The Teme's birthday."
Sakura sighed with a soft smile, she should have guessed that's what he was worked up on though they were still too busy to do such a thing tat would need all their attention. It was not that she didn't want the opposite in fact. Though she was stressed, tired and there was so much going on that added onto the first two.
Even so, she knew that she would help because it was what she wanted too. "Kakashi-San," It felt strange to say such. "We gotta go prepare for the Teme's birthday. Teme and Itachi are in the training grounds and I got clones keeping an eye on the Uchiha inside. Do what you want." Naruto said carelessly with a grin before grabbing Sakura's hand and dragging her in the direction she had just come from. Leaving Kakashi standing there confused on what that had just transpired and what he was about to do. He looked to the forms of his future students that were in the midst of henge'ing themselves and most likely talking through that mind binding seal.
He shrugged his shoulders carelessly and carried on walking. Heading for the Uchiha streets, about to check of the Uchiha houses and how they were looked after then maybe he would head for the training ground and see the two sons of the Heads of the Uchiha clan fight.
What an eventful day it would be.
It was almost midday and the 'Weapon Masters' shop had been open for a number of hours. Through it's large window that showed a few selected weapons from Senbon to full length Chokuto. It was a bright shop to intensify the sharpness of the blades on show. There was a counter to the end of the wide room and another threshold that was covered by a black cloth.
The bell at the entrance gave off a 'ding' as a couple of costumers arrived, one teenaged man and another teenaged lady.
The man had spiky jet black hair, which was held by a black bright neon orange bandana. His shirt was a vermilion red that seemed a bit large and ended as would a regular V cut t-shirt. There was a fish net muscle shirt underneath that ended just past his elbows and appeared above his collar bone. He had bandages that were intertwined in between his fingers and reached up to the end of the visible net shirt on both arms.
He wore scarlet loose fitting pants that seemed as though they came from a Kimono a neon orange belt that was shaped irregularly around the top of his trousers accompanied by regular worn out Shinobi sandals. Much like the woman next to him as they began browsing the shop.
The woman seemed as though she wore the top of the scarlet Kimono, though it seemed to have a hood that was a darker shade of red on the inside and the Kimono got darker as the sleeves flared off, underneath she wore an obsidian black tight fitter vest shirt. Though most of it was hidden due to the top of the kimono that was tied by a black belt. The kimono shirt hung on her loosely and the thin fabric seemed perfect to move flexibly in.
The end of the Kimono shirt reached just past her thighs and partially covered her knee length shorts that were the same color as her vest shirt. There were red weights that hung on the lower part of her slender legs just before the sandals. There were large, though almost hidden weights hanging on the woman's arms inside the kimono shirt that hung by her wrist, just were her fingerless leather gloves ended.
She too had jet black hair, though instead of sapphire blue like her partner she held emerald green eyes that seemed to shine in sight of the black.
The owner of the shop, Kensuki, had never seen any ninja as the two in front of him though by their body build and clothes they were defiantly high leveled Shinobi. They had split up, looking at the blades and weapons that were on display.
The male looked dead focused and completely expressive of his thoughts, Kensuki only then noticed that he was caring a blue bag. The woman had a calm face as she passed lightly over the selection on range. She seemed petite and small but the weights that hung on her body showed she was stronger then she seemed.
The man walked up to the counter and gave him a wide grin that he had to blink. "I'm looking for a weapon that can be used when the person had skill with a Chokuto." The man rested his elbow on the counter and his head on his palm. The woman walked up next to him averting her attention from the shelves and weapons to him.
Kensuki felt himself nod as he thought. "Does the person have good accuracy?" He asked slowly, flipping a piece of mud brown hair from his face. The man looked over to the woman, she didn't move, didn't even lock eyes with the man before he answered with a grin.
"Yeah, I guess."
"Be back in a moment." Kensuki disappeared behind the veil behind him.
Naruto turned to the henge'd Sakura with a grin. "The Teme will be so surprised." He seemed especially gleeful about that part. Sakura sighed and rested her hand on her hip with a touch of difficulty due to her new weights.
It had been decided that they had needed new clothes then their usual rough pull-on. So they had henge'd themselves and gotten some Shinobi wear, bringing some for Sasuke as a gift with new weapons. Since he seemed to love his sword play and it did not miss their eyes the way his gaze lingered upon certain weapons. So they had figured it would be the best present for someone like him.
As well as that they had money to spend since the Hokage was paying them for their troubles at first they had resisted but soon found out it was not worth it, due to the fact that the Hokage is a very stubborn man.
Kensuki, Tenten's father, opened the curtain and entered the room carrying a few velvet black cases. They seemed to be heavy by the way the muscles in his arms were tense and due to the fact he almost slammed them onto the counter as he tried to place them. He sighed and rubbed a hand over his bushy moustache before moving the cases to others sides so it would be possible to observe all of the given without to much hassle.
He opened one case and then another and another, then picked up a smaller case from under his counter and opened that too. "Take your pick." Kensuki displayed as the weapons gleamed in the fluorescents. He sat on the stool behind him and gazed almost lovingly at the weapons. Sakura pretend not to notice and stepped on Naruto's foot to make sure he did not point anything out.
He muffled a yelp.
Sakura smiled calmly and looked at the range that was given. They were all beautiful but she did not know a lot about swords, only what she had seen on the battlefield. That was a fair share and knew what each one could do to an enemy. She thought hard looking at the custom made Hanwei.
It was placed delicately in a black sheath that was decorated with carved cranes, and to the end of the sheath was what seemed to be a top of a blade hilt though small and no larger then a pocket knife. She reached forward and pulled on the small hilt to reveal a small albeit sharp looking blade. It seemed to be fine and double edged, most likely a back up blade that could sneak into places the regular blade could not. She pushed it back in place, it was a useful and interesting feature she had to admit.
She then looked to the actually long blade that lay beside it. She picked it up by the sheath and Naruto observed by her – with one of those irregular thinking looks. The hilt held the carving of paper cranes too and they seemed so majestic on the hilt she could only stare and the beauty of each curve.
The blade was sharp and that too double edged, it was curved slightly at one point it gleamed brightly. It was done in a way that looked as though it would be able to last long and through many battles. She looked to Naruto. "What do you think?" She asked calmly setting it back down in the velvet case carefully. "I'm not sure I've never been good at this sort of thing." Naruto answered while sighing.
"How much money do we have?" Naruto blinked at the question out loud – not something to different then in his head - and dropped his hand to his new Kimono trousers, he had asked for a pocket to be sewn in and they had been nice enough to do so at a price. He pulled the scroll out and opened it as Kensuki averted his gaze having been taught that some ninja needed their privacy in most businesses.
Naruto blinked at the number written before him a few times before grinning widely. "Enough Sakura-Chan." He said with a smile and turned to the sword going to concentration fully on it and furrowing his brows in thought. Sakura looked to the next weapon it was a Yumi.
The Japanese bow and arrow held its name in elegance. It did not gleam but instead held a sort of presence that made Sakura draw closer to stare at it. The bow was wooden and as she touched it she could feel the chakra running through it – binding it together so it would not break or crack. The silk line that hung from the beautiful arch of wood was tied on a slightly red tinted area of curved wood. She felt Kensuki move before he spoke. "The silk and wood changes color if the owner needs it too, also repairs itself if inserted with some chakra." He said casually still smiling serenely at the Yumi. She had to admit that that too was a useful addition if undercover or trying to be stealthy or if damaged somehow and she could understand what owner, Kensuki, found in them.
She looked to the arrow holder that was the same musty wood brown as the bow. It was decorated around the top with red feathers and the arrow holder seemed heavier then the bow due to the fact it was a sturdier wood. The bottom was covered with a metal slab so it would not break, that was also painted an elegant crimson red.
The arrows that were next to the holder were sleek black until the feather at the bottom that was a scarlet red and brown nearer the edges. It was truly beautiful and she could almost envision Sasuke using his eyes to anticipate an attack and launch a bow at the enemy. It was a strange thing to see for honest since she was not used to him with a yumi though it seemed to fit.
She gave a soft smile and saw the warm grin on Naruto's face and even though the jet black hair refused too show that made him seem anything like himself or his father, she could tell it was him by the kindness in his eyes. Naruto placed the scroll on the table and opened it out; biting his thump to draw blood a stack of money erupted from the scroll.
Kensuki had to blink before looking down at the money that was offered to him. He stood from his seat and gathered the well earned Ryu. Before closing the chosen velvet lids with a clang. "Are they gifts?" He asked and Naruto nodded with a cheeky grin while Sakura with a lighter one. "Well, for however they are is one lucky guy."
He said with a smile and began wrapping them in neon blue wrapping – something that made Naruto's grin widen. He placed both newly wrapped presents in a plain black bag that held the words 'Weapons Master' in bold red. Naruto held the bag even under Sakura's protests and nodded thanks to Kensuki as they headed out.
Kensuki believed they were the strangest pair he had ever met. That didn't mean they weren't his new favorite customers.
"I'm bored, why do we have to this?" One Naruto said to the other as he sat on the counter by a number of screens. The room was dark but the light from the screens was enough to make sure the clone duo were able to see everything around them.
The other Naruto sat on a chair with wheels and his feet were rested on the controls counters, none of them were looking at the screens. So they failed to notice the figure that was approaching them at a calm unthreatening pace.
They were bickering amongst themselves and laughing in the same spirit and only when there was a light knock on the door did they become alert. They both tensed and the laughing ceased, smiles fading slowly. There was another knock, it was still polite and from what they could tell unthreatening.
The Naruto clone that was sitting on the counter stood while his partner swiveled in his seat and finally placed his feet on the ground. The standing clone opened the door with a click and blinked at the figure that was there.
"I have an offer."
"Can we take a break?" A panting Itachi said with his hands on his knees and sweat running down his forehead. His shirt clung to chest and slacks; he held a few minor scratches that covered his biceps, torso and his left cheek. Sasuke was opposite him, he too panting though his body was still tense and as the sweat tickled down his neck he refused to wipe them away.
He answered the question with a nod, straightening and placing his Katana back into his sheath. Man, he thought slightly blown away, Itachi knows how to fight. His body felt battered and he could feel the dark bruises forming on his wounded areas. He couldn't be happier though.
Itachi sat down with a childish flop backwards and sat with his legs in front of him and his hands in between them as he puffed in and out, just in the shade of the great willow behind him. Sasuke un-strapped his sword from his back and threw it to the ground near Itachi, before sitting down too and resting his back on Itachi who leaned in slightly – both Uchiha sighed.
They sat there panting for a while, replaying the battle before their eyes. They had agreed that Sasuke would just use his sword play and Itachi his Tai-Jutsu. No other weapons or Justus's allowed. It was one grueling battle and Sasuke was feeling a grin tug on his lips due to the fact he had won for the most part.
There was nothing life endangering or plans of revenge linked together, none were mentioned and Itachi even pointed out few slip ups he had learned to intercept in Anbu. Sasuke had too given Itachi some pointers he had learned during life as a missing Nin.
The fight did what Sasuke wanted it to do. Make him clear his head of what Madara had told him. He shivered inventorially as he closed his eyes to the fear that was gripping his usually empty heart. There were spikes of hatred forming once more and even though it felt familiar he did not wish its return and began banishing thoughts of the Uchiha ascendant. Itachi looked over his shoulder to him worriedly and Sasuke turned his head as an acknowledgement. "Sasuke-Nii, I hope your wounds aren't too severe."
Sasuke almost chuckled, it was just so Itachi to question his wounds but he was concerned and it made Sasuke wish to beam as he had once done. "I have suffered far worse…" He said with a hard edge to his voice that made Itachi's brows furrow. "…yourself?" Itachi sighed knowing that Sasuke was uncomfortable.
"All my wounds are shallow." He felt Sasuke's tense back loosen slightly as a sigh left him. Itachi made himself comfortable leaning against his brother. He had not wanted to hurt him but Sasuke had needed to let out some frustration and he himself had not sparred with anyone for a while.
Even though being a Shinobi was not the path he wished for, it was the path that was best suited for him and he would take it so he could protect his beloved village and those that were precious to him.
He sat there for a while both their hearts regulating and the breathing turning to a calmer pace. It was pleasant to be in fact since the sun was beginning to set and the cool air was swaying the trees and their dashing leaves. Everything seemed sun kissed and Sasuke was slightly blown away. How come he had never seen any of it before?
Even in his half blind state it was breath taking, he could see the lake in the distance and as he turned on his Sharingan. He noticed the reflections and slight ripples. It was a shame he had ruined his eyes sight so gravely but there were worst things.
Like the thing Madara had mentioned…
No he wasn't going to think about it, he had already told himself that he would not. He felt Itachi suppress a yawn and a hitch in breath came shortly after, something that made Sasuke's head snap to his brother in worry of the illness that came in later years.
The future was catching up with him then and he noticed that the future was the present any and every passing second.
"Itachi…" Sasuke said slowly and Itachi – already knowing what was about to accrue – couldn't stop his lips from quirking upwards. "Sakura will be able to help you. Maybe if you go to her she can cure you or…something." He ended in a very Naruto fashion and mentally scolded himself for spending so much time with the said Dobe.
He had spoken quickly and as if he was trying to calm himself or the sort. Itachi let out a small laugh resting his head on his brother's shoulder. "I'm can not do anything about my genetic illness so stop worrying for me." He could feel Sasuke tense beside him and mentally sighed.
"What?" Itachi did not repeat himself but closed his eyes as if they would block out the voice. "You can't tell me to stop worrying for you, I've always worried for you. Even during the time you lied to me…" Sasuke seemed lost in thought then and Itachi cracked open his eyes and looked to Sasuke – someone who wasn't too far since his cheek was a few millimeters away.
There was a moment of silence as they both ran through thoughts, unknown to the outside world. Then calm albeit quick sound of shoes walking on grass and fallen leaves to branches entered the clearing. Sasuke did not recognize them unlike Itachi. Who tensed for a different reason.
Itachi pressed his back further against his brothers to gain his attention. "It's Shisui." It was then Shisui appeared in the clearing. Hair disheveled and a small content smile on his thin Uchiha lips. He was supposed to be in the Police Station. If something had happened or if he had escape…
That would be troublesome.
A/N. Sorry it took so long, I was having a few computer problems! Anyway, I hoped you all like it and I wanted do to say that the next one with be the last chapter and then I will start the sequel so please Review!
Your reviews are my muse, any would be appreciated! ^_^