Fact Vs. Fiction
Summary: Life continues on for Kirei and the Naruto Gang in the Sequel. All seems so very well with life, until things take turn for the worse and it becomes hard to tell Fact from Fiction.
Disclaimer: I own the plot and my character, nothing less, nothing more. I wish I did own more.
Notes: Enjoy the chapter and have a Happy Halloween! 3
Thank you for reading and supporting me!! :D
Chapter 14 – Difference
Leaning back in his rather uncomfy, metal chair, Kabuto let out a sigh of content. For once, he was a very happy man. With most of his supplies already moved to the North Base, he'd only been able to use less stellar supplies to finish the Rebirth Project.
But more importantly, he finished it. All he had to do now was protect it during the move and then set it up at the new base.
Orochimaru had decided nearly a week ago that they would move to the North Base for a little more security and to keep Konoha guessing. They needed to buy as much time they could get to stay alive and stay clear of harms' way.
"Kabuto," The Snake began as he walked into the room, eyeing up Kabuto's relaxed stance. "are you finished?" He asked, knowing that if he was not, he would have to be reprimanded.
The Medic-nin pulled himself forward, looking over to his boss. "Yes, actually. I just finished now."
The raven walked closer, eyes looking over the specimens and devices. "Have them transported before we leave. I plan on having a…family reunion before we officially vacate the base."
Kabuto's eyebrows ruffled in confusion, but he didn't ask. He knew that everything would play out soon enough. "Of course." He nodded, going back to his work.
A smile slipped onto the snake's face, knowing that his message would soon be received and that this little reunion would be oh, so much fun to watch.
When the small snake slithered into Naruto's Father's Office those 5 minutes ago, a scroll attached to its scaly body, Naruto was sure of who it was from, but wasn't sure if it was safe to even touch it.
He had his doubts, obviously, since its sender was the one who nearly murdered his father, but his curiosity made him want to look. It was a long shot, but maybe, just maybe, he was proposing a deal.
Sighing, he sat at his father's desk, the snake staring down at him with its forked tongue flickering, Naruto reached out for the scroll. He waited for the snake to make a move before taking it, but the snake never moved, allowed the blonde to take the message without fear of a bite or a trap.
He opened the scroll as soon as it touched his hand, blue eyes scanning the paper hurriedly, wanting to know what this was about. "I can't…" He began, eyes wide in shock, mouth dropped open. "I can't believe this…"
"Can't believe what?" Sasuke asked, his eyebrows ruffled as he stood at the doorway, almost missing his best friend's mumble. He was actually on his way to first make sure the blonde had eaten something today – since he usually didn't because he was so busy – and then off to take a nap.
But those words, the look on Naruto's face and the snake currently curled up on his desk made him linger just a few moments longer.
Without a word, the scroll now clenched in his hand, the Interim Hokage stood and very quickly walked over to the door, shoved the scroll into the Uchiha's hands and descended the stairs, his cloak following his footsteps. "I want everyone here. Right now." He said to the raven, who was still at the Office doorway as he took out his phone.
Sasuke nodded absentmindedly, his black eyes drawn to the scroll in his hands, reading the words with shock. "Naruto…" He began, turning and following the blonde into the living room.
It didn't take long for the other 11 Ninja to show up after receiving an urgent "Meeting" text from Naruto, all gathering in the living room, seeing as how every meeting had been in that room and it was the largest room in the house.
"Naru, hon," Hinata began, walking over to him with a worried look on her face. "What's going on?"
He let the other Ninja take some seats as he remained standing, since he'd been sitting all day. "I just got a scroll." He told them, receiving some odd glances.
So it was a scroll that called them all here. But why was it such a big deal? Naruto got scrolls all the time.
"Honestly," Shikamaru began, lying on the couch with his arms propped behind his head. "If you're ever going to be Hokage someday, you've got to learn to not rely on us all the time." He knew his words weren't nice or sweet, but it was true. Naruto had to learn to rely on his own decisions.
Sasuke continued to look at the scroll, reading it just one more time to be absolutely sure. "We have to go." He ran a hand through his hair, trying to remain calm as Yamato had explained to him to do. "Dob – Naruto, we have to go to this. She could be – "
Closing his eyes, Naruto nodded, putting a hand up to the Uchiha. "I know, I know, Sasuke. Kirei's there." Before any more confusion was able to plague their minds, Naruto looked to everyone else to explain. "This "scroll" isn't something ordinary…It's from Orochimaru." He knew Shikamaru was right, but this scroll called for a little more thinking that he didn't have. "That's why I called you guys."
"You think it's a trap." Neji began, knowing the look in the blonde's eye. "You think he's trying to lure the new Hokage, don't you?"
The blonde nodded. "Well…I thought it was just a trap…I didn't go that far, but yeah, that sounds good."
Kiba took his turn. "But there's also a chance that Kirei's there. We could – "
"Orochimaru's not that stupid." Sakura interjected, knowing where the brunette was going. "He's not just going to leave Kirei out in the open for us to take. Right now, she's the only thing keeping him alive."
Naruto shook his head, small smile on his face. "Guys, guys," He calmed them, looking over everyone. "You don't even know what's on the scroll and you're already spot on about what I was thinking!" He said incredulously. He knew his friends knew him, but not this well.
"Than what is the scroll about?" Lee asked as he tilted his head, voice much more light and relaxed than some of his companions.
"Orochimaru is proposing some kind of deal," Sasuke answered, since the scroll was in his hands. "although he doesn't have any details on here. It just says that he'd like to meet with the New Hokage and whoever he wants to bring along to make up a deal." He explained.
"He probably wants the Hokage position." Shino said as he pushed up his glasses. It wasn't like he needed to say it, since everyone knew it, but he thought it better to say it anyway.
"But he doesn't know I'm Hokage." Naruto replied. "And if you are all with me…I'm sure there's no way he could kill me."
The words were strange, although the thought of Naruto dying was even stranger. No one would ever let that happen, but just the thought of having to fight for Naruto's life was very unnerving.
There was a small silence before Sakura continued. "But we can't be 100% sure about anything with Orochimaru around. He could have all of us ambushed and go right after you, Naruto." She said, knowing it's not what he wanted to hear.
"She's right." Neji nodded in agreement. "We can't be sure about anything with him. I've never known the Yondaime to be injured – even once – and for Orochimaru to do that…we don't know what's in store."
Naruto sighed once more, letting his eyes slip shut as he leaned against the armrest of the couch next to him. "I know guys…but, Sakura, you've said it yourself that there isn't anyone on this earth other than Orochimaru who could bring my dad back, or at least, quickly that is. Plus, Kirei is with him. If we can just keep our guard up, we can beat him. I know it." He said, running a hand through his blonde locks.
Everyone could easily see that Naruto wasn't dealing with this easily, glances shared among the group, wondering what they should do.
Yes, the Orochimaru could give them the antidote for the Yondaime and have him back in office within three days. Yes, they could save Kirei from the hell her life was at the moment. Yes, they could kill him and never have any more problems.
But there was always that small percentage of something going wrong. Whether it be by their own fault or Orochimaru's cunning, they couldn't honestly believe with all their heart that they could walk right into the Sannin's base and walk out without a scratch.
"Shikamaru," Naruto began in the silence, taking a silent deep breath as he stood, looking to everyone with adamant blue eyes. "You told me I should start making my own decisions. If I decided to go to the base and work out a deal," He began, speaking more to the group than just Shikamaru. "would you follow me?"
Once again, glanced around the group were exchanged, their faces mostly exempt of emotion.
"News flash for you, Naruto:" Kiba began, standing up from his seated position, Akamaru following his movements. "You are the Hokage."
"I know tha – "
The other Ninja in the room understood where Kiba was going and in his fashion, stood. "As citizens of Konoha, we follow our Hokage, even to the ends of the earth." They said together, all eyes looking to their Hokage.
"More importantly," Sasuke interjected, the scroll set aside, his eyes square with blue eyes when they turned to look at him. "we help our friends when they ask for it."
The large and familiar grin of the Uzumaki appeared on his face, eyes alive with belief and happiness. "Then we're going to Orochimaru's base."
He really did have the most amazing, awesome and invaluable friends on the planet.
After the Hokage had firmly decided that he was traveling to Orochimaru's base to at least see what he was proposing, the rest of the day had been spent preparing for two things, mainly.
Travel was the major of the two, since it would take at least two and half, if not three days to reach the base that had been marked on the map provided with the scroll. They had also decided on how they would be placed, knowing that they couldn't just waltz into the Snake's lair without someone appearing. That would be a stupid move on their part.
Shikamaru and Neji had collaborated on the design of their team, along with the placement of everyone. To ensure Naruto the most protection – and because he was really the heart behind all of this – he would remain in the middle, Sakura on one side of him, Sasuke on the other. They would be his last line of defense if everyone else had failed.
The outer ring of the team would be close to the shape of a diamond, allowing all angles around them to be seen and protected. Because of their Byakugan and their Gentle Fist technique, Hinata and Neji would be the top and bottom point of the diamond. Kiba and Shikamaru followed Hinata, one on her left, the other on her right with Shino and Ino following behind them. Tenten and Chouji were mirrors of Shino and Ino's position, although they were traveling behind Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura. After Tenten and Chouji were Lee and Akamaru, who were in line with Kiba and Shikamaru. Akamaru had been split up from Kiba, only because he could also sense enemies like Kiba and because they had no one else to fill the gap. Neji followed up the very rear, keeping an eye on enemies who could be following them.
The second thing they prepared for was something other than traveling, and possibly, wouldn't happen. But there was always that chance that it would.
Everyone gathered their best Kunai, Seals and knowledge of the Snake Sannin, knowing that it wasn't likely that they could just waltz into his lair and expect to come out unharmed. That would be another stupid move.
So they had prepared for travel and for battle, full knowing what they all would to do protect their Hokage and friend and yet, not knowing what awaited them in Oto.
"This is really it?" Kiba asked as everyone came to a stop on the tree branches of the tree line, not yet wanting to leave the safety of the trees. "It looks more like a prison than a base."
Both Hinata and Neji could confirm that it was the base, able to see the inside. "Yes," The female Hyuuga nodded, clear eyes examining the inside. "It's definitely it." She didn't want to say it, but she was clearly able to see the Snake waiting for them.
Nervous glances were shot to each other and to Naruto, wondering if maybe he wasn't going to go through with it, but when they saw the depths and determination as he stared at the base, they knew he was going.
"Let's go." He began, voice oddly soft. "Just keep on your guard and don't make a move until he does." He reminded them, glancing to all of them to reassure them. "We'll be okay."
With a nod and a few smiles, they left the safety of the trees and proceeded into the base, Hinata leading the way.
Sitting upon a throne of rock, crafted in the likeness of snakes, Orochimaru smiled when he heard the footsteps of many Ninja, knowing the Hokage had accepted his invitation. "So good of you to have come," He began in his silky voice, waiting for them to appear in the light of his large hall. "Ninja of Konoha, and Hokage, of course."
His yellow eyes watched them as they entered, checking their abilities and weapons, waiting for the Hokage to come into view to find out who they had appointed. When the white Hokage cloak came into view, his eyes zeroed in on him, hoping to send fear and despair into whoever he was. He wanted that position and no matter what, he was going to get it.
Determined, adamant and angry blue eyes meet the yellow eyes, making them go wide slightly in shock. "Yeah, yeah," Naruto spoke, keeping his eyes with Orochimaru's. "Nice to be here."
The Snake remained silent in anger and shock, hating that now he'd have to fight yet another Namikaze for Hokage. "I see you've become Hokage, fox boy." He snarled, nostrils flared at the thought of another Namikaze blocking his way to power.
Naruto nodded, evil smile slipping onto his face. "Yeah," He answered, knowing how much Orochimaru hated his blood. "I am Hokage. At least until my dad comes back." He spoke with confidence and a little bit of smugness.
Despite his immense anger, his fingernails digging into the rock of his chair, Orochimaru remained calm, remembering that it wasn't the plan to kill him yet. "You are smart for bringing weapons with you, but you don't need them." He said, narrowing his eyes at the new Hokage. How those blue eyes disgusted him. "I've invited you here to propose a deal…that would benefit the both of us."
The collective group did not believe anything Orochimaru had planned benefited them in the least.
"And what would that be?" Sakura asked in a calm manner, not wanting to rile herself up.
Drawing his eyes away from Naruto, he looked to the rosette, smiling as he remembered her. "I remember you," His smile grew, finger pointing to her. "the pretty pink haired girl I kidnapped a few years ago." Delight filled his eyes when he saw her blink in shock, remembering the ordeal.
Shaking those thoughts from her mind, she sighed to calm herself again.
"That's not what this is about," Shikamaru reminded the Sannin, black eyes glancing to Sakura to make sure she was alright. "Tell us your end of the deal."
Bringing his hand back to his face, leaning upon it, Orochimaru looked to Shikamaru. "And I thought you were the lazy one." His smile lessened when he received no reaction from the Nin and returned his gaze to the blonde he hated. "The deal is this, Hokage," He spat. "I will gladly restore the Yondaime to his former health, swear an Oath to not attack him again. I will even return your beloved cousin," His eyes glanced to Sasuke, smirk on his face. "to you, free of all illnesses and pains."
Glances were shared. They all knew that the other end of the deal would be that he wants Hokage – in which their answer would be no – but they didn't realize that he'd go to such lengths, healing both the Yondaime and Kirei, along with returning them and swearing not to hurt the Yondaime again to get it.
He saw the glances and knew their answer would be no, but the Sannin had something up his sleeve that they possibly would not be able to refuse. "I will happily do all of this, for only one little thing;" A smile took his lips as he spoke. "the position of Hokage."
Naruto's eyes never wavered, expecting the answer. "I will never relinquish Hokage to you." He snarled, eyes smoldering with hate.
"We won't stand for it." Sasuke added, his voice as angry as Naruto's. He wanted Kirei back, but he was not going to let Orochimaru become Hokage. He'd find another way to save her.
The smile remained on his face as he set his head on his hand, hearing footsteps from down the hall. "Oh," He began, knowing who it was. "I think the mouse might be able to change your mind."
She wasn't sure that she really heard the voices from the Grand Hall, since she'd been hearing and seeing few things that weren't real, but Kirei's curiosity had driven her from her room, wanting to know if those voices were real. They'd sounded like Nii-san's and Sakura's voices, but if she'd already been seeing and hearing the Fake Sasuke, maybe she was just hearing their voices too.
"What are you talking about?" Kiba asked in a rage, staring the Sannin down. "The mouse?! Who the hell is that?!"
He continued to smile, hearing her footsteps come closer. "If you remain patient and quiet, she'll appear."
Onyx eyes blinked, his head snapping up in disbelief. "You don't mean…" Slowly, the Uchiha's heart began to quicken at the thought of seeing Kirei again, eyes locked onto Orochimaru to find some sort of truth to his words.
Hinata was the one to confirm his words, her hands traveling to her agape mouth as she saw the blonde poking her head out from one of the hallways to her right. "…Kirei…" She could also see the bruises and cuts her friend was riddled with.
As the other's eyes traveled to the somewhat visible Namikaze, Neji, Shikamaru, Shino, Chouji, Tenten and Lee kept their eyes on the Sannin just in case he was just using her as a distraction.
When her blue eyes saw all of her old friends standing there, some looking at her, the blonde retracted her head quickly, leaning against the wall. She could understand if she was seeing Naruto and maybe Sakura…but everyone? Looking down, she bit her lip, eyes nervously glancing back and forth. "Maybe…they are real…" She mumbled.
He knew he saw her. She was right there, right there in front of him, looking at him. "Kirei?" He asked softly, eyes fixed on that hallway as he broke formation, walking up to and past Hinata.
Hearing his voice call her name, Kirei's mind told her that he wasn't real. It was just another fake, wanting to cut her up and tear her heart apart. But there was a feeling, somewhere in her heart that made her stand and poke her head out once more.
When his eyes met with hers once more, he froze with shock, remembering how lovely and deep those eyes had always been. "Princess?" For fear that she wasn't real, that it was a trick of Orochimaru's, he remained in his spot, calling to her.
She continued to look at him warily, her eyes examining his person, as if she'd never seen him before. Remaining silent, she slowly walked out of the hallway, coming closer to the group gradually. Her eyes flickered to each person in the room, but always came back to Sasuke, watching him with great caution.
She was not, in any way, going to be tricked again. Her heart couldn't take much more of it.
As she made her way closer, the Ninja who had their eyes on her were in a state of shock, able to clearly see all of the cuts, marks, bumps, bruises and even dried blood on her arms and face. Even her knees were bloody, the stains showing through the holes and on the jeans themselves.
If they didn't know any better, it looked as if she'd been beaten every day she was there.
Sasuke gulped as she came nearer to him, his eyes staying with hers but also looking at the bruises and cuts everyone else could see. "Kirei…" He began softly, eyes boring into hers. How he wanted to run up to her and wrap her in his arms to protect her from all the evils around her, but that look in her eyes made him stay where he was.
Orochimaru watched the scene with a large smirk, not knowing what was going to happen. He had a feeling that it would be very enjoyable, though.
As his cousin, his beaten little sister walked closer to Sasuke, Naruto tore his gaze from her – unable to see her in that state – and turned his glare on Orochimaru, who sat, a smug smile on his face. "Who did this to her?!" He demanded, voice an angry roar.
He flicked his gaze to the angered Hokage, smile still plain on his face. "Why don't you ask her?" He answered. "Kabuto and I had nothing to do with this."
Kirei was not fazed by her cousin's voice, too enwrapped in the raven in front of her to hear it. Stopping only a few feet from him, she continued to look into his eyes, wondering if he really was real. If this was really her Sasuke, the one she remembered.
He certainly looked a little different from what she'd been seeing lately; he was slightly taller now and his hair…his widow's peak wasn't as noticeable, a few bangs growing over his usually open forehead. But everything else was the same. Even the look in the eyes, the urgency and sadness in the voice. She'd heard her it all before.
He'd heard what the Snake bastard had said, that they didn't do this to her. Sasuke had little doubt that that was true. Who else could have done something like this, something that would scar her forever? "Ki – "
Before he was able to say it again, she slowly raised her right hand, eyes never wavering from his. She continued to watch his eyes as they watched her hand, slowly reaching out for his cheek, wanting to caress it like she'd done times before, hoping that maybe this time he was real.
But she stopped. Fingertips only a breath away from his skin, she stopped, eyes wide and disbelieving. Why would this time be any different? Why, even if he looked different, would he be any more real than the last time? She was only setting herself up for more hurt, for more torment. "No…" She began, her voice soft, eyes glossy with tears. "You're not real…" Her hand returned to her side as she backed up, eyes closing, unable to look into his shocked black eyes any longer. "Just fiction…" She mumbled, running both hands into her hair and gripping it in confusion.
Before Sasuke could even begin to understand, she ran away, back down the hallway she came.
For more than a few moments, the Uchiha stood right where he was, staring blankly at where Kirei had been standing. He wasn't…wasn't real? But that…that didn't make any sense? How could he not be real?
"You had to have done this, Orochimaru!!" Naruto yelled, glaring with all his might at the Sannin who continued to smile. "There's no one else who could hurt her like that!"
"Oh, but there is." His snake like sight shifted to the blonde, smile still set on his face. "And since Uchiha boy chased her off, I'll tell you who's been…taking care of your cousin."
"That's not what we're here for," Shikamaru began. Of course Kirei was important, but they also had to remember what they came here for; the proposal. "We're here for the – "
"I want to know." Sasuke cut him off, Sharingan red eyes glaring at the Snake, his fists shaking. No one would ever live after doing that to her. No one.
Sliding his gaze away from the Uzumaki, Orochimaru looked at Sasuke, a shiver going through him at the sight of the Sharingan. "You did."
The Sharingan faded in an instant, black eyes blinking in disbelief. "That's not possible." He growled, his doubt waning. Could it really have been him? That could be why she didn't think he was – No. He couldn't think like that. He wasn't there to do that to her. He couldn't have done it.
Orochimaru smiled. "Anything is possible." He told him, watching his heart break through the pain in his eyes. He'd almost forgotten how much fun it was to torture the Uchiha. "Just like accepting a small little deal." He returned his gaze to Naruto, smile wavering.
It wasn't easy. Saying no and leaving his father in a coma, leaving Kirei here, to further her torment and misery. But he had to. "I will never, ever," He began, staring down the Snake with the blue eyes he hated. "relinquish Hokage to you. I'll die before that happens, even if it means my family dies."
The smile slithered from his lips, a scowl replacing it. "Then so be it. The next time you see her, she will be dead." Unlike any other words he'd spoken before, these words were harsh and venomous, just like a snake's bite. With one last glare, he vanished in poof of smoke, leaving the Konoha Ninja to despair.