Disclaimer: Standard.
Chapter 20: Move On
xoxoxo
"So you're going back today?" asked Monobe as he looked at the chubby man next to him. Renzai nodded slightly with his eyes still swollen because of crying too much yesterday. "I'm so sorry for your lost, Monobe-dono…" he said, then shifted his gaze to Sasuke, "you too, Uchiha-sama. I'm so sad, but you must be suffering more than I did…" he continued. Sasuke stared blankly at him. Renzai let out a long sighed as tears puddle again in his eyes.
Later that afternoon, Renzai was preparing to leave the place with his maids. "Uchiha-sama, maybe it's not my position to say this. But, please stay strong, time will heal" said Renzai as he patted on Sasuke's shoulder. Sasuke nodded weakly at the guy. "Be careful on your journey…" said Monobe as Renzai left the Kaguryu's compound.
Monobe then turned to his son, realizing that Sasuke was walking back into the main house. "Sasuke…" he called out, "let's talk a bit." Sasuke turned slightly to him. "I know it might not be a good time, but Tamane, she was devastated since Amisa's death" said Monobe. Sasuke looked at his father questioning. "I heard from the other maids, Tamane kept on blaming herself on the miscarriage. It wasn't her fault. So, I thought you could talk to her…" continued Monobe. Sasuke nodded slowly and left.
That night, Sasuke went to Tamane's room, to seek for an answer and to console the maid. "Tamane" stated Sasuke as he entered the room. Tamane was sitting at the edge of her bed, wiping the tears off her cheeks when Sasuke came. "Sasuke-sama?" she said. Sasuke stood beside her. He could saw the toll of Amisa's death upon Tamane; she was disorganized. "I'm sorry for what happened to Amisa-sama" she pleaded, sobbing again.
"Tell me… her last moment" said Sasuke looking down on the lady. Her lips trembled, holding in the urge to cry out. Her chest went up and down in tune with her light sob. "She… she said sorry, to you…" then Tamane cried out loud. Moments passed with Tamane kept on sobbing while Sasuke stayed silent eyeing the devastated lady.
Tamane grasped herself back; she wiped the unstoppable tears, looking up at Sasuke again. "I hate myself for not being able to do anything… I… I just can't do anything" she muffled her sob, clasping her mouth. Sasuke closed his eyes to not see the sadness in her, to not let himself distraught. "Don't blame yourself" muttered Sasuke. Tamane gasped in between her sob. "I believe that Amisa won't blame you. You've done a good job, staying with her till her last moment…" said Sasuke, inhaling deeply, "I wasn't there… she must've been blaming me, like I blame myself" he continued.
Tamane's face twisted in horrible sadness, she muffled herself into her palms. "Thank you…" she mumbled. Seeing the lady getting overwhelmed by her grieve, Sasuke's eyebrows frowned deeper, his chest felt heavy. He left the room, leaving Tamane, as his head pounded trying not to cry.
XOXOXOX
Days had passed with Sasuke spent most of his time practicing whenever he was home. He tried to fill his head with other thoughts whenever any memories of Amisa came up. "Sasuke…" Monobe called out. Sasuke was stunned. He turned to his father that was standing at the porch, looking at him. Sasuke tried to regulate his breathing as he was panting from his sword practice. He put his sword back into its sheath, he walked over to Monobe.
"I can see that you're still troubled" commented Monobe. Sasuke did not answer; he gave his father a wondering look in the eyes. "Your stance just now – it was rage" said Monobe. The father and son sat on the porch. "I know you're still upset from what had happened. And I know that it will take a long time to heal… but Sasuke, don't keep blaming yourself" the father continued.
Sasuke looked afar towards the green garden. "I heard that Tamane left the house" said Sasuke. "Hmm… yes. As long as she's fine, that's okay" replied Monobe. Sasuke nodded in agreement. "I understand your feeling. I once lost a wife too" said Monobe while being eyed by Sasuke. "She fell gravely ill. Nami just turned two when she died… but I can't compare to your lost anyway, because I was there for her…" Monobe continued. Then he put a hand on Sasuke's shoulder.
"It must be hard for you too, to-san… for being there when your wife died, but unable to do anything…" said Sasuke. Monobe thought for awhile. He silently agreed. "It's hard… both ways. If I was there, I knew I can't accept the fact that I can't do anything for her. And now that I wasn't there for her, I still feel guilty" said Sasuke, still looking faraway. Monobe sighed. "You're right. We just want them to stay… that's all. All we can do now is move on" he said. Sasuke nodded and closed his eyes as Amisa's smiling face flashed through his mind.
XOXOXOX
"It's done". Startled, Neji turned to the source of the voice. He saw a masked man looking at him. "Take off the mask damn it" said Neji. The man removed the mask. "How's my idea of you wearing a mask, Naruto?" asked Neji. "Stuffy" said Naruto as he sat in front of Neji. "But it's better to conceal your identity" said Neji. "I prefer my victims to see my face before they meet their death" stated Naruto without any remorse. "You're so heartless" said Neji, looking at the blondie.
Naruto snorted, he turned away slightly. Being an assassin did have a toll in his heart. He had to remove all the guilt as he looked into his victims' eyes. Eventually, he felt nothing at their fear. "I have to finish my job fast… not that I'm heartless, just giving them a better way to die" said Naruto after a deep thought. Neji eyed his in-law. "I never thought that I did this. It shaken me to my core when I decided to dirty my hand in your affair" stated Neji. Naruto narrowed his eyes.
"I've never asked you to involve in this, nii-san…" stated Naruto in annoyance. "But how did you do it? Don't you feel anything at all?" asked Neji. Naruto inhaled deeply. He raised his hands slightly and looked at them. "My hands… they are firm now. I remember that my hands were shaking uncontrollably after my first victim" said Naruto, as he peered at Neji. "But I do feel scared sometimes, scared of losing myself. I hate it when I started to feel accomplish after killing them. Am I becoming just like them?" asked Naruto.
Neji thought for awhile. "What do you mean?" he then asked. "I killed bad people. Does that make me a bad guy too?" said Naruto. "Naruto, I can't answer that. But, I do feel bad for not capturing you for all you've done. And for all the time I spent to catch the assassin. Now that you're in front of me, yet I can't do anything. Selfish, isn't it?" said Neji, smirking. Naruto unconsciously nodded.
"Let's move on, Naruto. I have this one guy I need you to investigate" said Neji as he gave Naruto a document on his next mission. "Watanabe?" uttered Naruto. Neji nodded. "You wanted me to check on this guy? How about Monobe?" asked Naruto. "Monobe is the least of our concern. Then I'll leave this to you" said Neji. "Fine. Then, I'll get going. Hinata must be waiting for me" said Naruto as he got up and left the room.
XOXOXOX
The next day at work, Naruto was summoned to Neji's office after the meeting. Neji was waiting for him when Naruto entered. "What is it, nii-san?" asked the blondie. "Have a seat. I just wanna talk a bit with you…" said Neji as Naruto took a seat in front of him. "As people started to panic again because of your act last night, we have to stay discreet" said Neji. "But we're discussing it here, is it okay?" asked Naruto. Neji nodded, "Since we can't actually talk about this at home. Office will be much safer, since no one suspecting us meeting like this" he explained. Naruto instinctively agreed.
"Anyway, luck is on our side. I have men investigating on Watanabe's dirty affair, and I struck jackpot" said Neji in accomplishment. "The book you gave me last time, proven that Kaguryu's family really involved in helping Watanabe doing most of his dirty job. This includes human trafficking" Neji continued. "So, you want me to kill him?" asked Naruto. Neji crossed him arms, with a smile on his face. "Hold your horses, Naruto. I've told you, luck is on our side" he chuckled.
"I've received an intel from Iwashi, that Watanabe recently being blackmailed. By who, I don't know but his dirty affair seems to be drawing attention lately" said Neji. "So, he must be targeted by other people too?" asked Naruto, needing an explanation. "Yes, and this has create a chance for us. I want you to go to Grass city, to help Iwashi on this matter. Because, unfortunately for Watanabe, he seeks help from the police forces" Neji's lips twisted into a cynical smile.
XOXOXOX
Naruto went to Grass city on his mission to help Iwashi. "I guess your real motive on being here is different?" asked Iwashi, almost whispering. Naruto was stunned somehow. "What do you mean?" he asked in return. "Everyone is looking for a way to capture Watanabe doing his dirty work. Even the villagers started to distrust him, since his scandal of misusing the Fire Country monetary fund. And now, Neji sent you here…" explained Iwashi.
"So, you're telling me that, the blackmailer is among the people?" asked Naruto. "That could be true. Even the mayor himself was accused of planning an assassination on Watanabe. Except that it failed, the entire plan failed" said Iwashi, disappointment written clearly on his face. "Fail, huh? This must be because of his relation to the samurai family, am I correct?" asked Naruto. Iwashi nodded.
Later that day, Naruto went to Watanabe's mansion together with Iwashi. "You can take the chance to look around his house. It's rumored to be heavily guarded, and the guards aren't ordinary, they're skilled swordsmen. Just like you" Neji's words ran through Naruto's mind as he followed the servant to the main house. Naruto took his time observing the compound. Indeed, guards were everywhere. And as they were getting closer to the main house, the security seemed double if not triple. "This could be troublesome" thought Naruto.
"Please, Watanabe-dono is waiting for you" said the servant as he guided Iwashi and Naruto into the main house. The front door was guarded too, and as they enter, they were literally greeted by guards. Watanabe was sitting at the end of the hall. "Please, come closer" he said. Iwashi and Naruto came closer to him but were stopped by the guard in the middle of the hall, with his sword. Both Iwashi and Naruto were startled. Watanabe gestured to his guard to lower the sword.
The two policemen just stood at their place silently as they were forbid to go nearer by the guard. "Sorry, but I wouldn't risk myself being close to anyone after the many assassination on me" mentioned Watanabe. "We understand that, Watanabe-dono. But we're here to take a look on the blackmail letter and to find out the culprit, as you wish" said Iwashi. Watanabe gestured to his maid. The maid then gave a piece of paper to Iwashi. The paper was written 'KILL' in red.
"Blood maybe?" muttered Iwashi as he observed the letter. "Watanabe-dono, pardon me of asking this, but why do you think there are people blackmailing you?" asked Naruto. Both Watanabe and Iwashi were stunned at the question. "Hm… I guess everyone has an enemy. I bet you're just trying to confirm your thought. And of course you knew that I was accused of many things against the law of the country" answered Watanabe. Naruto frowned, gritted his teeth in anger. "Am I right, ?" the councilman chuckled.
"Although we knew about your scandals in politic, if you're asking us for help, we're still doing our job. Isn't it, Naruto-san?" asked Iwashi, purposely to ease the tense. Naruto snorted, he did not response.
Iwashi and Naruto continued their investigation and interview with Watanabe and few of his guards and maids. They left late in the afternoon with no solid answer. However, Naruto's secret mission of viewing the compound was quite a success. "Watanabe-dono is much aware that we can't solve this with a mere paper. I wonder why he bothers to call us here?" commented Iwashi. "Maybe because he thought it was necessary. If he didn't do so, it seems like he actually agree to all the accusation" replied Naruto. "Yeah, I guess you're right. Do as normal people do" said Iwashi.
XOXOXOX
Back to Konoha, Naruto reported on his mission to Neji. "Good job. I bet you can imagine yourself infiltrating into the mansion at night to kill him?" asked Neji, smirking, sarcastically. Naruto did not say a word as he thought it was never a fun thing to do sneaking into someone's house, uninvited and trying not to be caught. "So, what's next?" asked Naruto. Neji let out a sigh, "Don't be too hasty. I can see that you're impatient with everything. Why? Are you unsecure?" he asked. Naruto unconsciously shook his head, "No, I was just wondering."
"I'll have you take this matter slowly. And remember, his guards are swordsmen too, so you'll need time to prepare" said Neji. "But I never took a long time to strike" replied Naruto, crossing his arms in disagreement. "Well, I don't want to risk you getting caught or hurt. Watanabe is nothing like any of your past victims. His mansion is way bigger," Neji tapped his finger on the blueprint, "And highly guarded. Even Watanabe himself is skilled in sword".
"I get it…" muttered Naruto, eyeing his in-law. Neji leaned back on his chair. "If you get caught, it will be the end to both of us. And Hinata will be so much in dismay" he stared deeply into Naruto's blue sky eyes.
XOXOXOX
Later that night, Naruto thought of getting to bed early since he was exhausted from the kendo practice during the day. He rest next to Hinata. "Hinata…" he said, as he placed his hand on Hinata's belly. The lady put away the book she was reading, turning her attention to her husband. "Yes?" she asked, stroking softly into Naruto's golden lock.
"Nothing, I just wanted to say your name" he said, kissing her belly. "You've been so busy lately, Naruto-kun" she commented. Naruto looked at his wife. She had this unpleased look in her eyes, Naruto smiled. "Why? Are you feeling lonely?" he jokingly asked. Hinata pouted a little. "No, but you seldom at home and when you're at home, you're busy with kendo practice" she sounded unhappy.
Naruto locked his gaze with her. He had a lot went on in his mind, a lot more to tell her but he just could not. He forced a smile. "I'm really sorry Hinata" he said, rubbing her belly. "I hope I'll be a better husband to you… and soon, be a good father to our child" he said. Hinata frowned at his words. "I know you will" she said.
A/N: Gomen.. gomen... for the long hiatus. Here's the chapter comeback. The story is entering a new arc, more characters waiting and more twisted the storyline will be. Happy reading!