Hey everyone /'~'/ So not much to say, just a quick thing, I might not be updating as often as I have been because I'm gonna be working on my next story since everything for this one is mostly set in stone.
~/Sasuke P.O.V/~
"So the plan is to pretend to be part of Orochimaru's shipment. We'll get an easy way in, then Sasuke and Neji should be able to find Naruto. We find him and fight our way out." Kyuubi explained as he stood away from the group. They were all in a large square room, it was gray with large cables and wires running along the ceiling. The other's all sat at a long table in the middle of the room, the entire room surrounded by miscellaneous machines.
"And fight your way out?" Tsunade asked through the phone.
"If you have a better idea then please share. I don't like it either, it's too dangerous, too unpredictable, but we don't have much of a choice. Obito shouldn't see us, and we can restrain our powers. As long as we cover our faces and don't stand out it should be fine. Once we're inside we'll split off from the initial group. Hopefully, by using Neji and Sasuke's eyes we can avoid any encounters, get to Naruto quick and be gone long before anyone notices." Kyuubi explained, using hand movements to emphasize the actions despite Tsunade being unable to see his hands.
"Okay, and on the off chance that it even works, what after? Obito will go after Naruto again."
"And we'll deal with it then." Kyuubi sighed, irritated. "Sasuke thinks maybe they should leave town and hide out but for now we have nothing in stone. Itachi and Sasuke are batting ideas back and forth but so far that seems to be the only plausible one until we figure this all out. Even if we get a chance to kill Obito there are still other Akatsuki members and we're not sure how far they're willing to go for this final plan."
"Do it then, but be careful."
"We know." Kyuubi nodded into the phone.
"The trade will go down in two days. The shipment is already being brought in by some subordinates, they'll lead the group in alongside whoever Obito sends to collect. Once inside they'll collect on my part of the trade and leave." Orochimaru explained as he sat at the far end of the table.
"Who'll be guiding and who'll be collecting?" Sasuke questioned, the other's rather lost to the entire charade.
"The sound four will be guiding, I don't know whose collecting." Sauske nodded in understanding.
"Okay, so me, Kyuubi and Sasuke will all be at the back of the group. We'll be restrained by one of your men, however he'll use his abilities to release us at the appropriate time so we can retreat into the hideout. By the time we escape don't you think someone would've sensed us?" Neji asked, leaning against the table.
"It'll be fine by then, me and Hinata will back you up once you've left and help you escape to Konoha with Naruto. Once we reach Konoha we'll talk with Tsunade about our next move, whenever we figure out what that is." Itachi continued, crossing his arms as he leaned back in his chair.
"Once the sound four arrive I'll be leaving for another hideout, I have no plans of staying in case my helping you is exposed. The sound four will also not help you in escaping." Orochimaru spoke. Everyone nodded in understanding.
~/Sasuke P.O.V/~
"The Uchiha have several bases around the world, just for this type of situation. Most of them are sealed off from any threat not human, and secluded enough that Naruto can be properly trained or simply just give him the chance to relax." Sasuke said in irritation as he paced around the room growing increasingly irritated at the woman's stubbornness.
"No, I'm not comfortable just handing Naruto over to you." Tsuande yelled as she jumped from her chair. Sasuke ran his hand through his hair, slumping into a nearby chair no longer willing to fight the woman.
"Okay, calm down, this is the best solution, Tsunade. Even you have to understand that Naruto can't be brought back here." Kyuubi baaed as he set a comforting hand on Sasuke's shoulder.
"Yes, Obito will most likely be coming after you guys and we don't know enough about him." Tsunade sighed, taking a seat. She turned in her chair, staring out the window and giving an exasperated sigh, "Two conditions, Kakashi will go with you on your little coup and he'll go with you guys to the Uchiha hideout. You also have to contact me as soon as you reach safety and continue to keep me updated on both Naruto's condition and his location. I'm don't trust you nearly enough without my own inside man, too many questionable characters are involved in this entire charade." Tsunade spat.
"That should be fine." Itachi said, looking at Sasuke,
"Hn." He stubbornly huffed.
~/Naruto P.O.V/~
Naruto dodged, fiercely pushing his palm into Hidan's chest. "Che." Hidan huffed in irritation, bringing his fist down to strike the boys back. Naruto quickly moved out of the way, back handing Hidan and forcing him to his knees. Naruto spun in the air, aiming for the back of Hidan's neck. Hidan caught Naruto's foot, tossing him at the floor. Naruto gracefully slid across the arena's dirt floor and quickly bounced back, running at Hidan.
Naruto's clothes were ripped covered with dried blood, his blonde hair now turned brown from it. The visible wounds were mostly white as infections began setting in.
"We're so close." Obito pouted.
"Seems so." Zetsu replied, "The end is almost near. Will you stay to watch the outcome?"
"Yes." Obito shook his head, "I want to stay till the end, and once it's finished I'll finally be able to die and join my mate in the afterlife."
"And the Akatsuki? Everything you've built up."
"I've never cared for it." Obito smiled. "The only ones who know the final plan are me and you, for the other's it's just a means to kill and torture. Once my goal is complete I don't care what the other's choose to do."
"And the Sasuke situation?"
Obito shook his head, "It'll take time but everyone will soon be affected, Sasuke had made his choice. I was simply a kid at his side despite my previous belief that he was my brother. Kyuubi and Sasuke, the life I led with them, them all, was just a childhood whim, I'm ready for it all to end. What about you?"
"I don't think that far ahead."
Obito smiled, "What a blatant lie."
Zetsu smiled slightly, "I'll disappear."
"To?"
"Wherever, of course there's no affirmation I won't be dead by the time we reach the final stage. Everyone will be affected."
"It'll be chaotic at first, death will be rampant but once natural selection takes place this will finally be a world for Mother Nature alone." Obito smiled, leaning his head against the wall.
"As it should be." Zetsu smiled, again disappearing into the wall as Obito childishly mimicked his words.
"Hidan! I'm bored, spice it up!" Obito called from his spectator seat.
~/Sasuke P.O.V/~
"I really should go in your place, Sasuke." Itachi spoke, "You just got out of the hospital."
"I'm find, Itachi." Sasuke said as the two sat in the Uchiha mansion living room, embracing their first moment of peace in a while.
"What do you hope to accomplish, Sasuke? Do you wanna save Naruto, get revenge, or what?"
"I think it should be obvious." Sasuke hissed.
"Well, the end location is the same I guess. Still, when Naruto returns he might not be the same person. What if he isn't?" Itachi said, sitting across from his brother.
"Why does it concern you?"
"What do you think of Naruto? More than Tsunade or Iruka you're devoting yourself to finding Naruto."
Sasuke glared at his brother, really not wanting to have, 'the talk', with him. "Hn."
"Are you in love with him? Is it because he's Naruko's brother, they're alike."
"Like it matters."
"Then why go so far?"
"It's none of your business."
"Please?"
"Hn. You just love sticking your nose where it doesn't belong."
"For you? Definitely."
Sasuke closed his eyes, slumping into submission, "I'm desperate, and I'm terrified. We need to find Naruto, I won't fail this time, this time I will protect what's important to me."
"So he is important?"
"Do you want me to say it that bad? Just put myself out there?"
"How important?"
"I'm about to punch you."
Itachi smiled, thumping his younger brother's head, "I'll stop teasing you. Come on, the others have all gone to resupply and eat, we should get some blood too."
"Hn." Sasuke ran a hand through his hair but forced himself to his feet. "Then back to Orochimaru's hideout."
Itachi smiled pitifully at his younger brother, "It's almost over."
~/Sasuke P.O.V/~
Sasuke looked around at the members of the Sound Four. The head of the four was known by the name Ukon. He suffered from a multiple-personality disorder, his other personality, his twin-brother, was named Sakon. His ability was odd because it created a separate body for his secondary personality, literally making it seem as though there were two people in one body. Both Sakon and Ukon had straight, dark grey hair with long bangs that covered each different eye, their bangs were on opposite sides, Ukon's being on the left and Sakon's on the right whenever he took form.
Tayuya was the only girl out of the four. Her voice was her weapon. Whenever she sang she was able to attack others by simply changing the tone of her voice. She had long, untamed, dark pink hair and she wore a black hat with bandaged sides.
Jirōbō was the strongest physically but the weakest overall. He was only able to control earth, one of the basic blood-line abilities. He was the largest of the four with orange eyes and orange hair, his hair was in three tuffs. Two on each side of his head, reaching back past his ear and one on top of his hair coming up like a Mohawk.
Finally was Kidōmaru. He had the ability to create and wield an almost spider-web like string. It was extremely durable. He was dark-skinned with black eyes and black hair, his hair pulled back into a shaggy ponytail.
They were all the prodigies among Orochimaru's experiments.
"So you guys will all be locked up with my webs, at the back of the group." Kidōmaru informed them as the group sat in Orochimaru's hideout.
"Sasuke and I will be trying to sense Naruto, once we do we'll pull at the string pushing it in the direction in which we need to go." Neji explained.
"Then I'll distract whoever's leading us while Kidōmaru retracts the strings so you guys can find him." Ukon followed in understanding.
"And if you're caught?" Tayuya asked.
"It's likely and if that happens then we'll have to fight our way out. Itachi and Hinata will be nearby so we won't be completely vulnerable." Kyuubi followed.
"We won't be able to bring anything, we need to travel light." Kakashi followed,
"Okay, then it's settled." Sasuke nodded. "We leave tomorrow."
~/Sasuke P.O.V/~
"I finally got to spend some time with Gaara too." Neji pouted as everyone had returned to Orochimaru's hideout.
"I don't really wanna leave Iruka either, I mean with Naruto gone he's a mess. Still, if this means we can save him I'm all for it." Kakashi replied.
"Don't leave Sasuke's side, got it? I don't want you to get hurt." Itachi frowned as he hugged Kyuubi.
Kyuubi laughed in his lover's embrace, "I'm not 5 Itachi, don't worry so much."
Is everyone I know gay? Sasuke questioned as he watched them all. I blame you guys.
"Let's get this over with." Hinata sighed as she walked up to Sasuke.
"Yeah, yeah." Sasuke replied as he grabbed his sword, swinging it into its case as it lied against his back. He grabbed a cloak, throwing it over his shoulder and pulling the hood over his head. Kyuubi, Neji and Kakashi all doing the same thing.
"Let's go!" Ukon called as the four followed behind him.
"Not a bad shipment, eh?" Jirōbō playfully hit Sasuke's shoulder as they came up on the group of hunter-turned, receiving a glare in return. There was about 20 people set into columns of 4. Sasuke, Kakashi, Neji and Kyuubi got in behind the others as webs began sneaking across their arms and along their feet entrapping their wrists and their ankles.
"This is the meeting place." Kidōmaru said, surveying his string to make sure there were no openings.
"How do we know the others won't say anything?" Sasuke asked motioning towards the slaves.
"Don't worry about them, they're bred to be puppets. That's the highlight of Orochimaru's experiments." Ukon said as he flicked one of the slaves in the head.
"Then what about you guys?" Kyuubi glared at Ukon.
"Of course we're the same." Tayuya smiled in response.
"Someone's coming." Sasuke said. The members of the sound four nodded, each of them going to the corners surrounding the group of men. Sasuke, Kyuubi, Neji and Kakashi all bowed their heads in order to hide themselves. After a single moment Kakazu appeared.
"Good day." Ukon smiled. Kakazu simply glared at him.
"Is this it?"
"Lord Orochimaru said if Obito wants more Obito will also have to compromise." Ukon spoke.
"I see." Kakazu nodded as he began walking a slow circle around the group.
"Why do you need so many all of a sudden?" Jirōbō questioned. Kakazu looked at him for a second,
"Meh, we just need to increase security for a while." Kakazu replied, he gave a final glance and sighed, "Okay, looks good, let's go." Kakazu said as he walked ahead of the group, leading them away.
"So why didn't we meet at the hideout, why'd we meet out here?" Ukon asked.
"I thought you guys didn't ask questions." Kakazu said in irritation.
"Just trying to make conversation." Ukon frowned.
Kakazu gave an exasperated sigh, "We couldn't chance just giving our location out needlessly, we have too many enemies, too many people coming after us." Kakazu stopped in front of the mountain, setting his hand on a nearby rock he pushed it into the mountain. The space in front of Kakazu vibrated as the opening was revealed and he walked through it. The slaves shifted into two columns and entered the compound side-by-side. Sasuke's eyes turned red as Neji's pupils became more distinct the veins around his temple bulging as Neji searched the hideout and Sasuke tried to sense Naruto. Sasuke momentarily stumbled when he sensed Obito but it only took him a second to decide Naruto was more important. He stopped as he sensed the blonde's weakened power, his head thumping in anxiety as he gently pulled the string to the right, the side Naruto was on.
~/Naruto P.O.V/~
Naruto looked up at the cell ceiling, slightly shifting as he felt a calm and warm sensation washing over him. He sensed something and it was so strange. He felt his heart violently pound as he grabbed the cell door, somehow he was excited, happy. For some reason he felt like his heart was about to burst and he didn't quite know why. He breathed a heavy sigh trying to calm himself down as he slumped back against the cell.
~/Sasuke P.O.V/~
Ukon stopped the slaves as they reached an opening leading deeper into the hideout. He moved ahead, standing in front of Kakazu. "What is it?" Kakazu growled.
"How much farther until we get paid?" Ukon questioned as Kidomaru walked up to Sasuke, setting his hand on the man's back as the strings around them began retreating.
"Once the objects are properly secured and checked you'll get your money." Kakazu growled as Sasuke, Kyuubi, Neji and Kakashi escaped into the opening. Kakazu pushed past Ukon as the group continued on their way.
~/Sasuke P.O.V/~
"Neji, do you see Naruto?" Sasuke questioned as they ran through the narrow corridor.
"Yeah."
"What's the most convenient path? With the least amount of people."
"Uhm, take a left up here." Neji spoke.
"Hn." Sasuke nodded as he turned, the other's following close behind. We're close, we're right here, please be okay, please be okay, Naruto. Sasuke was pulled from his thoughts as Neji violently threw him back, putting a hand on the Uchiha's mouth as the four sat in silence for a few minutes. Neji breathed a sigh of relief as he let go of Sasuke. Sasuke looked at the open corridor he had run into now sensing the man as he walked away. Sasuke nodded to the others as they once again ran through the corridors, this time paying close attention to Neji's words. Left, right, left, left again, just keep going.
"What do we do?" Neji questioned as a man stood in the corridor, blocking them from the next turn.
"Is there another way around?" Kyuubi asked.
"Yeah." Neji replied.
"Forget it, it'll take away too much time." Sasuke said, jumping out and quickly cutting the man's throat, killing him long before he could even utter a sound. "With the slaves here it means that the numbers are unstable, so taking out one or two people shouldn't alarm anyone. Come on, let's continue." The other's nodded as they once again continued their course.
"Something's wrong. There's not enough resistance." Kakashi spoke as they ran,
"You're right." Neji agreed.
"Whoa, whoa, stop." Kyuubi said as he slowed down.
"What?" Sasuke followed.
"Do you hear that?" Kyuubi asked.
"It sounds like gears." Sasuke commented, looking around the base, looking up and seeing as a wall was coming down on them. "What the?" Sauske stopped, grabbing Kyuubi and pulling him back as the wall cut off the corridor.
"Ouch!" Kyuubi pouted as he swatted away Sasuke's hand on his shoulder, more hurt by his grip than falling.
"You okay?!" Neji called. Sasuke looked up, Neji and Kakashi were on the other side.
"Yeah! What now?" Sasuke called back.
"It should be easy enough for us to get around, can you find your way, Sasuke?" Neji questioned.
"Yeah," Sasuke called back, pulling Kyuubi to his feet as he scaled the wall.
"Okay, you guys go ahead we'll meet up." Neji called then turned to face the figure behind him.
"Well, seems like we're in trouble." Kakashi said as he and Neji turned to face Hidan. The man gave a twisted grin, cracking his fingers.
"Finally, some good prey."
~/Sasuke P.O.V/~
"I am so disappointed right now." Kyuubi said, running a hand through his head. "Seriously, like what's with the cliché trap, we taught him better." Sasuke stifled a laugh at Kyuubi's comment.
"I'm pretty sure that's the least of our concerns." Sasuke replied.
"Don't worry, Sasuke. They're fine and so is Naruto, we'll find him." Kyuubi smiled as they ran
"Still, I'm curious why he had that set up." Sasuke replied.
"It doesn't matter, we either tripped a trap or we've been found. In either case they know we're here."
"He probably has some kind of defense mechanism, if something goes wrong all they have to do is divide the hideout into two so they built the walls. If it was triggered it could also be used to cut someone off if you're being chased, there's probably similar set ups around the hideout. Still, why was it triggered?"
"We really need to hurry, Sasuke." Kyuubi spoke.
"I know." Sasuke nodded as they increased their pace.
~/Sasuke P.O.V/~
"What is this?" Kyuubi asked as they ran into an arena type set-up.
"I don't know. Naruto's scent is strong." Sasuke said, "Blood." He whispered to himself as he grabbed a handful of sand, now dyed red. He clenched his fist around the sand in anger, throwing it aside, "Let's go."
"Too late." Kyuubi said as the arena doors closed.
"Not bad." The two turned as Kakazu walked through the only open door, which shut behind him. He smiled, "Did you really believe two purebloods could break into here without being found?"
"Here I thought it worked." Kyuubi mumbled sarcastically.
"I'll admit we never guessed Orochimaru would betray us and help you, sadly enough the four traitors got away but as soon as you released your power Obito could tell. It took some time for orders to be relayed which is why you've gotten so far, but not anymore." Kakazu threw his coat off revealing his heavily stitched arms, legs and torso.
"Well we didn't think it would be easy." Sasuke said, preparing to fight.
"Leave it, break down the gate and go after Naruto." Kyuubi demanded, standing in front of Sasuke.
"Like hell, I'm not leaving you, Itachi would kill me."
"Sasuke! Itachi has no say, just trust me and go!" Sasuke slightly flinched, knowing full well Kyuubi was serious due to his strained voice.
"After the fight stay here unless you can find me or the others."
"Got it, now hurry up." Sasuke nodded and ran to the gate quickly breaking it down and leaving.
"Are you done?" Kakazu asked.
"Yes, thank you for waiting." Kyuubi replied as he prepared to fight, I know well that they're just afraid of losing me but honestly, their love is way too dark, good luck, Naruto.
"Now, shall we?" Kakazu asked.
"Gladly." Kyuubi nodded in turn.
~/Sasuke P.O.V/~
"Naruto!" Sasuke yelled as he entered the dungeon, running at the cell. The boy lying on the ground seemingly unresponsive. "I gotta get this open." Sasuke commented as he went to grab the cage door, quickly dodging as a force came up behind him.
"You were slower than I expected, dear brother."
"Obito." Sasuke hissed as he faced the man.
"If only I'd killed you then." Obito licked his lips as he held his arms out to the side.
"Yeah, you probably should have." Sasuke agreed charging forward.
Fav, follow, review, much obliged v.v