I'm doing the author notes last second, so they won't be long. It feels so strange that I've been working on this for more than twenty-one weeks already. I'm not even sure how long it will be anymore, but I know how I'm ending it. R&R~
Leaves were brushed past as the two shinobi traveled together through the trees. Their feet landed solidly on separate branches as the soundless night was drowned in the light trampling of footsteps through the grass. They were not being pursued, the Sound ninja most likely scouting out for others who may have drifted too near the location that was meant to be kept away from. The girl moved a thin twig down that was thickly concealed in green foliage, blocking her view. The minor snapping was ignored. The silence once again swallowed the scene before either of them took the opportunity to speak freely.
"I didn't think it would be this difficult to avoid Sound ninja after we got rid of the others," Naruto quietly complained. He peered over his shoulder, not seeing any other enemy shinobi coming their way. "Those five were the ones who were supposed to make sure we didn't get pass. So, I didn't think we would find anymore of Orochimaru's followers. But I kind of expected it anyway."
Sakura looked to the left, her glance landing on her teammate. "I know what you mean… If Orochimaru's main objective is getting to Sasuke… you'd think there would be several here, but Shikamaru said those guys were elite bodyguards and probably all that was needed. He's usually right even when he makes assumptions like that, but it doesn't seem to add up."
"They're the very same that Sasuke dealt with before…" He jumped to the ground, landing with virtually no noise to conceal their presence. "I know that Granny Tsunade said she was prepared for whatever kind of attack this is, but it doesn't look handled to me."
She walked over to him. "Yeah, I noticed that too… Still, Lady Tsunade only had a few hours to prepare." She thought back to what Kiba told her for a second. "Those Sound Five, since they are the ones that Sasuke met up with, we already know that they all have curse marks too. I really hope no one gets hurt because of that factor. They seemed strong enough already and with heightened power…"
"They got Gaara and the others, they'll be fine," Naruto reassured lowly, repeating her words to him earlier to repair her distress. "If at all possible, we'll round back to them." He scanned the area again. "Okay, I think we're good to go." The two of them continued at a run. As they trekked through the village, keeping to the area more obscured by the trees, he turned his head to the side. Suddenly realizing something, he spoke slowly. "You keep going, there's something I need to do."
"Wait, what do you mean?" she asked as he made an abrupt turn. The kunoichi had stopped, her voice ringing out through the stillness.
"Be safe. I'll be back in a few minutes!" he called out in a whisper, ignoring her question.
"Alright," Sakura sighed. She wouldn't question him, learning that she never needed to, and was aware that he wouldn't get distracted by something trivial. If it was important enough to stop then she knew it must have been. The girl was not trying to disguise her worry any longer. Naruto was not either. It made it easier for her when he showed his true feelings. If there was something she could do on her own, she would have done it by now. Sakura had immediately wished she had not asked so much from her teammate regarding the vow he made to her a few moments ago. If it was any consolation, she honestly knew he had to be the one to get through to their friend. She still held her faith, Sasuke also made a promise to her and she gripped tightly to his words.
Naruto pulled back on his headband as he felt it loosen through his consistent movement. A swift hand sign was made after he entered a clearing. "Multi shadow clone jutsu."
"Naruto? What are you doing here? You're supposed to be somewhere safe," Iruka explained hurriedly, seeing the blond take charge at the enemy surrounding him. The Chuunin was handling himself, but that didn't change the fact that he was outnumbered.
The jinchuuriki and his clones closed in on the nearby opponents. "I'm doing what I gotta do, that's what. First, helping you and then finding Sasuke."
Iruka blocked an attack with his kunai and then kicked one of the shinobi down. When Kakashi split them up, he didn't anticipate the swarm of ninja he would have to face. He supposed this was why the Hokage had wanted them to remain in their small groups. "I know you're worried, student like sensei I guess." He grasped his kunai, taking a step back against the soil. "I had a feeling you'd come by this way."
One of the clones looked back, a slightly perplexed look plastered on his face. "So, Kakashi sensei did leave?" He expected as much and was glad to hear that his suspicion was true. "Good. Sakura and I can catch up to him. When did he go?"
"A while back and he should be there by now, unless he got caught in a fight, which is possible." He ducked, sending one of the men flying back after a punch was landed. "But you said Sakura was with you?" He hadn't picked up on her chakra signature when he noticed Naruto coming to his aid.
"Yeah, but I told her to keep going. I wanted to make sure you were alright," the real Naruto said in simplicity, seeing that it made more sense to have her continue ahead. He knew she could stay hidden if needed and handle herself if a fight happened to break out.
Iruka sighed. A concept as such, he felt it should be the opposite. His unease would never fade when taking Naruto's safety into awareness. He was still a Genin and yet so much was already on his shoulders. He could tell, just by the blond's unwavering voice, something was weighting down on him ever so slightly. It wasn't ever meant to be picked up on, that much was always obvious. Naruto rarely stated his unconventional worries or bothersome ideas if they played against his usual chipper disposition. "Just be careful when you go off on your own. I know you can handle yourself and you're not my student anymore, but…"
"You know what they say, once a sensei, always a sensei," the jinchuuriki added with a forced grin to hide his agitation. It was building and he couldn't clasp it any tighter without the threat of it overtaking his features. "No need to worry about me." He owed Iruka so much and didn't want to see him lost in apprehension, even though inside he was happy; someone was actually worried about him for a change. It was thanks to the Chuunin that he was able to discover what it meant to be whole instead of allowing his loneliness to eat away at his existence. He knew it was close, so intensely near to him, where he would have begun to stop caring about himself and others, about his dream and protecting those that had their own ambitions. "To me…" He would always wonder if being with his sensei, when they talked, had ramen together, laughed, and enjoyed each other's company, if that was what it was like to be with a father. It filled a hollow feeling left behind by his unknown parents. "It doesn't matter how old I get or where I end up, Hokage or a Genin for the rest of my life, either way, it's thanks to you that I know what it means to be myself and find it alright. All it took was you looking at me like I was a person, instead of right through me like everyone else." One of his clones disappeared, trying to take down the last adversary. His fist tightened when he shifted his head to the side. "I'm not thankful to that jerk Mizuki, but if he hadn't blurted out the truth to me or tricked me…"
"Nothing would have changed," Iruka finished with a dragged exhale. He stood back as the final Sound ninja was taken down by the last of the replicas. "You helped me too, Naruto, in more ways than one. And one day all those eyes that you used to fear with biased hatred morphed inside, they will look upon you with the acknowledgement you've always wanted and deserve. I believe that completely. All it takes is a single change to start something more."
"…What makes you so sure?" It wasn't like him to openly display his doubt, feeling that if he did, it would encase his being with self-loathe and deprecation for the title he was forced to have and who he used to be because of it in secret. Now he could ignore the lessening stares. But due to them in the first place, that was where his positively was born, in the darkest place of his mind. Being a jinchuuriki was a terrible, yet great responsibility. "I can't even get through to Sasuke… and if I can't do that…" He closed his eyes in defeat to the alleged thought. "I keep making promises… I don't even know if I can keep them or not… I don't want my words to be a lie and I don't want to let anyone else down… But I have a hard time when I realize what I'm saying becomes the other person's belief." His words became a trust factor and if they broke, he was terrified of his friendship with the other, if it would disintegrate and he left as a falter in their eyes. It was a complexity he honed to ignore, having confidence in his new bonds, but that didn't prevent the thoughts from gnawing at him whenever the sliver of a chance was breached.
Iruka understood his words to the same extent, having lived them before. "You'd know better than anyone what it means to have faith. Not everything is able to have a positive spin on them, especially in the ninja world. But the Naruto Uzumaki that I used to yell at for being late, pulling pranks, and sleeping in class, has become someone that has proven himself many times… You're someone that has the ability to change people without even attempting it… You have a strong will because of the difficulties you faced and will face in the future. And someone like that," he said, placing his hand on Naruto's head. "Is a shinobi that I can honestly say, has the potential to do anything as long as that faith he gives everyone else still burns just as strong inside his own heart. The Will of Fire never dies and only grows stronger through each generation."
Naruto lowered his head in a smile. "Thanks, Iruka sensei. I needed to hear that from you."
"Now that's a real smile I wanted to see. I'll be fine. Go on."
He nodded, taking off at a run once more. "I'll see you around."
As Kakashi got near the Hokage Monuments, he could instantaneously sense that something was wrong. He entered the area meant for protection and walked through the muted halls. The darkness had a way of devouring at the surroundings, making it a difficult way to travel without getting lost or confused. He still remembered his way around even though it has been a while since he was in this sector of the monuments. There were no ANBU in sight, their attendance practically nonexistent. He knew Tsunade pressed her point, only four were going to be protecting Sasuke, but he had hoped that maybe she would assign more just to be secure. However, she didn't have any to spare and that much was known to everyone else at the meeting.
As he rounded a corner, he saw an ANBU member knocked out, covered in blood and the door forced down by the hinges. He ran inside the room where two more Black Ops were unconscious, but his student was nowhere to be found. He turned his head back, realizing that there were supposed to be four here. If he had to presume, the other one reported to Lady Tsunade, as they were ordered if anything went amiss. The three were still breathing, their pulses a tad weak.
He swiftly analyzed the situation. It didn't look like there was much of a struggle. Sasuke had to of left willingly like Kakashi had expected in the first place. He couldn't be too far behind then, just as long as Kabuto didn't stall for the intended amount of time. He used the summoning jutsu for a second time today.
The moment two of his hounds appeared, he hastily gave them orders. "Shiba, I need you to find a medical team and get them here to tend to the ANBU," Kakashi said urgently, knowing they needed attention before their condition worsened. They could still be saved and he would make sure they were tended to before their wounds became fatal. The dog nodded and was off, exiting the place.
"What's up?" Pakkun asked, raising his paw, his usual address.
"No time for greetings. I need you to locate Sasuke." His voice was encased with the same insistence. If his theory was correct, then time was not on their side. He looked back at the area. This place was flawlessly hidden, but not from someone that used to be a member. Orochimaru probably didn't take too much time in figuring out where Sasuke was taken for security purposes. This was the particular reason he persisted on the location being moved.
"Again, huh? That kid sure gets himself into trouble." The pug sniffed around for a moment, detecting the Uchiha's scent. "Got him. He's this way." Pakkun took off with his master behind. "What's going on anyway? First the fight with that Sound lackey and now searching for Sasuke…?"
"To sum it up quickly," Kakashi said, catching up to the dog as they left the protection area. "Sasuke's in danger and I only have a small window of opportunity to find him. If he gets outside the border it will be tougher to find him and practically out of my hands." He would only be technically allowed to pursue the enemy if given direct orders from the Hokage, not that he wouldn't disobey if needed but he wanted to believe that they could catch up before that became an issue.
"I got it," Pakkun said after a second. He didn't need a full explanation.
Their direction changed once they were out again in the open night. Kakashi knew that Sasuke would at least be outside of the village walls by now if he calculated the timing correctly. "Can you tell how many are with him?"
He smelled the air, easily figuring it out. "He's traveling with only one other."
"How far away?" Kakashi didn't want to seem too persistent, but it was an urgent matter and a personal one to him. Being late again, it wasn't something he would tolerate. Still, by the state of the ANBU, he didn't know if Sasuke was hurt or not. He didn't take much notice or any indication of it but he didn't feel assured. That was another possibility, the improbable one, but he had to keep any and all in mind so he could get prepared. His fight with Kabuto was draining on his chakra network but not to an extent that it would hinder him in any form when caught in another battle.
"If we keep with this pace we should be able to reach them soon."
Kakashi nodded. A fight would be incumbent at this rate. It's not that he cared and in fact, if he could get rid of Orochimaru himself a major problem would finally be removed. Besides an outmatched battle, at least no other members of the Sound accompanied them. Kakashi glimpsed up towards the sky. Clouds began covering the moon and the distant smell of rain lingered with a slim amount of humidity attached. "It's going to rain soon. Can you still track them?"
"No problem. I know Sasuke's location as of right now and I won't lose him unless it starts pouring. If he changes directions then I won't be able to locate him." The water would wash away any trace and block out the scent he was tracking. He realized already that they needed to pick up their speed if they intended to catch up.
In a normal situation, Kakashi would have some backup set up beforehand. It was essentially suicide for a ninja to take on a Sannin alone. Even Itachi wouldn't fight Jiraiya, knowing the stakes or simply not wanting to risk a fight even when he could outmatch the other. The Jounin glanced back for a momentary second. His head shook slightly. He knew they wouldn't listen.
"What's going on in the village?" Pakkun asked as he noticed the condition, interrupting his master's thoughts. They passed some buildings and people putting out a blazing, ignited fire. It was being contained, but hungrily ate away at the trees nearby, threatening to spread further and release more smoke into the darkened atmosphere.
"A diversion… for this very reason," he responded idly. They jumped up into the trees to travel at a quicker pace. His foot pushed off one of the branches unsteadily as he thought back to his options and swiftly strung together the best one for now.
Pakkun continued despite the lack of response he received. "I didn't think that the Sound could pull off another attack in such a short while."
"They can't and didn't… There are less than half the ninja on Orochimaru's side compared to the last. Maybe even less than that…" In comparison, it was destructive, but nothing near the previous attack that bordered on an outbreak of war. However, that was the main purpose last time and this one was absolutely a different scenario with one of the minor objectives becoming the core focus.
"Hey, Kakashi sensei!" Naruto called from behind with Sakura in tow.
Kakashi didn't slow down but waited for his two students to catch up before speaking once again. "What are you guys doing here?" he asked, his voice undecipherable to the Genin. He had a lingering notion and had detected their charka signature just before.
"Depends, who are you going after?" Naruto asked, noticing that they were following Pakkun.
He sighed heavily, the response not one that he even needed to say. "We're trying to catch up to Sasuke."
Sakura turned her head, already aware yet needed to hear the true words from her sensei. "You mean he…?"
"I'm not sure what happened exactly. I went to check on the ANBU and Sasuke, and three of the four were knocked out cold while Sasuke was nowhere to be found." That fourth ANBU, if he went to get Tsunade or seek help from other members it shouldn't have taken long at all, but he may have been hurt too and couldn't make it in time." He knew it wasn't his position to question the ordeal, not knowing, but something felt off about the scene's particular appearance. He didn't notice a blood trail; let alone any trace of a fight.
"So you don't know what happened?" Naruto asked in dismay. He had wished that his sensei would have been there already, to find everything alright. He should have foreseen this outcome instead of hoping for the better of the two, knowing nothing was ever easy for his team.
"No," the Jounin replied evenly. He picked up on their worry and noticed Naruto clench his fist from the corner of his eye. He decided to change gears to find a way to calm their nerves. "What happened to listening to the Hokage's orders? I know that you two want to help, but there isn't much you can do at this point."
The blond peered up at his sensei, his blue eyes becoming dim. "Oh that… Well, all of the other teams, including us, wanted to do something so we left. We kind of just ignored that part. All the others are fighting a group of Sound ninja right now… It won't be an easy fight, but they'll be okay."
"I figured you guys would disobey orders." His voice was lost in thought, precariously bordering on concern and lack thereof when he knew that this would not turn out in their favor. He'd do everything in his power to make sure nothing happened, but couldn't help the doubts that surfaced even for someone like him, who has seen war and was greatly affected by the consequence. Although this was a trivial conflict, it was bound to set off further misgiving if not handled right away.
Naruto ignored his sensei's tone, knowing why it was drowned in this usual manner. "You're not mad, right?"
"Why would I be? You're only doing what you were taught." He was proud they took his lesson to heart and didn't just pass it aside like he had done when Minato taught him the very same principals so many years ago. "I don't know if I'd agree that it wasn't stupid to put yourselves in danger, but who knows? When you're young, it seems to matter less…"
The blond gave a heartfelt smile after recalling Iruka's words. "It's called the Will of Fire. You know how that goes."
A small grin appeared on his features. "Yeah… I've witnessed it before." He wondered if Obito and Naruto had the chance to meet, if they would get along, having so much in common. Their dream and personality matched well and it only seemed natural that they would if time was only gracious enough to give them the opportunity.
Sakura was being quiet, not sure if she needed to ask or not. Her head lowered as the words slipped out regardless of her wish not to speak them toppled over. "…Do you think that Sasuke went willingly?" Her ears so desperately wished to hear words against her fear. She turned her head after pushing off from a tree limb and into the air again. Catching a glimpse of Naruto's troubled expression for a moment made her regret asking.
"No, I don't think it was intentional. I believe he would have agreed but only aiming for us to catch up," her sensei replied honestly.
Naruto's face contorted to a questioning look. "That's stupid. Why didn't he just stay? You would have gotten there in time, right?"
"I wouldn't have but … I'll explain the best I can…" Kakashi said after a brief pause. "I'm sure you've noticed that Sasuke usually covers up his problems, ignores them, and even runs from them if he can't figure out a way to solve them immediately, this event being a prime example."
"Yeah, but how do you mean?" the blond asked, glancing at his sensei.
He knew that he had to jump to some basic information for Naruto to completely understand. Just like when he taught his student any type of jutsu. It would have to be explained in the simplest of forms and then once more in an example for him to catch on. It wasn't like that all the time, but he would run through some of the details just in case. "Well, when Sasuke lost his family he turned to anger to run from feeling sad and lost. A goal was a guileless way to gain focus on something else entirely, only having it fueled by his hatred. He didn't know how to deal with all that sudden exposure to pain and loss of his family, so he didn't. He forced himself to discontent from others and now takes it out on them when he finally has people around him. It's why you and Sasuke clash so often. His anger is being displaced. He took the path of revenge at an early age, which caused him to isolate and withdraw his presence from everyone and intended to do the same with his team. In Sasuke's eyes, if he let anyone else in or even let others care about him by simply having friends, no one was around to tell him that they wouldn't turn around and betray him like Itachi did. He didn't want another stab wound to mirror what his brother had done."
"But we'd never do that to him. He's gotta know that by now, after everything that we've all been through as a team, as friends." Naruto's words came out desperate as if he wanted them to be realized and not simply received by the Uchiha who was too far ahead to even hear a subtle undertone of their reality.
"We know that with all the certainty in our hearts, but Sasuke can't cling to our words. Orochimaru just offered him a way out, which is why he was originally going to take it if we hadn't gone on that mission. Believe it or not, we reminded him what it meant to have a family again." Kakashi exhaled tiredly. The one thing that he wanted to comprehend more about his lost student was why he was so desperate to throw it all away when it was something that he found along his path to revenge, it wasn't a blockade. "You also have to realize how much of his life was centered on revenge and the thought of that being taken away from him drove him to a conclusion. If he made his life revenge, then he wouldn't have to focus or worry about anything or anyone else, and vice versa. No one would have to worry about him."
Sakura spoke up, her voice still sounding low. "Then how are you so sure that he didn't just make the same mistake?"
"It's too much to explain now, but it's from what he said at the hospital. The reason is beyond the point though…" He trailed, knowing they had to be getting closer. "We're going to need back up…"
"Hey, Kakashi," Pakkun called attention to confirm his master's thoughts. "Sasuke's just up ahead."
"Okay." There was no more time for mental preparation. He knew what to expect. "Thanks for the help. I want you to head west and find Master Jiraiya. Inform him of Orochimaru's location. Sakura, Lady Tsunade is in the center of the village, can you do the same?"
"Alright, no problem," she said with understanding before she left.
"Why did you ask her to go?" Naruto asked confused.
His glance sank before meeting with the other. "Naruto, I'm warning you now. Don't overreact."
"When do I ever overreact?"
Orochimaru and Sasuke have been traveling at a constant speed since they made their way outside of Konoha. It was obvious to the Uchiha that they were being followed, and he knew by whom as well. The Sannin landed on the ground, halting their movement.
"Why are we stopping?" he asked impatiently. His eyes lagged back to the trees, knowing the others were finally getting closer. His expression loitered in its ambiguity. It wasn't a favorable sign that they had stopped completely. If a fight was meant to be carried through, there would be less time to figure out how he was going to get out of this situation unscathed and the same with the others.
The Sannin spoke, amusement in his voice. He noticed Sasuke's elusive concern, how it barely scratched the surface of the Uchiha's façade, yet was easily tangible to his watchful eyes. He was well aware of the thoughts and misleading Sasuke was trying to accomplish. "I assume you noticed we're being followed by some unwelcomed guests."
His head was turned back just enough to see over his shoulder. "I have, but I don't see the point in stopping. We could still get ahead and not have to deal with anyone…" The detachment he felt return to his voice was unnerving. The unassuming detail to his thoughtless heart and wandering mind, the fact that it could return so flawlessly and without restraint reminded him much of the reason it existed in the first place. It wasn't meant to be there forever and he had thought he extinguished its life long ago, but he was wrong.
Orochimaru took notice to Sasuke's tone and the reality it held. It still proved that the Uchiha could stand to lose such things if he never fought against them being pried from his fingers. Right now, he was too attached to their security and that did not make it easy to misguide but it was still possible. "There is no point in continuing if we are being followed. We are going to eliminate the problem, unless of course you have a problem with that?"
Another testing question, meant to analyze his distrustful words. "Why would I have a problem with that?" he said with the same amount of indistinctness. Sasuke was effortlessly keeping up his falsehood until they arrived. He knew Sakura was with both Kakashi and Naruto, but for some reason she was no longer there. He could probably piece it together. His sensei knew that he was going to keep up his act and didn't want her to get overemotional, which was the best solution. Either way, Naruto would respond no different. He most likely will put two and two together a little later. His teammate was slow, but never imperceptible or quiet during these types of situations.
"You shouldn't have a problem in the slightest." Orochimaru took a step forward, his arms crossed, a few inches behind the Uchiha.
Sasuke lowered his gaze, not sure what the other meant by that statement, if anything at all. "And why is that?" His attention was caught by nothing in particular as he allowed his stare to remain in place. A light wind befell the area and lost its force when caught between the trees. It settled soundlessly to the ground where it was meant to rest.
"You'll eventually know," the Sannin replied aimlessly as his hand landed on Sasuke's shoulder, catching his attention. "For now, I want you to do something for me when they arrive."
"And what's that?" Sasuke looked sideways at the man, a feeling of numbness running through his clenched hands. Pressure was applied on his shoulder due to his inability to sound as if he really gave a care to this ordeal.
A smirk appeared slowly. "You agreed to my terms and that in its entirety means that you do as you're asked without question. If it could be helped, I'd like to spare them but I believe they will continuously get in the way. I know you agreed because I threatened you and you're waiting for them to arrive. I can easily see through that with you."
The Uchiha didn't intend to admit to anything, knowing where it would lead. "You gave me new options, disregarding the old ones, and I simply chose the one that was beneficial to me. The previous question has nothing to do with this, not anymore."
"But if it had? It does matter greatly in the end and you are aware to why," he added.
"You would know… You said you knew me better than I would like… So, that would lead me to believe the same is applied with the answer to that question…" Sasuke made sure to keep his glare with the Sannin as to not seem intimidated.
"People are such trifling creatures, aren't they? Wavering on decisions, lying to themselves, and making their life seem simple in the grand scheme of it all. I'll take the response you would have given, when pertaining to the first question, to the side for now. It served its purpose. I made you reconsider what you relied on and just when you wanted to believe that staying would mean more to you… I'll whisk that hope away, along with all else to make you realize how insignificant you are in the end. Of course, I'll keep my word about your revenge being fulfilled by your own hand, but when training with me, you'll know for certain, the true meaning of heartless and become the word yourself."
He swallowed, realizing what that meant. He was close to refuting the statement but held against it. "Just… What did you want me to do?"
"Breaking all ties to this place can't be done simply by walking away. And snapping them so senselessly means nothing in the long run. They always have the potential to slowly crawl back and snake their way around your indecisive confliction. That leaves only one option. You kill. It's permanent and what better way to prepare to be a murderer than to start with those closest to you? After all, that's what your brother had done to his very own family."
Sasuke scowled at the cold reminder, his eyes narrowing. He was conscious of the snide way he was being forced to give into his desire to kill his brother and his original thoughts to sever his bonds. It wouldn't work. "I don't care to take the lives of anyone else besides Itachi… Their lives aren't mind to take…" His head faced forward when a sudden pain throbbed from his shoulder.
Orochimaru's tone became more malevolent. "It wasn't a suggestion. Get ready to have some blood on your hands. You want me to make you a murderer then utilize your skills and become one…"
Thu Uchiha inwardly sighed, knowing it was going to take much more out of him to pull this off if it was even possible now.
Next chapter the four of them meet up! And just wanted to point out that Kabuto is not dead :) He'll be back at one point. I hope you all enjoyed the chapter! Reviews are appreciated and welcomed!