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Chapter Twenty

Heat radiated out from a small fire whose flame revealed the two nukenin. Hiraku busied himself preparing a meal while Akira held one limb close to his body.

The shapeshifter's lips thinned as he regarded his partner's wound. Unbidden memories of the sharkskin sword flashed through his mind. Samehada had done quite a number on the other. Briefly, Hiraku regretted his lack of medical skills. The demon vessel had never needed them and he lacked the delicacy needed for the healing arts. It was the same reason he failed in genjutsu. Akira knew a little, but his chakra reserves were still recovering.

Green eyes constantly scanned their surroundings due to habit alone. Akira's mind was busy considering recent events. Itachi and Kisame, two of the world's most powerful ninja, the two shinobi had business with his partner. Long standing business, he assumed, for them to address Hiraku so familiarly. There were to many holes for him to put all the pieces together. His gaze shifted to settle on his companion, and there was only one person he knew who had all the answers.

"So," Akira inquired. "Mind telling me what they want with you. He could see the shapeshifter's body immediately tense. Not for the first time, the brunette wondered just how many secrets his partner held.

Long lashed lowered to cover slitted eyes. Hiraku's hand clenched. He did not want to answer, but Akira deserved to know. It was not as though his true identity was in danger. In spite of how it sometimes seemed, the holder of Kyuubi no Kitsune was not common knowledge, especially outside Konoha. Still, part of him was afraid. What if his partner didn't accept him? What if Akira thought he was a demon? A lifetime of hardships and insults pressed down on the former ninja of the Hidden Village of Leaf. The demon vessel gathered his courage and spoke. "It is because I am jinchuuriki."

The brunette's head tilted to one side in puzzlement. "Jinchuuriki," he repeated thoughtfully. "I don't believe I'm familiar with that term."

Hiraku shrugged, "it can be translated as the power of human sacrifice, though most regard them as living weapons." His tone was matter of fact. It was as if the subject meant nothing to him. "The idea is simple, you harness the power of a demon by sealing it into a newborn infant, thus creating a jinchuuriki." Lips curved into a sharp smile. "It doesn't always work out. Many have found, to their great chagrin, we are not so easily controlled."

Disgust settled in Akira's gut. That was horrible. Unfortunately, he had known a great many people who wouldn't have hesitated to sacrifice a child's life for power. He was still puzzled by one thing though. "I have heard the power of a demon is unmistakable," he commented. "Your chakra seems normal."

Hiraku forced himself not to react. The other hadn't meant to hurt him; the brunette knew nothing about jinchuuriki. "That is because it is my chakra," he informed his partner. "I don't need a demon's power, I have my own." His face darkened as he thought. "A jinchuuriki who does not cultivate his own strength is no better than a clan ninja who relies on their bloodline."

Akira nodded in understanding. He knew the shapeshifter's thoughts on that subject well. He agreed, which was why he was a master of genjutsu. Neither of them would ever allow themselves to be dependant on anything or anyone. The two missing ninja multiplied their strength by working together, but they could work alone if they had to. "Besides," he added his own thoughts. "Power without skill is nothing."

"Exactly," Hiraku looked pleased. He started to relax. It seemed his new life was intact after all.

Watchful eyes caught the motion. "What were you worried about?" he asked. "You act like you expected me to call you a monster and run." In Akira's mind, the words were a joke; to the other they were all too serious.

Violet eyes flinched. "It wouldn't be the first time."

The brunette sobered immediately. They had thought he was a demon. That was the most ridiculous thing he had ever heard. "Were they blind?" he demanded.

A shrug was his only response. "I suppose they found it easier to blame their problems on me; and doesn't a demon make a much better scapegoat than an innocent child?"

That was something Akira did not wish to dwell on. "Itachi and Kisame," he moved back to the original subject.

Hiraku quickly outlined what he knew of the pair's organization. "For whatever reason, they seem intent on collecting the power of the bijuu," he stated. "They have several already."

From the information his partner had already given him that sounded dangerous. "The Akatsuki just keep the jinchuuriki locked up?" he questioned.

Hiraku shook his head. "They have a technique to extract the demon from its host and store the power. Downside is it kills the demon's bearer."

"Not a good thing then," Akira could see why the shapeshifter wanted to remain as far from the group as possible.

"No," Hiraku agreed. "Not a good thing at all."

FtAFtAFtAFtA

Two more chapters complete

Now if you'll excuse me I am being

summoned for a family dinner

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