A Shadow's Touch
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D/C: I own nothing…
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Shikaku leaned against a massive tree looking up at the dark sky with his typical bored expression. His hands in his pockets, wind blowing lightly causing the trees surrounding him sway around him and his mind worked over time as he thought of what happened earlier that day.
'Danzo is going to start a Fourth War with his plans of peace.' Shikaku expression darkened momentarily. 'Enough is enough, I am no longer going to stand for what you have done.'
Bribing, blackmailing and taking children from the orphanage for a program that was dedicated for the protection of the village. Children Danzo assumed no one will miss or care for if they go missing or if they end up being dead as no one knows who they are in the first place.
Shikaku frowned, if Kabuto had not came up to him about what was happening behind the scenes about Danzo, then he would not have done anything. Then again, how could Shikaku do anything if the Mummy always ensured to cover his tracks. Even with his abilities, the Nara head doubted he could have been able to do anything without proof of any kind. Now with what Kabuto had told him, it's all the proof he needed.
'Locations, profiles of all missions, members and plans for future projects.' Shikaku mentally checked off in his mind, he pushed himself away from the three and headed out of his family's forest.
'Kabuto is going to need several secessions with Inoichi for the next couple of months along with Yoshino's care and the boys pranks to get him out of his state of mind.' Shikaku thought about his son's silver haired teammate. He recalled how Kabuto broke down, physically, mentally and emotionally in front of him and his teammates.
The Chunin told them everything, from the moment he was taken in by the former head of the orphanage, volunteering to join Root to ensure that the orphanage receives money, the brutal training, all the missions he partook and what was the icing of the cake…Kabuto unknowingly at the time, killing his adoptive mother. Since then, Kabuto's life have been spiraling downwards until a certain Nara prodigy came into the picture introducing him what it feels to have a family, friends and having people truly care for his well being. That was when Kabuto could no longer hold back what he kept hidden away for so long…
-.-
"Does anyone else outside your clan know of this?"
Itachi kneeled before the Hokage, head bowed down deeply. "…I have."
"I take it that you told your teammates. " Hiruzen murmured, complementing on what he should do with the information he was given. The old man glanced around his office to see his that only half of the Elder Council was there with them, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane. The two that weren't there were Danzo Shimura and on and off again member, Shikaku Nara. The latter of which Hiruzen suspected was actually the first person Itachi informed first before heading to the Hokage and his councilors.
Should they be furious? Yes.
Is he? No.
Why? Because it would be right down troublesome to even bother with it.
Itachi curled his hands into fists in an attempt to hold back his tongue. He said his part, not to much but not to little. After all, it is too soon to have mummy face know that his reign is about to end. Now he could only go through mentally all of Shikamaru's plan in his mind. So far, Itachi's teammate has a total of twenty-seven to forty-eight plans. Many of the outcomes… are not so forthcoming. It all depends on all the variables that are part of the equation.
The office door slammed open, everyone minus Itachi looked over to see Danzo stride into the room shutting the door behind himself. It appeared he was not amused a meeting was happening and he was not informed or invited to said meeting.
This time, Itachi bit his tongue to prevent a groan of annoyance to escape his lips. 'Now it's down to fifty-five plans.'
"What is the meaning of this? How was I not informed of this meeting?"
'He's mad. Went up to sixty-three plans.'
Itachi mentally counted up and down off all the plans, many of the plans were good or bad. The main issue with the plans is the wild card, Danzo. Fortunately for Itachi, he has his own (not so) wild card.
"We have to extermi-" Danzo began to say but was silenced when Hiruzen focused his killer intent towards him.
Itachi in turn attempted to remain impassive, the sheer thought of having his family and clan being killed off like trash. Many of them are innocent, but to them they all need to be punished. The consequences of such action would be just as if not worse off if the Uchiha clan were to fully attack against the village. The end result would lead the Hidden Leaf Village open to it's enemy, even if there was a winner there would be nothing to claim in the end.
"Itachi….what I am to ask you could be the hardest thing I could ever task with someone…" Hiruzen said heavily, his shoulders sagged at what was saying to the Uchiha Prodigy.
'Plans left…six.' Itachi thought grimly as he only nodded his head at the task that the Third is asking him to do. To become a double spy, Itachi couldn't help but snort at the thought of it. His father actually wanted him to do the same but to spy on the Third. Why is he doing this? For the Will of Fire, if there is one thing that Itachi loves more besides his family and that is the village as a whole. His only hopes that there will be little to no bloodshed in the end.
-.-
Shikaku strolled through the Hokage Tower casually as he did. No one was really around expect for a couple of guards and anbu hidden from sight. He pace slowed down when he caught sight of the Hokage's office. Luckily for him, the secretary had retired for the night. Shikaku paused when he saw the door knob twist signaling someone was opening the door.
Only taking a moment to think what he should do, Shikaku decided to lean against a wall which allowed who ever left the office and anyone in direct sight to see him. The Nara Clan head held back a smirk when he saw Itachi walk out of the office with a look oh semi shock when he caught sight of him man.
Itachi closed the door behind himself silently and walked over towards Shikaku. "How long have you been here?"
Shikaku shrugged. "Just enough."
Itachi stared up at him wondering why Shikaku didn't bother with coming into the meeting. Shikaku presence could have changed the way the meeting had gone out. A boost of confidence, safety and more plans. "Are you heading in there?"
"In a moment." Shikaku said, he stared impassively at Itachi. There was no easier way of saying this, he had only brisk through this topic earlier with Itachi and it's rather messed up to ask anyone really. "Are you sure you are okay with what might happen?"
"That's the thing Shikaku-sama…." Itachi said under his breath. "It's not might it's when it will happen. When it comes down to it, I would be the one to ensure the village stays safe."
"Are you sure you don't want me to…?"
"I do not want the Nara clan to be part of this mess. The moment you partake in this, father and the others will lock their sights on you and your family." Itachi said firmly.
Shikaku placed his hand on top of Itachi's head in a caring gesture. "Then that case, I'll help you when it comes with Danzo then."
Itachi blinked blankly at Shikaku. "You are impossible."
"I've been told."
-.-
Three months later…
Itachi furiously wrote in a notebook about an Uchiha meeting that partook the previous night. The meeting went on as it did any other meeting, continuing on with the plans of overtaking the village ensuring that the Uchiha stayed on top, how the other clans were inferior to them and several other things but he was to focused on something else to really pay attention to what was being said.
There was something or someone else in the room, no matter how many times Itachi attempted to figure out who it was said person disappeared but whatever they wanted to do was done. They were stroking the fire, for how long it's been going on? Itachi has no clue, there was something familiar to it. He just couldn't put a finger to it.
If that someone was not doing what they are doing, then things would have been…different. It was only until recent years that talk of a massive takeover started. Not once did the Uchiha, his father, considered ever doing this without it having it…planted into his mind.
Snap.
Itachi unintentionally broke his pencil at the thought. It could very well be a possibility. A very truthful possibility.
"Itachi, we need to talk."
Itachi snapped his notebook closed as he glanced over his shoulder to see Shisui. In the pit of Itachi's stomach, he knew times is running out for his family, especially after what his cousin just informed him of. 'This is what I was afraid of…'
-.-
Kabuto rubbed his neck with his left arm in an attempt to relieve some pent of tension. He glanced over towards the trees that surrounded the route he would normally take to the hospital, there were several Root members hiding and watching to ensure he completed his task. His task, manipulate Itachi Uchiha into convincing killing the entire Uchiha Clan only saving those Danzo believes he could use for Root.
Remembering the meeting he was summoned to by Danzo three months earlier, Shisui is picked to help along with this task. The only thing that is going to happen is going to leave Danzo in a very compromising position.
The only problem?
Even if they know what Danzo plan's are, it does not mean he doesn't have anything else up his sleeve. Something that was never part of the equation in the first place.
A loud cawing sound caught his attention, it made Kabuto's sense to go over drive. He looked around him to suddenly see a crow flying towards him. 'Itachi, this better be a false alarm.'
The crow landed on Kabuto, it discreetly placed a note into Kabuto's headband while it extended it's leg out that held another note. Kabuto took note that his stalkers are long gone now, believing he's on the track of his mission.
-.-
Shikamaru looked up towards the cloudless sky, the first sign of a bad day for him. No clouds, means no cloud watching his favorite past time.
"Come on Shikamaru, you promised us you would train us today!"
Shikamaru mentally groaned remembering why he was outside today of all days. He had promised he would train his brother. Only problem, said brother brought along a couple of his friends. Fortunately for Shikamaru, it was only Choji, Ino and Sasuke. Everyone else headed directly home believing they already had enough training for the day, had family related things to do or…Shikamaru mentally grimaced at the last reason, for what they believe Naruto to be.
The moment that Shikamaru took up the rank of Tokubetsu Jonin, he was informed of an S-Rank secret that shook him to his core. Not with freight, but with the utmost anger that he ever felt in his entire life. Everyone expected Shikamaru to think logically, everyone's terms of thinking hugely varies, that he should hate, distaste or fear Naruto for what he is.
Shikamaru snorted, it seemed to him no one bothered to see the actually that directly faced them everyday. Naruto is his brother, an idiot but his brother in all. Now…how to tell his brother something that he doesn't even know himself.
In all the same time, his question was finally answered. 'He's just like Gaara…'
"What do you guys want to lean this time?" Shikamaru yawned out loud.
"Clones."
"Tree walking."
"Water walking."
"Strategy."
"In order, Naruto sucks at making academy grade clones." "Oi!" "It's true. Besides Naruto, the rest of you should give it a while before starting that along with learning to walk on water….maybe."
"How come you taught Naruto how to do that?" Ino questioned.
"Unlike you three…." Shikamaru ignored Naruto's glare that was directed towards him as he continued to speak. "His chakra controls sucks, and traditional chakra control exercises were not working for him."
"Do you know the Idiot is like that?" Sasuke asked pointing over at Naruto.
"Yes. He has massive chakra reserves." Shikamaru said with a shrug. "The higher your reserves the harder it is to control it. It's reversed with someone with smaller reserves, they have better chakra control. "Which is why he can't really do many of the jutsu's the academy has part in it's curriculum."
"Shikamaru, I think big brother has a message for you." Sasuke said pointing over Shikamaru's shoulder.
Shikamaru tense, but not enough for the other to even take note of it. Truth be told, a crow came swooping down and dropped a note on top of Shikamaru's head. Shikamaru swore that he crow was laughing at him as it flew off. Grumbling, Shikamaru took the note off his head and began to read it.
Taking in a single deep breath in, Shikamaru stuffed the note in the inside of his jackets' sleeve. Releasing that single breath out, Shikamaru faced his brother and friends. "Forget what I said earlier, I'll teach you guys how to make clones."
"What about me?" Naruto asked pointing at himself.
"You are going to continue on practicing with your control." Shikamaru stated bluntly, he took out a kunai and threw it out towards a tree. "Go practice. If you have just enough control over your chakra…I might teach you more advanced clone jutsu."
Shikamaru didn't need to say no more, Naruto already ran off to start his training.
As Shikamaru spoke to the others about the basics of clones, the up and downs of them, his mind was elsewhere. To be more precise, the note that Itachi sent him. 'What a drag…This was what I was afraid it would happen.'
-.-
Itachi silently strapped a katana to his uniform, his movements precise and methodical. It did not once show how his heart his beating a thousand miles a second, mind reeling and resisting the urge to vomit. The final orders came in after a final revelation, there is no stopping the coup d'état.
"Are you ready Itachi?"
Itachi turned around to see his teammates looking at him with blank expressions. The Uchiha smiled internally, he could see past their facades. They were honestly worried for him, as the three of them are about to do something that is considered highly despicable to many. With their help, they are going to ensure the safety of the Will of Fire, by destroying those who oppose it…at all cost.
"You might want to hurry, we need to meet up with Raido-sensei later for our alibi for later."
If the situation was not how it was, Itachi would have actually laughed. It was rather typical of them to use their teacher for alibi's, as the man would always take their side no matter what.
To be continued…
R/R.