Phew! Well, this one got my heart racing a little. I seem to have a habit of doing things like this, you'll probably guess what i'm getting at. There's also something in here i didn't intend to reveal until the very last chapter, but this was a perfect opportunity i couldn't pass up on. I'm worried I might be revealing too much, or causing great confusion. If you figure it out, I already know the biggest issue. that obvious question will be answered, but no immeditely, you'll have to wait for that!
Disclaimer: dnegel a e'ruoy ,siht daer nac uoy fi
Great and terrible truths
"Sasuke?" Naruto said, a bewildered look on his face.
"Naruto." Sasuke replied, pushing his way into the room. Zenko and Yako ran in after him, barking happily at Naruto. Sasuke immediately headed to the window, looking out it and into the streets. He stared for a few seconds, before turning back, a deadly serious look on his face.
"What are you doing here?" Naruto asked, still shocked.
"We need to get you out of here." Sasuke said, ignoring his question, "Where's Jiraiya?"
"He's out."
"Damn it!" Sasuke cursed under his breath.
"What's going on?" Naruto demanded, growing impatient.
"Two guys were outside the apartment." Sasuke replied, "They were looking up into your apartment. I went to tell Kakashi about it, but he was unconscious."
"Unconscious?" Naruto repeated, eyes widening further, "What happened to him?"
"I don't know, but I overheard something." Sasuke answered, a strained look on his face, "Itachi's looking for you. I think he was one of the guys outside the apartment."
Naruto's expression hardened, his eyes fixed on Sasuke's.
"What are you doing here Sasuke?" he demanded, a dangerous tone in his voice. Sasuke met his gaze equally, not fazed by Naruto's change in attitude.
"I told you, I'm getting you out of here." he said, "This isn't about revenge."
Naruto clenched his teeth, putting his hand on the wall.
"You shouldn't have come here." he said, unable to look at Sasuke any longer.
"Well it just so happens I fully intend on leaving immediately, now move!" Sasuke replied, his brow creasing. Naruto frowned, looking up at Sasuke again.
"You're serious about this." he said, disbelief and surprise in his voice, "You're not here because of Itachi?"
"Do I need to repeat myself?!" Sasuke answered irritably. He strode towards Naruto and grabbed his arm, pulling him out into the hallway.
"Woah there!" Jiraiya exclaimed, as the two of them nearly crashed into him.
"You're Jiraiya?" Sasuke asked.
"Yeah, I take it you're Uchiha Sasuke?"
"We need to get Naruto out of here. Uchiha Itachi and another is coming this way for him."
Jiraiya frowned at him, a slight sceptical look on his face.
"How do you know this?" he asked.
"I overheard it ok?!" Sasuke replied, even more irritably than before.
"Right." Jiraiya said, ignoring Sasuke's attitude. His eyes went out of focus for a couple of seconds, as if he was concentrating on something, "I don't sense any strong chakra presences nearby. If he's here, then he's masking his chakra impressively."
"You don't put anything out of mind when it comes to Itachi." Sasuke replied, "He's good at masking the truth."
"That doesn't just apply to Itachi." Jiraiya said, gesturing for them to return to the room, "It's a basic rule to all Shinobi."
"Yeah, but Itachi's all the more skilled at it." Sasuke replied, as Jiraiya locked the door.
"I know he is." Jiraiya said, turning to them, "I guess I should fill the two of you in."
"Fill us in?" Naruto repeated, "On what?"
"You know about his condition?" Jiraiya asked, looking at Sasuke.
"If you mean the Kyubi, yeah." Sasuke answered, sitting on one of the beds.
"All right then, I guess it's safe to tell both of you." Jiraiya said, leaning against the door, "There's an organization of ninja that seek the power of the Biju. They call themselves 'Akatsuki'. That group is composed of S-rank missing-nin form all over. Uchiha Itachi is one of them."
Naruto and Sasuke's expressions were mirrors of each other, both frowning deeply.
"Not much is known about Akatsuki." Jiraiya continued, "But for the moment, what I do know is that they work in two man cells. The person you saw Itachi with is most likely his partner, Hoshigaki Kisame."
It took every ounce of willpower to keep Naruto from reacting at that name. but inside, he had frozen stiff.
"If you want your answers, find Hoshigaki Kisame."
Weren't those Zabuza's words? If Itachi really was here with that person…
"And you were half right, Kisame was one of the seven swordsmen." Jiraiya finished, "But now that he's in Akatsuki, and partnered with Itachi no less, it would be dangerous if the two of them came for Naruto while he was alone. Which is the very reason he has been put into my care."
"You think you can stop Itachi?" Sasuke asked, leaning forward.
"Stop him?" Jiraiya repeated, barely able to supress a grin, "I think you're underestimating my skill. May I remind you that I am one of the three Sannin? Itachi has nowhere near the strength to defeat me, I'd be surprised if he could do any damage at all."
"I don't think I'm the one doing the underestimating." Sasuke muttered.
"Hm? What's that?" Jiraiya asked. But he didn't wait for an answer, "Anyway, there isn't anything you can do here. You'd be better off returning to Konoha."
Sasuke looked reluctant, but didn't argue.
"Fine." he said, standing, "Just watch out for him. I don't want him getting captured when I could have done something to stop it."
"You should have a little more faith in people." Jiraiya replied, watching Sasuke as he headed to the window. Naruto watched as well, grinning reassuringly as Sasuke glanced at him. It didn't seem to have an effect however, as Sasuke still had the same uncertain look as he opened the window and leapt out of it, Zenko and Yako close behind, and disappeared into the streets.
"Impulsive guy, isn't he?" Jiraiya asked, "But at least his heart seems to be in the right place."
Naruto nodded in agreement.
"Well, I'm going out." he said, heading for the window himself.
"Now hold on a minute." Jiraiya said, raising his hand to stop him, "You aren't at all concerned that two incredibly powerful Shinobi may be trying to capture you?"
"Why would I be?" Naruto asked, looking back blankly. Jiraiya sighed, before reaching into his pocket and taking out a small case.
"Give me a second." he said, opening the case. Inside was a brush, ink and some small sheets of paper. Jiraiya dipped his brush in the ink and with a flourish, scribbled something onto the paper, "Put this on your chest. If your heartbeat drops to a certain level, I'll know and be able to find you."
He handed the seal paper over to Naruto, who looked it over, before shrugging and stuffing it down his shirt, pressing it against his chest. When he was sure it was secure, he gave Jiraiya a mock salute before leaping out of the window.
He landed in the streets, frightening some of the civilians nearby. He then placed his hands behind his head and walked off to his left, rather aimlessly. He wandered through to the end of the street, before deciding to cut into an alley. As soon as he was out of sight, he broke into a run, sprinting in the dark side street.
"If I hurry, I can still catch him!" he thought, vaulting over a group of trash cans.
"Be careful, there's no telling how he'll react."
Naruto nodded in agreement, kicking off the wall to his left and jumping up to the rooftops, where he could head in a more straightforward direction.
"Which way?" Naruto asked.
"The west exit is closest."
A quick glance at the sun and Naruto changed direction, heading further to his left. He could see the exit up ahead, it wasn't a gate like Konoha, but simply where the buildings ended. He leapt off the final rooftop and landed on grass, glancing up ahead in case he could see him. Unfortunately, he was nowhere in sight, so Naruto ran as fast as he could. It was obvious to him that Jiraiya's seal would also alert him if Naruto left a certain radius, so he had to make sure he caught up before he met that limit. Although from what he could work out in his head, the amount of chakra he sensed in the seal would allow him to go about a kilometre and a half further before he would be forced to stop.
Naruto ran into the woods that stood alongside the road. The view had been clear straight to the horizon, so the forest was the only possibility. As he ran, he counted the distance in his head, praying he wouldn't screw his numbers up. Unfortunately, due to his lack of focus, he failed to see the hand grab him from behind.
"What the-?!" he exclaimed, as he was hauled into the air.
"Well what do we have here?" a voice said, "Could this be the Kyubi Jinchuriki seeking us out Itachi-san?"
"Put him down Kisame-san, you know our orders."
"Kisame?" Naruto repeated, trying to twist around. The same voice chuckled, before Naruto was dropped on his backside. He quickly leapt to his feet, spun round, and immediately recoiled from shock.
Hoshigaki Kisame was a monster. He was very tall, with spiky deep blue hair held in place with a slashed Kiri headband. But it wasn't this that shocked Naruto. Kisame's face was a pale blue, with strange markings on his cheeks not unlike Naruto's. his teeth were filed to points, giving his grin a terrifying gleam to it. Naruto also spotted the hilt of a sword sticking out form behind him, making him fully certain that this really was Kisame. The man standing next to him wore the same outfit. A black cloak with red clouds, and a sedge hat. He couldn't see this mans face, but Naruto knew this was Itachi.
"Why have you come after us?" Itachi asked directly, "I assume you know who we are."
"Yeah, and then some." Naruto replied, uncertain as to how he should act, "I wanna ask you two something."
Kisame glanced at Itachi with a raised brow. Itachi met the gaze, but showed no other reaction.
"If it's something we know, and that you cannot find throughout other methods, then it should be obvious that we would not answer." Itachi said, monotonously.
"Look, I don't give a damn about Akatsuki." Naruto said angrily, "I wanna know about the Sandaime Mizukage."
These words surprised Kisame even further, his grin widening. Itachi continued to stare at Naruto, but not even he could hide the look in his eyes, the look Naruto immediately picked up on, but decided to put off mentioning for now.
"And why should I tell you that?" Kisame asked, letting out a faint chuckle. Naruto didn't reply, instead he reached into his pouch. He had to hand it to them, Itachi and Kisame must both be incredibly strong, as neither of them so much as tensed at his movement. He pulled a scroll out from the pouch, unfurling it before them. Even now, neither reacted, Kisame even had an amused look in his eyes. Naruto touched the seal, and a large puff of smoke appeared, completely obscuring him. When the smoke dissipated, Naruto stood straight, the Decapitating Carving knife embedded in the ground beside him. If Naruto had expected to see anger or sadness in Kisame's eyes, he was disappointed. The only thing that changed was that Kisame's amusement became more… settled. This guy really was a monster.
"So the rumours are true." he said, grin maintained, "Dear old Zabuza is dead. That's a shame, he certainly had… potential."
He reached out and put his hand on the hilt of the sword, plucking it out of the ground as if it was weightless. He swung it around a few times in the air, an almost playful look on his face. He then rested the flat side of the blade on his shoulder, a pleased look on his face.
"It doesn't compare to Samehada," he said, more to himself than anyone else, "But it feels good to have it in my possession. Maybe I'll collect the others, it's been quite a while since I've seen my old comrades."
Naruto really didn't like this guy. But he had information he needed to know.
"So we got a deal?" he asked.
"Sure, why not?" Kisame replied, shrugging, "So what is it you want to know? His identity? His abilities?"
"I already know who he is." Naruto said, unable to restrain himself from glancing at Itachi. He regretted it, because now Itachi knew what he knew, "What I wanna know is what he was like, how he treated the people of Kirigakure."
Naruto didn't miss the fainted tint of annoyance in Kisame's expression at the mention of Kirigakure, but it was overshadowed by the swordsman's evident confusion.
"You wish to know how he was as a Mizukage you mean?" he said, with a look of concentration. Naruto nodded, "Very well then, I can't imagine that information being put to use against us, can you Itachi-san?"
"…No." Itachi replied, after a brief pause.
"Alright then." Kisame said thoughtfully, "I suppose the best way to describe him is that he always seemed driven. one of the things I always favoured about him was the sheer amount of killer intent holed up inside him, with no apparent direction. He appeared to have a strong hatred that instead of releasing, he kept close to his heart.
"There were many things about that man that made him unopposed among the other higher ups of Kiri. For one thing, he always seemed to know exactly what you were thinking, he had an intuitiveness I had never seen before. He also had a way of making his strength known, without being threatening in any way. The only fault I could see was that look of betrayal in his eyes."
"Betrayal?" Naruto repeated. He had accepted the other stuff easily, but he didn't like where it was going now.
"He was betrayed by his own clan, stabbed in the back when he had only their best interests at heart." Kisame continued, his grin spreading further, "But the had no intention of remaining loyal to him, they were much too comfortable with their way of living. Even I could see that pain in his eyes, the pain that remained until the day he disappeared."
"He disappeared?"
"Indeed. The last time anyone saw him, he had said he was heading for Uzu no Kuni. Soon after, that place disappeared, himself along with it."
"What do you mean?" Naruto asked, a strange feeling of adrenaline rising in his gut.
"I mean that when our ANBU went to find him, the village was burned to cinders, not a single hut remaining."
Naruto frowned, but felt himself relax. This was good, any pity he might have felt for Madara having been betrayed was gone now. He could hate him once more.
"Uzu no Kuni." he thought, "That's where mom was born. If Madara destroyed that place, he was probably looking for her."
"Kisame-san, please go on ahead." Itachi said, "Our orders were to not capture him, but I shall take this opportunity to interrogate him."
"Is that necessary, Itachi-san?" Kisame asked, not out of concern for Naruto, but that he didn't want to have to wait up for Itachi later.
"He took a considerable risk in seeking us out." Itachi replied, "I must make sure his request is in no way linked to Akatsuki's goals."
"Very well then." Kisame said, turning away, "Just make sure not to pressure him too hard. We wouldn't want him to become brain dead before we rip the demon out of his body."
Itachi didn't reply. Kisame smirked before walking away, removing the handle of Zabuza's sword and twirling it in his fingers.
For a while, nothing else happened. Naruto and Itachi watched as Kisame left. Then, when he was far enough away, Itachi looked past Naruto.
"I think you should come out now." he said. Naruto whipped his head around, he hadn't noticed a presence behind him.
Sasuke stepped out form behind a tree, glaring.
"Itachi." he growled, not even seeing Naruto.
"Sasuke…" Naruto breathed, a look of bewilderment on his face.
"It's been a long time, little brother." Itachi said, removing his sedge hat.
"What are you talking about?" Sasuke asked darkly, "I saw you only a few hours ago, looking into Naruto's apartment."
"So that was you." Itachi replied, "And that girl that was with you?"
"My team mate."
"Ah."
"Sasuke, what are you doing here?" Naruto asked.
"I'm here to settle things, once and for all." Sasuke replied, without taking his eyes off Itachi. He walked forward, Naruto had to step out of his way.
"You are nowhere near strong enough to face me." Itachi said, "I have no interest in fighting you right now."
Sasuke stopped, inches away from Itachi.
"Neither do I." he said. Itachi's brow rose a fraction of a centimetre, Naruto just looked even more shocked.
"You don't?" Itachi asked, "Then I take it you have come because you want to feel even more hatred?"
"No." Sasuke replied, looking Itachi in the eye, "I want the truth."
This time Itachi's brow creased, but a fraction, the most clear of a frown he would give.
"Did you even find the scroll?" he asked.
"Didn't have to. I found a copy."
Somehow, Itachi's face grew even more serious.
"What?" he asked, all sense of formality gone.
"I found the subbasement at HQ." Sasuke replied, "I take it you didn't."
"It wasn't important."
"The hell it wasn't. Inside, I found a copy of that scroll, and other files."
Itachi stared at Sasuke, a slightly threatened look in his eyes.
"I know that father was planning to revolt against Konoha." Sasuke said, ignoring Itachi's surprise, "Luckily, that moment of clarity made me realise the truth. You were an ANBU captain, under orders from the Hokage, weren't you?"
Itachi's face calmed a little, as if he was back on even ground.
"That is a lot to presume." he said, "Fathers revolt and my timing were merely a coincidence."
"Bullshit." Sasuke growled, "You'd be surprised at how easy it is to break into the archives when the Hokage's dead."
Naruto noted the look of anguish on Itachi's face, however well hidden it may be.
"Sasuke, do not hate Konoha for what it did to our clan." Itachi said, dropping his façade, "I did what I did in the hope you would hate me instead."
"Well you failed." Sasuke replied, "I no longer hate you. The object of my hatred is father."
There was a stunned silence as both Naruto and Itachi took in Sasuke's words.
"You got careless Itachi." Sasuke continued, "If you wanted to remain the object of my hatred, then the subbasement would have been the most important place to investigate. Do you have no idea why there was a copy of that scroll there?"
Itachi searched Sasuke's face for a moment, before his eyes widened.
"Are you saying…?"
"Father intended to lead a brigade of the Uchiha's strongest, and slaughter the weakest so they could attain Mangekyou."
Itachi's face froze from shock. He continued to stare into Sasuke's eyes, both disbelieving, yet knowing at the same time.
"One way or another, innocent people would have died." Sasuke continued, "At least this way, the corrupt ones perished as well."
"What will you do, Sasuke?" Itachi asked. He looked at his little brother as if he barely knew him, but cared deeply about him at the same time.
"I'm going to rebuild the Uchiha." Sasuke replied, confidently, "I'll learn form the mistakes father made, and change what it means to be Uchiha."
Naruto noticed the look of sadness in Itachi's eyes as he looked at his younger brother.
"Sasuke, the Uchiha are doomed to the same fate." he said, "We all inevitably succumb to the hatred buried deep within."
"If hatred is a part of us, then I'll spend my life in search for it, and when I find it, I'll destroy it." Sasuke replied, "My hatred will destroy itself, but I won't let it take me down as well."
Sasuke stopped there, awaiting Itachi's reply. The two brothers stared at each other for several moments, before Itachi nodded.
"Maybe you can do it." he said, "I would like nothing better."
Sasuke hesitated, as if he were about to say more. Naruto took a step closer, Sasuke noticed and looked at him. Naruto gave him a reassuring nod. Sasuke searched his face for a moment, before looking back to Itachi.
"I still need to know." he said, "Why it had to be you."
"It was asked of me because I was the only one both sides trusted." Itachi replied, "But my loyalties belonged to Konoha, I had no doubt about that. But that doesn't excuse my betrayal. I had hoped that you would take your revenge on me, so that I would finally get what I felt- feel, I deserve."
"But that doesn't explain why you joined Akatsuki." Sasuke said, "Have your feelings toward Konoha changed?"
Itachi sighed, shaking his head.
"Sasuke, you have in these past few minutes brought everything I have worked for to pieces." he said, "And even now, your own perceptiveness puts me under pressure… joining Akatsuki was also under my orders."
"What?!" Naruto exclaimed, taking a step back. Sasuke, however, seemed less surprised.
"You're Jiraiya's informant?" he asked.
"Yes."
"What the hell?!" Naruto yelled again, "You're working for Ero-Sennin?!"
"Secretly." Itachi stressed, "Not even the elders of Konoha know of this, so I ask that both of you keep it quiet. Although I doubt either of you could say anything without being arrested. Officially, I am an S-rank criminal, after all."
Sasuke turned around, taking a few steps away form Itachi.
"Where this is going doesn't concern me." he said, "This will probably be for your ears Naruto."
"Sasuke…" Itachi said, watching his younger brothers back.
"Itachi… don't die." Sasuke said, "I want you to see the Uchiha reborn, don't get yourself killed before then."
With that, Sasuke walked away, without looking back. Naruto looked back to Itachi, who was still watching Sasuke leave.
"This was your doing, wasn't it?" he asked.
"I helped him along." Naruto replied, "Living in hatred was only going to hurt him in the end."
Itachi nodded slowly.
"Thank you for that." he said, looking at him, "You seek Madara, is that right?"
"Yeah."
"There is no need for you to look for him. Train as hard as you can. One day, he will come for you."
Naruto stared at Itachi, before nodding. Chances were, Itachi knew more about Madara than Kisame.
"There's just one thing I need to know." he said.
"The link between Uzu no Kuni and yourself."
"Sorta. Did Madara find what he was looking for?"
Itachi looked deep into Naruto's eyes, seeing through them.
"No. that which he sought was no longer there. It was in Konoha, instead."
Naruto dropped his gaze. He turned away, before Itachi could tears form in his eyes.
"Thanks." he said, "I guess I should go back. Ero-Sennin is expecting me."
"I'm sorry." Itachi replied, walking away.
Naruto stood there for a moment, trying his best to hold his emotions in. he did everything in his power not to think about what he knew in his heart. He began his return to the inn, every nerve in his body deadened, as if he were asleep. Everything made sense, but Naruto sorely wished it didn't. the pain he felt, it couldn't go away. Neither could this knowledge.
The knowledge that the Kyubi wasn't his father.
