Chapter 28
The groaning of the door's ancient hinges made Sasuke's eyelids twitch. Yet even the sound of padded feet approaching could not make him stir. His body felt heavy and unwelcoming, and so he pressed his awareness through the heavy veil of sleep, half way between dreams and waking.
"My Lord." The man who had entered whispered. "I've brought provisions for you and the Uchiha."
Luka bowed slightly, his injuries making his movements awkward and jerky. "Thank you, my brother." He replied just as softly before eagerly accepting the water jug, drinking deeply.
When he had drunk his fill, he set down the jug. Without hesitation he reached for his shirt, tearing a long strip off the bottom. Luka wet the fabric with water from the jug, cupping it in his hands as he shuffled over to Sasuke's side. Gently, he began to wipe the blood and dirt from Sasuke's face and neck, refolding the fabric several times as it became saturated with crimson.
"Is there any news?" Luka asked as he continued to tend to his fellow prisoner.
"Yes, My Lord." Replied the other Kou, his face hidden beneath a dark hood. "No matter how loudly your father may protest, the sun is indeed rising this day."
Luka sighed in relief. He set the dirty clump of fabric he was using aside, ripping another section from his shirt and dampening it again. As he set about cleaning the injuries on Sasuke's arms and torso, he said, "My father is a fool, seeking to anger such powerful beings. Yet it will be enough to distract him for today. Brother, go and be my eyes and ears. But be careful."
"Of course, Master Luka." The man replied with a bow, before quickly leaving the room. The hinges groaned exaggeratedly once more, making the silence which followed seem heavy.
Setting aside the second rag, Luka reached over to lift Sasuke's hands gently. He examined the chain that coiled around his body, holding the Leaf shinobi to the temple dais. Nodding to himself, Luka channeled chakra into his hand, honing it until it was a blade. Then, with a single confident swipe, he brought his hand down through the thick iron chain. Several pieces broke off, clattering loudly on the stone floor.
Luka held his breath, glancing towards the door as he awaited the sound of hurried footsteps. When none came, he released a soft laugh in relief. He then pried the shackles from around Sasuke's wrists, frowning in disapproval at the deep cuts the bonds had left on his alabaster skin. Mindful of the young Uchiha's injuries, Luka then lowered him slowly so that he was lying as comfortably as possible on the hard floor.
"I am afraid this is all I can do for you, my friend." The Kou heir said sadly. When he could illicit no response from Sasuke, Luka picked up the cleaner of the two rags and folded it carefully. He placed it over Sasuke's brow, hoping to ease the headache he was certain pounded in Sasuke's skull. He had taken many blows to the face, his skin blotchy with deeply coloured bruises and several cuts.
A shiver ran down Luka's spine as he imagined how Naruto was going to react upon seeing his best friend in such a state. He quickly pulled off what remained of his shirt and tucked it under Sasuke's head.
"So much suffering," Luka said, shutting his eyes. "With luck, the end will be soon. Salvation will come for both of us."
Luka couldn't help but smile sadly, as this statement made him think of his sister.
In all their long lives, there had been few things that Luka and Lila had disagreed on. But after they had journeyed together to see the place where the great Ninja War had been waged, their opinions on the battle's hero could not have been more different. Upon seeing the utter destruction around them, Lila declared that Naruto Uzumaki was an omen of death. Luka, on the other hand, had looked at the barren earth and seen the great victory which had been won there. He believed Naruto to be a beacon of the new world, a light to save them from the dark shadow of their Clan.
In the end, Lila had gone to him seeking her own death. Luka hated to admit it, but now he was doing the exact same thing. He glanced around the room that served as their prison, heaviness in his heart.
"You have only known this place to be full of pain, and strangers." He said, glancing down at Sasuke. "But this temple has been my home for many decades now. I have lost count of the years, if truth may be told. I wish you could see it, Sasuke: the great halls, where the deities of the former monks live in harmony with our stone wolves. The way the light shines upon it in the morning, when the sun has not yet risen above the clouds and the winds are high from the east. This is the only home I have ever known, Sasuke, and I have loved it and it's beauty dearly."
He paused here, a tormented frown transforming his face. In a whisper, he continued.
"And now, I pray for the destruction of this place, and all those within it. We have lingered for far too long, and now we must pass from this world. I fear that the wrath of the Jinchuuriki will lay my home to waste, but it is a wrath we have brought down upon ourselves. The spirits of the monks who once lived here may finally be at peace, to know that a god will finally stand within their temples."
Luka laughed then, tucking a strand of curly hair behind his ear. He stood and began walking around the room slowly, his emotions a confused mess as they waged war for control of his heart. Once again, a laugh forced its way up his throat, coming out as a desperate bark.
"Will you say nothing?" He inquired of the still unconscious Sasuke. "I feel my fathers madness pressing within this walls: I herald my own death and yet have no conviction for it. Will you leave me alone in this torment, my friend? Can you hear nothing?"
After a while, Luka returned to Sasuke's side, lying beside him on the floor. He stilled his racing mind by measuring each of Sasuke's breaths, watching the dim sunlight travelling across the room.
Deep within his mind, Sasuke stirred restlessly. He willed himself to regain consciousness, if for no other reason than to tell Luka to stop talking like that. Distantly, he could feel his shoulder pulsating with energy: the seal that coiled around his old curse mark writhing and burning with an intensity that he had never felt before. It sent a tingle of uneasiness through his body.
Luka's sudden movement caught his attention.
He glanced over at Sasuke with his shining emerald eyes, so ancient and sad. "Rest well until I return, friend." He said, as he wove a series of complicated hand signs. "I think I shall go and check on the progress of our rescue."
With that, he formed the final seal, and a layer of blue chakra crackled over his entire body. But unlike Sasuke's icy blue chakra, Luka's gave off a gentle turquoise light, the colour of tropical seas.
Luka exhaled softly, and the chakra shot upwards, carrying with it a solid orb of light that seemed heavier and more solid. On the floor beside Sasuke, Luka's body lay silent and vacant, not even breath stirring him.
It felt strange to be freed of his body, a sensation that Luka was unable to get used to no matter how many times he experienced it. But he ignored the lurching sensation, rushing towards where the ambassadors from his Clan stood waiting nervously for the Konoha team to arrive. Luka, a small glowing essence, flitted between the trees until he hovered like a fairy light among the needles of an ancient pine.
He wasn't kept waiting long.
With a sound like thunder, the air crackling with static energy, Naruto landed in the small clearing. The ground exploded around his feet from the impact, huge chunks of earth rising around him. Dried grass and leaves caught fire from his chakra, the smoke and scent of damp vegetation filling the air.
He didn't look up until his team landed behind him, almost a minute later. Luka could tell that the men from his Clan had been mentally steeling themselves, but they still flinched when the Jinchuuriki looked up. Those golden eyes burned with rage, and yet were so unbearably beautiful that it was impossible to look away. His eyes churned restlessly, clouds of sadness occasionally passing over them.
And yet, even from where he hovered, Luka could see both wisdom and sadness in those eyes, both beyond what a man of Naruto's age should have known. He felt a twinge of pity.
It was then that Naruto's gaze flickered over. Terror shot through Luka, so intensely that even his abandoned body, still lying beside Sasuke, twitched.
"The wrath of the Gods." Luka thought.
And then he released the jutsu, shooting back to his body, where his spirit slammed into place as he drew in a deep, rattling breath. His whole body trembled as he sat up, sweat rising on his cold skin.
"By the Gods, it's true." He heard himself whispering, his eyes trained towards the heavens. "A real live angel of death."
Naruto continued to stare at the place where that strange light had vanished for a few moments, confused about what he had seen. But he had no time to think about that now. With a deep inhale he suppressed his Jinchuuriki powers, waiting until the golden flames had vanished from his skin. Only then did he step out of the hole his landing had made, standing before the Kou emissaries as his team gathered behind him.
"Well, I'm here." He growled, pleased that the delicate-looking Kou winced at the sound of his voice. "Where's Sasuke? I want to see him now - you know!"
One of the Kou, an advisor to his Lord, stepped forward and cleared his throat shakily. "Greetings, Uzumaki-sama. On behalf of my Lord Kou, may I offer my thanks to you, who have responded so quickly to our demands. Uchiha–san is indeed in our custody, but on our good Lord's request he shall remain there until you have submitted yourself to our care."
A growl rolled deep within Naruto's throat, the air around him crackling as the natural energy responded to his rage.
Sakura placed a placating hand on his back as Kakashi stepped forward. He waved to the Kou cheerily, completely unfazed by the entire situation. "It was my understanding," He began lightly, "That there would be a trade upon our arrival? Sasuke for Naruto, as our Hokage promised."
The Kou advisor bowed low, seeming relieved to have someone more civil to talk to. "That was indeed our bargain, Master Hatake," He said, his voice smooth and slippery. "However, my Lord feared that the young Uzumaki would – forgive me – make off with the Uchiha without honouring the trade."
Naruto took a step forward, but Sakura fisted the back of his cloak. She rose up on her toes, hissing in his ear, "Hold it, knuckle-brain. You'll just prove them right if you attack now. Calm down!"
Letting out a slow stream of air, Naruto dutifully nodded. And yet, Sakura could practically feel the heat rising from him, and his broad shoulders lost none of their tension.
"Do you really expect us to go with you, not knowing whether or not Sasuke is alive?" Sakura piped up, her tone scolding the Kou.
They bristled in offense.
"Begging your pardon, Ma'am," One of the Kou said, and Sakura almost laughed at his out-of-place drawl, "But we wouldn't dare harm a prisoner!"
His fellow Kou shot him a warning look, but Naruto was already fuming.
"In the letter your leader sent, it said that you would 'waste Sasuke's body' if I didn't respond promptly!" He bellowed, his pupils becoming slits again. "I will not go with you until I see Sasuke, safe and unharmed!"
The ambassadors exchanged nervous looks. The advisor spoke up again, but he was even more nervous now, he eyes flickering back and forth. "I'm sorry, sir, but we're under strict orders. Our Lord is awaiting you; we mustn't keep him waiting for too long! Your Uchiha is fine, albeit unfit to travel at this time, so if you could just come with us this could all be sorted out much sooner!"
"Unfit to travel?" Kakashi parroted, glancing at Naruto. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Well," The man said quickly, regretting his words immediately, "I simply meant that he must wait until you have finished speaking with our master!"
Naruto growled low in his chest again, making the level of panic in the assembled Kou rise even more.
"He is not harmed, I swear! I only meant that, that – it's a long way from the prison temple to the main building!" The advisor blurted, visibly sweating. "W-we w-wouldn't want to bring S-Sasuke all the way there for n-nothing."
Suddenly, Naruto smiled.
"Okay Kakashi-sensei," He said in an even tone, "That should be enough."
"Are you sure?" The silver-haired shinobi asked in a bored voice, his hands in his pockets.
"Yeah," Naruto said, nodding as golden flames broke out over his skin again. "I'll head over to the other team and-"
The advisor spluttered indignantly. "We've been had!" He cried, pointing one accusing finger in their direction. "Of all the low tricks, threatening us to get information!"
Naruto cracked a wicked grin, although there was a glint of very real anger in his eyes. "A wise Kage once told me that sometimes, the most powerful weapon is fear."
With a cry of outrage, the Kou scattered, racing back towards their home. Naruto grimaced as he turned to his team.
"You guys take care of them, then head over to the Kou's base." He ordered briskly. "I'll go report to the other team and meet you guys there, okay?"
Sakura and Mogami nodded, sprinting off after the Kou. Yamato and Kakashi gave Naruto one last, concerned-teacher look before following them. Naruto watched them go, sighing before he teleported.
He reappeared many miles away, between Shikamaru and the clone that had been leading the second team. Naruto glanced over at his blond replica, saying gruffly, "I can take it from here." The clone saluted before releasing the jutsu and vanishing in a puff of smoke.
"So?" Shikamaru prompted.
"Too easy." Naruto said. "They folded before I even got started. Sounds like Kou is waiting for me in the main building, and they're keeping Sasuke hidden away in their "prison temple", which is probably the furthest building from the main one."
"Good work." Shikamaru praised, gesturing to the team which crouched silently behind them. As a single unit, they began to move, following Shikamaru and Naruto up the side of the forested mountain. Beneath them, the Land of Tea sprawled out peacefully and silently. The fields had not yet been tilled for the new seasons crop, so the land lay bare and dark.
"Is your team taking care of the group of Kou who came to meet you?"
Naruto nodded. "They'll meet us there."
Shikamaru glanced sideways at Naruto, his entire body swathed in golden flame. "Oi," He muttered. "Don't you have a dimmer switch or something? They'll see us coming from miles away."
"Oops," Naruto said sheepishly, concentrating for a moment. When the flames had receded into his body, he grinned at the strategist. "Better?"
Eying him cautiously, Shikamaru said, "You seem a bit too relaxed right now. Are you okay?"
The blond shrugged. "No, I'm mad as hell and you can bet your ass I'm going to make these bastards pay."
Shikamaru continued to watch him silently, sensing a "but" coming.
"But," Naruto continued, raising his voice so that he was talking to the whole team. "Remember, we're not fighting a war. If you can help it, disarm and capture only! Massacring the Kou isn't the answer, even if they are a bunch of jerks. Got that?"
There was a general cry of agreement, and their pace increased. Above them, the outlines of distant buildings came into view. Naruto heard Ino, and several others, gasp.
The temples seemed to be floating on the clouds. The buildings were made of glittering white stone, which caught the light and made the walls gleam. Giant pillars introduced the front of every building, and from them vine-covered lanterns hung. Even from that distance, the Leaf shinobi could see giant statues in the likeness of timber wolves guarding the fronts of the buildings. Above them, trees that must have been a thousand years old looked on silently.
"It's so beautiful." Ino said breathlessly.
There was a murmur of agreement and astonishment. Naruto had to blink the disbelief out of his eyes. He just didn't understand how a Clan that did such evil things could live in a place like this, nestled peacefully in the heavens. It was Shikamaru's cynicism that cured him of his awe.
"Imagine what it's like here during a storm?" He moaned.
Naruto laughed, his cloak flapping wildly in the wind. And then, they entered the bank of clouds that clung to the mountainside. For a few tense minutes, they were running blind through the mist. When they finally broke through, cold and damp, they found Kakashi and the others waiting for them.
"Some place." Kakashi said, gesturing lazily. "What's the plan?"
"Well, if Kou's waiting for me in the main building, I guess I'm heading there first." Naruto replied, the fire returning to his voice.
Sakura shook her head, concern in her eyes as she interjected. "Naruto, I think you should go and release Sasuke first! The rest of us can distract the Kou until you've gotten Sasuke to safety."
Naruto opened his mouth to protest, but Shikamaru spoke up first.
"Hold up, Naruto. I think that's a good idea." He said.
Kakashi and Yamato nodded. Naruto frowned, troubled and unsure. "Okay," He finally agreed. "Just…nobody get hurt, you know?"
"Same to you, you big dummy!" Sakura said, squeezing his warm, rough hand in reassurance. Before she could let go, Naruto gripped her fingers.
"Sakura-chan, come with me!" Naruto pleaded. "Just in case Sasuke is hurt. He'll need you."
The kunoichi smiled, her cheeks pink as she determinedly nodded.
"Alright then, enough kissing." Shikamaru drawled, turning to the team. "Everybody else, with me! And you heard Naruto people, no killing or getting killed!"
The shinobi took off at a sprint, roaring a challenge into the silent air. Above them, a warning bell sounded in the temple. Naruto grit his teeth as the sound rolled over the peaks.
"Sakura-chan!" He called, scooping her up into his arms. "Hold on tight!"
Flames erupted on his skin again as he vanished with speed. Sakura yelped in surprise, hiding her face in his chest as the cold air cut past them. Naruto latched on to the faint trace of Sasuke's chakra immediately. Now that he was closer, not even the Kou's strongest barriers could keep him from sensing that familiar chakra.
He slid to a halt outside a small and rundown temple, placing Sakura on her feet. Without hesitating, they ran into the temple, bracing themselves for an attack that never came. The old teammates exchanged a wary glance, setting off down the hallway slowly.
The temple was completely silent. Light shone in from windows of coloured glass on either side of the hallway, which cast rainbows onto the stone floor. The alcoves that dotted the walls each held the statue of some god or goddess that the old monks had worshipped. But now, the idols were gathering dust, their regally carved faces reminding Naruto of the Hyūga Clan. There was only one doorway, ancient and dark, at the very back of the building.
They rushed towards it eagerly.
Without hesitation, Naruto blasted the door off its hinges. It shattered with a mighty crack, flying into the room beyond. The room that they now stood in boasted a single window, two rows of giant columns, a fading fresco on the wall, and a crumbling alter.
Laying before this alter, battered and unconscious, was Sasuke.
The man who was sitting beside him, handsome and somehow familiar to Naruto, held out his hand in a halting motion.
"Stop!" He cried. "The entire floor is a Jinchuuriki seal!"
Sakura nodded decidedly, yanking on her gloves as she stepped forward. "I've got this." She said. She took her stance, mustering chakra into her hand. Then, with a loud "cha!", she brought down her fist.
The stones cracked, dust filling the room. Without waiting, Naruto rushed forwards and threw himself down at Sasuke's side. He stared down at Sasuke's swollen face, tears of rage swelling in his eyes.
"Sakura-chan!" He cried out. "Sakura-chan, he needs you!"
"Coming!" She replied, clambering over the crumbling floor. She pulled off her gloves as she knelt beside Sasuke, a soft exhale passing between her lips.
Sasuke's injuries were severe. Her practiced eyes passed quickly over the giant gashes and bruises on his legs, the massive bruises on his abdomen, the infected-looking stitches on his arms and back. All that Naruto could look at was his face, so badly beaten that he was almost unrecognizable.
"Forgive me," The man said, softly but without fear. "I cared for him as best I could under the circumstances."
Still staring at Sasuke, and feeling slightly dazed, Naruto asked, "Who are you?"
"My name is Luka." The handsome man said, pushing away his mane of ebony hair. "Kou is my father."
That caught Naruto's attention. He tore his gaze away from Sasuke just long enough to ask, "If you're his son, then why are you helping me?"
"Well, that's a long story." Luka responded. "But, let us just say I disagree with the way he, and the majority of my Clan, does things."
That was enough information for Naruto. He glanced at Sakura questioningly. She only shook her head in response, frowning in concern.
"He's wounded badly, Naruto." She said, still examining his injuries. "When you couple that with his low chakra, and the fact that he hasn't eaten in days, I'll be lucky if I can get him conscious again. We'd better take him and go, Naruto."
"Yes, take him!" Luka asserted. "As soon as my father realizes you're here, he'll come for you."
"Let him." Naruto retorted, his husky voice full of rage. "Look at what he's done to Sasuke!"
"I can understand you anger, truly I can!" Luka said, his voice desperate. "But you must realize that my father is, well, ancient. He is very strong, Uzumaki-sama."
"We should listen to him, Naruto!" Sakura urged. "Come on. Let's get out of here now!"
Without another word, Naruto scooped Sasuke up into his arms. He cradled him carefully as he stumbled over the ground Sakura had upheaved. Sakura glanced over at Luka and smiled, "Thanks for your help." She offered. "Why don't you come with us?"
Suddenly, a conceited voice cut in loudly. "I'm sorry, but the play date will have to be postponed for another time."
The Lord of the Kou stood in the doorway, blood dotting his white cotton shirt and dripping from his ring-covered hands. With a sneer of contempt, he made several hand signs, too blurred with speed to recognize. And then, he slammed his bloody palm against the stone wall.
Before their eyes, an intricate network of seals and barriers appeared. But overtop of them all was the one seal that Naruto despised most: the one which trapped Jinchuuriki. He glanced around quickly, looking for a weak spot. But the entire room, including the upturned floor, was sealed tight. He gnashed his teeth angrily, his chakra flaring. The flames snaked out, wrapping themselves around Sasuke like a protective glove.
Sakura glanced at Naruto. She knew that the Jinchuuriki's life-giving chakra would be able to heal Sasuke, but he needed time. And she was the only one who could give it to him.
Mustering all her strength, she ran at Kou, yelling loudly. He dodged her dangerous punch, watching with an amused expression as her fist skittered off the barrier in a shower of sparks.
She blinked a few times in shock. But then Sakura recovered, pulling a kunai out of her pouch and attacking once more. Kou dodged her effortlessly, a smug smile on his face the entire time. Suddenly, he caught her wrist, a current of lightning passing through his hand into Sakura's body. Numb, she couldn't resist as he pulled her to his chest, holding her in a way that suggested they were dancing partners, preparing to waltz.
"Forgive me," He said, in a mock gentlemanly voice, "But could you possibly be Miss. Sakura? A certain Mogami made the effort of calling out for you, with his dying breath."
Sakura's lovely aqua-green eyes widened in disbelief. Howling with rage, she swung her left fist towards Kou's head, surprising him enough that he was forced to jump away to avoid the hit. But before Sakura could attack again, Kou raised his palm.
"Look out!" Luka cried.
Lightning rushed down Kou's arm, coiling like a serpent, before crackling towards Sakura. Unlike Sasuke's thin lightning blade, the bolts came from several directions at once. There was a blue flash of light as Sakura screamed in pain. Then, her entire body went slack and she crumpled to the ground, smoke rising from her clothing.
A line of Kou ninja poured into the room, their weapons glinting as coldly as their eyes. Naruto stood in shock, staring at his unmoving friend and willing her to get up.
"Conceited child!" Kou mocked, his voice prideful and condescending. "Naruto Uzumaki, I shall greatly enjoy tearing you to pieces."
Naruto didn't respond; he let his chakra do the talking for him. The flames flared, an angry roar rising from them as the whole structure shook. The ninja looked up nervously as dust and small pieces of stone fell from the ceiling. Naruto smiled bitterly, determined to keep them distracted for as long as possible.
In the healing cradle of Naruto's arms, Sasuke began to stir.
A/N: Hey guys! Hope this brightens up your Monday...a little.
