Chapter 27: The pain and love of the illusionist
He has pitted the entire realm against each other, then pounced to reap the pieces.
The Raikage has mobilised his forces towards Iwagakure in a step that wasn't anticipated by most. He already had a cohort stationed there among the little remaining Iwa Shinobi who weren't dispatched to combat in Kirigakure, a cohort who knew the layout of entrances and exists, the plans and counterplans of their gullible allies.
Most Notably, The Raikage, as soon as he conquered Iwa has slain his most esteemed friend and ally, the Tsuchikage in Cold blood, in an atrocity so similar to the one Iwa committed against Kiri long ago.
How Ironic, what goes around …
In Kirigakure, turned out most of the effective, battling forces were those of Iwagakure. So in the end he has merely set up both of them against each other, to deplete one another and after both parties were worn down to the bones, the Raikage's forces simply slayed the remainder of both Shinobi and effortlessly seized the hidden country, effectively cutting it off the world and putting it under curfew and Martial laws.
He had left the realm wriggling in shock, angst and worst of all … distrust.
Already, some of the smaller, neighbouring lands were offering their allegiance to the bloody state.
"He has played us all for fools"
Kakashi was reeling, the entire council was, save for Sasuke and Shikamaru.
Shikamaru's impassiveness was easy to interpret for he was always a collected man, a deep thinker who understood that sentimentality, panic, anger or whatever it be, was the shortest way to making mistakes.
Sasuke's however was unintelligible.
"I have been told he left Iwagakure in rubbles, utter devastation. The residents have been flocking outside to neighbouring lands" Sasuke commented
Shikamaru added "He has sent messengers to Suna, asking them to surrender"
"Where do they stand over there?"
"They are divided, Temari says. Some of them want to surrender in fear of what he might do had they entered the war. Others don't; thinking that whatever they do, this war is inevitable. The real problem however comes from the rotten seed of doubt he so subtly implanted" Shikamaru took a deep breath before resuming "He told them we are unreliable allies, untrustworthy. He proceeded to tell them we are powerless against him, that he is unmatched and that even with our tailed beast we won't be able to stop him. He also told them that all those years we have been seeking hegemony over the entire realm, so naturally we might be just using them. In short, he implied we might do exactly what he did to Iwa and leap on them instead"
"What do you suggest we do?"
"I don't know, Gaara actually doesn't mind being our ally at all, in fact he doesn't mind stepping Suna's power down in favour of the more capable Konoha but the rest of the council are doubtful" Shikamaru replied
"I don't know what they are scared of, Kankuro is the general leader of our conjoint forces after all" Naruto denoted "He knows most things about our forces anyway"
"I think we should sent some high ranked envoys to try and reach an understanding with their council and see where they will pick up from"
"Fine, Shikamaru. Assemble your envoys and get going" Kakashi permitted him
"I am thinking of taking Tsunade-sama and Hiashi-san, maybe Iruka-sensei"
"Maybe you can go as well, Naruto" Kakashi suggested "you are well received over there"
"I don't think I should, my place is either here or the base in Ushio, otherwise, it will be too risky to leave the village unarmed against their tailed beast"
That earned Naruto an awed look from Sasuke, Shikamaru and Sai in tow. He was really getting brighter, more task oriented!
"You didn't utter a word in there" Shikamaru denoted to Sasuke
"There was no need for me to say anything"
"So what do you think? About the whole situation, the whole issue? This Raikage?"
"I think he is a bloody idiot if he thinks he could permanently subdue the entire realm solely through a reign of terror. He is conceited enough to think himself invincible so he just burns every village he conquers down in a blatant display of censure instead of showing the residents some mercy or decency."
"Isn't that how you think we should build a unified united realm?" Naruto interposed
"Countries can never be built on such thing as treason, consternation or oppression. Whatever this guy is doing it is simply pillaging, looting at most, a farce of what we aspire to do. Naruto, countries are built on the basis of love, kindness … of trust ... firmness, pragmatism maybe but not cruelty. However, this guy if we take him down as should be will have served as a catalyst, a dumb catalyst for ending that bloody era of feuding wars and divergence so we can start an era of foundation of a united realm that can be ensued with prosperity"
"You said that countries are built on basis of kindness, love" Shikamaru entailed "Konoha has never been both to you, Sasuke,Nor to your brother or your entire clan or Naruto, even Neji for what matters. Does that make you an enemy as well?"
Shikamaru's eyes were bearing in his dark one, trying to peer through, analyse and assess all those shreds of thoughts loitering beneath the surface.
"Shikamaru, I don't think I can ever love Konoha again, I don't even recall that time long ago when I thought I did, but ... that wouldn't hinder me from defending the scattering dust of its lands if it is deemed worthy to be home to our sons ... if it would be kinder to them, progeny of the wasted … of the tormented"
"Do you think it can?"
"I am willing to take the risk"
Shikamaru averted his eyes in shame, sorrow even.
'It should have been kinder to your likings'
They weren't prepared for was this particular turn of tide.
That day in the middle of the night, Kakashi summoned both him and Hiashi for a contingency council, a grave emergency, as the messenger put it.
They were greeted by the omnious news
Kakashi was sitting head in hands as he announced
"Kankuro has been abducted"
"That is a catastrophe on every level, our allied troops over their …" Sai exclaimed
"Yamato has taken charge for the time being, the problem is by far more complicated… Suna's troops are angry, their council is even more dubious and they suspect it is an intentional ploy to take reins"
"Why don't they consider the possibility it is Kumo that abducted him?! after all they have been foes since as far as we remember" Sasuke incredulously inquired
"They are back at being divided into two factions and this is quite as awful an indication as doubting us. It means there might be a potential mutiny in store or worse a coup d'état or civil tensions that this notorious Raikage could benefit from" Kakashi proceeded to explain "We need to retrieve Kankuro, to find him fast"
"Have they dispatched any ANBU or are they planning on a joint mission?"
"No, Sasuke. They don't want a joint mission."
"So, they will dispatch one"
"Yes, we will dispatch one as well, under your command"
And so Kakashi has officially assigned him for this mission
"No, you can't" Naruto joltedly objected … refusal evident in his dismayed blue eyes.
Kakashi , followed through by the others, turned their heads towards him, his eye locking curiously on his.
"There is no one as adept as Sasuke to lead this mission"
"It isnot about his adeptness"
"So ...?"
At that, Sasuke glared at him, prompting him to hold his tongue, barring him from speaking further. In turn, Naruto's eyes darted downwards, and were moving in a frantic horizontal nystagmus.
"Now, Shikamaru and Hiashi-san, we will have to advance your journey to Suna. You will have to leave tomorrow, so get prepared" he gave them cue to dismiss.
"and Sasuke, I need to speak with you privately"
"Naruto was so adamant against you going on this mission, so I am inclined to ask if there is something, a reason perhaps that I don't know?"
Kakashi was looking at him intently, expectedly as well. His eye searching for any hidden clues while Sasuke weighed his options, contemplated how to answer him carefully … you can never lie to Kakashi, that he knew well.
"I will tell you when I am back" he sternly replied.
Kakashi seemed torn whether to let him off the hook or pressure him further into knowing, the former seeming to tip the balance off to its side.
"Just know that, I will never be able to forgive myself if something happens to you or to Naruto while I am Hokage"
It is a proclamation that took Sasuke by surprise.
"Do you have any names suggested for the team in your mind?"
" A few. Karin … Suigetsu. I am also considering someone with tracking skills ... Hinata's teammate, Kiba maybe. And someone with a byakugan, if Hiashi can nominate one for me"
"So you aren't taking the birdman with you?"
"No, Jugo should stay here, to keep watch and monitor for news"
"Sasuke, I suggest you take Sai as well"
He knew he couldn't say no, as much as his supposed counterpart irritated him with his off hand comments, it was Kakashi's way to ensure he was alright and to keep an eye on him
"Fine, I will take him with me" Sasuke huffed
"So, when do you leave?"
"Tomorrow, midnight"
Outside the office, the band of three was waiting for him to emerge.
"Good, you are still here" he motioned towards Sai "Kakashi has assigned you on the mission as well, let's hope you are good" Sasuke challengingly smirked
"I was good enough to be dispatched to assassinate you, don't worry" he smiled brightly in this way that unnerved most people.
'his sense of humour is even more morbid than Obito's' he thought
"Good then, Kakashi should let you in on the details"
Once Sai was out of sight, Naruto yelled "Are you out of your friggin' mind? A mission in your condition?"
Sasuke's neck craned automatically towards the lingering Shikamaru who turned his gaze towards him before nonchalantly proclaiming "I already knew, Temari spotted you at Tsunade numerous times alone, without Hinata-chan. It doesn't take a genius to deduce two plus two"
'The know it all bastard'
"Well, I am not dead and I am competent enough to make my own decisions."
"Does Hinata even know about your most recent endorsement?" Naruto continued to angrily question "Did you even consider what she will say at all?"
At that he looked entirely guilty
'I may not have known her saying in that but I am doing this all for her, for our child to live off safely'
"It is none of your concern anyway" Sasuke sharply replied
"You know what, you are right. You have always a selfish inconsiderate son of a bitch anyway. So why should I give it a damn dime what happens to you" Naruto furiously stormed off, leaving a distraught Sasuke and a tense Shikamaru calling after him in his wake.
Sasuke motioned him to stop
"Let him be, he needs to cool some steam off anyway"
When he comes back home, he finds Hiashi has told her everything about both their departure. And when he tries to read between the lines for her impression, he finds her eyes are blank, real blank and he could find nothing brimming in her pristine orbs.
She spoke nothing at all.
The dawn of next day as they see him off, Hiashi assigns him, his most faithful servant Ko as a watch eye for his mission and bids the main house good bye as they wish him the best on his diplomatic endeavour.
And The rest of the hours pass between them in silence, only interrupted by a few words far and in between and an ocean of looks, lost glances going between them.
The final hour arrives, as he packs the few things he would give himself the luxury of taking along.
"You need help with packing"
He doesn't turn to face her as he speaks
"I should be done in a minute, thank you"
Another pause stretches between them
"I am sorry" he repines "I didn't tell you before taking the mission"
"I am not angry with you"
He was now forced to turn around to look at her in puzzlement and confusion
"You are a shinobi, an ANBU. This is your job in the first place. I was a Shinobi before this, I understand"
Her eyes take flight , away from him to an invisible distance before her, a horizon only she seems to see.
"I am scared" she quivers
"I am scared and I ... I don't want you to leave"
And for a nick of time, his breathe is hitched, held still by heavy metal chains locked in her eyes.
"I want you to stay with me ... I am scared someone will take you down .. Your body will fail you and The disease we have been fighting so vehemently would prevail and you won't come back to me .. I won't see you again . But at the very same time, I know you have to .. I know you are strong and you will come back. I know you have to for the sake of us, the village .. The entire realm . I would have gone as well, had I been in your place, if I wasn't pregnant but I can't help it feeling so afraid ..."
He moves towards her, holds her face to him before looking her in the eyes, her eyes so deep and tired .. so different yet so similar to his right now. He then wraps his arms around her, gently ushering her towards him, careful not to compromise the little bump between them.
"It is OK, everything is going to be alright" his lips tremble as he mutters those words in her ears and in the spur of the moment, as she hesitantly sighs against him, as she reluctantly lets those welling teardrops fall so freely yet so quietly onto his shoulderblades. He considers conceding .. Letting this all off and fleeing with her and their unborn child .. Somewhere distant .. Safe. After all ,he owes this village .. This realm nothing at all.
She holds onto him tighter,digs her nails into his back as if she has peered through his mind, as if she knew what he was thinking ...
'You are no coward .. There is no other way .. If you flee , if you don't fight evil, It will follow you, it will haunt you and your child. Evil is never content with a truce' their minds chided
And so her grip slowly loosens on him
'It is time'
She breaks away from his embrace, her hands brushing away the tear streaks flowing down the angles of her face, marring her cheeks before looking up to him, lips twisting into a small sad smile.
He finds himself unable to walk away, rooted to the spot ... Unable to step away from the gentle clasp of her love, so overwhelming and strong into the dreary world outside.
Again he advances one step towards her, the tips of his fingers raising her head up to him as he looks her in the eyes once more
"come on, you look so tired, let's put you to sleep"
He sounds so tender .. He looks so tender, the tenderest she had ever seen him
"You have to go, your team is waiting"
"they can wait a little bit longer"
He keeps whispering those sweet nothings in her ears as he lulls her to slumber, he keeps telling her it will be alright as she clutches on him, as they relish each other's warmth
"I promise I will come back .. As soon as it is over. I will come back for you, the both of you and we will go back to resuming treatment with Tsunade. It will turn out alright, believe me. It will be alright" he whispers
And the next morning she will wake up to his side of the bed empty and cold, without a single ruffle and she will wonder if all those nightly proceedings have ever happened , if they were a figment of her imagination, the summons of her dream world or if he has placed her under a genjutsu.
He walks towards the exit of the Hyuuga's land with heavy steps, dragging and slow just like her weary heartbeats as she slept off.
"I couldn't let you off without bidding you good luck"
He smiles up just a little bit
"I shouldn't have lashed out at you like this, I am sorry Sasuke"
He has always wondered how apologies ... everything came so easily to Naruto
"I deserved it"
"Anyway, stay safe. She needs you, the village needs you as well as me"
"you know what, Naruto? During the darkest of times, those days that have passed me as I kept descending further and further into the bottomless pit of madness and pain. I have always counted on you, that you will either bring me back or stop me if necessary. It has kept me going, that last thread of sanity. Indeed to the day I almost feel entirely secure, invincible even because I know I can always count on you. It is me who needs you not the other way round"
Naruto gapped at him, not knowing how to respond to this confession, so untimely yet so impeccable.
"Take care of them for me, until I am home, I will come back this time Naruto. I know I will. Until this mission is over, as long as I am not present, you will take care of her, of Tama and my child, of Tenten and the Hyuuga's mainhouse, of everything I have dreamt of. I entrust that to you, my one and only friend, my surrogate brother."
And with that, he marched ahead to his team, leaving his friend behind, slinging onto his words.
They sat opposite to each other, leaning their backs against two parallel walls, as Hanabi's eyes darting between them, trying to decipher the silent exchange taking place between them, the shadows of words conveyed through the eyes of the two knowing women, the two close friends
'Is that how it felt when Neji was gone?'
one avoids uttering the question, the other avoids answering, both in fear of being callous, of answering callously.
'I hated he was gone, I hate every minute he is gone'
There is an omnious thought that crosses Tenten's mind, one that she wants to dismiss as soon as it forms
'I hate that he is gone, nevertheless for you'
In atonement, she strides over to the other side, Hinata's side, holds her hand in hers ... As the latter just leans her head against The other's shoulder
"He is a survivor, Sasuke. He will come back" Tenten verbally assured
