Chapter 37 – Confrontation

"You think you could've been a bit more subtle Itachi?" muttered Gaara as he gently laid Maliko on the ground. He figured she would black out if she found out about her sister leaving with Orochimaru. That's why he had kept that bit of information from her in the first place.

"She had to hear it sometime.." replied Itachi, apathetic to the certain happenings.

All eyes were now on the orange haired girl on the ground. Tsunade commented on this.

"Why is she so concerned about it!" Her cold demeanor due to the fact that she was still wary of the girl, not fully trusting that Gaara's story from before was true.

"You of all people should know they're sisters. But, shes probably more worried about the fact that its Orochimaru shes with." Gaara sighed and looked to Maliko beside him. "While with the Akatsuki, Orochimaru had ordered their mother and their whole village killed. She most likely figures her sister doesn't stand a chance. Which she probably doesn't seeing as she wouldn't really stand a chance against anyone..." This caused Itachi to shoot him a slight glare. Gaara chose to ignore it though.

"So what do you expect us to do then?" Tsunade asked, crossing her arms across her vast chest.

"We merely seek assistance. Leaving both Tazze and Sasuke would not benefit you in the slightest..." Gaara began, rising from his kneeling position beside Maliko.

"Orochimaru now holds both of Konoha's most prominent bloodlines. If Orochimaru gets the chance to use both of them, there won't be much anyone can do to stop him from coming here to try and crush Konoha once again." Itachi finished, still managing to keep his cool.

"True enough, but we are by no means, ready to take on such a challenge right at this moment. Time is needed for planning and information gathering." Tsunade finally came to the real realization of the situation now. Itachi and Gaara were right. Konoha would surely perish if everything was left as it was. Itachi was said to rival Orochimaru's powers, so of course, it would be good to have him on their side, and Gaara could easily wipe out numerous Sound nin.

"We never expected to leave so quickly. We want some time to train these two." replied Itachi motioning to Aysen and Maliko. "Which is why we will need to speak to Hyuuga Hiashi..."

"Hiashi? Do you have any idea how furious he is about those twins? I would think you would want to keep clear of him and his household." said Tsunade, confusion evident in her features.

"Not necessarily." answered Itachi, not seemingly fazed with what she said. "Do you agree with our alliance? If not we'll take our leave.."

"Hai, theres nothing much else I can do to retrieve Sasuke than accept your proposition. You do know more about the situation than me anyways. But if there is even a hint of betrayal, I will kill you myself." Tsunade said, sighing with slight frustration. She shifting from her spot in the center of the gates and held out her hand, motioning them into the village. "If you would please hand over our men, I will show you to the Hyuuga compound."

Three nins from beside Tsunade took the dead bodies from Itachi, Gaara, and Aysen and disappeared through the gate. Gaara bent down and picked up Maliko bridal style. As he looked her over while shifting her in his arms he could tell she was exhausted and wouldn't be waking anytime soon.

They all followed Tsunade and her two remaining guards through the dark streets of Konoha towards the Hyuuga compound. Gaara was eased by the fact that there weren't any villagers out at this time of night to stare at them. He wasn't quite ready for the cold stares people would give him again.

When they reached the compound, they were greeted with two wary Branch House Hyuuga's guarding the front gate. It was agreed that Itachi would go to talk to Hiashi and Tsunade would go with him to show any late night wandering Hyuuga's that he was there on peaceful terms. Tsunade's two guards led the remaining three to a small apartment where they would be staying until the time came to retrieve Tazze and Sasuke.

When they got there Aysen immediately collapsed onto a single bed in a room just off to the side from the entrance. There was another bed in that room so Gaara decided that the two girls could share. He could hear Aysen's deep breathing as soon as she hit the mattress. She must have never traveled as much as she did today since she stayed at the village for pretty much all her life.

As Gaara set Maliko onto the bed, he felt compelled to look at her content features. The only time he had really seen her so peaceful was when she was asleep. Ever since he and Itachi had took the twins, Gaara had noticed Maliko was tense. Always tense. Except in sleep. It made Gaara wonder if sleeping was something that could make all your pain go away, even if just for a few hours. It was all too complicated for him to think about.

With one last look at Maliko, he took his leave and went to the small living room. There was no use in him taking the master bedroom, so he would just lay on the couch and leave the last bed for Itachi. Speaking of which, Gaara was somewhat confused at why Itachi would even think of talking with Hyuuga Hiashi on peaceful terms. They hadn't discussed any part of the plan that would involve the Hyuuga's. What exactly did he have up his sleeve...

The intensity in the room was almost unbearable for Tsunade. Hiashi's heated glare and Itachi's apathetic nature surrounded her, making her frustrated to no end.

"Ahem.." Tsunade broke the silence, trying to get their attention. "Itachi has come here on peaceful terms with a wish to speak with you. If you would care to begin, I would like at least an ounce of sleep tonight." she tried to keep the animosity out of her voice.

Itachi nodded and looked back to the white eyed old man.

"You may not know this yet, but I am one of the two guardians of the unsealed Hyuuga twins that you have tried to take in the past." If anything, this only caused Hiashi to glare harder. "I wish for your permission for Hyuuga Maliko to be trained by one of the stronger Hyuuga's in your clan."

"If you wish for her to be trained by one of my own, I would have her Byakugan sealed so she will become one of the Branch members." he retorted with malice dripping from every word.

"That's not possible."

"Then the girl is not considered part of this clan, and shall not be trained as one." Hiashi replied, while crossing his arms.

"It would create much more problems for you if you did not accept." Itachi still managed to remain calm under the pressuring gaze of Hiashi's white eyes. Tsunade even felt compelled to look away from them. Her eyes flickered from man to man, suddenly dawning on what Itachi was getting at.

"Are you threatening me?" questioned Hiashi as he rose his voice.

"No more a threat than a warning. Orochimaru has the other twin; Tazze, as well as Sasuke. Taking just the two with special eyes most likely wasn't a coincidence. If you refuse to train Maliko, then it will delay us in getting to the Sound. Unless you suddenly don't care if a powerful traitor of Konoha learns the secrets of the Byakugan, then we can leave as is. But I highly doubt that. So I suggest you heed my wishes." It became awfully hard to keep a business like stature when he was talking about the consequences of what might happen to Tazze. He would never tell anyone, but he was growing increasingly lonely without her tender nature. Coming from a man who had lived alone since he was thirteen, that said a lot.

"Orochimaru... holds the Byakugan?" Tsunade could've swore she heard Hiashi's voice quiver.

"It is the girl's goals to live their lives free. So under no circumstances may I let you seal Maliko's Byakugan." 'Tazze would rather die than let that happen.' Itachi thought to himself. "Do you agree to train her so that she may better protect herself, her sisters, and your bloodline?"

There was a long silence in which Hiashi thought. His eyes closed in concentration. Without opening them, he nodded, feeling defeated.

"I will bring Maliko here in the morning then. Gaara will stay with her at all times to ensure no betrayal." Hiashi nodded again and Itachi and Tsunade got up and left, heading out the courtyard gates. Tsunade took a short walk with Itachi to show him where the apartment was.

"That took a lot of guts..." She proclaimed, feeling uncomfortable with Itachi's silent and distant self.

"It needed to be done." was his blunt reply.

"It appears that you seem to be going through a lot for these girls..." Itachi's pace slowed a tiny bit, as thought wanting to fully hear what the Hokage was going to say. "Could it be that this Tazze girl has captured your affection?" Tsunade asked teasingly.

"No." His quick answer was proof enough. Tsunade smirked as she looked away from Itachi to the sky. She may have wanted to ease some of her tension with him, but she sure as hell didn't want to make him angry.

They walked the rest of the way in silence. When they reached the apartment, Tsunade turned to walk back to the Hokage tower.

"I'll come back here in the morning so none of the villagers get the wrong idea." a small wave, and then she was gone.

Itachi went up to the apartment and found Gaara on the couch, waiting to hear what the conversation with the Hyuuga was all about. Itachi told him, trying to make it brief, for he wanted sleep. Gaara simply nodded, alright with the plan. After all, nothing could really go wrong if he was with Maliko while she was being trained.

Itachi took his leave and headed to the master bedroom, hoping to at least get a few hours of sleep.

A/N – GAH! I'm sorry! I did it again! I even started early but i'm such a god damn procrastinator! AHHH! How can you all put up with me. Just throw rotten vegetables at me so i won't feel so damn guilty! or... just throw reviews so i feel compelled to write for you lovely readers! Ku ku ku

Abayo

Malitia