Chapter 52 Track the Raven
The Fifth sat back in her chair scowling deeply she did not like the position she was forced in and now with the details of Kuni-te's betrayal to his clan, everything was going to Hell in the Leaf. If their enemies discovered that one of the powerful Konoha's clans was killing off its members threatening a civil war, they would close in on all sides.
"Dam!" Tsunade slammed a fist on her desk leaving a hole in the surface. "There has got to be a way to avoid a civil war!" she hissed through clenched teeth.
"Princess Tsunade should know better than to try and keep this situation quiet, would you like me to grab the old bastard and drag him here?" The Hermit laughed from his perch in the window.
"We can not do that Jiraiya! According to Shino this is all a game to that freaking crazy bastard and merely an illusion of his treachery!" She fumed a knock at the door made her bark. "Come in!" She felt a level of relief the person she hoped to see arriving"
Shino entered the office closing the door carefully, subtly releasing several Kikai to stand watch for intruders. "The reason we can not attack Kuni-te openly is because we are not certain the number of allies he has within the village. Also despite my report to you regarding the explosion, there is not enough evidence to charge my uncle with the attack." He knelled in front of the Fifth's desk his body feeling the effects of non-stop hospital duty. "All of those exposed to the toxins received the antidote. There were no casualties and only Guy-sensei is under close observation, other than him no others were seriously injured."
"Finally some good news, there is the problem Sakura brought to my attention I would like your team to handle this, Shino." Her eyes fixed on the dark frames; she had a brief image of the arrogant kid telling her to mind her own business three years ago. Now that brat has become a reliable ninja for the Hidden Leaf as well as a gifted medical specialist. Since his return to the village, Shino applied to work in the hospital in its research department. Tsunade had been reluctant however gave the teen a chance she was pleasantly surprised with his knowledge of medicine. However, as Konoha was short on upper level ninja he spent most of his time training under Morino or taking regular assignments; now she felt once balance was restored she definitely would offer him a position within the hospital.
Shino considered the devastating news, feeling his own level of responsibility for not intervening in the incident. "Hokage-sama you would like my team to retrieve Uchiha Sasuke?" The moment Sakura recovered she panicked asking repeatedly about Guy-sensei condition, however just when it seemed she would remain calm she wailed that the Sharingan user has left the village.
"Yes, I would like you to leave immediately, and for this mission I believe Naruto will be helpful." She grinned sly, as the Chuunin got to his feet. Her private discussion with the Hermit convinced her that she really would need to have a one on one chat with the hot blond-ninja, since there was not a chance in Hell Shino would share the sexy details. She snickered silently thinking of how she would confront the blue-eyed ninja later.
"Tsunade." Jiraiya remarked also standing. "You remember the problem with Akatsuki, sending Naruto out with lower level teammates is not wise. Besides taking down Kuni-te seems like the best thing now, I already told you the population is down twenty percent."
Shino interrupted, waving a hand to recall his Kikai. "That will be a challenge for you, to defeat my uncle." He raised an eyebrow at the white hair Shinobi. "As for 'lower level teammates', perhaps you need a demonstration of my strength Jiraiya." Both Seine stared wide eyed in silence. "I already informed the Fifth your information is inaccurate." He smirks at the Seine's dark glare, his own temper completely controlled.
The Fifth intervened before Jiraiya could accept the challenge. "Shino, you always have colorful words when we least expect it." She nodded and smiled at the teen. "You will be accompanied by a Jonin. I have prepared a report for his review, this is a difficult time for the leaf, however I agree with you; we will continue with caution regarding Kuni-te. Once you return I expect you to resolve the issue, regarding leadership of your Clan immediately in the mean time on this mission here is how I want you to proceed.
--
Naruto stop on a higher tree just before they entered the clearing with Kiba, and Hinata, Pakun paused a few feet away gazing back at him. "What are you waiting for Naruto?"
The blond didn't answer, he put his hands together focusing his chakra until the blue energy spun around him his features momentarily brightened, he grinned at the Nin-Hound as it died down he could hear someone approaching. "Pakun quick how do I smell?"
"What, I smelled you earlier, why do you ask?" He leaped over next to him taking a few sniff, his eyes getting big. "Hey you smell like yourself, I see." The dog winked. Kiba landed a tree over looking suspiciously.
"Hey Kiba how are you." Naruto leap down from the tree landing with Pakun on his heels Kiba landed with a huge Akamaru riding the dog like a horse. "What! What happen to Akamaru?" Naruto could not believe his eyes.
Kiba climb off the hulking dog trotting over to Naruto giving him a good sniff. "Hey! Naruto wow look how tall you got! You got to show me what you learned while you trained with that legendary Seine." He grinned, the sharp teeth more prominent.
Naruto eyes were saucers staring at Kiba's long time companion, "But Akamaru? How did he…" Pakun cut across his words
"Naruto lets move forward this kid just told me Iruka wants to see you." Pakun tuned back to the hulking hound. "Ok show us the way." Akamaru chuffed, pausing only to allow Kiba to pounce on his back.
All four dashed toward the main post Kiba and Akamaru in the lead, Naruto still staring in disbelief and Pakun at his side. "Kiba why is Iruka-sensei here, I thought he was on the front line?" Naruto wondered why his teacher needed to see him.
"He just arrived said that the emergency was step down so he offered us some back up and said you would be here shortly anyway. I believe he and Kakashi have a much bigger area to cover so they are checking all the smaller post ensuring that everything is under control before they move on." It did not take long before they arrived at a small clearing with three large tents on the far right and the left side dominated by a command post. The command post an area where they discussed tactics and reviewed documents, currently Iruka and Kakashi reviewing several scrolls while the team moved to meet them.
"Kaka-sensei, Iruka-sensei how are you?" Naruto joined the two ninja at the post. Kakashi gave Iruka a warning look shaking his head subtly, however the Chuunin glared defiantly back turning resolutely to Naruto.
Naruto changed greatly since the last time he had seen the blond-ninja. They now stood the same height; Naruto had put on several pounds of lean muscle, his golden hair thick and longer than three year ago as well. Iruka stared at the blonds profile while he spoke animatedly with Kakashi, determined to have his say to the younger ninja. He cleared his throat loudly to get Naruto's attention.
"Naruto I would like to speak with you in private." He started to walk away to a secluded location not waiting for him to follow.
The blue eyes stared at his former teacher retreating back, annoyed at the tone of his voice, Kakashi placing a hand on his shoulders halting his progress. "Naruto just hear what he has to say, o.k., he's worries about you all the time." The Jonin winked his one eye, patting the teen nearly his height on the back for him to follow the Chuunin.
Naruto nodded his face a serious mask, joining Iruka near some densely growing maples and pines several yards from the campsite. Iruka stood with his arm crossed over his chest leaning against a tree staring as his student approached.
"What's wrong Iruka-sensei?" Naruto did not understand why he felt angry by the sudden pull aside, or the way the brown eye ninja was staring at him.
Iruka looks intently a moment longer weighing his words carefully; Kakashi had advised him not to interfere, that it was none of his business and it would be best to speak to Shino directly not his former student. However Iruka felt a special bond with the golden-hair ninja, he felt Naruto would be honest with him regarding the issues, besides he decided he did not care for Aburame Shino, the bug attack still raw in his memory.
"I want you to tell me what is between you and Aburame Shino." His brow furrowed as the blue eyes darkened as if expecting the question.
Naruto managed to keep the anger out of his voice responding to the Chuunin. "Why are you asking me such a question?" Feeling violated, by the intrusion.
The brown eyes glowered more he wanted the boy to answer. "You understood my question? I want to know do you have a relationship with that boy?" His voice not the normal understanding and endearing tone of his teacher, the last words biting.
The blond-ninja stared back in silent defiance not able to say the first thing that came to mind, the words too harsh for a man he admired. Naruto folded his arms behind his head and turned away from the angry brown glare, not sure how much he wanted to share if anything. His bond with Shino not common in the Hidden Leaf despite the fact that Iruka has a bond with Kakashi he felt his teachers relationship did not justify nor in any way impact his decision to maintain his bond or share its intimate details. He felt Iruka crossed the line. "I have always admired you Iruka-sensei, always." He turned back with a sarcastic gleam in his eyes, "Do not be concerned with my personal life. I am a comrade to all ninja in Konoha," He turned away, walking a few yards deeper into the woods staring at nothing and everything, trying to maintain his temper.
Iruka followed glaring at the back of the orange and black jacket. "I am concerned Naruto." The anger in his voice barely maintained, the blond-ninja kept his back to him. "You must not maintain a relationship with that person." He took a deep breath, determined to get through to his favorite pupil.
"That person." Naruto said thoughtfully, finally turning to face his teacher, his blue eyes scowling.
"Yes, Aburame Shino, he is disturbed. Before your little fight with Sasuke, he had his bugs attack me, without provocation. Then it turned out the dam creatures did it of their own accord, he absolutely has no control over them." His hands clenched at his side ignoring the shadow that passed over the blond-ninja's face. "That boy is a menace its no wonder the danger his entire Clan has us in right now, you must not involve yourself with such a dangerously unbalanced…"
The dam broke on Naruto's temper he growled at the Chuunin cutting him off mid-sentence. "SHUT UP!" Naruto took several deep breaths the silence stretching between them.
"Naruto..!"
"I said shut up! Who do you think you are? You do not know anything about him! You don't have a right to tell me anything about…!"
"I HAVE EVERY RIGHT! YOU JUST DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE RISK OF INVOLVING….!"
"YOU ARE NOT TELLING ME WHO I WILL ALLOW IN MY LIFE!"
They both fumed at each other hands clenched at their sides, both faces full of explosive anger.
"Listen to me Naruto…"
"That is it! Let me tell you about Aburame Shino!" Naruto gushed, cutting off the Chuunin again; he felt a heated determination to make himself understood, the desire to shake the brown hair ninja inching to the front of his mind accompanying the consuming urge to punch him in the face. "He is an excellent Shinobi. He cares how others feel, despite the fact that no one has ever given a dam about him! He is patient and loyal he would give his life for anyone in the entire village without hesitation." His voice began to tremble; even as he spoke, he did not realize how much he understood about his lover, or how alike they really are. "He's genius and a terrible person to face if you are an enemy, and if my life was on the line I know Shino would save my ass before any of you sorry son of a b….."
"Uzumaki that is enough!" Shino stormed from several feet away.
"No it is not!" Naruto shot back not looking at the tall ninja, still glaring dangerously at his former teacher. "I am not going to let him talk about you like that; about my friend!" The blond quaked to hold his seeping emotions under control fighting the desire to just attack or cry or yell at the top of his lungs. It was a large hand on his shoulder that cooled the rising flames, allowing him to pull in the hurricane of insults. Naruto clenched his teeth the hand tightening firmly.
"No you have said enough, we have a mission and we must leave now." Shino gazed thoughtfully at his lover, he had heard most of Naruto's defense of him but he wondered what triggered the verbal attack he believed the two had a special bond. Naruto's body relaxed giving Iruka one final glare before turning away heading back to their post, with both ninja following his retreat. Shino turned back to the Chuunin considering if he should inquire, however Iruka interceded.
"You need to end your relationship with Naruto; he is too naive to deal with a person like you." Iruka did not expect Shino to comply actually he was prepared for the brat to attack. However, he wanted to make his intentions plain to the bug user. "I will do whatever it takes to get him away from you." His voice lowered ominously.
"I see." Shino stared at his former teacher with a mixture of disappointment and anger, 'some things never change.' "Do what you must, I have a mission." He left to follow Naruto to the post, where Morino would join them on their mission, pausing he spoke over his shoulder to the Chuunin. "Umino Iruka, if you cause our bond to end," He turned fully facing the teacher, "I will kill you that is a promise."
--
"There were no casualties and Uzumaki was not injured at all." The Clan member knelled in front of his leader, inwardly trembling as Kuni-te's anger swelled.
"Anything else?"
"Shino-sama has left the village."
"WHAT!" Kuni-te leaped up so quickly his chair falling over, the ninja cringing up in alarm. "When did he leave the village? Why was this not reported to me immediately?"
"I am sorry Kuni-te-sama I only just learned of this myself." The ninja could not take his eyes off his deadly leader, widely known for his unstable and unpredictable temper. "I was told he left about forty-eight hours ago, with a three man team."
"Who is on his team?" He barked.
"Uzumaki Naruto and Morino Ibiki, the Village has resumed normal functions, security remains elevated but not at the level of a few days ago, most of the ninja have returned to their usual post." He cast his eyes down at the floor, too afraid to continue gazing at the Elder.
The Elder lifted his chair sitting back behind his desk as a faint creaking sound issued form his desk. "Get out!" He ordered as he pulls opens his top desk drawer; the ninja exited quickly shutting the door behind him. Kuni-te lifted a narrow scroll with a large beetle securing the document closed with tightly clamped legs, its exoskeleton covered in sharp horns, preventing access to the document. He glared at the tiny creature knowing that more than likely Shino placed poison on the horns hoping someone would attempt to remove the bug so they would die an undoubtedly slow a painful death. Also ordering the insect proved ineffective; Kuni-te realized quickly he needed to be content and wait until the appointed time for it to release its hold.
Kuni-te had begun to receive the scrolls several weeks ago all possessing requests for him to step down from his position. Each new message caused him to bark in laughter at the Shino's polite wording. The notes as far as he was concerned were not going to make him give up his position; he looked forward to his removal. However, lately the wording insistent and unnerved the old man containing short cryptic messages, stating precisely what the Elder had done throughout the entire day including with whom he spoke. This caused Kuni-te to constantly replace staff believing someone was providing too many details to his nephew, it would make his plans seem to obvious if the boy knew too much. The humming beetle finally wiggled its legs free spreading its wings then vanished.
He frowned at the dark lettering on the unraveled scroll; obvious to the Elder Shino timed the opening to coincide with his absence from the village. To prevent the old man from making the grandstand confrontation he desired:
Kuni-te:
Your reign is over, we both know the Limerick, and things will not go as you plan. Do you still ware that trinket of gold; it will not benefit you in prison. Smoke and mirrors will not avail you; neither will your false pretence at immorality. I will put an end to this idiocy, and exposing your fraudulent methods as a personal mission. In the end, your deceit will damage the reputation of the Aburame Clan far more than the decades of prejudice we have endured. Kuni-te you have given the entire village a reason to despise us! I will not allow you to manipulate the circumstances to your advantage, and I assure you all will know the truth. Resign now.
Shino
The old man reread the letter his vicious temper rising steadily. 'So smoke and mirrors and pretence.' "Bastard! This is working perfectly and he is ruining everything! This is why the Leaf is not taking me seriously! The brat is telling them everything!" He slammed his palm hard on the desk; his mind twisting over what his next move would be he felt certain that Shino would launch an attack if his friend were openly targeted. However, he mocked his plans and ignored him as if he were an incorrigible child.
'I'll show them all!' Standing up to pace his office, he came to the decision walking to his computer and sending a message to his warehouse facility. Within a few minutes, he received confirmation that his orders were in the works. He eased back in his chair staring at the names on his list, marked for death he highlighted one annoying person to become a sacrifice for them all, 'I will remember your legacy.' He chuffed in laughter.
"Kuni-te-sama, you sent for me?" The dark figure bowed behind his chair on one knee in reverence.
"Yes, I did." The Elder did not bother turning to face the young man. "That body needs to be found, and eliminate this person." He chuckled pointing at the name on the screen, and then added. "Make it messy very messy." The ninja nodded then left swiftly, Kuni-te's dark laughter fills the dimly lit office. 'Now we will see what Shino will do. I always hated that brat, revenge is sweet, hey Kakashi-sensei?' His maniacal laughter echoed higher resounding around the empty mansion.
