I got strangely emotional writing this, but hopefully it didn't come out to strange. At least it was a faster update. I hope you all enjoy it!
Thank you all for the rush of positive reviews, I got so excited I just sat here for the last two hours typing non-stop. It really does make me happy that you all are enjoying it, so I hope you continue to.
UltimateGenius- I understand what you mean, the social distancing really is boring the hell out of everyone I think. Hopefully, this virus will be gone soon and we can return to our daily lives.
WarFlower- The Akatsuki really said fam goals though XD
RainbowStarMountain- I love fatherly Kakashi so much so I get what you mean. Not a whole lot this chapter, but I'm thinking of building on their bond later on.
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Sasuke waited by the front door, mildly annoyed. He tapped his foot a bit, impatient as the copy ninja slowly made his way towards the door. "What's taking so long, Kakashi?" the boy scolded.
"We aren't in a rush. Besides, this isn't a tourism event. We're only bringing you into the village to get the attention of your organization. I don't know what you're expecting." the older ninja sighed, reading one of his books as he headed out.
A light glare was his answer. "I want to get out there and draw their attention. That's what I'm expecting." he scoffed. The teen glanced around as Kakashi lead him through the streets of the village. He had his arms bound with chakra cuffs so he couldn't use any jutsu, but he didn't really need to either. He knew that if he did his part and sounded the alarm, his family would come for him.
"..." Kakashi was silent for a moment before commenting, "Since you've already openly admitted to being involved with the organization, I'm assuming you're part of it. I hope you know what you're doing by parading in the streets. We have back-up from the sand village on the outer gates. Your allies will fall, and you're leading them straight to their death. Even if you all do escape, wouldn't they kill you for such betrayal?" he hummed, trying to get a read on the motives.
Sasuke gave a look of offense, which quickly shifted into anger. "For one, they would never be taken down by a pair of kageless villages. For two, they wouldn't kill me! They're my family. Family sticks together through painful times. This will only make our bond grow. The pain of this fight will only strengthen our love for each other."
An unimpressed look remained on Kakashi's face, though inside he found the boy's logic to be quite strange. He supposed it made sense-- pain did bring people together. But then, it was unusual to use this as a comforting thought when you were in pain. Most people would avoid it at all costs. "You said yesterday that you figured out that we knew who you were. How is that?"
"Well, I was captured by the sand less than a week ago. They realized that I was one of the missing children rather quickly. Since their Kage has been assassinated, they'll want to share all the information on the boy they had in custody." Sasuke explained easily, "Then, well, there were only four children who went missing from this village. Me, Neji, Hinata, and Naruto. Well, Gaara was visiting but I don't think he counts since this isn't his homeland. I clearly don't have blond nor red hair, so I'm not Naruto or Gaara. I don't have the Byakugan either, so I'm clearly not either of them." he smirked proudly, "I'm Sasuke Uchiha. Anyone who can't see that would have to be blind."
"Hm, yes. I am aware of the other missing children. I suppose they were kidnapped by this organization as well. It seems that they've manipulated you all into seeing them as a family so you wouldn't run away." he sighed at the glare the boy gave him. "I know it's hard to break free of emotional manipulation. It's like a neverending genjutsu that's been forever intertwined with your reality. I only hope the other children haven't given up on escape yet."
"You're wrong," Sasuke spoke with confidence. "It isn't emotional manipulation. The organization took us in while this village neglected us." he felt his chest rising with anger at the older man, the two standing beside a lake of some sort now. Somewhere along the way, they had left the village and went to the training grounds. "The village laughed at Naruto. They laughed at my brother for something he had no control over. Naruto did nothing wrong. He and Gaara both! Neither of them wanted to be the vessels for demons. But you all gave them no choice!" he accused, voice rising. Kakashi allowed him since there was no one around to hear anyway.
"Not to mention Hinata. My poor little sister was subjected daily to harsh training and bullying. She tried so hard, only to be met with the threat of being disowned by the ones who were supposed to take care of her. Nothing was ever good enough for them, but once did the village try to help." by now, his eyes had started to water with frustration. "Not to mention Neji. He- He was an amazing ninja. He protected his clan. He did as he was told even when they repetitively hurt him. They used his own body against him. But not once did the village step in to help him! Why? Because it was a 'clan affair'."
Sasuke spat the last two words with venom, his hatred boiling over. "But suddenly, when it comes to my clan, it's a talk for everyone and anyone. Oh, look! The Uchiha are almost all gone. Oh, I never trusted that clan. Oh, that clan's full of psychos. Oh, there goes Sasuke. He has good scores, but so did Itachi. It's only a matter of time until he loses it. It's only a matter of time before he betrays us. It's only a matter of time until he follows his kin!" he mocked. "No one in this village ever gave me a chance to show who I was. Who Sasuke Uchiha was. They never gave any of us a chance."
"It's all labels here. The Last Uchiha. The Ninetail's Vessel. The One Tail's Vessel. The Hyuuga Heir. The Hyuuga Branch Member. Do you know who we are back in our real home? Sasuke. Naruto. Gaara. Hinata. Neji. That's who we are. Do you know the only labels put on us back home? Little one. Pumpkin. Darling. Sugar cube. Muffin. Do those sound like labels they would put on us if we were being used? Would they spend hours every week comforting us when we have nightmares about things that happened under the watch of your village? Would they train with us? Teach us how to cook, sew, clean, and take care of ourselves? Would they tell us to explore our options before choosing to be a ninja? No! So don't act like you know my family. They aren't the ones hurting us, you all are."
He heaved, his shoulders shaking now as he tried to calm himself. "My father saids pain helps you grow. This village's pain didn't. It just leaves me with an empty feeling of hurt every time I think of it. You say we're being manipulated, but it can't be worse than how this village manipulates its villagers into thinking it's okay to be so cold towards each other."
Kakashi let the kid rant his heart out, half because he was interested if he would spill any intel and half because he was too shocked to shut him up. His lips folded into a frown as he sighed, sitting on the grass. "So, this group truly does care for you all?" he questioned.
Sasuke scoffed, "Of course."
"I'm glad to hear that." the silver-haired ninja spoke with a strange affection to the boy.
Sasuke gave him a look as though he had just grown a second head.
"What is it?" Kakashi asked. "Come, there's no reason to be wary. Though the village has a price on your family's head, I'm still glad to hear that Naruto and you are happy. I've never met the other children, but good on them too. The fact that you all seem to have each other's backs is more than enough reason for me to respect you all. Only true scum would betray their comrades. That includes those you see as family. I may not agree with you, but I can respect your loyalty."
Sasuke paused, a slight smile crossing his lips, but it quickly fell as he heard a voice from behind him. "While that is all good and well, your respect won't save the organization nor the boy."
Kakashi glanced over his shoulder, mildly surprised by who it was. What was Danzo doing here? What did he mean, save the boy?
"Word has spread rather fast of your location, Sasuke." a few ROOT officers came down from the surrounding trees. "You have served your purpose. I thank you for your service to the leaf, but you have used up your worth. Come with me."
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It took maybe a day for Itachi and Kisame to return to the hideout. Once they did, it was all hands on deck. Itachi moved quickly to the third floor of their base. He headed into the room where Nagato currently sat with Konan, they two stopping whatever they were talking about as they noticed his return. "Konan. Nagato. We've located Sasuke. He's being kept in Konoha, under the control of a Jonin."
Nagato nodded, a frown falling onto his face as he prepared his six paths right away. "I see. Is there any more intel you can give us before we head out? We should do so right away."
Itachi nodded. He looks enraged, but in a quiet way. The way that let you know you were truly screwed. "He's set to be executed. The village elders decided on it not long ago. We have about a day's time before he's killed. Unless they find a new Hokage who decides against it between now and tomorrow, he'll be dead."
"I see. What else is there? I can tell you're holding back, Itachi." After all, Nagato had lived with the boy for years now.
"Yes." he took a breath. "The how and why is a long story that I'll tell you all later. Our first priority needs to be Sasuke, but I'm giving this information to you so they don't catch you off guard." he bowed low, into one he hadn't done in years. His head touched the floor, hoping Nagato would agree to focus on his brother's safety for now. "I've been a double agent for the last few years, keeping a tab on the Akatsuki for the leaf village. I was ordered to kill my clan. I'll stop sending my reports to the leaf and take whatever punishment you give, whether it be death or worse. I only ask that you save Sasuke. He's known nothing of this. Neither have any of the other children. They're innocent."
Konan and Nagato's faces contorted into a brief look of shock and pain. Itachi had been lying to them this entire time? Nagato frowned deeply, "We'll focus on Sasuke for now, but you will answer for your actions when he is home and safe. For now, you will stay here to make sure Tobi doesn't escape. He's been locked downstairs until we figure out what to do with him. If he or you escape, we will come looking and kill you both."
Itachi nodded, moving to stand as Nagato's paths and Konan headed downstairs. He came down just in time to see Kisame arguing with the kids.
"We're going."
Kisame gave a heavy sigh, "No, you aren't. You all are too young to be rushing into the village on a rescue mission." he scolded, "Now, listen to me. You all will not step foot out of the village until we return."
Neji's glare only strengthened, Naruto and Gaara's working along with him. Hinata and Karin nodded from behind, the two giving the shark a stern look. Karin pointed at him defensively, "He's our brother. We're going to the village, with or without your permission. We'll just leave right after you if you don't take us with you." she spoke proudly.
"We don't have time to fucking argue." Hidan sighed with annoyance. "If the little shits want to come, bring them along. It'll be a pain in the ass, but they clearly aren't staying. Come on, then. We won't save him standing here."
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