Artes animi.
Disclaimer :I don't own Naruto.
An : I think Sakurai's theme is the phantom of the opera, now and in the chapters to come as his abilities will evolve.
Chapter 26
"This is a simple routine patrol" the woman said her eyes on the unmasked boy in front of her, her gaze stopping for a second on the new scar running through his eye "You shouldn't find any trouble, however be on your guard, Yagura's people are desperate and might try something".
Sakurai nodded, his eyes narrowed in concentration "Will I be going alone?" he asked.
She nodded "In accordance to your current mental condition it was decided to send you alone on missions, you shouldn't need any backup either"
He nodded in gratitude "Thank you ma'am, I'll be going then" saluting he left the room.
As he did he couldn't help but smile at his good luck.. With no one coming with him he would be able to slip easily.. His year long mission was finally over.. It was time to return home and report to lord third.
As he walked out of the building he walked through the streets and toward the armory he noted how much lighter was the mood around.
The people looked much happier and the sunlight reflecting on the roofs and water added to the feeling of elevation.
He bumped in someone he apologized before looking to see who he bumped into and froze for a second.
There on the ground was Touma, the younger brother of the woman who betrayed him.. Same brother who he himself saved when he just arrived.
And the kid was glaring daggers at him, hatred oozing from him in waves.
Without another word the kid got up and walked away, not sparing him even a glance.
Sakurai sighed but shook his head, he needed to do something right now and the thoughts of the woman and her brother didn't help his mental state right now.
Walking into the armory he showed the document he got from the Mizukage to the new adjutant - a young black haired man with honey colored eyes - who gave him the equipment he needed for the mission.
After that he walked to his room, taking a single scroll containing a few more weapons among other things he exited the barracks and headed toward the gates where he passed without any problems and headed toward where his official mission was.
His hand ran through his short hair, his eyes closed for a moment as he remembered his once long pale hair.. It was silly but he missed it.
A small smile appeared on his face, he would soon regrow it.
Reaching his destination he waited for an hour or so, making sure he wasn't being followed before he headed toward Konoha.
It wasn't a short journey, but he would prevail he wouldn't die now.. Not when he was this close.
They treaded carefully, their futures obscured by black masks.
"It seems you were right kiddo.. He really did leave his post" the older of the two muttered "Come on, his tracks are still visible" he said accelerating.
"I told you! I am sure whatever happened with Ikumi was his fault" the younger said as he hurried after his companion.
They were running for more than a day right now, leaving the village unauthorized.
The older man shook the thought of the dressing he was going to get when they will return, right now they needed to apprehend the kid and interrogate him.
And now they were carefully treading through the barren land trying to catch up with him.
"Why is he moving toward the sea?" the older man muttered "Yagura's camp is on the other way".
He was about to voice his thoughts when he froze, lifting his hand causing the younger boy to stop.
There b, near a small pond was their target, washing his head with the water of the pond and some kind of chemical.
In front of their eyes the brown color of his hair turned to pale blonde, nearly silver and the many freckles started to vanish.
A moment later the boy was unrecognizable from the kid the two of them knew.
"Is this.. Really Sanada?" the kid muttered.
"Stay back, I'll take him out.. There is no doubt about it.. Ichirou Sanada or whoever he is, is a traitor".
"I'll help you capture him and bring him to the Mizukage, then she'll definitely let big sister go..."
The older shinobi didn't waste another moment, jumping out of his hiding sprinting toward the now blonde boy.
"Sanada Ichirou! You're under arrest"
Sakurai looked up his eyes narrowing at the shinobi who's lower face covered running toward him.
"Tch" he muttered "Just my luck" he got up from the ground sending a kunai flying past the charging adversary who rolled back, and toward where the man was hiding earlier.
The projectile was easily caught by a young boy, a young boy slowly got up from the ground.
"It's over Sanada!" the boy called disregarding the order he was given and running toward the other boy "There is no way you'll be able to defeat us!".
The Yamanaka stood there, a small smile playing on his face.
"Oh? It's only the two of you? Isn't that lucky for me? I guess you didn't even share with lady Mizukage now did you?" his smirk grew at the boy's hateful expression.
The older of the pursuers was now standing, waiting to hear what the two kids will say.. It's not like he was in a hurry.. The boy stood no chance against him.
" Let me guess" the Yamanaka continued "You came here out of hatred to me, somehow convinced that I used your sister" a short mirth less laugh escaped his mouth "Sorry to dissapoint you kiddo, but Ikumi was a traitor".
"Liar!" Touma screamed and was about to charge when he was stopped by the older shinobi.
"Wait, don't fall for his taunting" he said moving forward.
"Come with us Sanada, and you'll be granted a fair trial"
Sakurai raised an eyebrow "Realy now Sparrow?" he asked smirking "I wonder why you agreed to come here without orders? You did hate me from the first moment you saw me.. I wonder why?"
Sparrow narrowed his eyes "None of your business! Surrender there is no way you'll be able to defeat me! I know every move you can make!" he called.
"Are you sure?" the blonde asked his eyes narrowing darkly "You think I didn't notice you following me? Why do you think I waited here instead of leaving?" he asked.
"I had enough! I will count to three and if you won't surrender I'll take you by force! The Mizukage is going to be so surprised to learn that her precious Ichirou Sanada really is a traitor!"
A small bird flew over him.
"One"
Sakurai just smirked "You're talking to much old man" he said before suddenly vanishing in a cloud of smoke.
Before Sparrow could say anything he felt something slam into his mind, causing him to scream.
A second later and his consciousness faded into the background.
Touma turned toward the source of the scream only for Sparrow to charge at him easily knocking him to the ground with a kick to the ribs.
A crack sounded and the boy fell screaming in pain.
"Sparrow?" he asked his voice broken in pain.
"Sorry kid.. Sparrow is kinda unbelievable right now" the Yamanaka said before quickly ending the boy's life.
A second later he left the body but not before he placed an explosive tag on it.
By the time the hunter nin was back in control of his own body it was too late.
An explosion sounded and his body was blown to bits.
From the bottom of the lake the Yamanaka swam up.
"I better clean the area.. Better not leave any evidence" he muttered as he got to work.
Ten minutes later he was back on his way to Konoha, no evidence of his presence left on the small battlefield.
The two guards looked suspiciously at the blonde boy walking forward, his hair short and eyes as gray as steel.
They were about to call for him when he stopped in front of the gates opening his hands.
"Konoha.. I'm back" he muttered, his voice as soft as the wind around him.
He approached the gates saluting the two chunin in front of him.
"Yamanaka Sakurai, requesting permission to enter the village" he called.
The two man looked at him for a moment their eyes widening at the formal call.
The call of a man returning from a long mission.
"Please wait for a moment until we'll confirm your identity" one of the guards called, his young face indicating he was just fresh from the last exam.
A few moments later he returned from where he gone to, stopping in front of the blonde he saluted to him.
"Welcome home, Yamanaka san" he said his voice full of respect "The hokage is awaiting you".
Sakurai nodded "Thank you" he said before hurrying from there toward the tower.
He walked through the bustling streets, the afternoon sun shining on him and he could feel himself visibly relaxing.
The annoying voice in his head, constantly telling him to be careful also got relaxed, now only whispering to him not to trust anyone.
Ignoring it he took in every street he passes through, the kids running around and the people talking casually with each other.
He was content.
Finally he reached the hokage tower and walked through the doors where a young woman, the secretary of lord third awaited him.
"Yamanaka san" she nodded at him "Please come this way, lord third is awaiting you in the conference room" she said before turning around and walking, from time to time glancing back to make sure he was following her.
She left him in front of the heavy doors to the conference room.
"You can go in" she said.
He nodded before steeling himself and knocking twice on the door.
"Please come in" the soft voice of the old leader sounded from the room.
Tenativly reaching the handle, he opened the door and stopped in the entrance.
There seating behind the large conference table was the hokage, his constant pipe in his hand.
To his left and right two people were seating.. Two people who looked up and froze.
Sakurai bowed to the hokage before smiling at his two uncles.
"Hokage sama, uncle Inoichi, uncle Shikaku" he smiled widely "I'm home".
End of chapter 26.
I know it's a short chapter but it's the conclusion of the previous arc, hope you enjoyed it.
I hope the next chapter will be as fun to write as this one was.