"Naruto, you need to breathe."
"I'm breathing. I'm breathing," Naruto ground out through clenched teeth.
"You aren't. You must breathe through it, let it flow through you."
"I am…I'm just…" Naruto opened his eyes, blinking as his eyes adjusted to the setting sun. Jiraiya's face came into focus as well as the courtyard. The chakra surrounding his body in a thin layer dissipated, and he exhaled hard, panting afterward. "Can we take a break, old man? I'm exhausted."
Jiraiya sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "This is important, Naruto. This training could save your life. Heal you, make you stronger, even learn information. You won't know when you'll need it."
Naruto rubbed his face with frustration. After Kurama returned his body, he had felt exhausted. The transformations weren't easy on his body. Not even a minute afterward, Jiraiya dragged him out here for training.
Jiraiya kneeled in front of him. "Naruto, the world around us is full of chakra. Everyone is limited to what they generate, but you have the ability to use chakra that isn't yours. In order to do that, you must let it flow through you. Don't try to control it. You are just directing it."
"I know. I know. I just don't think I can do anymore today." Naruto slumped, looking up at his guardian with a pitiful expression.
Jiraiya sighed heavily, "Fine. You're free to go."
Grinning, Naruto jumped to his feet. "Thanks, old man."
It wasn't that he didn't know how important the training was, but the smell of food that had been drifting throughout the house combined with already being tired, he just couldn't focus. Standing near the door to the house, Uchiha quietly waited for them. Seeing him, Naruto smiled without realizing it, going over to him, his walk unsteady from shaking legs.
"Getting a good view?" Naruto asked.
Uchiha exhaled as if mildly annoyed. "Well truthfully, I'm finding it a bit lacking."
"You are such a bastard."
"Like you aren't one yourself," Uchiha replied, smirking.
Naruto's smile grew bigger until he felt Jiraiya's hand on his shoulder pushing him forward. "Come on, kid. Tsunade-san is working hard to make you dinner. Don't let it go to waste."
Naruto resisted shrugging off his hand and hearing Tsunade's name put a knot in his stomach. A couple of hours before, she had been discussing whether he would live or not in front of him. Conflictingly, the thought of her homemade food did stir his softer side. After everything, she did help raise him even if it was out of duty.
"Alright," he sighed, giving in. "You coming with, Uchiha?"
"Like I will leave two masters unsupervised in my own home," he commented, turning on his heel and heading back inside. Naruto resisted rolling his eyes at his dramatic behavior. If Uchiha was a woman, Naruto could imagine him flipping hair over his shoulder as he stormed out.
Like everyone else, Uchiha was probably tense having three hunters in his home while Tobi was still gone, leaving him outnumbered. As much as it pained Naruto to say it, if a fight broke out, he didn't know which side he would take. As angry as he was, he didn't hate Jiraiya or Tsunade. He would hesitate, and that could get Uchiha or himself killed.
They ate in the dining room; a room Naruto hadn't stepped foot in since the tour of the mansion. It was large with two medium-sized chandeliers hanging over the long, ornately carved, wooden table. The large window that would normally overlook the garden was obscured by heavy drapery. The table, which had garland and other Christmas decorations in the center, was set with traditional Japanese dishware mixed among western style. If Naruto was honest, he was surprised Tsunade found as much Japanese dishware as she had. Tobi had bought just one set for him when he had first moved in, but more often than not used the expensive-looking Western ones that Naruto was afraid he would break.
Naruto sat near the edge of the table placements expecting, Uchiha to take a seat at an empty place setting or not seat himself at the table at all. Instead, he sat on the other side of Naruto, taking up a plate and placing himself in between Naruto and Tsunade who sat at the head of the table.
"You're eating?" Naruto asked, surprised.
"I don't break promises." He said it like it was nothing. Honestly, it was a ridiculous promise. If Naruto never turned and could eat normally now, Uchiha eating was pointless, not to mention it was an unpleasant experience for him. With the hunters surrounding them, Naruto wouldn't be surprised if he preferred to stand watch rather than put on a show of civility. Yet here he was, doing just that.
Tsunade had a brief look of surprise that Uchiha would be eating with them, but made no comment on the matter, choosing to place another set at the table. Jiraiya sat on her right followed by Kakashi who sat down with more hesitation than everyone else in the room.
The dinner started uncomfortably. Everyone ate in silence, focusing on their own meal. It didn't sit well with Naruto. Jiraiya and Tsunade weren't the quiet types. Even Kakashi was one of the more light-hearted and playful teachers at school. The serious atmosphere just wasn't right.
"So…when are you two going to get married."
Both Tsunade and Jiraiya choked on their food in response to Naruto's query. Even Kakashi, who had been limited in facial expressions since he arrived, looked at the elders with curiosity as they tried to recover.
"What makes you think that we're…" she gestured wildly between herself and Jiraiya, her face flushed. It was kind of adorable even at her age. Her careful guard, easily broken by a simple question.
"We're just friends." Jiraiya supplemented, avoiding all eye contact as he focused on his food.
"Just friends my ass. I'm not a kid, ya know. I figured out you were seeing each other since I was in elementary school. It was so obvious."
"Is that right?" Kakashi asked with a small smile filled with ill intent.
"We are not dating." Tsunade insisted stubbornly.
"So that time I found you at our house when I came back from the school trip early my third year of middle school—"
"You were there?!" Her face had turned beat red, and Naruto laughed. He never said anything about their relationship. He had always thought they had kept it a secret because they were worried about how it would affect him. If they thought it was for the best, at the time, he did not want to interfere. He figured after he moved out, they would finally get together after all these years. Now, there was no need to let them keep pretending. Naruto thought of it as his parting gift to them.
"Don't worry, I left the moment I figured out what was going on," he said nonchalantly.
Tsunade looked as if she was about to strangle him if just to get him to stop talking, while Jiraiya kept eating, stuffing food into his mouth at a quick pace. The tense atmosphere had lifted from the table, replaced with a breathable one.
Tsunade's threats quickly turned into talks about Naruto's embarrassing childhood, then Jiraiya's books, and just nostalgia in general. Naruto briefly forgot his anger towards them as Tsunade and Jiraiya relaxed little by little in Uchiha's presence.
Uchiha even joined the conversation towards the later part of dinner, inserting his own thoughts about Naruto's hair brained schemes and stating concern about his apparent stupidity. Naruto couldn't disagree. Some of his plans were extremely stupid, though, in his defense, some of them were the brainchild of his drinking parties with Kiba and Gaara.
Dinner was interrupted by the ringing of Uchiha's cell phone, stopping the flow of conversation instantly. Uchiha took on his businessman persona. He didn't excuse himself from the table or apologize for the interruption, answering it with a sharp, "Speak."
Naruto's enhanced hearing picked up the voice on the other end. It was Tobi's. He sounded frightened and in pain as he said, "Sasuke-sama," breathlessly. "Whatever you do, don't listen to hi—Gah!"
"What is going on? Answer, Tobi." His voice was calm and steady as always, but Uchiha's face betrayed his concern by his clenched jaw as he spoke.
"Uchiha-san, your servant is quite useless and talkative as well. How on earth do you put up with him?" The voice on the other end was not one Naruto was familiar with. Judging by Uchiha's stern, concentrated expression, he wasn't familiar with it either. It was deep and calm with a hint of pleasure in the situation. "However, he and your brother are having quite a bonding experience together."
"Another one of my brother's henchmen," he said coldly.
"Hm, I wouldn't say work for. Rather, associated with. I can say he would like to see you very much."
"What does he want?"
"To see you and your lover. Bring friends if you like as long as both of you come. Two days from now I will send someone to retrieve you. Until then, enjoy your dinner." The line disconnected.
"What's going on," Tsunade asked. She returned to her role as the leader of the shinobi, no hint of the Tsunade Naruto knew in sight.
Uchiha stood abruptly and left without answering her question, Naruto in a hurry to do the same and following after him. He didn't slow down, heading straight for his office. Naruto had to run to catch up, grabbing Uchiha's hand just before he entered to make him stop. "Hold on for a sec, bastard. I know you're worried but at least tell me what we're going to do."
"There is no we," Uchiha ripped his hand away and opened the office door. "I'm going alone."
"Bullshit. I heard him say both of us."
Uchiha gave him a cold look that made Naruto falter for a moment. "I'm going alone." He repeated. "That's final." His tone was meant to signal the end of the conversation.
Naruto refused to let it go, shoving the door closed. "The hell I'm letting you. You think keeping me here is safe after what happened last time?"
"The shinobi will be here with you this time."
"Well too bad. I'm going with you anyway."
"Will you shut your mouth and do as I say for once."
Uchiha didn't dodge his punch, not budging from his spot either. A small trail of blood dripped from his lip which he wiped away with the back of his hand. Naruto supposed he expected it at this point anytime he pissed him off.
"I get it you know," Naruto said softly, suppressing the anger in his voice. "You lost your family to him and now Tobi-san is in danger because of him too, so you don't want to lose me too. I understand that much, but you can't keep me in a cage. I'm not a damsel in distress. If you want to make this relationship work, then we're in this together."
"Naruto," he said wearily.
"Yes or no."
Exhaling heavily, Uchiha's eyes lost their icy edge as he rubbed them. "Fine. But promise me you'll do exactly as I say."
"How about I listen when I think I should?"
"Naruto," Uchiha growled out.
"Alright. Alright, I agree."
Uchiha opened the door to his office again, and Naruto moved out of the way to let him. "Don't get used to winning these arguments."
With a smirk, Naruto threw his arm around Uchiha's neck. "We'll see," he laughed, pulling him into the office. "So, what's the plan?"
A small bag lay on the bed. What did one bring when meeting with a homicidal psychopath?
Naruto chewed his thumbnail as he thought. They were to leave in thirty minutes. Uchiha received a call an hour ago from the henchmen from before. If Naruto hadn't been in the room during that call, he was sure Uchiha may have tried to leave without him. The chivalry was nice but unwanted. He didn't want Uchiha to deal with his brother alone, and Tobi's safety was on the line. In preparation, Naruto had spent the past two days training with Jiraiya.
Unconsciously, Naruto adjusted the bandages wrapped around his hands. His control wasn't perfect and was only successful 20 percent of the time, but it was effective when it was successful. A few more hours, his injuries would finish healing, and he'd be ready to fight. Jiraiya and Kakashi had done a number on him. They weren't as bad as Kisame, not beating him to an inch of his life. It lost that life and death feeling which, strangely, a part of Naruto missed.
Giving up, Naruto grabbed a random pair of clothes, threw them in the bag, and zipped it up. Throwing it over his shoulder, he hurried downstairs, seeing Kakashi and Uchiha talking quietly to themselves. The past two days, Naruto had caught them speaking multiple times, each time Kakashi becoming more agitated and aggressive. Naruto had no idea what they were speaking about. Every time Naruto tried to get closer, they both stopped talking and Kakashi backed off immediately.
Jiraiya waited near the door to see them out. Tsunade had left after dinner two nights before, leaving Jiraiya to watch over them. The hunters, as Naruto understood it, saw this as a vampire problem, so they would not be assisting them. It made sense in a way. Naruto knew though Jiraiya acted civil to Uchiha in front of him, that his old man loathed him. Why would Jiraiya help? It also made him wonder if there was a part of Jiraiya that hated him now that he wasn't quite human. Jiraiya smiled at him as he came down the stairs, and Naruto gave a wry one of his own.
Kakashi was dressed in black, with a long-sleeved shirt, cargo pants, and two guns holstered on his legs. He looked like a mercenary. Seeing his teacher armed was too surreal so he focused on Uchiha who stood with his arms crossed looking inpatient. "What took you so long?" Uchiha asked.
"Just taking an extra pair of clothes. Just in case we don't come back in a while." He held up his bag while looking over what Uchiha decided to wear. It was the most casual he had ever seen Uchiha dressed yet still inappropriate for a possible battle to the death. He had chosen a dark blue button-up shirt left open with the sleeves rolled up with a black form-fitting t-shirt underneath. The shirt was fine, but the white pants he wore with it not so much. It looked good, maybe he wanted to look good in case he died. He could somehow imagine Uchiha being obsessed with how he looked when he went. It was a morbid thought. "So are you ready?" he asked more seriously.
"It's been a long time coming." Uchiha's eyes glanced at his bandaged hands. "If you're done, the car they sent is waiting."
Kakashi exited the front door before them which confused Naruto, sending a look to Uchiha for answers.
"He's coming along," was all Uchiha offered, heading outside as well.
Rolling his eyes, Naruto followed. Sadly, he was getting used to everyone brushing off his questions at this point. He would push for more information if things weren't so dire.
Outside waited a simple, tan, 1999 Toyota Camry. It was so inconspicuous it was a stark contrast to the person behind the wheel. His entire face was bleached white, his hair short and wispy. His eyes were yellow and when he turned his head and smiled, his teeth were sharpened. The man exited the vehicle and gave a flourished bow. "Uchiha-sama, Uzumaki-sama, shinobi-sama," he greeted. "Is anyone else joining your party?"
The man wasn't human, but he wasn't a vampire either.
"I'm a ghoul" the man answered Naruto's unasked question without looking up. "You may call me, Zetsu. I will be your driver." The man named Zetsu lifted his head, staring at Naruto with an unnerving smile. "Please get in."
Kakashi took the passenger seat, drawing his gun in the process and putting it in his lap. Uchiha slid into the backseat and with hesitation, Naruto slid into the backseat as well.
The car smelled stale, the seats were worn out and had a few tears, and the floor seemed to be crusted from old stains that hadn't quite come out when cleaned. Naruto had a sneaking suspicion the car was either stolen or taken out of the dump somewhere since there was still a faded picture of a normal looking family duck taped to the visor.
The car pulled out and their journey began, going down the mountain and even through town. The car stopped at a stoplight near the edge of the town. Just across the street a bunch of children was playing soccer in the park, yelling, laughing, and enjoying themselves. It was nice to see there was some semblance of normal for other people. That was until he caught Zetsu licking his lips. Uneasiness churned Naruto's stomach.
"They do look delicious, don't they?" The driver asked with an irritatingly happy voice.
Naruto's stomach dropped as he hoped the man was talking about the adults watching them.
"Especially the plump one on the bench," Zetsu continued. "I bet he would taste especially sweet."
"We have no time to stop. The master would be greatly displeased." Zetsu's voice deepened with annoyance lacing his tone.
"Oh, surely a little taste wouldn't hurt," his voice returning to the light tone. "The master could wait."
The sound of a cocking gun filled the car just as the light turned green. "I suggest you drive," Kakashi said.
"I suppose the master is more important," the ghoul said.
"Damn straight," he responded to himself, pressing on the gas. "We can eat later, away from prying eyes."
Uchiha didn't look disturbed about what had been said and more disapproving than anything. It was like he disapproved of the ghoul's words but would not have stopped him should Zetsu have done what he wanted.
Naruto's first instinct of course was to be angry about that, but he couldn't. Vampires did the same thing, didn't they? Uchiha did things like that. The only difference was Naruto had never seen Uchiha feed, didn't know what type of people he had killed to continue to survive.
"Ghouls reflect their masters don't they," Kakashi asked, slowly lowering his gun when he was certain Zetsu was making no unplanned stops.
"Yes," Uchiha answered. "Just proves how fractured my brother's mind really is."
"On the contrary, I was like this for as long as I can remember. I don't remember when that is, but I recall someone saying something about me being possessed by a demon or something when I was human. Torches and torture were involved, I believe. It was quite enjoyable." He sounded absolutely delighted at the memory. Then his voice dropped low again as he added, "But I wouldn't talk bad about the master if I were you. You are nothing but a tool in his eyes. I wouldn't want to get on his bad side after he's taken a favor to you."
"Your master doesn't frighten me. I plan to destroy him."
Uchiha's threat was met with the most amused smile. "Of course, Uchiha-sama."
The majority of the drive was in silence with the occasional argument Zetsu would have with himself. Naruto's mind drifted at some point, so he was surprised when he found himself on a mountain road he didn't recognize with equally unfamiliar mountains in the background with no ocean in sight. They took no ferry to get off the island, but this was clearly no longer the island he had grown up on. How was that possible?
The car came to a stop in front of a Japanese temple. It was so cliched, Naruto chuckled at the sight of it. "I thought Itachi would be more creative than this. Why not a warehouse or a cave? An evil mansion maybe?"
Uchiha and Kakashi didn't share his amusement as they stepped out of the vehicle, both tense. "This could be a problem," Kakashi commented, staring intently at the building.
"I should have expected something like this from him," Uchiha added, looking more than a little annoyed.
"Um…did I miss something?"
"I thought you were training the past two days." Naruto grimaced at Uchiha's words while Uchiha continued. "There's chakra surrounding the entire building and heavily concentrated. The moment we step through the threshold, something will activate."
Uchiha glanced at Naruto and opened his mouth. Before he could speak, Naruto beat him to it. "If you even suggest I return home, I will thoroughly kick your ass and withhold sex from you indefinitely," he growled.
Uchiha promptly closed his mouth withholding whatever it was he was going to say.
Satisfied, Naruto observed the temple again. The grounds seemed well kept, the walls clean and in good condition. Even the torii gate was in good condition with talismans attached to it to ward off evil—a bit ironic given it was the villain's hideout. However, if he concentrated, he could feel the swirling mass of chakra around it. It wasn't weaved into the natural chakra in the air to keep it hidden. It was making its presence known, distorting the flow. "Can we dispel it?"
"It's not a normal technique." Uchiha stepped forward so that he was standing next to Naruto. The back of his hand brushed the back of Naruto's. If it was anyone else, it would have been an accident. It wasn't anyone else though. It was Uchiha, and it was his way of showing affection. A smile crossed his lips, and Naruto mimicked the gesture back.
"This technique is made so that whoever passes under the torii will enter an illusion. Judging from the amount of chakra involved, it may be able to physically transport you as well." Kakashi took a step closer to the gate. "We will be at a disadvantage once we go in."
"That does sound like it's going to suck," Naruto ran a hand through his hair. "Well, we did think it would be a trap." At the other two's silence, he turned to them. "Come on, the situation isn't going to change. Tobi's still in there. We have to go in."
"He's right. We can't do anything out here." Kakashi stopped just short from the entrance. "I'll see you both on the other side." He took the final step, disappearing just past the gate.
"Well, it's our turn." Naruto turned to Uchiha. "Ready?"
"Don't ask stupid questions." Uchiha took his hand, yanking him forward so that he would stumble into his arms. Naruto glared but didn't speak when Uchiha pressed his forehead against his. "If we get separated, try to find me first before running off," he whispered.
"We've been over this. I'm not a damsel. I can protect myself," Naruto muttered. He was trying to downplay his embarrassment at the sudden affection Uchiha was suddenly showing and failing.
Uchiha snorted, his warm breath caressing his cheek. "I'm well aware of that. I'm not making the request because I'm worried you can't protect yourself. I'm asking because I will not be able to concentrate as well if I'm worrying whether or not you tripped and fell into a ditch somewhere."
"Why are you such a jerk? I'm way more coordinated than that." He placed a soft kiss on Uchiha's lips. "I promise. So stop being a sap. I'm going to think something's wrong with you."
For a moment, warmth seeped into Naruto's back where Uchiha's hands were placed and then it was gone when he pulled away, walking towards the gate. "Let's go."
"They are here." The man was kneeling, keeping his head down. His eyes were wrapped with a black cloth. Just under the blindfold, dried blood could be seen smeared on his skin. "All are on their appropriate paths as you have ordered."
"Well done, Shisui-kun. That will be all for now." Shisui stayed where he was, not moving as his boss stood up and went to a dresser across the room. "Was there something else you needed, Shisui-kun?" he asked when Shisui didn't leave.
"If I may," Shisui said, a slight quiver in his voice as he spoke up. "You promised to let him go if I set up the illusion. I did what you asked, and it was successful."
"And I never go back on my word. He will be released once Sasuke-kun reaches his destination."
"Of course. I apologize for questioning you. I will excuse myself."
"Make sure you're careful, Shisui-kun," Shisui stopped moving at the sound of his master's voice. "As long as you don't do anything carelessly, I'll let you and him go."
"Yes, sir."
His boss chuckled, and the sound of a sword being unsheathed reached Shisui's ears. "Great. Now, shall we go meet Sasuke-kun together?"
Perhaps he spoke too soon, Naruto thought as he took in his surroundings of damp stone walls and a mossy ground. He really did end up in a cave. Did Itachi hear him outside the shrine and think why not amuse him? "You're not creative, Itachi! I hope you know that!" His voice echoed in the darkness. Naruto could barely see a meter in front of him. It was amazing he could see at all. There was no source of light that he could see. If he knew his basic science, he shouldn't be able to see at all. He sat down, grimacing when he realized he had sat in a puddle, soaking through to his underwear. He closed his eyes and evened his breathing.
This wasn't the real world. The real world was made of flowing pathways of chakra. Things that were alive had more pathways, appearing brighter in Naruto's head compared to things that were inanimate which were dim to the point of being a silhouette.
The area around him was a mass of chakra taking the form of the environment around him. It was impossible to tell anything apart because it was all one person's individual chakra. Somewhere in the complex weaving of the fictional environment, he located Uchiha's chakra. He was somewhere far ahead of him, moving further away. There was another signature he didn't recognize. One that was so dim, it was nearly obscured by the chakra around them. It was closer than Uchiha's but in the wrong direction.
Standing, Naruto took a step in Uchiha's direction. He had promised to meet with him if they were separated, yet, he took a step back towards the opposite direction then another until he was heading towards the other source. It could be Tobi. It might even be an exit. He would investigate then find Uchiha. As close as it was, the detour wouldn't take him too long. Just a few minutes.
He chuckled quietly to himself. A minute, and he was already breaking his word. Uchiha was going to be pissed.
Sasuke looked around the brightly lit hallway. He had appeared in what seemed to be a hallway of a shrine with rice paper doors to his right and a wood paneled wall to his left. He was alone with his companions nowhere to be seen or felt. He had suspected they would be separated. At least he prepared for this much.
He immediately sought out his own chakra. It was faint, but he could sense it. Naruto. At the very least he would be able to track him as long as they found each other within the hour before it dissipated. The only problem was that he didn't know how to get to him.
He tried the first door to his right, his hand reaching out for the handle. As his fingertips brushed against the wood, the handle disappeared. Frowning, he tried the next door only to have the same result. After the third attempt, all the doors in the hallway vanished and a door at the end appeared. Obviously, his path was going to be chosen for him.
Cautiously, he pulled the sword strapped to his back out of its sheath and made his way down the corridor, his grip tightening around the handle of his blade. The light dimmed as he progressed as the light from under the door increased. The metaphor wasn't lost on him, but there was nowhere else to go. Looking back to where he came, was just blackness. No hallway, no floor. Just nothing. It was forcing him forward.
Soon enough, he was at the door his brother wanted him to enter. This was finally it. Once he entered, he would have a chance at revenge. He slammed open the door, ready for a fight.
The light temporarily blinded him. When his vision adjusted his entire surroundings around him had changed. He was now in the center of the room. The rice paper walls turned into plaster. The ceiling with wooden beams across them transformed into beautiful moldings and painted ceilings. The jizo statue that had been in the hallway morphed into a familiar suit of armor and the rest of the room filled with other familiar items. Too familiar.
Red stained the carpet where he stood, and it kept spreading.
His body shook. He knew this room. He knew this room too well. He could never forget. He had been haunted by these memories for a century. He didn't want to turn around because he would see it. But he would have to. There was nowhere to go in front of him, just walls. Turning around was the only way out of the room. It was the perfect place for one of his brother's traps. It was another one of his mind games. To emotionally compromise him before their fight. To make him view his parents' corpse again and make him relive that moment.
But he was no longer a child. He wouldn't fall for that trap. He couldn't afford to.
He forced himself to breathe. His brother would die for this. He would avenge his family here. Perhaps it was a good thing Naruto and he had been separated. He didn't want Naruto to see him at his worst or what he was going to do to Itachi.
With renewed strength, he turned around ready for what he knew he would see; except, it wasn't what he expected. His eyes widened and he dropped his sword, not hearing it hit the floor beside him.