His eyes opened suddenly, his breathing stopped, and the noise he thought he heard dissipated, leaving only deafening silence. His body was numb, but he felt something warm hugging his back, warm water soaking his tired body.
His blue eyes just stared into the dark sky above him, feeling raindrops kiss his cheeks.
Naruto blinked, and his eyes widened when he saw a severed arm floating beside him. The boy gasped, and his body reacted by standing up quickly.
On his knees, he looked around. He was in a dark place, where he seemed to be the only source of light illuminating the small area around him. The water he felt on his body was actually blood, and pieces of bodies along with already decomposing corpses floated around him, moving in a weak but present current.
Naruto couldn't move, his body was paralyzed. All around him, grunts and growls echoed, making his skin crawl.
Dark, shadowy, creatures of the night approached and began to devour the corpses around him, coming dangerously close to his paralyzed body, but never reaching out to touch him. Their black fur made wind on his skin, but never touched him.
They devoured, broke, tore the bodies around him, but never him. His blue eyes just watched everything. A nightmare, it had to be.
But this time it was different, although the feeling was stronger. And the beings of the darkness more visible. They had long snouts, large sharp teeth, thin red eyes, elongated bodies, and walked on four legs with a tail as black as their bodies. In total, there were nine creatures.
Usually this would be the moment when his nightmare would end, when he would wake up, but this continued. The creatures surrounded him and stared at him. Naruto could now move his head, but all the rest of his body was paralyzed.
The blood beneath him began to move more forcefully, the black creatures walked in front of him and stood next to each other, each being engulfed by a wave of blood that coursed through their bodies.
The blood around them was drained and concentrated into a huge wall of blood, which gradually took shape. Naruto's eyes widened as the crimson-red creature stared coldly into his eyes.
Blue against a brilliant red, nine tails swaying gently behind it. A gruesome smile on its elongated snout, which was slowly approaching his body.
~You finally freed me~
The creature's thick voice forced Naruto to close his eyes, and for a few moments, just before his consciousness was pulled out of his body, he saw himself, or a copy of himself, standing in front of the creature, black eyes with red irises, a smile as macabre as that of the beast itself.
Naruto woke up gasping hard, his body was sweaty and his hands were shaking. He sat up suddenly, gritting his teeth as he felt all the pain in his body, now being able to feel it in his skin.
The first thing his eyes focused on was his body. His hands, wrists, arms, chest bandaged, naked. His body was covered only by a black shorts and he felt a bitter taste in his mouth.
Soon after, his eyes ran over the place where he was. A room, there was a table next to the wall in front of him, a closet beside the table, chairs spread disorganizedly around the place, some medicines, as well as bandages on a shelf. A hospital... no, a room they used as a medical ward, probably.
Naruto groaned as he felt his throat dry, and almost ran across the room when he saw a jug of water on the table next to the cabinet.
He finished drinking and put the jug back on the table, his chest hurt, specifically where the sword went through him. His back also hurt, but not as much, his wrists seemed to be healed, although they were certainly marked from having broken those chains.
Overall, he felt fine... hungry, sore, a little dizzy, confused, but fine.
His gaze stopped at his hands... he couldn't get his father's sword, and he closed his eyes and closed his fists tightly when he realized that by now it must have been sold or used by some enemy soldier.
His necklace wasn't on his neck either, but he was pretty sure it was before he fainted for the second time.
He shook his head.
Naruto walked over to the window near the bed, and ran his hand through his hair as he saw that he was in that city. There was still debris from the battle, blood still stained the street, and establishments still had burn marks. Soldiers patrolled the streets, and prisoners were being taken.
The door to the room he was in was suddenly opened, and Naruto turned suddenly, his hand already prepared to pick up his sword, if he had one, of course. His alert eyes quieted a little as he saw a brown haired boy walk through the door.
The boy's green eyes widened at the sight, surprise stamped on the younger man's face.
- Naruto! You're awake! The doctor said you would sleep for at least a few more days!
Konohamaru said in a tone mixed with joy, stepping forward towards Naruto. The blond man stared at him for a few moments, lost. The last time he had seen Konohamaru was years ago, and he had come to think that both he and that other boy, Hans, had died somewhere along the way.
In front of him stood a boy who reminded him of the child he had met years ago, only now larger, with older features and a larger physique, although not by much.
-... Konohamaru... what...
- It's amazing that you already woke up with all those injuries. Your lung was punctured, you lost a huge amount of blood, your shoulder was dislocated, you were shot in the back, and you didn't catch some disease or something from having your wounds exposed in the blood of that ditch!
He said almost breathlessly, and Naruto's head throbbed slightly, making him close his eyes.
- But I don't think it's very good for you to stand up. At least sit down.
The boy said, calmer now, and Naruto sighed.
- Where am I?
That was his first question, and with slow steps he walked over to the bed and sat down.
- Tanzaku City... one of the buildings we are using as a temporary hospital ward.
Konohamaru picked up one of the chairs and dragged it close to Naruto's bed, sitting down as he watched him.
-... Right, okay... did you bring me here?
- No, other people did, by order of my leader, Sasuke.
- Ok... how long have I been unconscious?
He made a thoughtful expression.
- About two days... the doctor said you would be unconscious for four, and would be lying in bed for at least a week.
"Two days."
Naruto shook his head and stood up again, walking toward the door.
- Oe, hey, where are you going?
Konohamaru protested, getting up and running ahead of Naruto, blocking his path.
- I thank you for your help, but I need to get to Suna.
He said simply, pushing Konohamaru gently to the side. But the boy turned away from his touch and stood in front of the door, looking at him with defiant, stubborn eyes.
- No way! I have orders to keep you in your room. You shouldn't even be standing up right now.
grunted the boy, and Naruto took a few deep breaths. He had no time for that.
- Konohamaru... get out of my way.
It wasn't a request, although his voice was tired and slightly slurred, there was ferocity in his words. And though it affected the boy, Konohamaru did not move.
- I can't. I told you, I have orders to keep you in your room. And why do you want to go to Suna? I know you're a warrior now, but the Sound Army will take you in.
Naruto was about to use brute force, however, he stopped as he digested Konohamaru's words. A somber expression was stamped on his face, and his chest tightened.
-... What did you say?
Konohamaru arched an eyebrow.
- I said that the Sound Army will capture you. Suna was taken over by the army two days ago, and mercenaries from the Land of Fire who are captured fighting on behalf of the kingdom are turned into slaves.
Naruto stared at the boy with wide eyes, his legs went weak and he leaned on the wall, blinking several times as he repeated his words in his mind.
Ryuzetsu... suna has been taken.
He clenched his fist hard, gritting his teeth and feeling his arms tremble.
-... Still... I must go...
- You can't. Have you seen the back of his neck? You have been branded as a slave, the mark is embedded in your skin and they search everyone who enters the city, just like all the other cities they have taken over. They do this with enemy mercenaries and anyone in relation to these mercenaries.
Naruto's hand immediately went to the back of his neck, and he growled, almost a cry in a whisper as he felt the mark on his skin just below his hair. He hadn't noticed it before, he was so concerned with the situation as a whole that that small detail had gone unnoticed.
Again, that urge to cry rose up through his locked throat, but Naruto held back as best he could.
His hands went straight to his golden hair and he walked with staggering steps toward the bed. Konohamaru noticed his behavior, and although he wanted to ask a question, he bit his lip and remained silent.
Naruto sat down on the bed and propped his elbows on his legs, hiding his face in his hands. His body trembled slightly, and so did his breathing, although shallow.
Konohamaru stood in front of the door for a few minutes, not really knowing what to do.
- Look... if you have any important people in that town... err... it may not be much use, but the army doesn't kill civilians, and they don't kill soldiers who surrender... as I said, they only capture mercenaries and all those who have some direct connection with them...
He scratched the back of his neck, a little strange. He was not good at that sort of thing.
Naruto sighed loudly, and let his arms fall between his legs.
- That doesn't help much.
- Yeah, I... I know... I'm sorry.
Naruto sighed again and lowered his gaze, slowly removing the bandages that covered his arms. Konohamru was about to stop him, however, he just ran his eyes down Naruto's already healed arms. The scars on his forearms, biceps, wrists, and on his calloused hands.
The blond stood up, snapping the bones in his neck. Ryuzetsu wasn't stupid, maybe she hadn't stayed in that town when they announced the arrival of the enemy army, and while it didn't help much, he could be glad to know that she was still alive. All he had to do at the moment was find her in the hope that she was okay, wherever she was.
Although he hoped that she had not been sold into slavery. The fate of slave women used to be very bitter.
- Where is my necklace?
He asked, approaching Konohamaru.
- Oh, I... I don't know, I... they rushed you away, the necklace was torn, I think Sasuke took it.
- And where is this Sasuke?
- Naruto, I can't let you leave. And you really want to leave like this? I mean, you're only wearing shorts, it's practically naked.
He sighed.
- Konohamaru, I'm not leaving town, I'm not running away, I have no idea why you want me here but I'll do you a favor and not ask. And please, I couldn't care less about clothes right now, now come on, show me the way.
Konhamaru grimaced and crossed his arms, his nervous eyes ran all over the room as his clearly thoughtful head worked until he sighed in defeat.
- Right. Okay, but I'll tell you what, don't go where I can't see you.
He rolled his eyes.
-... I can do that...for helping me, I guess.
Konohamaru snorted and turned around, opening the door. They both left the room and walked down a small corridor towards the stairs ahead, where a tired-looking man in mostly black clothes stood. As soon as his eyes focused on Naruto, they widened.
- What the... what are you doing standing up!? No, wait, how are you up!?
Naruto arched an eyebrow and just sighed.
- Are you the doctor? Thanks for the help, I'll think of some way to pay you.
The man shook his head, still startled that Naruto was moving around as if everything was fine.
- No need... I've already been paid... are you sure you're okay? I mean ... you had a fucking sword plunged through your fucking body and you were lying in a pool of blood with dead corpses! And this is just over two days ago!
From the way the man said it Naruto almost smiled.
- Yes, I'm fine.
He said, nodding to the doctor and walking past him, down the steps of the staircase beside Konohamaru.
- Sasuke is probably in the hospital wing of the camp, he rarely stays in places like this, just the normal soldiers.
Naruto arched an eyebrow as he left the building, running his disinterested eyes down the street, feeling several stares in his direction.
- Really? And why is that? Too important to be hospitalized with his men?
There was a provocative tone in his voice, but very little, he really didn't care, he could barely pay attention to what Konohamaru was saying.
- I don't know. Sakura makes it sound like that, she doesn't like it when he stays close to the other soldiers.
- Pretty cool. What happened to Hans?
Naruto looked at him, noticing the change in Konohamaru's behavior. He had a slightly hurt and nervous expression and his steps had become slightly sloppy.
- He... we were alone for a long time. Right after we ran away we tried to look for you, but, none of us knew how to take care of ourselves in the forest. Until we reached the main road where some people helped us, gave us clothes, food and took us to a far away town. Hans used the ring you gave as payment.
Konohamaru put his hand in his pocket and Naruto could not hide his slight surprise when he saw the gold ring in his hand.
- I kept mine, those people were generous enough to give us some money. We stayed in that town for a while, until we were ambushed by bandits who saw this ring by my carelessness... we were chased, we got separated, I was almost caught.
There was a certain sorrow in his voice, and Naruto saw guilt in his eyes.
- That's when Sasuke appeared... I've been with him ever since.
Naruto looked away, feeling the characteristic smell of blood in the air. Further ahead, some people were carrying the bodies of dead soldiers, both enemies and allies. They would probably throw them into that ditch and this time do them the favor of burning those remains.
- And what about you? As I said, we are looking for you.
Konohamaru stared at him, and he grimaced slightly. He didn't want to talk, not at all, he wasn't in the mood, and being honest with himself, he was being more patient than he had really imagined.
-... I was hit by an arrow and lost consciousness, I woke up on the riverbank. I walked alone for a while until I came across a group of mercenaries.
They left the city and Naruto ran his eyes over the tents scattered over the field on the opposite side from where the battle had taken place. Many wounded, many dead. Heh, he was used to that sight by that point.
Again, everywhere he went, eyes turned in his direction. This was something he would certainly never get used to, and there were times, a few times, that he wished he had not been born with that golden hair. It drew too much attention, and that proved to be a problem.
After walking for a while longer, they approached a tent a little larger than the others, with soldiers standing guard in front of it and slightly altered voices, especially a female voice.
Konohamaru sighed and Naruto arched an eyebrow.
- Well... I guess you already know which is his tent.
The woman's voice became even more audible and Naruto looked at the boy next to him.
- Are these screams normal?
- Argh, unfortunately yes. Sakura is probably cursing our dear leader for his stubbornness, she hates that he stays on the front lines in any fight. And every time he gets hurt she makes an unnecessary fuss. But I guarantee that she is a good soldier, and despite everything, she is like that just because she cares.
Naruto snorted, what a way to care.
The two guards turned to them, focusing their eyes on Naruto, who was not in the least bit in the mood to decipher those looks, they were always the same.
- Konohamaru and the guy who killed the gold and silver brothers. What a surprise, didn't the doctor say he would be in bed for at least a week?
One of the soldiers asked, and Konohamaru scratched the back of his head.
- Well, yes... but apparently he's a tough one. Your turn to stand guard, huh?
- Argh, thank Sakura. I'm not even supposed to be in this wing right now. If you want to go in, go in, I just wouldn't recommend it.
The soldier said, returning to his position as the two entered the tent. Naruto could feel the glances they sent in his direction.
He gritted his teeth, that was feeding more and more of that anger in his chest...although there was something different, he felt as if there was something more to that feeling that he was so used to. But he just shook his head.
As they entered the tent, they noticed a dark haired man lying on a bed, one arm bandaged, also shirtless, a somewhat disinterested expression on his face. Around his bed were three other people, one man and two women.
Sasuke had a strong body, a few scars spread over his pale skin, he was tall. His expressions were soft despite his clear discomfort. His black hair was straight and if it was a little longer Naruto would say that he has an appearance... too delicate.
The woman shouting at him, Sakura, had exotic pink hair, wasn't very tall, didn't have as many muscles as Temari but her physique wasn't one to throw away.
A redheaded woman stood next to her, a color that caught Naruto's eye, since his father had said his mother was a redhead. A hair tone as rare as blonde itself, she had a more serious expression, arms crossed. She was taller and more muscular than that Sakura fellow, a physique similar to Temari's, though there were their differences.
And finally, a man with strange tattoos on his cheeks, he had his hands in his pockets and was mumbling something to himself. Sharp fangs. He was tall and in good physique but seemed to be the agile and fast type.
- You always do this, Sasuke, and I'm tired of saying the same thing! If you die, our group is over!
The pink girl scolded again, and Sasuke rolled his eyes.
- And I always say the same thing too. Sakura, I'm not going to stand back and watch my men fight for me! I'll fight together, side by side, that's my choice, why-
He turned around and his sentence was stuck in his throat when his gaze stopped on Naruto, who just stared at him quietly.
Sasuke's sudden silence made the others look where he was looking, and all their gazes stopped on Naruto, who felt a little annoyed, but remained with an indifferent face. The pink one mumbled something, not looking very happy to see him there, and she made that clear.
- Well, look who it is. How unfair, you are already walking and my arm is still bandaged. Did we hire the wrong doctor?
Sasuke asked, looking away from Konohamaru.
- I don't think so. He's just tough. - Konohamaru stepped forward. - Well, Sasuke, this is Naruto, the boy who saved me from that lord I mentioned. Naruto, this is Sasuke, the boy who saved me after you saved me.
Sasuke stood up and walked towards Naruto. He was tall, although Naruto was bigger, and apparently older than the blond himself.
- Nice to meet you.
He extended his hand toward Naruto, who shook it without much enthusiasm.
- Heh, the man of the moment is even bigger up close.
The red-haired woman said, her arms still crossed but with a softer expression on her face.
- Excuse me?
- Didn't you hear? Everyone's been talking about you, a golden-haired warrior who came back from the dead and defeated the gold and silver brothers. Some think you are the spirit of death. - She laughed. - I'll tell you, first time I've ever seen someone fight with a huge hole in his chest.
- Argh, Will you stop it?
- Come on, Sakura, jealous?
- No, I just can't stand you talking about him as if he were some kind of god, even though the circumstances are quite unusual. We lost many men, allies, and I don't hear anyone talking about them.
- We are mercenaries, Sakura. Death is normal. We all get used to it, everyone grieves in their own way.
The redhead said, and the girl snorted.
- I have to say, you are something else. - Sasuke said, ignoring the two womans behind him.
Naruto arched an eyebrow.
- I saw you practically come back from the dead and kill two monsters with their own weapons. If that's not impressive I don't know what is, then.
Sasuke smiled gently, and Naruto just shrugged.
- I just got lucky.
- Pff, yes, lucky. - He shook his head. - Not with all the luck in the world could anyone beat those two like that. You have a great and unique body, but it's hard to believe you have as much strength as Choji.
Naruto didn't quite know how to react in the midst of praise from a complete stranger, but he did what he does best and ignored it.
- My necklace... I heard you took it.
Sasuke made a slightly surprised expression, as if he had remembered it at that moment, and from his pocket, he held up the necklace in front of Naruto.
As Konohamaru had said, the necklace had broken, and the string that held the claws was different than before. Something he didn't like much, he admitted, but he also knew there was no way he could simply fix the old string.
- Nice claws. A feline, if I'm not mistaken?
Naruto put the necklace around his neck and stared at him.
Sasuke just smiled and went back to his bed after feeling the pink-haired woman's stare.
Naruto lightly tightened his claws on his neck, feeling the intense stares upon him.
- Well, to what do I owe this visit? Did you just come here to get your necklace back?
Sasuke asked.
- Precisely. That, and I wanted to thank you for your help before I went on my way.
- Well, you are welcome. And if I may ask, where are you planning to go?
-... to find someone. Thanks again.
Naruto turned and began to walk to the exit of the tent.
- Wait, are you leaving already? Naruto, you are still hurt.
- I'll be fine.
- You said you wouldn't run away.
- I'm not running away. I just let you know I'm leaving.
- But-
- Hey, Naruto, right? How would you like to work with us?
Sasuke's voice caught the attention of the blond, who stopped a few steps away from the entrance and turned his body toward the dark haired man lying on the bed.
- What?
- You're a mercenary, right? They wouldn't have marked you as a slave otherwise. Your fight against the gold and silver brothers was... incredible, to say the least. Wouldn't you be interested in joining my band?
Naruto arched an eyebrow.
- Your band?
- Yes, the name is Taka.
-... The warriors Taka? The famous mercenary group that has been delaying the plans of the sound army? - He crossed his arms, an obvious doubt in his voice. - Heh, who knew.
Sasuke smiled, and the pink-haired woman clicked her tongue in disgust.
- Is there a problem?
she asked in clear hostility.
- No... surprised you're so young. Anyway-
- Sir!
A soldier in light armor with a short sword around his waist entered the tent, breathing heavily. He was sweaty and carried a scroll with him under his arm. Naruto stared at him with folded arms and Sasuke stood up, walking towards him.
- The report from one of our spies just came in, it has to do with the taking of Suna.
Naruto's attention caught the moment he said the name of the city and he gritted his teeth, staring at him with wide eyes.
- What about it? Suna is not our priority.
- I know, sir, but we have new orders. Apparently Yamato's raiding party was ordered to retake the city, but they were decimated, with only a few dozen soldiers left. The city, unfortunately, suffered too much damage, and it was destroyed in the conflict.
- What!?
Naruto's voice slipped out of his throat without him even realizing it, his fists closed and the blue of his eyes revolted. Like a storm in the ocean.
The soldier stared at him startled for a while, a little confused, as was Sasuke himself.
- Ah, err... Suna was destroyed. But with the victory, the sound army evacuated the civilians and prisoners and took them to Kisaragi village, where more and more soldiers from the sound country are arriving. The village has become one of Oto's main bases. And now, the Hokage wants our services to help protect the Shukuba city, apparently, the sound army is heading there now!
Naruto put one hand on his waist and the other on his temple, closing his eyes tightly and trying to control his feelings. What was already bad just got even worse.
- What the hell, I told them to take Shikamaru into battle, he's the best strategist in the kingdom.
Sasuke grumbled, running his one hand through his hair.
- Shikamaru is on his way to Shukuba City as well. If the protection of the city is a success, the soldiers will leave immediately to take back the villages.
- Did you hear that, Naruto? - Konohamaru said. - If you stay with us, we will occasionally find that person you are looking for, if he or she is alive.
Naruto stared at him, and Konohamaru made a dull face, regretting having said it aloud.
- Oh... my bad.
- The person you are looking for was in Suna?
Sasuke asked, and Naruto muttered softly, scratching the back of his neck.
-... Yes.
- And you planned to go there having been marked as a slave? Alone against an entire city?
Sasuke asked, without provocation in his voice, as if he was just stating the facts.
- It's none of your damn business what I do.
Naruto said coldly, and although he spoke to Sasuke, Sakura was the one who reacted.
- Who the fuck do you think you are?
She moved a few steps closer, glaring at him in irritation. Naruto returned the look, his blue eyes consuming the woman's emerald greens in a matter of moments.
Sasuke snorted.
- I don't know if you've seen yourself in the mirror yet, pal, but you're a tall, big, and threatening man, your stealthy days are over.
He said amused, ignoring the blond's coldness.
- I never mentioned anything about being stealthy.
He crossed his arms, and Sasuke smiled amusedly.
- Well, anyway, I repeat the question, aren't you interested in working with us now that we have the same goal?
- Sasuke, you're not serious.
Sakura said, and Sasuke blinked.
- Why not? You've seen the way he fights, we'll have a powerful ally.
- I've seen the way he fights, and that's one of the reasons I don't like it. It's obvious what kind of man he is, who's to say he won't be more trouble than help? For the love of god, he came out of a ditch of corpses with a hole in his chest!
- Sakura, at this moment I'm hiring the services of a mercenary on behalf of the crown, I've been doing this since we were involved in this war and with much more questionable people. Not to mention, him coming out of that ditch, and him standing in front of us now, means that he's a tough bastard, our line of attack and defense will be in good hands.
Sasuke put his hand gently on Sakura's shoulder, and then approached Naruto.
- What do you say? You will be well rewarded, you will be working for the Hokage after all.
Naruto stared into his dark eyes for a while, thoughtful. Sasuke did the same, not looking away.
The blue of Naruto's eyes glowed, and he noticed something strange in the eyes of the man in front of him. For a few moments, a split second, he saw the black of his eyes turn red with three tones across its length. Something that would certainly agitate him, but after the dream he had earlier, he was a little more convinced that anything strange he sees from now on is something out of his mind.
Maybe he was going crazy with every battle he survives.
A sigh escapes his lips, and he turns around, walking out of the tent.
- I'm going to need a sword. - He turns around. - Preferably bigger than one of those hammers.
Sasuke smiled.
- 'Certainly.
- When do we leave?
- Two days from now.
Sakura snorted.
- Sasuke, your arm is still broken.
Sasuke looked at her.
-... Like I said, we leave in two days.
The woman rolled her eyes and left the tent at an irritated pace, just before Naruto did the same.
Sasuke: "You have a great and unique body."
Naruto: "Why are u geh?"