Mask of Deception
By: Kisu
A/N: Yay! No more classes for this qtr! I'm starting to really hate skool T_____T Oh and I realized that the name "Uzu" was used a lot so I apologize to other writers if I "stole" it from them. But I can't change my character's name now since I'm 6 chapters ahead. Teehee!
Disclaimer: Naruto does not belong to me.
Chapter 6: The Meaning of LifeDozens of Sand Shinobi flitted through the trees like dancing shadows. Behind them, Temari and Kankuro flew on either side of Gaara. Uzutatro lingered behind, a distant look on his face. Temari cast her worried gaze behind her shoulder and studied the silent ninja. When she was about to voice her thoughts, Uzutaro's calm voice sliced through the silence.
"Gaara, go ahead of me." He said. "I'm going to cover our tracks."
"Don't take too long." Gaara replied without turning around.
"Hai." He smiled before dropping to the forest floor.
"Gaara, do you think that it's wise to let him go off like that?" Kankuro asked in suspicion. "He might-"
"I trust him." Gaara said, staring straight ahead. "I thought you would have more confidence in him by now."
"I didn't mean any disrespect, Gaara." Kankuro blinked. Gaara didn't reply and Temari glanced at the two. Her eyebrows drew together as she glanced behind her in worry, letting her eyes linger on the spot that Uzutaro had once been in.
***
Uzu crouched on a branch as he watched the three disappear from his sight and dropped his calm expression. He groaned, his hand reaching up to clutch his chest. Wavering slightly, he fell off the branch and landed ungracefully onto the ground. Pushing himself up, he leaned against the tree. His chakra ran through his veins and stirred the fallen leaves around him. He closed his eyes and forced himself to relax and forget the pain.
"How much longer do I have left?" He asked, himself. "I'll keep my promise. I'll make sure Gaara becomes Kazekage." His breathing evened out as he fell in a light doze. A breeze washed over him and he opened his eyes, turning his head to face the other side. "You don't have to hide. I'm practically defenseless."
Sasuke walked out into the clearing, an expressionless mask on his face. He smirked. "You could tell it was me? You are highly skilled." He said.
"I felt a disturbance in the wind." He replied as he straightened up with a soft groan. "Well what do you want? I don't really have time to play right now." Sasuke's smirk deepened.
"I'm here to take you back to the village." He told him. "If you won't go willingly, then I'll just have to use force."
"I'm not telling you anything about Hidden Sand. So you should just kill me now." Uzu replied with a weak smile. Sasuke narrowed his eyes.
"Why would I do that?" He scoffed. "You really are an idiot, Naruto."
"That name again." Uzutaro sighed, wearily. "How many times do I have to tell you that I am Satoh Uzutaro?"
"Many times." Sasuke smiled. "Because there's no way that I'll believe it." He shifted his stance and looked at him with expectation. "Well, you want to come nicely or should I help you out?" Uzutaro got up slowly, using the tree as support. One hand still clutched at his chest and he disappeared out of sight. "Chikuso!" He frowned as he followed the fleeing man.
***
Uzu darted through the trees. There was no way in hell that he was going back with him. But in his condition, he wouldn't be able to stand up to Uchiha Sasuke at all. Seeing a stream, he dropped down next to it and brought some water up to his lips with his hand. Hearing an approaching sound, he jumped out of the way as a kunai thudded into the spot he was once in. Sasuke came charging out right after, his fist drawn back and aimed. Uzu let his chakra flow freely along his veins and counterattacked with his taijutsus. Sharingan flared into Sasuke's eyes as he was barely able to avoid, Uzu's attacks. He sidestepped and missed the kick that was aimed at his side. So Sasuke flew back and skidded to a stop.
"No one has been able to beat me at taijutsu yet." Uzu commented, drawing a labored breath. His condition wasn't helping him and his body felt heavy.
"Then this is your lucky day." Sasuke smirked as he dove forward.
This again? Uzutaro mused. But out of the corner of his eye, he saw a blur speeding toward him at high speed. He cursed to himself. The shadow user was here too? How was he unable to detect his presence? He jumped back to avoid Sasuke's attacks and darted away from the shadow on the ground. This wasn't good. The trees gave the shadow user an upper hand. He flipped over Sasuke and landed gingerly onto a rock. Sasuke smirked and brought his hands together.
"Kage Mane no Jutsu!" He yelled, replicating the seals that were needed to allow the ability. Two dark lines raced toward him and Uzutaro ran. His eyes narrowed in concentration, he drew out two shurikens aiming them at the hidden shadow user and Sasuke. The two lines crossed each other as Uzu hit the exact spot on the ground. Shikamaru's eyes widened and so did Sasuke's. The two jutsus had crossed each other and locked them both in place.
I can't believe it. Shikamaru thought to himself.
Sasuke was in the same immobilized position. They couldn't release their hold on the other at all. This was because they both controlled each other's moves. He tried to budge his jutsu away from Sasuke but Sasuke still had his hold on him. So it was basically a tug a war between the both of them.
"Gomen nasai." Uzutaro said with a grin. "I would help you but I'm in a hurry. Excuse me." Sasuke growled in protest and Shikamaru eye twitched. A white blur passed both of them and Uzutaro turned around. But he wasn't quick enough. Neji landed before and suceessfully sealed off his chakra with deft taps to his body. Uzutaro's eyes widened and he took a step backwards, falling onto his knees. He coughed up blood and the hand that was clutching his chest, tightened. "Good job." He complimented. "I couldn't detect you."
Neji turned and stared at Sasuke and Shikamaru in hidden amusement. Sasuke narrowed his eyes and Shikamaru gave him a glare. He deftly tapped some of their chakra's valves closed to weaken their hold on the other. "That was interesting." Neji commented.
"Shut up." Sasuke replied. "I thought we weren't supposed to harm him. Look at the blood you made him cough up."
"I just closed his chakra valves, I didn't have anything to do with that." Neji responded, coolly. "Look who went after him at full assault." Uzutaro had propped himself up next to a tree and were eyeing them wearily. They turned their gaze at them and Uzutaro raised an eyebrow.
"I don't bite." He replied, mildly. "I told you I was harmless."
"I don't believe it." Sasuke said. "After that nice show you put on earlier."
"Ah, that was in the past." Uzutaro said, happily.
"That was an hour ago." Sasuke glared in annoyance. This guy had to be Naruto. No one was as idiotic as he was. Shikamaru sighed and stuffed his hands in his pockets.
"How troublesome." He muttered, gazing up at the sky. "All this and it could just be a wild goose chase."
"Iie." A new voice interrupted them. They turned and glanced in the direction of the speaker. Uzutaro lifted his eyes a little.
Hinata stepped out from behind a tree and the lines around her eyes faded. "His chakra is the same as Naruto-kun's." She said, quietly. She walked forward and drew out a scroll from within the folds of her white cloak. "Ano ne—Satoh-kun. The Hokage grants you safe passage into Konoha at her request." Hinata smiled gently as she knelt down next to him. "It's signed by the Hokage, herself."
Uzutaro smiled at her. "It's all right. I believe you." He said. Hinata gasped and a soft blush graced her cheeks.
"Can you stand?" She asked, helping him rise to his feet. Uzutaro nodded and got to his feet with Hinata's help. He swayed as his vision became unfocused. "Satoh-kun?"
"Hey, Dobe." Sasuke walked forward and Uzutaro's eyes closed. "Hey!" He exclaimed as Uzutaro's head slumped down. Neji relieved Hinata of her burden and Sasuke got a hold of Uzutaro's other arm.
"We have to take him back to Godaime-sama, quickly." Hinata said with worry. "There's something wrong with him. His chakra pattern wasn't flowing right." They nodded and they quickly headed back to the village with the unconscious ninja.
***
"He's taking too long." Temari said as the three of them stared at the trail before them. "You don't think something happened?"
"Uzu won't betray us." Gaara said.
"No, that's not what I meant." Temari replied. "You don't think that he was attacked?"
"Yeah, Temari." Kankuro agreed. "You know he can take care of himself."
"But still…" Temari murmured.
"We'll continue back to Hidden Sand." Gaara said. "If he doesn't come back in a few days, then we'll look for him." He continued forward with Temari and Kankuro in tow.
Temari couldn't shake the odd feeling that lingered in the depths of her mind. Something felt wrong.
***
The person on the bed stirred and the occupants in the room looked up. Sasuke looked up and Hinata walked toward the door.
"I'll go get Godaime-sama." She said, walking out. Sasuke leaned forward as Uzutaro's eyes opened and stared blankly at the ceiling.
"Where am I?" He asked.
"In Konoha's hospital." Sasuke replied.
"Uchiha Sasuke?" Uzutaro asked, closing his eyes.
"Yeah." Sasuke said. He stood up when Hinata returned with Tsunade. "Godaime-sama." He bowed respectfully. Tsunade smiled at him and walked up to Uzutaro.
"There's a poison running through your system but I haven't found out what kind it is." She said to the patient. "You could have died from it."
"I've had it for three years." Uzutaro replied. "It's a poison from a rare plant. There's no antidote."
"The poison could concentrate in one area and you could lose an arm or leg. Even worst—" Tsunade frowned.
"Yeah I know." Uzutaro opened his eyes. They were still blank and Sasuke felt dread wash over him. "I can't see. The poison must have taken away my eyesight." Hinata gasped in surprise and a soft smile crossed Uzutaro's face. "It's all right though. I won't be able to die now so I can fulfill my purpose in life."
"Your purpose?" Tsunade asked.
"To protect the Kazekage." Uzutaro smiled. "It's my only meaning in life."
Sakura ran into the room. "I heard that he was awake." She gasped, catching her breath. She walked over to Sasuke and Hinata helped Uzutaro sit up. "Naruto?"
"He says his name is, Satoh Uzutaro." Sasuke informed her.
"But he looks exactly like Naruto." She protested.
"Excuse me, Godaime-sama." Uzutaro said, politely as he ignored Sakura's entrance. "Could you please tell me what you requested from me so I can leave and return to my village?"
"How sure are you that this wasn't your village?" Tsunade asked. "Do you have memories of your past? Maybe sticking around here will help you remember something."
"This Naruto you speak of." Uzutaro said, his eyes closing. "Is sealed within me. His thoughts, his feelings are sealed away. His memories and those he knew are completely gone. There's no way that he can be brought back." He smiled, quietly. "I'm glad you all worry so much. Naruto would have been happy if he known that he had so many people that cared for him. I can't do anything to help Naruto. He's locked himself away."
"A psychological disorder." Tsunade murmured, thoughtfully. "Not even I know how to fix this."
"You mean, Naruto won't ever be able to remember us?" Sakura asked, her eyes widening in shock. "That can't be true!" She glared and pointed her finger at Uzutaro. "There's no way Naruto would give up on his dream. He wholeheartedly dreamt that he will become Hokage some day!"
"What are dreams?" Uzutaro answered, softly. "Are they foolish ambitions? Are they goals?" He folded his hands in his lap. "My only duty is Gaara. I will protect him at all costs. Even if it is my life." He turned his head away. "I don't want to talk about this anymore. Please leave." Sakura closed her mouth and clenched her hands into fists. Without a word, she spun and ran out of the room. Sasuke sighed and followed after her. Tsunade nodded and Hinata followed her out of the room.
***
"What should we do now, Godaime-sama?" Hinata asked. Her eyes were wide with worry. "I don't want Naruto-kun to disappear."
"We'll have to give it some time." Tsunade shook her head. "Hopefully we can persuade him to open up to us." She placed a hand on her shoulder. "Get some rest, Hinata." Hinata nodded and bowed as Tsunade walked away to attend to other matters.
Hinata gazed after her before slipping back into the room. Uzutaro was sleeping and the soft rays of the sun fell across his face. She walked up to him and her hand lifted her hand. "Naruto-kun." She whispered, her eyes sad. Her fingers brushed against his unmarked cheek and Uzutaro's hand reached up to grip her's tightly. She found herself staring into opened blue eyes and she blinked rapidly.
"Gomen nasai! I really didn't mean to." She gasped. Uzutaro's grip on her hand relaxed and he slowly let her go.
"Hyuuga Hinata, was it?" He asked.
"Hai." Hinata whispered.
"You're a really good person." Uzutaro said with a bright smile. "I really like you. You'll become a great Hokage some day."
"Hokage?" Hinata blinked. "That was Naruto-kun's dream. Not mine." She whispered, trembling. "Naruto-kun was strong. I'm not strong enough to become anything worthwhile."
"I don't believe that." Uzutaro replied. Hinata blinked and looked down at her hands that were in her lap.
"Sou desu ka?" She implied, softly. "My father chose my younger sister over me. Hanabi is stronger than I am and will take over as head of the Hyuuga clan. All I want is his acknowledgement." She shut her eyes tightly. "Naruto-kun wanted acknowledgement. But I lack the strength and determination that he had."
"Hinata-chan." Uzutaro's smile was warm. "Believe in yourself." He took a hold of her hand. "That prick that follows you around acknowledges you. The Godaime-sama acknowledges you. I acknowledge you." Hinata's head shot up and she stared at him. "You care for others in a way that will suppress even the greatest strength. Your love and devotion to Konoha makes you strong." His eyebrows drew together briefly. "So believe in yourself. Don't let anyone walk over you. Not even your father."
"Satoh-kun." Hinata whispered, tears threatening to fall from her glassy eyes.
"Don't worry about what others think." Uzutaro grinned. "Because Hinata-chan is Hinata-chan, right?"
"Hai." Hinata smiled, brightly as tears slid down her cheeks. But these tears were of happiness. "Arigatou, Satoh-kun." Her head turned to the window and her smile widened. Arigatou, Naruto-kun.
TBC!! ^_^
A/N: I love Naruto/Hinata! All my fics must have at least one scene with them together! 3