*In a dark room, with no lights sits a solitary figure, crouched over
something small. She is shaking. Suddenly a candle is lit*
Psychic King: *singing brokenly* H-happy birthday to... me.... Happy birthday to me.... Happy birthday dear... Psychic King... Happy birthday to me-
Sakura: *whacking Psychic King hard on the back of the head and flicking the light switch* Geeze, how'd I know you'd try to pull something like this?
Psychic King: *looking up, crying and rubbing head* what did you do THAT for? It's my birthday; I don't deserve to be hit!
Sakura: *shaking head* You are trying to dig up sympathy by making yourself look pathetic again, aren't you?
Psychic King: *looking away guiltily* no... It's not my fault that I'm here alone singing over a lone cupcake that I bought myself on my birthday....
Sakura: *looking to the readers* Don't listen to her, folks. She doesn't deserve your pity. She's been so busy with people that want to wish her a happy birthday and want to spend time with her she's barely had time to write! Her phone has been ringing off the hook, her house is FULL of cake and her bank account is looking better than it has since Christmas. Not that that's saying much, she's really bad at saving money.....
Psychic King: *looking indignant* AM NOT. Geeze is this my Birthday or pick on Psychic King day, anyway?
Sakura: Both. Anyway, I've got a special surprise for you.
Psychic King: *eyes wide* you mean, you got me a Birthday present????
Sakura: Sort of. It's from all of us. *leads Psychic King into a room filled with the rest of the Naruto cast plus Naruto's children*
Naruto cast plus children: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!
Psychic King: *smiling, tears running down face* You all remembered!!
Naruto: *muttering* Yeah, of course... You kept reminding up over and over again for like a month.
Sakura: *leading Psychic King into the middle of the room* Here's your surprise!
Psychic King: *looking down* Gaara-chan?
Gaara: *stuck in the middle of the room, chained heavily from head to toe, gag in mouth*
Sakura: *removing the gag* Alright, show Psychic King-sama what we taught you.
Gaara: *Glaring daggers starts speaking quickly in monotone* Happy birthday to you happy birthday to you happy birthday Psychic King-sama happy birthday to you.
Psychic King: *hugging Gaara* OH MY GOD!!!!! Thank you all! This is the best Birthday ever! Gaara-chan sang... TO ME... *tears running down face*
Gaara: *Chomp*
Psychic King: *suddenly pushing Gaara away, blood puring from the place her ear USED to be* OH MY GOD!! MY EAR!!!!! Help me!! Argh!!!!!! *running around like a heedless chicken* My Ear, my ear!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gaara: *chewing*
Sakura: *looking anxiously at the audience* Ano... Things are a little hectic here right now at the Psychic King's birthday party... Why don't you read the chapter while we... Try to sow her ear back on...
Gaara: *swallowing*
Naruto: That's just SICK man!
Iruka: Quick, we need to get him to vomit it up before he digests it!!!
Psychic King: *about to pass out, looking at the audience* Heh... Birthday's rock. *thumbs up sign*
Sakura: Yeah.... Um, Psychic King doesn't own us (thank God) and uh... Please enjoy the chapter.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Embrace of Solitude
Chapter 17
Iruka's eyes snapped open as a loud, vicious howling noise reached his ears. "What? Where am I?" The last thing he remembered was- His head snapped up, as he thought, before him was a scene he would not have considered possible only a few short hours ago. The sweet motherly looking house wife, Mrs. Haruno, Sakura-chan's mother, was facing off against a large red fox. Both were fighting better than he probably could in his current condition, too, assuming that he could find a way to make his legs move.
It all had happened so suddenly, one moment he had been watching over Sasuke's house, hoping that Sakura-chan would return. Suddenly Mrs. Haruno knocked on the door. He opened it right away; after all she might have found Sakura-chan. She had said that she was worried about Sakura that the girl hadn't been home all day. It was in the middle of making tea for the woman that he felt a prick on his neck, the next thing he knew he was opening his eyes to the scene before him.
Who would have thought, Mrs. Haruno was a spy for the very person that killed her dearest friend and sister in law... Iruka shook his head, no... He'd known Sakura's mother a long time, in fact she was one of the people that helped support him after his parent's death. This woman, this doppelganger, was definitely NOT her.
Iruka sighed as he struggled desperately to his feet. The fox that was fighting for him for whatever reason was getting badly beaten. Iruka grimaced as once again the woman smacked the charging fox which landed with a sickening thud and loud yelp. He had to find some way to help. His vision was blurry, his legs barely able to support his weight; jumping into the fight was not something that would easily happen. But his ears were still sharp and his hand was steady enough, he'd have to close his eyes to aim properly, but...
Fingering a kunai from his pocket he closed his eyes and concentrated on the sounds of the sweet looking old woman and threw, pushing all his strength into it. An angry scream reached Iruka's ears and he opened his eyes quickly, praying that his judgment was right, that he hadn't accidentally stabbed the brave creature that was there to save him. Relief flooded his being as he noticed the woman clutching at her arm, attention diverted momentarily to her charge.
"That wasn't a very smart move, boy." The old woman replied, voice falling, becoming deep as she spoke. As Iruka watched the body's shape started shifting. The small plump frame slowly stretched, the long brown hair began to shrink and turn a bright sliver color, the house dress slowly spun around the figure to hug the new form tightly, turning from a floral pattern to a deep blue. Before Iruka could completely understand what had happened his lover was standing before him. "Iruka..." Kakashi's voice called out, approaching the teacher slowly, kunai still deeply embedded in his arm. "How could you- I thought you loved me?"
Iruka tried to block out the sound of his lover's broken hearted voice. Drugged as he was, this was particularly unfair... His mind was still hazy. 'It's not Kakashi, it's NOT.' He repeated over and over in his head as the figure moved closer. Iruka looked desperately past the figure that was moving closer, fixing his attention instead on the fox. It was still slumped lifelessly against a tree and Iruka found himself praying that it was not dead. He had gotten the monster's attention off it, so it could still survive, as long as it lay there and didn't-
"Bastard doppelganger..." The fox muttered, slowly rising to its feet. Iruka could see its legs shaking in pain, deep gashes across its body, blood practically pouring out. "You're still fighting me." Iruka winced, wishing that the creature had played dead, had stayed down...
The Kakashi-monster turned, "Oh, you're still alive?" It intoned, copying Kakashi's bored tone perfectly.
"Damn strait." The fox replied flippantly, wheezing slightly. "Human, you OK?"
Iruka nodded, even as his strength was quickly fleeing and will to fight vanishing along with it. Even though he knew it wasn't Kakashi the thought of fighting even a look alike was NOT appealing.
"Good. Tenmar'd have my hide if I let you get messed up, too. This THING is my prey, so just stay out of it, got that?"
Iruka shook his head, he wasn't going to let that fox die protecting him; he wasn't. "Oi, is it really that fun beating on a half dead dog?" Iruka managed, leaning heavily against a tree. "Or is that your job? I thought that you were trying to abduct ME. Someone's probably gonna get really pissed if you waste their time beating on something that's as good as dead anyway instead of taking me wherever you were before it sowed up."
The Kakashi look alike sprang forward and kicked the dog in the stomach, sending it flying again against a tree. He then turned and walked back to Iruka. Iruka felt tears roll down his eyes as he looked at the unmoving creature. "I didn't kill it." The doppelganger said gently, reaching down to touch Iruka's cheek. "Just as I'm not going to kill you, love. My master has plans for you; you and your friends are special presents for the master's brother."
Iruka tried to flinch back as the caressing moved to his lips, the man's hands even felt like Kakashi's, his warmth, his smell... Iruka's eyes widened as the man gently pried his mouth open, inserting his thumb into Iruka's mouth and pushing his body against Iruka. Narrowing his eyes Iruka bit down as hard as he could manage. The man recoiled slightly, standing in Kakashi's annoyed pose. "Don't fuck with me, bastard. You think you could ever compare to Kakashi? I may be drugged but I'm not THAT drugged, so why don't you stop with this game and take me to your master."
The man looked down at Iruka for a moment, then at his bleeding thumb. Quicker than Iruka's eyes could follow the man raised his hand and smacked Iruka across the face. The force from the blow was enough to knock the teacher off his feet and onto the ground. "I WAS going to be nice and give you one last happy memory of your lover."
"I'd rather never die than take that kind of 'compassion' from YOU." Iruka spat back from the ground, trying to push his body back up.
The man's foot recoiled then planted it's self firmly in Iruka's stomach. Iruka looked back to see the man pulling his foot back for another. "That can be arranged, huma-" The Kakashi clone's words were cut off as a red streak slammed into him.
Iruka looked up in shock as a half man half beast creature stood above him. A werewolf? Iruka shook his head, it was red colored and its tail was more like a... a FOX? Iruka's head spun as a voice he recognized growled, "Keep your hands OFF what's mine, bastard."
"Tenmar?" Iruka replied, finally finding his voice.
The creature turned, long, dog-like red snout glistening in the moonlight. Eyes gleaming a blood red. "Sorry it took me so long to catch up, Iruka."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A long, vicious howling noise reached the ears of Kakashi and Ganten as Ganten finished explaining his plan to the silver haired man. Kakashi looked up, alarmed; was that a wolf? Was it whatever kidnapped Iruka?
Ganten looked up in concern as well. "Shit."
"What?" Kakashi asked, not venturing to guess one of the many vicious possibilities that were going through his mind.
"It's Tenmar... He's angry." Ganten said, worried lines crossing his face. "It sounds like he's in his fox form right now..."
Kakashi cocked his head, it was going to be a while before they could throw their plan into action, why not get a few answers while he waited. "Fox form?"
Ganten nodded, settling back a bit, "When we are under emotional stress we can take on more animalistic attributes. Each of us looks a little different. In Tenmar's case he looks kind of like your traditional 'werewolf' but with fox characteristics and his eyes turn red. Mina can transform into an almost complete fox, except her eyes always stay green, Uzu also can almost completely become a fox, but he... Doesn't keep much of his humanity when he does. I change the least. I'm sure you've seen Naruto-sama get pissed and his eyes turn red and his finger nails grow?" Kakashi nodded. "Well, that's about the extent of my shift. It boosts our power quite a bit, but it also takes a lot of our self-control away."
Kakashi sighed, looking away from the boy. "What do you think caused him to get so upset?"
Ganten shrugged. "Even though it seems like I'm always acting cold and composed, Tenmar is usually the most controlled of us. He usually only changes when someone is threatening someone he loves. My guess is that he found whoever kidnapped your Iruka-sensei. If Iruka were dead his howl would have been different, so you don't need to worry about that."
"What about Naruto?" Kakashi asked, relaxing a bit. He would have to trust that Ganten was right and Tenmar really was taking good care of Iruka. That's all he could do right now.
Ganten shrugged, looking away. "You probably know more than I do. Tenmar and Uzu are always talking about how strong father was, but I don't have many memories of that far back. The ones I do have are more like... Mother kissing my injuries away; father teaching me to hunt; wrestling with Tenmar, Uzu and father. You know; normal family things. I don't even remember the day mother died or father got taken away. But according to Tenmar and Uzu... He makes our feeble transformations, even Mina's, look like child's play." Ganten shrugged again. "It could just be hero worship from two sons remembering their father as some kind of god, but... I've heard from others that Father was stronger than Kentaar; if that's true than he really may be a god... or a demon. You probably know more about THAT than I do, anyway. Weren't you there? When he got sealed?" Ganten's words turned dark, a slight bitter tone was now in his voice as he stared at Kakashi.
Kakashi sighed, looking at the stars, and then he stood. Whipping the dirt from his pants, he reached a hand to pull Ganten to his feet. "It's about time; we should get into our positions."
Ganten's face remained dark, but he nodded and accepted Kakashi's offered hand. "Fine. Stick to the plan, no matter what. I know Kentaar better than almost anyone else, I KNOW this'll work."
Kakashi looked evenly at the boy for a moment. He wanted to know HOW he knew the enemy so well, but now wasn't the time for those sorts of questions, so instead he jumped swiftly away from the white haired boy, settling into his position silently. The sounds of chanting, howling and yelling filtered through the night to his weary ears. He would be a lot happier when this night was over and Iruka was once again in his arms whole and healthy.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Sasuke glanced around in annoyance as Kasai once again picked up the pace. Obviously they were getting closer, a lot closer. They had just left a cave that smelled so strongly of Sakura that even he could smell her and now they were moving at break neck speeds through the forest towards... something. Probably (hopefully) Sakura would be there, where ever there was. They were being skillfully surrounded, each of them knew it but none of them were saying anything. The fact of the matter was, even with the three people and hundred odd wolves moving in, they really were not worried for their own safety.
Sasuke wasn't quite sure what Naruto and the others were thinking, but he himself had not worried about death since he vowed to kill his brother. It would be a shame if it happened before he got his chance, but he had picked up Naruto's fight as if it were his own. He had agreed to take Naruto's pain into himself, even if the dobe didn't want him to. He was confident that if he were to fall Naruto would live on to fulfill his vengeance and so, somehow, his thinking had become the only thing that really mattered was Naruto's survival. He was sure, if he had a few more days to think on it, he would severely regret this philosophy, but for now it was going to have to do. He didn't have a lot of time to think up another one.
He watched in annoyance again as Naruto moved to the outer front of the group, then Sasuke allowed his eyes to travel down to the object of his main irritation. In the center of the group, shaking like a rag doll, but still for some reason insisting on plowing forward was Mina. Naruto was purposely taking the dangerous positions and moving into the deadly spots to stand in the way of her danger. As for now he had convinced himself that the most important thing was Naruto's survival and Mina was the one that seemed to be hampering that case Sasuke was using all the energy he had in him to stop himself from taking the girl out.
The last straw came when the group took to the tall trees and Naruto moved to position below the others, directly underneath Mina. If someone were to shoot up Naruto would be the first to go. Sasuke gritted his teeth and moved down next to the blonde.
"What are you doing, Sasuke?" Naruto's voice held none of its normal laughter.
"That's what I want to ask you." Sasuke grumbled, pushing the blonde over a bit and moving into his position. "You're not gonna kill your brother if you get shot protecting everyone else, dobe."
"You're not gonna even get close to yours if you don't move." Naruto shot back, eyes glinting dangerously as he pushed Sasuke away and took his spot back. "Get up there with the others, Sasuke-bastard. They won't kill me."
His confident tone gave Sasuke reason to pause, but he remained next to the other boy. It was then that a vicious howling reached their ears. Sasuke immediately changed his pace, moving himself into a more defensive position in front of Naruto; he was sure this was some sort of attack signal. Kasai stopped their procession.
"That sounded like Tenmar." Uzu said, worry etched across his face.
Naruto nodded. "I guess he's finally caught up with Iruka-sensei. Sounds like Aidan's hurt, though..."
Sasuke looked at him, confused. "How can you tell?"
It was Kasai that answered. "It's all in the tone of his howl. We know it is Tenmar because we can recognize his voice, we know that someone is hurt because the tone of the howl is angry and maybe a little urgent, and we are guessing that it's Aidan that is hurt because Tenmar wants this Iruka person for a mate, if her were hurt the howl would be a LOT more intense."
Almost as if on cue, another howl, much more dangerous, much more threatening followed. "And now they've started hurting Iruka; not too much, but enough that Tenmar is warning them now, a sort of 'keep you damn hands off what's mine' type of deal." Uzu explained as Kasai raised his head and howled loudly back. "Kasai just sent out a 'persevere and don't let my brother get killed' message."
Sasuke blinked blankly at the others and Naruto grinned at him. "If you really want to know I'll teach you about it later. Right now we need to keep moving. There's something wrong about the feel in the air the closer we get to Sakura..."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Gin sat worriedly over his master's body. He had prepared the candles and now all he had left to do was wait... Looking around nervously, he hoped that Sai-sama would miss the fact that he hadn't lit as many candles as he was supposed to; she could get violent over things like that. It was just... The candles had an ingredient that blocked mind powers; Sai never told him exactly WHAT that ingredient was, but it was very affective. It also blocked out unwanted spirits (or any spirit for that matter) and they kept the insects at bay; but they really worried him at times like these where Sai-sama was visiting OUTSIDE her body. If she got too far away from her body there was a good possibility that she wouldn't be able to find her way regardless if that Sakura girl let her out or not.
He sighed for what seemed like the hundredth time before moving a hair out of his master's face. Her body was in a trance-like state; the only way it could survive without her spirit. Leaning over her he noticed again how cute she looked when she was asleep. She must really trust him if she's leaving her body unattended like this in his care (especially considering the way she was currently dressed; nothing but beads and a flap of fabric). Of course he knew better than to sneak a peak under the beads or to cop a feel (he'd learned THAT the hard way), but one small kiss, she couldn't notice that, could see?
He knelt over her, glad for a moment that Sai didn't make him dress the way she did. IN a position like this that flimsy cloth wouldn't cover much and the idea of being exposed to the whole forest did NOT hold any appeal. Not that the animals would really care, but there was still that empathic boy wandering around... He shook his head, forcing himself to focus on the task at hand. Failure was not an option, how often did a chance like this come around? Even though they were technically romantically involved the fact of the matter was this type of thing was few and far between. She couldn't get angry with him for a small kiss, right? After all, even a god's patience would be tried at the lack of physical contact in their relationship. Closing his eyes he brought his face closer to hers, his lips closer...
The next thing he knew Sai-sama was kneeling next to him, there was a painful feeling in his head, stomach and groin. "Ow..." He muttered.
Sai shook her head. "What did you expect? I woke up to see some strange THING looming over my face, did you really think I WOULDN'T attack?" She sneered a bit. "What were you going to do, Gin?" She asked in a low voice. If he didn't know better he'd say she was being seductive.
"Nothing!" He defended quickly. There was NO WAY that she hadn't known it was his face over her, if she could lie about that than he could lie about this. Changing the subject quickly he asked, "So, I take it everything went well?"
Sai stood, stretching a bit. "Yeah, as well as can be expected."
"And the girl?" He asked, standing.
"She isn't happy about it, but it's not like she'd have a choice now. I think she understands that our offer is her best option." Sai's smile turned slightly dark. "And if not..." She turned her head as from the forest walked two men. One she recognized as the shadow man, Ketai. His hood was pulled back to reveal a happy looking middleaged man with a deceivingly fatherly face. The other she guessed from the annoyed, dark look on his face was the empathic boy, Rin. He must be ticked off about the candles. That was a good sign that they probably worked.
Behind the two men came a tall man with a commanding aura. She recognized him easily; she'd known him almost all of his life after all. "Kentaar." She nodded her head in a stiff, formal greeting.
Kentaar laughed and grabbed the girl-like woman, wrapping her in a huge hug. "Sai-sama! Really, you don't have to be like that, you're like an aunt to me!"
Gin stiffened and moved lightly towards them, but one warning glare from Sai, who was still caught up in the massive embrace, and he stopped in his tracks. Kentaar's servants moved a little closer to him. Just enough to give the warning that attacking their master was NOT an action that would hold no repercussions.
Kentaar laughed deeper as he looked at Gin and put Sai down. "This must be your new boy? Quite attached to you, isn't he?" He walked slowly around Gin. "He's quite good looking, but then, you always liked that in a man. Naruto-niisan was always your favorite." He turned to look at Sai, then he sat on the ground cross legged right outside the bone circle with a grin on his face. Unlike Naruto's grin, which held laugher and joy, this grin was a twisted dark thing, almost frightening in its intensity. "That's why I know you plan on betraying me even with your little candles. But I also know that you loved that witch he married as if she had been your own daughter and THAT is why I choose you for this. I trust your love for her far outweighs your hate for what I'm asking you to do."
Sai's face was stone cold as she looked away from Kentaar. He had been such a cute child, really. So innocent and pure, just like Naruto. HOW had he gotten so twisted? "I said I'd do it. A shaman never goes back on her word. As promised, at the height of the moon's climb in the sky tonight, Illia will have a body once more."
Almost as if on cue the sound of a lone wolf howling rose in the forest. The sound was picked up by another wolf and then another until it was almost deafening. Sai looked down at the pink haired girl's body and sighed. It was time. The procedure would take a full twenty minutes, during that time she would be in a trance like state. She looked to Gin. The man bowed, "Sai-sama, I will protect you with my life."
Kentaar watched in amusement as Sai began meditating, but he remained silent. After a few moments her head snapped up from her stance and she body began dancing and moving over the pink haired girl's body. Gin looked to Kentaar, standing against a tall tree, his back to the shaman in a watchful stance over the forest he sighed. "It's started."
Kentaar grinned like a child on Christmas and turned also to face the darkness of the forest. Everything was perfect. It would all go as planned... Soon he would be reunited with his brother, soon...
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Kasai paused again in his running as the sound of wolves howling rose to an almost deafening level. The humans seemed wary by it, too.
"Shit, what is that?" Uzu asked, eyes wide. "I sounds like they're signaling the start of something."
Naruto nodded, glancing around. "Well, at least it's covering the sound of our approach." He turned, pointing to the group's right. "Do you guys see those lights?"
Kasai nodded, "That's where the scent is leading us, but... There are other scents mixed in now."
"Oi, Mina! Are you OK?" Uzu ran to his sister's side. She had collapsed on the ground and was shaking like a leaf. "What's the matter?"
Mina looked up from her brother's arms, face deathly pale. "I-He's there. He's waiting for us." She looked towards the lights then buried her face in her brother's arms. "I'm scared."
Naruto looked down at his daughter, then gently pried her from Uzu's grasp and jumped quickly up a tall nearby tree. "You wait here, OK?" He said gently, nestling her next to the trunk on a large branch. "Everything will be alright, we'll get Sakura back and all go home together, so just wait for us here."
Mina nodded, looking away. "I'm sorry Naruto-sama. I really wanted to fight by your side."
Naruto grinned and ruffled her hair. "Hey, there'll be plenty of time for that latter, right? Right now let me protect you." Then he jumped down to the others, grin still in place. "You know, they probably expect us to attack from that direction, what do you say we catch 'em from behind?"
Kasai made a fox style grin and laughed. "I'd say our chances of being able to do that are slim, runt. But it sounds just like you."
Uzu's face had an excited grin on it and Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Front or behind, either way, lets just get this over with!"
Naruto's grin grew as he jumped into a nearby tree, "Alright! Follow me!" Looking over his shoulder he called, "Mina! Don't worry we'll be back before you know it!"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Psychic King: *Looking eagerly at readers, ear stapled back onto head, but at an odd angle* SO? Is it better than last chapter? I think that last chapter didn't go over as I hoped, although that's not completely unexpected... *brightening* But this chapter has a LOT more Naruto in it, right?
Sakura: Yeah, but you cut me out completely!
Psychic King: *grinning* Uh... Originally I DID have you in the chapter, but your part didn't flow right, so I wrote about Gin and Sai instead.
Sakura: *Glaring* I hate you.
Psychic King: *pouting* Is that really a nice thing to say on MY Birthday?
Naruto: *waving hands* Oi! We think we can sew that ear back on properly now!
Psychic King: *smiling* Yay!!!!! I DON'T have to look like a freak when I go out tonight!
Sakura: *looking suspicious* 'Go out?' You got a man?
Psychic King: *blushing* Well... something like that...
Uzu: *grabbing Psychic King by the shoulders and dragging her to a nervous looking Iruka* And you spend all your time with US?
Psychic King: Well, he's not as cute as Gaara-chan and Naruto are.
Tenmar: *shaking head* WHY do you like that sadistic red head so much? From what I hear EVERY time you're near him he bites off a piece of your body!
Psychic King: *blushing* He's showing his love!
Iruka: *holding up a needle and thread* OK, now I've never done this before so... hold still...
Psychic King: *looking to readers* Anyway!!!! Thanks all for reading the chapter! Comments, criticisms, Birthday well wishing (hint, hint!)... ALL will be accepted and appreciated!! Hee hee hee!
Sakura: *shaking head* Using your birthday to get reviews, eh?
Psychic King: Hey! Whatever works! Anyway, last chapter I added a link to the website that had a great fan art picture and it didn't work! So I'm going to try one more time and if it don't work e-mail me and I'll try to e- mail you the link if you really want to see it (once again my e-mail address is Psychic_King@hotmail.com). The link is here:
Hopefully it worked this time.... Um.... Anyway, that's about it for now...... I hope you all enjoyed the chapter!!!! Next chapter lots of violence (I've put it off for long enough...)! I know you are all thinking what kind of idiot updates on their birthday, but now I'm off to enjoy myself!
Psychic King: *singing brokenly* H-happy birthday to... me.... Happy birthday to me.... Happy birthday dear... Psychic King... Happy birthday to me-
Sakura: *whacking Psychic King hard on the back of the head and flicking the light switch* Geeze, how'd I know you'd try to pull something like this?
Psychic King: *looking up, crying and rubbing head* what did you do THAT for? It's my birthday; I don't deserve to be hit!
Sakura: *shaking head* You are trying to dig up sympathy by making yourself look pathetic again, aren't you?
Psychic King: *looking away guiltily* no... It's not my fault that I'm here alone singing over a lone cupcake that I bought myself on my birthday....
Sakura: *looking to the readers* Don't listen to her, folks. She doesn't deserve your pity. She's been so busy with people that want to wish her a happy birthday and want to spend time with her she's barely had time to write! Her phone has been ringing off the hook, her house is FULL of cake and her bank account is looking better than it has since Christmas. Not that that's saying much, she's really bad at saving money.....
Psychic King: *looking indignant* AM NOT. Geeze is this my Birthday or pick on Psychic King day, anyway?
Sakura: Both. Anyway, I've got a special surprise for you.
Psychic King: *eyes wide* you mean, you got me a Birthday present????
Sakura: Sort of. It's from all of us. *leads Psychic King into a room filled with the rest of the Naruto cast plus Naruto's children*
Naruto cast plus children: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!
Psychic King: *smiling, tears running down face* You all remembered!!
Naruto: *muttering* Yeah, of course... You kept reminding up over and over again for like a month.
Sakura: *leading Psychic King into the middle of the room* Here's your surprise!
Psychic King: *looking down* Gaara-chan?
Gaara: *stuck in the middle of the room, chained heavily from head to toe, gag in mouth*
Sakura: *removing the gag* Alright, show Psychic King-sama what we taught you.
Gaara: *Glaring daggers starts speaking quickly in monotone* Happy birthday to you happy birthday to you happy birthday Psychic King-sama happy birthday to you.
Psychic King: *hugging Gaara* OH MY GOD!!!!! Thank you all! This is the best Birthday ever! Gaara-chan sang... TO ME... *tears running down face*
Gaara: *Chomp*
Psychic King: *suddenly pushing Gaara away, blood puring from the place her ear USED to be* OH MY GOD!! MY EAR!!!!! Help me!! Argh!!!!!! *running around like a heedless chicken* My Ear, my ear!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gaara: *chewing*
Sakura: *looking anxiously at the audience* Ano... Things are a little hectic here right now at the Psychic King's birthday party... Why don't you read the chapter while we... Try to sow her ear back on...
Gaara: *swallowing*
Naruto: That's just SICK man!
Iruka: Quick, we need to get him to vomit it up before he digests it!!!
Psychic King: *about to pass out, looking at the audience* Heh... Birthday's rock. *thumbs up sign*
Sakura: Yeah.... Um, Psychic King doesn't own us (thank God) and uh... Please enjoy the chapter.
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Embrace of Solitude
Chapter 17
Iruka's eyes snapped open as a loud, vicious howling noise reached his ears. "What? Where am I?" The last thing he remembered was- His head snapped up, as he thought, before him was a scene he would not have considered possible only a few short hours ago. The sweet motherly looking house wife, Mrs. Haruno, Sakura-chan's mother, was facing off against a large red fox. Both were fighting better than he probably could in his current condition, too, assuming that he could find a way to make his legs move.
It all had happened so suddenly, one moment he had been watching over Sasuke's house, hoping that Sakura-chan would return. Suddenly Mrs. Haruno knocked on the door. He opened it right away; after all she might have found Sakura-chan. She had said that she was worried about Sakura that the girl hadn't been home all day. It was in the middle of making tea for the woman that he felt a prick on his neck, the next thing he knew he was opening his eyes to the scene before him.
Who would have thought, Mrs. Haruno was a spy for the very person that killed her dearest friend and sister in law... Iruka shook his head, no... He'd known Sakura's mother a long time, in fact she was one of the people that helped support him after his parent's death. This woman, this doppelganger, was definitely NOT her.
Iruka sighed as he struggled desperately to his feet. The fox that was fighting for him for whatever reason was getting badly beaten. Iruka grimaced as once again the woman smacked the charging fox which landed with a sickening thud and loud yelp. He had to find some way to help. His vision was blurry, his legs barely able to support his weight; jumping into the fight was not something that would easily happen. But his ears were still sharp and his hand was steady enough, he'd have to close his eyes to aim properly, but...
Fingering a kunai from his pocket he closed his eyes and concentrated on the sounds of the sweet looking old woman and threw, pushing all his strength into it. An angry scream reached Iruka's ears and he opened his eyes quickly, praying that his judgment was right, that he hadn't accidentally stabbed the brave creature that was there to save him. Relief flooded his being as he noticed the woman clutching at her arm, attention diverted momentarily to her charge.
"That wasn't a very smart move, boy." The old woman replied, voice falling, becoming deep as she spoke. As Iruka watched the body's shape started shifting. The small plump frame slowly stretched, the long brown hair began to shrink and turn a bright sliver color, the house dress slowly spun around the figure to hug the new form tightly, turning from a floral pattern to a deep blue. Before Iruka could completely understand what had happened his lover was standing before him. "Iruka..." Kakashi's voice called out, approaching the teacher slowly, kunai still deeply embedded in his arm. "How could you- I thought you loved me?"
Iruka tried to block out the sound of his lover's broken hearted voice. Drugged as he was, this was particularly unfair... His mind was still hazy. 'It's not Kakashi, it's NOT.' He repeated over and over in his head as the figure moved closer. Iruka looked desperately past the figure that was moving closer, fixing his attention instead on the fox. It was still slumped lifelessly against a tree and Iruka found himself praying that it was not dead. He had gotten the monster's attention off it, so it could still survive, as long as it lay there and didn't-
"Bastard doppelganger..." The fox muttered, slowly rising to its feet. Iruka could see its legs shaking in pain, deep gashes across its body, blood practically pouring out. "You're still fighting me." Iruka winced, wishing that the creature had played dead, had stayed down...
The Kakashi-monster turned, "Oh, you're still alive?" It intoned, copying Kakashi's bored tone perfectly.
"Damn strait." The fox replied flippantly, wheezing slightly. "Human, you OK?"
Iruka nodded, even as his strength was quickly fleeing and will to fight vanishing along with it. Even though he knew it wasn't Kakashi the thought of fighting even a look alike was NOT appealing.
"Good. Tenmar'd have my hide if I let you get messed up, too. This THING is my prey, so just stay out of it, got that?"
Iruka shook his head, he wasn't going to let that fox die protecting him; he wasn't. "Oi, is it really that fun beating on a half dead dog?" Iruka managed, leaning heavily against a tree. "Or is that your job? I thought that you were trying to abduct ME. Someone's probably gonna get really pissed if you waste their time beating on something that's as good as dead anyway instead of taking me wherever you were before it sowed up."
The Kakashi look alike sprang forward and kicked the dog in the stomach, sending it flying again against a tree. He then turned and walked back to Iruka. Iruka felt tears roll down his eyes as he looked at the unmoving creature. "I didn't kill it." The doppelganger said gently, reaching down to touch Iruka's cheek. "Just as I'm not going to kill you, love. My master has plans for you; you and your friends are special presents for the master's brother."
Iruka tried to flinch back as the caressing moved to his lips, the man's hands even felt like Kakashi's, his warmth, his smell... Iruka's eyes widened as the man gently pried his mouth open, inserting his thumb into Iruka's mouth and pushing his body against Iruka. Narrowing his eyes Iruka bit down as hard as he could manage. The man recoiled slightly, standing in Kakashi's annoyed pose. "Don't fuck with me, bastard. You think you could ever compare to Kakashi? I may be drugged but I'm not THAT drugged, so why don't you stop with this game and take me to your master."
The man looked down at Iruka for a moment, then at his bleeding thumb. Quicker than Iruka's eyes could follow the man raised his hand and smacked Iruka across the face. The force from the blow was enough to knock the teacher off his feet and onto the ground. "I WAS going to be nice and give you one last happy memory of your lover."
"I'd rather never die than take that kind of 'compassion' from YOU." Iruka spat back from the ground, trying to push his body back up.
The man's foot recoiled then planted it's self firmly in Iruka's stomach. Iruka looked back to see the man pulling his foot back for another. "That can be arranged, huma-" The Kakashi clone's words were cut off as a red streak slammed into him.
Iruka looked up in shock as a half man half beast creature stood above him. A werewolf? Iruka shook his head, it was red colored and its tail was more like a... a FOX? Iruka's head spun as a voice he recognized growled, "Keep your hands OFF what's mine, bastard."
"Tenmar?" Iruka replied, finally finding his voice.
The creature turned, long, dog-like red snout glistening in the moonlight. Eyes gleaming a blood red. "Sorry it took me so long to catch up, Iruka."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A long, vicious howling noise reached the ears of Kakashi and Ganten as Ganten finished explaining his plan to the silver haired man. Kakashi looked up, alarmed; was that a wolf? Was it whatever kidnapped Iruka?
Ganten looked up in concern as well. "Shit."
"What?" Kakashi asked, not venturing to guess one of the many vicious possibilities that were going through his mind.
"It's Tenmar... He's angry." Ganten said, worried lines crossing his face. "It sounds like he's in his fox form right now..."
Kakashi cocked his head, it was going to be a while before they could throw their plan into action, why not get a few answers while he waited. "Fox form?"
Ganten nodded, settling back a bit, "When we are under emotional stress we can take on more animalistic attributes. Each of us looks a little different. In Tenmar's case he looks kind of like your traditional 'werewolf' but with fox characteristics and his eyes turn red. Mina can transform into an almost complete fox, except her eyes always stay green, Uzu also can almost completely become a fox, but he... Doesn't keep much of his humanity when he does. I change the least. I'm sure you've seen Naruto-sama get pissed and his eyes turn red and his finger nails grow?" Kakashi nodded. "Well, that's about the extent of my shift. It boosts our power quite a bit, but it also takes a lot of our self-control away."
Kakashi sighed, looking away from the boy. "What do you think caused him to get so upset?"
Ganten shrugged. "Even though it seems like I'm always acting cold and composed, Tenmar is usually the most controlled of us. He usually only changes when someone is threatening someone he loves. My guess is that he found whoever kidnapped your Iruka-sensei. If Iruka were dead his howl would have been different, so you don't need to worry about that."
"What about Naruto?" Kakashi asked, relaxing a bit. He would have to trust that Ganten was right and Tenmar really was taking good care of Iruka. That's all he could do right now.
Ganten shrugged, looking away. "You probably know more than I do. Tenmar and Uzu are always talking about how strong father was, but I don't have many memories of that far back. The ones I do have are more like... Mother kissing my injuries away; father teaching me to hunt; wrestling with Tenmar, Uzu and father. You know; normal family things. I don't even remember the day mother died or father got taken away. But according to Tenmar and Uzu... He makes our feeble transformations, even Mina's, look like child's play." Ganten shrugged again. "It could just be hero worship from two sons remembering their father as some kind of god, but... I've heard from others that Father was stronger than Kentaar; if that's true than he really may be a god... or a demon. You probably know more about THAT than I do, anyway. Weren't you there? When he got sealed?" Ganten's words turned dark, a slight bitter tone was now in his voice as he stared at Kakashi.
Kakashi sighed, looking at the stars, and then he stood. Whipping the dirt from his pants, he reached a hand to pull Ganten to his feet. "It's about time; we should get into our positions."
Ganten's face remained dark, but he nodded and accepted Kakashi's offered hand. "Fine. Stick to the plan, no matter what. I know Kentaar better than almost anyone else, I KNOW this'll work."
Kakashi looked evenly at the boy for a moment. He wanted to know HOW he knew the enemy so well, but now wasn't the time for those sorts of questions, so instead he jumped swiftly away from the white haired boy, settling into his position silently. The sounds of chanting, howling and yelling filtered through the night to his weary ears. He would be a lot happier when this night was over and Iruka was once again in his arms whole and healthy.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Sasuke glanced around in annoyance as Kasai once again picked up the pace. Obviously they were getting closer, a lot closer. They had just left a cave that smelled so strongly of Sakura that even he could smell her and now they were moving at break neck speeds through the forest towards... something. Probably (hopefully) Sakura would be there, where ever there was. They were being skillfully surrounded, each of them knew it but none of them were saying anything. The fact of the matter was, even with the three people and hundred odd wolves moving in, they really were not worried for their own safety.
Sasuke wasn't quite sure what Naruto and the others were thinking, but he himself had not worried about death since he vowed to kill his brother. It would be a shame if it happened before he got his chance, but he had picked up Naruto's fight as if it were his own. He had agreed to take Naruto's pain into himself, even if the dobe didn't want him to. He was confident that if he were to fall Naruto would live on to fulfill his vengeance and so, somehow, his thinking had become the only thing that really mattered was Naruto's survival. He was sure, if he had a few more days to think on it, he would severely regret this philosophy, but for now it was going to have to do. He didn't have a lot of time to think up another one.
He watched in annoyance again as Naruto moved to the outer front of the group, then Sasuke allowed his eyes to travel down to the object of his main irritation. In the center of the group, shaking like a rag doll, but still for some reason insisting on plowing forward was Mina. Naruto was purposely taking the dangerous positions and moving into the deadly spots to stand in the way of her danger. As for now he had convinced himself that the most important thing was Naruto's survival and Mina was the one that seemed to be hampering that case Sasuke was using all the energy he had in him to stop himself from taking the girl out.
The last straw came when the group took to the tall trees and Naruto moved to position below the others, directly underneath Mina. If someone were to shoot up Naruto would be the first to go. Sasuke gritted his teeth and moved down next to the blonde.
"What are you doing, Sasuke?" Naruto's voice held none of its normal laughter.
"That's what I want to ask you." Sasuke grumbled, pushing the blonde over a bit and moving into his position. "You're not gonna kill your brother if you get shot protecting everyone else, dobe."
"You're not gonna even get close to yours if you don't move." Naruto shot back, eyes glinting dangerously as he pushed Sasuke away and took his spot back. "Get up there with the others, Sasuke-bastard. They won't kill me."
His confident tone gave Sasuke reason to pause, but he remained next to the other boy. It was then that a vicious howling reached their ears. Sasuke immediately changed his pace, moving himself into a more defensive position in front of Naruto; he was sure this was some sort of attack signal. Kasai stopped their procession.
"That sounded like Tenmar." Uzu said, worry etched across his face.
Naruto nodded. "I guess he's finally caught up with Iruka-sensei. Sounds like Aidan's hurt, though..."
Sasuke looked at him, confused. "How can you tell?"
It was Kasai that answered. "It's all in the tone of his howl. We know it is Tenmar because we can recognize his voice, we know that someone is hurt because the tone of the howl is angry and maybe a little urgent, and we are guessing that it's Aidan that is hurt because Tenmar wants this Iruka person for a mate, if her were hurt the howl would be a LOT more intense."
Almost as if on cue, another howl, much more dangerous, much more threatening followed. "And now they've started hurting Iruka; not too much, but enough that Tenmar is warning them now, a sort of 'keep you damn hands off what's mine' type of deal." Uzu explained as Kasai raised his head and howled loudly back. "Kasai just sent out a 'persevere and don't let my brother get killed' message."
Sasuke blinked blankly at the others and Naruto grinned at him. "If you really want to know I'll teach you about it later. Right now we need to keep moving. There's something wrong about the feel in the air the closer we get to Sakura..."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Gin sat worriedly over his master's body. He had prepared the candles and now all he had left to do was wait... Looking around nervously, he hoped that Sai-sama would miss the fact that he hadn't lit as many candles as he was supposed to; she could get violent over things like that. It was just... The candles had an ingredient that blocked mind powers; Sai never told him exactly WHAT that ingredient was, but it was very affective. It also blocked out unwanted spirits (or any spirit for that matter) and they kept the insects at bay; but they really worried him at times like these where Sai-sama was visiting OUTSIDE her body. If she got too far away from her body there was a good possibility that she wouldn't be able to find her way regardless if that Sakura girl let her out or not.
He sighed for what seemed like the hundredth time before moving a hair out of his master's face. Her body was in a trance-like state; the only way it could survive without her spirit. Leaning over her he noticed again how cute she looked when she was asleep. She must really trust him if she's leaving her body unattended like this in his care (especially considering the way she was currently dressed; nothing but beads and a flap of fabric). Of course he knew better than to sneak a peak under the beads or to cop a feel (he'd learned THAT the hard way), but one small kiss, she couldn't notice that, could see?
He knelt over her, glad for a moment that Sai didn't make him dress the way she did. IN a position like this that flimsy cloth wouldn't cover much and the idea of being exposed to the whole forest did NOT hold any appeal. Not that the animals would really care, but there was still that empathic boy wandering around... He shook his head, forcing himself to focus on the task at hand. Failure was not an option, how often did a chance like this come around? Even though they were technically romantically involved the fact of the matter was this type of thing was few and far between. She couldn't get angry with him for a small kiss, right? After all, even a god's patience would be tried at the lack of physical contact in their relationship. Closing his eyes he brought his face closer to hers, his lips closer...
The next thing he knew Sai-sama was kneeling next to him, there was a painful feeling in his head, stomach and groin. "Ow..." He muttered.
Sai shook her head. "What did you expect? I woke up to see some strange THING looming over my face, did you really think I WOULDN'T attack?" She sneered a bit. "What were you going to do, Gin?" She asked in a low voice. If he didn't know better he'd say she was being seductive.
"Nothing!" He defended quickly. There was NO WAY that she hadn't known it was his face over her, if she could lie about that than he could lie about this. Changing the subject quickly he asked, "So, I take it everything went well?"
Sai stood, stretching a bit. "Yeah, as well as can be expected."
"And the girl?" He asked, standing.
"She isn't happy about it, but it's not like she'd have a choice now. I think she understands that our offer is her best option." Sai's smile turned slightly dark. "And if not..." She turned her head as from the forest walked two men. One she recognized as the shadow man, Ketai. His hood was pulled back to reveal a happy looking middleaged man with a deceivingly fatherly face. The other she guessed from the annoyed, dark look on his face was the empathic boy, Rin. He must be ticked off about the candles. That was a good sign that they probably worked.
Behind the two men came a tall man with a commanding aura. She recognized him easily; she'd known him almost all of his life after all. "Kentaar." She nodded her head in a stiff, formal greeting.
Kentaar laughed and grabbed the girl-like woman, wrapping her in a huge hug. "Sai-sama! Really, you don't have to be like that, you're like an aunt to me!"
Gin stiffened and moved lightly towards them, but one warning glare from Sai, who was still caught up in the massive embrace, and he stopped in his tracks. Kentaar's servants moved a little closer to him. Just enough to give the warning that attacking their master was NOT an action that would hold no repercussions.
Kentaar laughed deeper as he looked at Gin and put Sai down. "This must be your new boy? Quite attached to you, isn't he?" He walked slowly around Gin. "He's quite good looking, but then, you always liked that in a man. Naruto-niisan was always your favorite." He turned to look at Sai, then he sat on the ground cross legged right outside the bone circle with a grin on his face. Unlike Naruto's grin, which held laugher and joy, this grin was a twisted dark thing, almost frightening in its intensity. "That's why I know you plan on betraying me even with your little candles. But I also know that you loved that witch he married as if she had been your own daughter and THAT is why I choose you for this. I trust your love for her far outweighs your hate for what I'm asking you to do."
Sai's face was stone cold as she looked away from Kentaar. He had been such a cute child, really. So innocent and pure, just like Naruto. HOW had he gotten so twisted? "I said I'd do it. A shaman never goes back on her word. As promised, at the height of the moon's climb in the sky tonight, Illia will have a body once more."
Almost as if on cue the sound of a lone wolf howling rose in the forest. The sound was picked up by another wolf and then another until it was almost deafening. Sai looked down at the pink haired girl's body and sighed. It was time. The procedure would take a full twenty minutes, during that time she would be in a trance like state. She looked to Gin. The man bowed, "Sai-sama, I will protect you with my life."
Kentaar watched in amusement as Sai began meditating, but he remained silent. After a few moments her head snapped up from her stance and she body began dancing and moving over the pink haired girl's body. Gin looked to Kentaar, standing against a tall tree, his back to the shaman in a watchful stance over the forest he sighed. "It's started."
Kentaar grinned like a child on Christmas and turned also to face the darkness of the forest. Everything was perfect. It would all go as planned... Soon he would be reunited with his brother, soon...
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Kasai paused again in his running as the sound of wolves howling rose to an almost deafening level. The humans seemed wary by it, too.
"Shit, what is that?" Uzu asked, eyes wide. "I sounds like they're signaling the start of something."
Naruto nodded, glancing around. "Well, at least it's covering the sound of our approach." He turned, pointing to the group's right. "Do you guys see those lights?"
Kasai nodded, "That's where the scent is leading us, but... There are other scents mixed in now."
"Oi, Mina! Are you OK?" Uzu ran to his sister's side. She had collapsed on the ground and was shaking like a leaf. "What's the matter?"
Mina looked up from her brother's arms, face deathly pale. "I-He's there. He's waiting for us." She looked towards the lights then buried her face in her brother's arms. "I'm scared."
Naruto looked down at his daughter, then gently pried her from Uzu's grasp and jumped quickly up a tall nearby tree. "You wait here, OK?" He said gently, nestling her next to the trunk on a large branch. "Everything will be alright, we'll get Sakura back and all go home together, so just wait for us here."
Mina nodded, looking away. "I'm sorry Naruto-sama. I really wanted to fight by your side."
Naruto grinned and ruffled her hair. "Hey, there'll be plenty of time for that latter, right? Right now let me protect you." Then he jumped down to the others, grin still in place. "You know, they probably expect us to attack from that direction, what do you say we catch 'em from behind?"
Kasai made a fox style grin and laughed. "I'd say our chances of being able to do that are slim, runt. But it sounds just like you."
Uzu's face had an excited grin on it and Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Front or behind, either way, lets just get this over with!"
Naruto's grin grew as he jumped into a nearby tree, "Alright! Follow me!" Looking over his shoulder he called, "Mina! Don't worry we'll be back before you know it!"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Psychic King: *Looking eagerly at readers, ear stapled back onto head, but at an odd angle* SO? Is it better than last chapter? I think that last chapter didn't go over as I hoped, although that's not completely unexpected... *brightening* But this chapter has a LOT more Naruto in it, right?
Sakura: Yeah, but you cut me out completely!
Psychic King: *grinning* Uh... Originally I DID have you in the chapter, but your part didn't flow right, so I wrote about Gin and Sai instead.
Sakura: *Glaring* I hate you.
Psychic King: *pouting* Is that really a nice thing to say on MY Birthday?
Naruto: *waving hands* Oi! We think we can sew that ear back on properly now!
Psychic King: *smiling* Yay!!!!! I DON'T have to look like a freak when I go out tonight!
Sakura: *looking suspicious* 'Go out?' You got a man?
Psychic King: *blushing* Well... something like that...
Uzu: *grabbing Psychic King by the shoulders and dragging her to a nervous looking Iruka* And you spend all your time with US?
Psychic King: Well, he's not as cute as Gaara-chan and Naruto are.
Tenmar: *shaking head* WHY do you like that sadistic red head so much? From what I hear EVERY time you're near him he bites off a piece of your body!
Psychic King: *blushing* He's showing his love!
Iruka: *holding up a needle and thread* OK, now I've never done this before so... hold still...
Psychic King: *looking to readers* Anyway!!!! Thanks all for reading the chapter! Comments, criticisms, Birthday well wishing (hint, hint!)... ALL will be accepted and appreciated!! Hee hee hee!
Sakura: *shaking head* Using your birthday to get reviews, eh?
Psychic King: Hey! Whatever works! Anyway, last chapter I added a link to the website that had a great fan art picture and it didn't work! So I'm going to try one more time and if it don't work e-mail me and I'll try to e- mail you the link if you really want to see it (once again my e-mail address is Psychic_King@hotmail.com). The link is here:
Hopefully it worked this time.... Um.... Anyway, that's about it for now...... I hope you all enjoyed the chapter!!!! Next chapter lots of violence (I've put it off for long enough...)! I know you are all thinking what kind of idiot updates on their birthday, but now I'm off to enjoy myself!