Summary: You're not supposed to fall in love with your captor, especially if he is a high-ranking member of the yakuza. Things just never seem to follow that law, however. Completely AU. Mainly Sasuke/Sakura. Rated for violence and language.
Pairings: Sasuke/Sakura, more will be revealed as the story progresses
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, at all. All the characters belong to Kishimoto Masashi-sensei. The only thing in this story that is mine will be the OCs and the plot itself.
Conspiracy of the Heart and Soul
Chapter Sixteen – The Denouement to the War
His heart pounded erratically against his rib cage, his blood flowing hotly through his veins as he pushed himself to continue. He could see his brother in his mind's eye. He wanted to get this over and done with. He wanted a peaceful future. He wanted a future with Sakura without his brother to ruin that picture. If they had children, he probably would tell them their grandparents and their only uncle died in an accident. He didn't want them to know the truth that they used to be part of one of the most powerful yet one of the most hidden yakuza Clans in all of Kyoto. He did not want them to grow up as he did and to do that, he had to finish what he had started. He would have to kill his brother.
It was silent as they pressed forward. It was only a matter of crossing the rest of the hallway before they reached the place Itachi was staying in. The five of them were determined to see this through and live to tell about it. They were as prepared as possible for all of Itachi's underhanded tactics. The older Uchiha would do anything to win. A loss was a lesson Itachi had never learned and this loss would cost Itachi his life. It would be the last death Sasuke would deliver willingly. As Death's claws reached out to take Itachi's soul, Sasuke would only say to his brother one last thing, go to hell. As they reached they neared the doorway, they stopped. Itachi's six trusted cohorts were there, waiting for them.
They were hiding behind a wall as Kenta occasionally peered out to see if they had gone yet. No, Sakon, Ukon, Zabuza, Kabuto, Haku and Tayuya just wouldn't leave the outside of Itachi's practice area. His dark hazel eyes caught sight of Tayuya's infamous flute which could hypnotize them or confuse them, depending on what melody escaped from the metal pipe. Looking towards Sasuke, he mouthed to the younger Uchiha what was there and the fact that Tayuya had her flute. Her danger with her beloved flute was known throughout the entire yakuza. "Shikamaru, block out all flute sounds from entering the headset, or expel something through it to make sure the sounds of Tayuya's flute don't reach our ears," spoke Sasuke lowly into the mouth piece. The hacking prodigy made a response. Seconds later, they had all been given the go signal that it was safe. "It's show time."
"Well, if it isn't Sasuke-sama," said Kabuto as he fixed his glasses on the bridge of his nose. The lenses glinted slightly as he looked up. An amused expression found its way to his face as he saw who was with Sasuke. "And you guys are here to. All of you are traitors, especially you Sasuke-sama," spoke Kabuto as he straightened himself, "You took advantage of Itachi-sama's kindness and managed to do this to him. It's a wonder he still calls you his brother." Sasuke pressed his lips into a thin line of anger and irritation. God knows he wanted to be disowned of the so-called honor of being called Itachi's brother. "It's such a shame too. Being an Uchiha, especially someone so directly related to Itachi-sama, is an honor." Something within Sasuke snapped as he heard Kabuto say that.
"Who the fuck do you think you are, Kabuto?" hissed Sasuke, his hands balled into fists, as he so desperately tried to restrain himself. There would be only one death he would cause tonight and that was his brother's. "Why the fuck do you all think it's such a damn honor to be related to the devil himself! Tell me! Care to enlighten me?" he shouted as the other four behind him cringed. Never had Sasuke's anger been incited like this that someone would actually live to tell about it. Grabbing the gun Shikamaru made, Sasuke pointed it towards Kabuto's heart. "Give me at least one good reason and I'll let you live, Kabuto. Otherwise, welcome Death's grasp." His face darkened as he bent his head. His marksmanship was so great that only Tenten's, Kenta's, Neji's, Ayumi's and his own brother could rival to it.
Without any warning, the battles that Itachi had assigned had begun. Sakon and Ukon charged towards Tenten and Kenta. Zabuza drew out his sword and charged towards Ayumi who was already in stance the minute they stood before the six cohorts. Tayuya put her flute to her lips and closed her eyes as a piercing melody began to resound in the hallway. Kabuto ignored the gun in Sasuke's hand and armed with a gun of his own, charged at Neji who had his sword drawn out. Haku did not move as he eyed Sasuke. Senbon were in between his fingers but he made no motion to raise his hands and throw the needles towards the younger Uchiha. Sasuke did not care that Kabuto moved away. He had only one thing on his mind now and that was to see his brother's body, dead and lying on the floor surrounded by his own blood.
The younger Uchiha and Haku seemed to just stare at each other as they were surrounded with battles. Sakon and Ukon were fighting against Tenten and Kenta and neither pair seemed better than the other. They were dead even. Zabuza was annoyed that Ayumi's swordplay with her thin katana called Thanatos could even compare to his swordplay with his Kubikiri Houcho. He was at a disadvantage since his sword was heavy and hard to swing around plus Ayumi was light and quick on her feet. However, the minute his Kubikiri Houcho connected with Ayumi, the damage would be severe. It's just that the young female had a way of avoiding the path of his sword. Kabuto was taunting Neji but the white eyed male did not care. He was just concentrating on his next attack. Tayuya did not notice the notes coming out of the pipe she was playing had no effect on the five as she was fiercely concentrating on finishing the piece. Everyone was too busy to notice that neither Sasuke nor Haku had moved from their initial position.
"Sasuke-sama, can I ask, why are you doing this?" spoke Haku as he positioned his hands into a throwing position. He was absolutely sure all of the senbon would find their mark but he was hesitating, hesitating to throw the long rods of metal towards Itachi's younger brother. Sasuke made no motion to reply as he raised his gun to face Haku. "Please, answer me Sasuke-sama, so my conscience can be put to rest. I need to know your reason before I tell you mine," said Haku once more, trying to make the younger Uchiha speak of his brother. He could not believe that the Itachi he knew was this evil and the words of his younger brother would prove or disprove whatever he thought of the elder Uchiha. "Please."
"Haku, how many people have you killed? Did you kill them out of sheer bloodlust? Or was it because of sheer power? Or how about sheer wealth?" spoke Sasuke, his words unheard by the others who were there. Haku made no reply as he looked down slightly, his hands still in the same position. "You were ordered to kill them, weren't you? You didn't want to but you did so anyway because he told you to," spoke Sasuke simply, the gun still facing towards his opponent. "And my brother, he has taken so many lives, most of which he had no reason to. He just wanted to kill them. I have killed because he told me to and because I can no longer take the hell he's putting me through, I need to stop, no, I need to kill him." Haku looked at Sasuke with a slight smile on his face. Dropping the senbon to the floor, the rods of metal fell to the floor noisily.
"I see," said Haku with a pained voice, "You know how it is to kill and your conscience bothers you about your deed afterwards." Sasuke creased his brow as he kept his gun at Haku. "If only I had met you sooner, if only I had been loyal to you instead of your brother, maybe this predicament of mine wouldn't be so. Maybe, Nanako-san would still be alive but who knows? It's all in the past." Tayuya had stopped playing her flute when she opened her eyes, seeing that Haku was not attacking and Sasuke and his group were not being affected by the notes the flute was emitting. "Sasuke-sama, I will not be the one to stop you from completing your purpose. The brutal death of Nanako-san has given me reason to not believe in Itachi-sama any longer.
"Haku you traitor!" shouted Tayuya as she sprinted forward, anger blazing in her dark eyes as her face twisted itself into a dark look. Haku turned his head and faced Tayuya without as much as a care about the weapon in her hand, a dagger. "You're supposed to kill Itachi-sama's brother, not help him!" screeched Tayuya as she tried to stab Haku but to no avail for the male had gripped her wrist and twisted her arm painfully, his face devoid of any emotion. "Itachi-sama will find out about your treachery, Haku! Mark my words. Itachi-sama will you!" hissed Tayuya before Haku twisted her arm a bit more, causing her to writhe in pain.
"Go, Sasuke-sama. I don't care anymore what happens to me. I have severed all my ties to him," said Haku as he looked down at Tayuya with a blank look, "It doesn't matter to me if I'll die in the process of betraying him." Sasuke's brow furrowed slightly as he looked down at Haku. The other male was serious with every word he said. Nodding slowly, Sasuke returned his gun to its holster before he stuffed his hands in his pockets and began walking to the door. The minute he stepped through its boundaries, he could not turn back. He would finally deliver his last death and be rid of a life as a death merchant.
"You want to stop Sasuke, don't you?" said Neji with a smirk as he started swinging his Chinese sword. Kabuto barely dodged the slash, a long gash appearing on his left bicep as blood started to flow and the sleeve of his shirt starting to fall apart. It seemed that Kabuto's nature and his talent as a fighter could not help him win against Neji with such an advantage. In fact, it was the exact opposite. He had underestimated the Hyuuga he was matched up against. He disregarded the rumors that Neji's talents lay in his ability to fight. Only very few could compare with the opalescent eyed male he was fighting and it seemed that he was not one of them. "Well, Kabuto, you can't. You're going to have to kill me before you can pass through." A dark look appeared on the silver haired male's face as he charged at Neji.
"I never wanted to say this but you, Ayumi, I respect your swordplay," said Zabuza with a demonic grin beneath the bandages that wrapped around his face. He was putting his weight on his Kubikiri Houcho as Ayumi was putting weight on her Thanatos. Despite the great difference in size, both were forged sturdily and it seemed neither would give way to the other's strength. "It's just too bad you're going to have to die soon," he said with a maniacal look on his face, "If only you have sided with Itachi-sama." Ayumi made no verbal reply as she used his slight break from total concentration to move away and attack at full speed.
"No thank you, Sakon," said Tenten with a determined grin on her face as she began to use the Nunchaku she had received from Sasuke. The weapon was dancing in an intricate pattern as she walked slowly towards one of the two twins. "I am happy with my life and I want nothing more from it except to leave this place," she said confidently as she got into her stance, "And with Itachi still alive, I can't leave it. Fulfilling this mission and helping Sasuke has been one of the best decisions of my life and you won't be the one to take me away from the light I see at the end of this dark tunnel." Sakon frowned as he decided to move quickly and end this fight. He did not want to waste time on her.
"You know how it is, right Kenta?" spoke Ukon as they moved back and forth, attacking in the process, "To have a twin, I mean. Doesn't it feel painful to be separated from Kotoe? That you know that you could die if this mission continues and cause your beloved sister unimaginable pain, grief and sorrow?" Kenta's brow furrowed as he continued attacking. "If you stop now and help us, you can abandon that fear! You can return to your sister alive and well!" suggested Ukon but with the intent to break his word in the end. He would kill Kenta for even trying to go against Itachi. Kenta's eyes blazed as he gripped Ukon's mouth shut, any tighter he would have broken Ukon's jaw. His answer was clear. He had the will to live and he would not go against Sasuke to make sure he would live. He knew that he would from the very beginning.
Itachi's Private Practice Area
He could smell and feel Death the minute he walked in. A shiver ran down his spine as he walked around. He could vaguely see the outlines of the objects that adorned the place he was in, the dim lighting allowing at least that. He was fully alert, now that the only thing truly on his mind was the death of his brother delivered by his own hands. Neji was keeping Kabuto busy. Tenten and Kenta were keeping Sakon and Ukon preoccupied. Ayumi was making sure Zabuza would be focused on their battle alone, which truly wasn't a difficult thing. Haku, for reasons unknown to him, was keeping Tayuya in place. He was alone now and he was knocking on Death's door to deliver a damned soul, the soul of his brother.
"Where the hell are you, Itachi!" hissed Sasuke as his onyx eyes glinted. His heart pounded so hard against his rib cage that it was clearly heard in the silence of the room. His muscles had never felt so tense before. His mind was whirling with thoughts on where Itachi would be, how he would attack and how he would react to all this. A frown crossed his face as his feet padded softly against the floor. Up on the balcony, a tall figure remained standing, a gun in his hand. His onyx eyes followed the figure that was below. Hot blood coursed through his veins as a stern and cold look appeared on his face. This would result in the death of either one of them, if not both. "Itachi! Show yourself!" shouted Sasuke in anger as he remained still.
The lights flickered slightly causing the younger Uchiha to frown. Moments later, the lights were all on, a blinding white light emanating from above. Shielding his eyes, unused to the bright light, Sasuke looked around for his brother, his grip on his gun tightening. He could hear footsteps from above but he could not find his brother. Knowing Itachi, he was hiding in the shadows, only to reveal himself in the end. He always had such dramatic entrances. Sasuke could feel his pulse quickening as his eyes darted around for any sign of his older brother. Itachi was more ruthless than he, allowing the older Uchiha the ability to just attack Sasuke without any warning. Sasuke, however, was ready for this. After all, Shikamaru had access to every single camera and even this place had a security system. Shikamaru would tell him where his brother was coming from. Moments later, Sasuke turned around and brandished his gun, pointing it towards Itachi's face, only a few centimeters away from the skin of his brother's forehead.
"Just who the hell do you think you are, Sasuke?" hissed Itachi as he pulled back, taking a few steps away from his younger brother. Sasuke made no motion to reply to his brother's query. An agitated frown found its way to Itachi's face. "Do you think you can defeat me? God knows I'm more talented than you, that I am far superior to you," hissed Itachi as he let his gun arm drop to his side as he grabbed Sasuke by the collar, threatening him. "The pupil can never defeat the master, just as the master always wins against the pupil. Just who the fuck do you think you are, Sasuke! I taught you every damn technique you know! From basic bare handed fighting to marksmanship, I fucking created your fighting prowess!" Itachi threw his younger brother to the floor with a painful thud. Sasuke didn't seem bothered.
"That's why I want to kill you," replied Sasuke coldly as he got up, his knees shaking slightly. "All these years you have always been the favored one. I strove to become better than you in order to achieve the recognition of our parents. They died before they recognized me as someone equal to you, they died three years ago." Itachi raised an amused eyebrow at his younger brother, watching his every movement. "And when Sakura had been taken captive, I had finally begun to realize my humanity, especially when you fucking raped her, Itachi. Human beings aren't to be toyed with and I'm damn tired of doing your bidding. I will put an end to this by killing you and in the process, destroying this yakuza. I just want a normal life, it's not so much to ask for, but your existence makes it such a hassle to get. I will kill you, Itachi, and free myself from the bonds of being a son to a yakuza Clan." With his final words said, Sasuke raised his gun and pointed it towards Itachi's heart. The older Uchiha merely laughed.
"What a simplistic reason, dear brother, you have to kill me!" said Itachi after laughing, causing confusion to appear on Sasuke's face, no matter how slight it was. "And I thought you had a better reason!" Sasuke's brow furrowed.
"A… better reason?"
"And I thought you knew about it."
Tsuzuku…
Ah! Finally! This chapter refused to be written. The first part was okay, I suppose but the deeper I got into the chapter, the more it refused to be written!
Anyway, the next chapter is, as you can all sum up, the final show down! Mind you, the entire thing won't be some big fight scene. I much prefer to write a fight scene that actually involves weapons like swords and kunai and shuriken, but, sadly, this is not a fanfic set in the Naruto world. Maybe I'll write one but who knows.
In any case, I wanted to write a more descriptive scene for the fight of Ayumi and Zabuza, at least compared to the others, as they're actual sword fights but wasn't up to it. Besides, the one of Haku and Sasuke is much more important.
So, in the next chapter, you'll find out the reason Itachi was referring to! I only have to finish chapters seventeen and eighteen before I can finally put CotHaS aside and concentrating on other fanfics such as ROtY and especially Cryptic Faith. Summer Days and Nights is pretty sluggish so meh.
As usual, here's the chapter preview!
Next Chapter: Chapter Seventeen – The Epilogue to the War
Chapter Preview: Sasuke felt his sanity snap at what his brother had just said. He never expected it but it happened to be true. He didn't fully grasp the reason behind it but he knew it was wrong, just so damned wrong. It felt like an eternity after his brother had finally spoken the last words. He could not think straight, he could not see clearly. Everything before him was blurred. He could not believe his brother was like this. Of course, he knew he was the Devil personified but he never expected this kind of mutiny, this kind of behavior. In his eyes, his brother had become even lower than the lowest and Itachi deserved death he was going to deliver even more. "Bastard!" shouted Sasuke as he charged at his brother, his hand balled into a fist as he punched his face. "Bastard!"
