Title: Wishes Are Free
Author: Cheza-chan
Rating: R
Pairing: KakaIru, SasuNaru, SakuOC
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto—oh, I wish I did—but I own Kan'you, all the characters of the Hidden Wave Village. I own the Hidden Wave Village because I created it! I own the Hidden Wave Village's special jutsus, etc.
A/N: Wahahahahaha! Another chapter, not that the other one was reviewed… :;coughs into her hands;: I guess I had a buzz; I was high on life or something. Or maybe, it's because it's Spring Break—though that's almost over—and I have free time! Ah, woo-hoo! Anyways, yes, I used an English-type term for the title of this chapter, because things are beginning to pick up. I say I have about… 20 more chapters to go XD Who's gonna stay with me?
Hey… I just might end up putting out another chapter by tomorrow... :;runs off;:
Chapter Twenty-One – The Rising Action
Sakura stuffed the blank hitai-ate under her pillow at the soft rap to her door. She fell onto them both, pulling the sheets up to her chin, and closed her eyes. The door opened and Kakashi peeked in. He'd returned from his mission an hour ago, after being gone for a week, and made checking on Sakura his first priority. After the state Takai had brought her home in last week, he wasn't leaving anything to chance.
"Tadaima," the Jounin sighed before closing the door.
Sakura's eyes flew open as soon the door clicked shut and she turned onto her side and reached under the pillow. A week alone with herself—her fingers traced the metal plate and she smiled a little; something was bound to give.
Atsuko smirked where he sat. He nodded at the two figures standing beside him and they disappeared. As with the story of the spider and the fly—Atsuko chuckled, leaning his head on his upraised hand—the prey would come willingly. Every night the child slept, he stood beside her bed, watching her and flattering her with praises.
Kakashi made his way over to the dolphin's house, knowing the younger man wouldn't have left yet.
Sasuke was sitting at the dining room table, head buried in his arms as he slept; there had been no strength left in his body to make it up the stairs.
Kakashi smirked and headed into the den where he could hear his favorite Chuunin moving about in his rush to get ready.
Iruka stopped as he spotted the man and smiled brightly. "Okaeri," he said as he stood, pulling his vest on completely. "I'd love to give you a proper 'welcome home', but I'm late enough as it is."
"Since when have you been so naughty?"
"Since you first assaulted me with your lips."
"Urusai…!" Sasuke groaned from the kitchen. With heavy arms, he pushed himself away from the table and stumbled into the second hall, where he collapsed on the stairs.
Iruka stacked up his papers, still chuckling softly, and slipped them into a folder. He was about to pick it up and head out, when he was pulled into an upright position.
"It's still cold out," Kakashi said, stopping the man from leaving the den. Standing still and staring into the visible dark eye, the brown-haired Chuunin allowed Kakashi to wrap the black scarf his neck.
Iruka smiled. He wished the conflict between Sasuke and Naruto would resolve—whatever it was about—but the ebony-haired Uchiha refused to be in the same place with the other; and now Naruto was staying over at Kaoru's, which he felt didn't help matters any.
Kakashi's hands stilled and both men turned toward the front of the house at the clamoring and raised voices, then looked back at each other. Even Sasuke had gotten up to see what the problem was. He stood at the end of the entrance hall, staring at the backs of Kakashi and Iruka as the two stared outside.
Hidden under a cloak and mask of black was a shinobi of unknown origin that strolled at a leisurely pace down the street. He had been the one who spilt the guard's blood during the visit to the Hitsu manor and he was looking to spill more.
Kakashi was instantly reminded of his "ally" those two nights of unfortunate patrolling. As a ruthless gaze swept over them, he shook his head; there was nothing but blood lust there.
Iruka ran out into the street, shaking off the Jounin's grip, and cupped his hands around his mouth. "Everyone, please!" he began yelling. "Go back into your homes!" He dropped his arms. "This is none of your concern," he sighed softly, still thinking of all the innocents.
The stranger's steps through the snow did not falter and he paid no attention to the villagers rushing about him. What he wanted wasn't present as of it, so it only seemed fair that he should rid himself of a few pests in hopes of reaching it.
Kakashi noticed the shifts in the cloak and realized hand seals were being made. Iruka removed the scarf from his neck, tossing it up while darting to the side. He glanced back to see the cloth ripped to shreds by ice needles. The needles then became shards that quickly changed course and embedded themselves into a wide-eyed Chuunin. The true Iruka was dashing across the rooftops, Kakashi moving at a similar pace along the ground.
The dark shinobi flipped open his cloak, deflecting the blades thrown at him. They disappeared into the snow still covering the ground and the man gave all of his attention to the young girl that stepped out of her house. 'Found you.'
Konoha's two adult ninjas noticed immediately and Iruka turned to head back. "Sakura! Go back inside!"
Kakashi's eye widened as the voice echoed in his head. He gasped, startled from his thoughts as the enemy figure tried to beat the Chuunin to the girl. "Sakura!" Kakashi yelled.
The young Genin trembled, wide green eyes unable to tear themselves away from the blank hitai-ate headband that was moving swiftly in her direction. 'It's the same… the same as the one in my room.' She whimpered, taking a step back.
"Damn it… Sakura!" Iruka growled.
The girl gave a shriek at the shuriken whizzing by inches from her face and stumbled back into the house, slamming and locking the door. She leaned against it, panting heavily, then stared at the sandal-wearing feet that appeared in her line of vision. Sakura raised her head slowly, green eyes wide.
Atsuko's own empty orbs pierced through her and in his hand, he held out the blank hitai-ate headband. "Take it," he instructed in the voice that now seemed familiar, and—thought the fact scared her—comforting. "Take it and become part of my army. Your worries…" The man stepped forward and since she had nowhere left to go, Sakura slid to the floor. He followed, still presenting her the headband. "Your worries will go away."
The Konoha shinobi reached out with trembling fingers.
'Meddlesome!' The dark shinobi skidded to a halt outside the house and leaped up at Iruka, curling his fingers tightly around the young man's neck. He slammed him into the roof, snatching a kunai from his pouch. It twirled around his finger and he glanced back sharply, releasing it into Kakashi's shoulder.
The Jounin fell back, catching himself before roughly landing in the snow. Iruka clawed at the man's hand, eyes widening at the second kunai twirling around his finger once more. Grasping it tightly, he positioned it to catch the dolphin right between his eyes.
"Iruka-sensei!"
Grateful for the distraction, Iruka managed to knee the man in the guy and kick him off the roof. Naruto was running down toward and Sasuke stood beside Kakashi on the ground.
The cloaked figure scoffed, looking around; he was surrounded—not that they posed a threat. He looked at the house his prey had ran into and smirked under his mask. The deed was done. A wall of ice slowly materialized up around him, then shattered from the force of the katana flying through it.
Kaoru stood at the end of the street, cheeks stained with tears and eyes swollen and red from crying.
§§§
Honey-colored hair was braided back and the girl smiled at the young man who performed the task for her.
Sakura kept her distance as she sniffled softly, clutching the hitai-ate she had taken from "Atsuko". Dark eyes turned her way and she back up, trembling hands trying to search for a weapon; she had no holster or pouch.
"It's okay, Sakura-san," Shikyo said, placing a hand to the man's arm. With his mask still in place, the only proof that he smiled down at the girl was the curve of his eyes. "Ishikura-sensei is a kind person."
"Kind?" the pink-haired girl cried. "He almost killed Iruka-sensei!"
"He got in the way," the Hitsu heir murmured softly as she turned her back to the other Genin. The male held out his free hand to Sakura, but she shook her head vehemently. He shrugged. Shikyo leaned against Ishikura's chest and he raised gloved hands to place the rare blank hitai-ate headband back over her eyes.
Sakura looked around, finding trees to her right—where the village lay—and a clear path through trees to her left.
"You don't want to go back," the other girl whispered, staring directly at the Konoha shinobi, eyes covered. She spoke as if she knew exactly what the other was thinking. "Nothing lies in that town for you now. Nothing but painful memories."
"Shik… yo…?"
Shikyo nodded at the male beside her. Sakura's scream died on her lips and Ishikura removed the needle from her neck, lifting the "dead" body onto his shoulder. He smiled once more at Shikyo and she took his hand, both walking and swinging their arms.
Outside, Iruka and Sasuke tried to reassure the villagers that they were safe and nothing was wrong.
Inside the house, Naruto peeked into the girl's closet for any sign of her. "Sakura-chan?" He, Kaoru, and Kakashi continued to search the house. They met in the upstairs hall, but with no success. "It's empty," the kyuubi sighed.
"Thanks not possible," Kakashi growled. He hadn't even bothered to become Hidden Wave's Jounin, Neku Kentan, during the entire attack. "Did she just walk out by herself!"
Kaoru had no comment. He stared at the jeweled dagger he'd been clenching his hand tightly around. It was found stuck in the door of his room, a note attached that said Shikyo was no longer living.
Naruto finally noticed his friend as the Jounin brushed by them to check the girl's room once more. He pried the brunet's red hand open and took the object free to give Kaoru's hand a reassuring squeeze. The single orange orb looked up at his smile and Kaoru bit down on his trembling bottom lip to keep from crying once more. The boys pulled apart at the sound of breaking glass and rushed into the bedroom.
Sasuke stared blankly at the portion of the railing he'd ripped from the wall in his rage and started back down the stairs at a more clam, collected pace. He exited the house, dropping the piece of wood in the snow, and crossed the street to the Umino house.
Iruka stared after him, then glanced back at the house he'd just left.
Now it was Kentan's turn. He slammed the pictures down on May's desk, forgetting whom and where he was; none of that mattered at the moment. A bond had formed in the time the Genin and Jounin had played family, and a promise was broken. "I want to speak Hizaku-sensei now," he demanded.
The special Jounin village founder stared at the glossy sheets then up at the disguised Hidden Leaf shinobi with an already short temper that she was holding onto tightly. "Takai is at home with his siblings, Oyasa is in the hospital, and Kenshiki is visiting him. The young girl that you say is missing—"
"The girl…?" Kentan sputtered, visible eye widening. "The girl!"
"Kentan-sensei." Iruka stepped between the man and the desk, pushing him back.
May glanced at the photos once more then spun them around to get a closer look. "Who is this?" She pointed at the silver-haired figure.
"It doesn't matter!"
"Kentan!" The Chuunin was glad the office contained just the three of the, but he was sure everyone else still in the Academy heard them. He rubbed the back of his neck, sighing.
The Jounin strolled over the window, bracing his hands against the glass. On the pictures that came from the girl's room, there was a solid red X over everyone except Sakura herself, Hizaku, Takai, and Oyasa. "He brainwashed her," Kentan hissed, pressing harder against the pane. He turned sharply, only to find Iruka blocking the way.
"I want those children back," May said in a deathly soft voice that left no room for excuses. "Innocent lives have already been lost… and there are foreign shinobi in my village!" The woman stood, anger waning slightly at the rise, and glanced at the window where the two men stood. "Iruka-kun."
"Hai?" the brown-haired young man answered, gripping the disguised Copy-nin's arm as he turned to give her his fullest attention.
"Neku, you can stay if you keep your temper in check."
Kentan scowled, trying to subtly free his arm. Iruka squeezed it harder, smiling at the village founder.
May sighed and dropped back into her chair. "I want the Chuunin's questioned first," she started, going straight into the plan. "We'll do it individually. Iruka…"
The "-kun" was missing and the young man lowered his head, understanding that he would also be questioned.
"Send a few more teams out on missions," the woman continued, crossing her legs at the ankles. "And when they return to report, send the Jounin to me. In Keisha's case, send her in right after giving out the last mission."
"And the Genins?" the dolphin inquired. He and Kentan had yet to step away from the window pain and the Jounin's scowl remained in place.
"Send them along also." The special Jounin leaned forward and pushed the proper picture toward the edge of the desk. Iruka released his hold on the light-haired Jounin's arm and walked over to take the image. "If it's possible," she began, wrapping up her instructions. "If it's possible, find him and interrogate him. You can both go."
He nodded, bowing, and took his leave, making sure Kentan came with him.
May slid from her chair and sat on the floor cross-legged. She rubbed her temples with a loud groan. "Kusssooo….!"
§§§
"I can't believe the way you behaved in there!" Iruka yelled, pushing the older man into his bedroom. He slammed the door behind him and began pacing.
Sharingan Kakashi sat on the bed, one leg drawn up to his chest. He stared at the floor, mind idly wandering while the Chuunin continued to rant and rage.
The brunet stopped and tilted the silver head back roughly. The dark orb glared at him but Iruka didn't care. "I demand to know the reasons for that emotional outburst. Would you be this upset if Sasuke was taken?"
"Not really."
"Then why Sakura?" His dark brown eyes widened. "Could it be that…?"
Kakashi's eye narrowed and he tackled Iruka to the floor. "Zakenna!" he growled, kneeling over him. "It was nothing like that! If you had been assigned as her guardian for this mission, you'd feel the same way I am right now. I…" The Jounin sat back, placing a hand over the metal slate of his headband; even though he was Kakashi, he'd kept the Hidden Wave hitai-ate. "I shouldn't have accepted that mission—I shouldn't have left!" He groaned loudly, curling his fingers into a fist.
Iruka reached out, placing his hand over Kakashi's. He pulled both away and leaned up. The brunet took the soft material covering the scarecrow's lower face between his fingers, and, having respect for the other man, closed his eyes as he pulled it down. "Sorry," he whispered, placing a chaste kiss to lips unseen but always felt. He did understand; he understood better than anyone else. "We'll get her back. I swear... on my... parents'...grave."
"Don't," the Copy Ninja mumbled. "Not for me."
Iruka smiled, fingers feeling out the older man's face. 'I love you. I want to say that to your face and see if it lights up.' He was sure the muscles of his face were working full-time, unable to decide if the Chuunin should smile or cry. He ended up smiling as Kakashi's mouth claimed his own roughly.
Moments after being eased back onto the floor, another familiar problem arose: Sasuke and Naruto were both in the same house once more, and making a ruckus in the hall. The Jounin pulled his mask back into place with a sigh and pressed his clothed lips to the dolphin's cheek.
Iruka opened his eyes with a groan and assumed he should assess the noise on the other side of his door. Kakashi helped him to his feet and he walked over and opened the door, just in time to step aside and free up the space so Naruto could fall into the room from the punch Sasuke laid into him.
"What is going on!" the brunet yelled, grabbing Sasuke by the collar of his blue shirt. "This has been going on forever. Tell me what the problem is."
"That demon thinks with the object dangling between his legs," the Uchiha snapped.
The scarecrow ducked his head, coughing softly to hide his laughter. Eyes crimson, the kyuubi child sprang up with a snarl.
"Hey! Hey!" Iruka wrapped his other arm around Naruto's neck, planting his feet firmly. "Can you be more specific?" he sighed.
"He's making out with every living person in Hidden Wave!" Sasuke yelled.
Lupine eyes turned a bright blue and the grip on the blonde's neck was released. "Did... Did Kaoru tell you?"
"Kaoru?!" The ebony-haired boy lunged at Naruto, his shirt ripping from the dolphin's hand. "You've kissed Shikyo and Kaoru! I should've known. I saw the two of you this afternoon in the other house!"
Iruka slumped against the door, glancing haplessly at the Jounin who was enjoying the show immensely.
"What about you and Miyako, huh?" Naruto yelled as he rolled himself and Sasuke over so he was on top, and pressed his hands roughly against the Uchiha's chest.
"The girl's insane!" Sasuke retorted. "It's a surprise I'm notashamed to call her a friend. But Kaoru… he harbors this secret love for you!"
"It's not a secret anymore," Naruto said softly, the anger gone from his voice. "…He told me."
Sasuke's wide eyes returned to a normal size and he took a deep breath before letting his head drop onto the hard floor. "This is pointless. Get off of me."
"Get off," Iruka groaned, grunting as he lifted the blonde off the other boy. He carried him across the hall, placing him on the floor of his own room. Heading back to his own room, the young man stared down at the other troublemaking boy. "You're going to stay here," the Chuunin muttered, blowing strands of dark hair out of his eyes. "I don't want you trying to kill Naruto while he sleeps."
"Hey, wait." Kakashi pulled himself up onto the bed. "I thought I was sleeping here. I don't want to be alone…"
The Uchiha scoffed and dragged his hand down his face before covering it with his forearm. "I don't think I could be in the same room with you two."
Iruka was on the verge of exploding. He had too much to deal with and these trivial matters weren't helping any. "Never mind," he said with a smile. The dolphin walked to his bed, picked up the two pillows he needed, and left, closing the door behind him.
Naruto was still sitting broodingly on the floor when the man entered. He grinned, jumping up, and Iruka smiled.
Kakashi decided he should look at his shoulder before going to sleep and walked into the bathroom with Sasuke still lying on the floor. The Uchiha turned onto his side; he'd sleep right here.
There was no life whatsoever remaining in the normally bright green eyes, and they stared, unblinking. Sakura slowly raised her hair out of the way and Ishikura tied the hitai-ate with the blank metal slate over those eyes. Atsuko's control had worked the easiest on the two girls; their misery had been the strongest.
"Do you think my forehead is too big?" Sakura sighed, touching the bare area. "I have to admit that Ino-pig was good for something when she instructed me on how to wear my hair."
Ishikura chuckled softly, his mask now gone to reveal a surprisingly young and handsome, scar free face, and squeezed the girl's shoulder lightly. "You look fine. Now, let's go. Atsuko-sama has new orders awaiting us."
He tugged his mask back into place and Sakura released her hair down over the knot of the hitai-ate. They left the room and walked out into the main hall where everyone that had already been recruited sat.
Sakura took her place next to Shikyo, Ishikura standing behind them both, and they all gave their attention to the man lazily seated in an armchair on a raised platform before them.
Atsuko chuckled softly, the sound absolutely able to freeze a normal person's blood right in its vein; everyone before him was immune to its terrifying sound. "My own private little army," he sighed. "It's almost complete. And once it is, we're going to take Hidden Wave back… one person at a time. Ishikura," he called out.
"Hai?" The masked shinobi bowed his head.
"Take our two newest members out for a night on the town."
"Hai." He placed a hand on each girl's shoulder and the trio disappeared, leaving a cloud of dissolving smoke in their wake.
Atsuko leaned back in his chair with a loud sigh, chestnut-colored hair falling forward over his shoulder. He gave a feral grin and decided that he would have a private chat with a certain pink-haired child when the semi-formed team returned.
