Blood. Warm, red, it soaked into the sand, coloring it, tainting it. His sand had always been a different color.
Gaara stood to attention. Even though he'd been able to do what he wanted in his old village, his father had insisted very heavily on teaching his son how to respect and who to respect if he didn't want to get killed. Now he stood to attention in front of possibly the two most dangerous ninja he'd ever come across and yet for some reason he didn't feel like he was in danger. Maybe that was part of what made them so dangerous.
"Gaara, thank you for coming," Jiraiya said, breaking off from a conversation with Tsunade. "I'm sure you're wondering why I've called you in," he started.
"I don't know where Naruto went," Gaara said adamantly..
Jiraiya smiled. "I already figured as much. That's not why I called you here. Rather I think it's time we spoke about the tailed beast within you."
Pain. A smile. Mother.
Gaara stiffened, his sand beginning to form the semblance of weapons before he managed to calm himself and his sand returned to his back. "What would the Lord Hokage wish to speak about?"
"I want you trained," Jiraiya said. "You have much better control over your Tailed Beast than most, due to the leak. But in the end of the day he was still controlling you for the most part. Now that I have sealed him up inside you properly we can start training you without his interference."
"You sealed him?" Gaara asked, confused.
Jiraiya nodded. "After your fight with Naruto at the exams I sealed the beast to prevent another breakdown on your part. You hadn't noticed?"
Gaara blinked and slowly raised his hands to look at them. "I see," was all he said.
Jiraiya sighed. "Well you're taking this better than I thought you would. Regardless you do need to be trained. While I would love to train you myself I'm unfortunately preoccupied," he said, sending daggers Tsunade's way.
"I could just carry on training with my current team," Gaara suggested, not fully understanding where this was leading.
Jiraiya shook his head. "It's not safe anymore. You need to train to get full potential of your tailed beast to fend off an organization that is hunting your kind."
Gaara nodded his understanding. He understood being hunted, he understood getting stronger to kill his hunters. "So what should I do?"
"Carry on as normal for now. But be ready to move at a moment's notice. We're trying to corroborate with Lightning to allow Killer Bee to teach you."
Gaara nodded. "Will that be all."
"Yes. You may leave. Send in the Nara boy on your way out."
Gaara bowed politely and slipped out. He found Shikamaru sleeping in the waiting room and flicked him on the forehead with a finger made of sand before leaving, then started making his way home.
He had moved out of the Uchiha compound a few nights after Naruto's desertion. He had always thought silence would be bliss, but over there the silence was eerie. It shamed him to say that it frightened him. Now he knew why mother wasn't speaking to him anymore, now he knew that it wasn't in fact mother that had been speaking to him in the first place, but rather an angry beast of great power.
The revelation was difficult to come to, harder still to live with. He had gotten used to the idea of losing control, of losing himself. But he had spent so much time as the beast that Gaara was simply a memory. He had latched onto Naruto as an idea upon waking, insisting that he would stay with him, but Naruto didn't matter, not the way Gaara may have claimed. He was a friend, one that was there when no one else had been. The first one that didn't try to kill him as well.
He had been right though. Pain cleared the mind, it showed him his purpose. Pain was control, and Gaara would gain control. Even if it killed him.
(0_0)
Shikamaru walked awkwardly alongside the angsty girl. She was his senior by a few years, which she had taken to meaning that it was her job to boss him around as if she was the Hokage. What was worse, was that she claimed she was going to be the future Kage of the Sand village. Her ego was bigger than Choji after a transformation.
He had been woken early that day with news of a top secret S rank mission that only he could complete. He had rushed out of bed, wondering of the importance of such a mission that would require only him. It had to be something truly disastrous. The truth was far worse.
He had been tasked with showing the future Kazekage around the Hidden Leaf.
Never mind demeaning, never mind that his mother had most likely lied about the S rank to get him out of bed, never mind that she was a woman and acted like it, the worst part was that she was building up to something, and wondering what it was had been killing him with anticipation. If he had been Sakura or Ino he would have just demanded the information outright, but there was no way he was going to drop the lazy facade here just so that he could get an answer.
"Shikamaru, yes?" the girl from Sand asked.
Shikamaru nodded. "That is my name."
"Do you know why I requested that you personally show me around?" she asked.
Shikamaru had to admit that he didn't. "My best guess would be that you wanted revenge after our match. But you don't seem the vengeful type," he added.
The girl smiled. "Hardly. I barely remembered your name after the match. It was nothing I lost sleep over."
Shikamaru frowned. "Then I am at a loss, and I hope you will forgive my saying, but I forgot your name as well."
The girl smiled a tad bit too wide to be genuine. "It's Temari. And the reason I have called on you, out of all other shinobi in your village is because I trust you."
Shikamaru stopped pacing alongside the Temari, his body tensing. "You trust me?"
Temari turned to facing him. "Well no, not exactly. But I trust you more than anyone else. Everyone in my village was just as loyal to Orochimaru's acting as they were to my father, my one brother spends his days locked in his chambers with his puppets and my other brother defected to your village. Growing up we were kept away from other people and Gaara's presence didn't do us any favors. But you, I know exactly where your loyalties lie and I know how you fight. I would trust you with a knife because I know that you would be too clever to stab me. Do you see what I mean?"
Shikamaru hummed. He didn't like where this was going, not one bit. "So you trust me. So what?"
Temari carried on walking and gestured for him to follow. "I'm going to be the next Kazekage. It is inevitable. But I'm not strong like Gaara, nor do I scare people like Kankuro. As a woman I will be looked down upon, and as a young girl, more so. I can't do this alone."
Shikamaru hummed his understanding but stayed silent, waiting for Temari to get to what she actually wanted.
"As I said, right now you're the person I trust the most. I want you to come with me, to my village, to advise me and help me rule."
Shikamaru's eyebrows raised in surprise. "You want me to defect from my village where I'm already a respected shinobi to go to your village which is barely being held together, all so that I can help you mend it with no benefit to myself? Your offer seems a bit lacking, wouldn't you think?"
"You wouldn't be defecting," Temari replied quickly. "This plan has been in the ropes for a while. Konoha is giving my brother asylum and if word gets out that he's a missing nin, it will drag their name through the dirt. If you would so choose to come with me, I would offer a deal with your Hokage to allow a continued good relationship with the Leaf, on the basis of a shinobi trade, my brother for you. Thus rendering everything legal. It would also help if you agreed to the matter, but I'm willing to do whatever it takes," she finished.
"You would declare your brother missing nin?" Shikamaru asked disbelievingly.
Temari nodded. "I would," she said hesitantly. "He's already made his home in the Leaf, I don't think they would throw him out on a limb. And even if they did I would still be willing to take him back. Either way, Konoha gets dragged through the mud."
Shikamaru considered it. "Give me a few days to think about it. Maybe I can come up with a better plan."
Temari nodded. "Until the end of the week. Then I'm taking my offer to the Hokage whether you like it or not." With that she stopped and leaned against a wall to once again look at Shikamaru. "But please consider it. You know what advantages it will bring to Leaf by having a man inside my village, never mind the gold production, but just the pure political power. Not to mention being forced on less missions due to being my adviser. It would be a good life."
Shikamaru continued to frown. "I'll think about it," he said and left the girl standing there in the street, feeling her hopeful gaze burning into his neck even as he rounded the corner. Twice more he looked over his shoulder, sure that she was right behind him.
Finding his spot from the academy where he used to nap, he lay down and groaned. How exactly had he gotten himself into this mess?
(0_0)
Naruto woke to the sounds of birds chirping. His first instinct was that Sasuke was trying to kill him with his lightning, when that didn't come his second instinct was to question why he was outside, when he noticed Sakura and Sasuke curled up next to him in their tent, sleeping peacefully, only then did he remember. It was a shame, he had been hoping it needn't have come to this, that Sasuke would resolve his issues and find a different safer way to get stronger.
Now met with the full reality of what he had done he felt sick. Maybe Sasuke was on the way to it already, but he had just condemned Sakura to a life of running and hiding. They would kill someone one day, of that he was sure and that thought didn't make him happy. He had been hoping to spare them from this.
He stood up and stretched, noting appreciatively that his body had healed fully and correctly. While it was normally guaranteed it was always good to check. It was a habit he had picked up from when he and Sasuke used to spar seriously, back before Sasuke had become a powerhouse that could finish him in an instant. The habit had stuck after a limb misaligned and they'd had to break it again, not a fun experience.
In response to Naruto's movement, both Sakura and Sasuke stirred. Seeing as they would all be waking soon, Naruto dispelled the clones guarding their encampment and took in their memories. Nothing interesting of course, but one of them had scared off a wolf that had come sniffing which was something, he supposed. As of late he found that he had been getting more used to the clone information relay, although to have a better grasp on it he would need to train with it more. Nonetheless, he could handle five clones being taken out at once without breaking stride, merely converting the memories into information and sorting it. It was difficult to train though, especially as it wasn't something he had a conventional way of training. Most of the time he only discovered his limits in the field, and generally that wasn't so fun as he tried to keep the pain relays open to figure out as much about the enemy as possible. He had considered making his clones without pain receptors but for the moment found that it would be too much of a disadvantage.
Sasuke stood and walked over to Naruto's position, looking out at the tunnels surrounding their camp. They had pitched their tent slightly underground because there wasn't much cover in the Land of Grass.
"Today," Sasuke murmured.
"Today," Naruto concurred.
"Today?" Sakura groaned, rolling over in bed, prompting both Naruto and Sasuke look at each other and split into cautious smiles. The academy hadn't gone into what it was like to live with a teenage girl of the other gender. Both Naruto and Sasuke had made some revelations that they wished they had known before going on a camping trip. As it was, Sakura was very understanding and took the time to explain everything in horrifying detail. Staying in the same tent hadn't been the same after that, especially not for an entire month, Still the experience had been good for them, and now Naruto had more behavioral patterns to add to his disguise repertoire.
Then there had been Sakura's two personalities which switched up at random times, just as they were getting used to the one or the other. Today she appeared to be Inner Sakura, the funnier of the two, the less ninja like of the two. The one that she wanted to meet Orochimaru. That was why she was here, it was her defense.
They had waited one month to show themselves to Orochimaru. Partially because Naruto wanted to delay whatever need Orochimaru had for Sasuke, partially because they wanted to make sure they had lost any pursuers and partially because it was the longest amount of time Sasuke would allow before moving on.
They had spent the better part of the month trying to figure out where Orochimaru's hideout was, seeing as they didn't have any of the guides after capturing them and sending them back to Leaf. While their search had proved mostly fruitless they had found a hub of Sound ninja which would most likely know someone that knew someone that could find Orochimaru. That was the hope at least.
Naruto had henged himself to look like Kimimaro after packing up camp, Sakura now looked like the red haired woman with the flute and Sasuke stood in between them, no disguise. Whoever would be able to help them would know that Orochimaru wanted Sasuke. If they couldn't help then they probably weren't that high up on the pecking order anyway and most likely wouldn't recognize them.
The difference was felt almost immediately. The scenery hadn't changed at all, but after entering the Sound hub, Naruto was sure they had tripped several alarms and were being watched. Sure enough, they hadn't even covered one hundred meters before a ninja approached them. A familiar ninja. It was. . .Kabuto?
What was he doing there? Had he defected to Orochimaru as well or had he come from the Leaf to capture them?
"Sasuke," he exclaimed, smiling even as Sasuke took a ready stance. "Lord Orochimaru is expecting you, welcome," he said smiling, then his smile turned to a bitter scowl as he looked at Naruto. "And your escorts may drop their disguises, whoever they are. They may even beg forgiveness from the Lord Orochimaru for having taken an extra month to deliver that which he is owed."
Naruto returned the scowl with one of his own, dropping the henge. "We were making sure we hadn't been followed. I'm sure Lord Orochimaru won't mind us being concerned about his secrecy," he said. "But if he is disappointed then he should know that he isn't the first person I've disappointed."
Kabuto's scowl changed to a smirk. "I was wondering what had become of Konoha's Red Flash and Poisoner. I suppose this development isn't terrible," he said, licking his lips, suddenly nervous. "Not a problem of course." Several ninja suddenly appeared behind them, blindfolding them. "I hate to be rude. This is of course just a precaution. We wouldn't want to show a spy the location of our base."
"Perfectly understandable," Naruto said, adjusting the blindfold. He then felt himself being lifted to piggyback on one of the ninja. A few more adjustments were made and then they were off. Traveling to Orochimaru and potentially their deaths. No pressure.
(0_0)
"Shikamaru Nara, are you aware of why you have been called here?"
"I am."
"Do you then accept the future potential Kazekage's request to be a foreign diplomat and adviser?"
"I do."
"And you accept this with full knowledge that you are to listen to the orders of the Kazekage as if they were my own unless they conflict my orders."
"Yes."
Jiraiya sighed, looking between the potential future Kazekage, barely a fifteen year old girl and her new adviser, barely a thirteen year old boy. He felt old, really old. At their age he had still been training, not even thinking about politics. What had happened to this generation?
"If I may, Lord Hokage," Temari started, waiting for a nod from Jiraiya, which he gave. "Once I have settled the political strife in my village there are a few ideas I would like to implement to encourage a good relationship between our villages," Temari finished.
"Sounds good," Jiraiya said shrugging. "Might be better to talk to Tsunade about it. She's got a better mind for those types of things."
Temari glanced around the room. "Speaking of, where is the Lady Tsunade?"
"Trying to start a school to train field medics. She should be free this afternoon," said Jiraiya.
Temari blinked. "That sounds fine. Please tell her."
Jiraiya saluted. "Of course. Now if you don't mind, I would like to have a word with the young Nara here before he becomes your lackey."
Temari bowed. "Thank you Lord Hokage. You won't regret this."
Jiraiya looked bemused. "I hope not."
Jiraiya waited for Temari to leave before beckoning Shikamaru forward and handing him a book. "Newest Bingo book," he explained.
Shikamaru looked at him questioningly but stayed silent and began paging through the book. Stopping at a familiar picture. "Konoha's Red Flash?" he asked. "Seriously?"
Jiraiya nodded grimly. "We needed to take the initiative. Give them names, make sure other villages know that we're taking them seriously, that we don't condone such behavior."
Shikamaru continued to page through, looking at the pictures of Sakura and Sasuke. "That's a hefty price," he said, whistling. "I didn't realize the infamous team seven was so dangerous."
"They're not," Jiraiya confirmed. "At least not what they've shown to the public. The price is necessary though."
Shikamaru placed the book on the Hokage's desk. "It's a drag but team seven knew what they were getting into. Or at least I hope they did."
"And I want to make sure you know what you're getting into," Jiraiya said, placing his hand down over the pictures of team seven. "You're leaving your team, your family, to live in a foreign environment where you will most likely be a target for anyone targeting the Kazekage. And you know that if you fail you will also be painting a target on the Leaf's back."
Shikamaru's shoulders sagged at the mention of each detail. "You don't have to rub it in. I know the costs. I had an entire week to think about it. I've made contingencies and contingencies for my contingencies. Gaara is set to take over my position once I leave because his sand can immobilize people like my shadows, besides for which, Ino is probably going to Tsunade's medical school for the next three years. My parents want me out of the house because it means I'll at least be spending my time doing something other than looking at the clouds. It's going to be really troublesome, I know that, but I'm the best one for the job as well. I'm just looking at it like its a regular mission. Failure means death or worse, success means some spending money and me not being dead."
Jiraiya listened, steepling his fingers together. "So this doesn't have anything to do with team seven leaving?"
Shikamaru frowned. "I would be lying if I said it didn't. Konoha is different without them." He paused. "I tried to spend the day sleeping yesterday and I couldn't. I needed to move, to do something."
Jiraiya smiled knowingly. "Ah the fountain of youth. Have you been spending time with Gai?"
Shikamaru shook his head vehemently. "Just hearing him speak exhausts me."
Jiraiya gave a low chuckle. "Everything seems to be in order then. I trust that with you at the head of the Hidden Sand, I don't doubt they will be soon be almost as great as our own village."
"Almost," Shikamaru repeated.
"And you'll make sure it stays that way."
Shikamaru nodded. "Understood."
(0_0)
The blindfold itched. It was difficult too have her eyes closed yet at the same time to be moving so fast. Every change in direction made her flinch. If she had been Outer Sakura she would have hidden it better, but as Inner Sakura she was struggling to hide her feelings.
They weren't entirely sure that Orochimaru would allow them to live. Naruto was pretty sure that that he would be curious enough to allow them to say their piece but Sakura wasn't so sure. Naruto hadn't met Orochimaru, hadn't trembled in his presence, hadn't felt Orochimaru's undeniable willingness to kill. Naruto could be naive, and that made him loveable, but at the same time also a security risk.
She could feel her heart hammering against her chest, the anticipation was too much to bear. She would be a shaking mess by the time she met Orochimaru. It was part of the plan though, all part of the plan.
After almost an hour of speedy travel on the back of a Sound ninja, they started to slow; the air changed, becoming more humid, colder. Sound began echoing. They were in a cave of some sort.
They stopped and Sakura felt herself being lifted off the ninja's back to be placed on the floor. She removed her blindfold herself, figuring it was high time to scratch that itch.
All feeling of the itch fell away as soon as she could see. It was Orochimaru, sitting before them with an eager smile. It wasn't the same Orochimaru as before, his face was different, but the expression was the same, along with the familiar feeling of murderer.
"My my. What a pleasant surprise," said Orochimaru in a silky voice that conveyed how unsurprised he was. "If I hadn't seen the Bingo book I wouldn't have believed it. But where are my manners. Please take a seat," he said, gesturing towards a few metal chairs that had crusty red stains on them.
Sakura took a seat, trying to avoid the stains and invariably failing. Her two teammates were hesitant but followed her lead.
Now that she was seated she had a chance to survey the room. It was clearly used for interrogation, if the blood wasn't any indication then the shackles hanging loosely on the side of her chair and the bars at the entrance painted the rest of the picture. Orochimaru was interrogating them, sure they weren't bound to their seats and weren't being tortured, but they all knew that he didn't need to bind them to keep them there and he didn't need to torture them to get information.
"Sasuke," Orochimaru said finally, his snake tongue flickering out to lick his lips before continuing. "I've missed you. What happened?" he said in a friendly tone.
"We were making sure our pursuers-," Naruto started to explain.
In that instant, Orochimaru's face turned whiter than it usually was, and all semblance of friendliness left his expression. "Did I ask you to speak?" he bit out slowly, each word another threat. A wave of chakra rolled off him, knocking into both Naruto and Sakura, making them cower. Orochimaru turned back to Sasuke, his face back in the same friendly expression as if it hadn't left. "Please Sasuke. Do explain."
Sasuke started turning to face Sakura, she gave a small nod, more of encouragement than an order. They had planned for this.
"We spent a month in hiding, just to make sure we weren't being followed. The Leaf has many articles of ours that carry our scent and we had to be concerned. Additionally we didn't know how to find you."
Orochimaru nodded understandingly. "A shame about Kimimaro. A failure in life and in death," he said, shaking his head.
Naruto coughed disbelievingly. "He's not dead," he protested.
Orochimaru's smile widened to show his teeth and alighted his eyes on Naruto. "Do you want to die little boy?"
Naruto shook his head hurriedly, gulping nervously.
"Kimimaro is dead. My sources don't lie."
Naruto gaped disbelievingly then looked at Sakura with an accusative expression.
Sakura shrugged and shook her head. She hadn't used enough poison to kill. Whatever happened to Kimimaro happened on the way back to Leaf. Maybe he woke up and Gaara had to take care of him. Regardless Naruto could sort through his issues later. She presented him with a calm expression and Naruto calmed as well.
Sasuke continued, ignoring Orochimaru's diverted attention. "My teammates defected with me. They didn't want me to go alone. They want to join your village."
Orochimaru's eyebrow raised inquisitively. "Is that so? They want to be experimented on. How strange. It's a shame that I have no use for a fake Uzumaki and especially not a Haruno," he said, making Naruto run his hand through his hair awkwardly.
"They don't want to be experimented on," Sasuke said hurriedly. "They want to work for you. Surely a village such as the Hidden Sound gets mission requests?"
"We do," Orochimaru said, his smile faltering. "How do I know that I can trust them not to run back to the Hidden Leaf?"
"You don't. But we took a leap of faith coming here, so we're going to request that you do the same. Besides-," Sasuke scoffed. "It's not like any of us would get very far before you caught us."
Orochimaru seemed to think about it for a bit then smiled. "A leap of faith. Why not. Welcome to the village Hidden in the Sound. I hope you'll all enjoy your stay," he finished, his eyes still focused on Sasuke. "I hope you understand that Sasuke will not be joining you."
Sasuke nodded. "They understand."
"Good," Orochimaru said. "Let's take care of your friends first and then we can have a talk. Is that all right Sasuke?"
Sasuke didn't say anything, which Orochimaru took as indication to stand and beckon Sakura and Naruto over. Sakura stood quickly but Naruto seemed to struggle, stumbling and falling to his knees before recovering quickly, Sakura couldn't help but notice that his hands were covered in ink and that there was a sizable smudge on the floor where he had caught his fall. She chose to ignore it.
Orochimaru hummed to himself as he led them down dark hallways. Once they were completely out of all possibility of earshot, he stopped and turned to face them, his expression grim. "I hope that you both realize you are only still alive because I want to make Sasuke happy."
Sakura and Naruto nodded, not daring to speak.
"Then I encourage you to remember that Sasuke is mine, not yours. You will be allowed to see him if, and only if, you make me happy."
A large portion of Sakura wanted to rise up ad tear out Orochimaru's throat. A more logical part of Sakura repressed that emotion quickly, merely leaving her shivering with rage with a little bit of terror.
"For now I want you to know that I'm happy. You've brought me Sasuke, as such you will stay with him for now and do missions as one of my own ninja. These are your rooms, someone will come to collect you tomorrow morning so rest up, because its going to be a long day." With that he walked off, his movements inhuman, like water flowing forward. Unsettling to say the least.
Sakura faced her door, opened it, checked for traps, then slammed it shut in Naruto's face and let out a high pitched scream of rage. After calming somewhat, she opened the door to find Naruto hadn't moved and was looking worried.
"Was it something I said?"
Sakura shook her head. "I wonder what he's going to have us do," she started, reasserting Outer Sakura.
Naruto shrugged. "Probably kill some babies or something."
Sakura shivered. "I can't tell if you're joking."
Naruto shook his head sadly. "Nor can I."
(0_0)
Shikamaru thought that the heat was tiresome. He thought that about most things, but it had never been so apparent as it was with the heat. Why had he accepted this job again? Was it the pay? No, he wasn't even getting paid, or was he? The heat also served to confuse him. No wonder Sand ninja were so stuck up all the time, the heat took all the amicability out of a person.
"How much longer?" he asked his traveling companion, panting slightly.
His traveling companion who didn't have a hair out of place, who wasn't even sweating, looked at him worriedly. "It hasn't even been a day. How are you so tired already? At this rate we won't reach my village for the next three days."
Shikamaru groaned.
Temari harrumphed. "Some bodyguard you turned out to be."
"Women," Shikamaru muttered.
"What was that?" Temari asked, leaning in to hear better.
"I said it would be easier if I didn't have to carry all your stuff. I'm your bodyguard, not your slave," he said, indicating the heavy load that was somehow staying balanced on his back.
Temari scoffed. "If you can't handle my baggage then how are you supposed to handle an actual assassin? Are you going to bore him to death?"
"Don't tempt me," Shikamaru shot back. Why had he agreed to this again? Something about honoring the Hidden Leaf and. . .no, it was gone. There was no good reason in his head as to what had driven him to this insanity.
Temari laughed at his scowling face. "Fine. I'll take over for a few hours while you rest up. I can't have my bodyguard getting too tired to handle any challenges that might crop up," she said, then reached over to grab the pack from him.
"Are you sure?" he asked, suddenly hesitant. He hadn't been complaining seriously, it was just his method of coping. She didn't look like she could manage so much weight.
"Yes, I'm sure," she said, yanking the weight off, narrowly avoiding doing the same to his arms and settled their luggage on her shoulders. There was no strain, no hunching, her posture was perfect, her face as relaxed as before. She was carrying the weight easily. Shikamaru stared at this new development in wonder. Shaking his head he decided to ask her about it later when they set up camp for the night.
The rest of the day passed peacefully, Shikamaru was able to move a little easier and Temari got to show off her strength to him until nightfall. Camp was set up and Shikamaru became her errand boy, pitching the tent, finding wood for the fire and starting one then hunting dinner, all in a days work. By the time they were ready to eat, Shikamaru was just about ready to pass out, still he had to ask.
"You said that you're hiring me as a bodyguard," he started. Temari hummed an affirmative. "Why?"
Temari finished chewing, wiped her mouth daintily with a cloth she had procured from somewhere out of sight then faced him. "I already explained it, didn't I? I need someone I can trust."
Shikamaru nodded. "Yes, but why do you need a bodyguard at all?"
Temari blinked at him then burst out laughing good-naturedly. "What? You think that because I can carry some luggage that I don't need a bodyguard? Are you secretly a civilian? Because you're not thinking like a ninja." Temari looked around their encampment, testing the ground with her feet. "You're a clever guy. How would you kill me right now if I was alone?"
Shikamaru opened his mouth and closed it. "Fair enough."
"How many ways did you think of?"
"In that second? About ten. After the fact another thirty. Still counting."
"How many does having a bodyguard eliminate?"
"Half."
Temari smirked. "With that I'll let you fulfill your role as my protector. Wake me in the morning," she finished, standing and heading into her tent, which Shikamaru was starting to realize was only big enough for her. "Troublesome women," he mumbled to himself, finding a more comfortable position to sit, then he resigned himself to spending the entire night on lookout.
(0_0)
Their first mission was simple, not too risky, nothing with much reputation lost if failed. They were accompanied by Kabuto who promised he wouldn't get involved unless they were dying or decided to defect.
Naruto hadn't realized Kabuto's loyalties lay with Orochimaru until he saw the boy exchanging casual, almost friendly, words with the Kage of Sound. In retrospect it made sense though, he had always been a suspicious character.
Their mission was a simple if elegant task. A theft, nothing more, nothing less, no side parameters, no requirements save for stealing the item being a jade statuette. They weren't given a name, just a path of travel and a way to identify the traveling merchant, if that was his occupation. Sound didn't ask questions though, that's what people paid for, that and they were infinitely cheaper than official villages.
Naruto wasn't used to running across the long grassy plains without any trees to spring off of. He found that it was easier to be quiet while he ran, but the overuse of certain muscles and disuse of others had him aching all over after just a few hours. Sakura too seemed to be feeling the irregularity of their current form of movement. This hadn't been what Naruto had imagined leaving the village would feel like. He had expected a persistent feeling of danger, maybe excitement, definitely pain. He hadn't expected ache.
After what felt like hours, Sakura raised her hand, calling for them to stop. The reason soon became apparent as the sound of squeaking wood reached Naruto's ears. Surveying the area, he spotted the road a little ways off and what looked like a small cart being pulled along by two donkeys. He had seen carts like that, in the poorer districts of Konoha. It was one of the indicating signs for their target, they would be able to find out the other soon enough. Sakura activated a henge, making herself appear to be an old lady, signaling Naruto and Kabuto to hide themselves in basic command signs and moved to intercept the cart.
She played the old lady well, there were flaws of course, she was a little too light on her feet and her back wasn't arced enough to be believable, but from a distance it did the job. The driver of the cart saw her only too late and pulled at the reins on his already slow donkey, attempting to slow it further. He managed mostly, but not before the donkey clipped Sakura, making her fall to the ground with a cry.
Shaking his head, the driver stopped the cart fully and jumped down to help the 'old lady' up. Sakura took his hand and eyed him closely, seeing exactly what their client had described, two missing teeth near the front of his mouth and a yellow beard. A moment later the driver slumped against her and Sakura lowered him gently to the floor. She skirted around the cart then signaled safety.
Naruto and Kabuto rose from the long grass, approaching Sakura, although Kabuto kept his distance, looking bored all the while.
"Good job," Naruto said smiling through gritted teeth.
"Thanks," Sakura said, eying Kabuto suspiciously. "Check for traps," she suggested.
Naruto nodded, withdrawing his brush from his pack and doodling a few signs on the cart. Seemingly satisfied he put the brush away and attempted to smudge the ink. "We're good."
They searched the cart, finding nothing of much value. The man seemed to be transporting barley and didn't have very much of it. Before Naruto suggested tearing the cart apart, Sakura piped up. "Found it," she said uncomfortably, beckoning Naruto over to the unconscious form of the driver. Sure enough, around his neck was a necklace with a jade statuette attached, smudged black with the dirty hands of the farmer. It was obviously the man's worship. Naruto had originally thought the driver was traveling under disguise for fear of bandits, but the truth was more ugly. Gritting his teeth together Naruto reached down and unclasped the necklace, while his hands were hidden he slipped some of the money he had saved into the driver's pocket. He pocketed the necklace and scowled, then schooled his expression, making it blank before he faced Kabuto. "Let's go," he said.
Kabuto seemed to be searching their faces for some reaction, but both himself and Sakura were stone cold, they wouldn't show anything. Kabuto shrugged eventually. "Lead the way."
(0_0)
Shikamaru had decided that women were troublesome. Until now he had heard his father say it and had known it to be true about the girls in his class, but he had never really thought of them being any more troublesome than not being able to sleep, just as troublesome as Kiba's vibrant personality or Sasuke's stoicism. Now he knew the truth, women were troublesome, but not just the normal brand of troublesome, no, they were on an entirely different level of troublesome.
In the three days it had taken to get to the Village Hidden in the Sand, he had slept a grand total of three hours and each time Temari had commented on how useless a bodyguard he was, forcing her to guard him while he should have been fulfilling his duties. She continued to complain all the while he attempted to drift off, then just as he felt himself entering sleep's warm embrace, water would get dunked over his head, or he would suddenly fall, or Temari would scream in his ear at a terrifying pitch. In conclusion women were troublesome, or maybe just Temari. But he was sure that she wasn't unique in this aspect.
He was so tired that he didn't even realize he had managed to carry her luggage all the rest of the two days of travel. He felt hollow, a husk of his former self. He should have been impressed by the towering walls of the Sand village, he should have noted the genius of concealing the guards in the walls themselves. Instead he kept his eyes lowered, trying to avoid the sun that was always shining and followed his charge where she went. After some time, he wasn't sure how long, they were inside. Temari seemed to be saying something to him but he only heard it as background noise, his attention was instead fixated on the bed that was in front of him. It wasn't too fancy, nothing a Kage would sleep on. A simple futon was all. Shikamaru didn't think twice and collapsed, the entire weight of Temari's luggage following him. He caught a smirk from Temari before his vision faded and he knew no more.
When he did finally awaken, it was to the cold night air of the desert. He was cold, so very cold. It was a lucky thing that it wasn't winter or his sweat might have frozen to his body. But no, there wasn't any sweat, his skin was dry to the touch. How long had he been asleep for? Was Temari alright? Why hadn't she woken him?
Dragging himself out of bed, he sniffed himself and shrugged. He had smelled worse during the chunin exams, regardless he couldn't have washed and changed even if he wanted to seeing as both his pack was missing and he didn't know where Sand ninja bathed. Instead he resigned himself to finding Temari and figuring himself out of this mess.
He hadn't caught a good look of the place from outside and as such got lost immediately. Of course, getting lost would require knowing where he was going in the first place, which he didn't. He just hoped that he wasn't trapped in the labyrinthine maze of stone and sand forever and if that was to be his fate then he hoped that someone would at least bring him food. Then again he would have plenty of time to sleep. Shaking his head, he pushed on. He was clearly having trouble thinking straight.
Temari found him in the end, trying to pick the lock of a door made of stone. "My humble servant, acting in such a dastardly way," she said smiling and covering her mouth in mock horror.
Shikamaru rolled his eyes and rose to greet her. "Lady Kazekage," he said, bowing. "I was merely seeking your presence. How may I serve you?"
Temari's smile immediately dropped into a frown. "You could stop acting like that for starters. I requested an adviser and bodyguard from your village, not a mindless servant. Your purpose is to speak your mind."
Shikamaru rose from the bow and blinked a few times, keeping his expression placid. "Understood. In that case I smell bad and I'm not going to be much of an adviser if you won't come near me. We are also going to need a second bodyguard if I am to guard you day and night."
Temari listened seriously and nodded. "I'll take you to the baths now, then afterwords I'll show you around the village. And you are correct. I don't realistically expect you to guard me day and night although I do have some ideas as to how you would do so. Until I am appointed Kazekage proper you and my brother will share shifts. Once I have been appointed you will instead become my head of security."
Shikamaru's eyes widened. "You would trust me that much?"
"Do I have any better options?"
"Fair enough," Shikamaru conceded.
"Good now follow me and stay close. It is important that you realize that by associating with me you are also painting a target on your back. The village elders will be appointing a new official Kage in a month, until then we need to do our utmost to stay on top. Those old toads are going to try and wrestle the power from us. Prepare your arguments and your will. You'll need them," she said as she walked.
Shikamaru looked after her with a concerned expression. "What if they make someone else Kage?" he asked.
Temari paused mid-step, lowering her head and turning to face him. "Then you might find yourself in a whole other line of work," she said grimly.
(0_0)
Orochimaru didn't see them until late at night. They weren't able to see Sasuke as he was too exhausted from the training he had done that day and had already gone to sleep. Whether that was the truth was a mystery to them. Naruto was sure that Orochimaru was going to do his best to rip team seven apart. The question was how effectively was he going to manage it. Was he truly training Sasuke to the bone until he collapsed from simple exhaustion or was he merely lying about the extent of the exhaustion? Would he be lying to Sasuke as well, that he had sent them on a mission which they wouldn't be back from until late? That they didn't want to see him? Perhaps in the beginning he would start with truths, maybe weaving small lies in, then building them up until he had them wanting nothing to do with each other.
Naruto had no doubt it was possible, probable even. 'Team Seven sticks together' would soon become a mantra, then a hope, then a goal and finally a distant memory. He had thought of all this before. When dealing with one such as Orochimaru one didn't go in with unrealistic hopes and team seven breaking up was in fact the most optimistic of results. Most of the other options ended with their deaths, either from Orochimaru, or their own village. It would have been foolhardy to walk into such a situation without a plan, which is why Naruto had a plan, a weak and tattered plan held together by strings, but a plan nonetheless.
Naruto gave Sakura the jade necklace to give to Orochimaru, who looked at it with a mere passing interest before handing it off to Kabuto. He smiled at them widely, then told them their next mission, which they would be doing without Kabuto as he was preoccupied. With that he left them.
Sakura watched him leave, then once he was out of sight, she hugged herself, leaning forward in her seat and stared at the floor, eyes wide. "We stole from a peasant," she said softly, her voice betraying a tremor.
Naruto joined her in looking at the ground, staring at the dried blood that had accumulated. "Inner Sakura?" he asked.
Sakura nodded. "It's so hard and Outer doesn't want to come out. She says that it's important that I stay here," she continued, rocking on her chair a little. "But I don't want to be here," she said, her eyes watering.
Naruto couldn't meet her eyes. He knew how she felt. He had something to say and he didn't want to say it, but he knew he needed say it. Sakura, at least this part of her, needed to hear it. "It's going to get worse," he said. "I don't think we'll be forced to kill anyone but besides for that its going to get much worse."
Sakura sniffled again, looking back down at the stone floor and falling silent. "What if they try to force you? To kill someone that is?"
Naruto let out a long sigh. "I don't know," he said shaking his head, then stood from his seat, being careful to avoid the blood. "Let's get some sleep. Tomorrow's going to be a long day."
Their rooms were locked from night until morning. Naruto was never sure when they locked or unlocked it. What he did know was that once he went inside he couldn't get out until the next morning. Kabuto still escorted them out or Orochimaru's hideout with hoods over their heads. They weren't trusted yet, which was understandable, but was also quite annoying. The hoods itched like a sunburn and they had to keep them on for at least an hour. It was almost a relief when they got to remove them, the relief only overshadowed by the knowledge that they would now be embarking on an unpleasant mission for Sound.
Surprisingly enough the mission wasn't too unpleasant, more akin to the few D ranks they had done back when they were still genin. Sound, Naruto supposed, needed money and would do just short of anything to get it, even if that meant mucking out horses or helping build a mansion. The difference was that rich people and peasants hired Sound ninja equally for the reason being that they were cheap and efficient even if they lacked certain knowledge, ninja were amazing for grunt work.
The next few days continued like so. They would be woken in the morning by Kabuto, escorted to a random location once blindfolded then sent off to do some menial chore. They would return to the same location at the end of the day and await Kabuto to escort them back where they would find that Sasuke was already asleep, or at least was claimed to be so.
Seven days later and something changed. Naruto knew it was so when his door wasn't locked that night. He had been testing it every night, trying to gauge how much time it took for them to lock it. While tempted to explore, Naruto convinced himself that it was probably a bad idea, regardless of whether the lack of locking was a mistake he wasn't going to trust an anomaly.
The next morning Naruto was roughly shaken awake by a masked Sound ninja, the voice was unfamiliar. "You've got a mission," he stated simply, pulling him out of bed.
Still rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, Naruto managed to dress himself quickly and before he knew it he was being escorted through the many corridors of Orochimaru's hideout. Only, he wasn't wearing a blindfold. Perhaps the ninja didn't realize he was supposed to be wearing one, after all he didn't look like a prisoner and his door hadn't been locked. Too many things out of order to make a conclusion, he would just need to wait it out. And where was Sakura?
Glancing at the ninja leading him with a single minded determination, Naruto decided not to ask, being sure there was a good reason for Sakura's absence. The Sound ninja led him out of the hideout, revealing to Naruto quite blatantly where Orochimaru's hideout was situated, what panels to press, what traps to avoid, what tunnels to take. By the time they reached fresh air Naruto could have found the way back easily.
The first thing Naruto noted upon leaving the hideout was that it was still dark outside. The second was the smell of ash. He didn't comment, only because he knew the explanation would be given momentarily.
"Ninja from Lightning are trying to smoke out Orochimaru's hideout," the ninja said, finally revealing the urgency of the matter. "We can't afford to kill them here as that would confirm our presence. Lord Orochimaru wants you to create a diversion instead."
Naruto nodded, showing his understanding. "What kind of diversion?"
The ninja shrugged. "That's up to you. Until we can confirm the ninja are gone the base will be sealed. So if you want back in you better make sure you do a good job." The ninja waited until Naruto gave another nod, then paced back to the entrance of the hideout, climbing down and shutting the doors, making it appear to be a normal patch of grass. Naruto nodded to himself contentedly upon seeing it. If someone didn't know what to look for it would be invisible, but now that he knew it was there he couldn't miss it. Everything about the patch of grass and the earth underneath it was different, almost artificial.
Shaking his head he reoriented himself, he had a mission to complete. He created thirty clones with the orders to disguise themselves as various rodents and animals to scout out the area, then got to work on a plan. The problem was that any normal form of diversion would more or less be giving the location of the base away, instead he would need to find a way to make the incoming ninja believe that the base was elsewhere. If he could infiltrate their ranks it would be easy enough, but he doubted they wouldn't recognize a traitor in their midst.
The question would then be what they were following that allowed them to get this close to the base? Was there a spy in Sound? Undoubtedly. Would they risk their cover just to get vague information to their village? Less likely. Not an inside source then. Perhaps smell or chakra sensing then. Both of which gave Naruto an idea, but it was going to hurt.
He sent orders to all of his clones to regroup, then set to urinating on the entrance to the hideout. He walked backwards while he did so, trying to make a new trail for any sniffers to follow, then, after pulling his pants up, set off to where he had told his clones to gather.
Once he was far enough away to judge the hideout as out of range he created another seventy clones and set them to work, all of them using mud style jutsu to carve out a series of tunnels underground at his position. After ordering his clones inside he sealed off the entrance and found himself a vantage point to overlook the sparse landscape.
When the Lightning ninja came into his sight he proved to be right on both counts. They had both sniffers and sensors, both of which could have proved detrimental for Orochimaru's hideout. However, now that Naruto's clones had spread their smell around and now that they were pulsing their chakra signatures continuously it made the Lightning ninja hesitate. They stopped, just by the entrance to the real hideout and had a short discussion which Naruto was unable to hear, then they set off towards where his clones were gathered.
Naruto smiled guiltily to himself. He knew he shouldn't have been happy about making them lose their way but it had been a good job. Sending out an order for the clones to continue digging deeper for as long as their chakra allowed, Naruto crept back to base, trying to make as little sound as possible.
"Is it done?" a voice wafted out of the entrance.
Naruto responded in affirmative and waited for the ninja to climb out of the entrance and survey their surroundings.
"How did you get them to go away?" the ninja asked.
"I dug a few tunnels and collapsed them. They'll probably think that was the actual base that was abandoned."
"Good," the ninja said nodding. "Go finish it then."
Naruto frowned. "It is finished," he said confusedly.
"Are they still alive?"
Naruto nodded.
"Then it's not finished."
Naruto's frown deepened. "You want me to kill them?"
"Yes," the ninja said, gritting his teeth. "Are you dense?"
Naruto shrugged. "Maybe. I'm not killing them. I'm not going to stop you but I'm not getting involved."
"You will if you want to stay alive," said the ninja angrily.
"Make me," Naruto challenged. Then, when the ninja didn't attack, he turned his back and headed down into the hideout. He waited for an attack to come, a kunai in between his ribs, a sword at his throat, but nothing came. Once he was out of sight he leaned against a wall and panted his relief. That whole act had been a total bluff. He wasn't going to die for some random Lightning ninja. Of course he wouldn't have killed them either, but he had a feeling that Orochimaru's lackey wasn't given permission to end his life just yet, Sasuke would have been too suspicious by his absence.
He hoped the Sound ninja didn't decide to kill the trackers, it was more advantageous to leave them alive assuming they took the bait. They would then assume Orochimaru had fled and search anywhere but that same area. Of course that would be assuming the bait was actually good enough to fool them, but the life of a shinobi was filled with risks.
Naruto navigated his way around the hideout, feeling somewhat liberated after being able to navigate it. He would need to draw a map for Sakura, wherever she was. He made an attempt to drop by her room however she wasn't in. She must have been taken on a similar mission. He hoped they didn't force her to kill. In the meantime he turned back to his bed and attempted to fall asleep.
The next few days continued like so. A masked Sound ninja would come to collect Naruto at some ungodly hour in the morning, forcing him outside to do some menial chore. Then he would be brought back inside once finished without another word said. His door was left unlocked every night now and after the second night he had snuck into Sakura's room to find that she had been undergoing much the same experience. She had even seen Sasuke once or twice, to her absolute glee. She apparently also knew how to get out of the base and knew where Sasuke was sleeping.
It was a test, of that Naruto was sure. Orochimaru had given them ample means and opportunity to escape with all of their lives intact. If he wasn't satisfied by their devotion then he wouldn't ever be.
Even for all of the freedom, Naruto's consistently random missions coincidentally made it that he was never able to see Sasuke and as the days went by, he was sure that this was part of Orochimaru's plan as well.
(0_0)
Sakura woke late, stretching and yawning as the artificial light streamed in from the hall. Kabuto was there to wake her as usual. She had thought it a little creepy at first that he could just barge into her room whenever he wanted, but after a few days she realised that he didn't see her that way at all. Even so, she had started wearing more than just her underwear when sleeping. She never knew when her beautiful body would be too much for Kabuto.
Focus.
She shook her head. Outer didn't enjoy being cooped up in her head and had taken to giving orders. Not that Inner ever listened to the orders, but they were a thankful reminder. It had been somewhat invigorating having run away from home, of course she missed her parents, but at the same time she was enjoying being able to walk with her shoes on wherever she wanted to go and could eat whatever she wanted, assuming it grew in the Land of Grass.
Having no one give orders was awesome. The being evil part wasn't as fun though.
"Get changed and come to my lab," he ordered.
Sakura nodded obediently, then waited for him to turn his back and stuck her tongue out at him. Small victories.
She changed into lighter clothes, not wanting to make the same mistake as the day before. Kabuto had her carrying things for him around his laboratory. She had armed herself to the teeth, ready for a high intensity mission and had to carry that weight around all day, being careful not to prick herself with the hundreds of needles she had concealed about her person.
She arrived at the lab, finding a series of boxes ready for her to start moving with instructions. She groaned inwardly and set to work. She would get to eat in an hour when Kabuto ate, until then she was hoping she could get all her work done and actually go on a fun mission. Naruto was probably having loads of fun on his missions. Gritting her teeth, she raised a box and set to work.
An hour passed, then two. Sakura finished her work, then made her way to where Kabuto was standing poised over a cadaver, seeming to have lost himself in what he was doing. His face was furrowed in deep concentration and he was cutting slowly into the cadaver with what appeared to be his bare hands.
Sakura propped herself up one of the operating tables to watch. "That's pretty amazing," she said after Kabuto raised his hand.
Kabuto tensed, and calmed after noticing Sakura. "Yes well, it's pretty simple once you get the hang of it," he said, wiping a bead of sweat from his brow.
"How do you do it?"
Kabuto smiled condescendingly. "I simply make a small blade at the end of my hands out of chakra."
Sakura listened and nodded. "Can I try?"
Kabuto snorted. "Be my guest," he said, stepping away from the cadaver.
Sakura channeled her chakra to her hand, imagining a blade, easily enough, then stepped up to the cadaver, deciding on a finger to cut. She cut at the finger and was immediately disappointed when the finger didn't detach.
Kabuto laughed and stepped back up to the cadaver, shooing her away. "Maybe when you're older," he said, still smiling.
Sakura shrugged and looked down at her hands. She hadn't thought it would work the first time, she hadn't even gotten a chance to experiment. She would try it again later in her room.
When she looked at Kabuto again he was holding the cadaver's hand up to the light and frowning. He tested the finger she had tried to cut, wiggling it around and squeezing at it as his eyes slowly widened. 'How-?" he murmured. He looked at her, his expression turning angry and he dropped the arm. He moved towards her grabbing her by the neck and shoving her up against the wall.
"What is your name?" he asked seriously.
Sakura struggled for breath. Why was she being attacked? Had Kabuto gone crazy? Was it something she did? "Sak- Sakura Haruno," she menaged, after which Kabuto loosened his grip slightly, allowing her to breath.
"Who are your teammates?"
Sakura looked at him strangely.
"Just answer the questions Ms. Haruno," Kabuto said cordially, his expression softening slightly.
Sakura nodded. "My teammates are Naruto and Sasuke."
"Which village are you from?"
"The Hidden Leaf."
"Has anyone ever shown you the chakra scalpel technique or have you ever learned and practiced it yourself?"
"N-no," Sakura said.
"Do you, to your knowledge have a wind element affinity?"
"No," Sakura said, slightly more confident in herself.
Kabuto blinked then released her neck. "You're telling the odd," he muttered to himself, turning away from her.
"Did I do something wrong?" Sakura asked, massaging her neck.
"No, no," he said,waving his wand, then turned back to her. "Do it again," he commanded.
Sakura moved to the other hand, testing the fingers and holding the hand at eye level, then made another attempt. Immediately she felt what Kabuto had reacted to. The finger sagged in the flesh, the bone having been cut, but the skin was still whole. "How's that?" she asked, turning to look at Kabuto who was holding his head up by the bridge of his nose and had his eyes closed.
He seemed to be in deep thought, a smile appearing on his face. His eyes then snapped open and he grabbed Sakura by the wrist. "Come," he said. "We must speak to my master at once."
Sakura couldn't help but be dragged along, feeling even more hungry after the chakra scalpel exercises "Did I do something wrong? I'm sorry. Please don't kill me," she tried, tearing up.
Kabuto stopped, blinking confusedly. "You didn't do anything wrong."
"Then why are you taking me to Orochimaru?" Sakura said, sniffing.
Kabuto smiled. "I'm taking you off mission duty. You're going to be my apprentice."
(0_0)
The day came far too quickly.
It had barely seemed like a week ago that Shikamaru had been carrying Temari's excessive luggage through the desert, scraping sand out of his gear and struggling to find anywhere to sleep. Now the day had come. The council elders would be meeting together and Temari would either become the Kazekage or Shikamaru would be assassinating the new Kazekage. An unpleasant thought if ever there was one. Shikamaru didn't like killing. He felt that people should get to choose when they went to sleep.
While Shikamaru wasn't allowed in the elder's chambers, he had a plan to solve this problem. Due to being the son of the previous Kazekage, Kankuro would be allowed inside for the proceedings. Shikamaru would stow himself away inside of Kankuro's puppet and. . .he wasn't entirely sure of what he would do actually. Temari had briefed him on the personalities of the elders and it turned out they were all old traditionalists with sand clogging up all their holes, at least that's how Temari put it.
The most he could hope to do was listen to the proceedings and offer advice to Temari in whisper seeing as his presence was banned. They had spent countless hours going over hypothetical arguments, but there were some things one couldn't prepare for. And if Kankuro wasn't allowed to bring his puppet in due to its being a weapon, then there was plan B. Shikamaru hoped they wouldn't have to resort to that.
Temari was nervous, of course she was, it was her life on the line as well. What happened to the Kazekage's children without a Kazekage? If they were fortunate they would continue to serve the village as loyal citizens. As was more likely the case, whoever did become Kazekage would have them assassinated in fear that he or she would be usurped. Additionally Temari was trying to petition for something that had never happened before in the history of the hidden villages. There had never been a female Kage before. Even though there was no law against it, the elders might be too entrenched in their traditions to see Temari as a viable option for the position.
She was pacing about her room, waiting for Kankuro to show in order to enact the plan. He was late by a minute which was making her worried that someone had found out about their plan even though they were the only three to know about it, Kankuro was late because Temari had called their meeting five hours earlier than the council meeting to go over the plan several hundreds of times. She was nervous, true, but her exterior could have fooled any but the most observant, showing a control and restraint that was extremely uncommon in anyone her age. Shikamaru had been unsure about having a woman lead a village, especially after his home dynamic was brought into light, but seeing Temari like this made him just a little more confident.
"We could send someone to wake him," Shikamaru suggested.
Temari slammed a fist against the wall beside her and glared at him. "He will come."
Shikamaru clammed up. Perhaps he should be just a little worried about the state of the Hidden Sand.
Kankuro bustled into Temari's room just a little over five minutes late. The smile she sent her brother sent a shiver down Shikamaru's spine.
"Now that we're all here, let's get started," Temari said through gritted teeth while her brother rubbed sleep out of his eyes. Kankuro didn't look well, ever since the news of his father's death he had retreated into himself, falling apart at the seams. Shikamaru was surprised to see that he wasn't even wearing the face paint that so defined him. "My bodyguard has devised a foolproof plan which we will be enacting today. We will succeed. Kankuro, you will accompany me to the meeting of the elders and you will be bringing your puppet with you. While I know that you prefer to hide in your puppet and pretend to be a puppet, you will be going as yourself today and Shikamaru will be hiding inside your puppet. Once we get inside you will stay close to me so that Shikamaru can whisper helpful advice to me. Is anything unclear?" Temari finished, her voice shaking slightly.
Kankuro yawned, rubbing his eyes again. "They're not going to let me bring a puppet in. No weapons in the council room," he pointed out.
Temari glared at Shikamaru, indicating it was his turn to explain.
Shikamaru sighed, he was tired as well. Why did he have to do all the work? "We're hoping you can play up your depression a little bit. Try to convince the guards that your puppet is something you need since your father died. Like a safety blanket."
Kankuro's eyes widened and he remained silent for some time before whistling. "That's cold."
Shikamaru shrugged. "It was your sister's idea." Revenge.
Temari glared at Shikamaru then attempted another friendly smile at her brother. "Of course I don't believe that to be true, but you have to admit that it could work, especially after you've been isolated for the past couple of months."
Kankuro frowned. "I'll do it," he said. "But you owe me, even if it doesn't work."
Temari's smile dropped. "Brother dear, if it doesn't work then it means you just weren't trying hard enough."
Shikamaru chose that moment to tune them both out, just as they were about to start bickering. He could at least see why she couldn't use her brother as an adviser.
As a bodyguard, Shikamaru had been working on the ability to sleep while awake. A hyper relaxed state of eyes open. He had achieved it some effect but it had the side effect of not being fully conscious of conversations happening until he was being presented with an open wooden puppet that didn't look big enough to hold him.
"Already?" he moaned, coming back to a more conscious state.
Temari frowned. "Weren't you listening?"
"For the past three hours? No. Did anything interesting happen?"
"Just my bodyguard learning how to sleep with his eyes open. Now get in the puppet."
Shikamaru grumbled as he squeezed himself into the space which was at least somewhat sand free. He couldn't make out so much once the puppet was sealed but he could at least see Temari turning to him and leaning in to talk.
"Oh and Shikamaru. If you're asleep for the council meeting you will regret it," Temari whispered.
Shikamaru shivered.
He felt the puppet being hoisted onto Kankuro's back and then he was in motion, trying to remind himself that he didn't get motion sick and how if he did throw up in the puppet he wouldn't be very happy because he still wasn't getting out until after the council meeting.
Two hours passed far too slowly for what made sense. Most of the time was spent going over plan B and hoping it wouldn't be needed. Then they were heading towards the council meeting. Shikamaru knew this because Kankuro's casual gait had changed, he was nervous, just as nervous as his sister. Working with puppets he probably didn't have much training in controlling his human aspect, especially when it was easier to pretend to be a puppet and let the real puppet do the talking.
He knew they were inside the council chambers when Temari slapped the puppet hard, possibly to wake him, possibly to signal the beginning of the plan.
"Temari and Kankuro. It has been a while," an unfamiliar voice exclaimed in a friendly manner.
"Good morning sensei," Temari said.
The voice let out a grunt that might have been a laugh. "I'm not your sensei anymore."
"Are we not still genin?" Temari countered.
"You're worth a dozen chunin. Don't sell yourself short."
"Not even worth one Leaf genin," Kankuro amended under his breath, only loud enough for Shikamaru to hear.
"Good luck today," the sensei went on. "From what I hear they have another candidate that is looking quite good. You might have to fight tooth and nail for their vote."
"It was always going to be a fight," Temari said morosely. "Keep well Baki. I hope that even if you do become Kage in my stead that we can still remain like teacher and student."
"I wouldn't want anything less."
A few more steps taken then they were at the checkpoint. The guards asked them for their weapons which they gave gladly. Then they asked for the puppet.
Kankuro whimpered. As far as fake whimpers go it wasn't very good, but it passed the bar at least. "I can't leave him," Kankuro said, most likely referring to the puppet and not Shikamaru. "I need him inside with me."
"Then don't come inside," the guard said.
"No. I need him," Temari said, referring to Kankuro.
The guards were silents for a moment. "I suppose we can allow it, but we'll need to search the puppet very thoroughly and disable any weapons and active poisons. Does that sound fair."
Shikamaru stiffened. They couldn't search the puppet that would be a very bad idea.
"I can't do that. I'm sorry sis, I'll just wait outside," Kankuro said with a long sigh.
Shikamaru felt him walk out of the council hall, round a corner and unlatch the puppet, allowing Shikamaru to climb out and stretch his limbs.
"So what now?" Kankuro asked.
Shikamaru presented him with the grimmest expression he could manage. "Now we go to plan B."
"And that is?" Kankuro prompted.
"Have some patience. You'll find out when everyone else does," he said, then jumped on a wall and started climbing the building while muttering about how troublesome his life was.
Reaching the roof of a house paralleling the council building he surveyed the guard. Both himself and Temari had canvassed the building, learning the ins and outs until they could have walked the halls blind. The guard was tricky though. Due to the meeting, the guard was increased greatly even though it wasn't strictly necessary. For any assassin worth their salt the place to attack a village elder or adviser wasn't when they were all gathered together and they could fight, but rather when they were heading home from said meeting or on their way to the meeting. Still the guard was set up out of respect to the elders, making Shikamaru's life infinitely harder. Fortunately the guard, although sizable was only as great as it was visible. There wouldn't be any hidden anbu in the rafters waiting for an assassin simply because the show of guards outside should have been enough to dissuade any would be assassin.
Shikamaru got as close as was possible without being seen and was now able to hear some of the conversation taking place.
"-young, but since when has an old man scared anyone. The future belongs to the next generation."
"But Baki is not so old as to be excluded from that. He is a powerful and feared Shinobi. There is no reason we should be considering this whelp that couldn't even defeat some Leaf genin."
"There is also the matter that Temari is not a chunin as of yet. Should we be made the laughing stock of the land?"
"We are already a laughing stock. The Leaf sent us running back home with our tails between our legs with intimidation tactics alone. They didn't suffer a single casualty and yet we lost our leader. If there was ever a time for change the time is now."
Shikamaru breathed. The number of guards at the entrance made it impossible to get in with just his shadow possession. Someone would undoubtedly see him. This was why he hadn't been looking forward to plan B. He hoped that wherever Naruto was, he would be pleased to have inspired such a reckless generation.
He waited for one of the elders to start speaking against Temari then flared his chakra. A giant plume rose from the middle of the village where the Kazekage's residence used to be. The tower that Temari himself and Kankuro had been staying in until that day went up in an explosion caused by a few hundred explosive tags.
It also happened to be the perfect distraction that allowed Shikamaru to slip past the guards and into the meeting room where he immediately joined the shadows of the ceiling replacing the thankfully absent anbu.
"-sitting here arguing about petty things while my village burns," Temari was in the middle of exclaiming. "Make me Kage so that I can save my village, because if you don't then I'm going to do it anyway."
Shikamaru grimaced. This is the part they hadn't planned for. He couldn't offer her advice. The best they could plan in advance was him attempting a genjutsu to make the elders vote for Temari, but he didn't like that plan already from the outset and wasn't very good at genjutsu.
"A vote," the elder that appeared most old called out, much to the agreement of everyone there.
Shikamaru held his breath and readied his pouch for something he could use. Anything.
"All those in favor of Baki being the new Kazekage raise your hands."
It wasn't as unanimous as had previously appeared, but there was still a definite majority in Baki's favor. Readying a sleep dart, he targeted one of those that was about to raise his hand, making him slump back in his seat, none the wiser. Shikamaru sighed in relief. That had been too close.
"And all those in favor of Temari becoming the new Kazekage raise your hands."
The remaining elders raised their hands. Only Shikamaru now realized a flaw in his action. Even with one of the elders not voting it still came down to a draw. They would no doubt realize the elder was sleeping soon and wake him, that wouldn't be good for either himself or Temari, but what could he do from the shadows up in the rafters?
He slapped his face for his stupidity after a moment and activated his shadow possession. Slowly, very slowly, the sleeping elder raised his hand in consent.
"Then it is decided. Temari will be our new Kazekage with all the power and titles of said name. I hope we don't come to regret this decision."
Temari bowed, first to the elders, thanking them, then to Baki and finally to the sleeping elder, with what looked like a pleased smile on her face. But Shikamaru couldn't tell, he was already drifting off to sleep on the rafters which were far more comfortable than they looked.
(0_0)
Naruto could feel Orochimaru's plan in the works. Since the first week he had seen Sakura maybe once a week and never for very long. She had started a grueling new training regimen with Kabuto of all people and seemed to be enjoying it immensely, which was even more disturbing. With both Sakura and Sasuke being trained he would have thought he would be getting some specialized training too, but no, his days were filled with menial tasks and the occasional burglary. The assassination jobs were never given to him which he was thankful for, but he wasn't sure if it was because they had realized his policy against killing or if it was because they didn't trust him enough to send him on such important missions.
Either way, he could feel the clock ticking down. His days were numbered. Orochimaru had successfully separated the team completely in a month and Naruto doubted this was the extent of his plans.
At the end of the month Naruto was shaken awake as per usual, what wasn't usual was the person waking him. Naruto barely restrained a scream at being caught in his pajamas by Orochimaru himself.
"They're combat pajamas," he muttered as Orochimaru smirked at his wardrobe choice.
"I'm sure they are," Orochimaru said. "Meet me in the interrogation room in five minutes. I don't like to be kept waiting."
Naruto waited for Orochimaru to leave, then hurriedly threw his clothes off and armed himself to the teeth. While a pointless gesture, it still made him feel more comfortable. He rushed to the interrogation room, making it a minute early. He didn't want to be the guy that kept Orochimaru waiting. To his surprise, both Sakura and Sasuke were waiting there, both looking just as tired as himself. He withheld himself from rushing Sasuke only because Orochimaru's warning glare was enough to stop him. He took a seat as close to Sasuke as possible however, his small rebellion in the face of the most terrifying person he'd ever met.
"I'm sure you're wondering why I've gathered you here," Orochimaru started, smiling easily as he spoke. "It is because I am not a tyrant. I do not claim to dictate how any of you live your lives. That being said, I have need of a ninja in another of my hideouts and by tonight one of you will be going there and one of you will be staying. Now I think I can already predict Sasuke's answer, so the question remains to the two of you," he directed to Naruto and Sakura. "Before you make your decision though I would point out that you gain a lot from being here under Kabuto's tutelage."
Naruto scowled. It wasn't a choice, he knew it, Orochimaru knew it, Sakura and Sasuke knew it. He wanted Naruto gone for some reason. Naruto forced a smile finally and nodded. "If that's what Sakura wants then I'll be happy to go to your other hideout. I'm assuming I'll be able to write to my teammates," he postured.
Orochimaru's smile widened. "Of course. It can be arranged."
Naruto had a few other things to ask him but decided that now was probably not the best time. "Great," he said, trying to mirror Orochimaru's own smile. "When do we leave?"
Orochimaru looked at him for the first time in the conversation. "As soon as possible."
Naruto nodded. "I'll go pack, give me a few minutes," he said, standing, waiting for someone to stop him, then he ran.
He charged into Sakura's room, drawing his brush and ink and crawled under her bed, painting a symbol. He would have liked to do the same in Sasuke's room, but as it was he didn't have much time. Orochimaru would no doubt send an escort within a few minutes and he couldn't afford to get caught. As he rose to leave Sakura's room, he paused, drawing the glass sphere that Jiraiya had trained him with and examining it for a moment, then surreptitiously placed it in Sakura's pack.
Dashing back to his room he managed to seal all of his meager possession away just as Orochimaru himself entered.
Orochimaru surveyed Naruto's harried state but didn't comment. Instead he pushed his head to the side, indicating Naruto should follow him, then set off, once again without blindfolding him. Apparently he had known about that then.
Naruto was surprised to find that he was traveling with Orochimaru. While the Sannin allowed him to keep pace he only went as slow as would prevent Naruto from falling behind, but for the most part his pace forced Naruto to run like he hadn't done since meeting Kakashi and if the bored expression on Orochimaru's face was any indication, the Sannin could have gone much faster.
Their journey took them to the coast where a boat was waiting for them. Nothing special, it appeared a fisherman's boat on the surface and would only be taking the two of them although it had space for a few more. Orochimaru, it seemed, liked to travel inconspicuously.
They didn't speak much, or at all. Any sound that Naruto made seemed to annoy Orochimaru, or at least put him on edge. The journey lasted many days and when they did finally see land, Naruto was surprised to find that he recognized the coast to some extent. They were in the Land of Waves. The Great Zabuza Bridge glistened in the sunlight, the foot traffic passing over it making Naruto wonder how anyone managed to move.
"You have a hideout here?" Naruto asked excitedly, unable to hold it in.
Orochimaru frowned at his outburst. "Not exactly." They docked and Orochimaru leaped to dry land, activating a henge to look like a regular merchant. "Follow," he ordered.
Naruto complied quickly, if only because he was eager to see how the place was holding up.
Orochimaru led him down a not unfamiliar route, stopping at what appeared to be a fancy house. Glancing down the street he approached the door and picked the lock in less than a second, to the point it appeared he was just opening it naturally. He entered, Naruto following, if a little more hesitant now.
Orochimaru navigated the house like he owned it which very well may have been the case, taking Naruto straight to a hidden panel which opened up to a basement. What Naruto saw in the basement made him think of a torture chamber. Thin bloodstained cots were nailed to the floor, chains leading from the walls or the beds, also all covered in a crusty dark brown.
Was this Orochimaru's hideout? A torture chamber? Was he going to torture Naruto? If so, why come out all the way here to do it?
"I don't-," Naruto started to say, but a glare from Orochimaru silenced him.
"This is a test," Orochimaru said. "My spies have been following the activities of a local kidnapper who has been active for well over a decade now. He takes children down here to his soundproofed basement and tortures them for his amusement until he eventually gets bored and kills them."
Naruto listened to the gruesome details, dreading what was going to happen next. Did Orochimaru want him to kidnap somebody for this person?
"I want you to kill him," Orochimaru finished, making Naruto gape.
"You want me to kill him?" Naruto asked incredulously. Orochimaru didn't answer. "You brought me all the way here to kill some kidnapper that you could have easily dealt with yourself?"
"This is a test," Orochimaru drawled. "If you do not kill the kidnapper I will leave him to roam free, killing children until he is too old to do so anymore. I understand that the Hidden Leaf has drilled into your head some ideal of how life is precious. So this is your test. Show me how precious life is."
"I'm not going to kill him," Naruto said adamantly. "But I will turn him in."
Orochimaru shook his head. "I can't let you do that."
"Why? Because of your stupid test?"
"Among other things. Money being the prime, but there is that as well."
Naruto scowled. "I do care about other lives. But don't think killing him will be any better than turning him in. Your whole test is to prove a point but its not proving the point if I could just as easily do something else."
Orochimaru glared at him. "What do you think will happen when you turn him in, assuming enough evidence is found and he doesn't bribe his way out of trial?"
"He'll go to prison. People will have some closure."
"Then what happens next?"
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Nothing. That's it."
Orochimaru stepped up to Naruto to look down on him. "Let me tell you what happens next. People eventually forget about the kidnapper, after all he's in prison. Then one day someone else decides he enjoys this type of lifestyle as well. What happens next? We are back at stage one again. But leave the kidnapper where he is, living his comfortable life and the people oblivious to his guilt, they will start ot wonder if they could have done something to prevent the kidnappings. They will band together, become a community that guards their young. Then, even after several years and a new kidnapper moves in, the community will be ready. Do you understand?"
Naruto nodded. "There's only one problem. What do I accomplish by killing him?"
Orochimaru smiled at that. "That is what legends are made of. Tell people that if they commit a crime they will go to prison, they won't be scared. They can hide the evidence, they can talk their way out of it. But tell someone that if they're bad a ghost will steal into their house at night and spread their entrails around the room, that they will fear."
Naruto didn't look impressed. "I'm still not going to kill him."
Orochimaru sighed. "I was afraid you would say that."
"You can't stop me from telling the local police," Naruto said tiredly, blinking a few times and looking down.
"I'm afraid I already have," Orochimaru said. "Such a shame. I had very high hopes for you."
"I wish I could say the same," Naruto mumbled before falling against a wall and feeling his consciousness slip through his fingers.
When he came to, it was to the sound of angry shouting and metal rattling against metal. Blinking the sleep out of his eyes he was thankful that there wasn't so much light, but also confused at the same time. What had he just been doing? He was by Orochimaru and then something happened? Did he see Zabuza? No, that wasn't it.
A figure stepped up to the gate in front of him. It was vaguely familiar in shape.
"Gathered here are the scum of the earth, worth less than nothing. If you want to survive you're going to have to kill," the figure said. Naruto quickly realized it was Orochimaru. "The last survivor will be released and has the honor of serving me. The rest will die as is their duty. Whichever decision you make, a killer will walk free. Prepare yourself." With that said, he stepped away from the gate and disappeared into the shadows.
A rattling sound from behind him Pulled Naruto's attention away from where Orochimaru had been standing to see another gate being raised in front of him. To add to the sound, the shouting throughout was growing louder, or was it closer.
Carefully, he stepped out of the small cave he was in and beheld a wide open space, filled with hundreds of dirty and angry looking people and they were all looking at him. Orochimaru's words rang in his head and he brought his hands together forming two clones to guard his flanks. He wasn't taking any risks here, especially not if these people were actually going to try and kill him
Where was he anyway? Was it a prison? It looked like a prison. He supposed that most things looked like a prison if one was trapped within them. What was Orochimaru saying about needing to kill to survive? That the last survivor would go free. Then why hadn't they turned on each other? Unless he hadn't told them yet. Or perhaps he had told them something different. Either way he didn't really want to find out.
He stayed where he was, finding no purpose in rushing towards the crowd that wanted to herald his death. He knew he would have to fight, he just needed time to think, he needed time to find a way out of here. Checking his pack, he saw that he still had enough ink for something big, something that Orochimaru wouldn't appreciate, but it wouldn't matter much anymore. Orochimaru had taken a stance that Naruto wasn't going to follow. Team seven sticks together, but maybe it was time for them to take a sabbatical.
Soon he had a plan, although he didn't know how well it would work. He had worked on his skills during the past two months but there was only so much work he could do without killing himself accidentally. He would just have to have faith.
He created another five clones, knowing that this just increased the pain he would feel, but also knowing that it would be necessary, then he fished out a pair of wax earplugs from his pack and jammed them into his ears.
They didn't help much.
The sound itself, while not actually harmful, was capable of incapacitating one that wasn't prepared for it and did just as good for someone that was prepared. His clones all disappeared, the jutsu having destroyed their bodies beyond what could be healed and Naruto felt that as well, seven times over. It was a lucky thing he hadn't eaten in so long and so didn't throw up, but it was a close thing.
Then he was moving, past the writhing and unconscious forms, knowing that to them, he may as well have been walking silently for all the noise he didn't know why the walls weren't made of anything stronger, but at the moment he didn't care. He painted a giant familiar seal on the far wall, then took a few steps back. Flaring his chakra he watched the wall crumble out into the night air and smiled. For all of Orochimaru's planning he had been unable to trap him. He had as good as escaped.
Naruto stepped to the edge and felt his smile droop. He had been a little overconfident. Of course they were on an island, where else would Orochimaru keep a hideout in the Land of Waves? He knelt down and ran his hands along the wall,his grimace deepening as he realized he wouldn't be able to run down, not with how slippery it was.
Looking back he could see Orochimaru standing behind the bars that guarded his prisoner arena with a triumphant smirk.
Naruto looked back at the water and realized that he was dead regardless of where he went, Orochimaru would guarantee that. With a glance back to Orochimaru and a nod of farewell, Naruto jumped.
About half way down to the sea, Naruto realized the fall was slightly greater than he had thought. This was going to hurt.
A boom. His legs broke. No sound. Pain erupted all over his body. Doing his best to stay conscious, he swam up and took a deep breath, channeling chakra to his legs as he did so and beginning to swim. With all of his chakra being directed to his legs, he would be healed soon, then he could start to flee in earnest.
Already he could hear a tumult rising up behind him from Orochimaru's hideout. No ordinary person would have survived the fall, either the impact or drowning afterwords would have killed most ninja, never mind civilians, and even if they did survive the fall, they would still be stranded in the middle of the sea with nowhere to go.
Naruto would run though, if only because there was still a chance, however miniscule, that he might get away. And if worst came to worst, he had a backup plan that would save him. But he hoped it wouldn't come to that.
It took longer than he expected for his legs to heal, but once done he pushed himself up onto the sea's surface and broke into a quick jog, well aware that if Orochimaru was chasing him he would catch up very quickly. Nonetheless he had to hope that Orochimaru thought him dead. It was a logical assumption after all. He would search the area once the morning came and when no body was found he would know, but at least until then Naruto didn't think he was in any danger. Besides for being in danger of attempting to run across the ocean without a boat of course. As soon as he got to dry land he was going to seal up a boat and carry it around with him wherever he went.
Naruto ran on, night becoming day, the waves fighting him with every step. He thought it was funny how he had struggled so greatly with this one skill, now he was getting training in it that he would never have imagined being capable of and he was succeeding. Maybe he was using a little too much chakra on every step, sure, and maybe he wouldn't last much longer, but for some reason the thought had him smiling. If only Kakashi could see him now.
Night gradually changed to dawn, the rising light sinking into Naruto's bones and reminding him how fatigued he was. What his clones had managed had taken a lot of chakra, and to do it seven times made it much more difficult. Then to run for the entire night, never mind while running on water. He had large chakra stores but they weren't that large. If he didn't find land soon, he would be forced to use his backup which was a very undesirable option at this point.
Just as he felt like he was about to collapse, he began to see the birds, seagulls. He could have cried from joy if he'd had the energy. As it was, the sight of them gave him a slight boost, motivating him to carry on running and before long he was able to see land. His relief almost made him lose his concentration and fall into the water. Then he crested a wave and all relief fled to be replaced by a hopeless panic.
Was it a hallucination? Was he just that tired?
Orochimaru watched Naruto approach expectantly, his eyebrow raised as if berating Naruto for being late.
"How?" Naruto asked, stopping at a safe distance from Orochimaru, his words almost too soft to carry.
"I followed you," Orochimaru admitted. "It was entertaining to watch you flail against your destiny. Unfortunately I am a busy man and I'm afraid that this little game will now be coming to an end."
"You're going to take me back?"
Orochimaru shook his head. "There's no point. You would merely attempt to escape again. I have no need for a dog that bites my hand."
Naruto nodded, knowing where this was going. "Would it make a difference if I said I would kill the kidnapper now?"
Orochimaru shook his head, not looking very regretful. "I'm afraid that ship has sailed."
Naruto sighed heavily. "Do you mind if I ramble for a little bit?" he asked,flaring his chakra as far and as wide as possible. There was still a chance he could make it out, if only his chakra would reach their destination. Orochimaru nodded, allowing him to continue. "The Sandaime said something to me a while back that I didn't understand for a very long time," Naruto started, stumbling where he stood. "He said that my team reminded him of his old team. At first I thought it was just an old man reminiscing, because there must have been hundreds of teams over the years that would have resembled your team. After meeting all of you though, I think I understood what he meant."
Orochimaru smiled. "Go on."
"Tsunade is like Sasuke. They're both stuck in a way of living because of loss. They can't move on and they allow themselves to be consumed by their emotions. For Tsunade it was grief, for Sasuke its anger. Sakura is like Jiraiya. She's always trying to be acknowledged, but at the same time missing how much people actually acknowledge them. So Jiraiya acts out, pretends to be a pervert so that people will chase him, because he thinks that at least they acknowledge him. Sakura is much the same only she had such a need that she created someone that notices her, even if they don't always approve."
Orochimaru raised an eyebrow but didn't interrupt.
"And you," Naruto said, pointing at Orochimaru with a shaking finger. "You're like me. You're a dreamer. You've spent your whole life trying to find immortality, convincing yourself that you would be able to fix the world once it was within your grasp and for something as great as the world, what are a few lives here and there that are spent? The thing is that I get it. I would do the same if I was in your position. And if Sakura or Sasuke were taken from me I would have done anything to get them back. The difference between us is that I don't care enough about the world to sell my soul for it."
Orochimaru's expression didn't change from his grim smile. "Anything else to add?"
Naruto blinked and shook his head trying to stay awake. "I don't think so. Do you mind if I watch the sunrise?" he asked, not waiting for any indication, instead turning to where the sun was slowly cresting the waves. As the light started filling his bones with a renewed vigor he let his breathing calm. He wasn't running anymore.
Pain exploded from his back, making him lose focus and fall into the water. The blade caught him in the gut, cutting upwards and then out. He flared his chakra as best he could, draining every last drop. Immediately he felt his chakra stop attempting to heal that gaping wound. It wasn't a waste though, he didn't have enough to heal such a wound anyway.
Too much time passed. It wasn't enough, hadn't been enough. His plan had been good in the making but a failure in the execution. At least Sakura and Sasuke would be alright.
He was tempted to try and watch his death, to see his blood pool around him. But death had always made him uncomfortable. Instead he closed his eyes and allowed the cold deep to embrace him whole.
