Another long one! I'm kinda blowing my 'keep updates around 3K-5K' limit out of the water...you forgive me, right? So many incarnations of this one, friends. So. Many.
Between the Devil and the Deep
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Chapter Four
Loyalty
Hinata sat in the shrine garden, human legs tucked beneath her as she hummed and tended the flowers. Sasuke had not been abroad as much of late, preferring to make short trips to local ports, either by land or in one of the smaller ships. The last port he visited had been in a small town, notable only for the large library overlooking the sea. The morning he arrived, he disappeared inside and not returned until the sun was sinking below the water. He'd taken short breaks on one of the many balconies, stepping out to gaze across the waters before returning to his search, but had otherwise been beyond plain sight.
Luckily, there was precious little that dwelled beyond her extended sight.
"And where did you come from?" she asked, noticing the brightly colored daffodil that glowed under her attention. "Perhaps another offering," she mused. Shrine gardens could be connected to multiple offering points, after all – even to another garden. She'd heard tale that there were some tended by Land-Walkers; that the Queen herself had a garden for intentions and offerings. Perhaps someone had found and tended one of the old gardens without knowing what it was? It was the strange, clustered orchid next to the cosmos that snagged her attention. She reached tentative fingers for the bloom when something called out to her. She paused, fingers hovering above the flower as she listened carefully.
It was the water.
She turned and followed the tiny stream that nourished the garden to where it met the sea. She knelt to trail her fingers over the water, watching her own reflection distort and fragment.
"Show me."
It was no longer foreign to see the tendrils of silver flow from her fingers and swirl in the water before shimmering into images she sometimes recognized, and sometimes did not. The images unraveled and spun across the surface, only to scatter and overlay with one another.
Ships docked peacefully in the Northlands, where snow could fall even in the summer. A lone fishing boat not far from the rocky shores of the old castle. Fireflies drifting over the rolling hills and streams of the Southwest. Sharp, white cliffs to the East, and in the distance, the outline of the abandoned Westland. Fragments of visions drifted and bumped one another, occasionally overlapping in a shimmering transparency.
Several images drifted toward the middle: a ship with odd, angular sails, and only one visible sailor. Another ship crewed by three sailors – a large, hulking man, a woman with bright red hair and glasses, and a white-haired man. One of the King's ships. A ship flying the flag of the Red Cloud. A man entirely in green, meditating in a dark cell. A ship hidden in the mists, just out of view. A fox sleeping in a garden with the sound of rushing water nearby.
Hinata frowned at the water.
"I don't understand."
The edges of the visions converged at the center of the rippling water, layering to form a new image, like puzzle pieces dropping into place.
Children.
Dirty. Ragged. Chained.
Stomping through the water and up a gangplank to be shoved into the belly of a ship.
Hinata's eyes widened in alarm – the ship was not terribly far away; she needed to find and alert Sasuke.
She needed to use the Sight.
She whispered the ancient word that she was certain she had learned before she knew her own name.
"Byakugan."
Carefully, she followed her own familiar path to the castle, and to his quarters. She had learned some years ago that Sasuke was a creature of habit. She first checked the chairs by his desk and in his bedroom. Since none of them had clothes neatly draped over the back of them, she was safe to scan his rooms without fear of being intrusive. (That particular lesson had made her blush for a week straight, and she didn't use the Sight toward land for several weeks thereafter.)
There had once been women's clothes on the chairs, and she hadn't understood their purpose there. Both she and Sasuke discovered the woman on his bed with no little measure of surprise. Sasuke had asked her to leave. When she refused, he demanded that she leave. When she refused, he gathered her things, and dropped them in the hall. He told her she had three minutes before the guards arrived, and he left.
That might have made Hinata laugh – but she quickly felt sorry for the poor woman, as she must have been mortally embarrassed.
That same woman tried to kill Sasuke the next week – and it had not been a retaliatory act. It had apparently been her objective all along.
Sasuke spared her life, but she swallowed some concoction and was dead before the guards arrived.
They never knew who she was, who sent her, or what her objective (other than killing Sasuke) had been.
Hinata decided her own modesty and sensibilities had to be second to watching out for him, so she regularly scanned as she could.
His crew swore that Sasuke had a sixth sense for the sea, and that the Goddess herself protected him.
Hinata counted herself lucky that Sasuke possessed a preternatural intuition that far surpassed luck or skill, and swore that she'd protect him as best she could, for as long as the Goddess would allow it.
She had once sent several gulls to flock around a man following Sasuke – and in his confusion, he dropped the weapons he had been carrying. She had sighted boats following covertly, but out of sight, and had whispered warnings to drift on the sea spray and reach him in time. She alerted him to oncoming storms, hidden rocks, and rogue waves, often correcting courses that might have led him into the territory of some of the greater sea beasts, or otherwise hostile waters.
He'd heard and heeded her warnings every time, as if she had delivered her message in person.
Sasuke Uchiha was a Child of the Sea as much as she was, even if he did not come from her clan. She had briefly wondered if he was one of the changeling creatures, or perhaps descended from one – but she dismissed those theories as impossible. The name 'Uchiha' was old and tasted familiar on her tongue, even if she could recall no particulars.
When she found him, he was not in the castle; he was at the far end of the harbor, boarding one of his ships. Thanking the Goddess for this small bit of luck, she dove into the water, her tail restored before she was fully immersed. With no time to lose, she hurried to his side, counting on the wind and waves to bear her message to him in time.
Sasuke couldn't decide if his restlessness was due to the word of pirates in the waters and no mission to directly pursue them, or because he needed a break from reading cramped, ancient writings about the Children of the Sea.
Either way, he couldn't spend even one more day on land. Although he welcomed the solidity and raw power of the Serpent under his feet, today his being craved the nimble dexterity of the Quicksilver. It wasn't difficult to arrange to take the crew out for patrol and exercises; he'd sent word yesterday morning, and the crew met him in perfect order while the day was still young.
Sasuke relished the warmth of the sun on his skin, as the Quicksilver cut a white line through the glistening water, her sails full of a strong wind. In his mind's eye, he could see the long-familiar maps, allowing his photographic memory to overlay the image with his current position.
The harbor had long disappeared behind them when the first push came.
It was subtle – he could feel the resistance in the wheel, and then it was gone. He continued on his course, and the tug returned. Two more times, and then a particularly strong shove from a wave forced him to jerk the wheel hard to port.
"Alright, My Lady," he murmured. "I hear you."
He closed his eyes and breathed in the sea and the air. He felt himself root through his ship to the ocean herself, and listened.
When he opened his eyes, he corrected his trajectory, and this time was met with no objection.
"Captain?" the First Mate came forward. "Forgive me, but are we changing course?"
"We are," he said with a glance at the sky. "It appears we have been given a new assignment."
"Has there been word from port?"
"Quite the opposite," Sasuke smirked. "Make sure the men are ready; I sense trouble ahead."
The First Mate left to carry out his orders, having long ago learned that the Captain was rarely if ever mistaken when he decided to change course.
Sasuke felt the small thrill at the base of his spine.
"Where are you taking me, I wonder," he murmured, navigating without a thought for why he sailed where he was sailing. Not one to question the sea, that was the last he spoke until word came down from the crow's nest.
The red-on-black flag of Daybreak had been spotted.
With a glint in his eyes, Sasuke went in pursuit.
Commodore Shimura stood on the deck of the Dagger, overseeing the aftermath of the battle. The attacking ship had fled upon seeing the Quicksilver approach, but not before killing multiple members of the Dagger's crew and dumping the children into the water to be rescued and secure their escape.
The Admiral of the Fleet himself was now onboard while several of his crew assisted with the children. The next in line to the throne had a word with one of his men before approaching the Commodore and requesting a more private place to speak. He directed the Admiral to the Captain's quarters, and offered him the seat behind the large desk, but the younger man declined. The Commodore waited for the Admiral to take a seat before doing so himself, leaning his cane against his chair.
"Dirty business, this," he shook his head sadly. "I can't thank you enough for your assistance, Admiral."
"And I am sorry for your loss, Commodore Shimura. I understand your First Mate is among the dead."
"Yes," he sighed. "First Lieutenant Shin was a good man. Too good of a man to be brought down by pirates."
"Does he have any family?"
"Mm...A...brother, I think," he rubbed his chin.
"See to it that he is informed that his brother passed bravely in the name of the Crown, at whose expense he shall be given a proper burial."
"I thank you for this honor on his behalf."
"I would like to see the crew's roster, and orders."
"Certainly," he pulled open one drawer, and then another before finding the documents.
"Thank you," The Admiral accepted the files, and scanned them thoroughly. "There were others lost. Would you do me the kindness of making a list?"
"I will," he pulled out paper and pulled the quill and ink closer to begin to write.
When things had been completed to his satisfaction, the Admiral returned the documents and said, "That only leaves the matter of the children."
"You need not worry about that, Admiral. Arrangements have already been made."
"Ah. And who made these arrangements?"
"I did, sir, per the protocol we've put in place in these troubled times."
"Remind me," he folded his hands, "about this protocol?"
"We bring the children into the care of the State until we can locate and return them to their families. In the event no family is found, they become wards of the State until such a time they are adopted or become of age." He gave a shrug. "The king has been most generous with the resources allocated toward the children of our Kingdom."
"And where will you take them?"
"There is a community not far from here, comprised almost entirely by those that grew under the State's care. Many now have their own families and help with the orphanage. The orphanage itself owns a farm, and is self-sustaining. I shall bring the children there."
"That will do…. after we bring the children to the Capital."
"The Capital?" the Commodore repeated. "Whatever for?"
"To be given medical attention while you return with me to report to the King. This grave of a threat cannot be overlooked, and deserves our immediate attention. When we have finished with the King, I shall be sure that you and the crew are well taken care of."
Commodore Shimura preened. "Very good, Sir. And what of the crew of the Natrix? They did attempt to help us rescue the children, but I am not wholly convinced they are on the right side of the law. We thought it prudent to take them captive."
"I just received word via messenger hawk not five minutes before I approached you. It appears that my Uncle was made aware of the crew of the Natrix before today, and had been investigating."
"And what did he discover?"
"That the crew is comprised of accomplished hunters, and had been sent to find magical creatures - particularly Merfolk."
"Does the King think this was part of the efforts against the throne?"
"Far from it," Sasuke scoffed. "Rather, it appears to be the result of an aging nobleman's misguided belief about the ability of the Merfolk to restore youth and virility. His motivations were selfish, but innocuous, and despite his misinformed endeavors, he assembled a competent team. Wisely, he relinquished their contract to the throne."
"I should say so," Shimura chuckled.
"The King also bids us to make a hasty return. Several of my crew will remain on board the Dagger, as your numbers were diminished in the battle. The crew from the Natrix will remain on the Quicksilver, and their ship will be sailed back by my First Mate and a skeleton crew."
The Admiral stood, and the Commodore followed.
"We shall see you at the Capital."
"Very good, Admiral."
Once they set sail in the wake of the Quicksilver, he returned to his quarters and called for his officers.
"I want those trackers," he told them. "When they are released, you will fetch them to me. Are there any left on board that could compromise my objectives?"
"No," one of the men shook his head. "We've altered their memories; as far as they know you were captaining the ship and Shin was the First Mate. They will have no recollection of the Fortitude."
"And did we buy the Fortitude enough time to flee? Has it been identified?"
"No, sir," he shook his head. "It will take an alternate route back to the harbor and arrive by dawn.
"We are fortunate to have pirates in these waters," he chuckled darkly. "They are an excellent cover for our operations, and have allowed our numbers to grow significantly. Once the children are released from their health inspection, we will transport them to the Farm. Wipe their memories and begin their training at once."
"Yes, sir."
"It is unfortunate that Shin became so suspicious," he sighed. "He was a good sailor. If only he hadn't started asking so many questions, I could be on the Fortitude right now with our new crop. Send word to Sai," he leaned back in his chair. "Let him know his brother fell in the line of duty."
Once he dismissed his men, Commodore Danzō Shimura poured himself a congratulatory glass of brandy. The trackers might've seen too much, but he was certain that he could either sway the opinions of those around them, or alter their memories. He couldn't be bothered with such trifling details when he was so close to his goals. The attacks on the King's people had made it easy to pluck the children away, and to put them through his own rigorous training. He speculated he would have a formidable force in a few years; certainly by the time the little Admiral was able to take the crown. And once he did – Danzō and his army would pluck it away from him.
And if the trackers did manage to find a Child of the Sea to help him ascend to the throne?
Then nothing could stop him
But one way or another… Danzō Shimura would be King.
"Hello?" Suigetsu called down the hall of the brig. "Hellooooo-ooooooo?" He heaved a sigh and leaned against the wall. "Perfect. Juuuust perfect. This is all your fault," he glowered at Karin.
"My fault?!" she gaped at him in complete disbelief. "How in the world is this my fault?"
"These are the coordinates exactly," Suigetsu mimicked her in an unflatteringly high and screechy voice, pushing imaginary glasses up the bridge of his nose.
"Those were the coordinates," she hissed. "Our reports showed that the only ships in those waters were supposed to be civilian fishing vessels. How was I supposed to know we'd encounter a ship chock-full of abducted children?"
"She couldn't have known," Jugo offered. "None of us could."
"Well, great," Suigetsu muttered. "Because that is a whole bunch of comfort as we sit in the brig of a King's ship, because when we saw a ship full of brats, did we mind our own business? Nooo… we had to follow it. We had to get involved. And what did the boss say when he hired us? 'Find the Folk, and stay out of trouble.' Literally, that was it. So now? You think anyone's going to come and bail us out?"
"They aren't."
At the sound of the authoritative voice, Karin scrambled to her feet, Jugo glanced up, and Suigetsu jerked his head around in surprise.
"Well lookie here," his face split into a narrow-eyed, shark-toothed grin. "They sent the Captain down to chat."
Karin's eyes were wide, and she sputtered to speak.
"Oh, calm down, Karin," Suigetsu rolled his eyes. "He's not that pretty."
Karin let out a squeak of frustrated mortification, but it was Jugo who very quietly dipped his head and offered. "Admiral. It is an honor."
Sasuke held his gaze while Karin's voice strangled into silence and her cheeks flamed red. Suigetsu got up to his feet, lazily.
"The Admiral, huh?" he leaned against the grided bars of the door to his cell. "What brings you down to our luxury accommodations?"
"What was the purpose of your vessel?"
"We're looking for Mer people," Suigetsu said, bored, while Karin's eyes grew even rounder.
"I have intelligence that proves enemies of the King are actively seeking out Children of the Sea."
"Can't prove that by us," Suigetsu rubbed his chin. "We were just asked to search, and report - and catch anyone that we could."
"And who was your Master?"
"Eh," he shrugged. "Master is a bit much. More like 'Backer.' And the guy's name was Orochimaru. He was kinda obsessed with being young and maybe he dabbles in freaky experiments and dark magics, but he never mentioned anything about hating the King."
"Interesting," he said coolly. "And why the three of you?"
"We're all trackers. I'm the only water native, though; not many of my kind left. The other two are more like all-purpose magic detectors, and were brought on board in case any of the critters got onto land and needed to be tracked down," he shrugged again. "Honestly? They're not that great. My kind is way more in demand," he smiled slyly.
"Please," Karin scoffed. "Nobody wanted your kind when there was a ton of you left," She squared her shoulders and looked to the Admiral and stated. "I have our paperwork."
"I already went through it," he returned. "The Natrix has been inspected from stem to stern; there isn't anything those documents could tell me about you that I don't already know."
"They speak the truth," Jugo remained seated, his fingers laced loosely together. "We have caused no harm."
"And yet you were given information about our ships," the Admiral quirked an eyebrow. "You had word of other sightings and of pirates. Where does this information come from?"
"Beats me," Suigetsu put his hands behind his head. "All I know is that the information was consistently good, and the money was better. Kinda all I cared about, you know? Besides, it's not like we had a dog in today's fight - although I'd take a real careful look at your minions if I were you. Especially that Danzō guy."
"You do realize that you are speaking of a Commodore in the King's Navy?"
"And do you realize why we're here right now?" he gestured to the surrounding cell. "It's because we saw a literal boat-load of kids being hauled away and decided to go all noble and follow the ship. And guess what? That ship wasn't flying any pirate colors, friend. It was one of your ships. Danzō let us help locate and rescue the little brats, and then locked us up - even though I'm pretty sure he didn't realize we were on to him."
The Admiral held his gaze steadily.
"Commodore Shimura reports that the Dagger was set upon by pirates with a ship-full of captured children. In the ensuing battle, they killed his First Mate as well as several other crew members. In an attempt to escape, they dumped the children and sailed away."
"Yeah," he shook his head. "No."
"That isn't what happened," Karin blinked. "We saw the ship with the children – it hailed the Dagger. Honestly, I think they planned on sinking it… but at the last moment saw your ship approaching. They raised the flag of the Red Cloud, dumped the children, and sailed away."
"And I am supposed to believe this?"
"It is the truth," Jugo said calmly, fingers still laced and loose. "Karin sensed the children, and we followed, unnoticed. There was magic preventing us from making out the ship clearly, but it didn't take animals into account. The gulls told me what they saw. Your Commodore Shimura was captaining the other ship. He boarded the Dagger, murdered the Captain - who he later claimed was the First Mate - and sent his ship away. I have several gulls following it, just in case."
"And what was the name of that ship?"
"The Fortitude."
"Hm," the Admiral considered them. "We shall see."
With one, last, penetrating look at all of them, he turned on his heel.
Karin let out her breath. "You idiot," she hissed at Suigetsu. "Why were you trying to pick a fight with him? Do you even know who that is? Which Admiral?"
"Does it matter?"
"Of course it matters!" she said as plosive and as loudly as she dared. "That's the last of the Uchiha – that's the Admiral of the Fleet!"
"So?" he leaned against the wall again. "It doesn't make us any more or less fucked. Once that Danzō guy knows we're on to him he'll come after us. If fancy-pants back there thinks you aren't any use to them, he'll let you go before that Danzō can put his wrinkly hands on the two of you. They might hang on to me because I'm a water-babe, but humans consistently underestimate our kind. I'll be able to escape."
Karin blinked.
"Is that what you were trying to do? To save us by making yourself an ass?"
"Easier for one person to escape than three," he scoffed. "Especially when that one isn't strictly a person."
"Let's see what the Admiral has to say."
They both stopped and looked at Jugo.
"You serious?" Suigetsu's eyebrows disappeared under the jagged line of hair across his forehead. "Jugo, you can easily bust out of here and take Karin with you. We can meet up somewhere else, find a fish-chick, turn her over to the old snake man, get our money and get on with our lives. You know. Lives. The things we have now that we won't have if we stick around here with Commodore Creepyknickers and Admiral Smirkyface."
"No," Jugo shook his head. "If he wanted us dead, we would be dead already. And you can't escape him. Not that one."
Karin's voice was small.
"Are you sure?"
Jugo gave a single nod.
"Let's hear what he has to say."
"You mean other than 'hey, great meeting you, have a nice death?'"
"He'll come back," Jugo said firmly. "And then we will listen."
With that, he settled into a meditative pose, and became still.
"Why does he always do that when I have questions?" Suigetsu muttered.
Karin, however, was watching Jugo carefully. He was a quiet person, and he rarely spoke, but when he spoke with the certainty she'd just heard, he was even more rarely wrong.
"Whatever," Suigetsu yawned widely and flopped on a narrow cot. "I'm getting some shut-eye just in case. Don't spend the next few hours making yourself crazy, Karin. Get some rest."
And with that, she was the last crew member of the Natrix let awake.
Karin settled into a meditative pose, and breathed deeply, and focused on expanding her senses. When they got to port, they would be ready.
She moved silently through the harbor, checking the boats. When she was certain she'd found the correct one – docked farther out in the deeper waters - she waited until the hour was late and the moon was hidden to begin her work. Silently, she made her way onboard, unheard and unseen.
According to the copies of the documents she'd "procured" while impersonating officers, this ship's records were completely fabricated. It was little better than a pirate ship, and the crew was due to come aboard in the morning, to set out for and yet another village that would disappear, and whose people would be sent to the mines and the children sold.
She'd teased apart enough of the records to know this was the right ship, yet there was something about the vessel itself that didn't feel right to her. There was an energy skittering along her carefully concealed tattoo that put her on her guard, and her hand had no sooner settled against the hilt of her sword when she registered the cold press of metal against her neck.
"I wondered if you would join us."
She immediately ducked away and brought her own sword up to parry the one pointed toward her, suddenly noting she was very much not alone.
"You're quite surrounded," her opponent held her gaze. "I strongly advise against doing anything rash."
She arched an eyebrow at him, wondering if stealing aboard an enemy ship already counted as "rash."
"Here," he handed his sword, hilt first to the person nearest him. "I would like to speak to our guest alone."
The man grinned, his teeth pointed and sharp.
She glared at him.
"I have nothing to say to one who counts a Demon Shark as an ally."
"We're hardly allies," the sharkman snorted. "More like bedfellows of war. But you are safe from me for now, girl. As long as you follow the Captain and do as he says."
The implication hung heavily in the air between them: "If you do not do as he says, I am your enemy."
She met the Captain's still-water calm gaze with her own carefully banked tempests, and lowered her sword. The sharkman reached for her weapon, but she flung her arm to the side, there was a glitter of moonlight, and a splash.
The sharkman arched an eyebrow. "You are a strange one."
"Better to lose a blade to the sea than to a shark."
He narrowed his eyes at her. "Mind yourself and do what the Captain says, little girl."
She followed the Captain without another word, mentally tabulating all of the ways she fully intended not to do what anyone said, starting with activating the series of explosions she'd already planted on the bottom of the ship.
The Captain took a seat behind his desk, and the door closed behind her.
"Won't you have a seat?"
"I'll stay standing, thanks."
"As you wish," he said, palms up. "You have been most clever, you know. My insider at the barracks had quite the time tracking you. She never did catch up with you, but she did send some helpful information my way," he held up the small roll of parchment. "And so you know, those two soldiers whose uniforms you 'borrowed' did not face any charges – as I am sure you intended."
She shook her head.
"I have no idea what you are talking about."
"I think you do," he folded his hands on the desk. "I think you have been following and sabotaging Madara's ships. I think you have been freeing his captives. I think you derailed a tracking team and followed the Admiral. I even think you have come across rebels and helped them. You are a threat to all who sail under Madara's flag. You," he said simply. "Are a pirate."
"Interesting," she crossed her arms. "From what I can tell you and all who fly under the Red Cloud are little better than pirates. Moreover, your orders come directly from Madara."
"I suspect my particular approach is quite different than the others sailing under the Red Cloud."
"Your ship is slated to carry a crew and murder a village," she held his gaze unwaveringly. "Sounds like the same approach."
"Correction," he leaned back in his chair. "The Mayfly – the ship that should have been here - was selected for that task. Sadly, the ship didn't dock in time, and the crew never did show up. It's a pity; that kind of thing sets schedules back by weeks – even months." He pulled a drawstring bag out, and tapped the contents on the table. "Do you know what those are?"
She felt the clench in her gut, but did not otherwise react to the scattering of stones and amulets and charms and talismans.
"Isn't it cliché for pirates to have a thing for trinkets?"
"It might be," he shrugged. "But these, as I am certain you well know, aren't trinkets. These," he picked up one of the amulets, "are used both to ward off and attract creatures believed to live in the sea. This one," he held it between thumb and forefinger, "was good for finding and avoiding kelpies – or capturing them, should you feel particularly brave."
"You mean suicidal?"
"They had a rather fearsome reputation," he agreed. "Sharks teeth – good for avoiding Kisame out there, but do you know what these are?" he pushed several flat things toward her.
She kept her arms crossed, hiding the clench of her fists.
"No."
"Scales. Mermaid scales."
"So, you are part of the dogs Madara has sniffing around for Merfolk?"
His smile was small and amused.
"I have a friend that would take offense to that. Those scales won't work, anyway."
"Unsurprising," she retorted. "The legend says they only work if the mermaid granting the scale is still alive. Thanks to Madara, there are no mermaids left in these waters. No magical creatures are."
"I think you know otherwise," he narrowed his eyes at her. "I think you know, and you have seen others."
"You think wrong."
"I think not, little Changeling. It was you that tricked the soldiers so that you could take their uniforms. It was you that snuck into the barracks when you were done using them, to return the uniforms and retrieve the clothes you had hidden. You had even sewn in a protective thread to prevent their uniforms from retaining any suspicious magics or scents. It has been you disguised as the old fishmonger, and risking getting close to the trackers on the Natrix – and directed them toward one of Madara's ships, cleverly enough, where they exposed Commodore Danzō Shimura, who is now currently stripped of his ranks and in jail. His organization is being picked apart, and the children are being freed, and I believe you were behind the secret records that made their way to the Admiral of the Fleet. But those children weren't the first that you freed – It was also you that freed the children later collected by the Rebels and taken to safety."
"Not bad," she eyed him with a begrudging respect. "Although you aren't completely correct about the records. That was Shin's doing. He sent them to his brother along with his concerns. After his suspiciously timed death, Sai went to the Admiral, and was one of the final proverbial nails in what I hope is Danzō's literal coffin."
"So you were working with him? Why?"
"Strange times make for strange bedfellows," she shrugged. It was Shin's idea to have have the Natrix intercepted by the Dagger. He had a false report that made the few things I planted on the Natrix just suspicious enough to warrant a second look, putting their little gang out of commission for a while. Unfortunately," her eyes darkened, "Danzō had plans of his own. Now," she squared her shoulders. "It's my turn to ask a question. 'How well can you swim?'"
He arched an eyebrow.
"Quite well."
"I should hope so," she glanced at the clock on his desk. "Because I set off a trigger several moments ago. In about three minutes, this ship will be nothing more than kindling."
"That is a shame. This is a nice ship."
"I had considered usurping it," she admitted, "but I prefer my own vessel. If you'll excuse me, I really must be going," she flicked her wrist, and a sword appeared in her hand.
"Ah," his eyes traced the weapon appreciatively. "So, you didn't throw it overboard after all. Threw something else then? And re-sealed your weapon?"
"I take it back," she grinned wickedly. "You might have some acumen as a pirate after all. Enjoy your swim."
He leaned back in his chair and considered her.
"Well met, little Changeling. You will do nicely."
He quietly placed something on the desk – next to her sword.
"What?" she looked at her hands, now empty.
"Sorry about that," he offered a small smile. "I needed time to make sure that these," he placed a stack of exploding tags on the desk next to her sword, "didn't become a problem."
Her breath caught as she realized his eyes were no longer black – they glowed a bright crimson.
"U…Uchiha!" she backed away, reaching for another weapon.
"Didn't I tell you she was something?"
She whirled to point a dagger at the neck of the man behind her, eyes narrowed, jaw tight.
"It's alright little lotus," he shifted a long toothpick in his mouth. "You are safe here."
Her eyes widened, but she held her daggers in place. "Genma?"
He gave a single nod.
"No," she held her stance. "It's a trick. I know they took Gai, and they took Lee – they must've taken you as well."
"Lee is safe," Genma held her eyes steadily. "He's already back at the Sanctuary. Gai, however – he is still in need of a rescue."
"Fine," she sneered. "I'll go get him as soon as I blow the rest of you up."
Genma looked past her to the Captain.
"Told you she wasn't going to believe me."
"You did at that," the Captain conceded, his eyes no longer red.
"Here," Genma placed a thin flat of parchment on the Captain's desk before stepping back. "See for yourself."
She narrowed her eyes at him.
"If you are Genma," she put both daggers in one hand, and reached for the parchment with the other, "then you know I don't need both hands to kill you."
She hovered one hand over the long-dried ink while keeping her eyes on her opponents. It wasn't until something brushed against her palm that she chanced a glance down, only to find a gentle crocus blooming against her skin.
Her eyes went wide as the flower stood small but proud.
"Lee," she whispered.
"The first crocus of Spring," Genma nodded. "He said you'd know it was him."
"Then… then it is really you?" she eyed Genma – daggers still at the ready.
Genma nodded.
"But you," she turned to the Captain. "You are an Uchiha - that makes Madara your kin. How can we trust you against your own blood?"
"Madara is holding my brother, and our kingdom captive," The Captain said, jaw set. "That is all you need know."
"Your brother?" her eyes went wide. "Where is he? Can he be rescued?"
"If only it were that easy," he gave a rueful smirk. "My brother is Uchiha Sasuke. Admiral of the Fleet."
"The Admiral," she breathed. "Then you must be Itachi."
He nodded.
"I am. And I need your help."
"To free your brother?"
"To defeat Madara. Only then will Sasuke – and the rest of us - be free."
"I might be persuaded," she tucked one of her daggers away.
"Would knowing our new course is set to intercept the ship transporting your mentor to Madara be incentive enough?" he offered dryly.
"It might," her grin was wicked. "Provided I get a hand in freeing him."
Amusement tugged at Itachi's lips.
"I believe that can be arranged. So," he stood. "May I count on your sword?"
"You can count on more than that," a sly grin slid across her full lips. "And I have plenty more to offer."
"I ask you to pledge all but your name," he said gravely, "as I know that has the power to hold a Changeling. I have no interest in taking your freedom, but I am extremely interested in having you as an ally."
"Then you can call me what Lee calls me," she nodded. "Tenten."
"Very well, Tenten. Welcome. Genma, please take our newest member back to her ship and join us at the coordinates I have given you. And here," he handed her a thick, folded square of cloth. "Congratulations, Captain," his lips curled into a full smirk "Tomorrow you sail under the true flag of Daybreak – the one that will fly above Madara's."
"I look forward to that," she accepted the flag. "Oh, and here," she tossed him a bundle of blue string. "Better tie up those explosive tags. They're still liable to go off. And you are missing two of them."
"Good to know," he inclined his head slowly.
Genma waited until they were back on her ship to ask: "And how many tags were missing?"
"Five," she grinned wickedly. "But I won't activate any of them as long as we serve each other well."
Genma reached over and ruffled her hair.
"That's my girl."
Kakashi was accustomed to the roll of the deck under his feet, and paid it no mind. Several of his passengers, however, were looking more than a little green.
"Here," he tapped the map on the table between them. "This mining camp is our target. We've received word that Madara intends to shut this one down, but there's been no word about relocating the miners. He has arranged for a select handful of prisoners to be transported back to the kingdom, but the rest…"
"He's going to collapse the mine," Ino said, her eyes glinting steel. "With the workers inside."
"Correct."
"But we're not letting that happen," Naruto met his eyes. "Right?"
"No," Kakashi shook his head. "We aren't. Fortunately for us, the ship is leaving the mine a day or so ahead of the scheduled collapse. We are going to allow the ship to depart. My team will intercept it here," he pointed to the map, "two days after departure, when it is too far out to receive a distress signal from the mine. Shikamaru's team will infiltrate on land, and interrupt the collapse of the mines. Once we get everyone out, we will allow the mine to collapse to divert suspicion."
"Sounds easy enough," Naruto said, glancing at the others.
"It always is, in theory," Kakashi crossed his arms. "But if Madara wants these prisoners, then whoever is transporting them will be formidable opponents. Our goal is to make the attack look unrelated, but to allow survivors to report back about pirates. Meanwhile, if we play our cards right, there will be no reason to suspect that there was ever an attack at the mine, as the collapse will appear to have gone according to plan."
"How are we splitting up?" Sakura asked.
"You, Naruto, Kiba, Chōji with me," Shikamaru ticked their names off on his fingers. "Ino will stay on board to relay information for us all. Shino is joining with Kakashi's crew, and Neji is going to remain as a scout."
Several of them nodded.
"And we think this will bring Teme out?" Naruto met Kakashi's eyes with that same tenacious hopefulness he had as a child.
"If we make Madara angry enough, he will send someone," Kakashi confirmed. "This level of an attack… we are hoping to get word to the Admiral. Either way, we will be leaving a trail for them to track."
Naruto gave a single nod. "And when do we strike?"
"When the moon is black," Ino said firmly. "That is when I sense the least power from Madara."
"Several days," Shikamaru added. "So here is what we need to do in the meanwhile…"
Naruto's eyes grew sharp and focused, and Kakashi hid his smile.
"You've really grown up, haven't you Naruto?"
Deep below the earth, in a room untouched by starshine, he waited.
He sat hunched and hobbled on the stone bench; twisted, wrinkled hands one atop the other on the head of his cane.
And he waited.
He waited for that familiar pull in the marrow of his bones that told him the moon was at her zenith. In the pinnacle of that journey, he pushed on his cane to stand, bones and joints protesting every movement as he ran withered hands and rheumy eyes over the bundle hanging nearest to him.
"Let him speak."
The wrappings slithered away from the top of the hanging bundle and a man gasped for air, as his eyes rocketed around the room, searching for anything familiar.
"Where are we?" he croaked, his voice parched and terrified. "What have you done with the others – this is treason! – Hgnkt!" his voice ground to a strangled halt, losing the ability to do anything more than stare with the anticipation of horror.
"I believe I shall ask the questions," the old man lowered his hand, his words all the more terrifying for their austere gentility. "Your ship was discovered by the Admiral of the Fleet. What, pray tell, were you doing with so much of the King's gold?"
"We were commissioned…" he fought against his bindings but to his increasing distress, it was of no use.
"Commissioned to steal from the King?"
"Commissioned in service to the King," he cried out in desperation. "We culled the village as directed. Sent the workers to the mines. Sold the children."
"And the King would ask you to do such a thing?"
"We are loyal to his Majesty and do his bidding. It isn't our place to question."
"And yet his own Nephew stopped you."
"He knows nothing of it," he growled. "We were told if he found us to play along, and that we'd be pardoned. Several might've talked. I killed them before they got the chance."
"I'd praise your loyalty, if I thought you had any."
The man blinked at the ancient one.
"And let's not play coy, shall we? Every member of your crew had a taste for blood, and a thirst for gold. Killers, all of you. You have never had qualms in your work. But you have been sloppy. Greedy. Not unlike Danzō, here," he motioned to another bundle. It unraveled enough that Danzō's head lolled to the side, eyes glazed over. "Danzō thought that he could build an army to usurp the throne. He was too foolish to realize that whatever power he wielded had been allowed to him, not earned. Such a fool," he shook his head. "I am disappointed in both of you."
The man's blood froze in his veins.
"Who…. who are you?"
"And what of your other mission," he continued, ignoring the question. "Any sign? Any trace?"
"Nothing," he shook his head as best he was able. "Not even a whisper. The stone," he swallowed hard. "The night before the Admiral found us – the stone began to glow… but we found nothing."
"And none of the ruins?"
"Nothing," he repeated. "No hint or trace. Even the stories of the sea dwellers are rare now. No one has sighted one in over twelve years. None of the creatures – kelpies, selkies, nothing."
"Oh, those are all dead," he waved a hand carelessly. "Their kind helped bring about my first resurrection. I was counting on the merfolk to secure my second."
"Your…. your second?"
"Magic is hard to come by in this world," he said bitterly. "Soon it won't matter – soon I'll be able to look on my own. Unfortunately, until then, I have to rely on pitiful excuses for soldiers such as you and your crew to carry out my orders."
"Your orders…?" he blinked, tears stinging his eyes. "I work for the King."
"You do indeed," his lips twisted into a cruel smile. "And you are not done working for me yet. Even as a failure you still serve a purpose."
He flicked a hand and the bindings slithered back into place, muffling his screams before they could start. The cocoon writhed and shook as he tried to fight, much to the old man's disgust.
"Useless," he muttered, even as the cocoon stilled. "Better to be absorbed and join the rest of your crew. As for you, Danzō," he studied the man with an intense hatred. "You are the greatest kind of fool. Did you think I did not know what you were up to? That you had stolen the lives and magic of members of my clan, and were letting it sustain you? Did you think I was unaware of your attempts to rise up against me? Your aspirations to become King? Your dreams are riddled with your foolish ambitions," he scoffed. "And I have seen them all. No," he peered at the man, whose eyes were dilated black and stared blankly ahead, while drool slipped down his chin, unchecked. "I do not believe you have suffered enough quite yet. A few more memories -a few more dreams – a few more things to break your soul and haunt your spirit before I end your miserable life."
With an impatient wave of his hand, the body of Danzō was wrapped up again, and his muffled screams began.
He resumed his place on the stone bench, ignoring the anguished cries of the traitor, and chanted under his breath. In the cavernous space, the cocoons lifted to dangle high above, joining hundreds of others in the boughs of a great and ancient tree. The roots of the tree pulsed, tendrils slithering into his garments to pierce his back and his arms and legs. The hands crossed over the cane grew smooth, and the back strong. White hair darkened until it glistened black, and he stood tall and powerful.
The magic he had stolen back from Danzō would go a long way in sustaining him, but it still wasn't quite enough. He needed to recover what was taken from him during that final battle when that little ghost-eyed sea-witch and his nephew had dared to stand against him.
He clenched and unclenched his fists experimentally, a wicked grin curving his lips. "Soon," he promised himself. "As the people say," he looked up to the hundreds of dangling cocoons.
"Long live the King."
Notes:
In the manga, Shin carried a tantō, which equivalent to short sword or a dagger. (not the little dagger… the big ones). Sasuke's ship was the Chidori, which I switched to the Thunderbolt because there is no concise synonym in English for "A Thousand Screaming Birds." (that made for a good ship name). That sounded too clunky for the nimble ship I had in my mind, so it became the Quicksilver.
*So to recap for anyone confused. Danzō had long before found a way to use the orphan system to establish what would've been ROOT in the canon AU. He was using the confusion of pirates and Madara's orders to pillage villages to add to their numbers by abducting children. Hinata saw the children in her vision, and sent Sasuke to save them. Meanwile, Danzō - who was captaining the 'Fortitude' which carried the children - got to Shin first. Danzō knew Shin had grown suspicious, and planned to sink his ship. Unfortunately, he received word Sasuke's ship was on its way. He killed Shin, and made it appear that he had been captaining the Dagger while the Fortitude sailed to safety. Danzō was not anticipating the Natrix crew, but once he knew what they were, he used the report he found in Shin's desk to hold them, and was planning to use their talents to his own end. Might not have been obvious, but Sasuke didn't trust Danzō from the start (more on that later). Madara was interrogating the captain from the ship Sasuke captured in chapter 1, and torturing Danzō for what he had done to his Clan, as well as for planning a coup to take the crown.