Why hello there!
Long time no update yeah?
Well here we are with yet another chapter filled with angst and drama
along with some seriously heartwarming scenes
I hope at least lol
ALSO; I'd love to thank MaximilianDraco on DeviantArt for letting me use his/her artwork
as a cover photo for this story!
There is a link to his/her DeviantArt page in my bio so please, check him/her out!
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or League of Legends
Chapter 9: Dealing with the Aftermath
Naruto sat in silence, hands resting against the tree branch beneath him. Eyes trailed above, stars twinkling like gemstones in the clear night sky. Unlike most nights, the moon was larger than usual, glowing like a spotlight against the foliage and tall trees. His whisker marks twitched slightly, having gained a greater sensitivity thanks to the medication he had been pumped with. Shivering against the rushing cold winds, he leaned his weight against his palms, unable to relieve himself of the pit in his stomach; and no, he wasn't hungry.
"Naruto." Ahri sighed. "Get some sleep."
The boy shut his eyes for a few seconds before prying the heavy lids open. "I can't."
"And why not?" She crossed her arms, unwilling and not in the mood for an argument.
"After everything that has happened and…" Naruto trailed off, sapphire eyes trailing away from the stars.
Ahri shook her head. "If anything, that gives you even more reason to rest."
"I've been resting for more than two weeks; I think I've had my fill of rest." He glared.
"Don't get hostile with me." She glared back. "I'm just worried about –"
"Hostile?" His voice rose slightly. "I'm simply stating the fucked up facts of life!"
"Hey!" The Gumiho clenched her fists. "Don't you dare talk to me like that! I made a promise to your parents to watch over you and take care of you!"
"Well it shouldn't be your job!" He roared. Frustration bottled within had finally exploded. "If it weren't for you, my parents would still be alive! If it weren't for you, Danzo would have never come into power! If it weren't for you my mother would have never been experimented on by Orochimaru! If it weren't for you we wouldn't be in this mess!"
Ahri's fists released. Her red eyes glimmered slightly as tears watered. She bit her lip, clearly at a loss of what to say. "Forget I said anything, Naruto. Just take what I said into consideration."
Her voice cracked slightly, wrenching at his chest. Her expression sent shivers through his spine, shoving his body back and forth in the rumbling horror. With regret and pain radiating from his slowly beating heart, the boy released a shaky sigh. "I'm sorry, Noona. I just…meeting my parents, learning of what has happened to them, knowing Orochimaru has fucked with my life before I even existed, knowing Danzo, my dad's nemesis, has control of my home…I have so much on my mind…it's almost impossible to sleep."
"Don't apologize…I know what I've done and that you honestly don't owe me an ounce of respect." Ahri leaned against a wall, a half-smile on her face. "On the subject of Danzo and Orochimaru…"
"Gods, Ahri…" The boy brought his hands to cover his eyes. Ahri shut her mouth, listening intently. "Everything…I…how can anyone expect me to do everything they've dropped onto me?" Tears began to trickle down his whiskered cheeks. Appearing before the Gumiho in his mindscape, the pain in his eyes radiated. "T-This is just…so much for a fourteen year old to handle…I just don't understand! WHY ME?! Why does it feel like some god up there is toying with my life?! Why does it feel like some sick plan, some sick and twisted joke?! WHY ME?! There are thousands of shinobi and kunoichi who're leagues ahead of me, who're better than me – so why the fuck was I chosen, why the fuck was I given the shortest fucking straw?!"
His body shuddered as his cries shredded through his aching body. Rage unlike anything he'd felt before escaped his body, almost evaporating into the blowing winds leaving nothing but the sore, raw and stinging empty aftermath. With strength fleeting and vision darkening, he collapsed to his knees, hands rising to shield his face. Shame had suddenly washed over him as the anger finally subsided; leaving nothing but the aftermath of his realization. Ahri stood before him, tails swishing softly, unknowing of what to say. Moments, almost full minutes crawled at a turtle's pace but, as his sobs came to a sputtering halt, through the course and scratchy voice he managed to cough up, he choked. "I…I'm so sorry Ahri…! Y-You have taught me, watched after me even without me knowing…you've done so much for me and…and…words can't describe what I feel…how torn I feel…how can you ever forgive me after what I said…? I…I just couldn't control what I said…I –!"
Suddenly, five tails slowly slithered out, bushy and as soft and puffy as his pillows. The tails snaked around his kneeling body, delicately lifting him to his still shuddering feet. His knees were weak and rattled violently as he stood before the woman he held so close to his heart. Thoughts swirled in his head like a tornado, rushing and beating against his mind and chest. He dared not to meet Ahri's eyes, fearful of that forlorn expression – and the guilt he'd caused. Unwilling to witness her hurt and pain, he bowed his head hiding his cerulean orbs from sight. She risked everything to save him from the Curse Mark, she gave him the power in the Forest of Death, she gave him the power in the Land of Waves and she gave him something like no one else before; someone to see as a sister.
But oh how cold he had been to the one person who didn't deserve such hate.
Before he could sulk any further, fingers softer than anything he'd ever felt brush against his skin, wrapped around his chin. With a tilt of her wrist, she turned the boy's head to face her. It was then that he saw her, truly saw her, for the first time at a proximity such as this. Her features were impossibly smooth, blemish free, save for the six whisker marks drawn across her cheeks. While not as gashes, they looked like tattoos. Her cheekbones were high, almost giving her slim cheeks a slight puffed appearance. As his eyes trailed, his heart jumped at the sight of her lips; they were wonderfully thick and adorned with a soft gloss creating that glittering amorous façade. But with such inexplicable beauty to behold, the ruby gems she had for eyes were truly the most captivating. Her irides spared no expense for that hair-raising blood-red hue, but strangely enough, despite the color, despite the dark slit she had for pupils, her eyes lacked any real malice; for now, instead, the beautiful ruby gemstones held something he'd only seen in one other person; himself.
"A-Ahri…" Naruto whispered beneath his breath. He didn't notice it until the second tear trickled down, she was crying. Noticing the questioning look, she placed a hand on his shoulder; the soft smile on her face belayed the pain her eyes. "I…"
Without warning, the tails tightened, bringing him closer to her. Surprising him, her arms wrapped around his shoulders with a strange tenderness he'd never felt before. Unlike every other time when she'd flirt or do something ridiculous, he would resist and fight back with all of his might, for some reason, he' lost all function and simply put; he melted, like never before, into her embrace. His arms and legs fell slack as her warmth passed through his cold and rough skin. His body had lost control and before he knew it, the Gumiho shouldered his entire weight. Without thinking, Ahri lovingly pressed his head to her chest, perversions and childish joking never present. A hand slowly snaked to the back of his head while the other fell to his mid back pressing him against her, relishing in the intimate embrace. The pair stayed locked within their tangle of limbs for a few moments before once again, Naruto lost control.
The two cried together, sharing an incredible warmth and a similar pain as the pair cautiously descended to the sewer floor. Still holding him against her, his head now rested upon her shoulder with hands wrapped, holding her as if she were going to disappear, as if the world were coming to an end. She tightened her grip on him, feeling his final sob rip through his body. It was so profound, Ahri could feel it reverberate in her bones. It was then that the two ended their embrace backing a distance to look upon one another, blood-shot eyes locked with a heartfelt passion never felt until now. Save for the heavy breaths and beating hearts, silence had fallen upon them. But before they could say a thing, the two shuddered for a moment, feeling the last of their pain escape their bodies. Without letting him free from her embrace, Ahri brought a hand behind Naruto's head and brought him forward.
"Naruto…" She whispered as she pressed her forehead against his. "Listen to me…I care about you. This for me is more than just a promise to your parents; it's a promise to you and myself. I've lost too much in my immortal life…but never have I cared this much for someone…I cannot and I will not lose you as well, be it to personal vices or from those who wish you harm…"
"I-I know it sounds like I'm nagging…or maybe even a tad too bossy…" Ahri added pressure. A stray tear escaped her blood-red irides. "It's because I'm worried for you…you lost your mother and father because of me…you didn't have a childhood because of me…Orochimaru and Danzo targeted you…because of me…I-I, I know I can never replace Kushina; I know I can never give you the childhood you deserved and I'm not sure if I can even remove the curse mark…but I will do what I can for you…I will…I will…"
"Ahri…" Naruto whispered back. A shaky hand rose, wiping the slowly trickling tears from Ahri's pale face. Before he knew it, her hand wrapped around his own, as she pressed her cheek into his palm. Pressing his forehead against hers, he continued. "It's fine…being my friend, being like a sister is more than what I can ask for…you deserve so much better than what you've been given after the life you've experienced. From Kurama and Madara doing horrid things to you…to being sealed three times in the last eighty years…I can't imagine how lonely and pained you feel. Being here for me is more than enough Ahri; childhood be damned; curse mark be damned…if our situations were reversed…just know that I will do the same for you. I was just…so completely out of line when I…"
"Stop." She smiled. The blond prepared to respond but a finger rested on his lips shutting the boy silent. Gently gliding her fingers against his skin, her hand cupped his cheek. Her smooth the direct inverse to his rough. "You weren't wrong. I understand why you said it – you're beyond frustrated and stressed out of your mind. This is why sleep is the best medicine; it will help you sort and clear your mind, Naruto. You've learned too much in such a short amount of time…I am genuinely worried, Naruto." She was responded with an indignant sigh but surely enough, the Uzumaki nodded his head in affirmation. "Now that we've got all of that out of the way…what you need is inspiration to sleep…"
Pulling their heads away, Naruto fell next to her relishing in her tails and their softness. His arm fell between them; fingers locked with Ahri's. "What do you have in mind?"
"How about a story?" She smiled as she too enjoyed the warmth and fluffiness of her tails. She tightened her grasp on the Uzumaki, sharing that same incredible warmth.
"That would be nice." He flashed the first smile Ahri had seen since he'd awoken. "What is this one about? More stories of your master or do you have something about my parents?"
"I have the perfect one." She giggled softly at the memory. "It's about your mother."
"This has got to be good." Naruto rested his head on his free hand.
Bringing her free arm behind her own head, the fluffy fox ears twitched slightly. "Well it all started a little like this…"
Morning rushed in with rays of sunlight beating his eyes like hammers. Sasuke rustled in his sleeping bag, unable to deal with rising heat and humidity. Opening his eyes, he watched the darkness of early morn disappear with the rising sun of dawn. His hand rested on the kunai sword beside his sleeping bag shuddering from the explosion of pain that rose from his tightening heart. He had a vivid dream, almost incredibly real; Naruto was calling out to him as if everything was normal. He'd responded more openly and even had a smile, surprising the blond.
Last he'd checked, Naruto was unconscious but stable. Those odds were better than when they first smuggled him out of the hospital. With a groan escaping his chapped lips, he sat up running a hand across his face. Expecting another day of carrying the unconscious blond to their destination; he was in for a surprise. His jaw dropped at the empty sleeping bag Naruto should have been in. Even Sakura and Jiraiya were missing! Jumping from the sleeping bag with the kunai sword in his hands, his sharingan came to life. Birds were chirping slightly, reminding him of his scenery.
If Sakura and Naruto were in trouble, it meant that Jiraiya was out scouting. Whoever followed them was good if even Jiraiya couldn't sense their pursuers. Not only that, but if there was an assassin or kidnapper, he or she must have been beyond a professional if they managed to dodge and evade every trap set and made by himself and the Sannin. Sasuke glared, moving through the forest floor with air in his steps. Smooth and quiet as he likes, not a single song made by the birds were interrupted by his movements. Leaning against a tree trunk, his sharingan finally took a moment to focus on the trails of footprints and chakra. Wherever this person went with his friends, they went in the opposite direction of Konoha.
Dropping to crouch, he moved along the forest floor, no taller than a regular forest shrub. Following the trail, a new one appeared, far more noticeable and profound. It was a trail of scent. The air permeated with the undeniable scent of cooking boar and steaming rice. Sasuke's nose flared at the mouthwatering aroma. Forgetting of his plan to sneak on the enemy, he rose to his feet, mind in a daze and stomach grumbling a roaring chorus. Forcing his way through the waist high shrubbery, he finally arrived at the campfire burning brightly. Skewered by a large bamboo pole, a boar was slowly roasting over the fire. On one side, Jiraiya and Sakura were rubbing chopsticks together in near comical synchronization. But the one turning the boar was familiar; his eyes almost didn't realize it.
"N-Naruto?" Sasuke asked incredulously. "Naruto?!"
The boy turned around, whisker marks and bright sapphire eyes and all. "Hey Sasuke – oof!"
Sasuke's arms wrapped around Naruto's back, popping a few vertebrae as the boy lifted him from the ground. Naruto shouted out in surprise and honest terror. The Uchiha roared out a laugh of relief as he released the Uzumaki.
"Y-You're…" He was at a loss for words. "You're…"
"Awake." Naruto smirked. "I've slept enough, don't you think, bastard?"
"Damn right, idiot." Sasuke slapped a hand on the blond's shoulder. "So last night…when I heard you calling my name…"
"It was real." Naruto shrugged. "Sakura greeted me rather calmly, given everything she and ero-sennin told me."
"Damn it Naruto." Jiraiya grumbled. "Give me some respect why don't yah."
"Nah." The boy laughed heartily. "I don't think I will."
The white haired man bellowed a laugh before slicing the boar meat and giving a few to Sakura and slapping a slab of meat onto his own bowl. "Come, Sasuke. Have some breakfast, Naruto slept very little last night and managed to stumble upon a boar sleeping in the forest and brought it here. A very clean kill I'd say."
With a nod, the Uchiha fell down to the grass, grabbing a bowl. Filling it with a few scoops of rice, he snapped a pair of chopsticks. Eyes turned to Naruto, the blond collapsed next to him with a bowl of his own. It wasn't long before the four got themselves situated nicely, eating in relative silence, of course save for the few bouts of small talk and worried questions directed in the blond's direction. Sasuke though, placed his chopsticks down and reached over grabbing the kunai sword.
"Naruto." He started, gaining the boy's attention. "Here…I used it and kept it sharp and clean while you were out."
He took the sword and rested it into his lap. "Thank you, Sasuke."
"I know we're all happy now that I'm awake, I need some more context." Naruto finally spoke as the group descended into silence. "What exactly happened? Where are the rest of our friends?"
"Alright." Sasuke sighed, as he downed a small tomato. "We had all just been cleared from the hospital…"
"Sasuke?" Kakashi asked with a worried look in his eyes. "What are you doing out here? I thought I made my orders loud and clear that none of you were to –"
"Yeah, you did." Sasuke responded with arms crossed over his chest. "You also asked for the clan heirs to ask the clan heads to meet you – oh wait, I'm both the heir and since there are no more Uchiha loyal to Konoha, I guess that makes me the clan head. So after asking myself to find you, here I am."
"This isn't a joke Sasuke." The jōnin looked at him with a glare.
"You think I'm joking?" The boy didn't relent.
Kakashi watched Sasuke with a wary eye. "I know Naruto is your teammate and I know I instilled teamwork and camaraderie between you three –"
"Damn camaraderie!" Sasuke said with a harsh tone. "This is more than that! I am worried about Naruto, he's my brother, but with the way that ANBU acted toward us and the way you acted towards him was in no way camaraderie. Something is wrong and even though we're genin, we have a right to know what the hell is happening!"
"Everyone is up in arms and right now is a very delicate time." Kakashi sighed. "I know I haven't been there for you three very much but please, Sasuke. Right now is not the time for semantics."
"Let me help then." The Uchiha blurted. "I can take a few guesses as to what is really going on but if you'd trust me I could really lend a hand…"
"Sasuke." Kakashi looked at him once more, prepared with a great rebuttal, but the look in Sasuke's eyes was unlike any he'd seen before. There was no darkness in those onyx eyes of his, instead there was light, a small undeniable, unforgettable and unquenchable fire. But Kakashi had seen this before in but one other person; Naruto. With a heavy heart and a shaking sigh, he relented. "Fine. Just don't speak out of turn. The Clan Heads are a very professional people and there is a certain tact required when talking to people of their status."
"I figured." Sasuke nodded. "Don't forget, I actually am a Clan Heir, my father began to teach me of these kinds of things before the massacre."
"Alright." The masked shinobi nodded. "Then you will accompany me along the way to the meeting area."
The pair walked through the village, with Kakashi's lone eye zipping left and right. What he was expecting to pounce upon them worried the Uchiha. There were too many factors in play now that Sasuke didn't know of. A shaky hand rested on the kunai sword strapped to his waist, weary of the weight resting on his shoulders. He narrowed his eyes as the onyx color of his irides bled into the tri-tomoe sharingan. He watched the rooftops, all the while ignoring the civilians walking about, tumbling over debris still remaining on the streets. But as much as he tried to truly ignore them, there were a few that really caught his attention.
A few banging hammers and clouds of splinters and dust, a call and ringing bell was heard. Construction came to an immediate halt as men jumped from the pillars and bamboo beams. Their feet clapped against the dirt road, kicking up more clouds of dust. Across the way, a small army of women were cutting up vegetables and boiling a sea of soup. The men and women clamored for lunch as bowls were hastily filled. Their voices were growing with volume and soon enough, laughter echoed from the gathered group of rebuilders. Sasuke smiled softly to himself, watching the civilians do something other than annoy him.
"Sasuke." Kakashi's gruff voice broke the Uchiha's watch. "Eyes up."
Whipping his head, his sharingan eyes focused on a few civilians walking their way. Judging by their first appearance, they were a part of the displaced populace. Many of these people lost their homes to the invasion. As far as Sasuke could tell, the ringing bell caught their attention. Food was a scarcity after all. With destruction as wide-spread as this, Sasuke imagined that certain resources would be out of their reach. He and Kakashi continued on their path as the homeless parted ways for the two shinobi.
"Sensei." Sasuke said, surprising Kakashi. "I know I've been with Naruto for two weeks straight…but Konoha hadn't changed that much…has it?"
"As you waited for Naruto, the world did not wait with you." Kakashi sighed. "It moved on and now, there are a few factions in Konoha that would love to use Naruto for their own personal gain, or even go as far as kill him. And I'm not even bringing up clan politics into the mix."
"What of the shinobi forces?" Sasuke asked worriedly.
"Split between said factions." The Hatake shook his head. "Like I said; factions have sprung up with their own goals and intentions for Konoha now that Sandaime-sama has died. Tell me, what do you know of the Foundation?"
"Never heard of it."
Kakashi nodded his head. "Not surprised. Now what do you know of Danzo?"
"He's a councilman, he had a strange interest in me after the massacre but after the first few months, he never showed his face again. What of him?"
"The Foundation is an ANBU section dedicated to doing the dirty work behind the scenes that include but are not limited to; forming terrorist organizations, foreign and domestic political assassinations and the list can go on forever. At one point, I had a run in with a few of his Foundation ANBU."
"Wait, his?"
"Yes." Kakashi shook his head. "Danzo created the Foundation."
"Is there a specific recruiting process?" Sasuke asked with a raised brow. "I mean for a group as secretive and powerful as that, there's got to be one and this goes without saying, they're obviously loyal to him."
"As far as I can tell, he always goes for men, no kunoichi are in the Foundation." Kakashi reminisced. "And each member has to have a special ability that could prove useful to the corps; like a powerful Sharingan. The reason Danzo's men constantly contacted or tried to recruit me was because of the Sharingan I have. Of course, I've done enough dirty jobs and…undesirable things in my shinobi career, so adding more would not have been a good thing to put onto my conscience."
"You're telling me…" Sasuke's eyes clouded. "Wait."
Kakashi stopped, alongside the Uchiha. "What is it?"
"Sensei. You have a very successful career, right?" Sasuke asked.
"Depends on what you consider successful."
"I'm certain with someone of your reputation…" Sasuke looked the man in his lone eye. "You've come across Itachi as an ANBU. Tell me…did Danzo ever try to contact Itachi?"
"What brought up this sudden trail of thought?" Kakashi looked genuinely intrigued.
Sasuke's sharingan burned slightly, examining the men and women passing the pair by. "A gut feeling is all…"
"As far as I know…" Kakashi paused for a moment. "No. Itachi probably caught the man's attention but as far as I knew, Itachi was loyal only to Konoha."
Sasuke took a long heaving breath, feeling his chest lighten. "Of course he was…"
"You haven't spoken or even worried of Itachi since our training sessions." Kakashi spoke.
"Why did we delay in helping that old woman?" Sasuke asked. "I could have fought the Chunin Exams, I could have done so much more than what I actually did…"
"You know why."
Sasuke shook his head. "No, I know why I did…but I did…but why did you delay us so much…? Just how fucking connected is this Danzo person?!"
"They did say you were a prodigy." Kakashi shut his eye. "Yes. I delayed us because of Danzo and his Foundation agents. You've been on his radar since the Uchiha Massacre, I learned enough of him from my time as ANBU and let me make this clear; you are not to go after Danzo. Information like this could get not only us, but Sakura and Naruto killed."
"What the hell would they want with Sakura?" The Uchiha glared. "She's innocent."
"Not in their eyes." Kakashi frowned. "To them, she's guilty through association."
"What of the Clan Heirs?"
Kakashi ran a hand through his silver hair. "Think of that question, and ask yourself that again."
A growl escaped the Uchiha's throat when he realized. "They'd kill us all if they could, wouldn't they?"
"Or…" Kakashi trailed off. "Brainwash you and Naruto for their own gains. There is no happy ending for Sakura."
"How can you say that?" Sasuke glared. "After everything that has happened…after…"
The jōnin placed a hand on the raven-haired boy's shoulder. "I'm not insinuating anything of her…I'm speaking from previous experience as an ANBU. In our line of work, Sasuke…you will be forced to differentiate personal relationships and professional relationships…it's even worse when you have to evaluate your comrades as potential targets. In our line of work, anything goes, allegiances change like the winds, and treaties and pretty words brush past like leaves. I, personally, will never let anything happen to you, Naruto or Sakura. You three are my students, and if anything…with all that's happened…I'm like your big brother…maybe an uncle."
Sasuke's sharingan shimmered and disappeared. His onyx eyes glowed with a slight flash of happiness. "Like hell I'd want you as an Uncle."
"What is that supposed to mean, Sasuke?" Kakashi looked aghast. "I'll have you know, I'm practically Naruto's brother through association. After all, his father was my sensei."
"No." Sasuke wore a smile that Kakashi never knew the Uchiha knew to bear. "It's the sick porn you read. I'd rather not have that influence in my life."
"Porn?" Kakashi's lone eye twitched. "I'll have you know this is a literary masterpiece."
Sasuke's smile only grew. "My point exactly, hentai-sensei."
Kakashi sighed, running a hand against his masked face. As much as chirpy Sasuke terrified him and never ceased to amaze him, he was beginning to see the future painted with the annoyance of a damaged teenager. At least the boy wasn't moping and brooding like before. Seeing Naruto in that heart wrenching state definitely changed the Uchiha for the foreseeable better. He smiled for the first time, he even called him sensei for the first time! The Hatake wasn't even sure he heard him right when Sasuke first murmured that wondrous title. It took all his strength not to do a double take when Sasuke called him that the second time; both without stuttering.
Sasuke's care and fear for his teammates was admirable and a complete contrast to what he ever let be seen. Kakashi could never stop his wrenching stomach whenever he'd hear of Sasuke's protective words and caring gestures towards the damaged and mentally scarred Sakura. Someone the boy never saw as useful or even close to a friend or equal. But ever since the tragedy that befell their pinkette, the boy was always careful of her, watching her whenever she came by to see Naruto. His worry increased when tact-less Anko spilled the beans on Naruto's unfortunate survivability.
Through all of this though; the team dynamic had never been stronger. As time passed and the enemies took their time building their power base, something good came from the shitstorm. It is a welcome change that the jōnin hoped would be permanent, it was something he just couldn't get over anytime soon; Sasuke's sudden protection and deep care for their blond comrade. He'd even unlocked the third tomoe for his sharingan due to the pain he felt for Naruto.
He didn't unlock it through combat, nor was his life in danger; he unlocked it through sheer sorrow for his friend – no, his brother. Kakashi smiled beneath his mask. Sasuke was almost an entirely different person, it was unbelievable.
"Sensei." Sasuke sighed softly. "Where exactly are we heading to?"
Kakashi shut his lone eye and continued walking. "It wouldn't be a secret if I said where we were going now would it?"
"Ambiguity is the last thing I'd be in the mood for right now, Sensei." Sasuke frowned. "My mind is reeling…I feel like I'm missing something."
Kakashi's hand rested on his stiff shoulder. "You needn't worry of that for now; Naruto will be fine. Sakura will be fine and if things go well with the clans, Danzo will be taken care of in an orderly fashion."
"How certain are you that this Danzo will make a move?" Sasuke asked. "As one of these factions, you're clearly worried he might go forth with one of his ploys."
"I am at least eighty-percent sure he would make a move." The jōnin nodded. "As for the possibility of success, I can't say for sure…"
"Best guess."
"Ninety."
The reply was flat.
Ninety.
Sasuke froze for a moment, eyes locked with the rubble covered ground. It was a hard fought victory over the Sand/Sound invasion, and now another battle was something no one wanted. Such high possibility for something the Uchiha knew would spell destruction for the village. But still; ninety percent. That is the same percentage chance of Naruto dying in that hospital. He clenched his fists, sandaled feet kicking and tumbling over the great debris.
"But there's still that ten percent chance of failure."
Kakashi's lone eye watched the boy with surprise. "An optimist, eh?"
"Be as it may…" Sasuke tried hard to fight the curl of his lips. "There really is that ten percent chance of failure, maybe if something were to happen to Danzo along the way or…his power."
"Too risky. He isn't the leader of the cruelest organization of shinobi for nothing." The jōnin quickly shot those thoughts down. "He has more than enough tricks up his sleeves to keep everyone on their toes for years."
"A stretch?"
"A stretch of the truth or no, I wouldn't be foolish enough to put it past him."
Leaves rustled as the foliage twisted and crunched beneath the insatiable weight. Pushing through the bushes and ferns, a large man with an equally large mane of hair appeared. He was burly, a little on the big-boned side with thick purple rope wrapped around his waist. Strangely enough, he wore battle armor with the symbol for food, the standard armor of his clan, and armed with a bo-staff. The clan head of the Akimichi had arrived.
Kakashi's lone eye eased considerably at the first arrival. "Chōza-sama, a pleasure that you'd come."
"Kakashi." The Noble clan head bowed slightly, his voice boisterous. "We've never been called like this before…something must be wrong."
"Aye, indeed there is." A gruff, yet lazy sounding voice echoed in the clearing. He was dressed in a jōnin flak jacket with a deer skin vest over the jacket. His face was marred by two scars that seemed painfully deep. Like Shikamaru, his hair looked akin to a pineapple. "Chōza. Kakashi. Oh, and what are you doing here, Sasuke?"
"It seems that I will represent the Uchiha Clan in this meeting." Sasuke bowed his head. "Shikaku-sama."
"HAHA!" He gave a soft guffaw. "My, my, Shikamaru will enjoy hearing of this."
"Jeez, Shikaku." A slightly more gentle and well-mannered voice compared to the other two was heard. Pushing through the bushes, a man with long blond hair tied into a ponytail arrived. Sky blue eyes only matched by one other person in Sasuke's class. "Ah, the Ino-Shika-Cho were the first to arrive."
"As usual."
"Troublesome as usual." Shikaku yawned. "Kakashi, have you gathered what we talked of?"
"Aye, I did." The Hatake reached into his rear pouch and removed an unmarked scroll. With a quick toss, the Nara caught the message and quickly stashed it away. "Then I ran into this little clan head wanting to join the big boys."
"Kakashi." Another gruff voice was heard. "The Sarutobi have arrived."
"Asuma?" The jōnin in question asked. "What are you doing here?"
Asuma looked serious, and for once, he was missing a cigarette. "I've decided to take up the mantle and become the next Sarutobi head. With my father gone and the clan in almost disarray, my people need a leader." He nodded.
"Why now?" Kakashi asked. "You've declined the title for as long as I've known you,"
"After what we witnessed in the hospital…I have a bad feeling for the future of the village." Asuma's eyes shut. "Danzo will trample on everything my father, Naruto's father, and what all the other Hokage had created and stood for."
"So I take it you're with me?" Kakashi asked. "You haven't even heard what I had to say yet."
"You are trustworthy Kakashi, despite the harsh history you've had as a shinobi." The Sarutobi nodded and shook the hands of the other Clan Heads. "Let's begin these talks shall we?"
Sasuke stood silently, dark onyx eyes watching the jōnin in front of him converse. In all honesty, he didn't know what he was doing in this clearing, completely forgetting his reasoning. Seeing such powerful shinobi talk and meet in such a shadowy, and completely shady area, made his skin crawl. Knowing what ANBU could do, he could barely imagine what a Foundation agent could do. Spying was essential to a shinobi, so Sasuke had every right to be as paranoid as now.
Pledges of allegiances were made and pacts were formed on the spot. They talked and made plans and even argued slightly. Sasuke gulped hearing the talk of politics he never had in the academy or at home. He heard the worried voice, speaking of the elemental nations, namely the Land of Rock and the Land of Lightning. Then they named the clans who were still unaccounted for; Inuzuka, Aburame, Hyuuga. There were so many names being spoken, he felt that his brain would explode.
But now, with the winds shifting and the trees bending to the howls of nature, the clearing was filled to the brim with the most powerful jōnin Sasuke had ever heard of or met. Worse yet, they were arguing like children. Back and forth they spat over menial things, yelling out their disagreement. Sasuke had never been so disappointed before. Clouds drifted above them, waving past the gleaming rays of moonlight, of which, Sasuke hadn't even noticed.
The Hyuuga were concerned of clan rights, which was completely absurd. The Inuzuka asked what was in it for them, which was equally absurd. The Aburame watched in silence with their sunglasses and high collars hiding their expressions from sight. Yamanaka, Nara, Akimichi and Sarutobi of course, sided with each other right from the get-go. Leaving the minor clans and the thoughts of one, Uchiha Sasuke.
Much to his relief or displeasure, not a single Clan Head paid him attention. The closest thing he had been to being seen was when Shikaku called his name – and that was five hours ago – and the man was sitting right next to him against a tree! He showed respect, bowed to each Clan Head and even used all the proper titles and suffixes, but not a single one of them batted an eye in his direction. Some clasped each other for a hug or a small exchange of kind words but no one bowed back to the young Uchiha. But as soon as Kakashi spoke, bringing the Clansmen up to speed, chaos broke loose. If Sasuke thought he were unnoticeable before, he had might as well been invisible.
So fixated on their own personal problems and political standings, not one of them could see the problem and act like a solid unit. Sasuke frowned watching with his back resting against a tree. He'd crossed his arms over his chest for so long, he was certain they were growing numb. Beside him, Shikaku Nara had his arms behind his head, dark eyes watching the clouds.
"Why don't you join the arguments, Sasuke?" The Nara asked, breaking their hour long silence. "After all, you are representing the Uchiha clan in this."
"Why don't you join the arguments, Shikaku-sama?" Sasuke responded in the same dull tone. "After all you are representing the Nara clan in this."
"Touché." Shikaku snickered, eyes never once deviating from the floating clouds. "It's troublesome to get in an argument over something as delicate as this; arguments only get loud and when things get loud, conversations, plans and debates stagnate and no one gets anywhere."
"Why not stop it?" Sasuke asked.
"Did you seriously just ask that?" Shikaku stopped his cloud watching just to give Sasuke a look.
Sheepish and slightly embarrassed, Sasuke brought a hand to the back of his head. A nervous laugh escaped his lips. "Heh, sorry."
"All in good faith." Shikaku sighed. "I won't stop this argument because the factions have already been made."
Sasuke shot from the tree. Turning his head, he looked down to see the Nara, bored face and staring at the clouds. "What do you mean?"
"I can already see the Hyuuga splitting." Shikaku stated. "Ino-Shika-Cho is held together by loyalty and the Sarutobi. Sarutobi has already stated allegiance to Kakashi so we're set. Inuzuka has no real reason to get involved since Danzo hasn't affected their clan. Aburame have a number of members in the Foundation, each member willingly joined. It's kind of fubar if you ask me, but hey, I'm just the jōnin commander of Konoha, who's basically the de facto Hokage when there isn't one so I'm involved with knowing many secrets but whatever, what would I know?"
Sasuke blanched at the sarcasm. "What of the smaller clans?"
"What of them?" The Nara snorted. "If anything, they would cream at the chance to jump the pyramid of Clan Hierarchy; especially since the only Uchiha remaining in Konoha is yourself. If say, Aburame sides with Kakashi, one of those smaller clans would join Danzo and fill in the space left by Aburame. Give and take, Sasuke. This game they – we – play only spirals into chaos when given a choice to rebel or side with the regime. Our case is a little shady – given Danzo is seen by the public as this councilman and powerful politician with a heart for war; he's not even Hokage so a lot of people might see this as a military takeover. To make matters slightly less in our favor, the Foundation is a need-to-know piece of information; almost ninety percent of our shinobi force don't know of its existence."
"But back to the factions; I would not be surprised if the Hyuuga split." Shikaku narrowed his eyes at Hiashi. "Even with the sudden care he'd taken towards his nephew and the Branch members of his clan, there have been countless years of strife and hate bottled for the Main House of the Hyuuga – in simple terms; too little, too late. The way I see it, Hiashi sides with Kakashi, taking the Main House and whomever is fit to lead the Branch, joins with Danzo under the pretense of a better Hyuuga. The change brought by Hiashi would be more efficient but will take a lot longer to come into fruition; the change brought by joining Danzo would be immediate, something that many of the desperate Branch members would love to have."
"The Inuzuka have their war dogs." The Nara scratched his small soul patch. "The dogs are bred for being ninja companions and aiding the Inuzuka shinobi – not Danzo and his interests. As useful and incredibly well they are at tracking and search and destroy missions, Inuzuka lacked a tact that was needed for Foundation shinobi. Emotional reconditioning – from Kakashi's reports – is still in use, something the Inuzuka could resist and remain complete hounds. Danzo wants none of that nonsense in his force so I could see the clan sitting in the side-lines, waiting for the tensions to die down – which is something I'd prefer for mine but…we can't have everything, can we."
"And lastly, the Aburame." Shikaku sighed softly, pressing his hand against his forehead. "One of the four noble clans, they have a deeply rooted history with Konoha and the Foundation. On top of that, they have powerful and incredibly dangerous kinjutsu that is well sought after by Danzo. Even though my clan, the Akimichi and the Yamanaka have a few members in the Foundation, our kinjutsu are child's play compared to the Aburame. Why I think they would side with Danzo, Aburame act as a hive, so to speak. They don't kill or fight their own, so they would be loyal to themselves and their clansmen and looking at it in a broader scope; loyal to the village and what's best for it. In their eyes, the Foundation is the foundation of Konoha and her social hierarchy. To break the hierarchy because of a few unethical decisions on their parts, spells inconceivability. I can see the clan siding with Danzo the most. While most clansmen join willingly, Aburame kinjutsu require years of conditioning and work – from what I know – and it's practically a test to see if the shinobi is ready for the Foundation."
"How do you know so much?" Sasuke asked.
"Being jōnin commander has an endless supply of perks." Shikaku replied.
"Do you possibly know…?" The Uchiha paused for a moment, worried of pushing his luck.
"What is it, Sasuke?" Shikaku sat up.
He took a deep breath. "Do you by any chance, know if Danzo had ever contacted Itachi? Kakashi said he doesn't know but you are far more informed."
Shikaku was taken aback and almost uncertain of how he would respond. "…"
"You don't have to answer." Sasuke frowned. "I was worried of the answer but it seems I was given the same one."
"Sasuke." Shikaku shut his eyes. "I truly do not know if Danzo has ever contacted Itachi."
The Uchiha frowned deeper, resting the back of his head against the tree. Why do I keep asking, why do I keep worrying, why do I keep hoping…?
"Itachi was a special case, a once in a generation genius prodigy set above the rest." Shikaku reminisced of the boy. "I have no doubt in my mind that Danzo might have contacted him, but as far as I'm concerned – or honestly know of the situation – Itachi progressed too quickly for Danzo to get his hands on him. Itachi was leagues ahead of many – almost impossibly ahead. But if it puts ease to your thoughts; I'd say there is an eighty percent chance that Danzo has tried to whisk your brother for the Foundation."
Sasuke's body shivered for a moment, catching the eye of the Nara. "Oh…I suppose that's more than what I could ask for."
Suddenly, Aburame Shibi, Shino's father, had turned to leave. From the arguments and plots the clan heads were vying, not one of them noticed save for the Uchiha left behind. Sasuke sprang from the tree arms at his sides with beads of sweat trickling down his brow.
"Shibi-sama!" Sasuke called, silencing the arguing adults. "Where are you going?"
"I see that no one has been able to give me good reason to remove Danzo from power before he could become Hokage." The Aburame responded. "Every response and every reason has been made with personal opinions of the man and his policies. Root, the Foundation is what shinobi need to be; quiet, stealthy, ruthless and assassins. Understand, I respect the laws and the morality of Konoha and her shinobi forces, but it was Konoha and her very morals that led to the death of our beloved Sandaime and the near complete destruction of our village. Danzo is a perfect candidate for the Hokage seat, aside from the Will of Fire lacking, he holds the strength of a leader that will be willing to maintain the image of Konoha and her supremacy. Right now, Konoha is weak beyond comprehension, if it weren't for the Foundation agents patrolling the ruined walls, bandits would have raided the village weeks ago. Now, while I don't agree with Danzo and his cruelty, there must be a line between morality and efficiency. Until there comes another, more qualified and with more experience in leading and governing, the Aburame will take no part in what is being conspired here. For the sake of our friendship and for the peace of the village, neither will we speak of this night. Farewell, I hope we do not come to blows."
And with that, the man disappeared in a cloud of kikaichu beetles. Sasuke paused for a moment and thought of what the Patriarch of the Aburame had said. There was truth in what he said; it was the undeniable truth. Everything that Kakashi had said, everything that he used to describe this dangerous organization, was based on personal morality and emotions. What was the difference in what the Foundation did than what regular jōnin did on A-ranked and S-ranked missions – aside from the masks and brutal tactics. Shibi was right, as of now, Konoha had no candidate better than Danzo.
"Sasuke." Kakashi looked at his student. "I know what you're thinking but –"
"Sensei…" the Uchiha frowned. "I will need more reason than him being a bad man. Using emotions and personal opinions of his tactics aren't viable reasons. We even do the same thing as regular shinobi."
"But there's a mission ranking –"
"Did that ranking system matter in the Land of Waves?" Sasuke asked with a glare. "Did the system of fights in the Chunin Exams matter when the invasion broke out? Did any of that matter when Naruto and I killed?!"
"Sasuke, you don't understand…"
"I understand it well enough." Sasuke frowned. "He's cruel and he's lacking in any true morality – that much is the undeniable truth, but what can you say of Iwagakure and Kumogakure? So much was taught of their iron fist Kage and shinobi – even worse, their treatment for Jinchuriki, like weapons. Sound familiar?"
"Haku and Zabuza were perfect shinobi and they even wore you out!" Sasuke bit his lip. "Shibi-sama was right, the Foundation is what a shinobi should be. Danzo had done something right, he created a defense blanket for the village in its weakest moments and what are we – the most well-known shinobi in the village, plotting to strike a man down who's done nothing wrong – that I know of at least."
"It's what he might do –"
"Might?!" Sasuke clenched his teeth. "Isn't that against everything we've learned in the academy? Removing the problem before it exists isn't exactly the morally correct thing to do either!"
"In these trying times…" Kakashi frowned. "Some things need to be forsaken for the sake of peace."
Sasuke stared at his sensei, confused and honestly worried of who this man was. There was no way this was the same man who'd talked him through the process, who'd trained him. Something was off about the entire situation and the boy needed to know. But it seemed the more questions he asked, the more he felt he was going in circles.
"Why do we need to remove Danzo so badly?" he asked with a glare. "What is the worst possible thing that could happen? He gets his hands on Naruto and I, what then?"
Kakashi looked to the remaining Clan Heads and sighed. "Naruto loses emotions and loses his identity and lives a life with a single purpose – be Danzo's personal weapon. You on the other hand…"
"What about me?"
"Itachi will happen."
"Itachi?" Naruto asked with wide eyes. "But…is he still planning on killing you?!"
"Turns out I was wrong." Sasuke clenched his fist, snapping one of his chopsticks. "There are a lot of things that I…that I just never knew…"
Grass crunched and twigs snapped in the early morning, catching the attention of the four ninja. Naruto expertly placed his bowl and chopsticks down all the while drawing out his kunai sword. Before him stood a man with long black hair and a large black cloak over his body. Naruto didn't know the man or what his deal was – all he knew, if the man took another step, he'd cut him to ribbons. Before he could make a move, both Ahri and Sasuke reached out and grabbed him, keeping him still.
"No…" Sasuke said in a near whisper.
"Who is that?"
"Naruto." Sasuke took a deep breath. "This is my brother…Uchiha Itachi."
"Naruto-kun, Sasuke-kun." The man in question spoke. "I am glad the son of the Yondaime has awoken, we have much to speak of."
"But I'm not done yet." Sasuke scowled.
Instead of responding to the indignant sounding Uchiha, Itachi simply poked his forehead garnering a giggle from Sakura. Without words able to process, Sasuke collapsed back to his seat with his arms crossed over his chest. Naruto though paid the entire scene no attention and stared at the man accused for killing his entire clan. He would have never pictured a shinobi with that kind of title to look so…brotherly.
"You can finish the story when we get to our destination, Sasuke." Itachi smiled. "Naruto-kun, I believe congratulations are in order for your promotion to Chunin."
"T-Thank you…?" Naruto stared at the man in front of him, unable to fight the shiver crawling up his spine.
"As the Jinchuriki of the Kyuubi, there is something you need to know." Itachi began. "You are being hunted."
"I already know that." Naruto snapped from his stupor. "There's a reason we're in the forest and not in Konoha…by the way…how is Konoha?"
Sakura and Sasuke fell silent. The blond whipped his head back to his sensei to find even Jiraiya looking down in silence, hands still and wrapped around the edges of his bowl. It seemed that Itachi was the only one unaffected by his question.
"Danzo is not your only enemy and neither is Orochimaru." Itachi spoke. "I have information that is paramount to both you and Sasuke. He already knows; thankfully, you're awake so I won't have to delay any longer."
"What is it?"
"After the massacre, I went searching for a group known as the Akatsuki to learn their intentions. It turns out, the group is after the Jinchuriki for the tailed beasts within them. The Akatsuki don't care for the vessel, they only care for what they carry." Itachi frowned. "So far, two Jinchuriki have been killed and their Bijuu extracted."
What…? How c-could a group be so cold and heartless?
"This is bad." Ahri glared. "This is really bad…"
What do you mean? Naruto asked.
"Kurama – the real Kyuubi – is still out there…" She clenched her teeth. "If he were to get captured by the Akatsuki…the destruction would be unparalleled…"
Shit…do you have any idea where he could possibly be? Naruto was definitely worried.
"I honestly have no idea." Ahri scratched her head. "It took me months to follow his trail the first time. I can't really follow after him while this cursed mark and seal holding me within you though…and like Minato said, I'm not myself."
Itachi watched the blond with worried eyes. "Naruto. Do you understand what I'm trying to tell you?"
"My life is in more danger?" He sighed with despair. "What more does the world want from me?"
"Your life is in more than just simple danger." Itachi took a deep calculating breath. "Their ranks hold puppeteers, legendary swordsmen of the mist, immortals and some of the most dangerous criminals in the Five Elemental nations. Your life and anyone else who gets in their way is in danger."
"What more do I have to know?" Naruto ran a hand through his blond hair. "All of this is just too much! What's next?! Kakashi-sensei is dead? Konoha is a burning crisp? Please, there is honestly nothing that could be said to make things worse than they already are!"
"You're half right." Itachi said. "Konoha was a burning crisp when we smuggled you out of the village."
"W-What? But what of Kakashi-sensei?" The young Chunin asked. "Where is he?"
"I believe that is a question for Sasuke." Itachi shut his eyes. Slowly rising to his feet, the great coat and the red clouds unruffled and unfolded. "I will go ahead and scout the path. Do not be late, little brother. Jiraiya-sama, Naruto-kun, Sakura-san. I will see you there."
"Don't get into any unnecessary fights, Itachi." Jiraiya called.
A faint of a smile appeared on the boy's face. "I'm not the one who should be receiving such advice."
With parting words, the Uchiha disappeared as a flock of crows.
They had broken camp and sped through the Land of Fire making a good pace through the foliage and overgrown trees infesting, rather decorating, the horizon. Thankfully, they'd avoided border patrols and search parties – and thanks to Jiraiya, they knew there were many after their asses. Springing over branches and punching through thick canopies of leaves, night had finally come. Along within it, came rest and dinner. But for Naruto, he once again sat upon a branch far above their encampment. Legs crossed and eyes shut tight, he was channeling a small, almost untraceable wave of chakra surrounding the encampment – special thanks to Ahri of course.
While in the real world, he was quiet and practically meditating, within his mindscape Naruto stood before the Gumiho in his gut, contemplating their next move in the grand scheme of things. She was pacing back and forth staring at the great tomoe trio floating where the cage doors used to be. The boy tapped his feet against the sewer floor in slight frustration. While he'd very much accepted his fate of never ending responsibilities, it seemed that every second spent in the waking world, more weight would come from nowhere dropping upon his – and Ahri's – shoulders.
"It almost hilarious isn't it?" Ahri asked with a half-smile.
"Y'know, from Orochimaru to Danzo, to even knowing that my home is in flames…" Unable to fight his own, Naruto sighed. Eyes trailed to the ripples in the sewer waters. "I'm finding it hard to see the hilarity of this shitshow…enlighten me."
"It's just…" She crossed her arms over her chest. "All of these happened to you, almost as if you were being targeted. Like specifically you."
"Mostly because of the fact that you're in my gut." Naruto added. "Also my parents were badasses."
"True…" Once more her eyes trailed to the great tomoe radiating its tainted energy. "But something just isn't right about half the shit that happened; especially this seal – why is it here…? What would Orochimaru gain from taking you? If he intends to make you his personal slave or whatever…why not simply restrain me again? He did it before."
"I mean, we did catch him in a bind before. If I remember correctly, we had him on the ropes and we even had his ass surrounded. When he first marked me in the Forest of Death, I was fighting him alone; as dumb as that was in hindsight."
She narrowed her red eyes, tapping her chin. "But why mark you with the curse mark – especially one that kills ninety-percent of its recipients? What's with the look?"
"IT KILLS NINETY PERCENT OF ITS RECIPIENTS?!" Naruto cried. "I…how…?"
Her tails sped out catching the boy before he could faint. His mind reeled from the information – how in the hell did he survive such a thing in the first place? What exactly was this monstrosity? But to know he only had a ten percent chance of living really got to him. His heart beat heavily, punching at his ribcage throwing his thoughts haywire. I could have died for real…
"But good thing your parents had a failsafe in the event that you did die." Ahri smiled. "You're not leaving us any time soon, Dong-saeng. I won't let that happen."
"I'm counting on it…" Leaning his head into her tails, he relished in the feeling. "So soft…"
It was almost like a groan. The tone and his roaming hands brought a deep blush to the girl's cheeks. He laid upon the furry pillows, completely forgetting the incredibly horrifying truth of the dark seal. Ahri stole a glance at the drifting teen, completely ignoring the fact he was caressing her tails. He looked at peace and honestly she couldn't be bothered with the seal for another moment. Tightening her tails, the fur brushed against his whiskered cheeks, causing a soft growl to escape his lips. Surprisingly, his eyes were already shut, hiding the gleaming cerulean orbs within.
"Oh Naruto…" She sighed softly. "Do you trust me?"
A near inaudible groan came from the sleeping boy.
I do.
So yeah; we got things rolling down to who knows where?
Also, Itachi is a good guy? What's up with that, eh?
Review guys! Review a lot!
Next Chapter: Team Seven arrives at their destination; Clans unite; and Naruto must come to accept his mission, find the last hope for Konoha; a drunkard with a horrid gambling streak - sometimes you just can't win, can you?
Ja ne!
gottahavekyuubi
