Oki-Itachi's visits are like clockwork. He always drops off Sasuke's breakfast at exactly 9AM, then shows up every subsequent three hours until he delivers his dinner at 9PM. It's the easiest access to food Sasuke has had in years—though it's only been so hard because of what Oki-Itachi did—but more importantly, the Oki's punctuality allows Sasuke to keep track of time.
So the Chibi knows he's been with these missing-nin for three days, that it has also been three days since Sasuke watched his beloved brother fall out of the sky to a fate unknown, two days since he tried to escape, and one day before Oki-Itachi is supposed to start training him. Whatever that means.
Sasuke lays back on his beanbag, staring up at the cage lid while going through a mental list of all the missing-nin he's encountered so far.
Oki-Itachi, murderous sharkman Kisame, Uchiha-hater Deidara, probably has a split-personality Tobi, living ragdoll Kakuzu, psychotic scythe-wielder guy, and Pain their leader with the legendary Rinnegan.
The Chibi exhales, massaging his temples. He couldn't imagine a crazier bunch if he tried, and of course Oki-Itachi just has to be working with them. Though that's not too shocking considering Sasuke was told years ago Oki-Itachi joined some criminal organization after abandoning Konoha. He learned back when Oki-Itachi sent Oki-Sasuke to the hospital, having used Tsukuyomi on his poor younger brother a second time.
Still, Sasuke never expected to find himself among the human Akatsuki. Or, well, he's pretty sure that's who they are since they're wearing the trademark black cloaks with a red cloud pattern. Though Sasuke is more familiar with their Chibi counterparts who are primarily stationed in Amegakure according to Chibi Konoha intelligence, and aren't a band of criminals so much as a vigilante group striving for world peace.
Clearly the Oki Akatsuki are very different from the Chibi Akatsuki, but what Sasuke can't figure out is what do they need him for? Surely the advantages that come with Sasuke's smaller size aren't that impressive to a group of S-rank shinobi.
The door lock clicks, startling Sasuke from his pondering, and he quickly stands since he finished breakfast less than an hour ago, meaning Oki-Itachi shouldn't be back for another two hours. Yet the human that enters the room is in fact the Oki Uchiha, carrying a plastic bowl in his hands.
The Chibi watches warily as the human sets the bowl on the table, noticing the steam rising from it. Did the Oki bring him soup? Is this an extra meal?
His guess is proven incorrect when the Oki unlocks the cage, and Sasuke backs up while the human sets the tall bowl in a corner of the container. Sasuke's face crinkles with confusion as Oki-Itachi also lays down a white washcloth and two travel-size bottles, which are slightly shorter than Sasuke, beside it.
"I apologize for not providing you a means to clean yourself sooner." Sasuke's eyes widen, realizing what's happening. "But I thought it best if you had time to adjust to your new surroundings first."
Sasuke stuffs down his shock, pretending not to understand the Oki's words while he cautiously approaches what he can now see is a bowl of hot water. The warm air wafting above it sends a thrum of longing down to Sasuke's core because he hasn't been able to bathe for over a week, as prior to being captured there hadn't been any bodies of waters in Suna for him to wash up in, and after being locked up, the best Sasuke could do was splash some of his drinking water on his face since anything more would dirty the liquid.
"I'll return in two hours." Oki-Itachi tells him as he turns, pulls the door closed and leaves.
Sasuke narrows his eyes at the doorway, suspicious, but after five minutes of not hearing anybody so much as walk past the room, the Chibi relaxes. He's still cautious when he slips off his brother's torn cloak, reverently folding it and placing it on his beanbag, and he waits another five minutes before determining none of the Oki shinobi are around to disrupt him, perhaps too busy completing missions.
Yet Sasuke still feels paranoid until he dips his hand into the water and his whole arm goes lax as the heat permeates every muscle and tendon below his wrist. Everything afterwards is a blur of clothes being thrown off before Sasuke plunges into the steaming liquid.
His skin burns on contact, but it's a good sort of pain while Sasuke drifts weightlessly below the water's surface. He floats back up, breaching the top so his body bobs upon the waves his plunge made.
Sasuke releases a little laugh, smiling for the first time in days as the heat takes away all the aches and pains throughout his body, soothing his broken leg and brushing his worries aside until they fall away like leaves caught in the wind.
Eventually the water temperature drops, forcing Sasuke to open his eyes and ease into a stand. He shivers when the air touches his bare shoulders, quickly wading over to the travel-size bottles and squinting at their labels before unscrewing the green one's top and scooping out a little shampoo. He runs the gel through his hair, massaging his scalp and dunking under the water to rinse it off. He does the same with the white bottle, except he uses a corner of the washcloth to scrub on the almond-scented body wash.
By the time he's finished the water is freezing and Sasuke eagerly leaves it, drying himself off with the washcloth and wearing it like a cloak afterwards since it's too big to wrap around his waist. He glances at his white high-collar t-shirt and dark blue pants on the floor, but frowns at the stains on them. Sasuke doesn't want to wear soiled clothes after getting himself clean, so dumps them and Itachi's cloak into the water. He uses the soap gel to wash out the dirt and sweat and lays them on the bowl's rim to dry under the lamplight.
Oki-Itachi returns an hour later to find Sasuke clean, dressed and lounging on his beanbag. The Oki must notice Sasuke is more relaxed because his gaze lingers on the Chibi while he removes the bowl and toiletries. Though it could also be the fact Sasuke didn't put Itachi's cloak back on that's caught his attention since this would be his first time seeing Sasuke's true outfit.
"It looks like someone enjoyed their bath," Oki-Itachi says conversationally, and if he was Sasuke's actual brother he'd say there was teasing lit to his voice, but this monster is not his brother so Sasuke scowls at him.
If the Oki notices Sasuke's hostility he ignores it and says, "We can do this again tomorrow." The Chibi lights up, surprised by the offer. "After your training session."
Sasuke's excitement dies, the Chibi realizing what the Oki is implying. The bath was a trap, something Sasuke was given to appreciate simply so it can be hung over his head like a threat if he doesn't behave as these missing-nin want him to. Thus it's very likely Sasuke will never get to bathe again until he escapes from the Akatsuki.
Itachi frowns when the min-nin glares at him, wondering what he said to upset the tiny shinobi. However, it's not like Itachi can ask, so he simply locks the cage and takes away the bowl to empty in the bathroom sink.
—
Sasuke can't sleep that night, too anxious over what his first "training" session will entail. Will it be an exercise session? A test to see how fast he can run despite his injury? Or something more strenuous such as pitting him against a squirrel and seeing how long he lasts? Well, maybe not that last one...
Sasuke rolls over on his beanbag and stares at his brother's folded cloak beside him. His expression falls as he reaches for the black cloth and drags it up to his face. Despite the thorough washing he gave it, there's a familiar scent lying beneath the chemical fragrance, likening incense and green tea.
It smells like Itachi, and how Sasuke wishes he knew where his brother was. Assuming his sibling survived the fall, did he make it back to Konoha safely? Or is he still out there searching for Sasuke? And what about Shisui and Izumi?
Sasuke feels guilty for not thinking about them sooner, but now wonders if they too are safely back in Konoha. The Chibi's lips slant down, realizing if they are then they must have told his mother what happened and she's probably worried sick about him—worried about Itachi too if his brother hasn't made it back yet.
In fact, the entire Chibi Uchiha clan might be in a frenzy by now since Sasuke and Itachi are the clan's strongest members. And that's without considering Itachi is the clan head while Sasuke is the clan's sole heir. If anything happens to them the Chibi Uchiha will be devastated and it will be all Oki-Itachi's fault again.
Sasuke's fingers clench around his brother's cloak, bunching the clothing, while he stares out of his cage to the Oki lying in his bed. He can't see well outside of the ring of lamplight beaming down on the table, but he does his best to glare at Oki-Itachi anyway since the human may have brought ruin upon his clan.
Sasuke is still glaring when the Oki twitches. For a second he thinks the human's senses are so sharp he felt Sasuke's stare in his sleep, but then the Oki starts coughing.
Sasuke figures it's the dust in the air causing his reaction until the coughing intensifies, racking the Oki's entire frame. Is the human sick?
Oki-Itachi jerks upright in his bed, hand slapping over his mouth while he hacks up something wet from his lungs. Sasuke's brow furrows as the Oki moves less gracefully than he's ever seen and yanks open his drawer. He pulls out a large pill bottle and rushes to unscrew the cap, wheezing between his coughs.
Sasuke is beginning to feel uncomfortable because the Oki's cough sounds terrible.
Yet Sasuke can only watch as the Oki swallows two tablets dry before swiping his fist over a dark liquid leaking from his mouth. Gradually his coughing subsides, and once he can breathe normally, Oki-Itachi rises and walks unsteadily to the door, glancing Sasuke's way as he does.
Sasuke shuts his eyes quickly, but the Oki isn't fooled this time. "Sorry," the human says quietly. "I didn't mean to wake you."
Sasuke reluctantly opens his eyes and narrows them at Oki-Itachi, though there's less heat in them than usual since he's more confused than angry.
"I'm sick." Oki-Itachi lowers his hand to the doorknob, but doesn't turn it. "I've been sick for a while."
Sasuke keeps his face blank, though something about the calm way Oki-Itachi is speaking puts him on edge.
"Normally it doesn't effect me at night, so you don't have to worry about this becoming a regular thing." His lips turn up like he's attempting a joke, but of course Sasuke doesn't answer, and the human sobers.
"It's terminal."
Sasuke's mask shatters, shock and horror blooming across his face.
Oki-Itachi shuts his eyes. "I've never told anyone that," he whispers as if awed by his own action before opening his eyes to focus on Sasuke. "It's okay." He smiles, and his expression sends a shiver down Sasuke's back. "I'll set you free before I have my final battle with Sasuke." He unlocks the door. "Assuming you haven't escaped by then."
Sasuke sits straight up the second the door closes, the soft cloth slipping off his shoulders without his notice. "Why..." he asks no one in particular, his brain whirring.
It must be another ploy, Sasuke decides. Oki-Itachi must be trying to garner Sasuke's sympathy by pretending to be terminally ill while also endearing himself to Sasuke by promising to set the Chibi free.
Sasuke glowers. He hates the tiny part of himself that believed the Oki for a moment and resolves to squash that bit of himself as he flops back on the beanbag, yanking the cloth over his head and mentally berating himself until he falls asleep.
The Chibi never notices the bloody fingerprints staining the doorknob, especially since Itachi cleans up all traces of his illness once he returns to his room.
—
Sasuke munches unenthusiastically on the omelet he's been given for lunch, not even tasting the green peppers and cheese before he lets the meal fall back into the bowl.
He didn't sleep well last night, having been plagued with a nightmare where Itachi was riding a crow during a thunderstorm, searching for Sasuke, only for the bird to be struck by lightning and tumble out of the air.
Bloodied and bruised, his brother had crawled out from under the crow's corpse and resumed his search by foot. However, Itachi started coughing, the coughs worsening until his brother collapsed onto his knees. Black blood dripping from his lips, Itachi fell back, and as his eyes dulled, used his final breath to call Sasuke's name before staring sightlessly up at the cloudy gray sky.
Sasuke woke up shouting, "Nii-san!", but fortunately Oki-Itachi was already awake and out of the room. Still, Sasuke can't shake off the memory of his brother dying in his nightmare, fearing its some sort of warning of what's to come unless Sasuke escapes the Akatsuki soon.
The Chibi sips a handful of water to help the omelet go down, but in his agitated state the drink merely makes him feel bloated.
The door opens, and Sasuke starts so badly he nearly falls into the bowl while Oki-Itachi enters the room. The Chibi's glare is weak as the Oki frowns at the half-eaten omelet. Yet Oki-Itachi says nothing when he takes the bowl to dump his remains in the trash, which only makes Sasuke feel worse because food is a precious resource that shouldn't be wasted.
A minute later Oki-Itachi returns and sets the bowl back in, but Sasuke tenses when he doesn't immediately close the cage. Instead Oki-Itachi reaches for the jar on the table and removes its lid, regarding him with what must be feigned sympathy. "It will be more comfortable for us both if I carry you in this."
Sasuke schools his expression, not allowing his fear to show even though he wasn't expecting his training to begin so soon. He crosses his arms tightly over his chest, not budging when the Oki lowers the jar into the cage and tilts it like he's honestly expecting Sasuke to willingly enter it.
After a brief staring match, the Oki sighs, and in a flash, pinches the back of Sasuke's shirt, lifting him easily despite the Chibi's flailing. He gently sets Sasuke in the jar, snapping the lid over it before he can leap out. "I'm sorry for this."
Sasuke has to bite his tongue to keep from calling him a liar while Oki-Itachi picks up the jar and glides out of the room.
The Chibi leans his hand on the glass, steadying himself as they enter the living room. He glowers at Kisame who waits by the door before noticing Kakuzu is also nearby, sitting on the couch and scrawling in his ledger while Deidara sits on the other sofa, a magazine with paper bombs on the cover in front of his face.
The blond lowers the magazine to stare at the newcomers, and seeing Itachi, glares. Then he notices Sasuke and glares at him too.
Sasuke turns up his nose at the blond, and rage flashes over Deidara's face.
Though the Chibi loses eye contact when Oki-Itachi suddenly hands him over to Kisame. "I will make sure everything is in place." The Oki waits for his partner to nod, then heads out the door.
Sasuke doesn't appreciate being left in the hands of the Oki who might have murdered his brother, and his gaze hardens as he looks up at the sharkman. If Sasuke gets out of here and learns his brother really did perish because of him, it won't matter if Kisame is bigger than him, Sasuke will kill him.
A brief shout startles Sasuke into swiveling around to see the crazy scythe-weilder standing horrified in the doorway of the living room, his entire body rearing back. "The unholy creature!" He whips his pointer finger at Sasuke, eyes narrowing. "Keep that thing away from me!"
Kisame cocks his head, seemingly amused. "And what's so 'unholy' about it?"
The purple-eyed man snorts disdainfully, folding his arms. "Just look at it!" He says like it should be obvious while Sasuke's ears ring from his volume. "It's a crime against Jashin-sama that those things exist!"
Sasuke scowls when Kakuzu speaks without looking up from his numbers. "In my Village the korobokkuru are revered as mythical beings, known for leaving gifts on the doorsteps of shinobi who have earned their respect."
Sasuke blinks. That's actually not too far off from what Chibi typically do for their Oki counterparts. Since humans feed and shelter Sasuke's kind—even if they don't realize it—most Chibi find ways to return the favor. Sometimes they perform simple tasks such as retrieving a lost toy and leaving it out where the human will see it. Other times it's more serious like a Chibi following their Oki to the battlefield and helping them out from behind the scenes.
In Sasuke's house his mother used to pick flowers and leave the bouquet on her counterpart's bed, the human woman always assuming they were from her husband or sons. Father sometimes shined his counterpart's shuriken at night, and Sasuke and Itachi would take turns leaving a piece a candy or mint on their counterpart's beds. Of course this all ended when Oki-Itachi murdered most of the family.
"Blasphemy!" The scythe man cries, throwing his hands up. "That creature probably doesn't even have an ounce of blood in its body!" He shudders, revolted.
"Wait." Deidara finally lowers his magazine to send the scythe-weilder a deadpan stare. "Are you saying min-nin are filthy little monsters," he sends Sasuke a sharp smile that says he agrees with the sentiment, "Because they're too small to sacrifice?"
"Of course!" The scythe-weilder huffs. "What's the point of them if they can't even bleed properly?"
The cave entrance opening cuts off anyone's response and Oki-Itachi stands in the doorway, surreptitiously examining the shinobi inside prior to turning to Sasuke. The Chibi thinks he's imagining the way Oki-Itachi's face softens for a second before it frosts over.
"Everything is in place." Oki-Itachi retakes the jar from Kisame and goes back out, the sharkman following him and both ignoring the scythe-weilder's call about not bringing back the "cursed creature".
"That guy sure is something," Kisame mutters and Sasuke has to agree.
Oki-Itachi doesn't reply, but his silence is telling as they walk past the waterfall and enter the forest.
Sasuke's eyes widen when he takes in the sunlit woods, the sunshine warming his face, and raindrops dripping off the tree leaves while pinecones lay scattered on the dirt floor, and somewhere above a songbird sings.
Sasuke almost forgot what it felt like to be outdoors, having been locked in a room inside an even smaller cage with nothing but his thoughts for company over the past four days. He missed this, missed the fresh air and boundless sky.
The Chibi grins until he senses he's being watched and turns up his head to see Oki-Itachi observing him. Sasuke can't decipher the look in the Oki's ebony orbs, but he thinks the man is almost peering fondly at him.
Sasuke bares his teeth to show he's not fooled by the nice guy act, and certainly isn't falling for the "terminally ill" one because the man would definitely be showing more symptoms if he were dying.
The Oki looks up, slowing to a stop, and Sasuke glances around to see why, but nothing appears out of the ordinary. There aren't any target boards set against the trees or even squirrels waiting to fight him. Just what is the Oki planning?
"We're doing it here?" Kisame asks, which only furthers Sasuke's confusion because shouldn't he know? The Chibi thought for sure the sharkman and Oki-Itachi were partners.
"Yes," Oki-Itachi takes three steps and bends down.
Sasuke tenses, not knowing what's happening, while the Oki slowly tilts the jar, allowing Sasuke to reorient himself before unscrewing the lid and setting the container on the ground.
The Chibi's jaw drops, head swiveling from Oki-Itachi to the unobstructed jar opening as the human straightens up. It's got to be a trap, this must be a part of the training. Yet even if it is, Sasuke would be a fool not to try.
The Chibi rushes out the cylinder, throwing back his arms and speeding across the damp forest floor so fast he ends up skidding on a leaf before he regains his balance. He spares the missing-nin a glance over his shoulder, but neither Oki has moved.
Sasuke turns frontwards, unable to enjoy the wind whipping across his face or the sweet sensation of freedom when all his senses are screaming, It's too easy! Don't let your guard down!
It's these very thoughts that save Sasuke from crashing into the crow that suddenly swoops into his path. The Chibi somersaults over it, broken leg oddly unbothered when he lands a couple feet away.
He glares at the tall black bird, not recognizing it as one of his brother's, meaning it's Oki-Itachi's summon. Maybe his "pitting him against a squirrel" idea wasn't too far-fetched if they've sent this bird to fight him.
Yet the animal doesn't move, its beady red eyes merely watching Sasuke back up as the Chibi searches for something to defend himself with.
Though not seeing any twigs or stones nearby, Sasuke waits until he's backed up a good distance away before breaking into a run, hoping the bird won't follow.
The crow does, but soars so high Sasuke can only tell it's following because its shadow is right on top of him.
Desperate to avoid being tracked, Sasuke rushes into a patch of tall grass and ducks under the shade of a flower. He keeps an ear out for the sound of flapping wings, so nearly jumps out of his skin when a crow screeches right outside the grass. Apparently Oki-Itachi sent more than one crow to hunt him down.
Sasuke cringes when the crow screeches again, slapping his hands over his ears as a second crow joins in the screeching. Sasuke grows nervous when the cawing gets louder, realizing there must be a dozen crows outside the grass surrounding him.
The Chibi falls to his knees, hands unable to block the cacophony of birds. His eardrums are on fire, brain rattling, and either blood or sweat is leaking out of his ears because the crows are so loud he's going to go deaf if he doesn't get out of here now.
With no other choice, Sasuke springs out of his hiding spot and bursts out the grass, prepared to fight every single bird if it means he can escape.
Yet there are no crows lying in wait for him. In fact Sasuke isn't even on the forest floor anymore, but atop a human palm.
"He already got out of it?" Kisame asks, and Sasuke is too stunned to move as Oki-Itachi sets him back into the jar and secures it, standing in a broad forest clearing Sasuke doesn't recognize. When did they get here?
"Yes," Oki-Itachi inclines his head. "Being a Sharingan user like myself grants him a natural resistance to genjutsu, so he quickly saw through my visual and tactile illusions. If I hadn't reinforced them with my crow he would have escaped the genjutsu sooner. Though it seems he is mildly susceptible to the auditory ones."
Kisame smiles, showing off his sharklike teeth. "Ah, well at least it was fun watching him run from invisible enemies."
Sasuke finally breaks free of his shock, recognizing he's been played a fool. Everything after being released from the jar was a genjutsu, but when could Oki-Itachi have placed him under it?
The Chibi recalls the fond look Oki-Itachi gave him as they were walking. Was it then?
Sasuke is mortified he was tricked so easily, by genjutsu no less, something he excels in. Even without his Sharingan Sasuke should have noticed he was in an illusion.
The Oki return to their base and the living room is vacant as they enter. "I'll let the boss know how the genjutsu test went," Kisame says, sending Sasuke an amused look before moving down the hall and Sasuke grits his teeth to resist screaming.
The Chibi's face burns with humiliation, and Sasuke is sure it's turning red based on the concerned look Oki-Itachi sends him. It's annoying how the man keeps pretending to care about him, acting like he's not a cold-hearted monster, the liar!
Sasuke is steaming when Oki-Itachi deposits him back into his cage so barely hears the human mention something about bringing back food. Sasuke's chest heaves once the Oki shuts the door, his rage growing as he glares at the walls entrapping him.
Sasuke is tired of being locked up, angry that he doesn't understand why he's here or what the missing-nin are planning to do with him. He wants to be out of here already, wants to know what's happening with his clan and make sure Shisui, Izumi, and his mother are okay.
Most of all he wants to find Itachi. His brother isn't okay, Sasuke can feel it, yet every time he tries to escape and find him Oki-Itachi ruins it. The man ruins everything. His clan, his life, his home, and now Oki-Itachi helped murder his brother and Sasuke has had enough!
The Uchiha doesn't feel himself run up and kick the food bowl into the wall. He isn't thinking as he grabs the basin and beats it against the glass until it cracks. Then he's flipping over the water bowl until its liquid spills out onto the floor, soaking his feet. Yet Sasuke feels nothing as he marches up to the beanbag, locates its seam and bites into it, tearing the cloth apart with his teeth until the beans spill out.
He pummels the bag, striking it over and over while asking himself why he didn't do this sooner. Eventually the bag is too deflated to beat so Sasuke tosses it aside and zeroes in on the cloth. The Chibi tries to march towards it, but one step and his bad leg gives out so he ends up on his hands and knees.
Panting, Sasuke glares at the plastic splint, recalling the humiliating way Oki-Itachi put it on him. He sits down and rips off the straps, tearing off the plastic contraption and ignoring how his leg screams while he chucks it at the wall. He doesn't need Oki-Itachi's help, doesn't want anything from that monster!
The door opens and Sasuke's head whips up to see the Oki enter the room, a rice ball in his hand, only to stop short, eyes widening.
Sasuke smirks, relishing in the Oki's shock as the man takes in the trashed cage. The water and beans all over the floor, the beaten beanbag, turned over bowls, and the Chibi sitting in the middle of it with bruised knuckles and a broken leg.
"Sasuke..." Oki-Itachi whispers, and the Chibi flinches because he almost sounded like his brother whenever his sibling is dismayed.
However, all feelings of regret are wiped away when the Oki's eyes melt into his Sharingan. Sasuke is instantly dragged into the swirling pinwheels, and as he falls back unconscious, his last thought is that at least he made his point.
Sasuke isn't happy here, so as long as he's stuck with the Akatsuki, they'll all be feeling his wrath.
Well apparently I had another chapter in me before focusing on my other stories, so I hope it was a fun read :)
Also thanks for the reviews and support!
Next time: Itachi tries to communicate with Chibi Sasuke, but the teen doesn't make it easy...
