Chapter 27
The Accuser and The Accused
"Perception precedes reality."
- Andy Warhol
Soroya sat at a desk in her mother's office very attuned to the book she was currently reading. Many notes grazed the pages, along with tabs and sticky notes. Konan walked in looking fully rested, as it was one of her better days.
"You've been quite the astute student since your father's left", observed Konan yawning as she went to her desk. Soroya looked at her briefly before going back to her book. It had been three weeks since Itachi left, and two weeks that Yahiko and Nagato had been called for a peaceful mission to the land of Stone for continuing peace talks.
"Well I am bored", said Soroya. "And an idle mind is the devil's workshop, as my grandfather said"
"Masaru and I can no longer keep you satisfied?", Konan asked jokingly. "If only Itachi could tell us what to do", Soraya's face darkened and she put the book up to hide her face. "A book about governance?"
"Suzume's grandfather wrote to me, on behalf of her, and gifted me a few books, he said I should read them by the end of the month, I took it as a challenge", Soroya murmured shyly. Konan patted her shoulder. "I want to be a good leader as an heir, even if one of the twins becomes the kage, I would like to help them."
Konan furrowed her brow. "And why would they become kage they would be third in line? You don't plan on giving up your title or leaving the country?", she questioned.
"No, but-"
"You are my first child", she expressed firmly. "The twins don't replace that" Soroya felt her heart warm at the comment. Soroya was now adjusting to the idea that her family's love was indeed unconditional and real. Not just a political game. Konan cupped Soroya's cheek in a motherly, protective warmness that flowed through Soroya. "I love you very much daughter, nothing can change that." It also helped that she was very well received during the festival.
"I see you heavily noted this motherhood book" A small smile escaped Soroya but she pressed her current book on her lips.
"I want to be a good mother like you, my mother did her best, but" Soroya paused not wanting to talk badly of the dead. "I just want to be the best mother I can be", she admitted. Konan patted her hands in comfort.
"You can always talk to me, you know that right? And you will have practice when the twins come", Soroya nodded as she put her hands on Konan's stomach. She got excited when she felt a light thump touch her hand.
"Have you decided on names?", Soroya asked sweetly, changing the subject.
"We were going to see what Masaru came up with", answered Konan with a jubilant hopeful look on her face.
"That's a very bad idea", Soroya asserted. Konan couldn't help but laugh at her tone. "He came up with my cousin's, Eulalia's name, and people almost never get it right, he could barely pronounce it when he was younger", she chuckled.
"You are back-up", she whispered. "Maybe give him a few suggestions, but don't tell us until the babies are born", she further demanded. Soraya just responded with a teasing glance before returning to her books.
Soraya was the first to hear a distressed disturbance. Her head slowly rose and met Konan's as screams, and the loud thuds of boots reached both of their ears. Konan rushed to the door and down to the main parts of the compound. Soroya was right behind her.
Nagato and Yahiko walked silently next to each other on the road to the Land of Stone. There was a valley in the distance that they were approaching.
"I think I finally bonded with Soroya" Nagato smiled at Yahiko's confession. "She even did a formal farewell to me"
"I'm jealous", teased Nagato. "I only got a wave" They both laughed at the statement. "I'm glad but I didn't know it was bothering you so much"
"Of course it did", Nagato smiled at the admission. Yahiko usually kept a positive attitude around their family and the Akatsuki, but it was a mask for the darkness inside him and his emotions. After a firm three years, their family was becoming more complete.
"Did you finally get to the bottom of the dark cloud", Yahiko asked. 'Dark Cloud' was the codename they gave for Soroya's slightly down attitude. Konan sensed it since she got back, but there were many instances where Soraya was not herself and preferred isolation.
"Insecurity, but sex did come up in the conversation"
"Did she?", asked Yahiko.
"She says no but by her line of questioning something happened beyond kissing, so I established what is and isn't consent"
"Hmm, should we talk to Itachi?", asked Yahiko. Nagato shook his head.
Nagato could tell that by her naivety and her line of questioning that she wasn't in danger. However, there was a question that caused him some concern. "My fear is if we interfere it would break Soraya's trust, and we need Itachi on our side, plus it's best to wait to gage her response when she learns about the Uchiha massacre, at that point we can break the engagement quietly after Hanzo is taken care of"
"I agree", affirmed Yahiko.
"The best plan of action is to give Soroya confidence and tools to defend herself, and her to be able to discern a course of action"
"Just like Jiraya-sama", Yahiko chuckled shaking his head.
Nagato grabbed Yahiko's arm. "Listen he had no choice but to leave us, he would take us with him if he could"
"If he didn't leave us, none of this would have happened with Konan", his voice rose. "And if that were true he would have kept us instead of roaming the world, and writing smut books"
"They are best-sellers"
"In romantic-erotica, not a political drama", matching Nagato's dry humor as he traced his finger over Nagato's face with a sweet caress.
"For the longest time I never thought Itachi had a weakness," said Nagato. "We recruited him, we let Konan think it was because of her tender heart, but me and you kept a watchful eye, waiting for the monster to reveal himself and I sensed it was coming out, that his mask was about to break, and the world that you envisioned would be taken away, like that", Nagato snapped his finger to emphasize his point.
"We weren't playing with fire, the forest was already burning", he added darkly.
"What are you saying?", Yahiko was not good with subtexts like Konan and Nagato. Konan came from royalty and Nagato was passive. He on the other hand rather speak directly and do things head-on.
"I'm saying let Soroya quell that fire, dampen it even, so you can rule this world", Nagato insisted as he kissed Yahiko. Yahiko deepened the kiss. He then grabbed Yahiko's chin and withdrew from him.
"We will go with this", finishing the conversation. "For Now", Nagato seemed a little unsettled by the added statement. Nonetheless, Yahiko did not clarify or further explain to his partner. As soon as Itachi's worth dwindled Yahiko would rid the earth of him, as he didn't want someone with such bad karma to infect his daughter for the rest of her life, or any future lives she would have. For he saw the purity in her when he first met and made a vow to quicken his ambitions so he never saw the dead look in her eyes again. Nagato was simply to soft in some areas.
Yahiko stopped in his tracks and Nagato was suddenly on alert. They were officially on the border of The Stone village.
They were greeted by a female ANBU with a mouse-like mask with red markings. She bowed in respect. "The scroll?", she asked. Nagato let go of Yahiko's arm and handed her the scroll. The scroll contained a treaty between the land of Stone and Amekagure. They were sent by Hanzo to deliver it.
"Prove to me that you are really for peace", his command rang through Yahiko's head. There was something off with this mission. Hanzo hadn't been letting them work as political envoys for a while. To the point, they only spread their goals through charitable missions.
Additionally, without Itachi and Kisame, the Akatsuki were vulnerable. Realization hit Yahiko like a wave.
"Nagato", said Yahiko calmly. "Give them the scroll and let's go", he vocalized more urgently.
"Not so fast", a Kunai was thrown at them by the woman which both of them easily dodged. However, Yahiko looked up and saw over forty shinobi hidden in the mountains and the trees.
"This isn't good", warned Nagato as his back met Yahiko's in a defensive state.
Whatever you do not go into that form", Yahiko ordered.
Masaru was working on training drills that Kisame explicitly told him to practice and master by the time he got back. His head turned as he saw movement in the direction of his home he called for three years.
"Soldiers?", his mind was perplexed. He saw one of them maliciously slash a sword against a woman servant who refused to answer some type of question. The one next to her shook her head and was met with the same fate.
"MASARU!", Jieun shouted. Masaru quickly covered her mouth.
"We have to go", she whispered. "My father said that the Queen will be tried for treason"
"Treason?", he questioned. "Can they do it without evidence?",
"Are you sure they won't be able to find it?", she asked. "That's the investigator, he notices everything, they even say that he can per through minds"
"More like ultra-observant", said Masaru dismissing the claim. A view through his mind showed him exactly where the location of the planted evidence was. However, there were dozens of items that could damn them: diaries, correspondence, and anything on paper to name a few.
"Get Haku, the next steps will prove that you are actually loyal to the Akatsuki and to me", he demanded. "Change into your nobility attire now!", he demanded. Hopefully, this little ruse of theirs will work or they would die today.
Soraya and Konan came into the central part of the compound to see soldiers, police, and parts of the nobility smashing their things. Konan pushed Soraya out of the room as soon as she saw Hanzo and locked the door behind her.
Soraya beat on the door but knew it wouldn't open so she peeked through the keyhole to see what was happening on the other side. Her little eye saw her mom kneeling calmly on the ground and Hanzo circling her like a predator. However, she saw the unwavering determination in Konan's eyes.
"What is the meaning of this display", Konan spat.
"It seems years of training you have been dismantled by your consorts", a slap was heard throughout the room and Soroya covered her mouth as not a sound would be heard. Konan took in a sharp breath as the sting of the slap was radiating through her head. He took it easy on her, only for the respect that she was pregnant. "So are you going to admit it"
"Admit what, I have done nothing wrong", another slap rang through the room.
"Lies, I know you have been plotting against me!", a man brought out a heavy book. "Misaki told me you paid her a visit and you stole monies from the palace!"
"I did no such thing, that money got rerouted to the people who need it, our country is suffering and the best thing we can do right now is to reduce a little so the people can thrive"
He grabbed her face. "You overextend your power as queen", he contended
"Is this how to display your power, abusing a pregnant woman", she retaliated by aggressively moving his hand away from her face and cutting him with her chakra.
"Hiding a woman child from me, then adopting her and her brother, claiming her an heiress, when I have dozens of children, that you cared for, I always know when you are hiding something from me." He stepped away and pointed to her. "I always knew when *Sae-kki was up to something", Konan looked away as he mocked her with the nickname that haunted her. It was always a marker for more pain to come. " And where are Itachi and Kisame, your bodyguards? I don't remember you sending correspondence that they would be leaving, plan on committing treason anytime soon?", he questioned.
"They are free men and they can do as they please", Konan's voice did not waver. "Yahiko and Nagato will not be pleased about this, we have done everything you asked of us, AND THIS VILLAGE"
"Count those consorts of your's dead"
"They are my husbands", she corrected. "Dead? HANZO WHAT HAVE YOU DONE", tears started streaming in her eyes before she sobbed.
Soroya's eye's widened at the realization and she ran back to the office. She knew there was at least one correspondence that hinted where and what Itachi was doing. Plus, she had to tell Itachi what was happening. A loud thud from the door was heard as she rushed in. Soroya knew that it had to look as neat as possible to avoid suspension. However, it already looked like it was combed through, but she knew a place where no one would look in the compound-her desk.
Soraya rushed to her new desk and opened a drawer. There she found a letter from Itachi addressed to her. She couldn't burn it because it will leave a lingering smell. Soroya stuffed the paper in her mouth and closed her eyes and chewed. She swallowed the paper the best she could as she scribbled a note.
Soraya heard thumping and it was getting closer to her. She chanted a jutsu over the paper and turned it into a bird and flew out the window.
"WHERE IS SHE", she heard someone yell. Soraya took a deep exhale and sat in her chair pretending to read before she heard the door bust open. Her heart quickened as she saw her mother's defeated look and her swollen cheek. Hanzo had Konan by the collar, and it was in that moment that Soraya had never seen dejected.
"Well, well, well if it isn't my heir", Soroya stood up and bowed politely at Hanzo. "Hiding something from me"
"Just catching up on my studies", she muttered bowing her head and avoiding his eyes.
"We searched your room, nothing, no letters, no diary, odd for someone who likes books, especially teen vampire romances, no love letters from Itachi."
"She's dead inside, that's why she has to have those books to get a little feeling on the inside", the tense situation was interrupted by Masaru's ill-timing humor. A sword was suddenly at his throat and Masaru stepped back and raised his hands.
"Don't you touch him", Konan snapped out of her crestfallen trance. She lunged to get him but was held back by a Hanzo.
"Careful now, you don't want to stress those babies", he chuckled. "I want it delivered at the palace and let you hear you cry before I kill them", he whispered in his ear.
Masaru backed away as he sensed his power was off the charts. More importantly, he couldn't read his mind. "How's Misaki-sama", he asked.
"You kept her alive", Hanzo simply stated. "You have her power, but yet truly to master it, and no matter how much I want to kill you, I simply can't" Hanzo grabbed his face and shoved it "Shame", Hanzo turned away then punched Masaru in the gut. Blood sputtered from Masaru's mouth and he started to convulse on the floor.
"Now, my girls you will come to the palace"
"We will not, you just told me you murdered my husbands, and you think I will willing to come with you, and live as a happy family"
"I'm not leaving my brother", Soraya demanded.
"Bring them in", Soroya and Konan watched in dread as many of the Akatsuki were brought into the office. The soldiers forced them to kneel and held swords behind their necks. Soraya could feel the panic and alarm and it was too much for her to block out. So she calmed everyone down instinctively. "So you have been practicing, very good princess"
Soraya perched her lips in response, knowing any word she uttered could be deemed damning at this point. Plus, the paper she swallowed was threatening to escape her throat.
"Now, Konan you know very much how I enjoy the smell of blood, the sound of women and children crying as they plead for their life", Hanzo paused and bent down eye level to her "but I also love your company, so if you and the crown-princess come with me and live under my protection, there will be no more bloodshed"
"I don't believe you", she wailed.
"Mom I need you to calm down. Until there are bodies that we can verify, there is a chance they are still alive, they wouldn't give you to Hanzo so easily", he told her in a calm manner. "The more stressed you are the harder it is for me to protect the twins from the Hanzo's Forbidden Jutsu"
Konan did not respond to Masaru in her mind, but the tears stopped. She also felt an overwhelming calm and assurance. She knew it came from Soraya. Hanzo's face scrunched up in displeasure.
"Make your choice"
"We will go", surrendered Soraya. His anger was starting to progress, he purposely manipulated Konan's emotions into a panic state. It was a struggle and took almost all her energy to calm her down, but she could tell that she may overdid it, as Konan fell asleep.
"Good choice my princess", he patted Soraya's head. "And you need not worry about your brother being alone", he snapped his fingers, and Jieun and her father were brought in. Masaru was released. "He will be married by the end of the week to one of my most loyal servants daughter"
"He's 13!", Soraya exclaimed struggling against a palace guard.
"Lord Hanzo you do me such a great service", the Jieun's father bowed in exuberance. Panic exuded from Jieun at the revelation as she had no idea that her father was planning or even brokering a deal for marriage.
"Make sure to keep him happy, sweet daughter", he whispered to Jieun.
The revelation that she to was an incestuous child of Hanzo was shocking to her. She knew that Misaki was her mother but assumed it was from her many affairs. A kiss was placed on her cheek and she watched as all the soldiers left. Time slowed around as she just stared in a trance-like state. She was fixated on the sun beaming from the window. The rays of light danced as sunset was starting to approach. A hand grabbed her arm and shook her.
"Jieun it's over", Masaru started shaking her again. "Jieun, JIEUN!", her knees started to buckle and her legs finally collapsed from under her. The smashing of paper could be heard under her dress
"She's in shock", it was Haku's distant voice she heard. A cool towel was placed on her head. "I can't believe her dad just left her here"
"Fuck that guy!" exclaimed Masaru in contempt. Masaru started tapping her cheek and she finally looked at him and started blinking. "Good girl"
She started crying hysterically and stood up. As she rose the top layer of her skirt, it revealed papers and documents attached to her petticoat.
"I don't think marrying you is going to be bad at all", stated Masaru as a year started to roll down his eye. Masaru started plucking the papers off and putting them in order. Haku got up and locked the door before patting Masaru's back
Jieun couldn't help but laugh and cry simultaneously at the joke.
Red eyes activated as Itachi noticed the paper bird in the sky. He knew it was Konan's paper, but it had Soraya chakra signature infused in it. He jumped up and grabbed it.
We have been captured by Hanzo, do not come for us until the mission is done, that is an order.
Your future wife,
Soraya
Itachi crushed the note and he felt his anger boil. Kisame noticed the difference in chakra pressure right away.
"What happened?", he asked.
"Let's finish this quickly", Kisame furrowed his brow as he never heard Itachi's voice go so deep with a primal edge. Instinctively he knew if he made one wrong move or said the wrong thing, Itachi would kill him. This wasn't like him, it was like he was a different person.
Itachi threw the note on the ground and continued the journey.
"Let's save your wife, so I can save mine", Kisame nodded and quickly followed behind, afraid to even touch the note.