As they headed out, each of the kids had a scroll with them. The shop keepers had taken to sealing purchases in scrolls since it was most convenient. This way, it was easier to carry and used fewer bags. The kids held onto their scrolls, tailing behind the Akatsuki as they walked.
Konan smiled, "There, now we're all stocked up for a while. Once we get home, I want all of you to go to your rooms and try them on, to make sure they fit. Alright?" she was met with a few grunts or whines of agreement. Shopping was fun, trying them all on only to switch to another immediately was not. Still, they had to make sure they fit.
Naruto asked as they walked, "What's for dinner tonight?" glancing at Hidan since he knew it was his turn to cook tonight.
Karin scolded her brother lightly, "We haven't even had lunch yet, Naruto. It's barely noon." a look of mild annoyance crossing her face, Sasuke's expression mimicking her. Was food all he thought about?
The silver-haired man grinned with excitement none the less, "We're having ribs!" Hinata mentally pouting along with Gaara. They always had some sort of loaded meat when it was his turn to cook. They were starting to wonder if that was all he knew how to cook. "With some sliced up tomatoes, and peppers, and-" being cut off by a sigh from Kakuzu. "What are you huffin' about!? You love my cooking!"
Kakuzu shook his head back and forth lightly, "You brats spend a fortune in food alone. Can't we just buy bread in bulk then let them practice their hunting and gathering skills? The Akatsuki won't be around to reform if we keep spending as we have been." he frowned, as grumbly and sour as always.
Hidan lightly nudged his partner's rib, "Don't be bitchen with me. I'll make it up to you later." he wriggled his eyebrows with a crude smirk before laughing wholeheartedly.
Kakuzu knocked him over the head at his words, growling, "Keep your vulgar mouth shut in front of the children." he narrowed his eyes lightly. The young immortal was always so crude, Kakuzu had no idea why he cared for the younger sometimes.
Neji looked to the ground, mildly disgusted with the conversation topic, Sasuke doing the same. A few loose snorts of laughter fell from Naruto, Karin, and Hinata quick to send him reprimanding looks for it. Gaara seemed to be the only one who didn't seem too put off by the conversation, the teen walking alongside Kakashi with a mild interest in the man. He didn't seem hostile nor manipulative, so Gaara was willing to give him a chance. After all, not only their mother and father but Sasuke and Itachi as well had vouched for him so far.
"By the time you all are done trying on your clothes, lunch should be ready," Itachi noted with a light sigh at the teen's reactions. Children would be children, he supposed.
They arrived at the house, each of the kids going to their rooms as told, with the exception of Sasuke. He was about to when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He glanced behind him to see Itachi, Konan, and Nagato looking at him. The others had gone off to do their own thing, it seemed. Itachi spoke lightly once it was just them, "We need to have a talk, little brother."
Sasuke sulked a bit with a huff, glancing at his parents and brother. "Pass," he mumbled but turned to follow them anyway. He was tired of having these idiotic conversations. The two weeks of hell had been rather traumatic, but how was he going to get over it if they kept bringing it up? He knew pushing it down wasn't an option, but he was sick of dealing with it. He just wanted to let it pass.
Konan and Itachi sighed a bit, Nagato lightly laying an arm around the teen's sulking shoulders while leading him to the top floor, to their bedroom for some privacy. Sasuke seemed to relax a bit with Nagato's touch, though it was something the older ninja rarely did. Nagato wasn't exactly a touchy-feely kind of man.
Sasuke followed them up to their room, Konan locking the door once they got upstairs. Itachi lightly nudged him to sit in a chair placed near the window. Sasuke hadn't been up in Nagato and Konan's room nearly as much as say Naruto, Karin, or Gaara, but he had a few times. It had always been when he was getting chewed out for being thoughtless or being checked upon, though. So Sasuke knew he was in for yet another serious conversation. He was getting tired of them.
As he sat in the chair, he noticed it was facing the bed rather than the window for once. Nagato sat on the bed, Itachi sitting beside the older shinobi. Konan sat beside Sasuke, the woman eyeing him with a sense of dread. This only made Sasuke even wearier. What were they going to talk about that was so bad? Was it his mangekyo? Was he in trouble for what he'd done to Tobi? It would make sense, they hadn't said much about it since it happened.
Sasuke lightly picked at his fingernails as he looked down a bit, occasionally looking up at one of the elder shinobi. He heard Nagato ask lightly, "So, how have you been feeling the last few days?"
The teen easily explained, "I've been feeling good. My ankles are still a bit wobbly if I stand on them too long, but besides that its been fine." giving them the whole truth since he knew that if he lied they'd only drag it out of him sooner or later.
Konan lightly hummed, "That's a huge improvement. How about your tongue? How have you been feeling about eating?" since the first few nights after he'd come back he had refused to eat anything besides simple soups. It was understandable, but not healthy to live off of for too long. They had been trying to remove him from the soup diet for a few days now. Starting with applesauce and moving up until now. Sasuke was able to eat boiled veggies and some fruits now, though he'd occasionally have to stop and take a breath. They could tell that the main issue was him stressing mentally over it rather than physically. As such, they had decided to give him time.
"It's been fine." he huffed a bit, leaning on one of the chair's arms. "I still don't like eating the meats and heavy foods, though." the teen admitted, not wanting to lie then have them resume feeding him heavy foods. They had luckily been giving him separate foods from the others, at least until he felt well enough to be eating what the rest of them were. Sasuke just couldn't imagine eating meat right now. If he had mini panics that the boiled carrot he was eating was actually his fallen tongue, he doubted he'd do very well with meats, considering their textures were so similar. He had barely been able to enjoy the pancakes earlier this morning.
Itachi nodded a bit, opening his mouth, but Sasuke cut him off. "Please just get to the point." the teen spoke lightly, reflexively clenching his hands onto his jacket sleeves. "I know you didn't just call me up here to check on me. You could have done that downstairs."
He heard a brief silence before Nagato let out a small breath. The boy had a fair point. "Yes, there is something we need to talk to you about. It concerns Suna. This is going to sound like a terrible idea, but at least hear us through." he told the teen, reaching a hand out to rest it on the Uchiha's knee.
Sasuke felt the soft comforting grip and silenced himself. Suna? What was going to happen? Had they found out where they were? Were they going to have to fight them? Or, worse, was his father planning on sending Gaara back there? He highly doubted it, but Nagato had said it would sound like a terrible idea. It was reasonable that he'd fear the worst.
"We want to talk it out with them." Itachi began. Well, Sasuke hadn't been expecting that. "We understand that it would be hard for you, considering what they've done, but we think it would be the most beneficial. They seem to be running on emotion rather than logic, as seen by the way Suna is currently falling to pieces under their leadership. Hence why we think we should invite them here."
Sasuke wasn't understanding the logic, honestly. He was too busy worrying about the idea of being in the same room as them. He never wanted to see either of the sand siblings again. He still listened as Itachi spoke, though he clenched onto his sleeves a bit tighter now. "If we invite them and show that Gaara is alright, it would most likely do two things. One, help Suna. They'll not waste military supplies and power searching for Gaara. Two, it will leave them more submissive to the rain village if they know Gaara is willing to side with us. This could be used to protect the rain village if anyone were to find out that you all were here. Topping this off, it would be a good first step for you all reconnecting with the world. As much as we love having you here, I'd hate to see you all forced into living like criminals simply because we were the ones to raise you. You all deserve a chance to be simple village ninja if that's what you want."
Nagato sounded guilty, "I never meant to send you on that assassination mission. It was meant for Tobi alone. I had no idea you had picked him to be your mentor. By reconnecting with Suna, we can get you your freedom back."
Sasuke looked at him in confusion, "What do you mean, get it back? I know Suna doesn't exactly like me, and I'm sure Konoha is pretty pissed too, but I never did anything. All I did was run away and maybe fight back a little more than I should have. Does that mark me as an enemy of theirs?"
Konan nodded a bit, frowning and handing Sasuke a bingo book. Sasuke looked at her with confusion but hesitantly took it. He opened it, and sure enough, there he was. He was ranked as a low ranking criminal, but he was still there. Sasuke's stomach twisted, frowning a bit. He snapped it shut, handing it back to her. "I don't care."
"What do you mean, you don't care?" Itachi asked with confusion. How could Sasuke not care? The life of a criminal was hard! He above all other people should know that.
The teen only shrugged a bit. "It's not like I care about anyone outside the rain village. Why should I care what the other villages decide to label me as? I've lived with you all for a long time. I've considered anyone who is your enemy as my enemy for years. This just makes it official."
"Sasuke." Itachi sighed. "That may be so, but by being labeled an official criminal, it closes so many doors. You can't participate in the chuunin exam, you can't meet people from other villages, you'll be unable to learn jutsu from those villages, you'll never be able to do something as simple as dining out or stay in a hotel while out on a mission if your criminal status grows too much. You'd have to have a hinge on constantly. It's so much stress. It'd be much simpler to just take down the problem now by allying yourself with Suna. If Suna sides with you, they have multiple peace treaties. Their allies will surely follow. The leaf can't afford to start a war with Suna over protecting criminals after the huge blow they took recently. Now is the best time to strike up a peaceful conversation. They'll likely remove you from the list, if so."
Giving a frustrated sigh, Sasuke glanced down a bit. "I don't want to talk to Suna," he admitted. "I know they couldn't hurt me while you're near, but I don't want to see them." looking down to his lap. "I don't care if I can't move up in the ninja program. I can just live my life in the rain village. I can read up on jutsus. I'm fine with using a hinge if I have to. As long as I have the Akatsuki and my siblings, it doesn't matter." he gritted his teeth lightly, hanging his head.
He seethed for a light moment, and the elder ninja allowed it without interrupting him. It was understandable that Sasuke wouldn't want to make peace with one of the villages that had brutally tortured him for something he never even did. If Sasuke truely was against it, they'd find another way. Still, it was the easiest and would have the least casualties.
Sasuke seemed to realize this too, luckily, the teen letting out a soft breath as he finished his mental tantrum. He knew his parents and brother were right. This was the safest option for not only him but his siblings as well. Not to mention, if they made peace with Suna, it would allow a lot more leniency for the Akatsuki as well. So much good could come from this, should he let it. Not to mention, he supposed it would be best to erase his name from the list as soon as possible. It was small now, but he'd rather not be jumped every time he stopped for a snack. It would be rather annoying. In the end, he supposed it was for the best, even if he didn't like it.
His shoulders lowered a bit, looking off to the side. "Fine. I can...see the reasoning. It makes the most sense to join Suna. Honestly, it'd be foolish to not join them." sulking a bit despite himself. He growled out, "They better not try to take Gaara from us." crossing his arms a bit. He'd fucking kill them if they did that. Kage or not.
Konan lightly ran her fingers through his hair to calm him, seeing his frustration at the situation. "Don't worry. No one is taking anyone from us. We'll hold the meeting somewhere off in another village or territory in case it goes wrong. That way they won't be able to track us. We'll keep you all safe." she promised.
Itachi nodded, "We'll have the entire Akatsuki there too. No one will lay a finger on you or anyone else we decide needs to come to this meeting. The only way you'll get a scratch is over our dead bodies." he agreed.
Sasuke felt a bit better at this, feeling Nagato lightly pat his knee. He looked up a bit, seeing a thin smile on the red-head's face. "Sasuke. Your family will be there with you this time. Don't worry." the man standing and helping Sasuke do the same. Sasuke felt Nagato's small frame wrap around him, the taller ninja's arms patting the back of his head so that Sasuke was leaning on his chest. The teen hesitantly wrapped his arms back around Nagato. He loved the man, yes, but it was unlike him to be so open with his affections. He was normally so reserved, it was strange to see him be the one to move in for a hug. None the less, Sasuke found his steady heartbeat relaxing as any lullaby.
Lightly nuzzling his face into Nagato's shoulder, Sasuke relaxed a bit more. It would be fine, he reasoned. This was for both his and his family's benefit. Besides, Gaara deserved to see his birth siblings if he wanted to. It was his right, one Sasuke wouldn't take away from him. I'll be strong, Sasuke promised himself.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
It was around night time as Temari got the message. She had been sitting alone in her room, the girl half hunched on her bed. Her hair was let down, ruffles of blonde hair reaching about to her shoulder. Her fan was off to the side, though she quickly grabbed for it when she heard a bang from behind her.
She shot to her feet, a fan held in front of her quickly in defense. "Who's there!?" she barked out, her voice not wavering despite her restlessness. She hadn't slept well in weeks, not since she learned that her brother could be alive. She'd spent every waking moment sending scouts and forces to search in the surrounding areas for this 'Akatsuki' that had been spotted rescuing Sasuke in the leaf. They had to be the ones who took her younger brother.
Temari saw the shadow of a man in her window for a brief moment before the man stepped into her room through the window. He had bright orange hair and piercing purple eyes, sending her on high alert. It sounded just like the description of the one who had to lead the attack on Konoha. She lifted her fan in defense, circling the room slowly in an attempt to make it to her door without turning her back to the man.
Just as she was about to make it to her door, however, she heard a slam. She turned her attention from the window to the door for a brief second, noticing another man there as well. He looked strikingly similar to the one in the window, though his hair was long and pulled into a ponytail. Their hair and eyes were so close, though, she was sure they were either from the same clan or had some sort of relation. That wasn't her biggest concern, though.
Her biggest concern was that the one with the ponytail had closed her door. She growled, "Well! Say something! What do you two want?" she demanded, the fan still drawn, ready to fight at any moment if one of them made a move. She had bounded back to one of the corners of the room so that she could better see them both.
She wasn't prepared for a light sigh to leave the one in the window. "Do not mind him. He is merely a puppet. He poses you no threat, and neither do I."
Temari narrowed her eyes at him. Yeah, like hell if she believed that. The man continued, however, "You are acting as the Kazekage if I am correct? You are the eldest of the Kazekage clan, Temari?" the man jumping in from the window, at last, landing on the floor with a solid 'thud'. He glanced at the door, "Then the one outside the door must be Kankuro, I presume." the long-haired man opening the door, a boy tumbling in from where he'd been eavesdropping. "I suppose the noise must have drawn him." Nagato mused lightly, watching the boy fall forward without the door to lean on.
Temari sent her brother a warning glare as the boy sat up, lightly rubbing his face from where he'd fallen. Kankuro stumbled up, quickly trying to get into a defensive position. The orange man didn't stop the children as they watched him with defensive looks, though the long-haired man did close the door once more. Kankuro growled, going on separate sides of the room from his sister so that they wouldn't be knocked out in one hit if attacked. Kankuro had his hat off, his face paint removed for the night as well. The teen growled out, "That's us, but who the hell are you?"
The orange-haired man looked over at the two children and sighed a bit. Being a father must have really worn down his ruthlessness, he noted. Watching the two teens try to act dominating was pitiful once he noticed the fearful glint in their eyes. He spoke with seriousness none the less, "I am Nagato Uzumaki. The father of Neji, Karin, Sasuke, Naruto, Gaara, and Hinata." narrowing his eyes a bit at the hateful glares of the teens.
"You are not Gaara's father, and those are not his siblings. His father is dead, and he's been separated from his siblings because of your sick mental manipulation." Temari accused, opening up her fan as she spoke. How dare this man claims her brother as his own?
Nagato looked at the girl with interest, tilting his head to the side with a light musing, "Your own, you say? Mental manipulation?" idly walking around the room, watching as the teens became alert, trying to hide their nerves in front of him. "Strange, That's not how I remember it happening when I took him in."
"Well, what other possibility is there? You stole children from their homes! From their clans! You kidnapped them then forced them to fall in line with you. Playing family...you have Sasuke brainwashed right and proper, don't you?" Temari shot back. "If you honestly think you were in the right when you took them, you're demented."
Nagato nodded a bit, "I certainly wouldn't say I'm completely sane, but I'd not go so far as to say I'm demented." he mused. "When I took those kids, it was for the best." he corrected, lightly rubbing his fingers together as he spoke idly. "Neji was enslaved, Karin was being held against her will by a village who only wanted to suck her dry, Sasuke was left all alone without an ounce of comfort from the village." he counted off, "Naruto was mistreated and abandoned for reasons he knew nothing of, Gaara had a price put on his head simply because the Kazekage couldn't control him, and dear Hinata was an unwanted and emotionally abused heiress."
He didn't give either of the siblings time to respond as he carried on, "Now they wake up each morning to a nice breakfast with others who have shared their pains. They learn new jutsu, train in the woods together, cause mischief in the village, bicker, and laugh together. All under the protection of one of the strongest groups in all of the ninja nations. No one can lay a hand on them...not without getting hurt." he mused lightly, watching as Kankuro resisted a flinch at his words. "They've lived out their lives in bliss for the last few years. It only became particularly painful for them when their old villages decided to retaliate." he sighed.
Kankuro looked unconvinced as he spoke, "You Akatsuki bastards are the ones who attacked the villages first! The Kazekage and the Hokage, both dead because you decided to return years after kidnapping the kids to end them!" he growled out, only resisting attacking Nagato due to his sister's warning glare.
"Incorrect once again." Nagato corrected. "We took the kids then went on with our lives. Immediately after taking the kids, the villages continued to act up, so we had to leave a heavy lesson by doing some property damage. That seemed to stop the search groups for a while." he nodded. "Unfortunately, the villages seem quite annoyed at the fact their trophy children and tools were taken. I'm not a fool. I've seen both Konoha's spy network and Suna's special forces snooping around where they shouldn't be. They've laid low, but not low enough. The children are unaware as we tend to prevent them from being exposed to too much news about it, but we know. We've known for a long time that your search has never ended, plus you've included other villages' special forces in the search. Now that the children are old enough to become official ninja, we can't have people constantly looking for them." he narrowed his eyes.
Nagato eyed the two, the man feeling like he'd gotten the warning part of his message through well enough based on the way the proud and strong teens were watching him uncomfortably. He settled on a thin but warning smile, "While we realize that it must have been painful to lose your father, I believe we mark even now. Considering you for some reason decided to beat the person who protected you both until he was a bloody wobbly mess."
Kankuro opened his mouth to object along with Temari, but their defenses were shut down quickly by Nagato. "I'm not interested in hearing your reasons. You acted out of pain and chose to inflict it onto him. It's a cycle, one I'm well aware of. Once I'm interested in breaking, if you'll allow it." he noted with a thin smile. The teens clearly weren't prepared for that.
Nagato handed them over an envelope. "In this envelope is a place and time. Meet us there if you're interested in discussing the terms of peace with the Akatsuki." he nodded. "You're free to bring up to ten guards along with your selves, of any skill level. Do know that the more aggressive you seem, the less likely Gaara will be to relax with you there," he warned.
Temari took the envelope with unsure fingers, not fully trusting it yet. "Gaara...will join you for this meeting?" looking up at the taller man. She'd easily kill for a chance to see her younger brother again after so many years.
A nod came from Nagato. "Yes. So far I plan on bringing four Akatsuki members along with me as well as four of the children," he explained. "Another of which will be Sasuke. He will be attending to make sure he agrees to the conditions of our peace contract. Should he not, it will have to be revised or destroyed. Though, I do hope that can be avoided."
Kankuro furrowed his brows, "Four of the kids? Why are the other two necessary?" he asked with confusion. It shouldn't need more than Sasuke and Gaara, right?
"They'll want their siblings there." Nagato nodded a bit. "Think of it like this, I'm sure you'll both want to go if you agree to come. It'd be stressful to go alone in an area with possible enemies. Peace is difficult to make." turning towards the window once more. "I've given you your ticket to peace with the Akatsuki. Whether you use it or not is up to you. Do know that this will be your only chance at seeing Gaara on friendly terms, should you refuse our offer." he warned. Just like that, he was out the window, the ling haired man by the door gone as well. As if they'd never even been there to begin with.