Chapter 2

Erosion

Kakashi slowly rose to consciousness, fully expecting to find himself in a bed at the hospital. It came as a bit of a shock, therefore, when he opened his eyes and saw he was in a candle-lit cave, chained to a wooden pallet on the damp floor. And just like that, he realized what he'd hoped had been a nightmare was all too real. He was in the hands of the Akatsuki.

"Oh look! Our guest has finally woken up." Kisame's face came into view as he leaned over him. "Hmm…he doesn't look too good though. A bit pasty if you ask me."

Kakashi met the former mist ninja's gaze. "Compared to you - I'll take pasty."

Kisame's eyes flared in anger, his sword swinging toward Kakashi. Itachi's grip on Kisame's wrist kept him from completing the swing.

"Do not play into his hands, Kisame. Kakashi would like nothing better than for you to kill him in anger."

Kakashi glared at Itachi, knowing the truth of the young man's words showed in his masked face. Itachi moved to stand closer to Kakashi.

"You should resign yourself to living, Kakashi Hatake. It will make what's to follow much easier."

Kakashi closed his eyes, saying nothing in reply. The next thing he knew, he was released from the chains and roughly pulled into a sitting position. Three sets of hands grabbed onto him, and opening his eyes, he saw he was being held tightly by members of the Akatsuki, eliminating all thoughts of escape, even if he hadn't been so exhausted. They pulled his vest and uniform shirt off and tossed them to the side. Next, they pulled his sleeveless shirt up far enough to treat the various wounds covering his chest and back.

Throughout it all, no one spoke to him…although more than once Kakashi felt their eyes on him and caught the sight of strange smiles crossing their faces. Once they finished, the sleeveless shirt was pulled back down, and he was dragged to another section of the cave.

Itachi was waiting for him there. "You've been the subject of many meetings, Kakashi Hatake."

Kakashi narrowed his gaze. "And?"

Itachi's mouth twitched slightly. "And it seems your purpose is about to change. Your battle with the Akatsuki made them reevaluate how best to use you."

Itachi paused, but Kakashi said nothing, although the hairs on the back of his neck raised at the implications. Itachi sighed and continued.

"Your potential makes you a candidate to replace Orochimaru's vacant slot. You should be honored."

Kakashi's eyes widened in shock. "You've got to be kidding. What makes them think I would ever consider it?"

Itachi waited for the others to force Kakashi into a seated position and then the raven-haired man sat in front of him, catching his gaze with his fully activated sharingan eyes.

"Because, Kakashi…I said you would by the time I was finished with you."

Just like that, the world spun out from under Kakashi's feet, and he found himself pulled back into Itachi's Tsukuyomi. He was once more hanging on the crossbeam, but this time Itachi held no sword in his hand. All the same, memories of his last experiences here caused Kakashi's heart to race.

Kakashi glared down at the one-time member of his village. Itachi spoke quietly.

"You and I will be spending our free time together until you agree to join the organization. This time will be spent showing you the error of your judgment, and bending your mind to our common goal."

Kakashi snarled. "I won't ever betray Konoha. You're wasting your time, Itachi."

Itachi's hand, once empty, now held the far too familiar katana from their last encounter within the Tsukuyomi.

"You say that now, Kakashi Hatake. But once I've worn your spirit down a bit, you may find yourself more receptive to the Akatsuki's ideals."

The cold steel of the blade pierced Kakashi's body, wrenching a cry of pain from his lips.

"After our last experience here, I am aware of how impressive your spirit is, Kakashi, so you can look forward to many more of these sessions before my offer is repeated."

Kakashi tensed as another blade joined the first…then another…and another. When at last the torment ended, Itachi's voice pierced through his mind's fog.

"Will you join the Akatsuki, Kakashi Hatake?"

Kakashi's breath rattled in his chest, and sweat covered his forehead. "Never!"

The world tipped sharply again, and Kakashi found himself back in the cave. Itachi sat in front of him, looking tired. Kakashi tried to stay upright, but his muscles betrayed him. He fell forward into Itachi's arms.

"Enjoy your rest, Kakashi. We will begin again soon."

Kakashi's eyes fluttered shut, and he sank into unconsciousness.

Xxxxx

Kisame folded his arms across his chest and glared down at his partner. "It's been three weeks Itachi, and he still remains steadfast. Meanwhile, you are being affected by your efforts."

Itachi flashed a look of anger at him. "Do not attempt to understand what I am doing. A rock does not recognize it is being changed by the steady flow of a stream until it is too late. It will be the same way with Kakashi. We have time on our side."

Kisame frowned. He hoped this wouldn't prove to be the time when a large rock would cause the flowing water to change its path.

"The others await your report after this next session, Itachi."

"Very well. Let's begin then."

The two approached the back of the room Kakashi was being kept in. The Copy-ninja was showing signs of the treatments. He had shadows under his eyes and uneven breathing. But still, the man refused to budge mentally. That was why Itachi decided to give him a second treatment less than an hour after the last one. Perhaps with his body physically exhausted, the Hidden Leaf ninja would finally crack under Itachi's pressure. Of course, the strain would also take its toll on Itachi as well, but when Kisame mentioned it to him, the younger man waved him off saying that if the end result proved fruitful, then it was worth the risk.

Xxxxx

Kakashi watched with disbelief as Itachi and Kisame crossed the room.

Has a day already passed? No…they haven't fed me yet…and the guards are still the same. Dammit. I don't think I can handle another trip to the Spirit Realm so soon.

By the look in Itachi's eyes though, that seemed to be exactly why they were here. Kakashi firmly closed his eyes. After all, if he couldn't see those cursed eyes, he couldn't fall under their influence.

Kisame chuckled. "Come now, Kakashi. Don't be like that. You offend Itachi by not wanting to look at him."

Itachi's voice almost sounded amused. "I forget how wise you tend to be, Kakashi Hatake. But this will not be allowed today."

Kakashi felt hands on his face trying to open his eyes. He moved to bat them away, but his wrists were caught firmly before they'd moved more than a few inches. His lids were painfully pried open to face Itachi's harsh gaze. Kakashi's breath caught in his chest. He doubted he'd survive another round like the last one – not so soon.

The moment the world stopped spinning, Itachi's sword pierced his flesh. Kakashi's heart raced…the screams came…and his mind started to collapse in on itself. He gritted his teeth trying to stop that inward spiral.

"Not yet!"

Kakashi pushed those words out, using them to anchor his mind. The spin subsided and he was left gasping. That was too close…

Itachi raised the sword again. Kakashi tensed, trying to steel his mind as best he could, but then the weapon was lowered.

"Perhaps it's time to show you the difference between your current existence and what the Akatsuki can offer you."

From one breath to another, Kakashi was no longer fastened to the beam. Instead, his body was soaking in a deep, hot spring with Itachi perched on the opposite edge of the pool of water. The bubbles and currents within the steaming pool seemed to search out his sore spots without him needing to move.

"This is what we can offer Kakashi."

Kakashi's head was still fuzzy from the drastic change in situation, but not to the point where he'd be willing to accept this. "I can get a good bath anywhere."

Itachi sighed. "I didn't take you for the literal type. With the Akatsuki, your every need will be met. Our goals are not so dissimilar to your village's. You want peace and fulfillment - but to reach that goal you are willing to follow the Hokage's orders blindly. Our goals will be reached by removing the village and their leaders from the equation. The powers are attainable if you know where to look…and in our hands, their full potential can be reached."

Kakashi lowered his head toward his chest.

Itachi continued. "I know you can see the wisdom of my words."

Slowly, Kakashi lifted his gaze to meet Itachi's. "What I see are a handful of fools unwilling to allow others the right to choose their own paths."

Itachi frowned and Kakashi found himself back on the crossbeam with a sword point piercing his flesh. The suddenness of the change stole his breath from his lungs.

"So, Kakashi, in your view you would choose this reality over the other?"

Another sword joined the first.

"Even when you know it's within your power to stop it?"

Another sword stabbed him.

"Even when you know your Hokage's views may be just as jaded as ours?"

Kakashi screamed out in pain.

"Even when you know deep down that you want this power yourself?"

Itachi pulled the swords free, giving Kakashi a chance to collect himself. When he finally could speak, Kakashi's words were slow and deliberate.

"Itachi Uchiha, I have seen what those powers you speak of can do to a man. Although I cannot deny the temptation to wield such power, I will not choose it over the well-being of the village I have sworn to protect."

Itachi stood quietly for a long moment before he responded to Kakashi's words.

"Kakashi Hatake your words sound weak. If this village mentality of yours is truly as strong as you proclaim, then answer me this…why, after nearly four weeks in our hands, has your village refused to aide you?"

Kakashi's eyes narrowed.

"Could it be, Kakashi, the village that you hold so high does not hold you in a similar place?"

When Kakashi still did not answer, Itachi continued.

"I know you wonder what I could know of such bonds, but I can assure you of this…as long as you belong to the Akatsuki, you will never suffer again."

Itachi stressed his point by plunging his blade deep into Kakashi, wrenching screams past his lips once more. The punishment continued for what felt like days. At last the torture ended.

Itachi spoke into the ragged silence. "Are they really worth this much pain?"

Kakashi's response was barely above a whisper as his chin lowered toward his chest. "No."

Itachi's lip twitched up in one corner. He lowered the sword and ended the session. Once they both returned to reality, Kakashi slipped into oblivion.

Xxxxx

Itachi took a breath, fully aware of how exhausted he was, and slowly rose to his feet. He went to take a step forward and stumbled, but Kisame's arm was there to steady him…proving the words he'd said to Kakashi. The others would be pleased that, at last, he was making progress with the man who would replace Orochimaru. Once at their full numbers again, nothing would stop the Akatsuki.

Xxxxx

Naruto burst into the hospital room. "Kakashi-sensei! Kakashi-sensei! Wait until you see the new technique Pervy-sage taught me!"

He skidded to a stop when he realized it was not Kakashi staring back at him from the covers. He pointed his finger accusingly at the elderly man cowering in the bed.

"Hey…you aren't Kakashi-sensei! What's the big deal?"

One of the nurses from the front desk came running into the room. "Naruto! We tried to tell you . . . Kakashi is no longer here. He was released a month ago."

Naruto rubbed at the back of his head. "Oh, right. I should have figured he'd be better by now. Thanks!"

And just like that he was off again, this time heading for his team leader's apartment. He couldn't wait to see the look on his face when he showed Kakashi-sensei this latest skill. He knew he'd be proud of the hard work he'd done, and truth be told, Naruto looked forward to that more than the bowl of ramen Iruka-sensei was sure to share with him later.

He arrived at Kakashi's a few moments later and burst into the room, ready to share his latest achievement. He was greeted by an empty room. But it was more than empty…the bedding was folded at the foot of the bed, and there was a layer of dust coating everything. What was more, the air held a strange musty odor to it - like it hadn't had the window open in a great while.

Naruto whispered into the gloom. "Kakashi-sensei?"

There was no answer. Naruto clenched his fists.

What's going on? Wait! Maybe Kakashi-sensei is on a mission…yeah – that has to be it! Well, that just means I'll have more time to practice before showing him my new technique!

Naruto turned to head out to the practice field, when a figure entered the doorway. Naruto looked up, expecting to see Kakashi.

"Naruto?" It was Iruka-sensei's voice. "When did you get back?"

"Just today." Naruto frowned. "I was trying to find Kakashi-sensei to show him what I've learned, but he isn't here. When will he be back?"

A strange, pained look passed over Iruka's face, and a knot started to form in Naruto's stomach. It was the same look people got when they talked about Sasuke since he left the village.

"Iruka-sensei, what's going on? What's happened to Kakashi-sensei?"

Iruka's shoulders tensed, but then he let out a big sigh and motioned Naruto back into the empty room.

Naruto frowned. "Stop treating me like a kid, I'm a shinobi! I can take anything you have to say. Has he been hurt?" Naruto swallowed hard. "Is he…is he dead?"

Iruka's face paled and took on a look of shock. "No! No, Naruto. Kakashi isn't dead . . ."

Naruto sighed in relief. The strange look crossed Iruka's face once more. Naruto crossed his arms.

"Right…so if Kakashi-sensei isn't dead, why do you look like you're going to be sick?"

Iruka smiled at him. "You've gotten good at reading people, Naruto."

Naruto smiled back. "Kakashi-sensei always says knowing what your enemy is feeling can sometimes save a shinobi's life."

The smile left Iruka's face. "Naruto…Kakashi has been missing these last four weeks."

"Missing? Haven't you looked for him?"

Iruka's face twisted into a look of frustration, and his words held a hard edge to them that Naruto had never heard before...even when being disciplined by the brown-haired teacher. "We've only just returned from tracking him. Every lead has been fruitless. He's disappeared with the dawn . . . and the Akatsuki."

Naruto's face transformed into a fierce mask of emotion. "The Akatsuki! I met some of them while I was with Pervy-sage. What do they want with Kakashi-sensei?"

Iruka closed his eyes and his despair sounded plainly in his voice. "We don't know."

Naruto's fists clenched once more. "This can't be good."