Sparks 28
"'Where did you go to, if I may ask?' said Thorin to Gandalf as they rode along.
'To look ahead,' said he.
'And what brought you back in the nick of time?'
Looking behind,' said he."
- J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit
Maya couldn't believe it. She just couldn't. Tami finally was going to read Naruto, and Maya knew she'd like it!
Maya rushed into her room and snagged a couple books. She picked up the first and second book. She knew Tami would love Kakashi. She knew it. There was no way! Oh! And the Akatsuki! They were so much fun! There was no way Tami wouldn't like it. No way.
Naruto took some time to get used to, but she was sure it'd be great.
Oh, she couldn't wait to share this adventure with her friend!
"Maya? Did you buy a wall laser?" Tami asked.
Such a strange question. Maya didn't even think she had the funds for something like that! She didn't even want one. She'd just ordered a statue of Edward Elric from FullMetal Alchemist. Why would she spend that money on a laser?
"No - why do you think that?" She asked. A burst of smoke plumbed in under her door. She stepped out, and as the smoke dissolved the only thing that was left was black marks on the wall. It was.. a summoning jutsu from Naruto? At least it looked like it. That was odd.
Tami was gone.
She wasn't in the hall, and she wasn't anywhere in the apartment.
"Ha-ha, Tami! You're cleaning this up!" Maya called. She stood there with the books in her hand. Maybe her roommate didn't actually want to watch Naruto or read it with her?
After all, there was no answer. Her roommate was gone.
Oh well.
Everything was fine. Tami liked to prank her from time to time. It probably was that. Probably because Maya kept asking about Tami watching Naruto with her. Her roommate was pretty stubborn. It could be her way of saying no to Naruto? Although she wasn't usually this over the top. Usually.
Maya didn't think much else if it - until Oliver pounded on the door an hour later. She was watching the end of the Waves arc at the time.
It was kind of frightening. The man was pounding heavily on the door. She had to work up the courage to look through the peephole before answering.
"Where is she?" Oliver growled.
"Huh?" Maya blinked at him. "Who?"
"Tami! She didn't show up and she hasn't answered her phone." He snapped.
"I thought she was with you." Maya said.
Oliver ran a hand through his hair, cursing to himself.
"You call me if she shows up; you got that? Stay here." He ordered and left shortly after.
Maya pulled away and stared at the wall. That summoning jutsu was gone.
No one had been there in the room but her. Certainly not cleaning. She didn't even hear anyone leave or enter. She would have known if someone came by.
"Taaammiiiii!" Maya cried out, "it'd be really great if you came out now!"
She started looking around the apartment.
Maybe… maybe it was an elaborate prank?
Maybe Oliver was in on it too?
No, that didn't seem likely….
Invisible ink?
No, Tami would never. (Well - maybe.)
Maya spent the next half hour searching every nook and cranny.
Nothing.
Her phone was gone.
Her bag was gone.
Nothing.
Maya sat on the couch and stared hard at the wall, as if to will the marks to return. No matter how hard she wished it, nothing happened.
Maya nibbled on her lip. Slowly she picked up her novels and flipped through them.
Things weren't… they weren't adding up.
Gosh!
If she didn't know better, she'd think - she'd think that Tami was summoned.
That was laughable!
Absurd!
Maya giggled hollowly to herself. It echoed in the empty wasn't it funny? The idea should be funny. It wasn't.
The idea bothered her so much that she barely slept. The next day Maya tried to disprove her theory. Tami never showed up.
She checked in with Robert via text.
Nothing.
Luanna wasn't returning her messages and Charles told her he was looking into it.
No one knew anything.
Her work hadn't seen her since the day before at practice.
Maya went to find Oliver by mid-day.
He always went to the same restaurant. She knew where to go. As soon as she arrived, she slid into the both opposite of him.
"Anything?" Maya asked hopefully. Oliver scowled; he only had coffee and looked like he'd gotten less sleep than she did.
"I'm guessing she never showed up." He stated, his head resting in his hand. "Nothing. No one's seen her. I'm waiting on some contacts but so far it's like…."
He stopped taking, bowing his head in thought. The word disappeared floated through the short between them, neither of them willing to say it.
"So- so, umm these weird markings showed up right before she… y'know. They showed up on the wall, and I didn't do anything and then they were just gone." She said, trying to keep her voice even.
"What marks?" He asked with a grumble.
"Well," she paused, knowing Oliver had no patience for her shows. He humored her way less than Tami did. "It's just like in Naruto. It's a summoning jutsu."
He stared at her for a second before rubbing his hand over his face.
"Listen, your fascination with that show was cute for a week. A young woman your age shouldn't be entertaining that. When you have something real, let me know." He said in a tired voice. She laughed nervously.
She should have guessed Oliver never would have listened to her. It was senseless.
She stared at the ground in hopelessness.
Of course he didn't believe her. She barely believed it!
In the next week, Tami never showed up. No one had seen her at all.
One week turned into a month. It turned into her finding another place and Oliver coming to pick up her stuff.
He was… he looked worse. There were deep lines under his eyes. He looked like he hadn't gotten any sleep.
He was getting the last couple things.
Neither of them could say a thing.
Maya wanted to give him something. She talked to police officers, officials - everything for days on end.
Same story, same looks, same dead end.
Nothing made sense.
Who knew what was going on and…
What was that light?
It was surrounding Oliver! He didn't even notice it. He was so focused on the far wall and the apartment that he missed it.
And - and… those marks!
There were marks on the floor circling him!
It couldn't be. But it had to be!
Another summoning jutsu?! But only… usually only one was summoned, unless….
Maya bit her bottom lip, knowing if she was wrong Oliver would be very mad at her.
But if not, she'd be alone.
Without thinking more on the matter, Maya threw herself over the older man clinging to him tightly.
She didn't even know if this would work.
"Hey! What are you-"
A plume of smoke burst up from below them.
She clung tighter.
"-think you're doing?!" Oliver finished.
The dust dispersed slowly.
Their surroundings were different. Cold, damp and dark. They were on the ground and Maya knew where she was.
She couldn't believe it, but she knew.
She heard a vile chuckle behind them.
Orochimaru.
Maya whimpered.
Oliver suddenly gripped her tighter. She could see concern in his gaze. Even worry. Instead of asking questions she knew he had, he pulled her in close.
"Keep your mouth shut from here on, you got that kid?" He hissed into her ear.
She didn't even think she could acknowledge him.
Shakily, Maya turned and saw the Snake Sannin there with Kabuto. Orochimaru looked horrible, he was sitting in a wheelchair. She never remembered him ever in a wheelchair. From the looks of things, he couldn't use his arms or legs. There were other Sound Ninja around them.
One of them spoke Japanese. Maya barely understood the gist of it. Something about welcome to Otogakure. She watched so many subbed anime she'd picked up something. She understood way more than she could speak.
Oliver, surprisingly, answered. It was clunky and barely passable Japanese but the others curled a grin. They understood him. They went back and forth, chatting. The blond man did his best to be seen as open and kind. She barely knew what they were talking about. Something about other worlds, and fools.
Orochimaru spoke next and Oliver gave him a wide easy grin. He patted Maya's head and gestured to his throat.
He's telling them I'm mute. Maya thought, glancing around.
The Private Detective was acting strange. Far more social and simple. There was a clear distinction between his accent and those around him.
They were talking and Tami's name came up. Often in fact.
Orochimaru seemed sad, lamenting over her and Konoha. Oliver was nodding, agreeing right along. Maya was about to say something as it seemed that Oliver was walking right into whatever that Snake's plot was. Oliver instead squeezed her arm, reminding her to be quiet.
Maya didn't like this.
She buried herself in his side, trying to block out the surroundings.
She shouldn't be there. She couldn't be there. It wasn't right! Maybe she was sleeping. Maybe it was a horrible dream. It had to be. It must be.
Once Oliver secured a place for them he sat her down. They were in a dank room with one bed, a desk and chair. She was sitting on the bed and he was on the chair.
"Don't talk. At all. Ever. Not here, not anywhere. Now I'm gonna ask you some questions. Yes or no. Got it?" He said.
Maya nodded.
"Good. Now, this got to do with that summoning thing earlier, right? The show." He asked.
She nodded.
"He's the villain, right?"
She paused and nodded again. He was a villain, after all. Not the Akatsuki or Madara, but he definitely was.
Oliver cursed and sat back in the chair.
"This has got to be a dream. Or a nightmare." He muttered, running his hand over his face.
Maya patted his arm, trying to get his attention.
"Do you know any sign language?" He asked. She shook her head.
"Hand signs?" He asked.
Oh she knew those!
She showed him the horse hand seal. He stared at her before groaning and shaking his head.
"This is what I get… you filled your head with nonsense." He grumbled.
He then made the ABCs with hand signs.
Oh.
Maya ducked her head. Meekly she nodded. Everyone knew them, at least most of them. She had so much fun as a kid learning it. She still remembered them.
"Better get comfortable spelling things out, kid. This is gonna take some time." He said.
Maya bit her bottom lip and then tugged on his arm. His brow furrowed but he leaned in.
"They can transform into people. Don't blindly trust anyone." She said in his ear.
"Anything else?" He asked.
"Orochimaru experiments on people."
He grunted and pulled away.
"Figures. Keep your head down, kid. We'll get through this." Oliver said in a tired voice, "our code word will be Ruby Rugby. Just in case."
She nodded. That was a little mean, she thought - but effective.
"They say Tami's in a place called Konona?" He grumbled.
Maya signed out K-O-N-O-H-A to him. He hummed.
"She in danger there?" He asked.
Maya thought about it; really thought about it. From the appearance of things, the story was right after the Konoha Crush arc. Depending on what Tami chose she could be safe.
Hesitantly, Maya shook her head no.
Tami was smart. She'd stay away from Danzo. Hopefully she wouldn't trust anyone. They were ninja! Not to be trusted! Even if they were really, really cool.
Oh!
That meant she might know Kakashi! And Naruto! Oh! That'd be great! It was a small chance, after all it had only been a month but maybe!
And that also meant that Itachi's first appearance would be coming up, if not already.
"We'll make it out. You got that? Keep your head down, and don't start anything with them. We'll get out of here soon enough. Go ahead and sleep." He said. Maya went to protest but he shut her down with a mere look.
She curled up in the bed and while laying there she pinched herself.
It wasn't a dream.
But she wished it was.
The next day things were back to normal for me. Well, as best as it could. My eye was already on the clock, watching it between my work. Between checking in on Sasuke and the new relationship I had embarked on, my mind was very busy. I couldn't wait to leave.
I had to force myself to focus on the tasks before me. I was counting down until lunch arrived. I could go, see who else I could find and hope I could maybe catch a moment with those I had entangled myself with. Maybe even seeing Sakura in passing. I did need to get to know the girl better. I already knew three of four members of team 7. I would hate Sakura to feel left out. She seemed rather sweet. I knew Naruto would be heading out with Jiraiya to find Tsunade. There was intel that said a group called the Akatsuki were out and about looking for Naruto. The little boy was best with a near unbeatable Sannin. And the fact they were going to get Tsunade? Two near unbeatable Sannin.
I was in the middle of reading through the newest Suna Intel when Kurenai arrived in a breathless hurry.
"Tami-chan. You need to come quick. Now." She snapped.
I didn't ask questions. I followed. I didn't even care that my boss would be angry with me. I'd suffer any consequence. Kurenai was never that upset unless it was serious.
"Itachi returned." She told me, while we were heading out. My heart squeezed - Sasuke! Was he okay? But we weren't going towards Sasuke's home. We were heading towards….
Oh that man had best not done something stupid!
We were racing towards Kakashi's home.
"What happened?" I asked.
I could just picture him getting bandaged up, looking like he was falling apart and telling me he was just fine.
"Itachi used a genjutsu on Kakashi-kun by just locking eyes with him. He was fine for a moment, but he went down and he hasn't woken up yet." She said.
I bit my lip; that Itachi character sounded insane. Between what Sasuke had told me and now with what happened to Kakashi? I wasn't thrilled.
"And Itachi?"
"He left with his partner."
That monster had a partner? What sort of man worked with someone who killed their own kin?!
When we reached Kakashi's home, he didn't greet me like he usually did. No, it was Guy who answered the door. We both stepped in and there lay Kakashi. It felt a little wrong, being there and him not awake.
Asuma was there also, sitting on a chair. He was staring at my poster before glancing at me with a raised brow. Kurenai caught sight of it and stared at me in shock. I cleared my throat and glanced away.
"Is he okay?" I asked them.
I didn't get close. I didn't even know if anyone knew we were together yet. They knew enough to contact me, but…. I didn't know if relationships in this culture were as public as I was used to. Kurenai and Asuma were very quiet about theirs.
"My eternal rival will be fine, Tami-chan. Make no mistake. We're certain he'll wake soon." Guy said. His words were a little hollow.
"Unless that Genjutsu…." Asuma stopped talking, eyeing Kakashi's still form.
"He was fine after, though." Kurenai said.
"Might have just been the adrenaline." He said, the cigarette dangling from his mouth.
I slowly moved closer. It all felt wrong. I should be snapping at Asuma to put out that cigarette. Kakashi would be grumbling about something, and Guy exclaiming about youth. Kurenai and I would just share a look and…. And it wasn't so.
I just needed the reassurance he was okay. I slipped my hand around his and found his pulse beating strong.
He was okay but…. He wasn't awake.
"If he doesn't wake up soon we're talking him to the hospital." Asuma said.
I went to say something when someone came in the door.
Sasuke.
"Where's-?" He stopped when he saw us. His gaze lingered on me before darting to Kakashi. It was then when an absolute idiot came up asking if it was really Itachi who attacked him.
The horror that flashed across Sasuke's very face before he dashed away scared me.
What was he planning on doing?
I couldn't say nor stay by Kakashi's side. As much as I wanted to, Sasuke needed me. I gave Kakashi's hand one last squeeze and left.
I'm so sorry! I'll see you soon. I promise.
I ran after Sasuke. It took some time but I cornered him, and pinned him to the ground.
"Let me go!" He raged.
"Not until you calm down!" I snapped.
"He's going to kill Naruto!" He said, panic in his voice. He was trying to flail to get loose.
"No. He's not. Jiraiya is with him." I said. Sasuke growled.
"I don't know who that is! I don't care! He will kill Naruto!" He carried on.
He wasn't going to stop. And I knew I couldn't hold him for long. If he just saw Naruto was fine he'd calm down. Surely he would.
"He's near. Next town over. We'll go together, ah? Fair?" I said. Sasuke stopped squirming and I let him go.
"We're running." He said. Knowing I couldn't argue the matter, I agreed. We raced off, him following after me.
"What was your plan?" I asked.
"Ask around if anyone has seen an idiot blond and an old man." He said.
My face dropped. That was Sasuke's idea of a plan? I was suddenly concerned for him. Truly, I thought he knew better than that.
"As a fellow blonde I'll try not to take offense." I said dryly. Far too many blonde jokes in my time; far too many. I could practically recite them in alphabetical order.
Sasuke didn't say anything as we raced to the next town.
Ibiki was going to kill me. But if the boys were alright, and Kakashi woke up - I'd be okay with it. Maybe Ibiki would only maim me. Hopefully.
If everyone was okay, I'd be fine with it.
Sasuke almost ran into the first hotel he saw. I snagged him by the back of his jacket.
"Jiraiya is a creature of habit. Not that one." I said. We carried on to the hotel Jiraiya and I went to before. I went to the clerk and asked about a blond with an orange jumpsuit. We got the room number and found Naruto all alone in his little hotel room.
"Where is Jiraiya?" I asked, glancing around.
"He took off with these women and left me here." Naruto complained.
My eyebrow twitched. That little rat! Or toad more like. I wondered if Tsunade knew. Did he always do this or was this a one time thing. For his sake, it'd hopefully be a one time thing.
"Sweetie, if Jiraiya does this again, be sure to let Tsunade know. She'll deal with him well." I said. He just huffed at me.
"Never mind that, has anyone been here?" Sasuke snapped. The way he was acting it was as if his elder brother would just appear.
And then there was another knock at the door. More of a pounding, really. Naruto went to answer it and Sasuke stiffened. I snagged Naruto's arm and tugged him back.
"Keep quiet and stay in here. If it's them, leave." I said softly. It was best to at least humor Sasuke. I'd rather feel like a fool for overreacting than deliver both Naruto and Sasuke to the Uchiha murderer.
I went and answered the door. Two men in black cloaks with red markings on them were standing there. One had a blue face and gills. The other? The other had a red gaze with strange black pupils. The signature of the Uchiha. I didn't make eye contact with that one and focused on his bizarre friend. Their very clothing marked them as Akatsuki. I recognized them from the reports I worked through.
It was Itachi. The very reason for Sasuke's nightmares and Kakashi being in a probable coma.
"I didn't know I ordered room service! What cute uniforms." I said cheerfully and slipped out of the room and pulled the door closed behind me.
"Dammit Itachi! You found us the wrong blonde!" The blue-man snapped. His partner's eyes narrowed as he evaluated me.
"She's hiding them." The clan-killer said. Blue-boy chuckled, gripping his sword tighter and getting ready.
"We've been running from fights all day. Lemme at her." He said. Itachi was only staring at me while his partner practically was foaming at the mouth with blood lust.
"Is that so, shark-bait? Such a pity." I said with a wide smile. While I was talking to them my hand slid to my bag. I had a couple plans going on - the Canary Call of course and, well, the pepper spray I kept on my person. One of them was going to regret those eyes of his. I focused on the building my chakra at my throat.
"Shark-bait? Oh, I'm gonna enjoy cleaving you in half little girl." He growled.
I was both outnumbered and out powered. Both these men had the ability to kill me in an instant. Fun.
Surely I could be a simple distraction. At least until Jiraiya arrived. At the same time, I could get back at him. He messed with my people - I wasn't going to let him do that.
"Tell me, do you gentlemen all get your comebacks at the same store? I do swear I've heard that one before." I said with a grin. The blue one's cunning smirk was wide.
"Too bad you gotta-"
I rudely interrupted him with my Call, echoing in the empty hall. They both fell back from the door and I stepped out.
All I needed was an opening. My plan was simple - to not get cleaved in half and get a little bit of revenge for Kakashi's sake. The boys would hopefully leave. Knowing Naruto, it was a long shot, but I hoped they would listen. So long as I kept them focused on me. However with how smart I heard Itachi was that would be hard.
Blue-gills was cursing at me, and Itachi was glaring. The door opened behind me and chaos broke loose in that hall. Tons of little Naruto's were streaming out getting ready to fight while Sasuke stared at Itachi in shock. The fight the youngest Uchiha had was gone, replaced with dread.
I knew I didn't have the time to try to use the shadow clone jutsu. So I went after Itachi first. He had his brother pinned and from the look of things Sasuke was probably locked into another genjutsu.
"You're not strong enough, little brother. How can you kill me like this?" The little rat said.
I saw red.
Without even thinking, I rushed toward them. The pepper spray in hand and a distracted Uchiha. I pulled on his cloak, yanking him away from his brother. He leapt away from me and I went after him. I kept my gaze leveled at his chest. I got in close, knowing I wouldn't have time to play around.
I had a delay he had to work round.
The little rat deserved this.
I met his gaze and - I sprayed him in the eyes. He did notice it before I moved but as it wasn't a kunai and vaguely looking like a scroll he probably thought it was something else.
I hoped they didn't find out the solution to absolve his pain was milk.
I really hoped that his eyes melted from their sockets (though I knew it to be impossible).
He howled in pain and I'm not ashamed to say I felt a sort of grim satisfaction from it. Even if the air itself was burning my eyes and nose.
Blue-gills came after me next with a roar of, "you little bitch!"
He knocked me away with his sword and I could feel my chakra being sapped away. I fell away, landing on the ground.
Itachi already was standing, blinking away with pain and in a flash he pinned me against the wall.
"You." He bit out. "You keep getting in my way."
"Occupational hazard I'm afraid. Better door than a window." I said. He gripped my chin tightly trying to force me to look him in the eye. I did my level best to keep my eyes averted while he was squeezing my face so hard I was sure my jaw would break. He was making sure I couldn't talk, with where his hands were placed across my mouth.
Billy-Blue-Bass was in the back laughing. He had the real Naruto in hand.
"More fun than I thought we'd have today." He said with a grin, "hey. Think we should cut the runt's limbs off. It's not like he'll need 'em."
Naruto started struggling more and Sasuke was out for the count. I tried to see how Naruto was handling everything and Itachi tightened his grip. Without my consent a whimper fell from my lips.
"I'm taking Sasuke away." Itachi hissed at me. "I'm going to mutilate him like I did my clan. Like my parents. By the way - I don't need to use my eyes to put you in a genjutsu."
I froze.
I hadn't even thought about tha-
It hadn't even been five seconds when the world around us turned blood-red and I felt a knife slide between my ribs. Another Itachi stood there watching me with his eerie eyes.
"Kakashi lasted three days against my Tsukuyomi. How long will you last in this one?" He asked.
That.. that - I couldn't put words to it. Fear and anger was reducing me to mush. Between the knives he was using and his relentless gaze, I was at a loss. I had to pick one. I couldn't just sit there and -
The world of red faded away and I dropped bonelessly to the ground.
Jiraiya, the man of the hour, had arrived and just in time. I could barely move. Even though it was an illusion that man's genjutsu was like a weaponized dream. My nerves were still shouting from the abuse they had just endured, never mind the scar on my arm that was burning.
I rolled over and pushed myself painfully slowly to my knees.
With Jiraiya on the scene both men fled.
"Naruto!" I breathed out.
"He's fine. He's with me."
"Are you okay Tami-chan?" He asked, coming over to me.
I nearly cried with relief. I pulled the little blond boy to me and gave him the best hug I could. He stood there, just taking it.
"I-is Sasuke-?" I couldn't even speak right.
"He'll be fine. But we're going to have to get Tsunade." The older man stated. I nodded.
"Can- can she help-? That rat got… he got 'Kashi too." I said. Naruto put his hand on my arm and I forced myself back.
"We're gonna get her, Tami-chan. 'ttebayyo!" He stated.
"Kid's right." Jiraiya said. "We're gonna go get Tsunade. Don't you even worry about that. She'll be able to heal everyone."
That reminded me, if he hadn't left none of us would have been in this mess!
"And you." I growled, "You left Naruto alone?! You -you! For women?! What about Tsunade!"
I might not have a lot of energy but I had enough for that. Jiraiya flinched.
"T-they were so pretty and there were so many of them… They said they liked my work and I just couldn't -" He stuttered, turning bright red.
"Yeah - he totally fell for my harem jutsu." Naruto said, his hands folded behind his head. My jaw dropped. Really? I leaned against the wall behind me, staring at the ceiling.
This was when Guy arrived and managed to nail Jiraiya with a kick. When Guy realized who he had attacked he apologized profusely and explained he just saw a man who he thought was the Akatsuki.
"Get him again, Guy." I said. The man in the green tracksuit only turned to me curiously.
"Why would I-?"
"Would you cut it out!" Jiraiya yelled at me. He adjusted his vest and scowled at me. "I thought I earned your respect."
"And you've near about lost it." I said. The older man glared down at me but didn't say anything more.
"Take her and Sasuke-kun back to Konoha. Naruto-kun and I will be going to find Tsunade." He ordered Guy. I went to protest but he shut me down, "You can't even stand on your own right now and you have work. I'm betting you left in order to deal with this."
With some help from Guy I was able to stand. I wasn't able to break out into a run yet. My nerves were still tingling and slowly calming down. I was happy that I could walk without help.
Guy carried Sasuke and kept his pace slow for me. He was a good man. He may have accidentally attacked Jiraiya but once more, I saw how grand he was. Both he and Kakashi were good men.
"Thank you for coming." I said. He gave me a dazzling smile.
"How could I leave my rival's partner alone against those evil-doers?" He asked.
"Guy, we aren't partners anymore." I said.
"Of course you are." He said assuredly, "Although - I am concerned. He had that portrait of that strange woman on his wall. Don't get jealous Tami-chan! I'm sure it's a passing fancy!"
I turned red. He knew? Of course he knew. Everyone else in our group seemed to know. I must not be as slick as I thought. I took the moment to hide my surprise and smiled at him. Guy still had a problem with recognizing faces it seemed.
"I'm sure I've nothing to fear. Kakashi isn't one to back out of his word." I agreed. At least Guy didn't know my secret. That was nice.
I took the moment of silence that fell between us to evaluate Sasuke's condition. It took us some time to get him to the hospital in Konoha as we were going slow (on my account). Thankfully we were able to get Sasuke and I there and treated. I had found out Kakashi had been admitted too.
Because I had mostly a scuffle and didn't need to be there I was able to be released. I visited Sasuke first.
"I don't know what he showed you, but don't you dare let him get to you. Don't." I told him. I fixed his hair which had gotten disorderly in the mess, hoping he'd wake up and get angry with me. He didn't.
"I'm sorry I couldn't stop them alone. We should have just left." I said.
It should have been smart. Far smarter. But I didn't and Sasuke ended up in the hospital. I stayed there for a time before finding Kakashi's room. He only had on that sleeveless top of his with the mask attached. He was laying so very still in the sheets. Far too still. Although Kakashi slept on his back and often seemed dead to the world it wasn't quite like this.
I slipped over to his side and sat beside him. By the time Ibiki found me, I had Kakashi's hand in mine. I was just watching him. I hoped he'd be okay.
"You left your post." He growled. I couldn't see him at all. I wasn't going to look at him either. I was focused on something else.
"I did." I agreed dully.
"You didn't even tell me you were leaving."
"I didn't."
"Lately you've been focused on other things than your job." There was an anger and timber in his voice.
"They take precedence. I'd do it again." I admitted.
"You're making this time up at work, Walker. If you leave without notifying anyone again, you will be helping me in the honesty room. And I will take great pleasure in making you uncomfortable. In every way I can." He promised. That sounded absolutely barbaric, but I wouldn't fold.
"Fair enough." I said quietly. Silence fell and I had no other reply.
I had thought he left but he hadn't.
"Take the rest of the day off. You look disgraceful." He said. I turned to him finally but he was already leaving.
I scoffed and looked down to the man in the bed. I should have been in one of those beds too. I just got lucky.
"Do you hear that, darling? I look disgraceful. I should be happy you're not awake yet to see it, but I'd never hold it against you if you woke up now." I pressed a kiss to his knuckles. He didn't even move. I had heard that those in comas could still hear. I left that night, telling him I'd see him tomorrow. I didn't want to leave his side but the nurses were resolute. I missed him. I missed those silly eye-smiles of his. I already missed the very slouch he stood with.
Oliver was a simple man. He liked things in a particular way and didn't like it if it deviated from his preferences. To say being sucked into another world was a deviation was the greatest understatement he knew.
Orochimaru was probably the craziest man he ever had the displeasure of talking with and that Kabuto kid ranked a high second.
They tried to tell him how his niece was taken captive and brainwashed by a nation called Kalulu… no, Konona…. It was called something. It was his job to lure his niece back and then Orochimaru could free her from the grasp of that nation.
He might have been born at night, but it sure wasn't last night! That crazy man had nothing but ill intentions for his niece. Wherever she was now, she was safe.
He still couldn't get over he was in a cartoon. He looked different. Maya looked different. It was insane, completely insane.
He did his best to play the good old boy, clueless and useless unless fixing a pipe or fishing. They bought his hick-act and ate it right up. The other Sound villagers (they called themselves this, even though it was more of a compound and torture chamber) loved to poke fun and mock him. He didn't care. They thought he was an idiot and that meant security was lax around him and Maya. It also meant he heard more than he ought to. Orochimaru liked bragging about his success on this particular thing; how he figured out Tami wasn't from that world.
"I added in a hidden jutsu to the summoning scrolls I gave to the missing nin. Her very arm bears that mark as the one who cast it attacked her. It doesn't do much but mess with the users chakra and irritate them. It was a failure of a previous experiment but worked wonderfully for this! Like a signature on an artist's piece. I knew it the second I saw it." The snake-man carried on.
"Ya sure is smart Orochimaru-sama," Oliver told him in broken Japanese. He loved geniuses. They thought they were so smart they often left wide blind spots; especially those who were enthralled with their genius. He was gambling dangerously, but man… the pride in the snake-man? Notable. It could be seen from space. They did have enough brains to ask about what Maya knew and what she thought as entertainment. Oliver was sure to let them know that Tami was into old, classic literature (which was true enough) and the little black haired girl knew nothing about the Otogakure or Orochimaru.
The snake-man himself bought it immediately; that the anime Naruto was actually an old, old fairytale type of lore that only a select few knew about. For as much as the man claimed to know - he had no idea Naruto was a comic and cartoon. Oliver wondered what the man would do if he had known. Convincing Maya knew nothing was as easy as pie. The girl was so skiddish and hopeless looking she sold the idea to the Snake immediately. A proud man like Orochimaru would never have guessed the one who knew his secrets knew looked as helpless as a bunny.
Kabuto was the one who he had to look out for. The little snot was more insightful than most his age. However Oliver just made sure to forget names, words and call him "Kabuki" every so often. The grey haired kid would get so upset with him that he'd have to leave the room. He'd often say it was because he wanted to kill Oliver. The man would just slap his knee and guffaw loudly with a, "now that's funny right there!"
Had Oliver and Maya not been some part of the plot, he was sure they would have been dead or experimented on. Orochimaru wanted his niece because he was sure she was the key to finding out about his future and him attaining his goals. He didn't even realize the key was already there and Tami didn't even know anything. As soon as he could, Oliver knew he had to get Maya out. He was planning on cutting lose the minute Orochumaru and his trained rat left.
Everything was going fine until Orochimaru decided that he needed to go find this Tsunade chick. First Oliver was pleased with the idea. After all, it meant that he'd be gone and he could get Maya to safety. However... however they might have suspected him more than he first had thought.
"She's dating Jiraiya now." Kabuto had said when the subject came up.
"She might be - but getting a chance to return Kato Dan and her brother? Jiraiya never had a chance with her before. She might be entertaining him now, but it's nothing to worry about." Orochimaru said.
Oliver didn't say anything, just kept his head down like he couldn't hear them talking across the room.
"Okay - what are we doing to do about…?" Kabuto drifted off. Oliver could feel their gaze on the back of his neck.
"Take one with. If we split them up there's a chance they'll both behave and won't act up. We'll at least be able to keep the Uncle here. He's the important one. Removing her may stop him from doing anything stupid." Orochimaru said. The two went off and Oliver nearly cursed out loud.
He told Maya later, letting her know if they were split up to try to escape by any means. It wasn't until Snake-man put a curse or seal or something on Maya did he realize she was being taken with them (it was to ensure she didn't speak about anything relating to Orochimaru. Maya was sure it was something more, but Oliver knew he couldn't ask many questions about it). They probably figured she would be too scared to leave and it would ensure he stayed put.
Oliver couldn't protest much. It'd break his character and they'd turn on him faster than he could blink. He would have preferred to be taken but there was an opportunity there. While Maya was away with those two he made her swear to get away as fast as she could. They would meet up at that Konona place. That was the plan. For him, he'd see what he could do there. The man experimented on his own people. Oliver wondered what his experiments could do. Maybe blow the compound sky-high.
The following days Suna had informed us that their Kage was dead and they surrendered. It seemed that they had been played by Orochimaru too. I supposed that as ninja working with shady types was a given but I still couldn't get over the fact that they still chose to work with him. It was up there in the levels of pure insanity to me. However, that was why I wasn't a Kage. None of it made any sense to me. Surely, it did to them. I was just glad I was related to data. My job was just compiling and sorting things. No fuss, no muss, no worries.
Well.
That was, besides the Hospital's two occupants. I would visit them as often as I could. Sasuke I would tell about how the day was and what was going on. I'd run into both Ino and Sakura from time to time.
"Talk to him." I told them.
"But why?" Ino asked with a look on her face.
"Yeah, no offence Tami-san, but… what would that even do?" Sakura asked.
"Coma patients tend to report hearing people. They don't dream, but they can hear you." I told them. The two girls shared a look.
"That's not gonna make him fall in love with you, Billboard-Brow! If anything he'll stay in bed just to avoid seeing and hearing you!" Ino snapped.
"No one would want to hear your voice either, Ino-pig! You screech more than an owl!" Sakura growled back.
I did my level best not to facepalm then and there. I may have. It wasn't until the next day the pink haired girl found me while I was entering the hospital. It was then when I started understanding her far better
"Do you… do you think it's - no. Do you think Sasuke-kun will ever like me?" She asked, gathering her courage to look me in the eye.
"I- can't say. I couldn't tell you what's floating around in that head of his." I said. I already knew Sasuke's thoughts on his fans, but I didn't know if it remained the same as it was before.
"Oh. Okay." She said.
"On that note, do you mind if I ask you why you like him?" I asked.
She flushed a hot pink and I could see anger flash across her face. But it was gone as soon as it appeared. She instead turned her head sharply away.
"Why do you like Kakashi-sensei? It's just because he's strong, isn't it? I mean, he just reads porn and is late all the time!" She snapped.
"If that's all you see you must not be looking too deeply." I said sardonically, "That man has a sense of honor that I've rarely seen elsewhere. He's incredibly noble and protective over his people, even though he doesn't show it. He's incredibly quick and I love to banter with him."
She just stared at the ground, her fists clenched. I knelt down beside her.
"I'm not telling you who to love. I'm not saying you shouldn't. I just believe that there must be something in Sasuke that you see as special. Both you and Ino must see something." I said.
She nodded quietly. We then carried on. We were both heading towards Sasuke's room when half way there when she stopped me.
"Could you - could you see Kakashi-sensei first today? I wanna talk to Sasuke-kun for a bit." She said meekly. I agreed and parted ways.
I went to Kakashi's room and slipped in.
"Forgive me. I'm early today. Sakura wanted to talk to Sasuke and I didn't have the heart to deny her." I explained.
I would have loved it if he answered. Yet he stayed there unmoving. I knew Tsunade was the key to them being healed but, well, I couldn't help but hope.
I pulled out my phone, knowing by now the battery was going and soon would be no more. It was a hard truth to accept but it was one none-the-less. I sat down beside him.
"I'm not one for Icha Icha and I don't think the nurses would like me much if I read it out loud. So, instead, I brought something that you might enjoy. I always thought you and good old Bilbo would get along well." I said. It was then when I settled in and read him one of my personal favorites; The Hobbit.
I missed him and his commentary while I sat there translating. I could practically recite it by heart but needed the reference. I wondered what he would think of Gandalf, and Bilbo? Or the Dwarves and Thorin. I imagined he wouldn't like Thorin, who declared that he wouldn't keep Bilbo safe. I hoped he would be entertained by Bilbo's humor and character.
After a couple hours, which was all my phone could handle, I wrapped up the chapter.
"I'll be waiting. See you soon." I told him, threading my fingers through his hair. If he didn't like it I was sure he'd tell me one day. Or, at least, wake up to tell me to stop.
When I went to see Sasuke, Sakura was already gone. I spent some time there, just talking to him. I told him my plan about staying and who I was. I'd probably have to tell him again, but it was only fair. He deserved to know. With how busy I had been and how he had been away - I barely had much time with him.
Instead of tales of Batman, I told him another hero; one everyone could identify with - Spiderman. I hoped he would enjoy it but I doubted it at the same time. Sasuke always preferred the genius rather than the everyman character. The one capable and with a plan for anything. The friendly neighborhood Spiderman did little to entertain that notion. But maybe it was something he would like. Maybe. But I wouldn't know until later. I hoped he would wake soon; to let me know his thoughts.
AN: Ta-da! Here we are! I hoped you enjoyed this. Now you can see what I had planned ;) it wasn't for Tami to be SENT back, but for a bargaining chip for Orochimaru to use. The reason it was her Uncle and not her father and mother (which made more sense) was…. I mean, what tension would there be for her father tbh? I mean - I'm sure most would be cheering for his possible death :P her father isn't a good guy and won't change. He's motivated by how society sees him and that's all. Orochimaru couldn't use him and he wouldn't partner with a psycho who experimented on people. So, Oliver it was! And Maya has been brought along for the ride. She knows it all, but can't tell anyone. She's not strong like Tami is, where sheer will gets her though. She's more timid and she will not become a ninja. At all. Even if she was interested in it, she wouldn't have the talent for it or the drive. She's as dangerous as a cinnamon roll. Tami's drive was purely to get home, but that reason has changed to keep her people safe.
So as far as Orochimaru himself, I figured because the Hokage was able to know about the attack, our villainous Sannin wouldn't have use of his limbs. Poor guy, really. He's had a rough time.
And Itachi made his return! He didn't let Tami take control of the events like last time ;) he had business to do. Although the poor guy did get pepper-sprayed. D: Also, he didn't try to use the Tsukuyomi on Tami.
Anyways :3 I hope you enjoyed this installment. I hope you guys are doing well and if you're in the middle of exams I hope they're going well :3 Love you all! Have fun!
PS Just to be clear, there is little reason for the timelines not matching up between the 'real world' and the 'Naruto world'. It's mostly because hair has her history and Tami hasn't cut hers since she arrived. So I'm using that as an excuse. :P it keeps things interesting.