Sparks 30
This too shall pass.
- Hakim Sanai
Maya was standing before me.
Maya!
That couldn't be. But it was. She was standing there, grinning at Kakashi and I. I could see from her very features she was excited to be there. The clench of her fists and the stars in her eyes sealed the deal.
"Were you two kissing?" She asked in awe. "Wow, you move fast. Hey! How'd you get a Hitai-ate?"
I worked my jaw and laughed weakly. Kakashi glanced between us.
"Do you know her?" He asked.
Oh. Oh no.
"If you'll just excuse us." I said. I grabbed the smaller girl, slapped a hand over her mouth and dragged her to the nearest bathroom. She was trying to protest but couldn't get free.
I made sure the restroom was empty before I locked the door and let her go.
"Hey! Why'd you do that?" She protested, glaring up at me. She was clearly indignant, and even her earlier behavior showed me she hasn't changed at all.
Had she not matured at all? In the three years I was gone, surely she would have.
"Maya, so help me-" I began in English, pinching the bridge of my nose, "what are you doing here? How are you even here?"
"Oh, well, you see…. It's totally reasonable. I mean, not really, but I thought it was kinda cool. Anyways, we were-" she suddenly stopped talking, seeming to gag on her own tongue. She whimpered and looked up at me, "I guess I can't say."
"You can't say?" I said in irritation.
"It's kinda like Fight Club." She grumbled. I groaned and rubbed my forehead, right under the protector. Was this a game? What was going on?!
"But it's okay! You're here, I'm here - now so that's left is," she was cut off again and nearly gagged again. "Oh, come on!"
She angrily shuffled her feet, and huffed.
"Someone's here with you?" I asked, my jaw dropping.
Her only answer was an awkward smile.
"Let me guess, Robert?"
"No… you won't like it." She said.
"My father." He would be the only one I'd hate to see.
"Nooo, you weren't that lucky." She grumbled, looking down at her hands. She was fussing with her shirt. Where had she gotten it? It looked second hand. It wasn't even a Konoha style. In fact, it vaguely reminded me of what the girl from the Sound Village wore.
I immediately remembered Orochimaru and Kabuto's behavior towards me. I felt a chill go up my spine.
"Maya, who is it?"
Her face fell, and she looked so very broken. Between the drop in her shoulders and the shifting in her feet I knew. I just knew who it was.
"It's Uncle, isn't it?" I knew the answer before I even read it on her face. My stomach fell out. I sat down slowly. I couldn't believe it - Uncle? I had just came to the conclusion that I'd never see him again a month ago - and now this?
Uncle was here. He was here, and probably with Orochimaru. Suddenly it was difficult to breathe
Maya knelt down beside me; I could see she was trying to word her next phrase carefully.
"There is a plan." She said.
"When did you last see him?"
She opened her mouth and then flinched again.
"I'm sorry, the Fight Club rules won't let me say." She said.
I groaned and tried not to get angry. Tried. Maya rarely was ever like this. Ever. So either this wasn't Maya, or Maya was under the effects of a jutsu I didn't know about. Which was probably an unknown Jutsu anyways. No one else knew English - but I didn't know for sure. For all I knew, maybe this world did. Maybe it was a ploy from Orochimaru himself? To gain information? Though - how would he know about Maya in the first place? Far too many questions that needed answering. Far too many.
"You know, after meeting that Itachi fellow, I see why you loathe him so." I said lightly.
"What? No! He's so cool! Why would you-?!"
Maya gasped, and then glared at me, "you're not Tami are you?!"
I quirked an eyebrow at her and simply said, "your father and I got into an argument where he threw an empty beer bottle at me and I told him that I wouldn't be cleaning any more messes he made."
She pulled back for a moment and thought about what I said.
"Oh…. You were testing me?" She pouted at me.
"So Uncle is with Orochimaru? But there's a plan. He knows to come here?"
Maya didn't say a thing, just shifted nervously. With the look on her face, I knew Uncle was aware of where I was. She was always rather easy to read.
"Right then. I'll give him a couple days. If he doesn't show…." I didn't know what I'd do. But I'd have to do something. I couldn't just leave Uncle there. Potentially, I could sneak in and get him out. Uncle and I worked together for a long time - we both knew how to get around without much detection. And myself? I'd gotten far stronger than I cared to admit (not that I ever liked admitting it in the first place).
Maya nibbled her bottom lip and nodded.
"Hey, how come everything is so different? What happened?" She asked.
"What do you mean, what happened?" I asked. I didn't even know what I changed.
"I mean you were only gone for a month and Jiraiya and Tsunade are dating. You're snuggling Kakashi of all people; I mean, he was still really traumatized by now. Couldn't even teach Team Seven. And then Orochimaru's legs are done in. That wasn't supposed to happen. And you have a headband…." She listed off. Her brow furrowed, "Now that I think about it - I think I saw Hayate wandering around. He was supposed to be dead before the Chunin final exam even started."
I stopped listening after she said a month. One month?! No, that…. It's been three years! At least! That couldn't be right. However, looking at her - she looked exactly like how she had when I left. Still younger, still immature and still tending towards rambling.
"Maya… it's been three years." I said.
She stopped, her jaw dropping. I watched as she slowly put it together, the events written on her very face. She stood up slowly and I followed her.
"Wait - so you're... then that headband..." She looked at my forehead again and frowned. "You're an actual ninja aren't you? I kinda thought maybe you and Kakashi were being cute... but..."
I turned my face away.
"But you hated Naruto." She said. I flinched and looked away. "I asked you for weeks to watch it with me, but you were always too busy. And then..."
I cleared my throat and glanced away, "You won't believe how often I wished I had watched it with you."
"Who else... what have you done?" She asked in disbelief, "This was... this is my story. And you..."
"The reason Jiraiya and Tsunade are together is because of me. I helped him. I befriended Naruto because I couldn't just -"
"No! You couldn't have! He uses that pain to help others!" Maya snapped.
"How could I let a child be who was going through that?" I countered.
"You're messing up things and you don't even know what you're doing." Maya grumbled.
"I beg your pardon." I stated.
"This is my favorite anime, not... it's not your stomping ground." She said, turning her head away.
"This isn't - this isn't a cartoon, Maya. It's a different -" I said but she interrupted me.
"You've been gone for a month. In a cartoon. And you're messing up the story. I mean, Kakashi isn't dumb enough to change his mind about stuff to make a huge difference so it's whatever. He spends most of his time in the hospital as it is... but you..." Maya stated, staring at the ground. "They aren't real, you know."
I was stunned. Maya was never that cold. Not to anyone. She cried while watching Doctor Who with me.
"This might be what you think it is - but there's real life consequences here." I said.
"No there isn't! That's why I liked this story! I could go back and watch it over and over and - and no matter how bad it got I knew it ended well." She said, "And now I don't know..."
Oh. That would be it. Maya used the show to soothe her anxiety. So when the world went crazy she knew it would be okay. They did say people who often re-watched shows and movies did so for that reason. I had, essentially, ruined Maya's escape from the real world. She now didn't know what was going to happen - much like myself. Was the happily ever after even a possibility at this point? Had I changed things that much?
Grand.
"You may think there's no consequences here - but there are. We can't speak English anymore. Avoid Inoichi at all costs. Don't let Jiraiya know you know me. And, please, don't act like you know me." I said softly.
Maya's jaw dropped open and I could see the hurt in her eyes. I shook my head. "It's not... I'm not mad. Jiraiya was the one who found me. He knows where I'm from. As does Inoichi, who has regularly had a peek into my mind and past. And Ibiki Morino is my boss and he knows too. I can't get tangled up in this. At all. It would be bad for us both."
"You work for the T&I?" She asked, looking dumbstruck.
"I work with the Intelligence Division, but he's technically my boss," I said switching to Japanese to prove my point, "I'm trying my best to keep you safe, ah? I may have ruined your reality escape but... we'll get through this."
"Yes." She said simply.
This was a mess. I would have to figure out how to handle this all. Maya was here, knowing what she knew and I couldn't do much directly. At all. Uncle was potentially stuck with Orochimaru. And Sasuke had just woken up and he'd been off for weeks. I hadn't been able to properly talk to him and see what he was going through.
There was so much here, I couldn't quite wrap my mind around it. I couldn't.
"Find Shizune again. Please be safe, ah? We can be friends again but we first have to act like we don't know each other." I said.
"What about Kakashi - he saw and heard me." She said, squirming. I could see in her eyes that she was finally understanding what was going on.
"I'll speak with him. He's not entirely unreasonable. He... he knows. He knows about you, too." I said. Maya nodded and then paused for a moment. A blush overtook her face.
"W-wait. If he knows about - does he know that I-?!" She stuttered, looking up at me in horror. "Oh no!"
She buried her face in her hands and curled up on the floor.
"If it helps... I didn't think you'd show up again... and I don't think he minded that he had a fan. He didn't say a word." I tried to help but she grumbled under her breath.
"That's even worse." She whined. Suddenly I felt horrible that we were dating - it almost felt like I stole him from her. I rubbed the back of my neck and glanced away. I didn't mean to. It just happened. I couldn't even explain it beyond that. He was... he was amazing. Suddenly a felt a hand on mine. Maya had stood back up, and was trying to get my attention.
"You okay?" She asked. I couldn't quite get the words out but she seemed to understand. "I didn't like him like that. He's just really cool."
I pulled her into a swift hug. I probably shouldn't have, knowing she wasn't happy with me over all and I was probably taking advantage of her good nature. But for the time being it was safer - she needed to be away. If others caught on to both of us - who knew the pandemonium that would be unleashed.
We parted ways after a moment, her swearing that she'd do well.
With that - I had to check on Sasuke.
Sasuke just sat in his bed. Naruto and Sakura had just left. They had tried to speak with him but he kept it short. He didn't want to talk to them. He didn't want them near him. He didn't care what Sakura thought. He couldn't care about what Naruto thought either.
He couldn't do it. He couldn't go through it again. Itachi had forced him to watch the death of his family again. And then he threw in Tami too. He watched over and over as his team died and his new family crumbled before him.
"You're not strong enough to stop me, Sasuke. You're not even as strong as I was at your age. Pathetic." Itachi had told him with a hiss.
Not even his Sensei was strong enough to stop Itachi! He had thought Kakashi was unstoppable - at least that was how Tami talked about him. He was realizing his Oasis he had found was unraveling under him and he didn't know what to do.
Power, the curse hissed in his mind.
Rage, another voice said.
That one he didn't know where it was coming from. But he had to control it - control himself. He had to. Batman would never have let himself be overtaken! Even though he felt a little foolish for thinking about a story like he was, it helped keep him balanced.
He had been wrong, though. He had encouraged his teammates to find a way to get Tami and Kakashi together to ensure she stayed. However if Tami stayed, there was no way she could stay safe from Itachi. Once again he'd have to watch the ones he cared about die before him. From what memories he had from when he was out, Tami was staying. She told him so - or had it been a dream? There was no way he could keep her safe. Not from Itachi. Not from anyone.
Sasuke gripped his sheets, staring at the bed below him. He didn't know what he would do.
He had to save them.
It was his responsibility.
It was his job to stop his brother.
It was his task, and his alone.
He hadn't been able to the first time but maybe he could this time.
But he had to be stronger, faster, better.
The problem was, the strongest ninja he knew was an enemy of Konoha. The one who gave him the curse that whispered dreams of strength and power into his ear at night. Ever since Kakashi sealed the curse, it still whispered in his ear dreams of power. It wasn't as tempting, for a time. It was easy to ignore after the preliminaries. Kakashi had taught him a powerful jutsu. It had been amazing, having raw strength at his fingertips like that. Sasuke fooled himself. He had thought his Sensei was stronger; stronger than Itachi. He was so capable; even Tami praised his skill! But he went down, just like Sasuke went down. Itachi hadn't even been winded when they saw him later! He couldn't protect Tami, or Naruto. They could have died because of him! Because he was weak. He was always weak.
He gritted his teeth. Somewhere he had thought he could face Itachi soon. He had thought he could win.
He was wrong.
When Tami came to visit him, he couldn't focus on her. Sasuke kept remembering the visions Itachi gave him of killing her. Her dying over and over again.
"I don't know if you remember, but I'm planning on staying." She said to him happily. She reached out to touch him and he jerked away.
Horror shot through his system.
No.
"You can't!" He snapped at her.
She jerked back. Sasuke didn't know where the rage he felt came from, but it freed him from the sense of hopelessness he was drowning in.
Tami was gearing up to say something, but Sasuke beat her to it.
"I don't want you here! " Sasuke said. He knew it was a little loud, but she needed to go home where Itachi couldn't get her. Maybe wherever it was would be safer!
Tami's jaw fell open for a second. Slowly, she pulled back and suddenly Sasuke regretted what he said only for a moment. He could see the hurt in her eyes.
But it was true.
She didn't belong there.
She wasn't safe there.
Itachi would kill her too. Sasuke would prefer her hurt than dead. He couldn't lose anyone else! It was bad enough they were after Naruto too.
Instead of apologizing he looked away.
"Why did you say that?" She asked hollowly.
"You're so annoying." He snapped, "asking stupid questions like that! Nobody wants you here! I don't want you here! They're just being nice!"
He could see her face darken, and her hurt was changing into anger.
"We'll talk about this later, you're just-" She began but Sasuke's decision was done.
"Leave." He interrupted her.
She just sat there for a moment.
"I'll come back-"
"Don't."
Sasuke didn't watch her as she got up and left. She didn't even say a word as she left.
Sasuke knew he should feel bad, but he couldn't make himself. If she left, she would be safe. As long as Sasuke stayed away, Itachi wouldn't bother her anymore.
Sasuke couldn't lose anyone else.
I nearly ran from Sasuke's room. I didn't know if I should be angry or - or hurt. Sasuke never was like that with me - ever.
Ever.
He was always calm, reasonable. He would be snarky at times, but still kind and respectful. I didn't know what Itachi had shown him for Sasuke to be so cruel. I tried not to even think about how the words echoed what my father had said years ago. That one I thought I was over but I guess it still stung.
Of course it did.
Part of me wanted to run. The other? I just wanted to see Kakashi again. To ensure that everything was okay still. I did need to talk to him about Maya. I hoped that he'd understand my need for discretion. I hoped.
Reason told me speaking with Kakashi would be the next best bet. Even though… even though I really wanted to get down as to why Sasuke was so cruel. But I'd respect his wishes, for now.
I went back to Kakashi's room. I had hoped to find home alone but - but Jiraiya was there with a new copy of Icha Icha Paradise (part two, it looked like).
They looked rather calm all things considered. Kakashi was sitting there, reading his story - his face was practically shining with mirth. I came up beside him, glancing up at Jiraiya. I tried to keep my guard up and I knew he could see it.
"Hey. I had a question for you." Jiraiya said, studying me, "Did you see that girl with Shizune? Do you know her? Her name sounds familiar."
I saw Kakashi stiffen beside me. I didn't know if I had it in me to lie to Jiraiya. Instead I paid attention to the man I trusted. Best to take this slow - with some tact.
"If I do - what happens?"
"I'd like to see what she knows." Jiraiya said.
"String her up in the Honesty Room, ah?" I said blithely, not looking at him.
"I don't think we'd have to-"
"Don't you think we've done enough? Regardless of if I know her or not, with everything going on - don't you think it's crossing lines that shouldn't be crossed?" I asked.
Jiraiya's mouth popped open for a second. He crossed his arms and turned his face away.
"You told me once you don't involve civilians in this life. If she's that girl who I may know, she'd be a civilian in every sense." I said. The white haired man groaned and ran a hand over his face.
"She might know some things." He said.
"If we need her to answer every little potential problem that we have, we're not doing a good job now are we?" I countered, meeting his eye.
Jiraiya let out a groan and rubbed the back of his neck in frustration.
"You're just going to beat me in logic aren't you?" He grumbled.
"I've no idea what you're talking about."
Kakashi put his book down and looked up at me.
"She's your roommate, isn't she?" He asked.
I turned my head and Jiraiya cursed under his breath.
"So she knows it all." The Toad Sannin said.
"She knew it all. Who knows what has changed. Apparently more is different than I thought." I said.
Jiraiya's mouth thinned. I could see frustration build in his frame.
"You're going to keep protecting her aren't you?" He asked.
"Of course." I agreed. "I'd do the same for you if the situations were reversed."
He scoffed and shook his head. "I doubt it."
"I don't like it when others mess with my people. You're one of them." I said simply.
He let out a sigh and stared at Kakashi.
"Where do you stand on this?"
"I'm not going to even attempt to get involved in this mess. It's above my pay-grade." He said cheerfully. I frowned at him.
"You're not going to even -?"
I couldn't believe he wasn't going to back me up. Why wouldn't he? I had thought that he would, but - perhaps I was wrong.
"You said she was a fan of Itachi's too. That may mean she could do something against us." He stated simply.
Jiraiya's frame tensed and his gaze shot right to mine.
"Uchiha Itachi? She's a fan? Of his?" He asked sternly.
"She said.. She said his story was tragic. I know her well enough to know she won't do anything to hurt anyone here. She's not that sort." I said.
Jiraiya didn't look convinced. Kakashi wouldn't look me in the eye.
"Do you trust me?" I asked; I had to keep it simple. In the end, that's all that mattered. For either of them. For me.
If Kakashi didn't trust me... it told me exactly where I stood with him. What we had shared was sweet and I cared deeply for him. However if he couldn't trust me, even after all this time?
Both men froze. They shared a look and I turned my head.
Grand.
Was it all going to fall apart around my ears?
I took a step back to leave but Kakashi's hand shot out to snag my wrist.
"That's not a fair comparison. It's not just our lives on the line. This is the whole Village." He said.
"You don't think I know that?" I questioned him, studying the two men. "I've friends here! People I care about. If you think I'd ever jeopardize that… you don't know me very well. I'd go about this far differently if Maya were a threat. I'd request that she'd leave. Or be placed under house arrest."
"Now there's an idea." Jiraiya muttered, but I ignored him. I instead turned to Kakashi who hadn't let go of me yet.
"If you don't trust me, this can't work." I said to him.
Kakashi sighed. He let me go and looked so very tired. He stared at me for a moment. His head turned away and he leaned back in the bed.
I was about to leave when Jiraiya stood up and patted me on the shoulder.
"I won't say anything. For now. If she even puts a toe out of line, I'm tossing her right into Ibiki's lap." He said firmly. I flinched, and I could see his critical eye studying me. Whatever he found there, he was alright with. He left thereafter. I nearly followed him out when Kakashi spoke again.
"I've trusted you with my life. Why would you doubt that now?" He asked. I ran my fingers through my hair and turned to face him. There was a brokenness in his eye I didn't expect.
"That's not… I know how much you care about this place. I might not be on the same page but - but you have to know I respect you far too much to-to just ignore what you care about." I said.
Kakashi eyed me for a moment.
"I want to." He said. I laughed hollowly but he started speaking again; he said it so low I could barely hear him, "I was partnered with Itachi in the Anbu before he murdered his entire clan. The day before I would have said I trusted him. The day after, I was there seeing the aftermath of what he had done to his own family."
I licked my bottom lip in thought. That, piled with his time in the Anbu as well as person after person failing him or being killed - I was asking something from him he probably couldn't give. Seeing Itachi again, being tormented by a man who was that unhinged? Itachi probably knew Kakashi's pain well enough to torment him just like he had with Sasuke.
I breathed in slowly, finally understanding his struggle.
"I know this doesn't mean much, but I promise I'm not…. I know what it's like to be let down and betrayed. I- I won't do that. But I understand." I said to him and he sat there absorbing what I said. "I hope someday that... that you'll know. And that you know that I trust you; completely."
His gaze warmed again and I could see a hint of a smile around his eyes.
"For what it's worth, I'm sorry that cretin got to you. He said something about torturing you for three days. Sasuke has been upset since - he won't tell me what's wrong. He won't talk to me. I can only imagine what you went through." I said softly. I was probably expecting far too much from him at that moment.
Instead of looking appreciative, his brows furrowed.
"What do you mean?" He asked
"Itachi. Last time before he left Konoha, he tortured Sasuke making him relive the death of his family over and over." I said gently, "I can only imagine what he showed you."
He seemed lost; gears were whirling in his mind - I could practically see it.
"He didn't show me anything. He stabbed me for three days straight and mocked me but he didn't show me anything." He said.
That didn't make sense.
Why only torture Sasuke? That didn't make sense. It didn't make sense why he didn't just kill me. Or Kakashi.
It wasn't adding up. At all. The impressions that I had of that man? He was cold, calm and calculating. Usually people who engaged in torture were - well, not like him.
Something was wrong there.
"Don't." Kakashi said suddenly.
"Ah?"
"I see you're thinking about looking into it. Don't get involved, Tami. He's dangerous."
I stared at him, seeing the serious look in his eye and stress in his figure.
"You said you trusted me. So, then don't." He said.
I sighed and stepped forward. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and he pulled me in.
"Okay." I agreed, "I won't."
I pressed a kiss to his forehead and he held me tighter.
"How's Sasuke-kun? You said he was upset?" He asked.
"He-he, ah, doesn't want me around, he said. He was rather upset." I said delicately. He hummed softly.
"I can talk to him later if you'd like."
"If you wish. He may just need time. I'm sure if I tried again…" I drifted off. I wasn't sure what I could do. Sasuke was so far withdrawn and so near explosive. I'd have to push him to the brink to get anywhere with him, to get to the heart of the matter. I didn't know if I could do that to him.
"I don't think it's something you'll be able to talk to him about." He said firmly.
"A guy thing?" I asked dryly. His only answer was his patented eye-smile.
I actually missed it. I scoffed lightly and leaned against his side. He probably was meaning that only he and Sasuke understood losing it all. I did to an extent, but not to the cold truth of death. It was something Kakashi knew. He would be the only one who could talk to Sasuke, probably. I was incredibly thankful to be by him.
I did finally tell him about my Uncle before long. He didn't say much about it. It seemed Orochimaru was busy. I didn't like that at all.
Soon enough, visiting hours were over and I had to leave. I went home after that.
I didn't try to rest. No point. I knew I couldn't sleep yet. My mind was already far too busy and my next concern was up - Uncle.
Instead I continued my path and went right to my closet where my bag was. Inside, the little of my life from home was there.
My wallet.
I had a photo of my Uncle and I in there from my graduation. I had nearly forgotten about it, after all I barely needed it for anything and it was my uncle's insistence that I keep the photo on me.
I had my phone for memories.
But this…. This potentially could help my Uncle.
I went to the gate. I went right up to the guards. I was busy trying to ignore my nerves. Information, I was just looking for information. I'd try to find out if Uncle was in town yet. I hoped he was. Maybe we passed each other and I hadn't known.
"Excuse me?" I began, gaining their attention. "have you seen this man?"
I held up the photo, which was bent in half to just show Uncle Oliver.
The guards squinted at it, a frown on their face.
I knew the answer before they spoke it. They didn't recognize him.
"No. We haven't." One said.
"Why? Should we have?" Said the other.
"I don't know…. If you do see him, please tell me." I said.
I went around to each gate. Even the one to the South that was rarely ever used.
No one had seen my Uncle. In fact, according to their records, no one had arrived beyond Maya who was out of the norm.
There was nothing.
My worry for my Uncle was starting to increase. I doubted he could get away from trained ninja. And Orochimaru? I couldn't believe Maya did. Oliver was a smart man; quick as a whip and could be cruel at times, but against shinobi who knew to look at things from another perspective?
No.
I didn't think Uncle could handle them. Not alone. Between henge, genjutsu and other ninjutsu? No. Uncle couldn't. He wasn't devious enough. I would give him a few more days, but I knew I was on borrowed time. Surely if Orochimaru wanted to do something - he would have already.
Just in case, I stayed around the marketplace for a time. No one looked like Uncle. No one. I went home and did my best to get some sleep. I didn't sleep all that well, but with everything going on and my mind being busy? It was what it was.
As soon as it was reasonable enough, I went to see Tsunade.
She made me wait in the hall for her, though I knew she had no one else to see and she was in there laughing. I could hear her in the hall.
She made me wait for fifteen minutes before allowing me to enter. Maya was with Shizune, standing by her side like a lost pup. With just a glance grin Tsunade, Shizune and Maya were ushered out and the newest Hokage and I were alone.
"Well, what do you know. Just-Tami has a family name; Walker." She scoffed to herself and leaned back into her chair. "Between you and I, I think I prefer Just instead of Walker."
I stood there quietly, saying nothing. I knew I potentially was already six foot deep with this one; best not give her reason to bury me quite yet. And I didn't need to rock the boat as it were.
She sat there with a grin on her face, studying me for a moment.
"You know, I don't think I've ever met anyone so good at playing both sides, but staying true to their mission. Ever." She began, "or as well spoken."
Oh, I didn't like this. Not at all. I just wanted to get back to my little hole in the wall at the Intelligence division and continue my work. No people, nothing stressful. The simple things.
"As you know, Suna surrendered to us after they found out Orochimaru tricked them and killed their Kage. The kazekage's son and his team will be heading here later this week. He's in line to be their next Kage. In addition to whatever missions or work you get, you will be keeping them company. We need to improve our standing with Suna." She said. She gave a wicked grin, "in fact, both you and the recent Chunin graduate Shikamaru will be joining you with this."
She sat there looking entirely pleased with herself. I was less so. Working with Suna, after learning what Ibiki told me? Foolish.
"If I may…. I've been told that Ibiki had been getting reports on me, people believing me to be a traitor or spy because of the skills I use. Perhaps it's not best for me to work with Suna." I said lightly, truly hoping she'd change her mind. Anyone but Suna. I'd even be willing to work with the Mist nin!
"The one thing you're gonna have to learn about this place is there's always talk. Always. I'm sure there's reports on me somewhere already. Is this a no?" She asked. The way she asked made me feel like I was walking on a thin wire.
Grand.
"No. It's not." I admitted. I couldn't say no.
"Then expect my call when they arrive." She said. Tsunade stared me down once more before waving her hand, "you're dismissed."
So I left and raced to work as quickly as I could.
I was also late for work.
One would have thought Ibiki would have been kind to me, my being late was only because of my meeting with Tsunade.
He was not. I was lectured on my lack of timeliness and my lunch was spent running on an empty stomach for training purposes he said. He watched the entire time with a grim satisfied look on his face.
When work was finally done for the day and I could eat I found Team 7 at the training grounds.
Kakashi had been released and he was there with his team to get things back to normal. At least only by appearances. Kakashi had his headband and outfit in place (although I hadn't missed that stupid jacket). However that was the only thing that seemed to be normal. None of the boys were acting right.
Kakashi wasn't the one fighting them. Naruto and Sasuke were fighting each other. Sakura was looking on in terror and Kakashi seemed like he was done with it fifteen minutes ago.
"I can't believe you!" Naruto shouted at Sasuke. "What even happened to you!? What gave you the right to say stuff like you did to Tami-chan! And Sakura-chan! 'Ttebayo!"
"You're such an idiot! A complete waste of my time!" Sasuke shouted.
"You say that to my face!"
"I just did!"
They were clashing - wildly punching and hitting each other as if they were life long enemies. Kakashi was about to get involved but I put a hand on his shoulder.
"Let them." I said.
"They're fighting each other. They should be working together." He said in disgust.
"Should be. Let them go at it, unless-"
Ah. Never mind. I let him go.
Sasuke had the chidori charged up and Naruto seemed to learn a fancy jutsu himself involving wind. I heard Kakashi sigh in exasperation. Sakura came up to me while their teacher stepped in to stop their fighting.
"They've been like this since they were released this morning." She said.
"I see. And he said?" I asked.
"He told me I was useless - that I was wasted potential and that I should just quit. He said even Naruto was stronger than me and that it didn't even mean much." She said, pushing her hair out of her face. I could see hurt in her eyes. When she said that, I remembered the words Itachi had told Sasuke. I was done with the charade. I'd let this go on for far too long.
That's it.
Kakashi was trying to get through to Sasuke in the field, speaking in low tones. The little Uchiha wasn't talking and clearly wasn't listening. I knew the look on his face - he wasn't paying any attention.
It was time I jumped in.
"I'll be back, ah? Don't let him walk all over you." I said before walking out.
I walked right past Naruto who gaped at me and Kakashi straightened up. I could see the guarded look in Sasuke's eye as he studied me warily.
Good.
He should be.
"Forgive me, darling. I'm stepping in." I said to Kakashi brightly. I didn't give the silver-haired man a chance to respond. I snagged Sasuke by the ear and dragged him from the training grounds. I could see the shocked faces of Team 7 and Naruto laughing in the background.
"So help me, if you dare to use a substitution jutsu or anything I will hunt you down myself and make you wish you were in the hospital." I hissed at him.
I dragged him to a quiet spot but didn't let go of his ear.
"We are staying here. We are talking about this. And if you leave before we're done, Sasuke, I promise you - you will regret it." I snapped.
When I finally released him he did leap away to keep his distance but he stayed there.
His face was red with both embarrassment and anger. His figure told me he was ready to fight. His clenched fists ensured it.
"I don't want to talk to you!" He growled.
"Well that's too bad. Why are you fighting your team?"
I knew already. Sakura spelled it right out for me. Sasuke never tore into people like that. He'd call Naruto an idiot or dead last - but never like this. This little boy had a battle going on in his mind and he wasn't up to par. He was the one who wasn't strong enough. I wish I could have seen it before.
"They're weak." He snarled.
"You mean you're weak." I said bluntly.
I didn't even touch him, yet I could see the effect of my words right on his face. The jerking flinch, the widening of his eyes, the gasp - I was right on the money.
"Don't you say that!" He howled at me and attacked. "Don't you dare!"
He flung himself at me to fight. Instead of fighting him I pulled him in and held his hands in place. He was trying to get away but I didn't let him. I pinned him the moment I could. He was fast, but with everything I knew compounded with him being unable to think rationally he was easier to handle than he should have been.
"I wasn't the one who said you were." I stated.
"You just did." He said coldly.
"No. I corrected you. You think you're not strong enough, isn't that right?" I said, eyeing him. He cried out and struggled again.
"I lost everyone." He shouted, "I lost them all and I couldn't even - I couldn't stop him!"
I could feel Kakashi coming up behind us - with the remnant of Team 7 staring on. I shot them a look to keep distant and did my best to angle Sasuke away. He didn't need to know they were there.
Maybe Kakashi was right. Maybe the two were more similar than I had thought. Perhaps.
Sasuke was shaking - I didn't know if it was from grief or rage. I couldn't tell.
"You did lose them." I agreed. "But that wasn't your fault."
"I need to bring them justice." He cried out.
Suddenly his love for Batman clicked. I hadn't quite totally realized why he adored the stories so, or why he often asked about it.
"That's not your job. Not right now."
"I need to! I need to get strong! He said I had to kill my closest friend to get strong! But I can't and I'm not strong enough! I've never been strong enough!" He cried.
"Sasuke - why are you listening to a madman? That brother of yours is insane." I said firmly.
"He's talking about the Mangekyo Sharingan." Kakashi added softly. The others were farther back. The laughter Naruto once had was gone. Sakura still seemed horrified.
"I don't care." I said simply. Sasuke was limp enough now that I let go of my hold and instead turned it to a hug. Sasuke tried to get away again, but only so very weakly. He tried to push but his heart wasn't in it any more.
"Sasuke - do you want to be like your brother?" I asked.
"N-no." He said, almost like the idea was insulting.
"Then don't listen to his advice. You're stronger than him in every way that counts." I said, "He must be a selfish little twit to think power is all so grand to kill his entire clan for it."
"But I can't stop him! I need to stop him." He insisted.
"You will. In time. It doesn't need to be tomorrow."
"He'll kill you." Sasuke said with such surety that my blood ran cold for a moment.
"Sasuke… if he wanted me dead, he would have done so already." I said. It was a cold truth but fact none-the-less. The man had the power to and instead chose a genjustu. The more I thought about Itachi the less sense he made.
He stopped, laying there limp. He quietly asked himself, "Why didn't he?"
"I don't know. I make it a point to not get into the minds of psychopaths." I admitted. The fight in Sasuke slowly drained out and he seemed like a lost little boy. I felt guilty for a moment. In my desire to explore my feelings with his sensei, Sasuke had been falling apart at the seams. I hadn't even noticed. I didn't even do anything while he was sitting there suffering.
Kakashi and I shared a look. I had to do something now.
"You know those gremlins of mine have been acting up again." I said. Sasuke scoffed at me but didn't move. "I'd love some help with them."
"I never believed in that." He grumbled.
Instead of commenting I picked him up. Team 7 and I glanced at each other. The look in their sensei's face told me he understood.
I took Sasuke home. I spent the rest of the night just speaking with him, calming him down. Anything he wanted to know about, I answered. My past, who I was - he even had questions about Orochimaru. I explained all I knew, including who he was to Jiraiya and Tsunade. Had Kakashi been there I knew he wouldn't be as free with this information as I was. However I was done with the secrecy. Sasuke needed to know. He needed to understand that there was more out there and the danger he was in if he acted without reason. So I outlined it all for him, so he knew. I told him about the experiments. About the Sannin as a whole. And why power alone made for an empty life. As the night wore on I could tell he was embarrassed about his behavior. He couldn't say anything about it. Instead, he'd just avoid looking at me. Usually he'd go home but it seemed we both didn't want to part. Instead of setting him up on the couch I let him have the bed. He fell asleep fast.
It wasn't until after when I was sitting in the kitchen with tea to unwind that I saw their sensei. Kakashi was at my window, knocking on it once more. I opened it but he didn't climb in.
"How is he?" He asked.
"Okay. I had to talk him down but he's okay now. That brother of his did a number on him." I admitted.
Kakashi didn't say anything and the guilt was building up in me. I should have been paying a closer eye than I was. I should have done more. He was so haunted by the past.
"I should have made him get rid of that stupid house." I grumbled.
"He wouldn't have." He said but I scoffed. "He'll get through this Tami."
I hummed. I didn't feel very chatty but he seemed to be more than I.
"Did you find out about your Uncle?"
"No. No one has seen him."
Kakashi's head bowed for a moment, "I have to leave tomorrow for a mission - but I'll help you when I return."
"Team 7 is-?"
"Just me." He said.
Ah. Jounin responsibilities.
"I see." I nodded. "Be safe."
"Or you'll be cross?" He teased.
"Very. I'll hunt you down myself if you're not." I said.
We shared another kiss before parting. I didn't know how he could move so fast but not crush my face to his. His fingers caressed my cheek, bringing me in closer. He was warm. So very warm. When I finally pulled away I kept my eyes closed so he could adjust his mask again. However when I did open my eyes again, he was there with his mask still down and in his hand. He had a grin on his face. The time before I didn't get a good look at him, but this time... I did.
This time he looked familiar.
Why did he look familiar?
Realization shot through me and I smacked his arm.
"I can't believe you!" I scolded and he chuckled. "You!"
Sukea! That man! He was Sukea! I threatened my partner on behalf of said partner!
"What's the matter, Tami?" He teased.
"Only you would choose to show your face to your team while pretending to be someone else as they're trying to figure out what you look like." I said dryly. I didn't even need to see his face to know he had a sly grin on it. His face was so very vibrant - his reactions so very apparent.
"What was it that you called me? Handsome?" He egged me. I scoffed as loud as I dared. I didn't want to wake Sasuke.
"You're the one with the beauty mark." I said.
"It's a mole." He said.
"Mmm. No. You've definitely been marked with beauty." I said and gave him a wink. He turned bright red and meekly put his mask back on. His gaze darted away. It was my turn to giggle. He was rather cute, all things considered.
We parted soon after that. I was glad to have time with him but I needed to remember to take time with the others. With Naruto too. Espcially with all the whispers of the Akatsuki after the Jinchuriki. I knew Jiraiya already had plans to take him away somewhere for further training.
It took me a second to realize why Kakashi showed me his face - he was trusting me with something he didn't show anyone else. The fact that I saw part of his face even before our minor spat - he trusted me as best as he could.
Oliver was cold. The air was freezing and stale. If he didn't know better, he would have-.
His eyes snapped open.
He was back in Otogakure, but this time he was in a cell. He knew it was Otogakure because of the pipework and dampness in the air. Everything was dark and dank. It was worse than his first visit. They must have thrown him in the worst cell they had.
How did he end up there?! Had they taken him? Kidnapped him again? "Summoned" like last time?
No, he would have known it. It wasn't something he could miss! He was a light sleeper. He sat up, trying to gain back his bearings when he heard a chuckle from the darkness outside his cell.
"Well, look who's awake." Kabuto's voice came. The boy strutted up, smug and staying down at Oliver as if he won the lottery. "I knew you weren't that dumb."
Oliver glowered at the boy. How dare he. What had happened?
Oliver knew the kid would boast about it in a minute. He just had to stay quiet; he'd get his answers. Oliver already wasn't happy about it, but he needed to know.
"Well, you were dumb. But not the way we thought you were. You fell right into our trap. I told the others to watch you. When you started being extra dumb and annoying, they pulled back and watched you from the shadows. The minute you walked out, they put you under a genjutsu." Kabuto explained with a grin, "you never even left the country."
Oliver didn't even know what a genjutsu was. He scowled and bowed his head. They messed with his perception at the very least. His belief! He had thought he went through different landscapes, over hills even. How did they manage to fake that? How did they trick him so thoroughly?! Never had Oliver gone through such - such levels of trickery.
He knew these ninja were unstable and dangerous. He could barely believe what they had done. He couldn't. But it was so. He was there and not in Konoha. But were they tricking him again? Perhaps there was nothing like Genjutsu and they drugged him. Perhaps he did end up in Konoha, but they drugged his water and took him back.
"You took advantage of our good will. We didn't need to feed nor house you. One of us will be back to see after you… if we remember." He said with a grin.
The boy left soon after and Oliver cursed under his breath. He knew enough to know they wouldn't forget about him for long. They couldn't. They wanted to use him to get Tami to know about the future. However it made a mess of things.
Oliver didn't even know if Maya was free. He didn't know if Tami even knew about him. But what could she even do for him? Trade herself for him? She would be out of her depths with these ninja. She'd never be able to handle it. He hadn't even wanted her involved in the detective business anyways. He was sure she'd stay away from those ninjas.
She would.
But he couldn't let her.
He wouldn't let her.
He'd have to find out a way to get free; the upside was he had nothing but time. However he didn't even know the rules of this world. Because of that, he was still stuck in Otogakure.
He'd figure out how to get out.
He'd have to.
An: Okay - so I took this chapter down. Sorry about that, you guys! I took it down because it didn't feel right. It just didn't. So the core of the story and what I wanted was there but I needed to change. And the original chapter - Tami wasn't acting like herself. She panicked way too easily. I kinda knew it was off but I was in such a rush to meet my usual update speed that I sent it out anyways. And then I regretted it the next morning :P Silly me. I probably will have to slow down on my updating because I did the math on how much I've done since February and - it's kinda crazy, you know? I don't want to get burnt out and I don't want to drop this story because of that. There's a lot more that I want to do.
So, Oliver is actually still in Otogakure. I nearly made it that easy for him to get free - but it didn't feel right. So he's still there. :P I have a plan, don't worry too much about it ;)
Thank you guys so much for your support. I hope you guys are doing well and I hope to have a chapter out later on. Probably a week as I'm hoping to slow down a little bit to take the time to make this the best that I can.
I hope you guys are doing amazing! See you next time!