::18::
Naruto burst out of the fire Sasuke had sent at him and landed a good punch in Sasuke's face. Sasuke made no attempt to move, so Naruto continued to punch Sasuke in the face, screaming with each punch he made.
"He's just going to use your body! Why can't you get that through thick skull of yours?" Screamed Naruto. "You have friends in Konoha who want to be with you! Why would you just throw that away?"
Naruto stepped back and looked down at Sasuke. He could feel Sasuke's blood dripping from his knuckles. He warned Sasuke that he would bring him back even if he had to break every bone in his body. He didn't plan on going back on his word.
"Dobe."
Naruto's eyes widened as the 12 year old Sasuke who lay before him morphed into the 15 year old Sasuke. The Sasuke Naruto didn't know any more; the one that had turned into Orochimaru's dog and was willing to kill his former best friend on a whim. That Sasuke picked himself up and lifted Naruto by his collar.
"Don't you know that each day I stay in Konoha, I grow weaker?"
Sasuke stepped a few feet forward so that Naruto was dangling over the edge, the only thing holding him was Sasuke's hand. Naruto looked down and could see the water below him and the tip of Uchiha Madara's rocky nose beneath him.
"Now, I'll kill you, because it's my own whim."
Naruto watched as Sasuke drew his katana from behind his back and closed his eyes…
"No!" Naruto shouted angrily as he sat up and whipped his pillow out toward the voice.
There was the sound of the pillow hitting something and then the sound as it made impact with Naruto's head once again. Wide awake now, Naruto pulled the pillow from his face and opened his eyes. What he saw, oddly enough, was Harry, Ron and Sai standing before him. Each of them was shivering, sopping wet and had an enormous grin on their face…everyone except for Sai, that is. Ron held a large glittering sword in one hand.
Naruto sprang up from the spot where he fell asleep next to Hermione's bed. "Ron?" He said in disbelief.
"Hmm?" Hermione cracked her eyes open before she sat up sleepily. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing is wrong. In fact, everything is completely fine. There's someone here." Said Harry, his voice almost giddy with excitement.
"Who?" Then Hermione opened her eyes properly and saw Ron.
Her eyes widened as she stared at him. Finally, she slid out of the bed and silently walked towards Ron. She was right in front of him when he gave a sheepish smile. "Hey, Hermione."
Then she launched her fist right into Ron's face. He flew back a few steps before Hermione launched herself at him again, punching every inch of him.
"Ow! Hermione…what the hell?!" Cried Ron, batting her fists away.
"You are a complete arse, Ronald Weasley!" She yelled, furious.
Naruto stood up, mouth open, then smiled. "She's a girl who takes after my own nature." He said proudly.
Even Sai was surprised, although he didn't show it. He didn't understand what could ever trigger this type of reaction in someone.
"Oh, where's my wand?" Asked Hermione, quickly ceasing in her beating of Ron to look for her wand. She spotted it clamped in Harry's hand and gave him a death glare. She looked ready to wrestle it away from him when Harry pointed the wand. "Protego!"
A barrier popped up between Hermione and Ron. Hermione crossed her arms over her chest, obviously angry. In fact, Harry would go so far as to say she looked quite crazed, however he would never say it to her face.
"Hermione," Said Naruto stretching his arms out toward her. "Calm…"
"I will not call down!" She screamed.
Everyone visibly flinched from her yell. "Hermione…will you please…" Said Harry.
"Don't you DARE tell me what to do Harry Potter, just give me back my wand! And YOU!" She wheeled on Ron who took a step back despite the barrier. "I went after you! I called for you begging you to come back!"
"I know…I'm sorry." Said Ron.
"Oh, you're sorry!" Then she laughed a laugh that was quite scary. "You come back after weeks and you think it's going be ok if you just say sorry?" She stressed loudly.
"Well…what else can I say?" Said Ron, shrugging his shoulders.
"Rack your brains, Ron!" Hermione shouted. "It should only take a few seconds…"
"Hermione..." Said Sai. "He just saved…"
"I don't care what he's done! We could have been dead for all he knew!" Hermione cried.
Sai stepped back, the situation reminding him too much of Sakura.
"I knew you weren't dead!" Protested Ron. "Believe me, Harry's all over the news, I'm sure it would have been broadcasted immediately. You don't know what it's been like…"
"What it's been like for you?" Hermione was giving out sharp breaths. She looked so furious, it was like she was going to explode.
"I was going to come back!" Said Ron, "But when I Disapparated, I ran into a gang of Snatchers."
"Who?" Said Naruto.
Hermione sat down, still looking furious and pulled Naruto down next to her.
"Snatchers – gangs that round up Muggle borns for money. I ran into them and barely got out…nicked their wands though." Said Ron. "By the time I came back, you were gone."
"Gosh, what a gripping story." Said Hermione, her voice full of sarcasm. "Meanwhile, we've been through hell the past twenty-four hours! But since you ran into a gang of Snatchers, you must know it all." Roared Hermione. Harry grimaced, as Hermione was taking her sarcastic tone to a new level.
"Hell?" Questioned Ron, going a bit nervous. "What happened?"
"I don't think I want to tell you, since apparently, you know it all." Seethed Hermione.
Ron sighed and turned to Harry for help, who simply gave him a sympathetic smile. "Well…we went-"
"We went to Godric's Hallow and, well, what happened there, Harry?" Said Hermione, cutting Harry off as she turned to him expectantly. "Oh yes! You Know Who's snake was there waiting for us and nearly killed us, and then You Know Who came and missed us by a second!"
Ron's eyes opened wide as he stared at them.
"Then what happened, Naruto?" She turned to him. "Oh yes, we nearly died again when two ninja showed up looking for the Bingo Book!" She shook her head. "Snatchers, gosh, that really puts things into perspective."
"How did you find us?" Asked Naruto.
"Yes," Said Hermione, "That way, we can make sure we're not visited by anyone else we don't want to see." She snapped.
Ron glared at her before pulling out the Deluminator. "This." He proclaimed, holding it up proudly. Everyone looked at him quizzically, Hermione's face border lining disgust. "I heard your voice…I dunno why…maybe it was because I wanted to come back."
Hermione lifted her eyes to him. "What did you hear?" She asked, her tone and expression softening for a beat.
"My name…you said 'Ron'…then something about my wand." Ron explained. Harry remembered that moment, when Hermione mentioned Ron's wand in relation to his own. It made him feel a quick pang of sadness.
"So…I didn't know what to do, so I clicked it and this bluish light appeared outside my room. I knew this was it, so I packed my stuff and snuck out. It was waiting for me and then…it went inside me…"Said Ron, gesturing sheepishly to his chest.
"Excuse me?" Said Hermione.
"It just…went inside, and I knew where to go. So I Disapparated and came to that hill and I blundered around the forest, when I heard shouting…but no one was there…"
"We left by then, after the attack..." Said Naruto.
Ron nodded. "Then I came here and was searching till I came to the clearing and found Sai."
It was then that Hermione noticed the sword in Ron's hands. Hermione's eyes widened. "Is that…?"
Ron held it up proudly. "We destroyed the Horcrux." Said Harry.
Hermione held her hand out and Harry removed the spell before tossing it to her. She studied it, her hands running along the surface before brusquely handing the sword back to Harry and turning around to step back in bed, pulling the covers tight around her. The four boys glanced at each other.
"Guess that's the best you could hope for." Said Harry.
Ron nodded. "She could have beat the crap outta me."
"I didn't rule it out." Hermione grumbled from underneath the covers. Naruto cracked a smile.
The fact that Hermione remained sour and shot only dirty looks to Ron over the next few days did not surprise Harry at all. And Ron, as a result, kept an unusually somber expression when around Hermione. When she was not around, he seemed down right cheerful. Naruto was willing to put the past behind him if Ron didn't start anything. When all five of them were together, however, Harry felt like the odd one out. Harry was unusually optimistic about his outlook at life and the others claimed it to be the presence of the sword. It was true in fact. Harry felt like he could accomplish anything. Naruto however, despite things going ok for once, still felt no closer to Sakura even after the encounter with Karin.
There was an unusually clear and sunny day before New Year's came around, so the group was outside instead of being inside the tent. Hermione was reading her book by the tent's entrance, Sai was taking inventory on their belongings and Ron, Harry and Naruto were scrounging around looking for berries.
"So how did you hear about the Taboo?" Asked Ron.
"What?" Said Harry.
"You still call him You Know Who." Explained Ron.
"Oh," Said Harry. "Guess it's just a habit, but I've still got no problem calling him Vol…"
"NO!" Ron shouted so loudly causing Naruto to become distracted and slip in a patch of ice. His jaw hit the ground hard. Hermione shot an annoyed look at them as Ron helped Naruto up.
"Sorry, but the name has been jinxed." Explained Ron. "That's how they track people! Breaks down magical barriers and stuff."
"So that's how they found us that one time." Said Naruto rubbing his jaw.
Ron nodded. "Pretty genius actually, only people standing up to him would dare use it. Easy way to track Order members…Kingsley is even on the run now."
Harry straightened up, thinking. "So that's what the Bingo Book meant…"
"I heard he accidentally let You Know Who's name slip." Ron explained. "I heard Bill and Fleur see him sporadically at times, comes by when he can…usually with Kakashi."
Harry sighed, faltering as he picked a few small berries off a branch. "Sometimes I wish…I wish I could be there, instead of hiding away…"
"You're not hiding away, mate!" Ron exclaimed, putting a hand on his shoulder. "We're on a mission, a mission from Dumbledore. You're the only chance we've got against You Know Who! We can't lose you." Said Ron wholeheartedly.
"I know." Said Harry. "It's just really frustrating sometimes."
"I know." Said Ron. "But the good thing is, those Death Eaters really do have no clue where you're at. I think they keep expecting you to pop up at Mum and Dad's place. Death Eater activity around the Burrow has been so crazy that I've heard Fred and George have been having a grand old time sneaking Puking Pastilles into their pockets."
Both Naruto and Harry had to give a chuckle at that, but then Harry's good mood quickly disappeared. It was so unfair, the Death Eater's harassing the Weasley's just on the off chance that he would risk their lives and show up…
Naruto frowned, sensing Harry's downcast mood. "Hey!" He exclaimed loudly. "Just imagine the look on one of those Death Eater's faces when you bust out one of my jutsu. They say payback's a bitch right?" He asked, grinning brightly.
Suddenly forgetting about the Weasley's predicament, Harry's green eyes widened. With all the drama surrounding the past couple of days, he had completely forgotten to tell Naruto about his success with the Bunshin no Jutsu. Thinking back, it seemed like a dream, like some foreign out of body experience.
"You guys are still trying that stuff?" Ron asked skeptically. "I mean, even after Hermione said…"
"I did it!" Harry cried, cutting Ron off. With excitement coloring his voice, Harry quickly recounted his experience back in the tent for Naruto and Ron; Naruto's blue eyes getting wider and more excited with each word and Ron's face becoming increasingly incredulous.
"No freaking way!" Naruto whooped, causing Hermione to glance up in an almost irritated fashion. "How could I have missed that?"
"You're kidding right?" Asked Ron.
"It was real!" Harry asserted. "I really did it! But now…" Harry's spirits quickly fell as he looked down at the borrowed wand from Ron. "With this…I dunno if I could possibly do it again…"
"That's ok!" Naruto roared. "We'll just practice! C'mon!" He cried, pulling Harry off toward the field to practice, Ron trailing reluctantly behind.
As the night dragged on, Sai took the first watch outside, forcing both Naruto and Harry to retire inside where they wouldn't distract him. As Harry expected, when he tried to do the Bunshin no Jutsu again, only the faintest wisps of smoke formed. But Naruto had insisted that if he did it once, he could do it again and instead proceeded to teach him what he told Harry was a genjutsu. Harry had protested at first, but Naruto insisted that Harry probably couldn't handle complex physical jutsu and that illusion based jutsu might be the next best thing. Naruto explained that he wasn't very proficient at genjutsu, but he could explain them in theory thanks to Sakura. Magen: Narakumi no Jutsu was the next jutsu Harry attempted; as he tried to place Naruto in a genjutsu while Naruto tried the Expelliarmus spell again.
In the end, Naruto had only managed to poke at Harry's wand briefly with his chakra while Harry couldn't seem to grasp the concept of genjutsu.
Frustrated, Harry tried to use the new wand Ron gave him to make things levitate, but everything was just so much weaker using this unfamiliar and intrusive wand. How could he expect to accomplish another jutsu if he couldn't even do a simple spell? Sprawled on the floor, Ron was busy tapping his wand against his radio, muttering words under his breath as the radio continued to give out nothing more than buzzing and static.
Suddenly, Hermione jumped out of the armchair that she had been perched on with her book. Ron instantly stopped, his face rather terrified. "If it's annoying I'll stop!" Said Ron nervously.
Hermione ignored him however, and thrust the copy of The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore under Harry's nose. "I want to go see Xenophilius Lovegood."
The object that Harry had been poorly levitating fell to the ground. "Why?" Asked Harry.
"Look at this." She said, pointing down to a page she held open in the book.
Harry glanced down at the page and saw the real copy of a letter between Dumbledore and Grindelwald had been photocopied onto the page. Harry hated seeing it, because it meant it really happened.
"The signature." Said Hermione impatiently.
At first he didn't see it, but then he saw that the 'A' in Albus had been replaced with the weird eye symbol from Hermione's copy of The Tales of Beetle the Bard.
"It keeps popping up!" Said Hermione. "I know that this was the mark on that grave and the dates on it were from before Grindelwald's time. We can't ask Grindelwald and we can't ask Dumbledore, but we can ask Mr. Lovegood! He must know what it means!"
Harry didn't answer. Truth was, he was afraid of another Godric's Hollow happening.
"Dumbledore left me this book with this symbol on it! It must mean something!" Said Hermione protesting.
"Here we go again." Said Harry exasperated. "We keep trying to convince ourselves that Dumbledore left us secret clues and codes…"
"But the Deluminator turned out to be useful." Said Ron. "I agree with Hermione."
Harry threw Ron a glare. He was pretty sure him agreeing with her only had to do with him getting on her good side again.
"Luna's house seems safe enough, right?" Asked Naruto from his armchair, where he had been tossing around a few kunai.
"I'm sure this is important!" Said Hermione. "And Naruto is right; Luna's home shouldn't pose any threat toward us."
"If Hermione thinks it's important, I say we go." Said Ron.
"You don't know anything about this." Snapped Hermione.
"A vote then," Challenged Harry, "Those in favor of going…"
Ron's hand shot up before Hermione, which made her feel suspicious. Naruto also raised his hand, almost rather hesitantly as the look Harry shot him felt like he had betrayed him or something.
"Looks like I win." Claimed Hermione proudly, snatching up her book and returning to her seat. "Our next trip is to see Xenophilius Lovegood."
"Outvoted mate, sorry." Said Ron smiling and clapping Harry on the back.
"You only agreed to get back in her good books." Muttered Harry.
"All's fair in love and war." Ron said.
The Malfoy Manor was a dark and foreboding thing against the moonlit sky. Kakashi was almost amused by it because it reminded him of a haunted house, the type that parents and Jounin instructors took children to during the Halloween season.
"Magical barriers block these gates…" Whispered Kingsley as he waved his wand and muttered a few incantations. "It'll take nothing short of a miracle to get into this place. It will take me forever to get past these on my own. Surely we will get noticed by then."
"Perhaps we don't have to wish for something quite so elusive." Murmured Kakashi. "If I was disguised as an Oto Nin, or perhaps even a Death Eater, what are my chances of getting in?"
Kingsley paused, looking toward Kakashi. "High I'd expect…the gate acts as an…intercom system? I believe that's what the Muggles call it. If they recognize you, you get let in. Although the odds of you infiltrating as a Death Eater…they seem pretty slim." Said Kingsley gravely.
"So I'll just have to do it as an Oto Nin then." Said Kakashi putting his fingers together. "It's likely that there are so many coming in and out of this place that the Malfoy's will be none the wiser."
Breathing out a sigh, Kakashi clasped his hands together. "Henge no Jutsu."
Kingsley took a step back as Kakashi disappeared in a cloud of smoke, only to be replaced by a rather imposing ninja clad in a dark billowing cloak, a music note stamped into the metal plate that glinted just under the hood.
"Well that's bloody effective." Murmured Kingsley, slightly in awe. "No disgusting Polyjuice potions for you lot."
Kakashi smirked underneath his hood and then saluted Kingsley. "Stay on lookout here." He whispered. "If I'm not out within fifteen minutes, well I suppose you can assume the worst."
Kingsley gave Kakashi a grave look that said he understood before quickly taking cover within the darkness of the trees. Calmly approaching the gate, Kakashi glanced around before rapping at the metal with his knuckles. It took a moment before the gate started to contort and swirl before Kakashi, making the ninja step back in surprise. A face, menacing and grotesque appeared before him. "State your business."
Kakashi cleared his throat. "Orochimaru-sama summoned me here."
The face narrowed it eyes, studying Kakashi first before the face disappeared and the gate swung open. Hiding his smile, Kakashi used a Shunshin, quickly appearing before the front door at the gate clanged close behind him. Kakashi took one look back before he approached the door which swung open before he could move to open it.
Taking a hesitant step inside, Kakashi quickly scanned his surroundings. The house was neat and orderly – what one might call 'expensive' in this dimension since it was so radically different from what Kakashi was used to from both the Tonks and the Weasley's home. Moving quickly, Kakashi tried to make himself as invisible as possible. Suppressing his chakra to its bare minimum, he closed his eyes; his senses feeling out as he looked for any traces of Sakura's chakra signature.
Kingsley had told him that he had previously looked for Sakura and could find no trace of her inside the Manor, but Kakashi couldn't help but hope that this time would be different. When he found, however, no such traces, he felt his heart plummet.
Mentally checking how much time he had, Kakashi silently moved through the house. Despite it being the so called base for Voldermort and Orochimaru's entire operation, the house was rather empty and quiet. He sensed a few familiar chakra signatures – one being the annoying Malfoy boy who just didn't seem to understand his place and the other being his father who Kakashi briefly remembered from the battle at the Ministry. The boy was currently in a room on the second level, the father somewhere on the first floor. Kakashi realized with dismay that none of the other key players – Orochimaru, Voldermort, Kabuto or even Uchiha Sasuke were currently inside the house.
Kakashi couldn't help but feel slightly angry at the whole situation. Not only had he risked his own life in coming here, but that of Kinglsey's as he stood guard for him outside. And for what? Sakura was gone and there was no trace of where she could have been.
But still...maybe there was something he could do.
It wasn't very hard to find the cellar and better yet, no one seemed to be guarding it. Using a piece of ninja wire, Kakashi easily picked the lock and stole inside, shutting the door behind him. The cellar was dark and its odor was musty, combined with the smell of human sweat. Kakashi stuck a match against his palm and allowed what little light it gave illuminate his way.
As Kakashi's light footsteps approached closer, the sound of chains scraping against cobbled stones assaulted Kakashi's ears.
"Who's there?" A young female voice called out.
Kakashi recognized the voice immediately. "Luna Lovegood!" He quickly extinguished the match and rushed toward the sound of her voice.
"Professor Hatake?"
Kakashi's keen eye quickly adjusted to the darkness and he could just barely make out Luna's standing form, her arms outstretched as if she were looking for him. He quickly grasped her hands and found they were cold to the touch.
Despite the sense of unfamiliarity toward them, Luna crushed herself against Kakashi, a tear slipping down her cheek. Kakashi ran a soothing hand down her matted hair. "They haven't hurt you, have they?" He quickly asked.
"Luna? Who's there?" A feeble voice called out.
Luna pulled away from Kakashi and sniffed before bending down and reaching out toward someone in the darkness. "It's ok, Mr. Ollivander, he's a friend."
The wand maker, thought Kakashi. Kingsley had said they had captured him as well, but what could Voldermort or Orochimaru possibly want with a wand maker? He didn't have time to contemplate the reasons. "I have to get you all out of here." Said Kakashi, kneeling before Luna. "Show me your chains, I'll get you out."
"You can't!" Said Luna quickly.
Kakashi glanced up at her. "Excuse me?"
Luna quickly knelt beside Kakashi and grabbed his hands. "If we're missing, they'll know someone released us! They'll come looking for us. My father…"
"You'll be protected." Kakashi insisted. "I will make sure you and your father can escape to a safe place."
Luna quickly shook her head, her greasy blond hair swinging around her face. "It won't matter. If it's not us, they'll only look for someone else to take advantage of."
Kakashi narrowed his eye and praised the young girl before him. She was smart, wise and brave, far beyond her years. He didn't understand the words coming out of her mouth more than half the time, but tonight, she was speaking with clarity.
Luna seemed to sense that he had made up his mind because she clutched at his hands harder. "They won't hurt us, not any more than they already have. We'll be safe for now."
Kakashi sighed for a moment and then stood up. "You are a brave girl, Luna Lovegood." He pulled a kunai from his pouch and wrapped her fingers around it.
"I have one already." She said. "Naruto gave me one."
Kakashi smiled. "It never hurts to have more than one."
He took one last parting look at Luna before turning to sneak back out.
"Professor Hatake." He heard Luna call.
Kakashi turned back around. "Tell my father that I'm safe." Luna called out softly.
Kakashi gave a nod of his head before returning to the door and slipping back out. He had just locked the cellar door behind him when he felt someone roughly prod him in the back. Kakashi spun around, grateful his henge was still in place.
"What were you doing down there?" an Oto ninja asked, his arms crossed over his chest. "Why aren't you with the others?"
"Orochimaru-sama wanted me to check in on the prisoners once and a while. Make sure they don't try anything." Said Kakashi without skipping a beat. "Can't trust these wizards, you know."
"Hmph." The ninja scoffed. "You got that right. But why would Orochimaru-sama care about those stick shakers down there? They aren't his prisoners."
Kakashi shrugged. "What is Voldermort-sama's is Orochimaru-sama's."
The ninja shook his head as if he were disgusted. He motioned for Kakashi to follow him which Kakashi did so reluctantly. "I can't wait till we get the hell out of here." The ninja said, leaning closer to Kakashi. "This place is just too weird. And then Orochimaru-sama plans on giving this wizard Konoha once he's done with it? Pathetic."
Kakashi's eyes widened, but luckily, the other ninja didn't seem to notice. "He's even giving a wizard the honor of killing that bitch of a Hokage, can you believe that? Still", He continued, "I'd rather be there instead of on hallway guard duty here."
"Yeah." Said Kakashi, his mind distracted. "But can Voldermort-sama really spare anymore wizards? I mean, even if it is Konoha, they're likely to get killed." It was true, while the wizard populace in London alone was no small amount; the amount of those willing to work for the Dark Lord weren't staggering.
"Eh." The ninja shrugged. "I could care less. He's keeping his top generals close to him if that's what you are asking. He's sent a couple over but most are, what do you call them? Grabbers?" The ninja asked, scratching his head.
"Snatchers?" Kakashi supplied.
"Yeah, that's it. So eager to volunteer they were. I would have liked to see their faces when they landed in Konoha…"
"They're there now?" Said Kakashi, managing to keep the alarm out of his voice.
"Acclimating." Said the ninja. "That's what they called it. But the invasion isn't set to happen for another day or so." Suddenly the ninja narrowed his eyes at Kakashi. "Shouldn't you have known this already?"
Kakashi stared at the ninja for a beat before scratching his head sheepishly. "I forget easily. Hit my head too many times as Genin." He explained.
He needed to get out of here quick and warn Tsunade.
Bingo Book
Undesirable #9
Homura Mitokado
Status: Ninja (Konohagakure), Council Member
Family: Unknown
Security Status: TRACKED – Movements are closely watched. Plans in place for replacement.