This is a work of fan fiction using characters from the Naruto, which is trademarked by Masashi Kishimoto. Everything aside from the original characters are created from the wonderful mind of Kishimoto.
Most of the following unrecognizable are original characters of mine, please bear with me I am still in the process of making the character profiles for an even better visualization.
Comments, suggestions, criticism, even just simple messages are welcomes, please feel free to message me anytime.
Also, thank you so much to you guys who take your time to read my humble fanfiction even though it had taken a very slow turn. Special to those who follow, favorite, and especially those who take extra efforts to review.
But above all, thank you for those who have been there since day one, I love you guys so much!
Thanks for reading!
Chapter 8: An Unwanted Reunion
Misaki can feel the series of multiple blades digging on her skin, making wounds and drawing blood, but even then she couldn't move for comfort nor speak to complain, especially as she's being dragged completely immobilized and rendered useless by a wooden tail wrapped around her entire body.
'how did it end up like this' Misaki thought, half sick and half wounded from being carried in such an unsual manner and position. From the moment the tail had wrapped itself around her body to the present moment wherein they walked a few moments before reaching their destination, how and why on earth did she ever agreed to Yamato's request.
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Once everybody had settled inside the amazing for an impromptu house, Yamato lit a light in order to gather and relay the plans for tomorrow's confrontation.
"It's about the Akatsuki's Sasori" at the mention of the late and famed puppeteer of the akatsuki, everyone looked to him, attention focused solely on him, even Misaki who was silently cleaning her sword at the corner of the room sheathed and left her sword to join the team's small circle.
"I wanted to ask you sooner, but I promised we won't be talking about it yesterday. So I want you to tell me everything today, you're the only one who's ever seen Sasori in person, after all" Yamato explained as slowly everybody completed their circle.
"I've received a file on Sasori from the Hidden Sand, but tell me as much in detail as you can, about his personality, behavior, mannerisms and habits if he has any" Yamato enumerated.
"What's this about?" Naruto asked, curious as to why his captain needed to know the deceased enemy's being.
"The spy who's infiltrated Orochimaru's organization thinks Sasori is going to meet him at the Tenchi Bridge, they might see us through immediately, but it's probably bet to approach by transforming into Sasori" Yamato reasoned.
"If Sasori doesn't show up at the Tenchi bridge, then the spy probably won't either" Sakura affirmed.
"There is a distinct possibility" Yamato said, a notion Misaki intersected.
"No, the possibility of the spy showing if it had been anyone besides Sasori is very low, and without any intel regarding the spy, there is no way for us to identify the spy, much less capture him, or her to use him to track Orochimaru and complete this mission" Misaki explained the plight of their mission.
"Correct, being a spy is a risky job after all. Which means the spy is being extra cautious" Sai said in a manner as if he was thinking out loud, Misaki however, did not miss the quick glance Yamato sent his way; a look of suspicion.
"Then are you going to transform into Sasori, Yamato-taichou" Naruto asked.
"I'll probably have to. It seems he always remained hidden inside this Hiruko puppet, so I'm probably the right one for this since I can use Wood Style Ninjutsu. Misaki, I will be using you and capture you as a form of leverage." Yamato answered, at that point, Misaki really believed the hokage's reason behind the personas added to team seven.
"And also, assuming this turns out to be an Akatsuki trap, Misaki and I will be approaching him alone at first" Yamato said.
"The way he spoke near death, I don't think he was lying, and there was indeed a spy called Yura in Suna" Sakura said processing Yamato's laid out plan, only to stop when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked to Misaki who was sitting next to her smiling, reassuring her.
"We don't doubt the information Sakura, however, we can't be too cautious, these people are Konaha's most dangerous foes, both are powerful an unpredictable" Misaki explained.
"Misaki is right, this is assuming something goes wrong, you guys stand by until I give you instructions," Yamato added.
"Either way, there's no doubting, that the spy is probably considerably powerful" Sai concluded, ending in a note that probably sent more chills down their spine far more than their current predicament.
"He's right, the most formidable opponent you will ever have is not someone who is strong, but who is adaptable. The nature itself of working for Akatsuki to infiltrate Orochimaru's rank vaguely tells us about his capabilities, it's best we overestimate him, or her, than end up underestimating this person at the stake of our lives" Misaki said as everyone nodded in confirmation.
"Let's do this!" Naruto agreed.
"Now for the main issue, let me explain the mission in a little more detail. Our goal is to arrest the target, but we must not let him die at all costs, even if we end up having to fight. We'll lose an important source of information if the target is killed, and a mission like this is more difficult than just killing an enemy, as this is a delicate mission, I will make the first move, and you guys will be my back-up. Our strategy is simple, first I restrain the target, second, should I fail to restrain the target, and this turns into a battle, you guys shift to a battle formation, I will give you a signal when I want you to do this, and in the event of the second case, you are to operate with the buddy system." Yamato laid out an even more detailed version of the plan, or at least tried to lay out an even more detailed version of the plan when Naruto intercepted.
"Buddy system?" Naruto asked.
"When one person takes action, a partner always backs you up, reciprocal back-up is a fundamental rule." Yamato explained.
"Oh yeah, that huh" Naruto exclaimed, obviously trying to pretend that he is getting what Yamato had just explained.
"Now, I'm going to determine the buddy teams,first, Sakura and I will be one team, the other team will be Sai and Naruto." As soon as the teams were announced, there was an obvious distaste etched on Naruto's features.
"I'm looking forward to it" Sai said in reply to Naruto's grumpy stare, he didn't like the situation he is placed in, and he wanted to make sure it is made known as he called the attention of the team captain.
"Why, why do I have to team up with him?" Naruto demanded, but quickly retracted the moment Yamato's face changed into the scary persona.
"Is there a problem?"
"Understood" Naruto stuttered, his demands quickly forgotten in the face of Yamato's fear begetting expression, a fact that Yamato was quite pleased with.
"Wait a second, Taichou, I don't think we are numbered fairly to form the buddy team system, with Misaki standing alone. Besides, I think Naruto and I would make a better team, we've been working together for a while now, and we know each other quite well, so" Sakura defended her notion, with Naruto strongly showing his agreement by nodding with fervor.
"Sakura, you're the only medical ninja on this team, we can't let you get hurt, and that is why you will be with me. Misaki on the other hand have travelled quite well on her own, I trust her judgment to defend herself, however, in the event that I am tied up, it's her job to protect you Sakura"
"And in our current predicament, not only Sasori is well versed with poisons, but so is Orochimaru. I may know a thing or two about poisons and medicine, but nothing as far as you have achieved" Misaki supported Yamato's notion, putting Sakura's reasoning in silence. They do have a point. The last time they went on a mission, they had been lucky that Misaki was familiar with the poison and knew exactly what antidote to concoct, given that she had already been up against a similar scenario. However, this time they were going through uncharted territories, one that they all would rather trudge well prepared.
"As Sai had said earlier, we can assume that our target is a powerful one, a mistake in teamwork could prove fatal, and I know you all have something to say about this, but let's just concentrate on the mission at hand for now" Yamato ordered and everyone, albeit begrudgingly, agreed with the captain's decision.
"We don't know where Orochimaru's hideout might be, but the akatsuki's spy is probably on his way to the Tenchi bridge at this moment" Yamato said standing up and opening a door to survey the outside.
"Based on what we just talked about, although I generally don't do this very often, tomorrow we'll devote half a day to a team play simulation" Yamato resumed as he sat back on his place, everybody looked at him inquisitively as to the reason for cutting half a day of their travel time for this certain simulation.
"All I know about you guys is what I've read in your files. I want to get an idea of your fighting styles, battle skills and Jutsu types, with my own eyes, and the cooperation of the team should get smoother. If we learn about each other."
"Huh-cooperation" Naruto sighed at the sheer mention of the word.
"You might think I'm being too cautious, but this is how I do things, and you will go along with it" he declared, albeit not menacingly, but equally authoritative.
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As they approached the makeshift bridge, Misaki could see a hooded figure, cloaked in white on the other side of the bridge. If you ask Misaki, Yamato went a little too overboard with the simulation, but then again, his wood technique can be pretty handy.
It all happened in a blur, but as soon as the signal was given, a blur of black and gray and orange passed by them and Misaki broke free from her restraints, drawing her sword as she stood protectively back to back with Sakura.
It didn't take long for the simulation to be over, although the simulation's mission was accomplished, the team still failed on their teamwork. Which Misaki didn't found surprising at all, for one, instead of recognizing the new team, and the new team members along with it, both Sakura and Naruto perceived both Yamato and Sai as just replacements, and temporary stand ins for their otherwise preoccupied members. Another huge factor is that one of these new members, has an attitude that is less likable and couldn't careless whether or not he is liked or not. Poor Yamato has his work cut out for him.
Misaki waited for Sakura to release Naruto from Sai's snake ink, before they proceeded to look for Yamato and Sai, who are currently tied up, both figuratively and literally for one of them.
"Alright, that ends the simulation" Yamato announced, and as soon as Sai released him from his captivity, he then released the wooden bridge they used as a stand in for the Tenchi Bridge.
'Too many stand ins for one mission' Misaki thought to herself as Naruto grabbed Sai by his shirt, ranting about comrade, a rant that Sai retaliated in the most annoying, yet logical perspective, writing down the word itself by the edge of a scroll. Instead, Sai rebuffed, sighting how Naruto is not supposed to blame him and the team for his 'lack of individual competence', and how the whole system failed because Naruto wasn't able to hold his end of the tactic, and how Naruto will only be a commodity if he ever as so attacks, blind with anger, needless to say, the whole exchange didn't go very well.
"I won't acknowledge you, I'll never acknowledge the likes of you, as a comrade or as a member of Team Kakashi!" Naruto ended letting go of Sai's shirt and walking away.
"I guess these two just won't work as a team, huh?" Yamato sighed, with palm on his face.
"We can only hope" Misaki added, a sympathetic smile on her face, as she placed a hand on their captain's shoulders.
"I wonder what Sasuke would've done, would he have fought while protecting you? He's a team Kakashi comrade to you right?" Sai said with that annoyingly fake smile etched on his face. At the mention of Sasuke's name, everybody tensed as they anticipated what would be Naruto's next move, tension running rampant like a wild fire in a dried up forest. However, as if not feeling the tension, Sai decided to add fuel to the fire when he continued on.
"If you call someone who betrayed his village and hurt you, a comrade, that is" Sai said, every single person within the proximity waited in anticipation for what's about to break through.
Naruto was so angry at Sai, that he was exhibiting physical manifestations, such as fist clenching, teeth gritting and body shaking. Misaki could see Yamato preparing a technique in case he had to deal with the nine tailed fox, but Misaki extended her arm stopping him from going further with his preparation. Although Misaki knew it was the wisest move one can possibly make this exact instant, but Misaki knew Naruto, and she trusted him. Besides, she wanted to know Naruto's answer, because like it or not, Sai asked a good, albeit hard question, and Misaki was more than eager to hear Naruto's answer, for she wouldn't know what to answer if it be dared asked.
"If it's to save that comrade, then I'll do whatever it takes, even team up with you," Naruto said, looking one last time at Sai before proceeding with his retreat from the rest of the group. Misaki felt a surge of worry and fear for whatever the outcome of the mission be.
For she was in Naruto's eyes, far beyond the scourging flames of anger was his gigantic determination refusing to stand down. Leaving Misaki all the while wondering if this mission would do more harm.
"Why does he feel so strongly about Sasuke?" Sai asked, and those simple words sparked an interest within Misaki. In her mind, those simple words gave meaning to every single moment Sai had enacted from the moment they met, and at that moment, it meant that Sai, contrary to his actions and words, is affected with Naruto's attitude regarding Sasuke.
It was that moment Misaki looked up at the skies and asked the heavens, the mystery behind Sai's nature.
"It's because Naruto thinks of Sasuke like a brother. You should understand a little about how he feels." Sakura explained.
"No not at all. I've told you, like in one of my painting, I don't hold these types of emotion" Sai answered, in a cryptic tone, making Sakura look at him.
"Ehsy do you mean you don't hold these types of emotions?" Sakura asked.
"I mean what I just said,"
"Even so, if you have a brother, you should be able to imagine what it would be like to lose him, right?" Sakura pushed.
"You could say that, after all, my brother is already dead." Sai provided in such a laid back manner, even she began to doubt if he really did have emotions, however, she held on to the thought that Sai is lying, not only to the people around him, but more so to himself.
"I wonder if I should have looked into that, I didn't know what kind of look to make when my brother died" Sai added, Misaki noted the look on Sakura's face, but before things could go further, Misaki intervened.
"We're losing more than what we have allotted this simulation, I suggest we get a move one" Misaki said, pointing at the skies, noticing that the sun is already making its way to the west.
"Misaki has a point, gather your things, we should be heading out soon," Yamato added, and both he and Misaki moved on right after Naruto, to pick up their bags.
"Sai, normally I would've pounded you good back there, I told you that I wouldn't hold back if you spoke ill of Sasuke again, right? But I didn't do that, because even though you insult Sasuke, Naruto said he would team up with you if it meant saving Sasuke, no matter what kind of guy you are, I must no hurt you if it means saving Sasuke," Sakura told Sai in a low voice, the moment Misaki, Yamato and Naruto were both out of ear shot
"You know, you're quite nice to Naruto, I think I've read this in a book once, I don't know why such feelings arise." Sai rebutted.
Misaki had picked up her sword and bag, when she notice Sai and Sakura still standing where they left off.
"Eh, what are they still doing standing over there?" Misaki said as she attached her back properly to her physique.
"Hey you guys, let's get a move on, this will all come to nothing if we don't get there by tomorrow afternoon" Naruto called out to the two of them, before setting off, followed by Yamato and Misaki.
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The following day, as soon as the bridge was within their peripheral line of sight, they stopped to prepare for the specific tactic set for this very mission. Sai had opened a scroll and started drawing rats, using his Beast Scroll technique to scout the area.
"Ah, that's quite handy" Misaki said watching as the rats returned to the scroll one by one.
"I don't sense any presence within the area" Sai said pocketing the scroll as he stood up.
"It doesn't look to be an Akatsuki ambush, all right! Then let's proceed as planned" Yamato ordered, and immediately everyone prepared for their respective duties.
"Naruto, could you take this and hold it towards me?" Yamato said handing him a picture of Sasori's infamous puppet; Hiroko, as soon as Naruto does as he was told, Yamato uses his wood technique to transform himself in to the vision on the picture. Everyone gathered before him in amazement as Misaki clapped her hands.
"Whoah! That's pretty impressive taichou" Misaki said.
"Thanks, did turn out okay?" Yamato asked in Hiroko's form, making it a little weird, after all, three out of the four of them were able to meet the real Sasori first hand, so being able to see Hiroko and not hear the puppet's raspy voice felt a little weird.
"Yes, you look like Sasori's puppet Hiroko in every way" Sakura answered,
"Yeah, although, the voice is kind of a dead get away" Misaki added.
"Ah, right, let me adjust the voice, let me know when it sounds about right" Yamato said hitting up a couple of notes, until he reached the raspy and deep voice of Hiroko.
"That's it!" Sakura exclaimed in amazement.
"Then we're going to start the operation, okay?" Yamato said in Hiroko's voice. Misaki scrunched up her nose, even though Yamato had reached the exact imitation of Sasori's voice, it still felt wrong to be spoken to politely in that voice.
"Yamato-taichou you're too polite!" Sakura said, Misaki nodded her head.
"Try something along the lines, of an impatient, I'm better than you devil may care attitude" Misaki provided.
"Oh, that's right, I'm irritable, and hate waiting and being kept waiting. Okay, we're starting the operation!"
"That's right, that's exactly how he was like!" Naruto exclaimed, very excited that things are going smoothly according to plan.
"Okay, our opponent should be on the alert, we'll split up now! Observe teamwork at all times, especially you Naruto, don't be jumping out before I give the signal." Yamato instructed the whole team.
"Well, I guess this is us" Misaki said grabbing a scroll from her bag and performing a few hand signs as she sealed her belongings, along with her katana.
"Let's go!" Yamato said and immediately the team of five separated themselves in two ways, with the ration of two is to three. Once Misaki and Hiroko Yamato reached their entry point, Yamato released Hiroko's well known tail.
"Here goes nothing" Misaki said allowing Yamato to wrap the bladed tail around her body tightly, earning her a few blood drawing gashes.
"I'm sorry for this Misaki-san, I wouldn't do it if it wasn't necessary" Yamato said as he lifted Misaki midair less than gracefully.
"I understand taichou, even you said it yourself, we're dealing with an Akatsuki spy who infiltrated Orochimaru's ranks, and we cannot be to certain" Misaki said barely out of breath as she adjusted her breathing to suit the newly confined space.
"Right, let's go" Yamato said and trudged on, dragging Misaki along with him. It wasn't sunny that day which was a huge help since the meet up will take place at noon, but it was extra windy, making Misaki's already nauseas ride extra bumpy.
"Oh god I think I'm about to throw up" Misaki whispered to herself, resisting the bile threatening to rise from her throat. In her peripheral she saw a lone hooded figure standing on the bridge and instantly she shut her eyes and hung her head low, pretending to be unconscious, which wasn't that difficult, considering she was already half way there.
"It's been a long time, Sasori-sama" the hooded figure greeted as they approached, and instantly Misaki's blood ran ice cold, she didn't even needed to open her eyes to realize the identity of Sasori's spy, his voice tells it all.
"It's been five years, hasn't it?"
"Yakushi Kabuto, were you followed?" Yamato asked.
"We're okay" Kabuto confirmed as he looked back from where he had just walked in.
"How are you?"
"I'm still having a lot of trouble remembering who I was after your jutsu broke. I still feel heavy headed" Kabuto replied.
"I have a few questions for you, I don't have much time so please keep it short" Yamato said, this was risky, it's bad enough that the spy they were going to meet worked for the akatsuki to spy on Orochimaru, Kabuto was another thing. He knew them, so prolonging the interaction would only prove fatal to someone as observant as him.
"I risked my life to get here without Orochimaru finding out" Kabuto said, noticing the small form wrapped around Hiroko's tail.
"I need information on the whereabouts of Uchiha Sasuke" Yamato said, but Kabuto was more focused on the package he was carrying than him.
"There are several hideouts, we move to a different one each week, so as not to get discovered. Of course there are other hideouts not just the sound, spies for Orochimaru infiltrate and act as informers, but there are all sorts of means for transport, so they're not easily tracked" Kabuto explained.
"Where is it now?" Yamato pressed.
"We're now on a small island on a lake to the north, we'll be moving again in three days, Uchiha Sasuke is there aswell" Kabuto finished.
"By the way, who is that unfortunate runt you carry" Kabuto said noting the very specific shade of red, but before Yamato can even answer, Kabuto turned suspiciously at a rustle.
"Oh, it's just a wild rabbit, by the way, regarding what you ordered me to do Sasori-sama" Kabuto began and went on explaining as to why he is unable to proceed to follow the orders in a very specific way, using medical jargon.
'This is bad, at this point, someone as cautious as Kabuto would set up a few traps li-' Misaki froze once again, for the second time in the span of about fifteen minutes.
Someone was coming, she can feel her familiar tracking technique, and she knew who and how close this person is.
"So if you'll hand over that specific item so we can part ways. If I'm discovered with you here like this, I'll be killed" Kabuto said laying out his hand expectantly.
That was it, if Yamato decided to drag on and evade this question, Kabuto would already suspect something is up, if he hasn't already, better act now. Yamato extended a kunai drawn about to attack Kabuto, when he immediately gasped in surprise.
"It all seems so interesting, mind if I join in?" Orochimaru said appearing behind Kabuto, snakes wrapped around him. One snake about to lunge at him, but Kabuto was quick on his feet and evaded the attack jumping a few paces from Yamato.
"If you hadn't pulled out a kunai knife, I wouldn't have been able to get away before I noticed" Kabuto said, at his words, Misaki froze, even with her eyes shut, something was wrong here.
One was that Kabuto didn't need to see the kunai to notice Orochimaru, he noticed a rabbit from at least a mile away and Orochimaru wasn't exactly subtle. As a matter of fact, he wasn't even concealing his presence, which was pretty uncharacteristic, because like the animal he oh so adores, he lurks presence hidden, waiting for an opening, a quick and quiet strike, so why would he be announcing himself in such a manner, he was going up against an akatsuki member and his spy, so where does his confidence come from to be able to stage that kind of introduction, unless…
"That outfit sure takes me back Sasori"
"Did you follow Kabuto?"
"I just thought I'd say thank you, this kid you sent to me has come in very handy, a number of human test subject necessary of one new jutsu is over a hundrer, thanks to this kid's medical ninjutsu, I've been able to reuse test subjects several times, there's been a great shortage of them you see, but I'm more interested in the package you carry, that specific shade of hair, only carried by those of the fallen clan of Uzumaki" Orochimaru said, noting the lithe form behind Hiroko.
It all happened in a flash, Yamato was too caught up on his next move he didn't bother to consider Kabuto's next move.
"Watch out" Misaki yelled, taking a fraction of a few seconds to break free from her spiky confines, to kick Kabuto's wrist, just enough to force his sharp chakra blade away from Yamato, but not enough for the puppet to get away unscathed.
"Ah, I was right all along, Misaki dear it's so nice to see you" Orochimaru said as Yamato leapt from inside the puppet.
Misaki back summersaulted a few paced from Kabuto, all the while releasing her sword from the scroll, landing as soon as her katana is already properly drawn. Meanwhile, Orochimaru took advantage of Yamato's vulnerability midair and used his snakes to attack him, a move that Yamato was able to deflect with a substitution technique, reappearing next to Misaki.
"Orochimaru-sama, is this Sasori's real body?"
"No, it isn't even after being his subordinate, you don't know his real face?" Orochimaru pondered.
"No, after all he was a broody guy who always stayed inside his puppets" Kabuto said.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Yamato said from next to Misaki, as he watched the exchange before him.
"They had planned this all along, they were going to assassinate Sasori here, I'm guessing that Orochimaru with all the cunningness of a snake figured out a way to break the seal for Kabuto. Regardless of the situation, they were going to kill him no matter what" Misaki said eyeing the two of them, checking their facial expressions, show casing the truth in her observations.
"I can't believe you went on to the other side, pretending to be caught in Sasori's jutsu to infiltrate Orochimaru's ranks, or did you get caught up in Orochimaru's jutsu"
"No that's not is, I just empathize with Orochimaru-sama's ideas. By the way who are you? The plan was to take care of Sasori here" Kabuto said in a care free manner.
"Kabuto, I'll tell you about this kid later, but more importantly, why don't call on your three little mice over there" Orochimaru said, Misaki somehow wasn't surprised by the turn out of the events, for the moment she knew Kabuto was involved, things were never going to be simple.
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Here is it chapter eight, I hope you liked it.
Also, I have been making a few draft of Kaede and Kakashi's Gaiden, amongst other things, hopefully, it might peak your interests. In addition, I would like to thank you guys for those who have been patient, I know that I haven't been uploading as fast as the first book, but work is getting a little too overbearing and I can't seem to get a breather, and apologize for the delays.
Which Naruto character is your favorite and why?
Other than Happy New Year guys, Good luck and Best wishes!
P.S: Feel free to talk to me in the messages and I'll try to reply faster than my uploads
Here's a SNEAK PEAK for the next chapter; Chapter 9: The Inevitable
Misaki froze in place as she stared at the figure standing before them, barely even recognized as a silhouette against the brightly shinning sun behind. No words could even describe the turmoil of the cesspool of emotions Misaki is currently experiencing right now;
It's like the very first time meeting someone you have known for a long time, or seeing a stranger in a familiar place.,,
…but unlike her brother, she chose not to manifest it, wanted to keep her emotions to herself, not because she didn't want others to think that she didn't feel anything, rather a form of self-preservation.
And as their eyes connected, Misaki saw a deep dark night sky amidst the bright skies in his eyes, her breathing hitched along the movement of his mouth, and right there and there, he uttered the very first word exchanged between the two of them since their good byes.
"…
See you next chapter :{