Naruto: Tenth Dragon's Poison

Chapter 16

A Meeting of Firsts

The passing in time with no answers to be gained with the questions left presented only cemented a staggering uncertainty which none could begin to predict its origin. The only thing that was clear is that the moon had gone and come twice since the incident of mystery had occurred. It was now rolling on to the third day to pass. The wait was the most heart wrenching of all having no idea how long it would be before answers would be reached.

These thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the electrical doors from behind. There was no delay in his reaction, turning just in time as the doors slid open to now be joined by one of his closest allies.

"Cyborg, you're here," Superman said almost in a relieving matter. "Please tell me you have an update for me."

"Not as much of an update as a confirmation," Cyborg replied upon stepping past the doors which closed moments after. "It's just as we thought, whatever what was being hosted at the show Mirror Master was orchestrating might have played a hand in the disappearance of our comrades."

"And you're positive of this?"

"Not completely," Cyborg admitted. "But the equipment we apprehended from that warehouse where everything unfolded has shed some.. interesting light onto the situation if I should say so myself."

"And what of Mirror Master himself?"

"Gone," Cyborg replied. "It's like he, vanished."

"Just like Canary and our other few allies," Superman said quick to point out. "Whether this was an intentional plan developed by Mirror Master and whoever he was working with is yet to be determined, speaking of which have we gotten any word on who else might have been involved in this scheme?"

"Not as of yet, but we're working on that around the clock," Cyborg assured. "Once Flash and Wonder Woman have completely emptied out that warehouse of all electronics found we might be one step further to getting an answer."

"In the mean time we need to focus on any potential domino affects."

"What do you mean by that?"

"We'll use Gotham to put things into perspective, with Batman missing there's bound to be an up rise in criminal showing if anyone becomes aware of his disappearance."

"Which is something that shouldn't be of high concern in the short run, I spoke with Grayson this morning," Cyborg informed. "I trust that he'll be able to handles things, he's shown his capability on more than one occasion."

"But for how long?"

"He's already tried getting in contact with Red Robin who was last known to be in Central City on an investigation."

"And was he able to reach him?"

"Not as of yet, but I'm sure he'll hear back from him soon," Cyborg replied. "I'm certain the two of them can bare the weight until Bruce returns."

"I have no doubt," Superman agreed. "But in the meantime we need to get all top lines covered."

"What do you mean?"

"For one we still don't know how many people of the Earth were caught up in the event that conspired; civilian, friend, or enemy," Superman reminded. "Having a number for the missing is something that needs to get done."

"And once that's done."

"We'll focus on our top priority," Superman continued. "Finding and returning all who were affected back to this plane."

"My thoughts exactly."

"I'm going to go and see how things are doing in Metropolis," Superman announced. "Would you mind staying here at the tower to keep an eye on the computer?"

"Not at all," Cyborg accepted. "If any uncanny readings do come to appear you will be the first to know."

"Thank you, I couldn't have asked for anything more."

"On the flip side if you find out anything."

"I'll be sure to let you know." Superman assured with a nod.

Those final words sparked the end of their conversation, making an immediate move for the doors with only one thought in mind. Finding answers for where the missing had fallen.

….

The sky had fallen from dark to light than he could recall. How much time had passed since the 'encounter' that had sent him wide of his accomplices? Days, a week perhaps? His mind was clouded to the point to where each passing minute came as the next hour. But through it all one thing remained clear on the mind, the mission at hand. There was no way he could forget, not after having the importance of it being stressed.

It was with this coming to mind that the thought of the others followed. There was no telling what their current situation was like in comparison to his own. Their presence could not be felt in any form or fashion, something that bothered him to the fullest. He stopped after walking past the large tree that stood left of him, looking to the sky in what most would consider a dazed matter. That position was held for several seconds to come with no sign that it would be broken.

"Ichigo, Orihime… how come I can't sense either of you?"

No matter how many times an attempt was made there was just no zoning in on where they were, it was almost as if they were gone. This thought brought an emptiness, one which had clanged onto him after awaking in that stream that had found its end. That next moment brought a burst of energy that took a dive straight to the center of things. His eyes widened with his head shifting to the right from where he stood. There was something to be felt, something that left him stone still at what could be sensed.

"That reiatsu… I've never felt anything like this," Uryuu thought with an inner excitement to be felt. "Could that be them, could this be the reiatsu of the individual Captain Hitsugaya sent us here to locate?"

Had the moment finally come, was the person of interest truly within his grasp.

"Finding out where Kurosaki and Inoue are will have to wait," Uryuu said taking only seconds for his mind to be set. "If this reiatsu that I'm picking up belongs to the one we were sent here to find then I can't lose grasp of where they are, and once I know their base of operation I can then go and find the others."

This was his set plan, one which he hoped would bring not only this finding but the entire operation to a foreseeable close. There was no time wasted in his progression, immediately heading into the direction of where the sensed energy level was at its peak. What he would come to find however was something of the unknown.

….

The third day from which had brought them to this place known as 'Amegakure' was only hours away from reaching its point. With the time that had come to pass the two at this point now found themselves walking the streets just like any other citizen. The cloaks gathered from before served their use to the fullest, shielding the gear worn beneath from all others who traveled near.

As much time that had come to pass they had learned a small margin about where they were, but nothing pertaining to how they got here or how they'd return home. It was this uncertainty that kept them on their heels hour after hour. But even with that being the case that wasn't their main point of focus, getting themselves situated in was the top priority, a task which looked to be moments away from hitting its biggest stride.

"It's been two days and three hours since we came upon this shack, and still there has been no one to approach it," Conner said. "Think we should go check it out to see if it's truly empty?"

"Gian," Bruce reminded. "And yes, we've held out long enough, let's move in."

With that he stepped out from the tree the two of them stood behind, leading the way as the two headed straight toward an apparent empty shack that resided in the mix where several trees could be found.

"We've passed by several small shelters that appear to be empty while here," Bruce said as the distance between them and the shack closed. "This area is the most secluded when compared to the others which makes it idle for us."

"Why do you think we've come across so many empty homes," Conner questioned. "Some kind of evacuation maybe?"

"There are several reasons that could call for something like that," Bruce replied. "But that is nothing of concern."

The shack was dark in color from one end to the other, spanning a solid fifteen yards in length. There was almost something to feel the closer they got, a hidden presence which seemingly whispered to them the closer they got. He turned at the feel of something swiping his neck softly, coming to find that it was only the wind.

"Hey Br.. Gian are you sure about this?" Conner said voicing a subtle concern.

He did not reply, taking only a few more steps before the shack was finally reached.

"We're here."

The next move required that they walk up a set of four steps that lead to the porch itself. He did this without hesitation, heading straight for the door while reaching out to grab hold of the knob.

"Aren't you going to knock first?" Conner asked only to watch him to force the door open.

It was one that came with a screeching sound that the door gave off. The space inside was completely dark, barely able to catch sight of the far corners of the room located a distance away. The scent was the next thing to come, one which reeked of aged lodgepole pine wood.

"Want me to head in first?" Conner asked.

"Hold on?" Bruce replied before reaching down for something.

His hand fell to the right pocket of the cloak within that instant, pulling out what appeared to be a flash light of some kind from his angle. His belief was confirmed with the flash of a light that next moment.

"We can now proceed." Bruce declared before aiming the light to the path ahead.

The first thing to come to sight was a full-fledged spider web that covered the top end of the entryway.

"That pretty much confirms our prediction of no one stepping foot in this place in a while." Conner said as he watched him swipe the web away with his left hand.

He stepped in after doing so, keeping the flashlight firm in hand as he surveyed the room from one end to the other. There was a marginable of empty space to be found, a sign that this place had been abandoned altogether. The opposite wall from where they stood was at least ten yards back, taking note of two separate doors on the right with one on the far left in the upper corner. The odor of the wood only strengthened as he aimed the light forward once more, revealing a couple of nailed boards upon the wall neither had seen upon first glance.

"How much you want to bet those boards were placed there to cover up a window?" Conner said.

"But why," Bruce replied falling in favor of this claim. "Why would someone want to cover the windows?"

With every detail to find placed yet another piece to the incomplete puzzle. He directed his attention away from the boards, now focusing strictly on the walls further right. The point for which he sought was reached soon after, placing his hand upon the wall before softly tracing his hand left. He hoped with this move he'd get a better understanding for how long this shack had been standing.

It was in the process of this that he came upon a distortion, one within the coloring of the wall. It was subtle, but if one thing was always at a height it was his awareness of even the smallest detail. He leaned in to have a closer look, finding this small area of the wall to be a dampened brown as opposed to the rest which held a faded white color. The sight of this had been seen several times over before, knowing exactly what it was on contact.

"Blood that has dried," Bruce analyzed. "And from the looks of it I'd say it has at least been here for four months… what could have possibly happened here?"

This only fueled his interest more, feeling the investigator within himself wanting nothing short of an answer. With the closing of this deduction he turned back for the other side to find the boy of steel standing in the center of the room with his eyes closed, clearly with something on his mind.

"Elkon," Bruce called with a step forward. "Is something wrong?"

"Can't you hear it?"

He had no idea for what it was he spoke of, homing his senses to try and pick up the slickest of sounds. There was nothing out of the ordinary to hear, shaking his head as he called to him once more.

"I don't hear anything," Bruce admitted. "Could you be more specific to what it is you hear?"

Seconds of silence dragged as he waited for a response, curious as to what it was referring to.

"A stream of some kind, I can hear it… feel it even."

"I don't understand."

"I'm linked with the grounds below due to my tactical telekinesis, there's something beneath us," Conner said more than convinced of this. "And it's not your ordinary field."

"Step aside," Bruce instructed with the sway of his hand. "Move away from that rug, if what you say is true there might be something to find."

He didn't question this in the least, doing what was asked of him immediately. It was then that Bruce pulled the rug from where it had been set, both now laying their eyes upon a floor door.

"Interesting." Bruce said before dropping to a knee.

He reached for the flat handle, holding the flash light in his free hand as he pulled it with a strong tug forcing it open. There several feet directly below was a small stream of flowing water.

"Is that the sewer?" Conner questioned.

"Perhaps," Bruce said as he stood to his feet with a hand falling to his chin as something sparked inside. "That's it, it all makes sense now."

"What now?"

"The apparent abandonment of this shack, the wood found over where the window once allowed light, the blood found," Bruce stated. "And now this hidden route to the grounds below, it's all too convenient."

"Mind elaborating?" Conner asked with a confusion to express.

"A battle of some kind took place, maybe even a war," Bruce said in response. "On what scale I cannot say."

"… What?"

"The clues are all there," Bruce said looking him directly in the eye. "Think about, remember all the other empty homes we came across before coming here, that coupled in with all other details I mentioned at least hints at the possibility."

"You don't say," Conner said gaining clarity in his explanation with that moment. "So, are you thinking this passage to the sewer was used as a form of shelter?"

"More likely as a means of escape," Bruce replied. "Which is further enforced by the fact this place has seemingly been abandoned."

"Wow, it's no wonder a large percentage of the underworld back home considers you the greatest detective," Conner stated. "I must admit I'm impressed, coming to the conclusion that you did after only being in this place a little over a minute."

"It's not concrete, only a hunch," Bruce reminded. "But with that said we'll still need to stay cautious of our surroundings, here or anywhere else we go."

"So what's the plan," Conner asked getting straight to the point. "Will we be staying here?"

"Yes, our first requirement has been met," Bruce replied. "This will have to do now, at least until we can find something more suiting."

"So, what happens now?"

"We prepare," Bruce replied. "This is only the beggining."

…

After what seemed to be an eternity of being locked away within a deep darkness she slowly found herself returning to a level amongst all else. It was with her sense of mind returning that there was finally something to feel, a numbness which spawned throughout the entire body. There was no true knowledge to where she was; gradually opening her eyes to find that she was lying underneath a large tree.

"Where am I?"

That moment brought the shared presence of another, feeling contact that was made with her left leg. This only mounted to the obvious response.

"What is that?"

The thought alone gave her the energy needed to ease up, setting her eyes to her lower body to make a stone freezing discovery. There kneeled down by her side was a guy she had never seen before, one who appeared to be sniffing her for no known reason.

"What are you doing?!" She shrieked with a burst of energy.

He lunged back in an obvious surprise, one which could clearly be seen upon his face.

"What, you're alive?!"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

The screams between the two had done its work, take only moments before they were joined by another, this time being a young woman who jumped down from one of the trees above.

"What's going on?" The girl inquired with the follow up of her entrance.

"This one's alive," The boy said with an excitement turning to face the newcomer. "Of all the dead I finally came across someone alive, maybe this girl can tell us what happened at this site."

All attention was now completely on her, a move which she found herself taken back by. There was also a confusion to come from this, not having the slightest idea for what either of the two spoke of.

".. Um, what?"

"I don't think she knows what you're talking about," The girl said before showcasing the friendliest of smiles. "So we'll start from the top, what's your name?"

There was an obvious hesitation, one which was immediately noticed after the question was asked. Hoping to gain ground she took the initiative of giving the first introduction in hopes of creating a mutual bridge so to speak.

"Hi, my name is Tenten," She announced with her hands dropping to her knees with a slight lean forward. "And this here with me is Inzuka Kiba."

"One and only." Kiba said giving the thumbs up.

There was a comfort to come from this, one which gave her an inner clearance to take that first step in return.

"Inoue," She finally answered. "Inoue, Orihime."

"Nice name." Kiba commented only to have Tenten roll her eyes at his attempt.

"Is it just the two of you?" Orihime asked.

"Two of fourteen," Kiba replied. "The rest of our unit is just up ahead."

"Inoue-san, do you remember the events leading to you coming to this forest?" Tenten asked.

This question sparked a chain reaction of all memories, stemming from the mission at hand all the way to those last moments before she had been knocked unconscious. These strand of thoughts also brought a question of her own to be answered.

"Ishida, Kurosaki-kun," Orihime said with a surge of energy that resulted in her standing. "Where are they?!"

"… Who?" Kiba questioned with a move to his feet as well."

"They're my friends," Orihime replied. "Surely you've seen them not far from here?"

"I'm sorry, but you're the only one we've found alive," Kiba reported. "All others who were caught up in the battle are either dead or missing."

".. What?"

"What a way to break the news." Tenten stated with the flick of her finger which made contact with his left ear.

"Hey," Kiba retaliated with a step back. "How was I supposed to know she had no recollection of what happened two nights ago?"

"Two nights ago?" Orihime questioned.

"Yes," Tenten confirmed with a nod. "The battle that unfolded occurred two nights ago."

"This of course was learned after analyzing the bodies of the deceased." Kiba added.

"Two nights ago," Orihime thought in disbelief. "Was I truly out for that long?"

"Let's take a step back," Tenten stated. "What do you remember before awaking shortly before now, do you recall seeing or hearing what could be depicted as a scuffle?"

She nodded her head in confirmation.

"Yes, I do," Orihime replied in little time. "That's when we.. got split up."

"You and who?" Kiba asked.

"She's obviously referring to the ones she was traveling with at the time," Tenten said in response. "Am I right?"

"Yes," Orihime confirmed once more. "We just happened to be walking along when we heard commotion close to where we had been, that's when one of my friends chose to investigate and when he didn't return after a times pass I decided to follow after him."

"And then what happened?"

She took a second to gather all detail before answering.

"I began running through this forest with the sounds heard as my guide, for how long that I ran I cannot recall," Orihime said. "Somewhere along the way I was attacked and knocked unconscious."

"Did you get a good look at who it was?" Kiba asked.

"That's just the thing, there was nothing to see," Orihime stated. "It's like whatever I encountered was part of the forest.. a ghost even."

The two of them immediately looked to one another, sharing a brief glance before directing their focus back on her. She did not know what to make of this, seeing this as a potential sign that they may know more than they had been letting on.

"Is there anything else you can remember?" Tenten asked.

"The next thing I knew I awoke here to find this boy sniffing me."

"It's Kiba." He reminded.

"You were sniffing her?" Tenten muttered with the narrow of her eyes over at him.

"Hey, it's not like I knew she was alive at the time," Kiba said in his own defense. "And besides I picked up a unique smell when I first approached, I've never taken in a scent quite like the one she gave off."

"Forget it," Tenten said. "That is of no importance."

"I don't understand," Orihime said interrupting the two. "What was this battle about, who were the people that were killed?"

"That's something that's currently being assessed," Tenten replied. "In the meantime would you be alright with the idea of coming with us, I'm sure our superiors would like to hear what you have to say."

"As much as I'd appreciate helping you find answers to what happened here I can't, I need to find my friends," Orihime declined. "I'm sorry."

"And we'll help you locate them, if they're alive you have my word that we'll find them, I'll see to it personally," Kiba promised. "All we ask is that you give us a little of your time to help us make sense of this matter, no way you can turn that offer down."

There was much to be considered. For one it would only be a matter of time before further questions were asked about her. How would she respond, with the truth? There was far more to hide than what she had to provide, but with all things considered there was only one choice to truly choose in her mind between the two options.

"Alright," Orihime decided with the bow of her head. "I'll come with you."

….

The grasp of the strength in what could be felt only increased with each stride taken, a clear indication that he was nearing what he had set out to find. With the thought of a mission complete setting in he couldn't help but smile, never anticipating the tasks end would come so soon. But even with this being the case he knew this would not bring about a conclusion.

"Even if the reiatsu felt belongs to the one we were sent here to find I still have the added task of relocating both Kurosaki and Inoue," Uryuu thought with another tree passed. "I can only hope the two of them are ok, the events leading to my fall from them was most unexpected."

It was with his left leg touching down for another time that he came to a complete stop, feeling a complete surge in the energy level of the reiatsu in question. He looked to all sides with a notable change in expression, a feeling as if the one he sought had come to him.

"What is this," Uryuu inquired mentally. "It's as if this reiatsu is coming from left, right, behind, while being in front of me at the same time… yet I don't see a thing."

This was most questioning, now beginning to wonder if he should have engaged this matter all on his own. His thoughts were cut short by the sound of a leaf being crushed under foot. He immediately turned left to see someone stepping out from a large tree up ahead, followed by two others who all had what would be considered sinister looks on their faces.

Their attire was similar to that of many of the other shinobi he had come across in the past few days since traveling alone. There was something noticeably different about this bunch that he had not seen when crossing any others. None out of the three had an head or arm band as a form of identification. He didn't say anything, simply watching as the three began their approach.

"Well, what do we have here?" The one leading the trio spoke.

"Looks like a loner if you ask me." The one directly behind added.

"And based from the way he's dressed I'd say this guy has plenty of valuables."

He stood his ground, having a good idea where this encounter would lead.

"Great, just what I need," Uryuu thought while maintaining his poise. "A distraction."

The three came to a surprising stop after only a couple more steps taken, choosing to wait for what was to come next instead of dishing out instant action.

"So, what's your name?" The one who stood in the middle asked.

He found no harm in answering the question posed, and nor did he see a significance in them learning this.

"Ishida, Uryuu."

"Never heard of you," He said in response. "What region are you from?"

"I hardly see how that matters."

"I always like to know who we'll be borrowing from, that's all."

This statement made their intent all too clear.

"Look, I'm actually in the middle of something right now," Uryuu announced. "The last thing I need is to get intertwined in some unnecessary quarrel."

"You make it sound as if you have a choice."

"I'll pretend I didn't hear that last comment," Uryuu said. "I have no weight to hold against any of you three, my option to you all still stands, leave.. it's easily the most logical decision to make at this point in time."

There was definitely a disgust to come from this, one which the three shared.

"You'll regret saying that." One of them spoke as they reached down to their side to grab hold of something.

After grabbing hold of the weapon of choice their arm motioned forward as if to throw something. But with that moment to come it was as if the object they held in hand vanished into thin air.

"What, where?!"

His sights staggered forward to find the kunai that had been in his hand to now be in the possession of the enemy.

"Looking for something?" Uryuu questioned with the twirl of the kunai in between two of his fingers.

All three of them gasped upon seeing this.

"Is he that fast," The one furthest back questioned. "I didn't even see him motion his hand to perform whatever jutsu he just performed."

"No matter, no way he can repeat the same feat if we all attack at once."

Not wanting him to be able to catch onto what they had planned all three shinobi reached for their sides to make an alarming discovery.

"My kunai," One of them spoke. "They're all gone."

"As are mine."

It was only then that one of them took note of where they had gone.

"There, he took them!" The one standing in the front pointed.

The other two looked toward the ground, and there they were, more than a dozen of kunai sitting.

"I don't like this boss," The one farthest back stated. "I say we get out of here."

It was anonymous on the decision made, not a single word to be said as the three turned for the other side of the forest with a burst of speed off into the distance. He was now alone once again, looking down with the highest of surprise at the sight of the lying kunai.

"I don't understand, how did these get here," Uryuu thought to himself. "I only disarmed the one before it could be thrown."

His heart jumped to its max at that given moment, feeling the streak of the reiatsu which seemed to return in a flash, one which was unorthodox in what was emitted to him.

"I bet they'll never mess with you again." A voice spoke from behind.

With his heart seemingly skipping beats he slowly turned, coming face to face with a boy with dark auburn hair who stood no more than five feet away from his position. It was those eyes that were most captivating of all, an amber which many could mistake for being the most delicate of gold's.

"Is this really the one… is this the individual we were sent to find?"

….

Everything had gone as planned thus far, not feeling he could be any more pleased than he already was. A knock came at the door in that moment, one which he had been anticipating for several minutes now.

"The door is unlocked," He declared. "Come in."

The sound of someone stepping in from the other side into the darkness of the room was clearly heard.

"I come with news." A woman's voice announced

"Let's hear it."

"I did as asked, the bracelets have been activated," She informed. "It will only be a matter of time before they all find their way to the chosen."

"Excellent, you're allegiance is most notable," He commented in response. "There's one final thing that I ask of you Frost."

"Yes?"

"Go and greet them," He instructed. "It is time, the beginning for the new world of the shinobi begins now."

"Yes… commander."

To Be Continued