Naruto: Tenth Dragon's Poison

Chapter 22

A Dark Unravel

What started off as a showing of a wild sand session quickly escalated. After minutes of standing their ground a storm erupted, witnessing the first flash of lighting which was quickly followed by the down pour of rain. It started off light, but gradually picked up in strength with every minute that passed. The lingering question only grew within this time, the question of where their friend and ally was.

"It's been over thirty minutes now since we were allowed entry into this hall," Hinata said with a clear concern in her voice. "You would of thought the two of them would have returned."

"Long before now," Sakura added with her eyes still peered to the outside. "I don't like it."

"Do you think we should trying going out to look for them?"

"Don't do it." Temari objected.

The two of them turned around to face her, clearly wanting to know what brought her to this stance.

"Think about it, you said it yourselves that someone who you believe to be dangerous might be lurking out there," Temari began. "And given the less than clear weather conditions that Tanigakure is currently experiencing, that would only present the opportunity for an ambush that could prove to be affective."

"Perhaps so, which means he could have possibly attacked both Choji and Sangi-san." Sakura said.

"Something we cannot confirm, and besides there's still the possibility the two of them sought shelter elsewhere after the sand poured in," Temari stated. "You know as well as I do that going out there to search for the others at this given time isn't the wisest of moves."

"As much as I hate to say it I'm inclined to agree," Hinata sided. "Circumstances would favor us much more if we waited for this storm to pass through."

"Question is, how long is that going to take?" Sakura questioned as she looked back toward the doorway.

That moment brought the sound of something from outside of the room, a sound which could be equivalent to a puddle being splattered under foot.

"Someone's coming." Temari said.

"And it's coming from outside." Hinata pointed.

The three braced themselves, not a clue as to who or what would come running in past the door only feet away. The unknown would soon be put to a rest, watching as a number of four shinobi came walking through. All were covered in rain, walking around the three toward the person they stood several feet behind them.

"Dorsel-san," The man leading the group spoke. "We have returned."

"And the search, were you able to turn up anything regarding the man detailed in my report?" Dorsel asked.

"Unfortunately not," The woman standing next to him responded. "And after the rain fall began we decided to put our searches on hold due to the weather conditions, but with that said we took the liberty of setting up three guards at each major exit point exiting Tanigakure, so if anyone fitting that description attempting to leave is sighted they will be questioned."

"Excellent," Dorsel said in response to this. "You've all done well."

"Now if you would excuse us, a set of dry clothes would be sufficed," The man from before spoke again. "We'll return as soon as we've changed."

"I'll leave that to you." Dorsel allowed as he stepped off to the side.

The four accepted without further question, heading down the long dark hall which lead to the two large steel doors that had been pointed out earlier.

"Sounds like you all have a good coordinated plan for how you plan on handling this," Temari commented after learning the latest details. "At this rate we'll probably have this guy locked in sooner rather than later, however that would only remove one of three from the equation."

"One of three," Dorsel questioned. "Is there others we should be aware of?"

"That's right," Hinata said facing her. "The runaways from Sunagakure, if there was ever a second now would be the perfect time for you to explain their appearance to us all."

"Unfortunately I have no knowledge of what either of them look like, no one does for that matter," Temari replied. "The only knowledge I have on the two is their names."

"A detail which could prove useless in this case." Sakura said.

"What makes you say that?" Hinata asked now focusing her way.

"Given their current predicament I think it's a safe bet that the two runaways are traveling under false names," Sakura replied. "It would be a logical choice to make based on their current circumstances."

"Those were my thoughts as well," Temari admitted. "Which is why when I brought the matter to you both earlier I did not choose to reveal their names, it's only common sense that they'd choose to shield their true identities by taking up another."

"True, but that still begs the question," Sakura said. "You still haven't given us a number for how many individuals were involved in this heist."

"Three," Temari replied. "A reported two men and a woman."

"Surely you have more on the wanted than that?"

"Sad to say, but that's all I was given."

"If that is so then how do we ever plan on finding them," Hinata asked. "With no real visual for what we should be looking for it won't be easy to track the ones you speak of."

"But you must have known this before coming," Sakura realized. "So I must ask, what was your plan for finding these three?"

"The only way that I can," Temari replied. "By asking around, I'm sure the shinobi of Tanigakure will be able to detail any new faces they've seen come in through here in the past day or so."

"Not a bad strategy."

"I'm not exactly sure what it is the three of you are discussing, but it sounds rather problematic," Dorsel said entering himself back into the fray. "Is there anything I might be able to do that could help, if you'd like I could have another search unit launched."

Silence took over for those next moments, giving some thought to what was proposed.

"That could work," Temari finally came to decide. "However remaining discreet with any search at this time would be top priority, no doubt the three in question are expecting someone to try and track."

"Makes sense," Dorsel agreed. "Alright then, what do you say we start from the top, tell me everything there is to know about these.. runaways."

"Of course."

There was now three more individuals added to the mix of danger, letting them know now more than ever all focus needed to be at its peak.

…..

After a time of searching the uproar in a storm that made its presence felt brought his travels to a brief halt. There weren't many places he could go to for cover that crossed his mind, ultimately deciding to camp it out in one of the many trees that surrounded the grounds.

"No way I was ever expecting weather to play a factor, yet another block in the road," Ichigo thought to himself. "First came that announcement by those guys I overheard earlier about searching for someone dangerous, and now this.. makes you wonder just how more complicated this whole thing might become."

The rain continued to pour rapidly, feeling very little of its impact due to being shielded by the branches and leafs overhead. He didn't just sit there, taking this time to survey the wide spread area with the occasional turn of his head. What had been learned a short time ago brought an obvious interest, looking out for anything that came off as suspicious.

There was nothing of the sort, not a single person to be seen walking the area. This didn't come as a surprise given the current conditions. The boom of thunder sprang to his ears with an added flash of lighting in that next second, catching him by surprise only slightly. But that wouldn't climb to the level of alert in comparison to what came next. Its tune soared clear, loud enough to even bypass the beat of the rain.

"What was that?"

He looked right from his position, certain he had heard something that fell under the line of distress.

"Did someone just scream?"

He did not dare fade his eyes away from that direction, keeping watch for anything that could prove alarming. It took only a mere four seconds for activity to unfold, keeping a sharp eye as a strand of bushes showcased unnatural movement. There was only one conclusion to draw up after sighting this.

"Someone's on the run," Ichigo thought. "But from what?"

This more than pulled his interest, stepping up with a decision which was spontaneous.

"And here I was hoping I wouldn't have to get on the wet side of things," Ichigo said readying himself for takeoff. "If someone is trouble there's no way I can just sit it out here."

With his mind clearly made he leaped down toward the grounds below, running off in pursuit of something of uncertainty.

…

The best had been put into his explanations, doing his best to relay information that he knew over to the boy he now found himself traveling with. Whether this information was being processed was another question in itself. He glanced over at him to find his eyes trailing the ground as they walk, a clear indication he didn't have his complete focus.

"Hey, have you even been listening to a thing I've been saying?"

This prompted a quick response, shooting his head up with a fast connect of the eyes.

"You say something?"

"Just as I thought, you weren't paying any mind to anything I was saying," Uryuu noted. "Aren't you the one who asked for me to share with you everything I know?"

"That's not completely true," Bart denied. "I was listening to most of what you were saying, especially the important stuff."

"What do you mean by important?"

"Shhh."

"What's that supposed to." Uryuu began only to be cut off.

"Listen.. do you hear that?"

"Hear what?"

He watched him take the lead for the first time of the day, wondering just what it was that had sparked his interest.

"Where are you going?" Uryuu asked.

The non-response only added to his irritation, watching him as he stepped around a tree before heading deeper into the forest.

"There's something seriously wrong with this kid."

No matter the circumstance his mind was already set.

"Hey, wait up." Uryuu called.

What he came to hear was a mystery, a small detail in his mind. What was most important was keeping strong on the task, which meant keeping pace with this boy at all times. Losing sight of him would not be an option.

…..

Time passed with the storm finally blowing over. He took the first step back to the outside, looking to the sky to still see a range of dark clouds hanging in the mist. But regardless the brunt of it all had come to pass. With this determination made he turned back toward the door, waving for the others to join him.

"Come on out, everything's all clear." Dorsel announced.

It took very little time for the others to do just that, coming out to notice the many drops of water that fell from the tips of the trees above.

"Thankfully that didn't last as long as I thought it would," Temari said. "I was thinking it would have at least lasted for another hour or so."

"You're not the only one." Dorsel agreed.

"So what happens now," Hinata asked. "Are we going to continue to wait here in hopes of their return?"

"I'd prefer if we went out and looked for them," Sakura replied. "We've waited long enough."

"Why not both?" Dorsel suggested.

"Both?" Sakura questioned looking toward him.

"Yes, it's rather simple," Dorsel said in response. "While you and your friends go out to look for them I'll keep eye out for them if they pass through here."

"You'd do that?"

"Of course, I'll even have them wait here until you return," Dorsel promised. "Which brings up the question, how long do you three plan on being gone before returning?"

"Thirty minutes, we'll keep the limit simple," Temari replied as she turned to face her two comrades. "How does that sound?"

"Thirty minutes will be just fine." Sakura agreed.

"In the mean time I'll alert the guards about keeping an eye out for any outsiders," Dorsel said. "With any luck we will catch the three fugitives from Sunagakure that could possibly hanging it here in Tanigakure."

"We can't thank you enough." Hinata responded.

"Anything to help out," Dorsel said before making a move back for the steel door. "Careful out there, the last thing you want is to be caught off guard."

This went without saying, nothing more needed to be added to get them anymore alert than they already were. A short time passed with him walking past the steel door once again, only this time choosing to close it on his way in. This left just the three of them, looking to one another with another decision to make.

"So, which way are we going to go?" Hinata asked.

"At this point I don't think it really matters all too much, it's been over two hours since the last we saw of them," Sakura replied. "There's no telling where they could be at this time."

"You're right."

"But before we get moving I'd like for us to try and narrow our search down, even if it is only by a small margin." Sakura said.

"What do you mean by that?" Temari asked rather confused at what she was hinting at.

"Before meeting Hinata and myself here, at any time did you come across anyone or anything that could be depicted as strange?" Sakura asked.

She took a few seconds to think this over before coming back with a response.

"Now that you mention there was a situation I came upon just outside of Tanigakure, yes," Temari recalled. "There was this guy I encountered, Ichisaki I believe he said his name was."

"That's an unusual name." Hinata said after hearing this.

"That was my thought as well."

"So what was it about this Ichisaki that alarmed you?" Sakura asked.

"Not so much the man as it was the situation surrounding our confrontation," Temari explained. "When we first crossed there was a woman lying on his shoulder, a woman who he claimed to have no relation to."

Her opening statements was enough to pull in their interest.

"He claimed she was hurt, and since he claimed he was on his way here to Tanigakure I showed him the way," Temari continued. "The first thing done was getting the woman to an infirmary which has already been taking care of."

"And where's this Ichisaki now?" Hinata asked.

"I do not know," Temari admitted. "After dropping the woman off at the infirmary, I returned back to the outside only to find that he was gone."

"Maybe he had something important to do."

"Before taking her into the infirmary I asked for him to wait for my return," Temari informed. "If he had something so important to do I'm sure he could have told me instead of taking off unannounced."

"I don't like it," Sakura said voicing her opinion. "It seems all too suspicious, did this guy at least tell you where he was from?"

"No, nor did I choose to ask," Temari replied. "However he did mention the name of the woman and the place of where she's from."

"And how would he know all of that if he claimed to have had no relation to her?"

"All information he claimed to have learned before she unexpectedly passed out," Temari replied. "His words exact."

"And where is it he said this woman was from?" Hinata asked.

"Sunagakure," Temari answered. "For that reason alone I plan on having a word with her when she awakens."

"And her name?" Sakura asked.

"Uail Arella," Temari replied. "All according to Ichisaki."

All information gained up until this point was now being processed, taking very little time for her to conclude what would come next.

"Temari-san, can you lead us to the infirmary that you decided to take her to?" Sakura asked.

"That won't be a problem," Temari replied. "But I must ask why, shouldn't we be looking for the others?"

"I'll explain on the way, and besides we can look for the others on the way there." Sakura stated.

"Don't tell me," Temari said making a determination based from her tone. "You're thinking that she might be connected to the fugitives in question some how?"

"It's a possibility," Sakura admitted to. "If she's awoken, now would be the time to question her."

Before another move could be made by any of the three a terrorizing sound sprouted free, one which sent a shockwave of emotions through each of their minds.

"Someone just screamed." Hinata spoke softly.

"And it came from that way." Sakura said pointing left from where she stood.

"Let's hurry," Temari said making the first move. "Someone could be in trouble."

The three moved quickly, knowing there might not be a moment to spare.

….

The plane in which they walked only became steeper with every move made, now heading down a hillside in the direction of where the supposed sound came from. His doubts of this claim would soon come to an end after picking up its subtle streak, now having an idea for what it was they were approaching.

"A stream."

Its rush only became clearer the further they moved. After a short time of heading down hill flat ground was soon reached which brought them in front of dozens of bushes and tall standing. The scent of its clarity couldn't be any more clear, they were close. This small obstacle would not be enough to stop them, both pushing past the blanket of nature to lay eye to the rush of a river no more than fifteen yards away.

"So this must have been what he heard, which is kind of strange since it took almost ten minutes to reach this location," Uryuu thought in mind. "I find it hard to believe he heard this river all the way from where we were before."

His thoughts were interrupted moments later in light of an announcement.

"There they are," Bart said pointing up. "I knew it was only a matter of time before we sighted them."

"Them?" Uryuu questioned.

He didn't let his curiosity stick for long, looking into the direction pointed out to see what was nominated.

"A pair of hawks," Uryuu said before lowering his head to face him. "Is that what you heard?"

"Yea, I heard their bickering not too long ago," Bart confirmed. "You'd be surprised how far a hawk's call can travel."

"And what made you want to find them," Uryuu asked. "Surely you don't plan on trying to catch them?"

"Of course not, like any other large bird of prey if they're spotted or heard hanging around a specific area that usually means they've keyed on something of interest," Bart explained. "In most cases prey, which is probably why they're hovering over this river."

"Hmm, am I now supposed to assume you're a bird expert of some kind?" Uryuu asked with the cross of his arms.

"Totally wouldn't go that far, I picked all that up one day while at the library." Bart replied.

"Fair enough," Uryuu said uncrossing his arms. "But I must ask, what was the point in tracking the location of these hawks?"

"I was hoping they'd be crashing it around some village, that way we could get some directions for where we might be from someone," Bart answered. "No offense, but it doesn't seem like you have a clue for where we are."

"That's bec… I admittedly don't normally travel around these parts," Uryuu quickly told with the tip of his glasses. "So you'd be right in your assessment."

"Didn't take a detective to realize that," Bart said rubbing it in further. "But on the flipped side this whole trip turned out to be a waste of time, locating these hawks lead to absolutely nothing."

"I disagree."

"Huh?"

"Listen," Uryuu said pointing left. "If we follow the walk path along the riverside we're bound to run into someone, and if that happens we can ask exactly where it is we currently are."

"Sharp thinking," Bart complimented with the snap of his finger. "That beats heading back into the direction we came from."

"After you." Uryuu said taking a step off to the side.

"If you insist." Bart said taking lead once more.

He gave him breathable length in space before following, keeping the same mentality he had in mind since the moment he met him.. keeping him in his line of sight at all time.

….

The uproar in shrieks did not stop, following the cries all the way to its source. They got closer with each move, knowing it would only be a matter of time before they reached the heart of where it all centered. They motioned around a tree here and there, finally sighting a small group of people not too far ahead who seemed to be gathered around something.

"What's going on up ahead?" Hinata asked fully aware no true answer would come.

"We're about to find out." Temari said in response.

The group of three people was reached in a matter of seconds, bringing them a step closer to what had called for all the commotion. A sniff was all it took, taking in a strong odor which brought an uncomforting familiarity.

"That smell.."

Her next step brought her aligned with all who stood, looking to the woman who stood directly next to her to find her hands pressed to her eyes in complete despair. It was different with all others who stood, coming to find all eyes focused to the ground below. With the look of agony that could be seen on their faces coupled in with the unbearable smell brought a sense for what she would come to find once looking to the ground. There lying in the grass below was blood, following its small trail which led to a hat, one made of straw.

There was blood to be found upon it, along with clear slash marks that had been done to the rim. But that was the least of her findings, looking ahead a few feet more which brought her in sight of something that left her stunned. It was a body, one of a man who lied on his. She didn't need to get any closer, able to tell by just looking at him that he had already passed. One step more was all it took, staring down at the fresh corpse with a frozen state taken due to a heart stricken discovery.

".. Saungi-san."

He had several visible cuts to the body, most notably in the neck region. She remained stunned for only a few seconds more before forcing her sights elsewhere.

"Excuse me," Sakura said turning to face a young boy who couldn't be any older than herself. "Do you have any idea what happened here?"

"Not a clue," He replied after facing her. "I only came after hearing that woman screaming."

This prompted her to look the other way, turning back to face the woman who stood next to her with her palms still cushioned to her face. She slowly reached out, gently tapping the woman on the shoulder to hopefully get a word from her. The older woman's hands finally fell from her eyes, with a rush of tears running down her cheeks.

"Who are you?" The woman asked.

"Haruna Sakura of Konohagakure," She answered with the nod of her head. "Do you have any idea what happened here?"

The tall man who stood beside her stepped up, showcasing a look of anger as he chose to answer in response to the posed question.

"Isn't it obvious," The man stomped angrily with a flood of emotion himself. "Someone has killed our son."

"Your son," Hinata questioned. "Saungi-san was your son?"

"You knew him?"

"That's not what's important," Temari interjected. "Finding out who did this should be our focus."

"But who could have done this?" Hinata inquired.

"Hey," The teen boy from before exclaimed. "Look, another body!"

All immediately looked left to where he had pointed, sighting yet another body no more than twenty yards from where they stood.

"Could it be..?"

She raced forward with no thought given, needing to know if her inner hunch was true.

"Sakura-chan wait!" Hinata protested.

Her mind had already been made, darting forward to where the body could be seen lying in the tall grasses. The body was reached after a set number of strides, coming to have her inner thoughts confirmed after looking down at the person who laid there face down.

".. Choji-kun."

Subtle movement came from him in those first moments, letting her know he was alive. This calmed her nerves greatly. This however would diminish as quickly as it came. It's what she came to find next that left her heart stricken from the chest down. Grasped in his right hand was a bloody kunai, her eyes widening at the discovery as she took a step back with a stirring confusion she could not begin to deny.

"What does this mean, was he the one to attack Saungi-san… and if so, why?"

To Be Continued