Naruto: Tenth Dragon's Poison
Chapter 28
Trapped Inside
The decision was hard pressed to make, but after taking everything into consideration there was no way he could turn down the posed. He found himself now trailing in the path of the one who seemingly knew so much about him, and yet he knew so little about him. It took him over a minute to finally catch stride with the one he now found himself following.
After sighting him an immediate call was made in attempt to grasp his attention.
"Hey Dosada-san, I've finally come to a decision on your offer." Ichigo alerted.
The man shielded by a Balaclava mask and a wide brim hat stopped in his tracks. With a slight drop in shoulders he turned to the one who had spoken his name before responding.
"It is not as much of an offer as it is a proposition."
"A proposition," Ichigo said surprised by the claimed. "A proposition for what?"
"Of anything you can ask are you certain that's the first thing you want answered?"
After hearing this the substitute shinigami pressed forward, closing the gap between them to just a few feet.
"Ok," Ichigo said crossing his arms as he reverted all focus to the most telling of all. "Alright then, how do you know who I am?"
"Knowing one's name doesn't qualify as knowing who a person truly is." Tez spoke in response.
The given reply put a new perspective on things.
"That would suggest you only know only my name but nothing more."
"True, but I've learned a little bit about you through observation," Tez replied. "Picking up on some of your tendencies gradually came over that time period."
"Let' cut the small talk," Ichigo said uncrossing his arms. "How did you come to learn my name?"
"Shouldn't that be obvious, I learned of your name after hearing one of your friends speak it."
"Wait, you're not saying."
"That I was there the moment you and your two friends appeared in the forest," Tez cut off. "Yes."
"What?!"
"I just happened to be walking along through the forest when this bright light appeared, "Tez began." After my eyes adjusted to what I had witnessed I came to find the three of you standing not far from where I walked.. I do not know where it is you're from but I'm certain it is not from around here, this hunch of course is backed by all that I've observed from your actions and words."
Everything he had said to this point was spot on, leaving him to press for information on the obvious.
"If what you say is true, then you should know where my friends are." Ichigo said.
"Unfortunately, I do not."
"What do you mean you don't know?!" Ichigo said losing a slip in stance.
"Tell me Kuro, do you have memory of when you lost conscious?" Tez asked shying away from the question asked.
This came as unexpected. He had no idea what bearing this held but decided to follow up by coursing back in the time of his thoughts to the night itself.
"That right, when I attempted to transform using the substitute shinigami badge into my shinigami form I was unsuccessful in doing do," Ichigo clearly recalled. "It was almost as if all my energy had become lost to me in that one moment, that's when I blacked out."
He then lifted his to face the man who stared him in the eyes still waiting for his response.
"There's no way I could tell him the truth behind it all, that would only complicate things."
"What's wrong," Tez said in the light of this extended delay. "Is there something you've just now come to remember?"
"... You're right," Ichigo hesitated to admit. "I do remember losing consciousness, but what of it?"
"That's when your friends left your side," Tez informed. "The both of them went to investigate the very matter you were going to before your untimely blackout."
"So let me guess," Ichigo said narrowing his eyes at the informed. "You followed them."
"No, but I did play their absence into my advantage."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Ichigo stated.
"Think about it, haven't you questioned the fact how I knew you were hiding up in that tree a short time ago," Tez asked. "Then there was your arrival at Tanigakure, not long after entering you laid eyes on me and came to discover I was watching you.. did you not?"
He froze almost immediately upon hearing this. Of all things this was something he had paid no real mind to until having it mentioned. The delay in any kind of response called for him to continue on.
"You're speechless, expected," Tez taunted lightly. "Once I share with you my secret all will undoubtedly become clear to you."
His words were followed with a step forward, leaving them just inches apart. Tez tilted his head downward to completely hide his face, firmly placing a hand on the opposition's right shoulder, a move which brought about confusion.
"What the hell is he doing?" Ichigo thought.
After stranding his hand in place for several moments Tez took a step back to where he stood just seconds before.
"What was that for?" Ichigo asked voicing his confusion.
His response was to extend his right arm forward, opening his hand to reveal an object about half size of a bird seed which sat in the middle of his palm. It was grey in color, with a notable shine that added to its visual hierarchy.
"This was sitting on your shoulder the entire time, do you happen to know what it is," Tez asked which came with a short pause. "Of course you don't, which is why I'm going to tell you."
Before proceeding in doing so he placed the small item into his pocket.
"It's called the MPHD."
"MPHD?" Ichigo questioned.
"Multi Purpose Honing Device," Tez clarified. "By its name alone I'm sure you can piece together what its use might be."
"Let me guess," Ichigo said speaking the first thought that came to mind. "It's some kind of tracking device?"
"Yes, but that is only one of its many capabilities," Tez noted. "It also has the intangibility of working as a voice recorder, and above all it can be used as a device to relay information from one person to another."
"What?!"
"You sound surprised."
"So let me get this straight, after I fell unconscious that night you placed that MPHD on me after my friends ran off to investigate the noises we heard?"
"Yes," Tez admitted to. "The opportunity couldn't have been any more forthcoming, and due to my interest I would not allow the opportunity to pass me by."
"Interest for what?"
"Given your launch of entry and the way you and your accomplices were dressed, along with what I heard the three of you discussing one could only assume you weren't from around here," Tez referred back to. "So of course when an opening struck I placed one of my few tracking devices on you as a means of following any movement made by you, which is why I was tipped on your travels here to Tanigakure and how I knew you were waiting it out in that tree while I investigated the killing of that man."
"What are you, some kind of stalker," Ichigo stated. "What you've described paints a picture of someone not only creepy but also borderline obsessive."
"You claim that now, but would you not have done the same had you been in my shoes?"
This left him to think about the posed, finding himself slowly falling to neutral levels on the matter.
"Ok, so you explained how you learned my name, but what about that Haruna girl," Ichigo inquired. "How did you learn her name, you never did answer when she asked."
"MPHD."
"What?"
"As you know while in the Land of Fire I came to cross her and those who she traveled with from Konohagakure, we all came to cross the dozen shinobi that had been slain, a sight which lead to an unfortunate confrontation between them and myself," Tez detailed. "It was during that brief scuffle that I was able to grab hold of Pinkelite, I used that opportunity to place one of the Multi Purpose Honing Devices just past her right ear."
"Why," Ichigo asked curious about the explained move. "What would you have had to gain by doing that?"
"You're missing the point, even before I revealed myself to them they seemed intent on finding out what happened to the deceased, a temperament I shared," Tez continued. "By placing a MPHD on Pinkelite I would not only be able to track her movements but also be able to listen in on anything conveyed or received by her, keeping her and her friends at arm's length played a large benefit for me, they operated as a source that gathered intel unknowingly for me.. at the end of the day we all sought the same, finding the true killer of those shinobi which was ultimately achieved due to a chained link of effort of us all."
"It all makes sense now," Ichigo said after hearing this. "You placed a tracker on her because you were almost certain her and the other two would continue to investigate the matter, you used them"
"In a sense, yes."
"And let me guess, when you brought your hand to her face it wasn't only to make a point about her hair but to retrieve the MPHD you planted on her right?"
"Perhaps you're mentally more fit than I had originally believed." Tez confirmed.
"Sure changes my perception of you from the creeper vibe I was getting just a short time ago," Ichigo said. "However I do have to question something."
"And what's that?"
"How were you able to regain possession of the MPHD that you placed on her so easily, and the one you planted on me for that matter," Ichigo asked. "Given their notably small size wouldn't it take more than a second to pin point an exact spot for where you put it?"
"A good question in deed, something I worried little of due to magnetism."
"What do you mean?"
He raised both of his wrists as he spoke with another point to make.
"Take a look at my wrist bands, from gazing with the naked eye there doesn't appear to be anything special about them."
"And is there?"
"Yes, beneath the silk fabric of them both is a circular magnetic cuff, one which can serve as an attractive pull to any MPHD due to what they're constructed of."
"Now I see, all you had to do was get your hand in position and allow for the magnet to work the rest," Ichigo said voicing his understanding. "Clever trick, did you come up with the idea yourself?"
"Not entirely, but that's beside the point," Tez said looking to get back on track. "As I said before I have a proposition for you, if you choose to decline I'll be perfectly fine with your decision, however.. if you accept I can assure you the added benefits will be well worth your time."
"And how do I know you don't just plan on using me like you just did the others?"
"Like I said, you'll benefit from what I have to offer."
The weight of his words only pulled in a growing interest further.
"And what is it I could possibly benefit from by.. following up with this agreement of yours?" Ichigo asked.
"Not only would you have a place to stay, but you'd also have the assistance of another who could help you in tracking down your friends," Tez replied. "Whether they are alive or not I cannot say.. unlike you I did not place tracers on them, but the least I could do is provide you guidance in helping to find them."
"They're alive," Ichigo shot in response. "I know it."
He couldn't help but find his curiosity step by his words, surprised even.
"Why is it you seem so certain of this?"
"I can feel it inside," Ichigo declared. "There's no doubt about it, they're out there somewhere."
"… I see," Tez said. "I didn't hear in your words a decline of my offer to help, which means you'd be interested in hearing what I'd like in return from you, yes?"
"Of course, how could I say no?" Ichigo said making his stance known.
His words resulted in an immediate move of Tez turning back into the direction he had been walking, leaving him to inch away from where he stood as well.
"What are you doing?"
"Come with me," Tez replied before beginning to walk. "We have much to discuss, I have further questions for you as I know you have for me, but I'd rather not stall our travels back to the Land of Iron while we can walk and talk at the same time."
"Our travels?" Ichigo questioned.
"Yes," Tez replied as he continued on. "I suspect after you've heard what I have to propose you'll find it difficult not to accept."
His words spoke an almost certainty. He stood there, but only for a few seconds before having his mind made.
"I have little to lose if I decline, but the possibility of how much I could gain if I follow him has a possibility of a greater reward."
That was the very thought that pressed the decision that was reached as he too began walking. What crossroad trials they'd come to face along the way was unknown, a fact which kept him fully alert as he commenced.
…..
He now looked into a gaze of familiarity, eyes of passion that pushed even his own drive in more ways than one. To say his arrival here was a surprise would be an understatement. The one who appeared from within the shadows made a move toward him, gradually making his way into the light. After coming within range he stopped, speaking with that calculative yet soft voice of his.
"Naruto.."
".. Sasuke," Naruto spoke in response. "What are you doing here?"
A subtle shift in his eyes sparked his next level of speech.
"A baseless question which you yourself already know the answer to, I'm here for the same reason as you and everyone else," The young Uchiha replied. "I'm interested in unraveling the secrecy surrounding this tunnel, a finding which I believe is tied to the most current series of attacks which I'm certain you're fully aware of by now."
"You don't mean the Shadow Revenants do you?"
"A name which has only been given due to our lack of understanding of the ones correlating the mischief," Sasuke stated. "You and I both know these attacks have been nothing more than trials to test their talents, or perhaps to send a message of some kind."
"To send a message," Naruto questioned. "For what?"
"If I knew the answer to that I wouldn't be here," Sasuke replied. "Whether they're some kind of terrorist group or something more conflicted is something I have yet to determine."
"You're not usually one to make an appearance just to talk over conspiracies or simply to go over what is known," Naruto noted. "Why are you really here?"
"For you." Sasuke replied with direct in his voice.
His eyes widened at the declaration.
"What.. for me?"
"Yes," Sasuke reinforced. "As I said before I'm certain the recent massacres have been brought to your attention."
"Of course," Naruto stated. "Who doesn't know about that?"
"You'd be surprised, but that's beside the point," Sasuke said. "I have some circumstantial findings I came across just last night, all which I believe relate not only to this tunnel but to the killings."
"Are you suggesting these findings of yours directly link the two together?"
"That I am uncertain of, which is partially why I'm here."
This mention alone was enough to push his intrigue.
"So what is it you've found that has led you to believe this tunnel is possibly linked with the mysterious killings?" Naruto asked.
"That is something I'd rather not discuss here," Sasuke replied. "We'll hamper further on possibility in regards to that tonight."
"Why not now?"
"Because I have somewhere I need to be soon," Sasuke conveyed. "I'll send for you when the time comes."
"That kind of defeats the purpose of you coming to me now."
"Not unless I have a favor to ask."
The jinjuriki couldn't help but be taken back by the proclaimed. He brought both hands to the back of his head as a grin fell in place.
"Ok, let's hear it," Naruto said anxious to learn. "What's so important that this favor of yours required you to come straight to me?"
"Only to gather as much information from this site as you can and pass all that you learn throughout the day to me when we meet tonight."
His arms dropped from the back of his head.
"That's it," Naruto said voicing his disappointment. "That's the big favor.. don't see why you can't do that for yourself."
"Like I said there's somewhere I need to be a short time from now." Sasuke reminded.
His eyes narrowed upon hearing this for a second time.
"Oh yea, and where's that?" Naruto asked with the cross of his arms.
"That doesn't concern you."
This left a brief period of silence before he spoke again.
"Hold on, let's say I do this favor for you," Naruto said giving into the idea. "How would any of this benefit me?"
"It benefits not only myself but everyone who could be a potential target for attack."
"Wait, are you saying that I could be someone these Shadow Revenants might come after?"
"Given that we don't have a reason or understanding for the attacks mean it's best to assume everyone to be fair game, even with a primitive mind as your own I thought you'd be able to account for that."
"Hey, what are you trying to say?!" Naruto exclaimed with the ball up his fist.
"Impulsive as always, I guess I shouldn't expect anything less from a loser," Sasuke remarked gaining a challenging huff in response. "But back to the matter at hand, I'd rather you keep all that we've discussed just between the two of us, at least for now."
"Why, shouldn't the others know about this as well?"
"I have my reasons."
"Speaking of which, did you come across Kakashi-sensei and the others on your way down here?"
The sudden steps from someone walking from behind caused him to look away into that direction. It was a woman with a torch in hand, clearly investigating the confines of the tunnel as he did.
"So where do you want to meet tonight?" Naruto asked as he turned back around to find that he was gone.
"Sasuke.."
His sudden disappearance left a moderate emptiness, one which words could not draw up into understanding.
"Where did he go," Naruto thought to himself. "And more importantly, what does he know that links this tunnel of death to the Shadow Revenants?"
…..
He blinked at the flame that stared him dead in the eyes, quietly tugging at the rope that was latched tightly to both of his wrists. This wasn't a move to test the strength of the rope per say, but rather to test the durability of the bed head the rope was tied to.
"The placement of the head is slightly loose," Bruce realized after a few attempts. "That bolds well."
The next tug made saw an added pull in strength, testing the limit just that much more. This was followed up with more attempts, increasing the amount of force exerted each time.
"It's only a matter of time before I break free."
He was almost certain of this. Unfortunately for him a sound came to his ear, one which pressed its call through the walls into the small space of the room.
"That noise… footsteps?"
All it took was for him to hear the sound once more to have his belief heighten. This now left him with two options, either to remain still, or pull forward with all that he had. He weighed each decision with the other before one point fell into place which swayed his set.
"Of all things that could have been done while I was knocked out they could have killed me.. why didn't they?"
There must be a reason why such a move wasn't made. It was a fact that left him with the decision not to press the matter any further and wait for the one who was clearly incoming. Each passing moment brought a rise in its beat which echoed clearly. Soon those distant steps would turn into ones that were only feet away. Just when he felt the sound couldn't get any nearer the door knob in the far left corner began to slowly rotate.
"They're here."
There was no mistaking it. He braced himself for whoever would come walking through. The knob was turned in full, followed up with the door slowly falling open. A few moments was all it took for someone to come walking in. They carried a lantern in hand which burned brightly. Their entire appearance was covered by a scruffy dark brown cloak they wore. Their first move upon entering was to walk over to the dresser where the individual placed the lantern aside the candle. Now was the time he felt he needed to make his presence known, wasting no time in doing so.
"Who are you," Bruce called in a commanding tone. "And why have you brought me here?"
Upon hearing this the one to have entered the room removed the hood from atop their head to reveal their slick shoulder length black hair. With one quick rotation in position they looked toward him. He gazed back in return into their shallow purple eyes just as strong.
"My name is Myiou," A woman answered with just as much command in voice. "And I'll be the one asking the questions."
"Is that right?" Bruce said pushing for aggravation with a plan in mind.
"Given your current predicament I don't see how you can argue the point," Myiou stated. "Now, if you have nothing constructive to ask what do you say we get started?"
"What do you say you untie me first," Bruce replied pressing further. "I'm becoming rather rambunctious in this position if you know what I mean."
"A price to be paid for following me earlier."
"Good, that answers my first question."
"What do you mean?"
"You just let me know you were the one I was tailing from behind, in that case you weren't the one who leveled me out from my blind side," Bruce stated. "So tell me, if you were the one who I was following then where is the person who knocked me out?"
"We are one in the same."
This response made no sense to him, prompting for him to voice his confusion.
"What do you mean?"
"I was the one to have knocked you out."
"That's impossible," Bruce replied. "I would have seen if you had managed to get behind me."
"What if I was already behind you the entire time?"
This only spawned further confusion from his perspective of things.
"That makes no sense, or maybe that's because you're not speaking in literal terms."
She inched in one step closer before speaking once again.
"Bunshin no Jutsu."
It was clear by the expression given by him in return that her words brought no clarity to what she had announced.
"I see," Myiou said coming to discover. "You're one of those very few who have little to no knowledge of the art of using Jutsu, you really are clueless."
"A Jutsu?" Bruce inquired.
While humored by his confusion she didn't show it, simply ignoring the asked as she posed a question of her own.
"Now tell me, what is your name?"
He saw no harm in playing along, at least for now.
"Gian," Bruce replied. "Gian Jellester."
"I would ask where you're from, but I already know the answer to that."
"Is that right?"
She immediately turned back for the dresser upon hearing his words. Once there she reached for something that sat beside the right side of the candle.
"Is this not yours," Myiou said holding a headband out in front. "It bears the mark of Amegakure, which means you must be from above."
He did not respond to the asked. This was confirmation enough in her mind. With that point now covered she turned back for the dresser where she placed the headband where it had been before focusing all attention back on him.
"Now that we've got that covered there's only one thing left unanswered that I'm interested in knowing," Myiou began. "Why were you following me, could it be that someone sent you?"
The posed brought the following of footsteps that pounced through the walls just like before, letting them both know someone was coming. But who? No sooner after contemplating this thought in mind that a soft knock at the door rung clear. She took no time in walking over to greet the arriver. The door was pulled open in that instant, who was on the other side was something he could not make out due to his position. However that did not stop him from listening in on what was spoken.
"Huenatar is set to begin in roughly five minutes, if we are to make it in time we had better head that way now." The voice of what he made out to be a child spoke.
"Yes, of course," Myiou replied. "You go on ahead, I will join you soon."
With that said the door was closed, leaving just the two of them once more. She glanced over at him as she spoke again.
"I have to go, but I shall return soon," Myiou assured as she walked over and grabbed hold of the lantern she had entered with a short time ago. "Try not to let your rambunctiousness take away from your stay here."
"Was that a joke?"
"No Jellester," Myiou replied as she pressed against the door upon reaching it. "I never joke."
With those final words to pass she walked out, closing the door in the process. It was now back to square one, finding himself in the same position he had been the moment he'd awoken. The question now became, what next?
…..
The decision made was now final. From this point on there was no turning back, at least not in his mind. He inched his way in with every stride taken, finding himself at his left side in no time. His eyes shed his way even if it was just for a moment. There was no surprise in them, it was almost as if he had been expecting this outcome.
"So, I see you've finalized a decision?"
"At this point what other choice do I really have," Ichigo inquired. "It's not like I have other options that prove as beneficial as this."
"Perhaps so."
The two walked for another couple feet before anything else was spoken.
"I have a question for you," Ichigo announced. "It's about something that was brought up before."
With his head still slightly tilted forward he chose to answer.
"What is it?" Tez asked.
"Earlier you were asked why you wear the mask, you never did answer," Ichigo referred back to. "I can only imagine it has something to do with the elements faced when walking through Sunagakure."
"There's more to it than that, it's not so much as surrounding as it is condition," Tez replied. "Sunagakure or any other place, I always wear it."
"Condition?"
"My skin is very sensitive to the sun, this is due to an incident that occurred eight years ago," Tez began. "I was merely a child then when it happened."
"When what happened?"
"The fire," Tez replied with a long pause. "I suffered severe burns that day, particularly to the mid section of my body and face, scars which not only mark my past but have left me with minor complications that still plague me even until now."
There was very little he could think to respond with, replying with the first thing that came to mind.
".. I'm sorry to hear that." Ichigo said.
"I'm fortunate, I could have died like the rest" Tez said in response. "I lost almost everything that night, all that I really have left to live for is my father and the mission."
This bit of information dropped him back to silence once more. This raised more questions, but ones he felt were on a personal level that did not need to be asked. The two walked for several feet before a question was directed toward him.
"So now you know a little about me, what of you," Tez asked. "Where are you from, and what is it you and your friends were doing in the forest a couple nights ago?"
He couldn't help but smile at the asked.
"If I told you, I'm certain you wouldn't believe me." Ichigo said almost sure of this.
"Try me."
This response provoked a change in mind set completely.
"What should I tell, no way would he believe the truth even if I did speak it," Ichigo thought. "But on the other hand if I don't.. what will I tell him?"
Seconds after beginning to contemplate this his thoughts were interrupted.
"We have a long journey ahead of us, you don't have to answer now if you do not choose," Tez conveyed. "However with that said, I think it would be best if we provided one another with all that is essential to know from our sides, it is the only way we'll build a level of trust between us which in turn should make all progress from here run much smoother."
It was hard to disagree with what was spoken. But even so would the undisputed truth behind his arrival be the best thing to bring to the table? Or would that only be a bit of disclosed information that would only add a dent of complexity in the already scattered situation they found themselves in? There was much to consider, all which ran through his mind as they continued on.
But even through it all there was something about this Dosada Tezlinar, something… mysterious. Which pinned the obvious question in the clear, could he be trusted?
…
The moment had come and gone. With each second that relayed away it felt more and more as if what had just happened was nothing but a blur of imagination branched together by his own mind.
"Where… where did he go?"
It had happened so fast, leaving just a small gap of doubt to sit. He had yet to move from the position he stood in. His mind was now clouded with all that happened in the past minutes. It was during the duration of this that his eyes fell back to the body of the young boy who looked to be from (). His nerves only burned further the longer he stared. After several seconds he relieved the clutch of his fist as the clear realization came to his senses.
"There's nothing I can do by simply standing around, if I'm going to get to the root of what's going on I'll have to keep investigating," Naruto tasked himself with. "But before I do that I think it'd be best if I checked back in with Iruka-sensei and the others, whatever they were taken to see I'm sure is of high value."
He laid eye to the body for a final time, now fueled with undisputed emotion he turned away as he headed into the direction that had brought him to this very spot.
"Was that him.. was Sasuke really here," Naruto thought to himself. "And if so, where does he plan on us meeting tonight.. and for what ultimate purpose?"
To Be Continued