Naruto: Tenth Dragon's Poison

Chapter 36

Lie within the Truth

With no felt presence or sound of anyone nearby her eyes peaked open to find that was indeed the case.

"Yes.. it is just as I thought, they've all left."

The opportunity couldn't be any more forthcoming. With the situation as is she found the strength to force herself up from bedside before silently dropping down to the cool ground which could be felt under foot. Spotting her shoes a short distance away took only moments. Once slid into place all attention was shifted toward the exit right of where she stood.

"I better hurry, there's no telling how soon they'll return."

Without further ado she did just that, making quick way toward the door. Before stepping onward she decided to first peak out into the hallway to check on who might be in the immediate distance. There were very few to be found walking, none of who she recognized. And if that was the case then perhaps no one would recognize her if she carried on.

"This is it."

Her mind was now completely made.

"I hate to be deceptive and leaving everyone in disarray concerning the wellbeing of my whereabouts, but this is for the best," Orihime jotted in mind. "The less amount of people dragged into this the better."

Without giving it a seconds thought she marched out ready to set off once again with one agenda set in the clarity of her conscious.

"Yoshida, Kurosaki-kun… I'm on my way, please be ok."

…..

Several minutes faded by as they commenced on their travels once again. There was no telling where they were now going. He trailed a couple yards behind, finding himself observing the unfamiliar area that surrounded them.

From what he saw he assumed they were in a small village. Besides them, there were many others to be seen walking the streets, all who were going about their daily lives. After looking on for a brief time he faced the one who lead the way in their walked path.

"Hey, before you said something about a shortcut," Ichigo said. "How much longer until we reach it?"

Unsurprisingly he was not given a response, prompting him to make way to his guide's side several feet ahead.

"Hey, did you even hear what I said?" Ichigo inquired upon reaching his side.

"Quite clearly," Tez followed up instantly. "I simply chose not to answer."

"So you were ignoring me?"

"Only because the asked will be answered momentarily." Tez conferred.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Look, do you see that man there?" Tez pointed.

His eyes wandered to the directed spot. What he saw was a man with shoulder long brown hair who wore nothing but a pair of long black pants, a set of sandals, and a ninja headband that rested around his neck. He stood next to a wooden sign which read "Air Services, Twelve Hours a Day."

"Who is that guy, a merchant?" Ichigo gathered from observation.

"Servicemen would be a much more fitting description."

"Why's that?" Ichigo asked.

"Because what he has to offer isn't something for us to take, but rather for him to see through on our behalf."

He brought a hand to the back of his head at a bit of a loss for words.

"Ooo kay.. I'll pretend I understand what that's supposed to mean."

"Whether my words are enlightening or not is of low importance, getting to the Land of Iron in a timely fashion is our only concern."

"And to make a complex rundown simple, you think this 'serviceman' can get us there faster?"

"Correct." Tez nodded as a means of confirmation.

It took small time for the two to cover the distance between them and the one the sought businessman. No time was wasted in stating their proposition after reaching him.

"Hello there," Tez greeted staring up at the man who stood at a towering six foot seven. "My friend and I here would like to inquire about transportation options."

The long haired man smilingly gazed down at the two of them with only one thing to say.

"Then you have come to the right place."

….

The air was light in its resistance as they soared along. His eyes were closed as an attempt to spare him of any agitation of air résistance. There was calculation their journey would last for a good length of time. He was right in this assessment. Many hours passed since he had set out on his current voyage. Even without the use of his eyes the descend could be felt, conveying one clear message to his mind.

"We've finally arrived."

After compiling that much he allowed his eyes to see into the clear to find himself amongst the clouds. He stared far down to sight the large village that awaited him in the distance below. Now was where his true mission would begin.

"There, land there." He ordered of the one who flew him along.

There was hesitation on their part, which was voiced in their given response.

"Sasuke-sama are you certain, you'd still be a great lengths above the village itself."

"Which is perfectly fine," Sasuke relayed. "What I seek must be unraveled from the top down, there's not a more fitting location to begin."

"I'll take your word for it."

With the chosen landing point the large hawk took a gliding nose dive toward the mountainside overlooking the village below. Contact was made with the ground with a powering thump. Once this was accomplished the Uchiha wasted no time in leaping off of the giant bird to make way to the ground himself.

"Good, we arrived even sooner than calculated." Sasuke remarked upon touching down.

"I take it you won't be in need of my services anymore?" The large hawk spoke out.

"No, not for the foreseeable future," Sasuke confirmed as he made way toward the edge of the mountain. "You may return home."

"Good luck on your quest."

Those were their final words before vanishing, now leaving him the only to stand atop mountain side. There was no stop in his progression until reaching the edge. It was here that he gandered down to all that awaited him. His head shifted from one end to the other, taking claim of all there was to see.

"So Kumogakure, what are your secrets…. what is it you're hiding?"

….

'The call was too close', that would be setting it lightly. This was a shared thought of the two who found themselves waiting it out in the world of the underground. He sat with his back leaned against the cold solid wall, half-awake while vaguely asleep. The trample of water under foot as someone approached was what knocked him from his current daze. He glanced up to see a dark shadow standing over before receiving an order.

"Come on the coast is clear; we can now head back to the surface."

This was the news he had been awaiting to hear as he gladly stood to his feet.

"And you're sure of this?"

"I just used my tactile telekinesis to survey the entire terrain; there isn't anyone within one hundred meters of us down here." Conner conveyed confidently.

"Then that's our cue, come on," Bruce said marching right past him. "Let's not waste another breath down here; it's time for us to return to the top."

"I'm all in with you, but don't you think we should go in search of the guild that Myiou woman was a part of," Conner asked. "She sure went to extreme lengths in hopes of keeping us from learning about what's going on down here, killing herself in the process."

"Had it not been for great reaction on your part in putting up a TK shield we would have certainly endured the same fate."

"Oh gee, was that a compliment?"

His words were unsurprisingly sidestepped completely.

"With that said I'd first like to return to the surface to further access things before we make an ultimate decision on anything," Bruce devised. "There's this, and then there's the fact we still have to determine just where the hell we are and how we got here."

"Not to mention finding a way home."

"That will only come after we've gotten through both points 'a' and 'b', let's not get ahead of ourselves."

"Of course not," Conner said before finally following after him. "You for one got a close up of this guild of theirs, what is it you think these people are hiding?"

"They're not so much hiding something as they are preparing for something."

"Preparing for what?"

"Something called the Rhogoha ."

"What the heck is that?"

"A name that was mentioned in that meeting of theirs I was able to infiltrate, what it is exactly, well," Bruce began with a sudden pause. "That will be for us to find out."

….

The beginning step in getting past the first line of defense in her mind was achieved without any outside notability. This was an immediate plus. She now found herself walking the fields just outside of Konoha, looking out for anyone or anything near. There was no one to be found. The coast was looking promisingly clear for her to make a clean exit.

"This is far enough."

After coming to a complete halt her mind shifted to the obvious question that loomed.. where would she go now? Not a muscle was moved while she coursed through that very thought in mind. Had the wrong choice been made?

"No, I can't stop now.. not when I've come this far."

She began pacing back in forth as she debated with herself concerning the situation she found herself intertwined in. She even found herself second guessing her decision that had brought her to this point.

"Was I really that wrong in my choice to deceive them like I did, maybe… no, this is all for the best," Orihime firmly laid in mind. "This is the only way I can assure none of them get dragged into any of this, there's no telling the capabilities of the one we're after."

She stopped after another step taken, glancing up at the sky as she pressed on aloud once again.

"But if I commence where will I go, I mean it's not like I know where Ushida and Kurosaki-kun are." Orihime openly admitted.

"Who the hell are Ushida and Kurosaki." A voice from nearby unexpectedly spoke.

This startled her to the core. She shot her view into all directions to sight of the one who had spoken. No matter which way she looked there was only one thing to be seen, nothing but the endless path of the tall grasses. This brought a single thought to mind.

"Was I just hearing things?"

Still uncertain of the circumstances that grasped the moment she took a step back before launching the obvious call.

"Is someone there?"

It took all but a moment for one to come. No more than ten feet away from where she stood someone sat up from where they had been laying within the secrecy of the tall grass. She immediately recognized who it was.

"Naruto-kun."

"The one and only." The blonde haired boy confirmed as he stood to his feet while stretching his arms.

"What were you doing down there," Orihime asked. "Shouldn't you be at the village with everyone else?"

"This is where I come when I have a lot on my mind, it gets you away from it all if you know what I mean," Naruto answered. "I should be asking you the same, and what was all that talk just now about running away?"

Her heart seemingly skipped a beat after having her thoughts revert back to what had brought her to this very place. Her finger twiddled in an obvious nervousness in the wake of realization.

".. How much did you hear?"

"Pretty much everything, there was something about deception and also hightailing out of here," Naruto began with his rundown as he placed both hands to the back of his head while staring her straight in the eyes. "Who is Kurosaki, and that other person you mentioned?"

Her heart was now racing faster than ever before.

"He knows their names, and even of my intent to leave.. what do I do now?"

Seconds of silence passed, no response came from her end.

"Are you some kind of undercover operative looking to gain intel on Konoha, did you have something to do with the recent fatal attacks?" Naruto asked.

"It is nothing like that!" Orihime hysterically denied.

"Well then what is it?"

The position of her eyes dropped, bringing about another session of quietness, one filled of self-doubt.

"Aren't you going to at least explain yourself," Naruto asked with his arms dropping down to his side. "If something is wrong you can tell me."

"It's not that simple," Orihime explained. "Well it's, um, I.."

The concerning look on her face couldn't and the hesitation in her speech couldn't be any more telling. Seeing this he made way over to her, placing his left hand upon her shoulder. She gasped, not in the least expecting this.

"If you're in some kind of danger I need to know, tell me what's going on."

"Even if I did you'd be hard pressed to believe anything I'd have to say." Orihime said in response.

His hand slid down from her shoulder as the intent in his eyes forwarded a comforting understanding that was not seen before.

"Whatever it is you have to share you can trust that I'll take your word for it, that I can promise you," Naruto guaranteed. "Now, tell me what's really going on?"

….

She listened on from her standpoint behind the desk, receiving every last detail there was to know about the outsiders who had made an engaging appearance less than an hour ago. After learning all there was to know she contemplated on the matter within the solitary of her mind, trying to piece together any kind of connection, if there was one to make.

This lasted for roughly three minutes. With nothing concrete pieced together in her inner analysis she looked back across the table at the three who stood in clear wait of what her words would bring in response to the learned.

"The three that attacked, they referred to themselves as C.P.U, correct?" Tsunade asked.

"The one who I determined to be leading them, his exact words were 'C.P.U will certainly be pleased', when referring to their mission," Kakashi evaluated. "By that I figured they are also part of whatever this C.P.U operation or group is."

"Which is a conclusion I can agree to," Tsunade stated. "Given the seemingly random nature of this attack one has to wonder if this C.P.U group has any ties to the group of unknown killers we've code named the Shadow Revenants."

"I don't believe so." Sakura spoke in response.

"Why is that?" Tsunade asked as she faced her.

"Because unlike the unexplained deaths that have been reported throughout the shinobi nation this attack not only had a clear goal, but also one with the intent not to kill." Sakura explained.

"She's right," Kakashi backed. "Their objective was signaled strictly on me, it was clear they wished to test me."

"Test you," Tsunade said with an ensuing pause. "For what?"

"That was the one thing we weren't able to deduce," Ino answered. "Unfortunately."

"But with that said they left on an unexpected note, so I can only imagine they'll soon return." Kakashi concluded.

"Then we'll be sure to prepare ourselves for that encounter when it presents itself." Tsunade declared.

"At least in some regards, besides the girl who showcased an impressive feat of movement as well as battle speed we learned little to nothing about the other two with her," Kakashi detailed. "And that doesn't even account for the other C.P.U members who we have no knowledge on."

"It would seem we have some homework to do." Tsunade noted.

"Indeed we do."

"That's simply put, but how are we going to go about formulating a plan to track these guys down?" Ino inquired.

"Leave that to me to determine," Tsunade replied. "I'll relay all that we've discussed to the other Kage, I believe this is something they should be aware of as well."

"Agreed." Kakashi said.

"You're all dismissed," Tsunade closed out. "If I need any of you I will call for you."

"Understood." Kakashi replied.

The three of them then bowed their heads, finalizing the meeting between them. Speaking not another word the three headed out the door, knowing this was just the beginning.

….

They all stood in the confines of the darkened room, retaining from speaking to any of the others for one reason or another. She was no different than any of the others. She surveyed over everyone from the darkest and furthest corner away from all else in the room. The ample amount of time that had passed brought the sitting question that arose the moment she had been discovered.

"What am I still doing here?"

She thought long and hard on that very question, finding very few answers to why she should. An ultimate decision was finally made after weighing in on what choice to make. There was no seconds thought. Her sights were set on the pathway out residing far across the room. She marched that way without paying any mind to her supposed 'comrades' who remained mute, even as they watched her make way to the exit.

The tunnel leading out was reached in small time. There was no turning back now. The path that awaited her was a dark one to say the least. Many seconds passed before her eyes adjusted. Her ears sharpened with each taken step, listening out for anyone who might be attempting to follow.

"It would seem I have a clear path out, so it appears."

It was only after picking up in stride at that second that she heard a sound, that of something lightly pouncing down to the ground behind. She twirled around with the sprout of her gun from its holster, coming to find that it was nothing more than a rock that had skipped down wall side. She huffed at the sight of it as she lowered her weapon.

"It's just a rock."

She then turned back for the tunnel that awaited her, this time only to find a large dark figure standing within inches. She instantly aimed her weapon upward only to have it knocked out of her grasp. She leaped back to catch eye of the engager.

"Black Manta.."

"That's as far as you go Wilson." He declared crossing his arms over his chest.

"That's Ravager to you," Rose spoke in pride stated before springing out a ten inch dagger that hung from her belt. "You're the last one I expected would try to get in my way."

"Why even leave when you don't have what you came for?"

"The Klarax is good as gone, the League probably already have their hands on it I had to make a brilliant guess," Rose replied. "Why are you in my way?"

"I have my reasons." Black Manta informed with a subtle narrow of the eyes.

"Don't care to hear."

"And I could care less about your opinion." He countered.

"Is that a challenge?"

"Hardly, for there to be a challenge that requires some kind of threat.. wouldn't you agree?" Black Manta shallowly provoked.

A devilish grin made way to her lips as she stepped into what he assumed to be a battle stance.

"Your call for death has been answered." Rose launched.

"I'd love to humor you further, but I'm afraid my patience has withered thin," Black Manta stressed as he uncrossed his arms. "I know you don't completely trust this Sosuke guy, nor do I."

"And you trust me?" Rose childishly voiced with the wink of an eye.

"Not in the least my dear," Black Manta answered. "If your failed deceptive scheme that was discovered tells me anything about you, it's that you can't be trusted."

"Ouch, I'm torn." Rose frowned sadly.

"You should consider taking acting classes." He remarked in response to her blatant sarcasm.

"Well if you would do me the honor of getting out of my way I'd gladly consider that down the line someday."

"Don't be foolish, what will leaving accomplish?"

"The same could be said about the alternative."

"Where would you go?" Black Manta asked staring down at her.

She did the same in response. The fixation on one another lasted for several moments.

"That's what I thought."

She rolled her eyes before looking down at the ground.

"Why do you care where I go anyway?" Rose asked now crossing her arms across her chest.

"As I said before I don't trust that proclaimed captain and I sure as hell won't fall in command of Granny for long, I have a way to inch out of this," Black Manta said getting to the point. "But I can only accomplish that with your help, that's why I'm asking that you hold off on your little trip… are you willing to do that?"

She looked back at him with a renewed energy to be seen within her eyes.

"Another dish of deception to serve, how can I say no to that?" Rose gladly accepted.

…..

Evening had finally made way, foreshadowing the night which soon take over. Their travels brought them to a level high above all else, giving them the perfect view of the many lands they passed far below. Their option for transportation brought them upon the back of a large sixteen foot bird of some kind, one which had been summoned by the described 'businessman' they had encountered just a short time ago. Luckily for them they soared with the wind, making the ride itself just that much more comforting. Of the three he found himself seated in the middle.

"Hey," Ichigo called to the man who had allowed them aboard. "What did you say your name was again?"

His long brown hair blew in proportion with the wind as he smilingly turned around to give an answer.

"Zedor."

He nodded.

"That's simple enough, it certainty won't be hard to remember if we find ourselves acquainted beyond today," Ichigo noted. "On another subject, what exactly is this thing we're riding on, some kind of super-sized pigeon?"

"No, she is a bird of the Thrush family."

"Thrush?"

"It's a species of bird.. a robin, to simply put it." Zedor educated.

"A robin huh, of all birds why a robin for your services," Ichigo inquired. "Why not an eagle or an owl for that matter?"

He simply laughed as he faced back to the skies ahead.

"While true I was the one responsible for the summoning, you don't entirely know what you'll receive from the other end."

"Couldn't you always switch to another bird if you wanted, not that I'm complaining or anything." Ichigo quickly noted.

"True, but she's been great through my travels thus far," Zedor said. "And besides we're under contract, which I'm completely satisfied with given her consistent production."

"I guess that goes without saying."

"I know it's really none of my business, but do you mind if I ask you something?"

This statement came as unexpected, clearly seen in his expression.

"Ooo Kay, what is it?"

"Why the Land of Iron," Zedo asked. "It's not often I come by travelers looking to go to that region."

He gave it a seconds thought, replying with the only logical thing that came to mind.

"Well.. you could say it's home."

"Admittedly you two are the first in almost two years since I've traveled that way," Zedor shared. "I hear it's rather dry and bitter this time of year."

"That's our lovely Land of Iron." Ichigo played along grinningly.

The breath of the wind took center stage once again as call conversation seized. This left him to pounce on the possibilities for what would come next. Above all he was wondering what the immediate future in the Land of Iron would bring. While in thought he glanced over his shoulder to the one who had brought him to this very point. He sat with his legs crossed, faced in the opposite direction of where they traveled.

Since taking off he had not spoken a word. Stemming the knocking question.

".. Tez, what are you thinking?"

…

The search went on and on, manifesting not a single clue as to where he could be. The longer this carried on the darker it became by the minute. There was a growing feeling that something outside of the planned had occurred. He had no watch or any method for knowing how much time passed since arriving here, and he didn't need it to know that over two hours had passed since the split.

"Ok, this is getting ridiculous," Bart stomped while tossing his hands over his head. "It seems like I've been searching forever, so much for the 'don't get lost' preaching."

He rambled on further under his breath while continuously pacing back and forth under a small tree. A hand was brought to his chin as he slowly recalled everything that had happened building up to this moment.

"I've gone back to the spot we agreed to meet back at many times over and still there is no sign of him," Bart said trying to make sense. "Maybe he came back in contact with them, and as a precautionary of not losing them again he's staying on their tails.. yes, that's the only logical thing that can explain his extended absence."

He stopped after another walk in place, gazing up at the evening sky as another possibility crawled into mind, one which he didn't wish to acknowledge.

"What… what if while tracking them they discovered him in the process," Bart inquired to himself. Several seconds went by as he contemplated on that very scenario in mind, gulping at the thought of it. "Either way I'm never going to find out by standing around here."

But he had searched up and down, covering a half mile in all directions from where he currently stood. Where to go next was indeed the question. He thought long and hard on this, knowing there was plenty to consider.

"Uryuu said before he split he noticed a change in the speed in which they moved, even implying that was because wherever they were headed was close," Bart rehashed. "So with that in mind I'm almost certain wherever he is isn't too far from here."

He was unsure of which way he'd travel next, having not the slightest idea for where his new friend could be. It was only at this very moment that it all really came forefront to his conscious, he was alone once again, just like it had been the moment he had awoken to this new world. Her looked to the sky as if an answer of some kind was to come.

"A hint at least would be nice, I'd greatly appreciate it."

He knew there would be no response to come as his shoulders slouched downward in an expressed disappointment.

"Now what," Bart questioned of himself. Following those words escaping his lips someone at the far end of the block grabbed his instant attention. "It's her, that's the same girl I met on my way to the tag team rap battles signups.. only this time she's alone, I wonder what she's up to now."

She still wore the same tan cloak he had seen her in previously. He couldn't help but feel the need to observe her. She seemed on high alert, looking back from where she had just come before placing the hanging hoody over her head and commencing onward, which ultimately took her out of his line of sight.

His eyes narrowed at the witnessed.

"Her actions seem a little suspect, even suspicious," Bart analyzed. "I have this strange feeling following her might lead to the guys I've been looking for all along, and perhaps even lead to Uryuu… it's definitely stretch, but I'll never know unless I check it out."

His mind was firmly made, taking off once again with one intent in mind.. finding the ninja killers of the forest.

"It's show time."

…..

A good deal of time passed since the meeting that had called for an appearance by her. She now walked alone within the perimeter of Konoha. What resided on her mind was all that occurred in the last twenty four hours. First was the unsolved attacks reported throughout the entire shinobi nation, next was the incident that occurred at Tanigakure in which she found herself at the center of. And last of all that sat atop her mind was the attack by a trio of outsiders who associated themselves with the abbreviated name of CPU.

There was a lot of unknown with each, but even so there was a growing feeling inside each were connected in some kind of way. And though there was no evidence suggesting this, she was determined to piece it all together. She was lost in the moment, so deep in fact she didn't notice the person who had started walking next to her.

"Sakura-chan, are you even listening?"

Those were the first of their words that cleared way for her attention.

"Shikamaru-kun," Sakura greeted after noticing. She stopped walking after the next taken step. "I didn't even realize you were there."

He stopped as well.

"It's alright; I assumed you had a lot on your mind."

"You could say that." Sakura replied not denying the claimed.

"I take it you've heard the news?"

Her interest sparked after hearing this.

"What news, was there another attack," Sakura worriedly inquired. "Did those three from earlier return!"

"Wooh, calm down," Shikamaru calmly replied. "It's nothing like that."

She took a relieving deep breath upon hearing this.

"Oh thank goodness."

"I was actually referring to our visitor, Orihime," Shikamaru referred to. "She's missing."

"Missing, what do you mean she's missing," Sakura said raising her voice. "Wasn't Tenten-chan watching over her as she slept?"

"That's just the thing, by the time she arrived Orihime-chan was already gone."

Silence came in the wake of learning this.

"She's missing, what could this mean… was she taken?"

"The others are looking for her now, I plan on joining in on their efforts once we're finished here."

She raised a brow after hearing his words.

"What do you mean, is there something else you have to report?"

"As a matter a fact I do, concerning a matter on your behalf," Shikamaru confirmed. "Dosada Aiya Tezlinar of the Land of Iron, I did a little research on this character as you asked while in the lab."

She couldn't be any more pleased to hear.

"Finally some good news," Sakura said giving her undivided attention. "So what were you able to learn?"

"Well for starters Dosada is a junior swordsman in training to become an awarded samurai, something I'm sure you were able to determine yourself," Shikamaru began. "But that's not even the most telling detail about Dosada."

"I can't wait to hear this."

"Dosada's recorded talents in the field of technology is well noted and held in high regard by many, top of the class in nearly all other learning subjects as well."

"So academically Tez is a prize hit, I could care less about any of his achievements or known specialties," Sakura stated. "What can you tell me about his personal life, any family… can you confirm his story about burns from a fire he suffered which lead to him wearing that mask of his?"

"Excuse me?"

She was slightly taken back by this.

"What do you mean?"

"You referred to Dosada as he," Shikamaru pointed out. "From what's documented on record, Dosada is a girl."

Her eyes sprung wide in response to the announced.

"It can't be, Tezlinar is.. a woman?!"

To Be Continued