Sorry to be so late everyone - computer problems. Let's hope it's all fixed now! Enjoy!
Evil Plans
It was cool beneath the ground and the air was moist. To keep it from being too damp, torches and small fires were lit throughout the labyrinth. This also provided light for those who lived and worked there. This was Orochimaru's home, base of operations and current lab.
Walking down one corridor, a scream pierced the silence causing a smile to form on the man's face. One of their prisoners was reacting well to the curse mark – he still lived. The man had been a very good ninja, if he was alive at the end of the week; the new powers he would receive would make him a deadly ninja. Documenting the prisoner's progress would be highly exciting.
Shortly he'd reached his own rooms. One torch had been left burning and he picked it up and lit two more then the candles on his desk. There was work to be done of course but he didn't feel too much like it at this moment and with Lord Orochimaru away, there wasn't any hurry to complete it. Kabuto crossed the floor and lay down on his bed. He crossed one leg over the other and linked his fingers behind his head.
It was good to be left alone from time to time not that Lord Orochimaru was always on his back but the man's eyes were everywhere and it was always unexpected what he chose to see, mundane things like where he picked his medicinal herbs. Kabuto was just glad that he'd settled down. Only in these last few months had he stopped raging about losing Uchiha Sasuke. His master had not believed that Sasuke would turn down power in favor of friendship but that's exactly what the boy had done.
They had heard of the near fight to the death at Konoha Hospital. The timing had been perfect for Sasuke to leave there and join them but he hadn't. Hatake Kakashi had interfered and kept the boy close to him. Kakashi with his tender heart had forced Sasuke to spend as much time with Naruto as possible and the greatest obstacle in taking Sasuke appeared – Naruto's need of a friend. That boy's emotional influence was as great as the chakra of the Nine-Tailed Fox! Then with Lady Tsunade and Master Jiraiya back in the village and all Konoha shinobi still cautious about any new attacks on the village - Orochimaru had decided against kidnapping Sasuke especially since he was in no condition to fight having just switched to a new body, it had just been too risky. So for the last two years, Orochimaru had seemingly given up on the Uchiha kid but now there was new information.
Uzumaki Naruto's secret was out in the open and Sasuke seeing his best friend with immense power – power he lacked was again ready to be tempted by Lord Orochimaru's promises. Jealously often led to hate and with Sasuke in such a vulnerable state, the pickings should be easy!
Kabuto turned over on his side looking at the bookcases full of notes he'd taken on various people. Orochimaru did not know any of this. He'd gone away the day before his spies had showed up with this information. The time to act was now since Orochimaru still wanted Sasuke's body but just what should he do? Having Orochimaru inside Sasuke's body would make him almost invincible. Kabuto wondered if he really wanted that but how could he explain not attempting to procure Sasuke. If he let this opportunity slip by them, Kabuto could pay with his life. Of course the Sannin could kill him at any time he chose and Kabuto could only imagine the torture he would be put through long before he could escape into the throes of death should he leave Sasuke alone. He would have to go retrieve Sasuke, there was no other option.
He sat up throwing his legs over the side of the bed. According to the information, Sasuke had temporarily disappeared and Naruto was absent from the village. What had happened? Where were the two of them? Was Naruto on the run from the village unable to handle everyone knowing his secret? Was Sasuke chasing him trying to kill him or had he finally gone searching for Orochimaru?
They needed more information before he could formulate a plan. Kabuto rose and exited his rooms. They had some new recruits and this would be a perfect way to test their skills. He would send two of them into Konoha. They would be given copies of his cards so they would know who and what type of skills they would be up against but if they were any good; no one would suspect a thing. He had been that good and better but then he was a hard act to follow! Kabuto laughed enjoying the memories of all the years he'd been a spy inside of Konoha with no one the wiser.
The Uchiha boy was in the village and had attended the festival but the Uzumaki kid, the Nine-Tailed Fox was away recuperating but where? For two days, there was still a joyous feeling in the village left over from the festival. Many people had come to witness and celebrate the new Chunins so it wasn't hard to keep a low profile. Since Uchiha and Uzumaki were on the same team, Kabuto's spies made Uchiha and the girl their targets. Surely they would know where the Fox was besides it would give them a chance to learn how Sasuke truly felt about his teammate.
It proved to be somewhat difficult to get near the girl. She spent a great deal of time either with the Hokage or in the private home of a Lord Hyuga. The spies were not foolish enough to think they wouldn't be caught by these powerful ninja so they focused on Sasuke instead.
At first that too proved useless for the day after the festival, the teen never left his home but on the second day he was physically removed from his solitary contemplation of his walls and out to a ramen shop. Only one of the men went inside to listen to their conversation.
"You should not hide inside your home Sasuke! You do not want to grow pale and weak while you wait for Naruto to return, do you?" Lee questioned loudly.
Neji smiled when Sasuke flinched from Lee talking directly in his ear. It took some getting used to, Lee did most everything exuberantly. "I'm sure Sasuke won't let that happen. He'll need his strength to deal with Naruto when he returns. …Do you know what you'll do Sasuke, when he returns I mean? The two of you were…not speaking when Naruto left." Neji was careful of his words. So far only he and Shikamaru knew what Sasuke had done to Naruto.
Sasuke leaned forward his arms on the counter watching Ichiraku cook. "I haven't a clue. Naruto may not even talk to me." He gave a disheartened shrug.
Lee slapped him on the back. "Do not worry! You are on the same squad! You will have time and proximity on your side. Just being there and working together will help. Be persistent, like Naruto is!" Lee said and they all knew that to be true.
Sasuke accepted his bowl of ramen with a nod then snapped apart his chopsticks. A smile appeared on his face as he imagined how Naruto would practically stick his face in the bowl. "The hard part is waiting for him to come back." He admitted to them.
Neji nodded and swallowed. "Yes, every day will be filled with doubts. Naruto…I used to think he was a simpleton, saying and believing in one thing only – becoming Hokage. But his mind is complex, you only have to listen to him when he's deadly serious and learn that he's looked at everything, every angle and dissected it to the minutest detail. Naruto's unpredictable and his solutions can be…off the wall but if he doesn't succeed, he makes it possible for others to accomplish his goals." Neji shook his head in wonder. "He is…a remarkable person."
Ichiraku leaned down to join the conversation. "And yet he is still a boy, just like the three of you. Naruto wants only to lead a normal life, well as normal as any ninja!" He laughed. "You remember that night the two of you came here and ate then ran off playing; I think to see who the better ninja was?" He waited for Sasuke to remember. "That is what he wants and needs from you guys." Ichiraku stood up and looked out at the sky. "He found me when he was but a tiny thing. All by himself he was, I didn't even see him at first and I could not believe a child that young was out on his own." He sighed still in disbelief. "I knew after a moment who he was." Ichiraku looked at his other patrons but they seemed involved in their food, still he was careful not to say too much and kept his voice down.
"I hesitated, the fear rose up out of nowhere, I'd seen with my own eyes the damage caused by…it." He glanced at the boys in front of him and was satisfied to see them listening intently to his story. "I wanted to tell him to leave but he was trembling, huge blue eyes wet with unshed tears. He'd worked up the nerve to ask for some ramen and I could see that he expected to be refused. Then it hit me, Naruto was a child like my own daughter but unlike her, alone." He picked up a towel and wiped his hands though they were clean.
"What happened next?" Lee said almost standing in his curiosity.
A laugh now from the proprietor. "I turned away from him, walked out of the shop and went to him. Of course Naruto thought the worst and was already crying when I caught up to him. I picked him up and placed him on a stool. The fear on his face tore at my heart but I smiled at him, patted his head and asked him what kind of ramen he liked. And that was it! He became my best customer that day. That was the one day he did not talk my ear off while stuffing his face full of food. He just pointed – he didn't know what kind he liked so I fixed him some pork ramen." Quietly, "I had to show him how to eat it – he didn't know how but once I did he ate the whole bowl smiling and staring at me. I think he was afraid I'd take it away from him."
Sasuke remembered his mother laughing at him as she taught him how to eat ramen. Naruto had had to learn from a stranger. "When did he laugh? He did laugh back then didn't he?" It was hard to think of Naruto and not hear him laughing.
"Not until he'd finished. Tiny hands patted his poked out stomach and he laughed and laughed. I often wondered if it was his first laugh." Ichiraku wiped the counter. "He came back every day for the ramen jumping up and down until I could see him."
"I think he came back not only for the ramen but because he had a friend." Neji bowed his head slightly at Ichiraku.
"Well," The man said pleased and stood up proudly. "And that's why he'll accept your apology Sasuke because in you he has a friend, right?"
A long sigh and then a slow smile. "Yes, I am his friend." Sasuke said looking him in the eye. "Thanks for the food and the story."
"Sure no problem. I feed the hungry and sometimes I think I can feed souls!" He laughed heartily. "You guys want seconds?"
The three teens walked through the village talking while a man meandered behind them.
"He's been gone a little over a week. Naruto said three weeks so we'll have to be on the lookout for him. I think Hinata is regretting letting him go now." Neji smiled and explained. "When she's alone she'll sit quietly and look off into space or pull out some pictures she has of him. I think if she knew where they were, she'd leave and go to him!" It was very funny to the members of the Hyuga household how she mooned over him, funny but sweet.
"So Naruto hasn't written? It could be they're just going to camp out and stay away from the towns and villages." Lee commented.
"I don't know, the way he talks about Master Jiraiya, I'm pretty sure they'll go wherever there are girls." Sasuke smiled. "According to Naruto – he's the world's biggest pervert!"
He followed them a while more until they began walking towards a residential area. The spy melted back into the crowd of shoppers to rendezvous with his partner near the main gates of the village. They lounged in the shade like tired tourists and discussed what they had found out.
Uchiha knew about the Nine-Tailed Fox inside Uzumaki. Uzumaki had left the village to recuperate from some injuries. Uchiha apparently had some kind of violent reaction once he knew Uzumaki's secret but now wanted to make up and be friends again but was unsure of Uzumaki's reaction. In approximately two weeks time Uzumaki would return and possibly restart his friendship with Uchiha and that would be bad for their purposes. They needed Uchiha upset and angry – hungry for power. Kabuto needed to be informed but what if Uzumaki returned in that time? One would stay and the other would report back to Kabuto.
Sasuke headed home. Neji and Lee had spent the afternoon with him and he marveled that he could get along with them without Naruto at his side. In times past, Naruto had acted as a buffer between him and the other Chunin but now he was able to talk to them and enjoy himself but he still wished Naruto were there. It wasn't as if he couldn't make a move without him, it was just – well, he missed him.
He remembered Ichiraku's story about Naruto's first bowl of ramen and suddenly he wanted nothing more than to see Naruto. Looking about Sasuke realized that he was on the opposite end of town from Naruto's place but what else did he have to do?
Twilight was just starting when he appeared on Naruto's doorstep. Sasuke hesitated before opening the door. The last time he'd been there, he'd wanted to know Naruto's secret. "Well I learned it didn't I?" He said aloud. And I acted a complete ass. Turning the knob, Sasuke let himself into Naruto's home.
Naruto smiled at him and told him to have a seat. He moved about the room straightening things and laughed, embarrassed by the mess his place was in. Sasuke sat down at the table and watched Naruto make them tea. The whole time he just smiled as he listened to Naruto talk about training and Hinata and what their next mission might be.
It was what Sasuke wanted to see but the room was clean and empty. He stepped in and closed door then reached for the light switch. The room was neat – too neat and Sasuke hated that. He pulled out a chair and sat down. When he thought about it, he realized that someone other than Naruto must have cleaned up the place. He'd spent weeks in the hospital and then left just as soon as he'd gotten out. "We didn't allow you to come home, did we? Sorry Naruto."
Still Sasuke was comfortable here. Naruto was absent but you could still feel him here. He got up and went to Naruto's closet. Orange greeted his eyes and Sasuke laughed. "You'll always have to wear orange Naruto! I wouldn't know who you were if you didn't!" Turning he noticed something was missing. There used to be a picture of the four of them on the dresser but it was gone now. In its place was a picture of Hinata and Naruto. It must have been taken recently because Sasuke didn't recognize the scenery, a garden and Naruto was in casual clothes – nothing orange! They looked good together, holding each other but it began to bother him that there was no trace of Squad 7 or of their friendship.
Sasuke grew a little desperate as displayed by him suddenly searching Naruto's dresser. It was in the bottom drawer face down. He and Naruto weren't looking at each other. They both looked mad while only Sakura and Kakashi-sensei smiled. Feeling relieved, Sasuke dusted it off and set it beside the other picture. "It's not done yet Naruto. We need to get to the point where we'll be smiling at each other in the next picture."
"He'd like that." Hinata said from the doorway causing Sasuke to whirl around and take a defensive position. "Sorry." She said with a soft smile. "I see I'm not the only one missing him." Hinata closed the door and leaned back against it. "When I saw the light on…I thought maybe…he'd come home." Her voice was wistful.
Sasuke saw the disappointment in her eyes and felt guilty for raising her hopes. "Forgive me…I just wanted to…feel closer to him." He looked down and noticed the opened drawers and flushed. "I didn't take anything! I was just looking for this picture!" He rushed to explain what he'd been doing. If he'd seen someone going through a person's personal things he'd believe them to be stealing.
Hinata studied him. His eyes seemed afraid to meet hers and he was flushed with embarrassment. The coldness that seemed to emanate from him was absent. He wasn't exactly friendly either but more approachable than he'd been in the past. "I know. Besides Naruto doesn't have much to steal." Carefully she went to stand next to him and looked at the two pictures. "This was out the last time I was here but he must have put it away before he left. It almost seems a lifetime ago that we were that young." Hinata laughed. Standing next to Kakashi-sensei, Squad 7 looked as if they were just little kids entering the academy.
Sasuke relaxed a little and put his hands in his pockets and nodded. "It only took a few missions for us to grow older. We had no idea really what a ninja was or what a ninja had to go through until that very first real mission."
"The imminent threat of death…yes, it changes everything but you experienced that first didn't you Sasuke, a long time ago?" Hinata asked but didn't look at him. Instead she straightened the slight mess he had made of Naruto's things.
His back went stiff at the reminder and his first inclination was to clam up and leave but it was common knowledge and if he expected to change and become someone Naruto could trust again, he'd had to stop being so antisocial, especially with the woman Naruto was in love with. In the future, the three of them would be spending a lot of time together, he hoped.
"Yeah, yeah I did …My brother…in his eyes…I could see my death." Sasuke watched her as he spoke and she hesitated just slightly.
"I'd like to say no way, that you're brother would never do that but it did happen and I'm sorry. I'm sorry Sasuke that you had to experience that but I also know that kind of pain." Hinata finally looked up at him, a hand over her heart. "You missed my battle with Neji but surely someone told you the details."
Sasuke inhaled a breath as he stared down into pain-filled lavender eyes. Neji almost killed her during the last Chunin Exams! If the sensei hadn't stopped him… His hands came out of his pockets and he took a step backwards. "He almost destroyed your heart! …How can you…?" They live in the same house! She calls him brother! Neji is protective of her! "You care for him – how?" A hand came up to cover his forehead as he thought about the Hyugas.
"Have a seat Sasuke and I'll fix us some tea." She gestured at the table then feeling at home, made tea for the two of them in Naruto's kitchen.
Wasn't this what he'd been thinking about when he opened the door? Yet it was Hinata and not Naruto making them tea. It was she who was going to talk to him and try to comfort him.
Hinata wondered if this would help him. He and Naruto were in a similar situation as she and Neji had been at one time. Now Neji once again looked at her with kindness and the love a brother. Naruto wanted the same of Sasuke, so she would try.
Placing the tea pot on the table and moving back with the cups, Hinata sat. "You know that Neji is not of the main branch, don't you?" At his nod she went on. "Neji had good reason to resent me – my position but over the years he fostered that resentment into hate and it nearly destroyed us." A smile appeared on her face. "Naruto fought for me. He wanted to show Neji that people like he and I have to try extra hard to be accepted. You and Neji are naturals Sasuke – you're good at everything you do but us…well we've bled to get this far.
"…I never thought he'd try to kill me. Beat me, yes, even beat me badly but kill me…" Hinata shuttered. "He was overcome with hate and none it was really directed at me though he thought me spoiled and weak. It took Naruto's words and fists to change Neji's mind. He learned that people like me and Naruto can change our fates. We can do and become who we want to be if we just try hard enough. A veil was lifted from Neji's eyes he got hope – hope that his own fate would change."
Sasuke saw the pain and love on her face as she spoke. She was very brave to be sharing something so close to her heart. "But…how did you put it behind you Hinata? How were you able to forgive Neji for attacking you, for almost killing you?" The tea was hot for he could feel it through the cup. It warmed his fingers as he clutched it.
She looked into his black eyes – they were tortured. Was it because of what happened with his brother or what he'd done to Naruto or both?
"I've always looked up to Neji, he was everything I wasn't. He could accomplish anything, unlike me. I loved him the moment he sent chakra into my body. I loved him when Kakashi, Kurenai and Guy-sensei stopped him from dealing that fatal blow. My recovery was…difficult but after the final exam and the attack on the village, he came to me. Neji stayed by side. His eyes had changed, they were softer. His manner changed as well, friendlier and humble. Neji apologized and I still loved him despite what he'd done to me. Maybe because at the time he'd tried to kill me, I was unaware of the threat." She took a drink of her tea. "Or maybe it was simply that I wanted him in my life that I was able to forgive. Naruto still cares about you. Why else would he hide that picture? It showed him what he'd lost. I won't lie Sasuke. He will always remember you with a kunai in your hand and his blood on you. And so will I."
Hinata watched him carefully let go of the cup so that his white-knuckled hands would not break it. "But your intent was not to kill. You didn't go for his throat or his eyes or his heart. You wanted hurt him or test him. Sasuke you were so far gone that I'm sure you didn't know which way was up!" She dared to reach out and cover his hand. "Forgive yourself Sasuke. You are not your brother. You did not kill and most importantly, you're showing regret. A man doesn't do those things unless he wants to change."
Thoughts of Itachi scampered through his mind. The man was cold, never had he shown much emotion and that night – that night he was pleased to have killed their clan. Itachi regretted nothing. He only wanted power and he would kill Naruto to get it. "No! I won't let him have Naruto! I won't!" Sasuke thumped his fist down hard on the table causing his tea to slop over the side.
Hinata sat back and blinked. "Okay, I'd appreciate that." Her deadpan statement to his violent proclamation had the desired effect – Sasuke laughed.
It was a deep sound then it lightened and filled the room. It was good talking to someone who knew his pain. Hinata would be a great help in patching things up with Naruto. Sasuke rose to his feet and wandered about the room touching various things. "How does this compare to what he went through with Sakura? Will I get the silent treatment too?"
Hinata was happy to have made him laugh. He certainly was a handsome man. Dark eyes, dark hair and a hard body – the dream of many of the girls at the academy but what had turned her off was his lack of humor. He'd rarely smiled or laughed then or now but when he did, Sasuke's appeal grew but Hinata longed for blue eyes and blond hair. Yes, those eyes, that hair and that laugh took her to a special place.
"Hard to know. He could end up punching you then ignore you." Hinata grinned at him like she was looking forward to seeing that.
Sasuke found himself smiling again. She was a totally different person since hooking up with Naruto. Never would she have allowed herself to be alone with him like this or talk to him. There she sat looking forward to seeing him getting his ass kicked by Naruto. "Will you join him?"
Hinata laughed, "I doubt I'd get the chance. I expect Lady Tsunade and Iruka-sensei will want to get in their licks too. They're really protective of him and he of them. Maybe more so since all three have chosen this situation. It's really a mixed up family, I mean his mother and father aren't together – in fact Lady Tsunade could qualify to be his grandmother instead of his mother!" She whispered this last part as if Tsunade were near.
Sasuke laughed some more. "Wouldn't that be crazy if Iruka-sensei and Lady Tsunade hooked up?! But I don't think it would bother Naruto one bit! They'd still be his mother and father. Parents…" The faces of his own mother and father appeared in his mind. Their faces were solemn and he wanted nothing more than for them to smile at him and be proud of him. "If he has to kick my ass before he believes me then so be it. Hinata…we both came looking for Naruto and I spoke of things very few have ever heard from my lips. Only Naruto is able to pull these things from me yet…"
She wiped away a tear. "Yet even with him not in Konoha, Naruto's presence is strong. I miss him and talking to you only increased my need to see him but it's okay. I know he's with his father, Iruka-sensei. He's hopefully cutting loose, having some fun and the pain of everything that's happened has dulled. I want him to come home smiling with hope in his heart. He wasn't sure of Sakura when he left and you…the loss of you cut deep but –." Hinata broke off when Sasuke came back to her.
"But as soon as he's home again, I'll tell him I'm sorry. I'll beg forgiveness and I'll do whatever it takes to be his friend again. That's a promise Hinata." This time it was Sasuke who took her hand and squeezed it.
She tilted her head at him. "You know, you can be quite charming when you put your mind to it. Sakura really likes you, you know."
He grimaced. "I'm not ready for all that…stuff. I'll just leave that you and Naruto if you don't mind." Sasuke sat down again to finally drink his tea then wondered why it had grown cold. He picked up the pot and refreshed their cups.
"I wouldn't wait too long if I were you. If you have any feelings for Sakura, you'd better act or Lee will step in. He's always liked her since the moment they met." Hinata was smiling her eyes twinkling.
Sasuke drew back. He had no idea what he was supposed to feel. Sakura giving all her attention to another man – How do I feel about that? Would I be upset? Lee, huh? "Come on Hinata, quit teasing me! Let me tackle one relationship at a time, would you?"
"Relationship? Really? So there is some feelings there? Tell me!" Hinata giggled to see him blush. This Sasuke she liked. "Come on, I won't tell – well except Naruto!"
Testing the waters at being friends, neither noticed the man who lurked outside the door listening to every word.
Kabuto stood atop the Fourth Hokage's head, one hand on his hip staring at the village that once had been his home. Konohagakure – The Village Hidden in the Leaves. He'd learned a lot there, his medical skills had all been learned there. It had been Lord Orochimaru's home as well but both of them had turned their backs on it and Orochimaru now wanted the place destroyed and Uchiha Sasuke would help him do that.
It was the wee hours of the morning. Night still clung to the sky but the sun was trying to pry it's way in. Kabuto slipped backwards into the darkness the rock face provided and waited patiently for his men to return to him. He could have entered the village himself with none the wiser but what was the point? All he'd come for was more information, not a visit down memory lane.
He heard them before his eyes picked up their shadows. Kabuto stood to draw their attention his way. He waited until they recognized him then he squatted back down.
"So any more news? Is this the ideal time to escort Sasuke away?" Kabuto ended up sitting on the hard rock as he listened to the words of his spy. "Indeed? So the brat has not only a girlfriend but parents too!" It irked Kabuto to know that Naruto was so accepted that people had claimed him. Not just any people but the Hokage herself and one of the most respected teachers in the academy – Iruka-sensei! Damn him.
Kabuto spent almost a half hour in absolute silence. He needed to bring back Sasuke but it seemed that Naruto's influence over him was still quiet strong. If only there was a way to get him to react the same way he had when he learned of Naruto's news. Then there was Naruto himself. Recuperating they said. I doubt it! Training or something – that's what he's doing now that his secret is out.
Lord Orochimaru had tried to kill him. He did not want the Akatsuki getting their hands on Naruto. He wouldn't say why but maybe…
"Naruto's supposed to be back in a week right? So he's close by." His man nodded. "Killing Naruto could be the answer." Kabuto spoke softly confusing his men who thought all this was about the Uchiha kid.
If we go after Naruto, the Akatsuki couldn't have him which would please Orochimaru and the pain and grief of loosing Naruto before he could make up with him, could be the catalyst to make Sasuke seek power to avenge his friend. After all it seemed Sasuke cared more for fox-boy than his own flesh and blood. Fighting Naruto is a problem though but since he's traveling with his so-called father, a fight might never happen. That kid is nothing but loyal. Threaten daddy and Naruto's sure to bow to my will. And if that doesn't work, there's always the girl…
"Okay listen up – you stay here and use the hawk to send us any updates on the situation here." He pointed to one of his men. "We'll return to our men just outside the village, we're going to split up to look for Naruto. Our goal is to either kidnap or kill him. Anyone traveling with him is to be used as leverage but ultimately they'll die once we get our hands on Naruto." Kabuto stood smiling pleased with his plans.
His men looked up at him and the evil behind his glasses made them pause. Just then the sun came over the horizon touching on Kabuto's fair head. The sun hit the lenses making them glow with an unholy light. "Time for a fox hunt." The four Hokages seemed to frown in the sunlight and those looking up at the faces decided it was a bad omen.
Days in the village passed quietly. The new Chunin squads were sent out on easy missions since there were no new conflicts between the lands. It hardly seemed fair to have to go on such mundane missions after becoming Chunin but it passed the time – that and constant training. For some people, they seemed to be holding their breath as they waited for Naruto to return.
Sasuke found himself getting to know his fellow Chunins better. He spent time with them and learned about their lives. Occasionally he would go by Naruto's place as if to commune with his friend. It was on such an occasion that he got a surprise.
He'd been there a couple of times with Hinata and they'd eaten some of Naruto's food so Sasuke thought he should replace what they'd eaten. It might freak Naruto out to know that they'd made themselves at home while he was away.
Carrying two bags of groceries, Sasuke climbed the steps to Naruto's place. It was late afternoon, a little muggy and he was looking forward to going home and taking a cool shower. They, all of the Chunins, had been sent to work in a rock quarry. It had been hard, back breaking work but with a little jutsu here and there, they were able to help the owner meet his business quota.
As he turned the knob, Sasuke knew someone was inside. It must be Hinata or Lady Tsunade. Once he'd run into her at Naruto's and that had been extremely awkward but he'd deal, somehow he had to get the woman to realize that he meant Naruto no harm.
"Hello? What the hell?!" Naruto's place was relatively small so you could see most of the place at a glance. Lying on the bed was a strange man. All he had on was his shorts and he appeared to have just come from the shower since there was a wet towel on the floor and the man's hair soaked Naruto's pillow.
Kabuto's spy sat up abruptly chagrined at having been caught. He scooped up his clothes and jumped out of the window. He thought he'd be safe. Those kids had been sent five hours away to work with rocks. He'd heard that Kakashi guy say it would take all day! "How in the hell did they get back to the village so quickly?" The man muttered as he got his shirt on but there was no chance of getting his pants on. "Shit!"
"Stop! I said stop, damn you!" Food dropped to the floor as Sasuke chased the half dressed man over the roof tops. He pulled out some shuriken and watched as the man nimbly evaded them. So he's a ninja but not one of ours! Over one roof, down into an alley then through a market place. Sasuke wanted to light him up but there were too many people around to use his fire. So he chased the man.
Sitting in a teashop, Kakashi looked up from his book to see Sasuke running after - a woman? No, the legs were way too hairy. A man with no pants on. Unless he's been hiding something from us, that man must be up to something. "Up to no good I suppose." He sighed, marked his page, paid for his tea and took after Sasuke.
"What's up?" Kakashi yelled from behind and to Sasuke's right. The chase had moved back to the roofs of Konoha's buildings.
Relieved to have some help, Sasuke slowed up just a step. "Found that guy in Naruto's apartment! He was making himself at home then took off when I walked in on him!" That said Sasuke increased his speed.
Kakashi frowned. Why was he in Naruto's place? Did he know where he was? He didn't like the unbidden thoughts than ran through his mind. Each one was a conspiracy to hurt or capture Naruto. Well, when they caught him, they'd find out. A flash of green on the ground had him throwing a kunai.
Guy and Lee were about to go grab some dinner when a kunai sailed by his cheek to land with a thud in the wall behind him. Both men jumped back then looked for the culprit. Guy straightened up about to yell at Kakashi when he the man gestured for him to follow.
They had to dodge a few people then with some quick moves, maneuvered their way up to the rooftops. In short order, they caught up to Kakashi who told them what he knew.
"Right! Lee alert the village. We have an intruder. Let's go Kakashi!" The two men continued on Sasuke's heels while Lee stopped then turned looking for higher ground. It took only a couple of minutes for him to climb a tree and stand out on a high but visible limb. Cupping his hands over his mouth, Lee proceeded to make a series of bird calls. The signal alerted the other shinobi of an intruder, that the intruder was on the run and was being pursued and lastly to pass on the message and join in on the hunt.
Lee waited until he heard the call repeated then took off after his sensei. As he ran, he looked to the streets below him. Mixed in with the citizens of Konoha were ninja. Reacting to the birdcall, many of them dropped what they were doing or jumped up from tables or left friends and family standing as they began searching for the intruder.
Lady Tsunade swung her chair around then jumped to her feet to look out the windows. Her brown eyes scanned the streets trying to find the ninjas in pursuit.
"My Lady!" Shizune ran into the room. "What do you think this is all about?" She added her eyes to Tsunade's searching the village.
"Who knows? From the message it's just one man but he just could be the only one foolish to be caught. We won't find out what he was up to until he's apprehended. I hope it's not Orochimaru again." It was true, dealing with that man was hazardous for all concerned but if it wasn't him then it was maybe the Akatsuki after Naruto. You'll die if you're after my son! Be safe Naruto, stick close to Iruka and that idiot Jiraiya.
"My Lady – they've caught him!" Izumo paused in the doorway. "It's about Naruto." He said quietly then raced after Tsunade when she leapt out the window. He had to catch up to her to tell her where they'd corralled the man. As soon as the words left his mouth, she disappeared on him. Izumo felt sorry for the man if Lady Tsunade got to him before he could tell his story.
He moved back down to the streets hopping that if he mixed with the people, he'd have a better chance of escaping or at least putting on his pants so that he wouldn't stand out so badly. No luck. The fact the he was half-dressed in public made the women scream. Not only that but soon after he had two more men on his tail, people began leaving the streets and closing up their shops. Doors and windows were closed – no place for him to slip inside and hide. His breath was coming fast and hard since he'd been running non-stop.
On a barren street, he dared to glance over his shoulder, blinked and stumbled. He was being chased by ten ninja! Digging down deep, he found the energy to run at a faster pace. Kabuto will kill me if I get caught!
Neji then Shikamaru appeared beside Sasuke. He nodded to them. "A little…help Shikamaru?" He asked breathlessly. "He was in…Naruto's place!"
Both teens jerked and their gazes turned hard. "No problem!" Still running Shikamaru concentrated and performed his hand signals. Even as he did so far ahead of the suspect, at least twenty ninja blocked the man's path. Alongside the street, more ninja filled in each alley and opening. Nowhere for the guy to go. "Shadow Possession!"
From each stall, building and every shinobi there flowed a shadow. Everyone watched with proud satisfaction as the intruder was engulfed in blackness. His screams filled the air to be heard for miles.
Sasuke stopped and bent over, hands on his knees. Ordinarily he'd be okay but after all that work in the rock quarry, this chase had worn him out. Around him, other fellow ninja formed a circle preventing the man from escaping but he was still crying inside Shikamaru's shadow prison. Finally able to walk and talk, Sasuke stood up and pulled something from his pouch. He nodded for Shikamaru to release the man.
Hundreds of pairs of eyes looked at the man on his hands and knees crying and begging for light. He gasped once he realized that he was free and tried to stand only to be caught in Sasuke's wires. Sasuke bit the wire to pull it tight. He walked forward continually pulling it making the man scream in pain. Soon he was back on his knees.
"What were you doing in Naruto's room?" He asked quietly and the shinobi around him all stiffened. A threat to Naruto was a threat to them all.
"I don't - I don't know what you mean!" He said desperately looking at all the hard faces around him. Never had he thought to have so many hate-filled gazes on him. "I was - I was just…" He hiccupped as Sasuke backhanded him.
"I walked into Naruto's room and you were laid out on his bed like you owned the place. Now answer my damn question! WHAT WERE YOU DOING IN NARUTO'S ROOM?!" Sasuke made to hit him again but Kakashi grabbed his fist.
"Answer him. Surely you have no hope of getting away from here without a good explanation." Kakashi planted his feet letting one hand hang loose while he held Sasuke with the other.
"I'm homeless! That's all! That room was empty so-so I just thought I'd use it for a while!" He tried to smile up at them thinking it was a very good explanation.
"Konoha has no homeless. Every person who lives here or visits here is provided with a place to stay." Neji said quietly catching the man in his second lie.
All the color drained from the man's face. "I couldn't afford a hotel! I heard this-this Naruto was away! I was only there for a day! Come on, nothing wrong with that! Is it?" The wires were cutting his skin and he could feel blood soaking his shirt.
"You don't need money. As long as you agree to work to pay off your debt, lodging is free. Had you been here legitimately, you'd know that!" Shikamaru stated.
"More importantly," Kakashi said stroking his mask covered chin. "How do you know about Naruto or where he lives? No stranger would know these things. You had to be watching the place or the people who visited there."
Tears ran down the man's face as he steadily dug himself a hole. "It was a mistake. A simple mistake." He spoke quietly. "I'm just an ordinary guy down on his luck." His mind raced trying to come up with an answer that would save his ass.
"An ordinary ninja maybe but no ordinary person. You gave my friends here a fairly good chase. Definitely a ninja and I'll enjoy prying the information from your trembling lips!" Ibiki said joining the throng. Behind him several black suited and masked people appeared. Black Ops had arrived. "Do you mind Sasuke? I promise to find out everything, even the nickname he was called as a child." He blocked Sasuke's view of the perp.
All the spy saw was a tall, black-coated man with a black bandana over his scalp but then he turned around to look down at him. Morino Ibiki! "No! No! I'll talk! Don't let him take me! Please!"
"Well that settles it." Asuma said around a cigarette. "He knows you and your reputation Ibiki. That should make things easy for you."
"I hope not. I want to enjoy this." Ibiki laughed and gestured for his men to take the prisoner. "I'll have the information before the stars come out."
Every eye looked to the sky. Twilight was settling over the village and everyone knew the first stars of the night came out about this time. Ibiki planned on getting the information quickly but considering how scared the man was, no one doubted him.
"Later." A black gloved hand waved at the crowd then he calmly jumped and followed him men through the trees.
Kakashi could still feel the tenseness in Sasuke's arm. He couldn't blame him, for it also bothered him to think that there was a new threat against Naruto so damn soon. The kid deserved a break from having to fight for his life.
"WHERE IS HE? WHAT'S GOING ON? WHAT DOES THIS MAN WANT WITH NARUTO?!" The sea of bodies parted and some even fled from an angered Tsunade.
Sasuke flinched and fearfully looked over his shoulder at the approaching mad woman. He tried to pull away from Kakashi, he still wasn't one of the Hokage's favorite people but Kakashi kept him by his side. "Kakashi!" He said under his breath but the Jonin just grinned and held tight.
Many people quietly backed off but didn't leave because they wanted to see the action. Shikamaru and Neji stood just behind Kakashi with Guy and Lee. That left Sasuke facing the enraged Hokage.
"My Lady, the intruder has been taken into custody by Black Ops. Ibiki has promised to have answers in just a short while – before the first stars in the sky." Kakashi told her as she stopped before them. On her heels Izumo skidded to a stop.
Tsunade stopped in shock. The task of finding out what the man was up to had been taken from her and she had to admit, there was no one better at interrogation than Ibiki. She looked around at all the watching shinobi. "And what the hell do you think you're doing? Who said this bastard was alone? Search! Search this damn village and close the damn gates! I want everything and everyone checked! GO!!" Her sleeve made a snapping sound as she pointed at them. Konoha ninja moved like flashes of light as they obeyed.
Only Kakashi, Sasuke, Neji and Shikamaru remained. She stared at them for a moment trying to calm down. "Kakashi – you discovered him?"
"No, my Lady. Sasuke found him." The grip on Sasuke was released and Kakashi stood behind the teen holding his shoulders but this time in comfort.
Sasuke… "Speak!" Tsunade knew she was being hard on the boy but he had cut Naruto and that was something she didn't think she'd be able to let go of for a while, maybe never.
Aww man, Naruto why'd you have to pick the Hokage to be your mom?! She still barely looks at me and now this! Okay… "I was taking groceries to Naruto's to make up for the food we'd eaten, Hinata and I, when I caught that guy stretched out on Naruto's bed. He'd had a shower and looked too comfortable. I asked him what the hell he was doing when he grabbed his clothes and took off running. Kakashi-sensei saw me and soon we were all chasing him. …That's all." He finished lamely.
Tsunade remembered catching Sasuke there alone one day. He'd been sitting at the table drinking tea quietly. Nothing was out of place, he was just there. In her heart she totally understood. Being with Naruto's things made him feel closer. It seemed the three of them went there pretty often because she'd encountered Hinata there as well. Between the three of them they'd probably emptied his cupboards. It was thoughtful of him to replenish the food they'd all eaten.
"We're there fairly often. How'd this bastard know the place was empty?" Tsunade asked softly.
"Yes, that question came up and he didn't have a sufficient answer." Kakashi said.
Tsunade sighed her anger dissipating. There was nothing she could do without more information. "Guess we'll just have to wait." She turned to head back to her office when Sasuke spoke up again.
"May I – may we join you?" He looked back at Neji and Shikamaru and they nodded. "We'd like to know if there's a threat against Naruto, Lady Hokage." Sasuke met her direct gaze and submitted to her scrutiny.
Tsunade saw the other boys move to stand beside Sasuke. They'd spent a lot of time with him these last two weeks. It would be hard even for someone of Sasuke's quiet nature to hide his true feelings from both Hinata and Neji. They believed his feelings towards Naruto to be true. Again she sighed and stroked her forehead. "I've got a better idea. I know Ibiki will send someone to check Naruto's apartment but why don't we do that. It will keep us occupied until we get our answers."
"Lady Tsunade, I would like to go Hinata if I may? She deserves to know what's going on." Neji asked quietly.
Her hand fell to her bosom. "Yes of course she deserves to know but let's check Naruto's first then go to your home. I don't think Lord Hiashi will mind if we wait for the news there." Besides spending time at Naruto's she often found herself over there talking to Hiashi while her son had been gone.
"Of course not my lady." Neji agreed. He would feel better with his uncle there anyway if there was someone truly after Naruto. The news was bound to hit Hinata hard.
Byakugan and Sharingan scanned Naruto's room. Lady Tsunade also went through his things and from the little possessions her son owned, she couldn't find anything missing just a few things out of place. The bathroom was a mess – water on the floor, the tub nasty from the man's shower and the son-of-a-bitch had used Naruto's shaving supplies.
"Are you done?" She asked of the men with her. At their nods she gestured for them to proceed her while she closed and locked Naruto's door. "I'll have to have it cleaned before he comes home. It won't feel like home if that man's presence lingers." Tsunade's hand almost broke the knob as she thought of someone invading Naruto's privacy. Feeling a hand on her arm, she looked to see that it belonged to Sasuke. She blinked. Sasuke had been in Naruto's apartment many times and she'd never felt that he hadn't belonged there! "Let's go see Hinata." She said softly and let Sasuke escort her.
Hinata stood frozen. Yes, she'd heard the alert and acted on it but she and her family had stayed on this side of town until the all clear signal had been sent out. The only news they'd received was that the intruder had been caught.
"He was in Naruto's room? Why?" She spoke finally but it was hard to tell that her mouth even moved.
"Hinata." Lord Hiashi went to her and forced her to sit down. He put his arm around her hoping to warm her cold body. "It is too early to become upset. We don't know what the man was up to. Ibiki will be here shortly with that information. It may be nothing at all – just a crime of opportunity."
"Or someone's plotting to take him away from me! Dammit!" Hinata snatched up a vase and threw across the room. "It had better be nothing or I'm going kick somebody's ass!" She looked for something else to vent her frustration on while the guys prepared to duck not wanting be in her line of sight.
"Get in line Hinata, Mama goes first!" Tsunade said crossing one slim leg over the other. The two women shared a look that had all of the men pressing their legs together in sympathy for the man who would lose his balls for daring to hurt Naruto.
"Hmm, yes, well. How about some sake Tsunade?" Lord Hiashi offered. He desperately wanted her to calm down. Hinata destroying things was bad enough! What Tsunade would do – well he didn't want to think about it.
"No, I want a clear head. I may have to make some quick decisions tonight."
Standing by the open door, Shikamaru looked up into the sky and saw the first few stars of the night. He started to turn and say something when Ibiki approached the house. "Right on time." He smiled at the scarred man then wondered if the prisoner was still living.
Ibiki nodded at Shikamaru, wiped his feet and entered the home of Lord Hiashi. "Good evening, sorry to come here with this sort of news." He addressed Lord Hiashi. "My Lady, may I speak freely?" Ibiki was talking about the assembled teens. Yes they were Chunins but sometimes these kinds of talks were for Jonin and above.
Tsunade glanced around at the boys, Sasuke in particular. "Go ahead Ibiki, this concerns all of us here I believe." It occurred to her that Sasuke may not want the others to know about his connection to Orochimaru but he'd wanted to be here so he must not be too worried about his secret coming out.
Sasuke got to his feet. What will they think of me once they know I've been marked by Orochimaru? I haven't even told Naruto all the details of what happened in the Forest of Death! Sasuke shook his head; he was forgetting why he was there. "What's going on Ibiki-sensei?"
Ibiki spared him a glance then focused on the Hokage. "It is Orochimaru but not directly." He held up a hand when she would have spoken. "Apparently that snake-man is away and Kabuto is in charge. He found out that the Nine-Tailed Fox is no longer a secret and hopes to use any ill feelings between Sasuke and Naruto to entice Sasuke to join him."
"But I don't have any more ill feelings!" Sasuke stepped forward as if to challenge Ibiki.
Ibiki just raised an eyebrow. "Maybe not but since you appear to want to be friends again, Kabuto plans to take out Naruto. That traitor has no love for our fox-boy. So they kill him, you lose it and become ripe for the picking and Kabuto gets brownie points for taking care of the both of you." Ibiki's eyes scanned the crowd judging their reactions.
"Yes, that boy tried with all his might to kill Naruto once before…he almost succeeded." Tsunade clearly remembered crying over Naruto's body as his heart almost stopped from Kabuto's deceitful attack. "Orochimaru would like Naruto dead but only to keep the Akatsuki from getting their hands on him. Naruto means nothing to that snake!" Her foot hit the floor heavily.
"Wait – he wants to kill Naruto just to get to you?" Shikamaru stepped to Sasuke's side. "Why you? What's so damn special about you?!" He roughly took Sasuke's arm.
Sasuke looked at the anger in Shikamaru's face then around the room as suspicions bloomed on most everyone's faces. Finally he looked at Lady Tsunade. "What should I say?" He could reveal it all but he was hesitant to do so.
At that moment, Neji knew this was yet another secret the higher ranked ninjas knew and didn't think it was something they needed to know. "Shikamaru." Neji shook his head.
Neji looked from Neji to Kakashi then to Lady Tsunade and sighed. "More secrets." He abruptly let Sasuke go and went back to leaning on the wall.
"Some secrets are necessary. Why give yourself a headache and attain knowledge of things you can do nothing about?" Ibiki asked quietly.
Tsunade's gaze was still locked with Sasuke's dark eyes. She made a decision. "You may tell them if you wish. It's bound to come up again." She wondered if he realized the situation was so damned similar to Naruto's a few weeks ago.
He did and gave her a pained smile then turned to Hinata. "I'll tell you and only you." Sasuke looked to Neji. "Naruto doesn't know why Orochimaru is after me – I hadn't yet worked up the courage to tell him. I'd like to tell him first but he's not here and I may not get the chance before Kabuto goes after him. Hinata, you're closest to Naruto after his mother, Lady Tsunade, so if anybody deserves to know – it's you."
Hinata was having a hard time controlling her trembling. They were all talking so calmly when Naruto's life was in danger. Kabuto and Orochimaru thought his life was nothing! But Sasuke's was important, even desired. "Yes tell me, I need to know why they think so highly of you and why my Naruto is nothing but a means to you!" Her voice was cold.
Sasuke nodded and wondered after he told her, if all the progress they'd made as friends would vanish. He blinked as it truly hit him. Oh God Naruto! I'm so sorry!
"Exactly." Kakashi said reading Sasuke. "It's the same damn thing. Will you handle yourself half as well as Naruto did?" He had to make Sasuke see the hard truths that he and Naruto shared. Neither was alone in this.
Sasuke nodded blinking. "I'll try. I will." He promised.
"Okay enough! Ibiki, tell us the rest. Do they know where Naruto is now?" Tsunade demanded. There was much to decide and she didn't want to waste anymore time.
"No my Lady but they have a team searching, figuring he can't be too far away since he's expected back in the village next week. We still have time." Ibiki glanced at his watch as if it would tell him exactly how much time they really had.
"What about him – the spy? Is he supposed to join up with them at anytime? How are they communicating?" Kakashi sat forward.
"Taken care of. He's supposed to stay here and report back any new news. We've already captured the hawk he was supposed to use. Only thing left is to know how you want to proceed Lady Tsunade."
"Yes…" Tsunade had been thinking about that. "I have some idea of what Orochimaru might do but this Kabuto…besides him being an excellent medical ninja I don't know much about him nor does anyone else." She looked to Kakashi to confirm this and he nodded. "Ibiki send out some men to look for Kabuto's team. Get a location and I'll send a few men to all the nearby towns to give Iruka an Jiraiya the heads-up. I don't want to make a mistake here so I'm going to think about this for a couple hours, make a plan then put a team together." Tsunade stood and went to Hinata. The girl stood before her. She framed Hinata's face. "Don't worry too much, he's coming home. No way he'd leave two women as beautiful as us, right?" They had to stay strong or they could lose him.
Hinata covered Lady Tsunade's hands and leaned into the woman for support then pulled back and smiled even as tears left her eyes. "Damn straight! Naruto will come home." She looked around Tsunade. "Right Sasuke?"
"On my life Hinata. On my life." Sasuke wouldn't let Naruto die, not because of him. His life had been led selfishly, living only for his need to kill Itachi. No more, if it took his life to give Naruto a chance to live then he'd gladly leave this world to join the rest of his clan.
It was at that moment, only just then that Uchiha Sasuke became a proud member of Konoha. He wasn't just going through the motions anymore, everything about him was real. Konoha shinobi lived to die for each other – what better measure of a man, of a friend is there?
Neji and Shikamaru lost their doubts and went to stand next to him. Together they would bring Naruto home.