Author's Note: My disclaimer is at the beginning, enough said. Special Thanks to:
.Chicii-chan.- I know, and thank you for reviewing. Hopefully this chapter will ease some of the ambiguity as to the pairings.
Minniemousemom- That seems to be the question on everyone's mind… and this chapter will answer it.
Takara Makoto- My thanks to you for being a constant reviewer, and I'll try not to kill you with cliffies. xD
Now. To answer everyone's question as to our mysterious man… read on….
Recap:
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Kabuto smiled. "It is… why don't you tell us about it, Yichi?"
The kunoichi felt her heart freeze as she felt the prickling sensation of a kunai at her neck. "I don't know what you are talking about."
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Suddenly an echoing shriek pierced her concentration, making the place twist reflect in her byakuugan as images seemed to repeat for ever. Holding her head, she deactivated her sight to stare at the three rain ninja before her all of whom were sharing wicked smiles. "We know you and the Nibi brat have it," one said coldly. "Come with us quietly and your cousin over there will remain alive. Refuse, and you all will die."
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Sakura's mind flashed back to the day she had been given the secret. The one day that she had discovered that which ought not ever be told of. For it was a great responsibility. As her eyes closed, she relaxed her mind she caught a flash of a battle scene, of a flurry of black and red beside other familiar faces. Grimancing, she rubbed her temples. It would do no good to dwell on things that might only be true. And she was starting to get a headache. But then she paused as she felt a flicker of chakra. Yichi was near by. She had to be. Getting to her feet, Sakura took a deep breath before charging the chakra to her fist and slamming through the door. Torin had departed around ten minutes prior, he wouldn't hear the clatter, she reasoned as she took off only to be frozen stiff as she found herself staring into yellow, viper like eyes.
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"What are you doing in the base?" the young man asked calmly, his yellow eyes sweeping over her form thoughtfully. "I do not believe that I have ever seen you here before."
Sakura stared at him, unable to calm the shock running through her system. The eyes seemed to hold her down in place so that her body could not move, but yet, she new by his appearance that he was not Orochimaru. The snake sanin had been killed and confirmed dead. Moreso, he had never spoken in a clear tone. "I was brought here," she said, stuttering over her words. A small flash in her mind thought that he appeared very much like Itachi, except with eyes of gold instead of rubies.
The youngman's calm tone was slightly interested, accepting instead of condemning. "I see," he replied with a kind smile. "It is easy to get lost in the twisting and turning passages. Is there a specific place you were hoping to go?"
"Yes," she replied, utilizing her ANBU training. This could easily get her where she needed to go, and then she would be able to help Yichi. "I was hoping to locate my sister. She and I are a bit… directionally challenged in new places. I left her at the entrance and I just haven't been able to find my way back."
He smiled slightly wider, his golden eyes appearing thoughtful. "You must be the guests Torin was expecting. I'll take you to the entrance then, and then we can head to where ever you're rooms are," he said, turning to walk down a hall as he gestured for her to follow. As she caught up with him, he nodded to her. "I am Niro, by the way. Niomaru."
Sakura smiled in return. "My name is Sakura… it's a pleasure to meet you."
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Hinata took a deep breath. "Alright, so I do. But taking me won't do any good," she said as she slowly doffed her lilac sweatshirt.
She smiled bitterly as breath caught in each of the ninja's throat, save for Kiri who mere looked on with a grim expression. Bright black swirls starkly contrasted to her pale skin, but even more so was the lilac gem that rested at her left shoulder. It glimmered slightly in the light, but yet held no glow.
Neji's eyes were perhaps the widest. Even with his Byakuugan, he had never noticed. But as he looked at it, he know what it was, and that there was no way to remove it. Turning as he saw the demon girl likewise shed her outer shirt, he noticed the red stone that rested at the back of her neck, with the same swirling designs. They each had the same mark.
The enemy ninja gave a slight 'hm.' as the leader looked at each girl. "So that is the Aoi…" he mused coldly drawing a kunai. "Turn around."
Obeying him, Hinata paused as her lilac eyes narrowed. Something was off in the situation. Looking at each of her team mates, she noticed Itachi was missing. And then she remembered. Kiri's mark was not red. It was black. But as she located the swirling red eyes, she knew that there was nothing that could be done. "You learned what you wanted. Release the genjutsu," she said quietly, her voice full of malice as she felt a burn of hate in her chest.
As the scene slowly faded, she fell to her knees with a sense of vertigo. Naruto reached out to replace her sweatshirt around her. She was being carried in his arms. Yet she refused to even look at him as her pale cheeks were stained with a flush of anger. "You bastard," she whispered venomously at Itachi. How could she have been so stupid as to fall into the trap of his eyes?
With a mere 'hn' Itachi continued on. His mind was focused on what had been revealed in the genjutsu. The only thing that mattered was getting Sakura back. Yet as he stepped on a branch, he felt a dim flash of memory over the mental connection. And it made his eyes darken in fury.
He could hear each of her thoughts, and it was enough to drive him mad. But the stoic Uchiha merely continued on, his feet hitting each branch with a new sense of urgency. She was his alone, and he would not allow his enemy to take her from him. With a slight pause he wondered when he had assumed that possessiveness. And yet he had no answer.
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"Come now, you don't know anything?" Kabuto purred as he pushed Yichi into the room. "Nothing what so ever?"
"No. I merely know its name," she replied, staring at each of them. Kamille's storm like eyes narrowed in disbelief and he rose to his feet. Approching the kunoichi, he drew out four senbon that glinted wickedly in the dim light.
"Let's play a game, Yichi…"