Chapter Nineteen: After Dark
He stared annoyed at the door, he allowed a shiver of cold to pass through him before he tried again. There was no answer. He rolled his eyes in exasperation and he turned around to go, he knew Naruto was in there, he felt him in there with someone who had an even fainter chakra signature then Naruto himself. He shrugged himself deeper into his coat as he prepared himself to leave, then he heard the slow creek of the door opening an inch or so. The door flew open.
"What do you want!?" he heard Naruto shout. He was not going to answer him with a slab of wood between them. An embarrassed blush grazed his pale cheeks, he was thankful for the darkness and the high collar. Why was he here?
He saw the look that Naruto gave him, but he remained cool. He looked over Naruto's head unconsciously so as not to meet his eyes, he thought he saw something or even possibly someone. Naruto had said something, but he ignored him. His eyes focused on one spot. On impulse he attempted to enter. He met with huge resistance, he stared at the force that Naruto used to keep him out pushing back roughly. He immediately pulled back in embarrassment. Naruto was angry with him. Naruto carefully stepped out so as not to allow Sasuke much of a glimpse inside. He crossed his arms and waited for an answer.
"I said what the hell do you want!?" Naruto yelled out impatiently, unable to stand Sasuke's silence.
"To apologize," he said through gritted teeth. Itachi raised an eyebrow. Now what in hell did his little brother have in mind? "For the way that I treated you. I had no right to react as I did." Naruto's eyes widened in surprise, then his lips went into the widest grin that Sasuke had ever seen on him.
"Uchiha Sasuke, the Uchiha is apologizing to me?" Naruto smirked and he was enjoying himself immensely. What have I done? Sasuke thought regretfully as he continued to look on at Naruto's smiling face. Calm yourself down Sasuke. Sasuke thought serenely. There is still time to redeem your plan. Still time to get the information from him. Besides I have to know what he meant when he said that the Sharingan was a part of his past and continues to be. He couldn't have possibly meant me, and I am fairly certain that he still doesn't know about my Bloodline Limit. He spared no one, so it's out of the question that it could have been anyone else. That leaves only you dear brother. Sasuke frowned. But I still can't be stupid enough to eliminate the possibility that he meant me. I don't know enough about him to make that assumption. But then again, Sasuke looked at Naruto's innocent idiots face, I could be making something out of nothing.
Without a doubt Naruto really was enjoying himself. But he sensed the falseness in Sasuke's voice. He had heard it too many times in his life to not hear it now. But he wanted another friend so badly, someone who simply did not betray him the way so many others had, he wanted another like his Tenshi that he ignored the insincerity.
His Tenshi-san was the only one who had never betrayed or hurt him in anyway…
Naruto pried himself away from his thoughts and grinned at Sasuke.
"Yes I am," Sasuke said turning his head away to stare at the most fascinating tree in the world then growled under his breath, "happy?" Itachi almost let go of the jutsu then as he heard Sasuke actually apologizing, a word not present in the Uchiha vocabulary, luckily he recovered from it at the last second. Naruto was pretending to think about it carefully with a serious look on his face with his hand up to his chin. Sasuke was beginning to feel uncomfortable, who knew it would take the loud mouth this long to think about it?
Now why would Sasuke lower himself to apologizing to me? Naruto thought slightly suspicious now, but his Tenshi had restored his trusting nature considerably. He reminds me so much of Tenshi-san, so maybe he's not so bad. Thought of course Tenshi-san is way better then him! By like, a thousand times! Naruto thought loyally towards the end.
"Sure," Naruto said like it was no big deal grinning at Sasuke.
There was a very awkward silence.
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"Yuuki what information have you gathered?" the Hokage asked as the required formalities were over. They were somewhat near the Hokage monument. The hour was close to dawn, perhaps another half hour or so. She wore a heavy cloak and it rustled slightly as she shifted her weight uncomfortably.
"I failed to kill him," she said quietly, "I failed to kill Itachi. He did fall for the trap we set up for him. When I fought him he was amazing, but distracted. But the boy that was with him saved him and stopped me fully carrying it out and cornering me into giving him the cure. Days later he killed the old civilian we set up to give him the mission after I failed to kill him Hokage-sama."
The Hokage frowned, "a boy defeated you? Do you know whom?" His voice was incredulous.
Yuuki turned her head away from the Hokage, she knew how he felt about the boy, and said in a near whisper, "it was he Hokage-sama. The fox vessel."
All the Third could do was turn fully to the Hokage monument, and his eyes fell on the moonlit face of the Fourth.
"You should have killed him and the boy a long while ago when you still had the chance!" she cried out, then immediately bit her lip in regret. Like many she loved and respected the Hokage, she rather die then disobey him. The Hokage slowly closed his eyes then looked at Yuuki, her face was lowered in shame at having shouted at the Third.
"You represent so many Yuuki," he said in a tired voice with a glance at her and then toward the face of the Fourth, already immortalized in stone. Yuuki raised her head curiously as she heard that he had more to say. "You don't know how many villagers came to protest against bringing the boy back here. You weren't here, but I'm quite sure you would have lead the affair if not for your respect for me. They came full of rage and hate for what was not the boys fault," Yuuki made an indignant sound, "what the fox did the fox did Yuuki, it was not Naruto, he was a mere baby then incapable of harming anything, you should know that better then most around here. As I was saying. They came to protest against brining Uzumaki here, a couple even threatening, in a very subtle manner or so they thought, to remove me as Hokage." Yuuki gasped, more then ready to eliminate the ones who had said such thing,"please stop interrupting Yuuki."
"Of course Hokage-sama," she said giving a slight bow to hide her blushing face.
"For a while the villagers were uneasy, but Sasuke had been instructed to always be near him as much as possible for Naruto's own safety and for the ease of the villagers until he felt it would be fine to let him officially become a citizen. I don't think he even ever noticed the looks they threw at him, more then likely he had learned to ignore them long ago.
"When he came he was under the care of Uchiha Sasuke, rather ironic as I understand now, I hoped that his cool manner would command a sort of awe in Naruto, perhaps he would see what a true genius shinobi is but regrettably their personalities clashed like water and fire. However Naruto does not seem to respect power in itself, he seems to see beyond what a person shows, much as he did as a child," the Hokage stopped for breath and as he continued Yuuki thought she heard what sounded like shame in his tone.
"I lost the boy Yuuki, I simply lost him," the Hokage said with something akin to grief in his voice, "I have never forgiven myself from that."
-Flashback-
The forest was full of light and life, the birds sung their songs, squirrels ran about the forest, a soft and gentle breeze made the trees rustle, and no human noises were heard. A blond boy of about four or five lay with his back to a lush tree, his head was slumped forward and a golden red fox lay on his lap. His hands were limply on the floor, palm up, his chest was unmoving, he looked dead.
Sarutobi's heart nearly leapt out of his chest as he saw him.
Using the speed of a Hokage he ran to the boy and grabbed him up in an embrace more then ready to take him into the village for medical attention.
"Whaaryodoin!" came the muffled sounds and then a fierce struggle. The boy was now kicking and screaming at him, Sarutobi immediately let go for fear of injury. His heart settled in place as he saw that the small boy was fine, thought no unscathed. The boy had landed with a hard thump on the floor and was now furiously rubbing the spot, still screaming. He was definitely getting too old for this.
"Naruto what are you doing here?" he asked after the boy had calmed down, they were after all outside of the village and considerably far. He had been searching for Naruto for a while now seeing as Naruto had run away from his caretakers, again.
"Playing," came the sly answer, "but we decided to go to sleep instead."
"We?" Sarutobi asked curiously wanting to hear it from his lips, he noticed with some relief that the fox was gone, it would not do for anyone to see it. Naruto nodded and grinned but then frowned slightly.
"But you scared her away! Now nobody will play with me! Nobody does!" Naruto cried out suddenly, pouting and crossing his arms. But Sarutobi didn't know how to respond to that, didn't know if he should. The accusations slipped out of Naruto's head as he spotted a figure suddenly appear behind the Hokage. "Oh! Kakashi! You came looking for me! I knew that you couldn't live long without me! Admit it! You missed me!" Naruto shouted in Kakashi's ear as he clung to his back. Sarutobi's eyes were unreadable as he heard the sad desperation in Naruto's voice. It should not be so for someone so young.
"Yes, yes," Kakashi said waving his hand a bit for emphasis, "I came looking for you." Satisfied Naruto jumped down, Kakashi's hand shot out to and grabbed Naruto's wrist. "Now, Naruto you know better then to try that." Naruto's hand was inches away from what looked suspiciously like a book. The Hokage chose to ignore that little display.
"He, he, he," Naruto laughed as Kakashi let go of his wrist, "wow! Kakashi! That book must be great, you always have it with you! I can't wait to learn how to read, so that I can read it too! And get strong like you!" Kakashi's only visible eye curved upward.
"What a nice thing to say Naruto," Kakashi said cheerfully as he ruffled a grinning Naruto's head. Sarutobi couldn't help but roll his eyes heavenward.
"You will do no such thing Naruto," Sarutobi said dutifully in a commanding tone, barely able to suppress a laugh. Naruto's only respond was to stick out his tongue turn his back to Sarutobi and then to sit on the ground and start drawing pictures in the dirt with a stick. humming to himself a silly song. A silent motion from Sarutobi and Kakashi came over. "Thank you for helping me Kakashi."
"What is this really about Hokage-sama?" Kakashi said frowning under his mask.
"He's starting to notice Kakashi," Sarutobi spoke softly as not to be overheard by Naruto, "nobody plays with him you see…" The comment sounded silly when he said it out loud, but Kakashi did not laugh.
"We can't do anything about it," Kakashi spoke gravely, "hatred like that runs deep. And what happened five years ago is still too fresh in their minds to forget. They hate him because he is the physical manifestation of what happened that day, of what they suffered, of those they lost, and what it was. He even bears the marks on his face. Many would choose to kill him now, be it not for you Hokage-sama. Be patient. Perhaps they will come to look upon him as the hero the Fourth wished them to regard him as?" The last sentence had not been meant to come out as a question.
Sarutobi laughed sardonically , "how amusing. A shinobi under my control offering me advise. The Hokage." The words had been said softly and ironically and did not sound as harsh as the reality they represented truly was. "But you are right Kakashi. Perhaps with time… But I am no fool. I've seen the way they pass their enmity to their children. Perhaps, perhaps."
There followed a long silence and not a sound was heard, except the sounds of the forest.
"Naruto!" Kakashi said, "lets go!" He wasn't there. "Come now Naruto, were going home, back to the village."
Sarutobi looked around him and saw no one except Kakashi at his side.
"Kakashi will play with you if you come out from your hiding place," he offered impatiently. Kakashi glanced sharply at the Hokage and saw that he was not using this as a mere rouse to get the boy to them. He sensed around for Naruto hopping that if he found the little nuisance, the Hokage would not force him into the deal. But he sensed nothing.
"He's, gone! Go Kakashi! Look for him!" the Hokage shouted at Kakashi. Kakashi had the distinct feeling that the boy had heard.
They looked but found no one.
-End Flashback-
"But you gave the village seven years of peace Hokage-sama," Yuuki said rationally in a puzzled tone. The Hokage sighed in exasperation as he saw that his words had fallen on deaf ears. She truly was the perfect representative for the general feelings of the village. Kakashi had watched the boy on and off as a favor to him to see how he was, and to see his prowess as well.
"What more do you have to say Yuuki?" the Hokage said with a wave of his arm and a brisk tone. Yuuki tilted up her head, and spoke hesitantly. Something the Third did not fail to notice.
"Itachi is in this village Hokage-sama, with Naruto," Yuuki said and stopped then continued her voice trembling slightly, "he appears to be Naruto's sensei. He almost killed me for Itachi. And the seal has slipped…"
"Gather a team," the Third said immediately. Yuuki nodded and was about to leave when he heard him. "And Yuuki?"
"Yes Hokage?" she said quietly.
"If you can help it don't hurt Naruto."
"Of course," she said her voice catching in her throat and was off knowing exactly were to go and who's permission to get.
The Hokage had heard her tone, it was the tone that let him know better then to wait at home and hope for the best while drinking tea. He finely acknowledged the presence that had been there for most of the conversation.
"Kakashi you make sure at all costs that the boy is not harmed," the Hokage said, "protect Uzumaki Naruto at the cost of your own life if you must. Do not fail me."
Itachi, hu? Just as troublesome as when you were a kid, a shinobi picks you up and you just had to go with Itachi of all the rouge shinobi in all of creation! What a mess! And with your connection to the other Uchiha. Makes me wonder at what I observed the past two weeks or so. You actually showing some perceptible intelligence. You just better not get me killed. Kakashi thought distractedly in the back of his head as increased his speed. There was no time to waste before the one of the leader's for the I Hate the Kyuubi Club actually got to the boy. This was getting just a little too complicated for Kakashi's taste.
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Itachi dared not move as he sensed others nearby, too close for comfort. His eyes flicked back to Sasuke. You're going to interfere if they manage to detect me. I can't let that happen. It would be very easy to defeat you, but time consuming. Come on Naruto! Finish off this little act of yours! We must leave! As if sensing his urgency Naruto had turned around to look straight at him as if he could see him. Itachi was however did not regret the request he had made of Naruto. Naruto grinned right at him in that grin that Itachi had seen the Kyuubi use. Itachi couldn't help but smirk that famous Uchiha smirk.
"Sasuke?" Naruto said his head still tilted toward the wall.
"Yes?" Sasuke said slightly curious. He saw Naruto grinning at the wall. U unless it's not a wall! But the thought came a second or two late as he saw Naruto's clenched fist make brutal contact with his stomach. He felt the pain spread as darkness clung to the edges of his vision. Naruto held him as he slumped forward from the pain. The words came out like fire from his mouth as he shouted, "you bastard! You really were holding back!" Another blow and he knew the blissful darkness.
The last thing he head was a whispered apology.
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"I didn't know you had it in you Naruto," Itachi said coolly as he stepped forth from the wall. Naruto was still holding Sasuke, but the other's boy's weight was obviously a little too much for him. Reluctantly Itachi ventured forth to help when he saw that Naruto was not going anywhere with him, and unless he dragged him on the floor he wouldn't which wasn't something Naruto looked ready to do. He took Sasuke from him as Naruto gave him up without any resistance.
He was surprisingly light. Itachi froze as he felt an unsteady gaze on him, then it was gone. No doubt he will think that a dream. The better for me. And him. He no longer wanted to gaze upon the prodigy of Konoha. He took him to Naruto's unused room and left him there, he noticed with detachment how Sasuke almost immediately drew within himself as if he only had himself to give warmth.
Itachi returned to find Naruto slumped in front of the door.
"I didn't kill him did I?" Naruto said with an ironic smirk on his face. Itachi didn't bother to answer that one, it was one of those pointless questions.
Moments later however Naruto was more then battle ready, Itachi however had refrained from commenting on the loud orange outfit. Naruto had scowled at Itachi's obvious distaste of it and had said nothing as well. They stood on the roof of some building now, moderately close to the gate.
"You won't be able to come back," Itachi said as he gazed at the horizon, it was approaching dawn. Even then it muffled the orange outfit.
"Not the first time," Naruto commented angrily. Itachi was tempted to knock Naruto unconscious as Naruto had done to Sasuke. After all this was Itachi's first experience with a Naruto that was actually angry at him. But he would not make the mistake again of having Naruto as a distraction.
"We wont be able to get out without the guards spotting us," Itachi said softly as he looked at the prominent gates. Naruto turned to look at him, the angry look gone from his face.
"Then I guess I just have to make a distraction," he said cheekily.
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Sasuke's eyes flew open.
End Chapter Nineteen
Next Chapter: Er... The reason this is called Demons Dawn?
Not sure what to say so I wont bore you.
animelvr4evr: she already sort of knows who he is. Helping him? I can't answer that! And thanks for reviewing!
Sometimes u ask the most difficult questions. But their the ones that makeme think, and help me develop the story, thats why I love them! You have a point though, and i will try to explain the rest of the things later on. Thanks for reviewing!
Liliath: That response really did sound weird, butI meant that you motivated and inspired me, for I am very, very easily distracted. Thanks for reviewing!