You know, I just got my first reviews. I know I said that it didn't matter to me what other people thought of my work. Shows what I know.
Loli04 - Thanks for the encouragement.
Kariol – Keep your fingers crossed. Who knows, you might get your wish.
Standard disclaimer applies.
Ch 7: Interrogation
"Itachi-san, you have returned from your mission, I see."
"Hai, Hokage-sama. Please, come with me. I will explain why on the way."
"…Very well. Lead the way, Itachi-san."
------
When the Hyuuga clan decided to flee Konohagakure, it was to the complete surprise of the elders that Tomoko decided to flee into Fire Country. Wasn't the monster dwelling in that area? Once again, the elders assumed it was the emotions caused by pregnancy that brought about this fit of irrationality. They were even planning to overthrow her, regardless of her knowledge of the curse seal. After all, what good would the curse seal be if the clan was wiped out? However, for all the examples of emotion displayed by the clan leader, Tomoko never did anything without reason.
In the past weeks, rumors had been circulating about two missing-nin from Kirigakure being spotted within the borders of Fire Country. Two brothers, in fact, who were legendary in the eyes of the people of Kirigakure. Whispers told of the two men being hunted by the Kiri no Shinobigatana Nananin Shu (Mist's Seven Swordsmen). When two of them returned with five body bags, none of which contained their targets, the Mizukage decided that they weren't worth the trouble. Missing-nin were flocking to these men, and Tomoko saw a chance to protect her clan from the retaliation of the Raikage.
Under the span of two weeks, the Hyuuga clan systematically extracted themselves from the borders of Kumo, allowing for discovery of their departure to be delayed until most of the main house members and some of the branch house members had safely extradited themselves to Fire Country. When the Raikage learned of this treachery, he immediately sent his hunter-nin, along with the remaining Swordsmen to capture those in the compound. When the enemy arrived, the main house members decided that the branch house members would delay the approaching nin while they, the main house members, escaped. It worked, but, according to the reports of the hunter-nin, all of the branch members were killed. That did not bother the main house very much. After all, wasn't it the duty of the branch house to protect the main house? Those branch house members who survived the exodus never saw it that way, and their hatred for their relatives only amplified.
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"Wow, Kakashi, I didn't realize you were teaching now."
"It's temporary. Anyway, these students are why I asked you here. One in particular."
"Can I order something first?"
In response the gray-haired jounin beckoned to the waiter, who rushed over to accommodate the ninja.
"What can I do for you, sir?"
"Just some sake for me."
"And for you, ma'am?"
The red-eyed woman turned to the waiter. "Anmitsu for me, thanks."
The waiter bowed and retreated from the table. The two jounins returned their attention to each other.
"Well, what is it that you wanted?"
"I was wondering if you could do me a favor."
The woman stared questioningly. "What?"
"I need you to help out one of my students with her training."
Kakashi steeled himself for what was to come next.
"You do realize, Kakashi, that I have students of my own, ones that require my full attention?"
"I'm aware of that, Kurenai, but-"
"So what makes you think I'd be willing to forsake them just because you're too lazy to train your own?"
Kakashi sighed. "First of all, this is only a temporary thing. Just until the Chuunin exams. One of Itachi's students is not ready for it, but you can help her rise to the level she needs to be at."
"She's a genjutsu-type?"
Kakashi nodded. "It doesn't have to be long hours or anything. Just show her how to do some useful techniques. She can practice on her own. All she needs is a little guidance."
Kurenai laughed. "And since you are unfamiliar with most genjutsu, you're not very qualified in that regard."
The waiter had returned, and placed their respective orders in front of each of them.
"If I do this, I want you to do something for me." Kakashi stared at her, allowing her to continue.
"Hyuuga Hinata, one of my students, is worried about how she will fare against an Uchiha. You know how it is between those two clans." Kakashi knew only too well.
When he and his team participated in the battles against Iwagakure, events led to him losing his left eye and his best friend, Uchiha Obito. Before he perished, the black-haired boy told the medic on their team to transplant his undamaged eye into Kakashi. Upon return to Konoha, word of the incident had already spread to the village. As expected, the Uchiha clan was furious that an outsider held the power coveted most reverently by their clan, the Sharingan. They demanded that Kakashi be made an official member of the Uchiha clan. The Hyuuga, long-time rivals of the Uchiha, refused to allow such an occurrence. The boy was a genius the likes of which were rarely seen. His addition into the ranks of the Uchiha would cause a radical shift in the balance of power between the clans. The Hyuuga clan elders told the Hokage that he should be put to death.
Thank Kami sensei stepped in. Kakashi saw first-hand how much the heads of such powerful families feared his instructor. A shoo-in for the position of Yondaime Hokage, Kazama Arashi told everyone involved, in no uncertain terms, that Kakashi was not to be touched, nor would he ever be in the jurisdiction of a clan. Only the Hokage gave the teenager orders. If the clans forced their decision of the boy's fate, Arashi said he would not hesitate in destroying the guilty party. Predictably, the two heads backed off.
Heh. Good times.
"-so when you kill the clown, I want you to strap it to a goat and parade it around the village. And you have to be naked, of course."
"Wait, what?"
"I knew you weren't listening." Kakashi scratched the back of his head, giving a sheepish smile. "Just spar with my student, so she can become familiar with fighting against the Sharingan. Then I'll tutor Itachi's student."
"Deal. Thanks, Kurenai."
"Sure, whatever."
------
Whenever Kaizo was bored, he would usually train with one of his teammates, be it Sai or Naruto, or even Megumi-sensei. Other times, he enjoyed getting out of 'Ne' headquarters and walking the streets of Konoha. It gave him a sense of pride, that he was one of the few that had been tasked with the duty of protecting this village. Everything they did was for the benefit of the people around him, even if they weren't aware of it.
It took some doing, but he managed to convince Megumi-sensei to leave the compound. He, along with Sai, decided to visit some of the stalls that dotted the marketplace of Konoha.
"There sure are a lot of people."
"You said it, Sai."
The hustle and bustle of the marketplace threatened to overwhelm Kaizo. Being secluded for most of their lives, the two never got used to crowds of people. Being pushed and shoved from many directions, Kaizo was tempted to jump to the rooftops, in order to avoid the traffic. He didn't, though. One of the conditions of a visit top-side was that they were not allowed to attract attention to themselves, ruling out the use of ninja skills entirely.
"Let's go to that store, Kaizo. There aren't many people in there."
Kaizo followed the direction Sai's finger was pointing towards. It appeared to be a weapons shop, one of many in the market. Kaizo nodded his head in agreement.
"Yeah, we won't be squashed to death in there."
The two teenagers pushed their way to the entrance of the store, where the proprietor greeted them warmly.
"Hello. Please, take your time with your purchase. If you have any questions, my daughter will be happy to assist you." The man gestured to a pretty girl about their age, with brown hair wrapped in buns.
"Pleased to meet you, honored customers."
Sai stepped forward. "Thank you. We were looking for a gift for a friend. He's not a ninja, so it needs to be practical for civilians like us."
Kaizo grabbed his arm, but Sai just shook it off. The girl adopted a thinking pose, then after a few seconds, her eyes widened.
"I know just the thing! Wait here, please." The daughter of the owner ran into the back of the shop.
Once again, Kaizo grabbed his arm, and this time, Sai turned around. "What is it, Kaizo?"
The boy didn't respond, but merely pointed outside the shop, towards the rooftops.
There, on the roof of the shop opposite of them, was Tazo Yusuke, Danzo-sama's second-in-command. Immediately, he leapt of the rooftop, heading in the direction of 'Ne' headquarters. Why is he in such a hurry?
"Come on! Let's go!" Once again with the grabbing of the arm.
"Why?"
Kaizo looked at him as if he'd grown another head. "Don't you remember? Yusuke-san left at the same time we did. And he left with Naruto!"
Sai's eyes widened.
"Come on, Sai! Let's go see Naruto!"
The girl reappeared from the back of the shop, holding a well-polished wooden bo staff. "Here it is, honored customers, a weapon of great qual…honored customers?"
Sai and Kaizo were no longer there.
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Oh, my head…
"Awake, I see."
Naruto snapped his head towards the voice…and soon regretted it. A blinding flash of pain stabbed up through his spine. He almost lost consciousness, but the man speaking would not let him.
"Stay awake, boy, or you'll regret it."
Slowly, Naruto strained his senses to focus on his surroundings. From best he could tell, there was light in the room, due to the heat it radiated onto his skin. The man who spoke was the only chakra he sensed nearby, but there were others, constantly moving. Two were heading in his direction. He recognized one as the ninja whom he fought. Immediately, Naruto began struggling against the chains that bounded him, so much so that he attempted to call upon his chakra.
"That's no use, boy. This room is warded to suppress any chakra, even from one as powerful as you."
Naruto ignored him, hoping that he was bluffing. Again, Naruto concentrated on drawing out his chakra. It was there, he could feel it, but it seemed to be just out of reach.
Naruto's head snapped backwards as the man's fist made contact with is face. Blood dripped out of Naruto's mouth as he dazedly ran his tongue over his teeth, relieved to find he did not lose any.
"Every time you ignore me, child, it will get worse." The man had a deep baritone voice, one that sent shivers down Naruto's spine. This man sounded like he was experienced in his field.
"Now, I have some questions I would like answered. I do not have to be cliché and threaten you if you do not answer, do I?"
Naruto said nothing, and a fist answered his silence. More blood spurted from his mouth, and Naruto thought he felt a rib give away.
"I know all about your healing ability, so we can continue for as long as you like."
Naruto's lack of response did not seem to deter the interrogator.
"Now, why were you with those Kumo-nin?"
------
Ibiki had a problem. At present, he was standing in front of a blind teenager who was chained to the chair placed in the middle of the cell. It wasn't the first time that he interrogated a minor. After all, shinobi aren't judged by age. No, the fact that the prisoner was just a boy did not bother him; it was that he was blind. For an expert in extracting information, there were many ways to discern if the captive was telling the truth; the body language, speech patterns, and, most importantly, the eyes. For a reason unknown to Ibiki, a human being found it very difficult to prevent emotions from being expressed through said sensory organs. While it was comparatively easier for a shinobi than a civilian, Ibiki knew first-hand that even ninja could not effectively prevent it.
But this boy, with his vacant stare, gave off no indication that the answers he gave were genuine. The boy probably knew it too, since he seemed too willing to cooperate. The boy did not lack courage, Ibiki was certain. To fight the Uchiha Itachi, especially after he displays his skills by slaughtering your comrades, took a fair amount of guts…or an excess of stupidity.
There was a knock at the cell door. Ibiki spun around and bowed as the Sandaime Hokage and Uchiha Itachi entered the cramped cell.
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Shorter than usual, but oh well. Thanks for reading.